Rick Steves: 'Iran, the most fascinating land' he’s ever visited
Travel guru Rick Steves wants us to learn more about “the most surprising and fascinating land” he’s ever visited: Iran. He also says the weak dollar shouldn’t keep us from “having a blast this summer in Europe for less than $100 a day.”
Steves’ company, Europe Through the Back Door, specializes in European tours and guidebooks. But he recently returned from Iran, where he spent 10 days filming a public television segment. In the photos above, Iranian school girls (top) get ready to pose with Steves (bottom) during part of his trip.
“Travel writers love to help Americans understand other places,” Steves said when I interviewed him this week. “And if there’s a place we don’t understand, it’s Iran. It’s pathetic how little we know about it: the hostage crisis and the name Khomeini.” (In November 1979, more than 50 U.S. Embassy employees were taken hostage and held for 444 days when student supporters of Iranian politician and religious leader Ayatollah Khomeini took over in Tehran.)
Steves said he was invited by a U.S. chapter of the United Nations Assn. to help foster American understanding of Iran. “The only thing I could think of with impact was to go there and make a TV show. It’s more difficult to kill people when you know them,” he said, referring to political tension between the Bush administration and Iran.
The new PBS series, “Rick Steves’ Europe,” will begin airing in October, with the Iran segment scheduled for January. Other segments in the series include Barcelona, Spain; Istanbul, Turkey; Athens, Greece; Dordogne and Burgundy, France; the Czech Republic; Copenhagen and the countryside in Denmark; and Swiss cities.
Steves said his hope with the Iran segment was to help Americans “enjoy a rich and fascinating culture, get to know a nation that’s a leader in its corner of the world, and has been for 2,500 years, and to better understand the 70 million people who call Iran home.”
The travel veteran was relaxing at home in Washington when I reached him. He plans to leave shortly on his regular 10-week summer trip to Europe to update his guidebooks.
His tips for Americans who are Europe-bound this summer:
“Travel smartly. The major problem is air surcharges getting there and back, so know in advance you’ll have to make up for these costs.
“Order lower on the menu. You can save a lot on food.
“Go places where your dollar will stretch further. Portugal, for instance, is a great value this year; it has a lot to offer Americans.”
Despite the rising travel costs and the weakness of the dollar, 10 million Americans will visit Europe this summer, Steves said.
– Rosemary McClure, Los Angeles Times Assistant Travel Editor
[Photos: www.ricksteves.com]
17 Comments on “Rick Steves: 'Iran, the most fascinating land' he’s ever visited”
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June 21st, 2008 at 11:09 pm
Those smiling ladies remind me of the students in “Reading Lolita in Tehran.”
Portugal is a great tip. Some photos of the lovely Douro Valley here:
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/traveler/photos/portugal0805/portugal_gallery.htmlb
August 11th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
It is so heartwarming to see an article presenting an approach like this one. I don’t blame people, specially American’s for their wrong understanding about Iran. I know that many factors contribute to this misunderstanding and very little action is taken to reach a true understanding of this country and its people.
October 25th, 2008 at 8:26 pm
I am an Iranian-Amerian… and have been to Iran a few times. I think I can understand the fascination with women clad in black chadors like these ladies. But come on! While these women are a minority (as you will see when you travel to Iran). Why not put a picture that on the cover that challenges the false perception that Americans already have hwen they think of “Iranian woman”.
January 13th, 2009 at 10:02 pm
I was in Iran with a peace delegation in April/May and saw the same sights and experienced the same hospitality and friendliness that you did. It was a treat to see the sights and people again. The people want to be our friends and I hope we will reciprocate.
January 16th, 2009 at 6:42 am
I am an Iranian-American. My wife and I have always been Steve’s fan for his travel tips. I really admire him taking this step to travel to Iran and prove to American people that Iran is a friendly and safe country to travel to. Iran has amazing history and offers so much to see. At some point we have to admit that the Iranian government behavior is a direct result of past, and present US foreign policy. Great job Steve.
January 16th, 2009 at 5:45 pm
I truely enjoyed Rick Steve’s trip to Iran. I have been there 3 times. My first trip was to the same places and I also found the people to be very friendly. The History of the country is great. The Architecture is beautiful. The food is delicious. Rick’s trip brought back pleasent memories for me.
January 18th, 2009 at 5:03 pm
I just wanted to say thank you Steve for showing a different side of Iran for a change. I was just crusing channels and got to your program and were really surprise by what I saw and as an Iranian-American you made me very proud.
January 20th, 2009 at 4:18 pm
This Iranian propaganda is just another attempt to get a drugged out hippy to carry the anti American, anti Semitic banner. Thanks Rick Steves, I don’t know what we would do without you.
January 20th, 2009 at 7:30 pm
You have certainly shown the world to many people Rick. Thank you for your travels and letting theregular citizens here meet the regular citizens of the world.
January 21st, 2009 at 2:01 am
Thanks for a very fine introduction this very important country.
January 22nd, 2009 at 4:37 pm
Excellent program, I truly enjoyed it. Thanks Steve!
January 23rd, 2009 at 9:09 pm
I am a persian living in Canada and I have to say Thank you for making this program and showing the world the people of Iran are not Evil and they do not want to destroy or kill anybody.People should not listen to silly propagandas being spread by big governments.I truly hope that one day we all can experience peace and friendship all over,I personally am sick and tired of Hate and wars all around.Again thank you for the wonderfull program.It made me very proud to be a persian.THANK YOU
January 24th, 2009 at 3:33 pm
I enjoyed the show. It was excellent. I used to live in Iran (back in the Shah’s day) and know it is a country with people who would like to be on better terms with the US, which you showed. I’m wondering why you said that Farsi is not written in Arabic script? The script, with some modifications, is Arabic, just like English and French are both written in the same script, but they are different languages. It is Farsi, a language that is NOT Arabic, but written in Arabic script, like other languages as well. Did you say something you didn’t mean to, or did your editors miss the boat?
January 27th, 2009 at 11:22 pm
As an Iranian I would like to ask the visitors why there must be so much differences between the realities and their perceptions toward a country?!
January 31st, 2009 at 6:44 pm
Hi ricksteve my name is aisha im from canada thankyou for the documentary about iran i have always wanted to visit iran but was scared you have showed the world the beauty and kindness of a country and its people keep up the good work thankyou
February 6th, 2009 at 8:07 am
Thankyou for this wonderful coverage of the birthplace of the Bahai Faith. As a Bahai I will be sharing my taped recording of the program with many friends. Is it or will it be available on DVD? Shalom, David N. Sterling
June 21st, 2009 at 9:22 am
Mr. Steves: We heard your “we are the Redcoats” comment on C-SPAN today. It betrays your ignorance of American history. Please stop knocking our country, which is still the beacon and last best hope for mankind. You might also recall what such comments did for Rosie O’Donnell’s career.