A person would have to have been holed up in a cave in Tora Bora for the last 20 years to not know who Rick Steves is. On second thought, even that is probably not out of the reach of the intrepid traveler.

Steves brings his bottomless knowledge of travel to Bainbridge Island in a benefit for the Bainbridge-Ometepe Sister Island Association, (BOSIA) 7 p.m. Oct. 27 at The Pavilion.

Steves will talk on “Smart European Travel,” a subject he has spent his entire adult life researching.

A native of Edmonds, Steves began traveling to Europe with his parents in 1969, and by 18 was making the trans-Atlantic trips on his own.

Ten years later he started his phenomenally successful travel business, Europe Through the Back Door, in his hometown.

His Europe Through the Back Door guide books and Travels in Europe with Rick Steves PBS series have inspired thousands, maybe millions of wanna-be travelers to get off the couch and head for Europe. His Europe Through the Back Door tours attract more than 6,000 travelers a year.

The tireless Steves seems to be everywhere. In addition to his new PBS series, Rick Steves’ Europe, he hosts a weekly public radio show, Travel with Rick Steves, which broadens his travel perspective beyond Europe.

When he’s not galavanting around Europe Steves travels to other parts of the world, such as South America, the Middle East and Asia. On a recent radio show he said India was his favorite travel destination.

Since Sept. 11, 2001 Steves feels it is more important than ever for Americans to travel, to be ambassadors for their country and broaden their world view.

As he writes on his Web site: “Travel helps us celebrate differences and overcome misunderstandings — big and little — between people. Recently in Germany a little pre-schooler stared at me. Finally his mother said, ‘Excuse my son. He stares at Americans.’ She went on to explain that last time they went to McDonald’s the boy (munching the fluffy hamburger bun) asked why Americans have such soft bread. She explained that it’s because Americans have no teeth. Giving the child a smiley growl, I did my part to dispel that misunderstanding.”

Traveling Rick Steves-style, staying with locals off the beaten track, also helps Americans see how other people live and think.

“Hiking high in the Alps , I asked my Swiss friend Ollie why they are so docile when it comes to paying high taxes. Without missing a beat he replied, ‘What’s it worth to live in a country with no hunger, no homelessness, and where everyone has access to good health care and a top-quality education?’ While America is embracing the Texas (“low tax, low service” state) model, Europe believes government can be both big and good.”

Steves has become outspoken in his political views and opposition to the current administration’s foreign policy, but he still feels America is the best place to call home.

“Travel has sharpened both my love of what America stands for and my connection with our world. And lessons I’ve learned far from home combined with passion for America have heightened my drive to challenge my countrymen to higher ideals. Crass materialism and a global perspective don’t mix. We can enjoy the fruits of our hard work and still be a loved and respected nation. While I’ve found no easy answers, I spend more time than ever searching. The world needs America the beautiful. But lately, the world sees America as more aggressive and materialistic than beautiful.”

Steves’ Oct. 27 appearance is sponsored by The Traveler bookstore in Winslow in celebration of its 10th anniversary. Since it opened in 1995, the bookstore has designated a percentage of annual sales to supporting the work of BOSIA, as part of its mission to build bridges of understanding among the peoples of the world through travel.

To date the store has donated more than $10,000 to the non-profit organization, used to build library facilities and buy books.

BOSIA was founded in 1986 to foster understanding of Nicaragua and has developed a program of economic, educational and cultural exchange between the two societies.

Rick Steves speaks at 7 p.m. Oct. 27 at The Pavilion, 403 Madison Ave. N, Bainbridge Island.

Tickets are $10 general admission, $25 reserved, available in advance at The Traveler, 287 Winslow Way E, Bainbridge Island. wu