For centuries travelers have appreciated the importance of spirituality.

From the hardy medieval pilgrims trudging along that road to Canterbury

to modern-day pilgrims who flock to Fatima or Lords.

But meaningful travel isn't always just about religious sites, it's about attitude.

Hi, I'm Rick Steeves. Today we meet Dan Austin who just wrote a spry little book called The Road Trip

Pilgrims Guide. A pilgrimage is about escaping to a new identity,

instead of escaping from.

From the rooftop of an apartment building

to a hike over a mountain pass,

Dan finds that spirituality comes from spontaneity and from enjoying the mundane

reality of everyday life. I think that generosity is just a human attribute and

people no matter where you are if they can and sometimes even if they can't

will want to help you out if they can tell you're on a pilgrimage you're on a journey

and you're really trying to get something out of the quest. Dan Austin shares his

approach to being a road trip pilgrim and the sacred magic that awaits us all if we're just willing to get up and go.

Thanks for coming along. This is Travel with Rick Steeves.

Travel with Rick Steeves is brought to you by American Airlines, with their new Advantage Award booking tool, it's easier than ever to book to

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Whether you're heading to the homeland of your favorite tropical fruit or delivering bicycles to former

child soldiers at a refugee camp in Uganda, Dan Austin has some exciting ideas about being a road trip pilgrim in today's world.

Dan's our guest just ahead as we look into putting a new sense of purpose into our travel plans.

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