Stroll through medieval squares with soaring bell towers and along quiet experience Belgium with Rick Steves! Inside Rick Steves Bruges, Brussels, Antwerp & Ghent you'll 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 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 goUseful 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 Make the most of every day and every dollar with Rick Steves Bruges, Brussels, Antwerp & Ghent.
Rick Steves is an American travel writer, television personality, and activist known for encouraging meaningful travel that emphasizes cultural immersion and thoughtful global citizenship. Born in California and raised in Edmonds, Washington, he began traveling in his teens, inspired by a family trip to Europe. After graduating from the University of Washington with a degree in European history and business, Steves started teaching travel classes, which led to his first guidebook, Europe Through the Back Door, self-published in 1980. Steves built his Edmonds-based travel company on the idea that travelers should explore less-touristy areas and engage with local cultures. He gained national prominence as host and producer of Rick Steves' Europe, which has aired on public television since 2000. He also hosts a weekly public radio show, Travel with Rick Steves, and has authored dozens of popular guidebooks, including bestselling titles on Italy and Europe at large. Beyond travel, Steves is an outspoken advocate for drug policy reform, environmental sustainability, and social justice. He supports marijuana legalization and chairs the board of NORML. He has funded housing for homeless families and donates to anti-hunger and arts organizations. In 2019, he pledged $1 million annually to offset the carbon emissions of his tour groups. Steves is a practicing Lutheran with Norwegian ancestry and continues to live in Edmonds. He has two adult children and is in a relationship with Reverend Shelley Bryan Wee. Despite health challenges, including a prostate cancer diagnosis in 2024, Steves remains committed to his mission of helping Americans travel with greater purpose, empathy, and understanding of the world. His work reflects a belief that travel, done right, can be both transformative and a force for peace.