As of late is a profoundly unhappy day. Russia’s competitive motion is heartbreaking for the dying, struggling, and financial turmoil it’s going to purpose in Ukraine and, not directly no less than, past. Right here at Rick Steves’ Europe, we are hoping {that a} diplomatic resolution will also be discovered and peace will go back to that fragile and long-suffering a part of our global.
Our undertaking at RSE is to assist American citizens higher know and perceive our neighbors via trip. But if we convey vacationers to any other nation, we additionally convey their bucks — bucks that will make stronger Putin’s aggression. Subsequently, as of lately, now we have canceled all 2022 excursions that come with a prevent in Russia.
After all, we can stay a detailed eye on unfolding occasions and track any trip affects via the remainder of Europe. However you will need to stay geographic realities in thoughts and take into account that a warfare in Ukraine is as a long way from our Eu holiday desires as a warfare in Guatemala can be from Texas or Florida. For 40 years now, now we have lived, labored, and traveled via many classes of tragic conflict in lands a long way from the place we lead our excursions (and a few nearer). And right now, we see no explanation why to switch the remainder of our trip and traveling plans.
The tragic truth unfolding in Ukraine handiest jogs my memory how essential it’s for American citizens to stay on touring and to take action in some way that makes us higher and extra engaged voters of our global. I’m flying to Europe subsequent month for a 40-day shuttle via a dozen nice towns from London to Athens — and I’m proud that hundreds of my fellow vacationers will enjoy the Eu shuttle in their desires whilst having wealthy finding out reports a long way from house on a 2022 Rick Steves excursion.
Within the interim, let’s be glad about our blessings, make stronger our country’s leaders as they do their perfect to navigate this disaster, and stay the stricken corners of our global (Ukraine, Russia, Afghanistan, and extra) in our ideas and prayers.
—Rick
