Stow away with Rick Steves for a glimpse into the unforgettable moments, misadventures, and memories of his 1978 journey on the legendary Hippie Trail.

In the 1970s, the ultimate trip for any backpacker was the storied Hippie Trail from Istanbul to Kathmandu. A 23-year-old Rick Steves made the trek, and like a travel writer in training, he documented everything along the way: jumping off a moving train, making friends in Tehran, getting lost in Lahore, getting high for the first time in Herat, battling leeches in Pokhara, and much more. The experience ignited his love of travel and forever broadened his perspective on the world.

This book contains edited selections from Rick's journal and travel photos with a 45-years-later preface and postscript reflecting on how the journey through Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, and Nepal changed his life.

You know Rick Steves. Now discover the adventure of a lifetime that made him the travel writer he is today.

Now more than ever, you can count on Rick Steves to tell you what you really need to know when traveling in Rome. Explore ancient ruins and view Renaissance masterpieces in this truly modern Eternal City. Inside Rick Steves Rome you'll find:

• Fully updated, comprehensive coverage for spending a week or more exploring Rome
• Rick's strategic advice on how to get the most out of your time and money, with rankings of his must-see favorites
• Top sights and hidden gems, from the Colosseum and the Sistine Chapel to corner trattorias, cozy wine bars, and the perfect scoop of gelato
• How to connect with local culture: Indulge in the Italian happy hour tradition of aperitivo, savor a plate of cacio e pepe, or chat with fans about the latest soccer match
• Beat the crowds, skip the lines, and avoid tourist traps with Rick's candid, humorous insight
• The best places to eat, sleep, and experience la dolce far niente
• Self-guided walking tours of lively neighborhoods and sights like the Roman Forum, St. Peter's Basilica, and the Vatican Museums
• Detailed neighborhood maps and a fold-out city map for exploring on the go
• Useful resources including a packing list, Italian phrase book, a historical overview, and recommended reading
• Coverage of Central Rome, Vatican City, Trastevere, and more, plus day trips to Ostia Antica, Tivoli, Naples, and Pompeii
• Covid-related travel info and resources for a smooth trip

Make the most of every day and every dollar with Rick Steves Rome.

Spending just a few days in the city? Try Rick Steves Pocket Rome.

• Fully updated, comprehensive coverage for planning a multi-week trip through Ireland
• Rick's strategic advice on how to get the most of your time and money, with rankings of his must-see favorites
• Top sights and hidden gems, from the Rock of Cashel and the Ring of Kerry to distilleries making whiskey with hundred-year-old recipes
• How to connect with local culture: Hoist a pint at the corner pub, enjoy traditional fiddle music, and jump into conversations buzzing with brogue
• Beat the crowds, skip the lines, and avoid tourist traps with Rick's candid, humorous insight
• The best places to eat, sleep, and relax with a Guinness
• Self-guided walking tours of atmospheric neighborhoods and awe-inspiring sights
• Trip-planning tools, like how to link destinations, build your itinerary, and get from place to place
• Detailed maps, including a fold-out map for exploring on the go
• Complete, up-to-date coverage of Dublin, Kilkenny, Waterford, County Wexford, Kinsale, Cobh, Kenmare, The Ring of Kerry, Dingle Peninsula, County Clare, the Burren, Galway, the Aran Islands, Connemara, County Mayo, Belfast, Portrush, the Antrim Coast, Derry, County Donegal, and much more

Planning a shorter trip? Check out Rick Steves Best of Ireland.

• Comprehensive coverage for spending a week or more exploring Amsterdam and the Netherlands
• Rick's strategic advice on how to get the most out of your time and money, with rankings of his must-see favorites
• Top sights and hidden gems, from the Van Gogh museum and Rembrandt's home workshop, to cozy brown cafés
• How to connect with local culture: Explore Amsterdam by bicycle, sample distinctive Dutch cheeses, and chat with a friendly local over beer brewed from 1,000-year-old recipes
• Beat the crowds, skip the lines, and avoid tourist traps with Rick's candid, humorous insight
• The best places to eat, sleep, and relax over a pint
• Self-guided walking tours of lively neighborhoods and incredible museums
• Detailed maps for exploring on the go
• Useful resources including a packing list, a Dutch phrase book, a historical overview, and recommended reading
• Over 500 bible-thin pages include everything worth seeing without weighing you down
• Complete, up-to-date information on Amsterdam, Haarlem, Delft, Alkmaar and Zaanse Schans, Edam, Volendam, Marken, Hoorn, Enkhuizen, the Historic Triangle, Flevoland, Keukenhof, Aalsmeer, Leiden, The Hague, Rotterdam, Utrecht, Arnhem, and more

Spending less than a week in Amsterdam? Try Rick Steves Pocket Amsterdam.

• Fully updated, comprehensive coverage for spending a week or more exploring Rome
• Rick's strategic advice on how to get the most out of your time and money, with rankings of his must-see favorites
• Top sights and hidden gems, from the Colosseum and the Sistine Chapel to corner trattorias, cozy wine bars, and the perfect scoop of gelato
• How to connect with local culture: Indulge in the Italian happy hour tradition of aperitivo, savor a plate of cacio e pepe, or chat with fans about the latest soccer match
• Beat the crowds, skip the lines, and avoid tourist traps with Rick's candid, humorous insight
• The best places to eat, sleep, and experience la dolce far niente
• Self-guided walking tours of lively neighborhoods and sights like the Roman Forum, St. Peter's Basilica, and the Vatican Museums
• Detailed neighborhood maps and a fold-out city map for exploring on the go
• Useful resources including a packing list, Italian phrase book, a historical overview, and recommended reading
• Coverage of Central Rome, Vatican City, Trastevere, and more, plus day trips to Ostia Antica, Tivoli, Naples, and Pompeii

Spending just a few days in the city? Try Rick Steves Pocket Rome.

• Fully updated, comprehensive coverage for spending a week or more exploring Venice
• Rick's strategic advice on how to get the most out of your time and money, with rankings of his must-see favorites
• Top sights and hidden gems, from St. Mark's Basilica and the Rialto Bridge to the charming city of Padua
• How to connect with local culture: Say buongiorno to the fish mongers at the morning market, snack on chicchetti at a local wine bar, and people-watch on a sunny piazza
• Beat the crowds, skip the lines, and avoid tourist traps with Rick's candid, humorous insight
• The best places to eat, sleep, and relax with a scoop of gelato
• Self-guided walking tours of lively neighborhoods and museums, plus a Grand Canal Cruise tour
• Detailed neighborhood maps and a fold-out city map for exploring on the go
• Over 400 bible-thin pages include everything worth seeing without weighing you down
• Complete, up-to-date information on the San Marco District, Santa Croce, Cannaregio, and more, with side trips to Padua, Vicenza, Verona, and Ravenna

Spending less than a week in the city? Check out Rick Steves Pocket Venice!

• Comprehensive coverage for exploring England, Wales, and Scotland
• Rick's strategic advice on how to get the most out of your time and money, with rankings of his must-see favorites
• Top sights and hidden gems, from Stonehenge and Shakespeare's Globe Theatre to whisky distilleries and corner pubs
• How to connect with culture: Try haggis or a Scotch pie, catch a show in SoHo, or chat with locals in a cozy Welsh tavern
• Beat the crowds, skip the lines, and avoid tourist traps with Rick's candid, humorous insight
• The best places to eat, sleep, and relax with a pint
• Self-guided walking tours of charming villages, historic sites, and museums
• Detailed maps throughout, plus a handy fold-out map for exploring on-the-go
• Useful resources including a packing list, a historical overview, and recommended reading
• Over 1,000 bible-thin pages include everything worth seeing without weighing you down
• Complete, up-to-date information on London, Windsor, Cambridge, Bath, Glastonbury, Wells, Avebury, Stonehenge, Salisbury, South Wales, the Cotswolds, Stratford-upon-Avon, Ironbridge Gorge, Liverpool, the Lake District, York, Durham and Northeast England, Conwy, Caernarfon, Snowdonia National Park, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling, St. Andrews, Oban and the Inner Hebrides, Glencoe and Fort William, Inverness, Loch Ness, and more

• Fully updated, comprehensive coverage for spending a multi-week trip exploring Scotland
• Rick's strategic advice on how to get the most out of your time and money, with rankings of his must-see favorites
• Top sights and hidden gems, from the wild beauty of Orkney Islands and the Hebrides to cozy corner pubs in Edinburgh
• How to connect with local culture: Chat with experts on the Speyside Whisky Trail, cheer on the locals at a Highland Games event, or try authentic haggis
• Beat the crowds, skip the lines, and avoid tourist traps with Rick's candid, humorous insight
• The best places to eat, sleep, and relax with a dram of scotch
• Self-guided walking tours of lively neighborhoods and historic sites
• Detailed neighborhood maps and a fold-out regional map for exploring on the go
• Useful resources including a packing list, a phrase book of Scottish slang, a historical overview, and recommended reading
• Complete, up-to-date information on Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling, St. Andrews, the Scottish Highlands, Oban, Mull, Iona, Staffa, Glencoe, Fort William, Inverness, Loch Ness, Pitiochry, Balmoral Castle, the Isle of Skye, Wester Ross, the Orkney Islands, and more

Spending less time in Scotland? Hit the highlights with Rick Steves Best of Scotland.

About Moon Travel Guides: Moon was founded in 1973 to empower independent, active, and conscious travel. We prioritize local businesses, outdoor recreation, and traveling strategically and sustainably. Moon Travel Guides are written by local, expert authors with great stories to tell--and they can't wait to share their favorite places with you.

For more inspiration, follow @moonguides on social media.

• Fully updated, comprehensive coverage for planning a multi-week trip to Spain
• Rick's strategic advice on how to get the most out of your time and money, with rankings of his must-see favorites
• Top sights and hidden gems, from El Escorial and the great mosque of Córdoba to medieval bars serving house-made madroño liqueur
• How to connect with local culture: Enjoy a flamenco show in Madrid, chat with fans about the latest fútbol match, or meander down winding streets in search of the best tapas
• Beat the crowds, skip the lines, and avoid tourist traps with Rick's candid, humorous insight
• The best places to eat, sleep, and relax with a glass of sangria
• Self-guided walking tours of lively neighborhoods and incredible museums
• Vital trip-planning tools, like how to link destinations, build your itinerary, and get from place to place
• Detailed maps, plus a fold-out map for exploring on the go
• Over 1,000 bible-thin pages include everything worth seeing without weighing you down
• Coverage of Barcelona, Basque Country, Bilbao, Santiago de Compostela, León, Salamanca, Madrid, El Escorial, the Valley of the Fallen, Segovia, Toledo, Granada, Sevilla, Córdoba, Andalucía, Spain's Southern Coast, Gibraltar, Morocco, and more

Planning a one-week trip? Check out Rick Steves Best of Spain.

• Comprehensive coverage for spending a week or more exploring Paris
• Rick's strategic advice on how to get the most out of your time and money, with rankings of his must-see favorites
• Top sights and hidden gems, from the Louvre and the Palace of Versailles to where to find the perfect croissant
• How to connect with culture: Stroll down Rue Cler for fresh, local goods to build the ultimate French picnic, marvel at the works of Degas and Monet, and sip café au lait at a streetside café
• Beat the crowds, skip the lines, and avoid tourist traps with Rick's candid, humorous insight
• The best places to eat, sleep, and relax with a glass of vin rouge
• Self-guided walking tours of lively neighborhoods and incredible museums and churches
• Detailed maps for exploring on the go
• Over 700 bible-thin pages include everything worth seeing without weighing you down
• Complete, up-to-date information on the best arrondissements in Paris, including Champs-Elysees, the Marais, Montmartre, and more, plus day trips to Versailles, Chartres, Giverny, and Auvers-sur-Oise

Spending just a few days in the city? Try Rick Steves Pocket Paris.

• Comprehensive coverage for spending a week or more exploring Portugal
• Rick's strategic advice on how to get the most out of your time and money, with rankings of his must-see favorites
• Top sights and hidden gems, from the bone chapel of Évora and the palaces of Sintra to seaside street food and lush vineyards
• How to connect with culture: Chat with friendly locals over a glass of vinho verde, enjoy a dinner of fresh seafood stew, or spend an evening at a bluesy fado bar
• Beat the crowds, skip the lines, and avoid tourist traps with Rick's candid, humorous insight
• The best places to eat, sleep, and relax with a glass of local port
• Self-guided walking tours of lively neighborhoods and historic museums
• Detailed maps for exploring on the go
• Useful resources including a packing list, a Portuguese phrase book, a historical overview, and recommended reading
• Over 400 bible-thin pages include everything worth seeing without weighing you down
• Complete, up-to-date information on Lisbon, Sintra, Salema, Cape Sagres, Lagos, Tavira, Évora, Nazaré, Batalha, Fátima, Alcobaça, Óbidos, Coimbra, Porto, Peso de Régua, Pinhão, and more

• Comprehensive coverage for spending two weeks or more in England
• Rick's strategic advice on how to get the most out of your time and money, with rankings of his must-see favorites
• Top sights and hidden gems, from the ancient and mysterious Stonehenge to cozy corner pubs
• How to connect with local culture: Enjoy an evening at the theatre, take high tea in a classic hotel, or cheer on the team with fans at a football match
• Beat the crowds, skip the lines, and avoid tourist traps with Rick's candid, humorous insight
• The best places to eat, sleep, and relax with a pint
• Self-guided walking tours of lively neighborhoods, historic sites, and museums
• Detailed neighborhood and museum maps for exploring on the go
• Useful resources including a packing list, a phrase book of British slang, a historical overview, and recommended reading
• Over 900 bible-thin pages include everything worth seeing without weighing you down
• Complete, up-to-date information on London, Windsor and Cambridge, Canterbury, Dover, Brighton, Portsmouth, Dartmoor, Cornwall, Penzance, St. Ives, Penwith Peninsula, Bath, Glastonbury, Wells, Avebury, Stonehenge, Salisbury, Oxford, the Cotswolds, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwick, Coventry, Ironbridge Gorge, Liverpool, Blackpool, the Lake District, Yorkshire, Durham, and more

Planning a shorter trip? Try Rick Steves Best of England.

Walk in the footsteps of the Medici, sip aperitivi, and discover the cultural heart of Italy: with Rick as your guide, Tuscany is yours to discover. Inside Rick Steves Florence & Tuscany you'll find:

• Comprehensive coverage for spending a week or more exploring Florence and Tuscany
• Rick's strategic advice on how to get the most out of your time and money, with rankings of his must-see favorites
• Top sights and hidden gems, from the Uffizi Gallery and the Duomo to a 600-year-old perfumery
• How to connect with culture: Listen to a street musician's serenade on the Ponte Vecchio, stroll through a morning market sampling freshly-made pasta, and sip full-bodied wines with Montalcino locals at a corner enoteca
• Beat the crowds, skip the lines, and avoid tourist traps with Rick's candid, humorous insight
• The best places to eat, sleep, and relax with a glass of Chianti
• Self-guided walking tours of lively neighborhoods and incredible museums
• Detailed maps throughout, plus a handy fold-out map and driving tours through the heart of Tuscany and Brunello wine country
• Useful resources including a packing list, a historical overview, and recommended reading
• Over 700 bible-thin pages include everything worth seeing without weighing you down
• Complete, up-to-date information on Florence, Siena, Pisa, Lucca, Volterra, San Gimignano, Montepulciano, Pienza, Montalcino, Cortona, and more

Spending less than a week exploring Florence? Try Rick Steves Pocket Florence.

• Fully updated, comprehensive coverage for planning a multi-week trip to France
• Rick's strategic advice on how to get the most out of your time and money, with rankings of his must-see favorites
• Top sights and hidden gems, from the Louvre and the Palace of Versailles to neighborhood cafés and delicate macarons
• How to connect with local culture: Stroll through open-air markets in Paris, bike through rustic villages, and taste wines in Burgundy and Bordeaux
• Beat the crowds, skip the lines, and avoid tourist traps with Rick's candid, humorous insight
• The best places to eat, sleep, and relax with a glass of vin rouge
• Self-guided walking tours of lively neighborhoods and incredible museums
• Vital trip-planning tools, like how to link destinations, build your itinerary, and get from place to place
• Detailed maps, including a fold-out map for exploring on the go
• Over 1,000 bible-thin pages include everything worth seeing without weighing you down
• Coverage of Paris, Chartres, Normandy, Mont St-Michel, Brittany, The Loire, Dordogne, Languedoc-Roussillon, Provence, The French Riviera, Nice, Monaco, The French Alps, Burgundy, Lyon, Alsace, Reims, Verdun, and much more

Planning a one-week trip? Check out Rick Steves Best of France.

• Comprehensive coverage for spending a week or more exploring Belgium
• Rick's strategic advice on how to get the most out of your time and money, with rankings of his must-see favorites
• Top sights and hidden gems, from the European Parliament and Flanders Fields to wafel trucks and popular breweries
• How to connect with local culture: Lose yourself in the art of the Flemish masters, taste fish fresh from the North Sea at the Vismarkt, and sip Trappist ales with friendly locals
• Beat the crowds, skip the lines, and avoid tourist traps with Rick's candid, humorous insight
• The best places to eat, sleep, and relax while you indulge in a chocolate truffle (or two)
• Self-guided walking tours of lively town squares and inspiring museums
• Detailed mapsfor exploring on the go
• Useful resources including a packing list, Dutch and French phrase books, a historical overview, and recommended reading
• Over 300 bible-thin pages include everything worth seeing without weighing you down
• Complete, up-to-date information on Bruges, Brussels, Antwerp, Ghent, and more

• Fully updated, comprehensive coverage for planning a multi-week trip to Italy
• Rick's strategic advice on how to get the most out of your time and money, with rankings of his must-see favorites
• Top sights and hidden gems, from the Colosseum and Michelangelo's David to corner trattorias and that perfect scoop of gelato
• How to connect with local culture: Walk in Caesar's footsteps through the ruins of the Forum, discover the relaxed rhythms of sunny Cinque Terre, or chat with fans about the latest soccer match (calcio, to locals)
• Beat the crowds, skip the lines, and avoid tourist traps with Rick's candid, humorous insight
• The best places to eat, sleep, and experience la dolce vita
• Self-guided walking tours of lively neighborhoods and museums
• Vital trip-planning tools, like how to link destinations, build your itinerary, and get from place to place
• Detailed maps, including a fold-out map for exploring on the go
• Over 1,000 bible-thin pages include everything worth seeing without weighing you down
• Coverage of Venice, Padua, the Dolomites, Lake Country, Milan, the Italian Riviera, Florence, Pisa, Lucca, Hill Towns of Central Italy, Siena, Tuscany, Rome, Naples, Pompeii, Capri, the Amalfi Coast, and much more

Planning a one- to two-week trip? Check out Rick Steves Best of Italy.

Now more than ever, you can count on Rick Steves to tell you what you really need to know when traveling through London. From the sacred stones of Westminster Abbey to the top of the London Eye, the city is yours to discover! Inside Rick Steves London you'll find:

• Fully updated, comprehensive coverage for spending a week or more exploring London
• Rick's strategic advice on how to get the most out of your time and money, with rankings of his must-see favorites
• Top sights and hidden gems, from Trafalgar Square and the Tower of London to where to find the best tikka masala or fish and chips
• How to connect with local culture: Catch a show in Soho, take afternoon tea, or have a pint of English ale with Londoners in a pub
• Beat the crowds, skip the lines, and avoid tourist traps with Rick's candid, humorous insight
• The best places to eat, sleep, and relax with a Pimm's Cup
• Self-guided walking tours of lively neighborhoods and world-class museums like the British Museum and the Victoria & Albert
• Day trips to Windsor, Cambridge, and Stonehenge
• Detailed neighborhood maps and a fold-out city map for exploring on the go
• Covid-related travel info and resources for a smooth trip

Spending just a few days in the city? Try Rick Steves Pocket London.

• Comprehensive coverage for spending a week or more exploring Amsterdam and the Netherlands
• Rick's strategic advice on how to get the most out of your time and money, with rankings of his must-see favorites
• Top sights and hidden gems, from the Van Gogh museum and Rembrandt's home workshop, to cozy brown cafés
• How to connect with local culture: Explore Amsterdam by bicycle, sample distinctive Dutch cheeses, and chat with a friendly local over beer brewed from 1,000-year-old recipes
• Beat the crowds, skip the lines, and avoid tourist traps with Rick's candid, humorous insight
• The best places to eat, sleep, and relax over a pint
• Self-guided walking tours of lively neighborhoods and incredible museums
• Detailed maps for exploring on the go
• Useful resources including a packing list, a Dutch phrase book, a historical overview, and recommended reading
• Over 500 bible-thin pages include everything worth seeing without weighing you down
• Complete, up-to-date information on Amsterdam, Haarlem, Delft, Alkmaar and Zaanse Schans, Edam, Volendam, Marken, Hoorn, Enkhuizen, the Historic Triangle, Flevoland, Keukenhof, Aalsmeer, Leiden, The Hague, Rotterdam, Utrecht, Arnhem, and more

Spending less than a week in Amsterdam? Try Rick Steves Pocket Amsterdam.

• Fully updated, comprehensive coverage for exploring Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Estonia
• Rick's strategic advice on how to get the most out of your time and money, with rankings of his must-see favorites
• Top sights and hidden gems, from the Tivoli Gardens, the Viking Ship Museum, and Hans Christian Andersen's house, to prehistoric monoliths and sleepy fjord villages
• How to connect with local culture: Bask in the hygge of a cozy cabin café, grab a picnic of Nordic cheese and smoked fish from a farmers market, and chat with friendly locals over a glass of avkvavit
• Beat the crowds, skip the lines, and avoid tourist traps with Rick's candid, humorous insight
• The best places to eat, sleep, and relax with a cup of coffee
• Self-guided walking tours of lively neighborhoods, informative museums, and stunning landscapes
• Vital trip-planning tools, like how to link destinations, build your itinerary, and get from place to place
• Detailed maps, plus a fold-out map for exploring on the go
• Over 700 bible-thin pages include everything worth seeing without weighing you down
• Coverage of Copenhagen, Oslo, Bergen, Stockholm, Uppsala, Helsinki, and more

Make the most of every day and every dollar with Rick Steves Scandinavia.

Cruising Scandinavia instead? Try Rick Steves Scandinavian and Northern European Cruise Ports.

• Comprehensive coverage for spending a week or more exploring Iceland
• Rick's strategic advice on how to get the most out of your time and money, with rankings of his must-see favorites
• Top sights and hidden gems, from the stunning northern lights to hidden hikes and cozy bookstores
• How to connect with culture: Soak in hidden hot springs, sample smoked fish, and chat with locals in welcoming rural towns
• Beat the crowds, skip the lines, and avoid tourist traps with Rick's candid, humorous insight
• The best places to eat, sleep, and relax
• Self-guided walking tours of lively Reykjavík and incredible museums as well as mile-by-mile scenic driving tours
• Detailed maps for exploring on the go
• Useful resources including a packing list, a historical overview, and helpful Icelandic phrases
• Over 500 bible-thin pages include everything worth seeing without weighing you down
• Complete, up-to-date information on Reykjavík, the Ring Road, the Reykjanes Peninsula, the Golden Circle, the South Coast, the Westman Islands, West Iceland, the Eastfjords, and more

Expanding your trip? Try Rick Steves Scandinavia or Rick Steves Scandinavian & Northern European Cruise Ports.