Credits

RESEARCHERS

To help with this edition, Rick relied on...

Ben Curtis

Ben is a native of the Pacific Northwest, but he’s lived in the UK, Germany, Spain, Norway, and Hungary, too. He’s worked as a university professor, a tour guide, and an advisor to the British government, and has written several books on history and politics. Nowadays home is Prague, where you might run into him at a classical concert or out wandering through the Czech mountains.

Ben Green

Ben made his first trip to Europe as a college student when he studied abroad in the historic city of Krakow, Poland. Quickly hooked on travel, Ben developed a passion for Central and Eastern Europe and completed a degree on Russian studies in St. Petersburg. At home, he works as a travel advisor for Rick Steves’ Europe, hits as many hiking trails as he can, and is always organizing his next trip.

Cameron Hewitt

Cameron Hewitt was born in Denver, grew up in Central Ohio, and moved to Seattle in 2000 to work for Rick Steves’ Europe. Since then, he has spent about 100 days each year in Europe—researching and writing guidebooks, blogging, tour guiding, and making travel TV (described in his memoir, The Temporary European). Cameron married his high school sweetheart, Shawna, and enjoys taking pictures, trying new restaurants, and planning his next trip.

Pål Bjarne Johansen

A tour guide and guidebook researcher for Rick Steves’ Europe, Pål grew up in the Norwegian countryside near Oslo. He discovered his passion for travel and adventure at a young age and has backpacked much of the world. When he’s not working for Rick Steves, you’ll find Pål skiing the Norwegian woods in winter and sailing the seven seas in summer.

Carrie Shepherd

After a childhood spent traipsing around New England, Carrie spent a college semester in London, which spurred her to explore and travel as much as her budget and employers allow. She’s spent her career writing and editing arts and entertainment content, and now works as a guidebook editor and researcher for Rick Steves’ Europe.

CONTRIBUTOR

Gene Openshaw

Gene has co-authored more than a dozen books with Rick, specializing in Europe’s art, history, and culture. In particular, their Europe 101: History and Art for the Traveler and Europe’s Top 100 Masterpieces have helped bring European art to life. Gene also writes for Rick’s television shows, produces the audio tours, and is a regular guest on Rick’s radio show. For public TV, Gene has co-authored two television specials with Rick: Fascism in Europe and the ambitious six-hour series Art of Europe. Outside of the travel world, Gene has composed an opera called Matter, a violin sonata, and dozens of songs. Gene lives near Seattle, where he roots for the Mariners in good times and bad. Check out his latest book on art, travel, and love: Michelangelo at Midlife.