Right now is a profoundly unhappy day. Russia’s aggressive motion is heartbreaking for the dying, struggling, and financial turmoil it will cause in Ukraine and, indirectly at the very least, further than. In this article at Rick Steves’ Europe, we hope that a diplomatic answer can be observed and peace will return to that fragile and prolonged-struggling component of our globe.
Our mission at RSE is to assistance Us residents far better know and fully grasp our neighbors by means of travel. But when we bring tourists to another region, we also deliver their pounds — bucks that would support Putin’s aggression. Hence, as of today, we have canceled all 2022 excursions that include a quit in Russia.
Of training course, we will hold a close eye on unfolding gatherings and keep an eye on any journey impacts via the relaxation of Europe. But it is vital to continue to keep geographic realities in brain and don’t forget that a war in Ukraine is as considerably from our European vacation goals as a war in Guatemala would be from Texas or Florida. For 40 many years now, we have lived, labored, and traveled by lots of periods of tragic warfare in lands far from the place we lead our tours (and some closer). And at this time, we see no reason to alter the rest of our vacation and touring options.
The tragic fact unfolding in Ukraine only reminds me how critical it is for Individuals to hold on touring and to do so in a way that tends to make us better and far more engaged citizens of our environment. I’m traveling to Europe subsequent month for a 40-day excursion via a dozen good towns from London to Athens — and I’m very pleased that thousands of my fellow tourists will encounter the European journey of their dreams whilst owning loaded understanding activities significantly from home on a 2022 Rick Steves tour.
In the meantime, let’s be thankful for our blessings, assist our nation’s leaders as they do their ideal to navigate this crisis, and maintain the troubled corners of our globe (Ukraine, Russia, Afghanistan, and a lot more) in our feelings and prayers.
—Rick
