Name: Rick Steves' Europe
Uploaded: 2021-03-25T23:01:37.000Z
Description: Rick Steves, author of the acclaimed travel guides Europe Through the Back Door, showcases the best of Europe.

Rick Steves, author of the acclaimed travel guides Europe Through the Back Door, showcases the best of Europe.

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Burgundy is a calm and cultivated corner of France, where fine living is intimately tied to nature and traditions run strong. We'll slow down to enjoy the region's edible, drinkable, scenic, and floatable delights.

Burgundy: Profoundly French

The Dordogne River Valley - with its dramatic castles and prized cuisine - is an unforgettable blend of man-made and natural beauty. We'll take an idyllic canoe ride, and then visit a goose farm and savor the foie gras.

France's Dordogne

The creative spirit of Spain's Catalunya - the land of Picasso and Salvador Dali- is on a roll. We'll get caught up in the festivity of Barcelona, enjoying the vibrant street scenes, tasty tapas, and pedestrian-friendly Gothic Quarter.

Barcelona and Catalunya

We visit Europe's tiniest countries: Vatican City, the world's smallest country, comes with the planet's biggest church. Monaco offers glamorous view, San Marino still looks formidable and tiny Andorra entertains shoppers and hikers alike.

Little Europe: Five Micro-Countries

In this episode, we'll focus on an overlooked side of Switzerland: Luzern, Bern, Zurich, and Lausanne. We'll enjoy a variety of art then ponder a few Swiss innovations. And it's all before a backdrop of Switzerland's stunning beauty.

Great Swiss Cities

Venture beyond Prague with a whirlwind of Art Nouveau, local pub music, cheese-tasting, river-rafting, and peat-bathing. We'll also tour a remarkable memorial to the Holocaust in Terezen, and the charming castle town of Cesky Krumlov.

The Czech Republic Beyond Prague

We'll tour the must-sees of ancient Athens: the Parthenon, Agora, and National Archaeological Museum. We'll waste no time getting to side-trip destinations: the ruins of the mystical oracle at Delphi and a boat to the Isle of Hydra.

Athens and Side Trips

Denmark's capital is the most fun-loving in Scandinavia. As we get to know Copenhagen, we'll discover reminders of its Viking history and see reflections today of its proudly independent ways.

Copenhagen

Using Copenhagen as a springboard, we'll visit the best of Denmark. Aarhus welcomes us with its ruddy affluence; Roskilde impresses visitors with its royal burial church; and the quaint Isle of Aero comes with half-timbered cottages.

Denmark beyond Copenhagen

We'll explore the multilayered city of Istanbul as we lose our way in the Grand Bazaar, munch through the fragrant Spice Market, and follow the fall of the ancient capital of Byzantium and the rise of Islam at the city's ancient wall.

Istanbul

Rick takes us beyond Europe to a place that's rich with history...and mystery. We'll get a rare present-day look at of some of Iran's most important historical sites, and a sense of its 21st-century culture.

Iran: Tehran and Side Trips

Iran's rich history goes back millennia, to the days when Persepolis was home to "the king of kings." In this episode, Rick Steves explores three historic capitals of Iran: Persepolis, Shiraz, and Esfahan.

Iran's Historic Capitals

The culture, cuisine, history, and natural wonders of southern Spain's major cities, including Seville, Cordoba, and Granada.

Andalucia: The Best of Southern Spain

In Croatia, we'll see the Pearl of the Adriatic, sample some island charm, wander Roman ruins, and hike through a watery wonderland. We'll also enjoy its thriving capital city and the Italian-like Istrian Peninsula.

Croatia: Adriatic Delights

Exploring parts of Croatia, Montenegro, and Bosnia, we'll get to know the three major groups of the former Yugoslavia - Croats, Serbs, and Muslims. And we'll throw in a little fun in the sun in Dubrovnik.

Dubrovnik and Balkan Side-Trips

Tiny Slovenia - with just two million people - is one of Europe's most unexpectedly delightful destinations. Located where the Germanic, Mediterranean, and Slavic worlds come together, Slovenia has a unique appeal.

The Best of Slovenia

For many travelers, the quintessence of Spain is found in Andalucia. Join us in Granada, Cordoba, and the Costa del Sol as we enjoy the food, history, art, and dance of Europe's most passionate corner.

Granada, Cordoba, and Spain's Costa del Sol

Join Rick as we explore Andalucia - prancing horses, whitewashed hilltowns, kite surfing on sunny beaches. Then we'll summit the Rock of Gibraltar and sample Morocco, from tribal musicians and busy artisans to the magic of its markets.

Andalucia, Gibraltar, and Tangier

We'll connect with the culture and art of Norway's proud capital city - from once-fearsome Viking ships to its sleek Opera House, and from tales of World War II heroes to the constant festival of its thriving waterfront.

Oslo

Join Rick as we explore Norway's rugged west. We'll sail through majestic fjords and hike powerful glaciers before enjoying the salty hospitality of the country's historic capital, Bergen.

Norway's West: Fjords, Mountains, and Bergen

Once a respected military power, now famously neutral, Sweden's stately capital respects its rich heritage while embracing modern innovation.

Stockholm

Starting in the Finnish capital of Helsinki, we explore its Neoclassical old town, modern flair for design, and steamy saunas. Then it's a quick boat ride to Estonia's capital, Tallinn - with its medieval charms and post-USSR renaissance.

Helsinki and Tallinn: Baltic Sisters

In Northern Spain, we'll run with the bulls in Pamplona and join the pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago.

Northern Spain and the Camino de Santiago

The land of the Basque people is split between France and Spain. With a stubborn spirit and an industrious nature, the Basques celebrate this rich heritage while embracing the future.

Basque Country

Focusing on the grandeur of classical Rome, we'll marvel at the Colosseum, Pantheon, and Capitoline Museum before heading out on a bike ride along the ancient Appian Way.

Rome: Ancient Glory

As we ramble through the heart of Rome, we'll admire breathtaking Bernini statues and ponder sunbeams inside St. Peter's Basilica. After dinner, we'll take a nighttime stroll, lacing together the city's piazzas and fountains.

Rome: Baroque Brilliance

We explore Rome on a more intimate scale - dodging Vespas in Trastevere, roaming through the historic Jewish Ghetto, and enjoying art treasures in a string of rarely visited churches to uncover the charms of hidden Rome.

Rome: Back-Street Riches

In Florence, we'll revel in the genius of Michelangelo and Botticelli, climb the dome that kicked off the Renaissance, and cross the Arno to take in modern-day artisan life.

Florence: Heart of the Renaissance

We enjoy Renaissance art in Florence, the city that propelled Europe out of the Middle Ages. Then we visit two cultural capitals in their own right: Pisa, where we'll marvel at a tipsy tower; and Lucca, where we'll celebrate Puccini.

Florentine Delights and Tuscan Side Trips

In Paris, we'll cruise the Seine River, pay a visit to Napoleon's tomb, and take in the majestic Louvre. Then we'll shop in a village-like neighborhood, attend church in a pipe organ loft, and celebrate Bastille Day.

Paris: Regal and Intimate

We'll ride a unicorn into the Middle Ages at Paris' Cluny Museum, get a heavenly look at stained glass in Sainte-Chapelle, go on a tombstone pilgrimage at Père Lachaise Cemetery, and savor the Parisian café scene.

Paris: Embracing Life and Art

In London, we'll ponder royal tombs in Westminster Abbey, discover treasures in the British Library, enjoy the vibrant evening scene in Soho, uncover Churchill's secret WWII headquarters, and straddle the Prime Meridian at Greenwich.

London: Historic and Dynamic

Hiking through the Cumbrian Lake District, we'll admire idyllic lakes, discover misty waterfalls, tour a slate mine, and climb up to a stony summit. Then we'll play some cricket, hike Hadrian's Wall, and be dazzled by Durham's cathedral.

North England's Lake District and Durham

In Venice, we'll sample the splendor of the Doge's Palace, St. Mark's Basilica, Grand Canal, and masterpieces from the Venetian Renaissance - then take a glide on a gondola.

Venice: City of Dreams

We'll start with a cruise through Venice's lagoon, pausing to savor fresh fish canalside. Then we'll sample the treasures of the Accademia Gallery, explore some back-street wonders, and luxuriate in a venerable café on St. Mark's Square.

Venice and Its Lagoon

In this first of three shows focusing on European travel skills, we'll visit the Netherlands and Germany to learn about transportation by train and car, changing money, and settling in upon arrival.

European Travel Skills Part 1

In this second of three shows focusing on travel skills, we'll visit Venice, Siena, and the Cinque Terre in Italy to learn about trip planning, packing, safety, and - perhaps the most rewarding skill of all - connecting with the locals.

European Travel Skills Part 2

In this third of three travel skills episodes, we'll visit the Swiss Alps, Paris, and London while covering tips for finding hotels, using transit, and selecting restaurants.

European Travel Skills Part 3

After kicking off in Kuşadası, we wander ancient Ephesus, soak in a natural spa at Pamukkale, learn why dervishes whirl at Konya, and sail the Mediterranean on a "gulet" from Antalya.

Western Turkey

In Turkey, we'll marvel at the fascinating landscape of Cappadocia from high above in a balloon...and from deep below, prowling an underground city where Christians once hid out.

Central Turkey

In France's Loire Valley, we'll visit four unique castles - elegant Chenonceau, massive Chambord, stately Cheverny, and fragrant Villandry - with fun stops along the way.

France's Loire: Chateau Country

After roaming Versailles - the palace of palaces - we'll drop in on exquisite Vaux-le-Vicomte and extravagant Fontainebleau, marvel at Chartres Cathedral...and dine like kings.

Paris Side Trips

We'll discover the best of Israel, stopping in passionate, traditional Jerusalem, cosmopolitan Tel Aviv, the fortress of Masada, the Sea of Galilee, and the Yad Vashem memorial.

The Best of Israel

Exploring Palestine - the Muslim and Arab half of the Holy Land - we'll visit Jerusalem, harvest olives near Ramallah, follow pilgrims to Bethlehem, and bob in the Dead Sea.

Palestine

We'll visit Italy's five tiny seaside towns known as the Cinque Terre, while stopping to fish for anchovies, sip wine from barrels, and savor twinkling Mediterranean vistas.

Italy's Riviera: Cinque Terre

We'll visit three great cities in the shadow of Venice: Padova (Padua), with its university life and famed basilica; Verona and its Roman ruins; and Ravenna, for its shimmering mosaics.

Italy's Verona, Padova, and Ravenna

Uniquely entertaining Amsterdam shows off its Rembrandts and Van Goghs, rivers of bikes, and pot-filled coffeeshops - all under gabled facades leaning out over placid canals.

Amsterdam

Zipping from Haarlem to Rotterdam, and from Delft to the former Zuiderzee, we'll enjoy fragrant cheese markets, soggy polderland, charming towns, and windmills both new and old.

The Netherlands: Beyond Amsterdam

We'll visit beautifully preserved Prague to experience its massive castle, evocative Jewish Quarter, thrilling history, infectious music...and perhaps the best beer in Europe.

Prague

While visiting Berlin's powerful sights - moving memorials, top-tier museums, surviving bits of communist and fascist days - we'll take time to revel in its vibrant social scene.

Berlin

Hamburg, Germany's mighty port city, has a gleaming skyline and a brisk creative energy. From there, we'll visit the Reformation sights of Erfurt and Wittenberg, and finish in wine-loving Würzburg.

Germany's Hamburg and the Luther Trail

We'll visit the great cities of Saxony: Dresden, with its opulent palaces and art treasures, and Leipzig, with its Bach heritage and a massive monument to Napoleon's defeat.

Germany's Dresden and Leipzig

Join us as we roam modern Frankfurt's delightful old town and explore fascinating Nürnberg, with its fun fountains, medieval lanes, and sobering Nazi Documentation Center.

Germany's Frankfurt and Nurnberg

We'll trace Bulgaria's complex history, from ancient tombs to medieval Orthodox monasteries to Soviet monuments, and explore the cities of Sofia, Veliko Tarnovo, and Plovdiv.

Bulgaria

After touring the vibrant capital city of Bucharest, we'll head into Transylvania and Maramureș to visit fortified churches, legendary castles, and time-warp villages.

Romania

In the Italian countryside, we'll see how prosciutto and pecorino are made, duck into ancient wine cellars, and visit the hill town of Assisi - and its awe-inspiring basilica.

Assisi and Italian Country Charm

We'll enjoy a front-row seat at Siena's wild Palio horse race and marvel at treasures from the city's golden age, then head out of town for a taste of Tuscan dolce vita.

Siena and Tuscany's Wine Country

Join us in England's charming West Country as we visit quaint Cotswold villages, Wells Cathedral, legendary Glastonbury, and the stone circles of Stonehenge and Avebury.

West England

Join Rick on a coastal journey from Canterbury Cathedral to fortified Dover, along the chalk cliffs of the South Downs, and to Portsmouth for its historic sailing ships.

Southeast England

In the southwest of England, we'll drop in on pirate towns, fishing villages, and a tin mine, then head to Dartmoor National Park in search of stone circles and wild ponies.

England's Cornwall

At Oxford and Cambridge, we'll see where kings and prime ministers studied. Then we'll wander through Blenheim Palace and visit the Industrial Revolution at Ironbridge Gorge.

The Heart of England

In Lisbon, we'll stroll waterfront and back lanes and hear some soulful fado music. Then we'll head royal to Sintra to explore its fanciful castles and ramparts with grand views.

Lisbon

In the heart of Portugal, we'll dance on the beach at Nazaré, marvel Batalha's abbey, revel with students in Coimbra, savor port wine, and get to know Portugal's fascinating second city of Porto.

Portugal's Heartland

In this travel skills episode, we'll learn how to get the most out of a cruise by planning, avoiding lines, and eating quick meals on the go. And along with the joys of cruising, we'll consider the downsides.

Travel Skills: Cruising

Island-hopping to Santorini, Mykonos, and Rhodes, we'll tour ancient ruins, sample rustic cuisine, and compare beaches. We'll also see how cruising lets you do this efficiently.

Greek Islands: Santorini, Mykonos, and Rhodes

In this first of two episodes on Europe's great festivals, we'll cheer with the masses at Siena's Palio horse race, toss a caber at a Scottish Highland Games, don a mask for Carnevale in Venice, and celebrate Easter in Greece.

European Festivals I

In this second of two episodes on Europe's great festivals, we'll celebrate Sevilla's April Fair and Bastille Day in Paris, run with the bulls in Pamplona, party at Oktoberfest, and celebrate Christmas in Nürnberg and the Swiss Alps.

European Festivals II

In Palermo, Sicily's largest city, we'll sing with merchants, drop in on a contessa, and join in the passeggiata. Then we'll sip wine near Mount Etna, ponder Greek and Roman relics, and relax in Taormina.

The Best of Sicily

We'll dine at the fisherman's harbor in Cefalù, ponder the ancient Greeks in Siracusa, commune with monks in a Capuchin crypt, and eat our way through a classic Sicilian banquet.

Sicilian Delights

We'll visit Glencoe, Inverness, and the Culloden battlefield - and keep our eyes peeled at Loch Ness - as we work up an appetite for modern Scottish cuisine and traditional folk music.

Scotland's Highlands

On the windswept Isles of Iona and Skye, we'll wander through Iron Age forts and a venerable distillery. Then we'll set sail for Orkney's 20th-century wartime harbor at Scapa Flow.

Scotland's Islands

Starting in vibrantly gritty Glasgow, we'll tap into Scottish passions as we tour Stirling Castle, have a wee dram on the Speyside Whisky Trail, and watch a sheepdog demonstration.

Glasgow and Scottish Passions

In the Alps of Austria and Italy, we conquer the Zugspitze, visit Innsbruck, tour a medieval castle, hike to Europe's largest alpine meadow, and experience Tyrolean folk culture.

Austrian and Italian Alps

Lacing together dramatic mountains with scenic train rides, breathtaking lifts, and unforgettable hikes, we savor Switzerland's jaw-dropping alpine beauty and its rich culture.

Swiss Alps

We'll make some high-altitude cheese, ride the lift to Aiguille du Midi, and hike the Tour du Mont Blanc. After exploring Lyon, we head for the French Alps.

French Alps and Lyon

Traveling across Germany, we learn how fascism rose and then fell - and how we can recognize that hateful ideology as well as the tricks of wannabe dictators in our own age.

Germany's Fascist Story

We drop in on a mosque, haggle with eager merchants, marvel at King Tut's gold, greet the ancient Sphinx, and climb into the center of a pyramid. Cairo, Egypt, pulses with energy.

Egypt's Cairo

Exploring the Nile Valley from north to south, we see the highlights of Egypt, from fabled Alexandria, to the pharaohs' tombs and temples at Luxor, to the temple at Abu Simbel.

Egypt's Nile, Alexandria, and Luxor

Venturing beyond Europe, and with local experts as his guides, Rick uses Ethiopia as a classroom for understanding global hunger and extreme poverty - and how to beat it.

Ethiopia: A Development Story

Set in Europe, this special episode celebrates the rewards and joys of exploring our world. Is it just hedonism...or something more powerful? What is the value of travel?

Why We Travel

As the Ice Age glaciers melted, prehistoric Europe bloomed with sophisticated art. From Ireland to France, Scotland to the Greek Isles, we traverse that mystical world of megaliths, cave paintings, magical goddesses, and wrinkled bog people.

Art of Prehistoric Europe

Ancient Greece laid the foundations of Western art. Traveling from its sun-splashed isles to the rugged mainland to bustling Athens, we trace the rise of Greek culture. We marvel at the timeless Acropolis, perfect Parthenon, and Golden Age theaters.

Art of Ancient Greece

We follow Rome's rise through its awe-inspiring art, starting at Rome's humble birthplace in the Forum. Soon Rome is graced with supersized monuments like the majestic domed Pantheon and the Colosseum, where gladiators battled to the death.

Ancient Roman Art

From England to Turkey, we explore the greatest Roman cities, marveling at their over-the-top art, soaring aqueducts, and crowd-pleasing theaters. As Rome fell, saints replaced Caesars and Christianity filled the vacuum with art-filled churches.

Art of the Roman Empire

Europe's Christians kept culture alive with art rooted in their faith. Romanesque churches filled with art that reinforced the ruling order, whereas Byzantines had their dazzling mosaics and Spanish Muslims had lush palaces.

Art of the Early Middle Ages

Europe's growing prosperity was reflected in soaring Gothic cathedrals with colorful altarpieces, lacy stonework, and radiant stained glass. In Italy, pioneering artists like Giotto were mastering realism and pointing the way to the future of art.

Art of the High Middle Ages

After its medieval struggles, Europe rediscovered the art of the ancients. We revel in the bold spirit of the Cathedral's lofty dome and the great artists such as Botticelli, da Vinci and Michelangelo, taking the Renaissance to new heights.

Art of the Florentine Renaissance

From Italy, the Renaissance spread across Europe, revolutionizing art. In Spain and Portugal, overseas plunder is transformed into lacy architecture. In bustling Germany and Belgium, new technologies enable mass-produced engravings and oil paintings.

Art of the Renaissance Beyond Florence

We start in Rome, with its awe-inspiring St. Peter's. In Belgium we see the dramatic canvases of Rubens. And the ultimate Baroque palace, Versailles, with its chandeliered Hall of Mirrors and vast gardens where nobles played as revolution brewed.

Baroque Art

Around 1800, Europe was in transition, reflecting in two art styles. We start with stately Neoclassical buildings with columns and domes. Then see dramatic Romantic canvases depicting extreme emotions and awesome nature.

Art of the Neoclassical and Romantic Ages

The late-1800s saw old notions of beauty challenged by artists. We enjoy pioneering Impressionist works like Monet's lilies, Renoir's ladies, and Rodin's statues. We trace the tempestuous travels of Van Gogh through his incomparable art.

Art of the Impressionists and Beyond

Europe's tumultuous 20th century spawned cutting-edge art. From Spain to Hungary, Glasgow to Oslo, we seek out all that's wild, colorful, and surreal. We see how a persistent artistic spirit connects us with both our past and future.

Rick Steves' Europe

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