Culture

Rick Steves' Europe

Rick Steves, America's leading authority on European travel, returns to transport viewers to the continent's bustling cities, quaint villages and picturesque countryside.

Iceland

56m 18s

This one-hour special begins in Reykjavík, with endearing sights and thermal pools, plus a side-trip to the Golden Circle's gorges, geysers, and waterfalls. Then, after fording rivers in a desolate valley and spotting puffins on volcano-shaped islands, we drive the 800-mile Ring Road — connecting glaciers, fjords, geothermal hotspots, sod-roofed settlements, and majestic Icelandic nature.

Episodes

  • Rick Steves’ Europe: Art of the 20th Century: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Rick Steves’ Europe: Art of the 20th Century

    S12 E1212 - 25m 16s

    Europe’s tumultuous 20th century spawned a kaleidoscope of cutting-edge art. From Spain to Hungary, Glasgow to Oslo, we seek out all that’s wild, colorful, surreal, and just plain fun. The fascinating work of Pablo Picasso leads us through the century’s major art styles. And in today’s gleaming cities, we see how a persistent artistic spirit connects us with both our past and an exciting future.

  • Rick Steves’ Europe: Art of the Impressionists and Beyond: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Rick Steves’ Europe: Art of the Impressionists and Beyond

    S12 E1211 - 25m 17s

    The late-1800s saw old notions of beauty challenged by revolutionary artists. We enjoy pioneering Impressionist works—Monet’s lilies, Renoir’s ladies, Degas’ snapshots and Rodin’s statues—that capture the joie de vivre of the age. We trace the tempestuous travels of Van Gogh through his incomparable art. And we finish in Spain, with wild and crazy buildings that herald the dawn of a new century.

  • Rick Steves’ Europe: Art of the Neoclassical Age: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Rick Steves’ Europe: Art of the Neoclassical Age

    S12 E1210 - 25m 18s

    Around 1800, Europe was in transition, reflected in two art styles. First, we visit Europe’s great cities with their stately Neoclassical buildings of columns and domes. Meanwhile, the Revolution has unleashed a call for freedom, both political and personal. We see dramatic Romantic canvases depicting extreme emotions and awesome Nature, and tour dreamy castles—virtual theme parks of Romanticism.

  • Rick Steves’ Europe: Baroque Art: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Rick Steves’ Europe: Baroque Art

    S12 E1209 - 25m 36s

    Forged in Europe’s religious struggles, Baroque art inspired the faithful and dazzled the masses. We start in Rome, with its awe-inspiring St. Peter’s, fleshy Bernini statues and bubbly fountains. In Belgium, we see the dramatic canvases of Rubens. And finally: the ultimate Baroque palace, Versailles, with its chandeliered Hall of Mirrors and vast gardens where nobles played as Revolution brewed.

  • Rick Steves’ Europe: Art of the Renaissance Beyond Florence: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Rick Steves’ Europe: Art of the Renaissance Beyond Florence

    S12 E1208 - 25m 39s

    From Italy, the Renaissance spread across Europe, revolutionizing art. We travel to Spain and Portugal where overseas plunder is transformed into lacy architecture and ethereal paintings by El Greco. In bustling Germany and Belgium, new technologies enable Durer’s mass-produced engravings, Van Eyck’s meticulous oil paintings, Brueghel’s peasants at play, and the futuristic visions of Bosch.

  • Rick Steves’ Europe: Art of the Florentine Renaissance: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Rick Steves’ Europe: Art of the Florentine Renaissance

    S12 E1207 - 25m 18s

    After its medieval struggles, Europe rediscovered the art of the ancients, led by booming Florence. We revel in the bold spirit of the Cathedral’s lofty dome and Botticelli’s sweet Venus. Leonardo da Vinci gives us the iconic Last Supper and enigmatic Mona Lisa. And Michelangelo—sculptor of David, painter of the Sistine, and architect of St. Peter’s—takes the Florentine Renaissance to new heights.

  • Rick Steves’ Europe: Art of the High Middle Ages: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Rick Steves’ Europe: Art of the High Middle Ages

    S12 E1206 - 25m 36s

    As Europe passed A.D. 1000, its growing prosperity was reflected in soaring Gothic cathedrals graced with colorful altarpieces, lacy stonework, and radiant stained glass. We visit luxurious castles to see exquisite tapestries showing a new secular love of worldly pleasures and, end in Italy, where pioneering artists like Giotto were mastering realism and pointing the way to the future of art.

  • Rick Steves’ Europe: Art of the Early Middle Ages: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Rick Steves’ Europe: Art of the Early Middle Ages

    S12 E1205 - 25m 18s

    After Rome’s fall, Europe’s Christians kept culture alive with art rooted in their deep faith. We visit sturdy Romanesque churches filled with art that reinforced the ruling order. Meanwhile, Europe was invigorated from the fringes: Byzantines to the East, with their dazzling mosaics; Spanish Muslims with their lush palaces; and fierce Vikings of the North—all part of Europe’s rich cultural stew.

  • Rick Steves’ Europe: Art of the Roman Empire: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Rick Steves’ Europe: Art of the Roman Empire

    S12 E1204 - 25m 19s

    With its vast empire, ancient Rome gave Europe its first common culture. 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—preserving the grandeur of imperial Rome and inspiring the Europe to come.

  • Rick Steves' Europe: Ancient Roman Art: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Rick Steves' Europe: Ancient Roman Art

    S12 E1203 - 25m 37s

    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. We also get a glimpse of Rome’s more intimate side: the colorful mosaics, luxurious frescoes, and realistic portraits of the solid citizens who made Rome great.

  • Rick Steves' Europe: Art of Ancient Greece: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Rick Steves' Europe: Art of Ancient Greece

    S12 E1202 - 25m 19s

    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. And we watch as art evolves from stiff statues to perfectly balanced Venuses to the exuberant Winged Victory, capturing the spirit of the age.

  • Rick Steves’ Europe: Art of Prehistoric Europe: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Rick Steves’ Europe: Art of Prehistoric Europe

    S12 E1201 - 25m 18s

    As the Ice Age glaciers melted, prehistoric Europe bloomed with surprisingly sophisticated art. From Ireland to France, Scotland to the Greek Isles, we traverse that mystical world of mighty megaliths, torchlit cave paintings, magical goddesses, and wrinkled bog people. We stand in awe as a massive tomb is radiated by a dramatic beam of sunlight and listen to ritual horns that still play today.

Extras + Features

  • Padova, Italy: The Scrovegni Chapel: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Padova, Italy: The Scrovegni Chapel

    S8 E808 - 3m 32s

    Padova’s Scrovegni Chapel, with its precious 14th-century Giotto frescoes, is one of Italy’s most beloved art treasures.

  • Fontainebleau, France: Royal Château: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Fontainebleau, France: Royal Château

    S8 E804 - 3m 5s

    It seems every king, queen, and emperor since has loved this palace — Louis XIII was born here, Louis XV was married here — but Fontainebleau has more Napoleon Bonaparte connections than any other palace.

  • Prague, Czech Republic: Old Town Square: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Prague, Czech Republic: Old Town Square

    S8 E811 - 1m 52s

    Prague’s Old Town Square is filled with beautifully preserved landmarks: the Gothic Týn Church, a memorial to Jan Hus, and a 15-century Astronomical Clock.

  • Güzelyurt, Turkey: Beautiful Land: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Güzelyurt, Turkey: Beautiful Land

    S8 E802 - 3m 58s

    Güzelyurt is the kind of discovery I love to feature in my guidebooks — almost no tourism, lots of history, plenty of character.

  • Ramallah, Palestine: Cultural Capital: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Ramallah, Palestine: Cultural Capital

    S8 E806 - 2m 14s

    Ramallah hosts the Palestinian government and international agencies, and is filled with positive energy from the students at nearby Birzeit University.

  • Cheverny, France: Château and Hounds: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Cheverny, France: Château and Hounds

    S8 E803 - 2m 39s

    The stately hunting palace of Cheverny is immaculately preserved, having stayed in the same family for five centuries. The kennel is also worth a visit at dinnertime, when the 70 hunting hounds are fed.

  • Antalya, Turkey: Relaxing Gulet Cruise: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Antalya, Turkey: Relaxing Gulet Cruise

    S8 E801 - 3m 9s

    A popular excursion from Antalya is a cruise on a gulet — the traditional Turkish sailboat. Sailing away, we marvel at the dramatic shoreline under snow-capped peaks. Resorts, park-like beaches, and ancient ruins clinging to cliffs are all tucked into this rugged-yet accessible Riviera playground.

Schedule

  • Image
    Rick Steves' Europe: TVSS: Iconic

    Rick Steves' Europe

    France's Dordogne

    Thursday
    Oct 3

    30 Minutes

    A canoe ride through the Dordogne River Valley; goose farm; lamp-lit castle; country market; Albi, home of Toulouse Lautrec; Carcassonne.
  • Image
    Rick Steves' Europe: TVSS: Iconic

    Rick Steves' Europe

    Thursday
    Oct 3

    30 Minutes

    Rick Steves' guidebooks, public-radio program and numerous television series have made him an essential resource for travelers wishing to explore Europe. This program finds the knowledgeable host offering globetrotters a fresh perspective on lodgings, transportation and places to visit on their journeys. One thing that hasn't changed, however, is Steves' belief that travelers should become "temporary locals," exploring not only major cities and the usual sites, but out-of-the-way locales that often produce the most authentic, and enjoyable, experiences of a trip.
  • Image
    Rick Steves' Europe: Rick Steves' Europe: Art of the High Middle Ages: TVSS: Iconic

    Rick Steves' Europe

    Rick Steves' Europe: Art of the High Middle Ages

    Thursday
    Oct 3

    30 Minutes

    Gothic cathedrals with colorful altarpieces, lacy stonework and radiant stained glass; art celebrating worldly pleasure; artists like Giotto mastered realism in Italy.
  • Image
    Rick Steves' Europe: TVSS: Iconic

    Rick Steves' Europe

    Thursday
    Oct 3

    30 Minutes

    Rick Steves' guidebooks, public-radio program and numerous television series have made him an essential resource for travelers wishing to explore Europe. This program finds the knowledgeable host offering globetrotters a fresh perspective on lodgings, transportation and places to visit on their journeys. One thing that hasn't changed, however, is Steves' belief that travelers should become "temporary locals," exploring not only major cities and the usual sites, but out-of-the-way locales that often produce the most authentic, and enjoyable, experiences of a trip.
  • Image
    Rick Steves' Europe: TVSS: Iconic

    Rick Steves' Europe

    Barcelona and Catalunya

    Friday
    Oct 4

    30 Minutes

    The festivity of Barcelona; Montserrat; pilgrimage along the Costa Brava; Salvador Dali's home and mausoleum/museum.
  • Image
    Rick Steves' Europe: TVSS: Iconic

    Rick Steves' Europe

    Friday
    Oct 4

    30 Minutes

    Rick Steves' guidebooks, public-radio program and numerous television series have made him an essential resource for travelers wishing to explore Europe. This program finds the knowledgeable host offering globetrotters a fresh perspective on lodgings, transportation and places to visit on their journeys. One thing that hasn't changed, however, is Steves' belief that travelers should become "temporary locals," exploring not only major cities and the usual sites, but out-of-the-way locales that often produce the most authentic, and enjoyable, experiences of a trip.
  • Image
    Rick Steves' Europe: TVSS: Iconic

    Rick Steves' Europe

    Friday
    Oct 4

    30 Minutes

    Rick Steves' guidebooks, public-radio program and numerous television series have made him an essential resource for travelers wishing to explore Europe. This program finds the knowledgeable host offering globetrotters a fresh perspective on lodgings, transportation and places to visit on their journeys. One thing that hasn't changed, however, is Steves' belief that travelers should become "temporary locals," exploring not only major cities and the usual sites, but out-of-the-way locales that often produce the most authentic, and enjoyable, experiences of a trip.
  • Image
    Rick Steves' Europe: TVSS: Iconic

    Rick Steves' Europe

    Little Europe: Five Micro-Countries

    Saturday
    Oct 5

    30 Minutes

    Vatican City, the world's smallest country; Monaco; San Marino, Italy; Liechtenstein; Andorra.
  • Image
    Rick Steves' Europe: TVSS: Iconic

    Rick Steves' Europe

    Saturday
    Oct 5

    30 Minutes

    Rick Steves' guidebooks, public-radio program and numerous television series have made him an essential resource for travelers wishing to explore Europe. This program finds the knowledgeable host offering globetrotters a fresh perspective on lodgings, transportation and places to visit on their journeys. One thing that hasn't changed, however, is Steves' belief that travelers should become "temporary locals," exploring not only major cities and the usual sites, but out-of-the-way locales that often produce the most authentic, and enjoyable, experiences of a trip.
  • Image
    Rick Steves' Europe: TVSS: Iconic

    Rick Steves' Europe

    Monday
    Oct 7

    30 Minutes

    Rick Steves' guidebooks, public-radio program and numerous television series have made him an essential resource for travelers wishing to explore Europe. This program finds the knowledgeable host offering globetrotters a fresh perspective on lodgings, transportation and places to visit on their journeys. One thing that hasn't changed, however, is Steves' belief that travelers should become "temporary locals," exploring not only major cities and the usual sites, but out-of-the-way locales that often produce the most authentic, and enjoyable, experiences of a trip.
  • Image
    Rick Steves' Europe: TVSS: Iconic

    Rick Steves' Europe

    Great Swiss Cities

    Tuesday
    Oct 8

    30 Minutes

    Luzern, Bern, Zurich and Lausanne; art created by inmates of an asylum; Swiss innovations such as drug policies and underground arsenals.
  • Image
    Rick Steves' Europe: TVSS: Iconic

    Rick Steves' Europe

    Tuesday
    Oct 8

    30 Minutes

    Rick Steves' guidebooks, public-radio program and numerous television series have made him an essential resource for travelers wishing to explore Europe. This program finds the knowledgeable host offering globetrotters a fresh perspective on lodgings, transportation and places to visit on their journeys. One thing that hasn't changed, however, is Steves' belief that travelers should become "temporary locals," exploring not only major cities and the usual sites, but out-of-the-way locales that often produce the most authentic, and enjoyable, experiences of a trip.
  • Image
    Rick Steves' Europe: TVSS: Iconic

    Rick Steves' Europe

    Tuesday
    Oct 8

    30 Minutes

    Rick Steves' guidebooks, public-radio program and numerous television series have made him an essential resource for travelers wishing to explore Europe. This program finds the knowledgeable host offering globetrotters a fresh perspective on lodgings, transportation and places to visit on their journeys. One thing that hasn't changed, however, is Steves' belief that travelers should become "temporary locals," exploring not only major cities and the usual sites, but out-of-the-way locales that often produce the most authentic, and enjoyable, experiences of a trip.
  • Image
    Rick Steves' Europe: TVSS: Iconic

    Rick Steves' Europe

    Vienna and the Danube

    Wednesday
    Oct 9

    30 Minutes

    Vienna's gardens, art and fine music; a trip along the Danube River; hiking through the Baroque Melk Abbey.
  • Image
    Rick Steves' Europe: TVSS: Iconic

    Rick Steves' Europe

    Wednesday
    Oct 9

    30 Minutes

    Rick Steves' guidebooks, public-radio program and numerous television series have made him an essential resource for travelers wishing to explore Europe. This program finds the knowledgeable host offering globetrotters a fresh perspective on lodgings, transportation and places to visit on their journeys. One thing that hasn't changed, however, is Steves' belief that travelers should become "temporary locals," exploring not only major cities and the usual sites, but out-of-the-way locales that often produce the most authentic, and enjoyable, experiences of a trip.
  • Image
    Rick Steves' Europe: TVSS: Iconic

    Rick Steves' Europe

    Wednesday
    Oct 9

    30 Minutes

    Rick Steves' guidebooks, public-radio program and numerous television series have made him an essential resource for travelers wishing to explore Europe. This program finds the knowledgeable host offering globetrotters a fresh perspective on lodgings, transportation and places to visit on their journeys. One thing that hasn't changed, however, is Steves' belief that travelers should become "temporary locals," exploring not only major cities and the usual sites, but out-of-the-way locales that often produce the most authentic, and enjoyable, experiences of a trip.
  • Image
    Rick Steves' Europe: TVSS: Iconic

    Rick Steves' Europe

    Vienna and the Danube

    Thursday
    Oct 10

    30 Minutes

    Vienna's gardens, art and fine music; a trip along the Danube River; hiking through the Baroque Melk Abbey.
  • Image
    Rick Steves' Europe: TVSS: Iconic

    Rick Steves' Europe

    Thursday
    Oct 10

    30 Minutes

    Rick Steves' guidebooks, public-radio program and numerous television series have made him an essential resource for travelers wishing to explore Europe. This program finds the knowledgeable host offering globetrotters a fresh perspective on lodgings, transportation and places to visit on their journeys. One thing that hasn't changed, however, is Steves' belief that travelers should become "temporary locals," exploring not only major cities and the usual sites, but out-of-the-way locales that often produce the most authentic, and enjoyable, experiences of a trip.
  • Image
    Rick Steves' Europe: Rick Steves' Europe: Art of the Florentine Renaissance: TVSS: Iconic

    Rick Steves' Europe

    Rick Steves' Europe: Art of the Florentine Renaissance

    Thursday
    Oct 10

    30 Minutes

    The "rebirth" of Florence is powered by Leonardo da Vinci, Rafael and Michelangelo, whose David sculpture and painting of the Sistine takes the Florentine Renaissance to new heights.
  • Image
    Rick Steves' Europe: TVSS: Iconic

    Rick Steves' Europe

    Thursday
    Oct 10

    30 Minutes

    Rick Steves' guidebooks, public-radio program and numerous television series have made him an essential resource for travelers wishing to explore Europe. This program finds the knowledgeable host offering globetrotters a fresh perspective on lodgings, transportation and places to visit on their journeys. One thing that hasn't changed, however, is Steves' belief that travelers should become "temporary locals," exploring not only major cities and the usual sites, but out-of-the-way locales that often produce the most authentic, and enjoyable, experiences of a trip.

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