A tour guide from Greece delves into the importance of food, family, and traditions in his homeland. Then a Francophile offers advice on how to take on the vast collection of the world's largest — and arguably greatest — museum. And guidebook researcher Cameron Hewitt shares discoveries from his travels in the Balkans, an affordable and rewarding alternative to the tourist crowds of western Europe.

• Apostolos Douras, tour guide from Athens
• Journalist Elaine Sciolino, author of "Adventures in the Louvre" (Norton)
• Cameron Hewitt, senior writer/content manager at Rick Steves' Europe

• Elaine Sciolino writes about her discoveries on French society from her home base in Paris. Her latest book is "Adventures in the Louvre: How to Fall in Love with the World's Greatest Museum."
• Elaine spoke with Rick about the Seine and the bridges of Paris on Travel with Rick Steves program #593 in February 2020, and program #607A in March 2023. She describes the flirtatious nature of social interactions in France in her book "Le Seduction," and on program #254a in 2013.
• Cameron Hewitt is Rick's senior content producer and writer. He provides tales from his own European travels in his book, "The Temporary European."
• The Rick Steves "Central Europe" guidebook covers sites in the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Slovenia, Austria, Slovakia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Bulgaria, and Romania.