Look in the dictionary under Europe and you will surely see Rick Steves' name. Over the past 25 years, he's expertly guided us through across the Continent, United Kingdom, Ireland, and beyond, entreating us to become temporary locals and educating us on how to be smart independent travelers.

Rick Steves is the author of 30 European travel books, the host, producer and visionary behind nearly 100 travel shows for public television entitled Rick Steves' Europe, and the owner of Europe Through the Back Door, a company that leads 300 tours to Europe annually. He's also the perfect interview subject for "Window or Aisle?", our travel Q&A.

Rick Steves [enlarge photo] MORE Q&AS • Cat Cora • Anthony Doerr • Josh Bernstein • Joan Cusack • Charlie Trotter • JetBlue CEO David Neeleman • Sir Richard Branson • Rachael Ray • EasyGroup's Stelios • Rick Steves

Window or aisle?

Window, please.

The last thing I ate from a minibar?

Cashews and orange juice.

I won't leave home without...

My laptop.

The best trip I've ever taken? And why?

I think three trips worked together to shape me as a traveler: Europe the first time on my own (as an 18 year old in 1973) - it expanded my back yard. India in 1978 and 1983 - it humbled me culturally. El Salvador/Nicaragua in 1989, 1991 and 2005 - it awakened me politically.

My dream trip?

Italy in the spring with no Fiats or Motorbikes anywhere and an ability to speak Italian.