While the Swiss Alps have earned their reputation for high costs, these four regions offer the same mountain views, walkable villages, and quality healthcare at half the cost of U.S. mountain towns.

Eating well when traveling in Europe can be expensive. Follow Rick Steves' smart tip for cheaper bites. Bonus: It's a great way to people watch, too.

People have been asking me what it’s like to cover a Winter Olympics. It’s cold, I tell them. They’ll smirk at this wise guy who just went swimming only to report how “it was wet,” but I’m not being ...