Author: Rick Steves, Special to USA TODAY

From France’s Versailles to Portugal’s Pena Palace, the best royal retreats provide insight into the dynamic, often quirky monarchs who built them.

Iceland was steamy long before Jon Snow and Ygritte found their love cave in “Game of Thrones.” Rick Steves takes you on a tour of geothermal sites.

Opt for tapas in Spain and you’ll be rewarded with bite-size punches of flavor, a reasonable bill, and the unrelenting energy of the locals.

Public transportation in Europe is great but sometimes, a rental car is the best – and, sometimes, only – way to get off the beaten path.