Admin
Today is a profoundly unhappy day. Russia’s aggressive motion is heartbreaking for the dying, struggling, and financial turmoil it can trigger in Ukraine and, not directly at the very least, past. Here at Rick Steves’ Europe, we hope {that a} diplomatic resolution could be discovered and peace will return to that fragile and long-suffering a part of our world.
Our mission at RSE is to assist Americans higher know and perceive our neighbors by means of journey. But once we convey vacationers to a different nation, we additionally convey their {dollars} — {dollars} that may assist Putin’s aggression. Therefore, as of at present, now we have canceled all 2022 excursions that embrace a cease in Russia.
Of course, we are going to preserve an in depth eye on unfolding occasions and monitor any journey impacts by means of the remainder of Europe. But it is very important preserve geographic realities in thoughts and keep in mind that a struggle in Ukraine is as removed from our European trip goals as a struggle in Guatemala can be from Texas or Florida. For 40 years now, now we have lived, labored, and traveled by means of many intervals of tragic warfare in lands removed from the place we lead our excursions (and a few nearer). And right now, we see no purpose to vary the remainder of our journey and touring plans.
The tragic actuality unfolding in Ukraine solely jogs my memory how essential it’s for Americans to maintain on touring and to take action in a manner that makes us higher and extra engaged residents of our world. I’m flying to Europe subsequent month for a 40-day journey by means of a dozen nice cities from London to Athens — and I’m proud that 1000’s of my fellow vacationers will expertise the European journey of their goals whereas having wealthy studying experiences removed from dwelling on a 2022 Rick Steves tour.
In the meantime, let’s be grateful for our blessings, assist our nation’s leaders as they do their finest to navigate this disaster, and preserve the troubled corners of our world (Ukraine, Russia, Afghanistan, and extra) in our ideas and prayers.
—Rick
