Rudy Maxa is one of America’s premier consumer travel experts whose writings and radio and television shows have helped save thousands of travelers both time and money. A former Washington Post investigative reporter and life-long traveler, Rudy began covering the travel industry 15 years ago for public radio’s evening business show, “Marketplace” where his commentaries under his moniker, “The Savvy Traveler,” were heard by nearly five million listeners. Today he hosts an hour-long, call-in travel show Sundays 4-5 p.m. on CBS' KFWB News Talk 980 in Los Angeles. Live streaming and podcasts of past shows are available at kfwb.com/rudy

His "Marketplace" appearances led to the creation of a one-hour, weekend radio magazine show, "The Savvy Traveler, that Rudy hosted from its inception in 1997 until the summer of 2001.

Rudy's newest and sixth series of travel shows on public television is titled, "Rudy’s Maxa's World." The 13 shows--with destinations including Russia, Estonia, Turkey, Argentina, Japan, India, and Thailand--join Rudy's other award-winning, 65-part public television series, “Smart Travels: Europe [and the Pacific Rim] with Rudy Maxa.” Check local PBS listings for broadcast times. To order any of Rudy's DVDS on more than 70 destinations, visit RudyMaxasWorld.com

Rudy is a contributing editor to National Geographic Traveler, and he received the bronze Lowell Thomas Award for the Best Magazine Article on Foreign Travel ("A Dish Too Far," National Geographic Traveler, Dec. 2003) from the Society of American Travel Writer's Foundation in 2003. His travel articles have also appeared in the Washington Post, Forbes, GQ, Travel & Leisure, the Los Angeles Times, Ocean Drive, Self, WORTH, and dozens of other major publications around the world. Rudy has written columns for ABCNews.com, American Express’ web site, and MSNBC.com. And he's a frequent guest on CNN, CNBC, MSNBC, CNNfn, Fox News Channel, “The View” and other radio and television shows.

A journalist by training, Mr. Maxa was a columnist and reporter for 13 years with the Washington Post, a senior writer and columnist for nine years with Washingtonian magazine, and Washington bureau chief of SPY for two years. He is the author of two non-fiction books and lectures frequently on travel. A member of the Writer’s Guild of America, Mr. Maxa has written dramatic scripts for the ABC-TV series "Capitol News." And he hosted for several years a four-hour, Saturday morning talk show on the NBC owned-and-operated station in Washington, WRC-AM.

Rudy Maxa, 59, lives in St. Paul, MN, and has a son and daughter.

Be sure to keep up with Rudy's Blog for the latest travel tips and deals.