The growth at the Pacific region also comes with a repositioning of the world's

superpowers. And of course nature and the military

abhors a vacuum and who moved to fill this vacuum but the Chinese.

Coming up on travel with Rick Steves, Simon Winchester looks at what's behind a simmering conflict

of national interests in the Pacific.

Guides from Slovenia recommend visiting the spa town of Lushko in time for their summer festival.

The festival of flowers and beer, you could toast with friendly locals, you could maybe even polka.

And Eric Weiner tells us why an annual road trip to Canada is part of his family's summer plans.

You know, you cross that border, as I do every year year and your blood pressure drops and it's not the

scenery per se which is of course beautiful it's the people. Conflicts in the

Pacific, summer in Slovenia and just what is it that makes our Canadian neighbors so

darn appealing. It's all in the hour ahead on travel with Rick Steve's.

As the Mediterranean shaped the classical world, you could say the Pacific is poised to shape ours.

Coming up today on Travel with Rick Steve's, best-selling author Simon Winchester looks at what's contributing to a collision of cultures in the Pacific.

China's Navy has been challenging its neighbors and some fear this could lead to a showdown with the

United States over who's the greatest superpower.

And yet trade routes between the East and West are getting busier

and busier.

Chances are you've never given much thought to a summer vacation in Slovenia.

Later in the hour, we'll find out why one of Europe's smaller and lesser known

countries is a perfect destination for travelers seeking a warm welcome and a

relaxing getaway. If you've ever accidentally walked into a tree and said,

...