GBH presented a national virtual event honoring travel expert, Rick Steves.
Rick sat down for a wide-ranging discussion with Samantha Brown, television travel host of PBS’s Samantha Brown’s Places to Love. Rick shared reflections on his career, his decades-long connection to public media, and shared a few tips on some of the best places to visit and explore around the globe. A few guests asked Rick Steves their own travel questions.
Our virtual event was recorded in early October, 2026.
More about Rick Steves: Rick Steves, America's most respected authority on European travel, empowers Americans to have European trips that are fun, affordable, and culturally broadening. In 1976, he started his business, Rick Steves' Europe. Rick produces a best-selling guidebook series, a popular public television show, a weekly public radio show, a syndicated travel column, and free travel information available through his travel center and ricksteves.com. Rick Steves' Europe also runs a successful small-group tour program taking 30,000 travelers to Europe annually.
More about event host Samantha Brown: Over the last 20+ years, Samantha Brown has traveled around the world visiting over 250 cities in 62 countries and 40 of the 50 U.S. states, creating hundreds of hours of programming content. Samantha’s career began in 1999 when she began hosting Travel Channel’s Great Vacation Homes. She’s since also hosted Girl Meets Hawaii, Great Hotels, Passport to Europe, Passport to Latin America, Great Weekends, Green Getaways, Passport to China, and Samantha Brown’s Asia. Then, in January 2018, she began hosting and producing the Emmy award winning show, Samantha Brown’s Places to Love on PBS.
More about: On The Hippie Trail: Istanbul to Kathmandu and the Making of a Travel Writer Book description: Stow away with Rick Steves for a glimpse into the unforgettable moments, misadventures, and memories of his 1978 journey on the legendary Hippie Trail.In the 1970s, the ultimate trip for any backpacker was the storied “Hippie Trail” from Istanbul to Kathmandu. A 23-year-old Rick Steves made the trek, and like a travel writer in training, he documented everything along the way: jumping off a moving train, making friends in Tehran, getting lost in Lahore, getting high for the first time in Herat, battling leeches in Pokhara, and much more. The experience ignited his love of travel and forever broadened his perspective on the world.
This book contains edited selections from Rick’s journal and travel photos with a 45-years-later preface and postscript reflecting on how the journey through Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, and Nepal changed his life.
You know Rick Steves. Now discover the adventure of a lifetime that made him the travel writer he is today.
Ticket price: $75 (includes a link to watch the 60-minute Zoom Webinar event and a signed copy of his soft cover book,
On The Hippie Trail: Istanbul to Kathmandu and the Making of a Travel Writer, mailed to the ticket purchaser’s address).
How it works:
Purchase a ticket and we will e-mail you the link to the recording of this event and the book, On The Hippie Trail: Istanbul to Kathmandu and the Making of a Travel Writer, will be mailed to the ticket purchaser’s address. Ticket purchasers have 90 days to watch the event recording. You choose the time and place! Gather your family and friends for a fun time! We know you'll enjoy this lively conversation.
Don’t miss your chance to recreate this memorable event hearing directly from Rick Steves and his entertaining stories and wealth of travel wisdom. And remember, your ticket purchase supports the GBH programming you love.
Package includes:
· The link to the 60 minute recording from the October 2026 virtual event, Beyond the Page with Rick Steves and a signed copy of his newest book, On The Hippie Trail: Istanbul to Kathmandu and the Making of a Travel Writer.
Please note:
- Books can be shipped to the USA, Canada or globally as well.
- Secure your Event on Demand bundle today. This opportunity expires November 30, 2026
at 5pm. The book will be delivered to your homes before December 24, 2026.
By RSVPing for this event, you agree to receive timely news and updates on events, films, and special offers from GBH.
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CAPTIONS: Captions will be provided for this event in the YouTube link you receive at point of registration. If you would like to request an accommodation or have questions about digital access for this event, please email [email protected].
If you have questions or can no longer attend, please contact Audience and Member Services
Department. Audience and Member Services can be reached during regular business hours M-F, 9am-5pm at 617-300-3300 or via email: [email protected].
Photo credit: Rick Steves’ Europe. Graphic designed by GBH.
