Travel with Rick Steves · Saturday, September 19, 2026
Author Paul Theroux, a guest on 'Travel with Rick Steves,' expressed his critique of contemporary travel writing, particularly its tendency to focus on luxurious experiences in impoverished regions. He stated that travel writing should aim to be candid and avoid excessive praise, emphasizing the importance of listening to people's stories.
“Oh, yeah. Well, I mean, I keep reading it in the newspaper, people saying having sumptuous meals in poor countries.”
“You know, the idea that you're having a gourmet experience in a place where people are starving or very hungry.”
“But I like to turn the volume down and take the superlatives away and be candid, you know, everything doesn't have to be great.”