Thoughts on Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine – Rick Steves’ Travel Blog

Currently is a profoundly unhappy working day. Russia’s aggressive action is heartbreaking for the loss of life, struggling, and economic turmoil it will cause in Ukraine and, indirectly at least, outside of. Listed here at Rick Steves’ Europe, we hope that a diplomatic remedy can be observed and peace will return to that fragile and very long-suffering section of our globe.

Our mission at RSE is to support Individuals far better know and recognize our neighbors by vacation. But when we carry tourists to yet another region, we also bring their pounds — pounds that would support Putin’s aggression. Consequently, as of now, we have canceled all 2022 excursions that include a stop in Russia.

Of program, we will keep a shut eye on unfolding gatherings and monitor any journey impacts as a result of the rest of Europe. But it is important to keep geographic realities in intellect and remember that a war in Ukraine is as much from our European getaway desires as a war in Guatemala would be from Texas or Florida. For 40 several years now, we have lived, labored, and traveled by way of many intervals of tragic warfare in lands far from where by we guide our excursions (and some closer). And at this time, we see no cause to adjust the rest of our journey and touring ideas.

The tragic fact unfolding in Ukraine only reminds me how important it is for Americans to continue to keep on traveling and to do so in a way that makes us much better and additional engaged citizens of our planet. I’m traveling to Europe following thirty day period for a 40-day journey by a dozen great towns from London to Athens — and I’m very pleased that countless numbers of my fellow vacationers will encounter the European journey of their dreams though getting rich understanding ordeals significantly from house on a 2022 Rick Steves tour.

In the meantime, let’s be grateful for our blessings, support our nation’s leaders as they do their most effective to navigate this disaster, and hold the troubled corners of our world (Ukraine, Russia, Afghanistan, and more) in our thoughts and prayers.

—Rick