NPR's Ayesha Rascoe talks with travel writer and host Rick Steves about "overtourism" — when some locales prove too popular — and how not contribute to it.

Rick Steves has been bumming around Europe for decades, so we listen to his suggestions; university cafeterias can open the door to a local culture.

In his book “Travel as a Political Act,” Steves talks about getting out of your comfort zone and being open to new cultures, new idea, new food — a new way of living.

“On the Hippie Trail: Istanbul to Kathmandu and the Making of a Travel Writer,” features photographs, a foldout map and reproductions of journal pages.