Rick Steves – Kicking Off 2026 Travels — Without Overblown…

Overblown hype? Yep. It generally is a trip-buster.

I can keep in mind approach again in 2001, when tourism to the British countryside was devastated by a worry of foot-and-mouth illness. While this was a critical concern for cows, pigs, sheep, and different creatures with cloven hooves, overhyped reporting brought about many individuals — none of whom had cloven hooves — to cancel their English journeys out of worry. (To fight this, I did a extremely publicized tour of British farms…and survived!)

1 / 4 century later, clickbait journalism continues to impression journey goals when it should not. Last yr, headlines about anti-tourism protests in Europe created numerous journey nervousness and scuttled many a visit. Nervous Americans did not understand that these protests had been explicitly aimed toward “bad tourism” (like cruise mobs that trample a metropolis’s allure with out staying lengthy sufficient to purchase dinner or keep in an area lodge). But there’s additionally “good tourism”: vacationers who go to museums, get pleasure from eating, spend the night time, and present curiosity in native tradition…in different phrases, Rick Steves vacationers. Traveling all throughout Europe final yr, I felt completely welcome, even in essentially the most crowded locations. In reality, I used to be personally thanked by mayors in tourist-friendly cities for bringing so many “good” guests, whether or not by means of our guidebooks or excursions.

The identical overblown hype is already creeping into 2026 as properly: I’m seeing reviews that Barcelona’s Sagrada Família will quickly be “finished” — which isn’t true. Only the central tower will likely be full, that means these headlines are spurring vacationers to e-book journeys to see a still-unfinished church.

Meanwhile, yearly, it appears we’re bombarded with an inventory of hyped-up “hot destinations.” But generally, that is only a tactic to generate clicks and fulfill promotional agendas — an effort to make a spot fashionable by saying that it already is. Journalists like to ask me, “What’s hot this year?” And I like to disappoint their clickbait hopes by telling them: “What’s hot is wherever your travel dreams are taking you.”

There’s numerous journey content material on the market that is sloppy and sensationalized — meant to seize your consideration greater than present correct descriptions. Fortunately, at Rick Steves’ Europe, our well-traveled group works onerous to maintain up with the newest information, distinguish between what’s actual and what’s simply hype, and aid you prepare in your subsequent journey. Because your journey is vital — and people who plan neatly get pleasure from most journey thrills per mile, minute, and greenback.

At Rick Steves’ Europe, we all know that those that make the most of good data and count on themselves to journey sensible can do precisely that. The key’s “good” data. And — whether or not on our TV reveals, in our guidebooks, on our bus excursions, or at our upcoming Travel Festival — good data is precisely what we’re all about.

Happy New Year — and Happy Travels!