EDMONDS, Wash. — Travel guru Rick Steves debuted an hour-long special on Iceland this month, highlighting the culture and natural beauty of the island nation.
For more than 40 years, he has plied his trade as the reigning expert of European travel, sticking mostly to the mainland. Steves said he has spent 100 days a year in Europe since he graduated from Edmonds High School.
"I just thought, we've got to get Iceland into the family here," Steves said.
So, naturally, he wrote a guidebook. In addition, he's completed a one-hour TV special all about the island nation featuring some of his favorite discoveries.
"We did all the stuff that we loved about researching our guidebook about Iceland," Steves said. "The culture, and the wonder of nature and the food."
Iceland is culturally European, sharing much in common with the other Scandinavian countries.
"Geologically, it's 50/50, America and Europe, because it's where the two tectonic plates come together," Steves explained.
That's what creates the dramatic and ever-evolving landscape. Steves and his crew had to take on one off-road stretch in a specially equipped vehicle.
"You can't go up that valley unless you have a lever at the driver's wheel that you can deflate and inflate your tires to give you more traction when you need it."
"Rick Steves Iceland" airs locally on KCTS Aug. 21 at 8 p.m.
KING 5's Evening celebrates the Northwest. Contact us: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Email.