Rico was born in Florida, spent his formative years in Texas, West Virginia and Pennsylvania, and now calls California his home. He's proud to bring a lifelong love of travel and storytelling to "The Savvy Traveler."

Until recently, Rico made his living as a professional TV writer, scribing freelance print and radio journalism on the side to keep his soul clean. His articles have appeared in "The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette," "The Village Voice," "L.A. Weekly," "NOW!" newsweekly (Toronto), the much-missed online music magazine "Wiredplanet," and Seattle's "Tablet." Public radio listeners may recognize his voice from his work on "All Things Considered" and "Marketplace."

Rico's journeyed by car, plane, train, canoe and boot through most of the continental United States and Western Europe, as well as parts of Canada. He's happiest when frolicking in the dust of the California desert or sipping cheap Vos beer in Amsterdam. He would like to get out more.