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

Right now is a profoundly unfortunate working day. Russia’s aggressive action is heartbreaking for the demise, suffering, and economic turmoil it will cause in Ukraine and, indirectly at least, beyond. Below at Rick Steves’ Europe, we hope that a diplomatic resolution can be uncovered and peace will return to that fragile and extended-struggling part of our world.

Our mission at RSE is to help Us residents much better know and realize our neighbors as a result of travel. But when we convey tourists to one more state, we also convey their pounds — pounds that would support Putin’s aggression. Thus, as of currently, we have canceled all 2022 excursions that contain a prevent in Russia.

Of program, we will continue to keep a close eye on unfolding events and monitor any journey impacts via the rest of Europe. But it is significant to maintain geographic realities in intellect and recall that a war in Ukraine is as considerably from our European holiday desires as a war in Guatemala would be from Texas or Florida. For 40 years now, we have lived, worked, and traveled as a result of numerous periods of tragic warfare in lands far from where by we direct our tours (and some closer). And at this time, we see no rationale to alter the rest of our travel and touring ideas.

The tragic fact unfolding in Ukraine only reminds me how crucial it is for People to retain on touring and to do so in a way that helps make us much better and a lot more engaged citizens of our globe. I’m traveling to Europe subsequent thirty day period for a 40-day journey by a dozen excellent towns from London to Athens — and I’m very pleased that countless numbers of my fellow travelers will experience the European vacation of their desires even though obtaining abundant finding out ordeals far from household on a 2022 Rick Steves tour.

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

—Rick