As we speak is a profoundly unhappy day. Russia’s aggressive motion is heartbreaking for the dying, struggling, and financial turmoil it is going to trigger in Ukraine and, not directly no less than, past. Right here at Rick Steves’ Europe, we hope {that a} diplomatic resolution might be discovered and peace will return to that fragile and long-suffering a part of our world.
Our mission at RSE is to assist People higher know and perceive our neighbors by way of journey. However after we convey vacationers to a different nation, we additionally convey their {dollars} — {dollars} that may help Putin’s aggression. Due to this fact, as of in the present day, we have now canceled all 2022 excursions that embody a cease in Russia.
After all, we are going to maintain a detailed eye on unfolding occasions and monitor any journey impacts by way of the remainder of Europe. However it is very important maintain geographic realities in thoughts and do not forget that a battle in Ukraine is as removed from our European trip goals as a battle in Guatemala can be from Texas or Florida. For 40 years now, we have now lived, labored, and traveled by way of many durations 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 alter the remainder of our journey and touring plans.
The tragic actuality unfolding in Ukraine solely jogs my memory how necessary it’s for People to maintain on touring and to take action in a means that makes us higher and extra engaged residents of our world. I’m flying to Europe subsequent month for a 40-day journey by way of a dozen nice cities from London to Athens — and I’m proud that hundreds of my fellow vacationers will expertise the European journey of their goals whereas having wealthy studying experiences removed from house on a 2022 Rick Steves tour.
Within the meantime, let’s be pleased about our blessings, help our nation’s leaders as they do their greatest to navigate this disaster, and maintain the troubled corners of our world (Ukraine, Russia, Afghanistan, and extra) in our ideas and prayers.
—Rick
