Where does an ambassador go for vacation? You might be pleasantly surprised by the

mountain region of southwest Bulgaria. A former U.S. Ambassador recommends it as a

welcoming and scenic way to explore thousands of years of

Balkan history. In every valley and in every corner there are either amazing

archaeological ruins or old towns and villages. But how do we mitigate the

impacts of our own travels as the effects of climate

change accelerate all around us? A climate scientist helps us get a handle on what

we can do to lessen its impacts on the places we love.

I think we need to start empowering people to see the way that they can be part of the solution.

And hear how the pop music of Germany expressed the aspirations of the German people during and after the Cold War.

It ranges from Serpy Beer Hall tunes to intense electronica.

A lot of their songs are about technology, they were about moving forwards, they were about the future.

Come along for the hour ahead, it's Travel with Rick Staves. How can we turn our good intentions into actions that matter?

Coming up, we get advice to help reduce our impacts on climate change.

And we'll hear how the popular music of Germany provides us a look at how their well-ordered world has changed

with the times.

Let's open today's travel with Rick Steeves with ideas for traveling like a diplomat. A few years ago while filming in Bulgaria my crew and I were

invited to the U.S. Embassy in Sofia. My evening there with Ambassador Eric Rubin and

his staff reminded me of the talent and

passion and importance of the dedicated people who make up our

foreign service. I remember leaving there that evening

inspired with my head just spinning from what I'd learned and I just left also thinking that it's not fair.

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