Rick Steves, Special to Postmedia
LATEST STORIES BY RICK STEVES, SPECIAL TO POSTMEDIA
Sweden’s glass country still sparkles
You can blame my Norwegian heritage, but I’m not so hot on the Swedish countryside. Even so, you can’t say you’ve seen Sweden if you’ve only been to Stockholm. Rural Sweden — especially the province of Smaland — is a worthy addition to any Scandinavian itinerary.

Ljubljana, Slovenia: Tiny capital of tiny country a huge treat
Located where the Germanic, Mediterranean, and Slavic worlds come together, Slovenia enjoys a happy hodgepodge of cultures while also presenting plenty of its own unique character. And much like the country as a whole, its capital city of Ljubljana is a delight to explore, yet remains relatively undiscovered.

Tranquil convents a traveller’s treat
Once, while travelling in the 1970s, the youth hostel where I had planned to stay was full, and the staff directed me to a nearby convent instead. As my way there, I wondered if I was signing myself up for draconian curfews, spartan accommodations and mass at dawn.

10 tips for your first visit to France
On my most recent visit to Paris, I kept running into a delightful woman from Indiana on her first visit there. Wonderstruck by the city’s charms, she was doing everything right — picking up French words, conversing with every local she could, and enjoying the great artistic and cultural experiences.
