WCOE International Engineering Program

At the Louvre, one little head sticks up above all the others. It’s Mona Lisa.

Yes, the crowds are back, packing the greatest sights in Europe like they did back in 2019 BC (Before COVID). If you’re planning on dropping your jaw in the Sistine Chapel in Rome, swooning in front of David in Florence, being awestruck by the Parthenon in Athens, or leaning into that tipsy tower in Pisa, put on your shoulder pads and prepare to shuffle. Or…think smartly about how to beat the crowds.

I see two big changes for sightseers coming out of the pandemic. More than ever, Americans have a herd mentality, and they are hell-bent on seeing the same famous cultural treasures. And those sights have learned the wisdom of requiring visitors to book timed entries in advance to control the crowds.

My advice: Get a good guidebook, do your homework, and — if it is required or smart to book a sight in advance — go online and do it as soon as you’re ready to commit to a time on your itinerary. And think hard about alternative sights that are arguably as good but without the fame and popularity. For example, you can see Rome’s ancient colosseum from the outside any time for free — and more comfortably and smartly marvel at the engineering razzle-dazzle of the Romans by actually paying to enter the nearby (and never crowded) Baths of Caracalla. And instead of joining the masses in Amsterdam for a pilgrimage to Anne Frank’s house, enjoy a ten-minute bike ride to the Dutch Resistance Museum — newly reopened after a serious remodel, never crowded, and illustrating the Dutch experience of N**i occupation far better than any other sight. In London, the gimmicky commercial ventures like Madame Tussauds wax museum and the London Dungeon are aggressively advertised and so crowded that they sell “fast track” tickets and even have the gall to charge more during peak hours, while serious sights like the Imperial War Museum and British Museum are free to visit, generally less mobbed, and far more rewarding.

2023 is a great year for travel. I am gearing up for three wonderful months in Europe. And I know, especially these days, that there are two IQs of travelers: those who wait in lines and those who don’t. Take those crowds seriously and remember: Even if the most mobbed sights in Europe all vanished, the Continent could still thrill and entertain you for the rest of your life.

Here at Rick Steves' Europe, we’d love to help you maximize your fun and minimize your frustrations. Explore our programs and free tools at www.ricksteves.com. See you there!

For Engineers Week the Engineering Diplomats are hosting trivia! Show off your international🌍🌎🌏knowledge and win prizes. Pizza provided!

Are you interested in the fall semester in Sevilla, Spain🇪🇸? Check out the classes available for a full semester at our TTU Center! This program is perfect for ME and IMSE students! Applications are due March 20th!