I honestly don’t think anyone has had a bigger impact how we travel than Rick Steves. His guidebooks are our main resource for researching where to go, what to do, and how to save precious time on vacation. We also watch his TV shows, listen to his podcast, use his iPhone app, and read the forums on his website. Even some of our luggage has his name on it. (No, we didn’t steal it from him at baggage claim; he sells it on his website.)

It’s hard to describe what makes Rick Steves’ so appealing. Sure he provides a lot of useful information, but so do other travel guides—often in greater detail or with better photographs and illustrations. And he generally plays it pretty safe with his suggestions, sticking to the popular venues instead of steering readers too far off the beaten path. But his earnest, nerdy charm comes across in everything he does. Reading one of his guidebooks or watching one of his broadcasts, I feel like I learn as much about him as I do about Rome or Paris or wherever. Like millions of travelers, I’ve come to trust advice from “Uncle Rick” more than almost any other source of travel info.

If you’ve ever watched or read or listened to Rick, you probably know what I mean. And I think you’ll appreciate cartoonist Cathy Leamy’s take on her own Rick Steves obsession.