Rick Steves On the Hippie Trail (The Making of a Travel Writer) with Special Guest Host Eric Weiner

I wanted to put together one of my dream episodes for you and now it’s finally here!

In this special episode, you’ll hear a conversation between two of my all-time favorite travel writers. I’m handing the mic over to guest host Eric Weiner, an award-winning journalist and New York Times bestselling author, to interview Rick Steves—the travel legend whose work has inspired millions to see the world, including me.

Rick’s latest book, On the Hippie Trail: Istanbul to Kathmandu and the Making of a Travel Writer, takes us back to 1978 when 23-year-old Rick embarked on the adventure of a lifetime along the iconic overland route stretching from Europe to South Asia. The book is raw, unfiltered, and straight from his journal, offering a rare glimpse into his transformative time on the Hippie Trail.

Along the way, you’ll hear travel stories from Rick’s time on the hippie trail, get takeaways on the art of writing, discover the joys of slow travel, and learn how an extended journey can have a lasting impact on your life. 

You’ll love being a fly on the wall as Eric and Rick share laughs, insights, and their unique take on travel.

What’s been your most transformative journey so far? I'd love to hear about it and how it changed you, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message.

Premium Passport:

• Get ad-free episodes, exclusive content, and access to all episodes for only $3/month. Subscribe now!

Tune In To Learn:

• How Rick’s love for piano almost became his career before travel took over
• Why Rick hesitated to take the Hippie Trail journey and what finally pushed him to go
• Why traveling overland made the journey more meaningful and how crossing borders brought unexpected lessons
• The chaotic realities of bus travel, including cramped rides, unpredictable stops, and unforgettable mishaps like Turkey’s infamous “dolmus” buses
• How Rick’s beginner’s mindset shaped his understanding of other cultures and why he embraces cultural appreciation over appropriation
• Why the slow pace of “intensive nothingness” in Kashmir offered a profound sense of freedom
• Why bad travel days make for the best stories and how serendipity plays a key role in transformational travel
• What India taught Rick about time, joy, and the richness of human experience
• How his time on the Hippie Trail left a lasting mark on his worldview and how he’s weaved the magic of that trip into his life today
• And so much more

Resources:

• Join Zero To Travel Premium Passport
• Sign up for our FREE newsletter
• Grab your copy of On the Hippie Trail
• Rick Steves’ website
• Eric Weiner’s website

Want More?

• Travel Legend Rick Steves
• How To Live a Long and Useful Life (The Wisdom of Ben Franklin) With Eric Weiner
• The Geography of Bliss With Eric Weiner

Thanks To Our Sponsors

• Defender - Explore the full lineup at landroverusa.com
• Unbound Merino - Use code ‘TRAVEL10’ to get 10% off your Unbound Merino order.
• Moon Travel Guides - Use code ‘ZERO’ for 20% off your order.
• Saily - Go to the link https://saily.com/zerototravel and download the SAILY app - use our code zerototravel at checkout to get an exclusive 15% off your first purchase

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices