Rick Steves' Europe

Why We Travel

32m 45s

In times of crisis, we ask ourselves: What is the true value of travel? Is it just hedonism, or something more powerful? After a lifetime of exploring Europe, Rick Steves shares his reasons why. This special is a sonnet to travel — an introspective love story, set in Europe and beyond, that vividly celebrates the rewards of exploring our world and the joy that awaits those who travel.

Episodes

Why We Travel

S11 E1108 - 26m 47s

In times of crisis and challenge, we ask ourselves: What is the true value of travel? Is it just hedonism...or something more powerful? After a lifetime of exploring Europe Rick Steves shares his reasons why. This special episode is a sonnet to travel — an introspective love story, set in Europe, that vividly celebrates the rewards of exploring our world and the joy that awaits those who travel.
Ethiopia: A Development Story

S11 E1107 - 25m 33s

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. Together, we witness the importance of water, education, empowering women, and nutrition during a child's first thousand days. And we see firsthand the impact of globalization and climate change.
Egypt’s Nile, Alexandria, and Luxor

S11 E1106 - 26m 15s

Exploring the Nile Valley from north to south, we see the highlights of Egypt. In the fabled city of Alexandria, we venture through a market wonderland, smoke a shisha, and stroll a Mediterranean promenade. In Luxor, we explore the pharaohs’ tombs and temples before sailing on a timeless felucca. Our finale: Ramesses II's magnificent temple at Abu Simbel.
Egypt’s Cairo

S11 E1105 - 25m 2s

Teeming Cairo, straddling the Nile, is the capital of Egypt and one of the leading cities of the Muslim world. With 20 million people, greater Cairo pulses with energy. We explore the back streets on a tuk-tuk, drop in on a mosque, haggle with a gauntlet of eager merchants, bake some pita bread, marvel at King Tut’s gold, greet the ancient Sphinx, and climb into the center of the greatest pyramid.
Germany’s Fascist Story

S11 E1104 - 26m 16s

Traveling across Germany, we learn how fascism rose and then fell, taking millions of people with it. Visiting actual locations — from Munich to Nürnberg to Berlin — we trace the roots of Nazism in the aftermath of World War I, when masses of angry people were enchanted by Hitler. We explore the totalitarian society Hitler built, and see the consequences: genocide and total war.
French Alps and Lyon

S11 E1103 - 25m 2s

After exploring the proud cuisine capital of Lyon — which, at least in its own mind, rivals Paris — we head for Chamonix, in the shadow of Europe’s tallest peak: Mont Blanc. With the classic alpine resort as our springboard, we make some high-altitude cheese, then ride the lift up to Aiguille du Midi and over to the border of Italy.
Swiss Alps

S11 E1102 - 25m 2s

Switzerland draws travelers from around the world for its legendary mountains. From the Matterhorn to the Jungfrau to Appenzell, we savor both the country’s jaw-dropping alpine beauty and the rich and resilient culture of its people. As we lace together that dramatic mountain wonder with scenic train rides, breathtaking lifts, and unforgettable hikes, we also enjoy alpine life.
Austrian and Italian Alps

S11 E1101 - 25m 2s

In the Alps of Austria and Italy, we celebrate both nature and culture. After conquering the Zugspitze, we tour Innsbruck, visit a remote farm in Austria, and join in a Tirolean village festival. Then we cross the Alps into Italy and tour a uniquely well-preserved medieval castle before joyriding deep into the rugged Dolomite Mountains.

Extras + Features

Delft, Netherlands: Town Square and Delftware

S8 E10 - 3m 5s

We stroll along Delft's idyllic canals and markets, and see how its famous Delftware porcelain is made.
Padova, Italy: The Scrovegni Chapel

S8 E8 - 3m 32s

Padova’s Scrovegni Chapel, with its precious 14th-century Giotto frescoes, is one of Italy’s most beloved art treasures.
Berlin, Germany: The Wall and Checkpoint Charlie

S8 E12 - 2m 56s

The Berlin Wall Memorial and Museum House at Checkpoint Charlie educate visitors about Berlin's tumultuous 20th century.
Fontainebleau, France: Royal Château

S8 E4 - 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.
Amsterdam, Netherlands: The Van Gogh Museum

S8 E9 - 2m 52s

The Van Gogh Museum houses the 200 paintings owned by Vincent’s younger brother, Theo — laid out as the story of Vincent's life.
Prague, Czech Republic: Old Town Square

S8 E11 - 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

S8 E2 - 3m 58s

Güzelyurt is the kind of discovery I love to feature in my guidebooks — almost no tourism, lots of history, plenty of character.
Tel Aviv, Israel: Beautiful Beaches and Tasty Cuisine

S8 E5 - 1m 56s

Tel Aviv is a young, modern city with gleaming new buildings, a beautiful beach scene, and delicious, locally-sourced cuisine.
Ramallah, Palestine: Cultural Capital

S8 E6 - 2m 14s

Ramallah hosts the Palestinian government and international agencies, and is filled with positive energy from the students at nearby Birzeit University.
Monterosso al Mare, Italy: Cinque Terre Resort Town

S8 E7 - 2m 39s

Monterosso al Mare is the Cinque Terre's most resorty town of the group, with cars, larger hotels, rentable umbrellas, and the best beach around.
Cheverny, France: Château and Hounds

S8 E3 - 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

S8 E1 - 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

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Rick Steves' Europe

Helsinki and Tallinn: Baltic Sisters

Thursday
Feb 2

1:30 am

30 Minutes

Helsinki, Finland's Neoclassical old town has a modern flair for design; two-hour boat ride to Tallinn, Estonia.
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Rick Steves' Europe

Galicia and the Camino de Santiago

Friday
Feb 3

1:30 am

30 Minutes

Tracing the trail of pilgrims, from the French border to Santiago de Compostela; running with the bulls in Pamplona; Celtic culture of Galicia.
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Rick Steves' Europe

Basque Country

Saturday
Feb 4

1:30 am

30 Minutes

The ancient Basque Country capital of Gernika; Guggenheim Museum Bilbao.
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Rick Steves' Europe

Germany's Fascist Story

Saturday
Feb 4

8:30 am

30 Minutes

The rise and fall of fascism in Germany; tracing the roots of Nazism after World War I, from Munich to Nuremberg to Berlin; exploring the totalitarian society built by Adolf Hitler.
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Rick Steves' Europe

Barcelona and Catalunya

Sunday
Feb 5

8:00 am

30 Minutes

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

Little Europe: Five Micro-Countries

Sunday
Feb 5

8:30 am

30 Minutes

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

Great Swiss Cities

Sunday
Feb 5

9:00 am

30 Minutes

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

Vienna and the Danube

Sunday
Feb 5

9:30 am

30 Minutes

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

Rome: Ancient Glory

Tuesday
Feb 7

1:30 am

30 Minutes

Rome's Colosseum and Pantheon; bike riding along the Appian Way; Roman engineering.
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Rick Steves' Europe

Rome: Baroque Brilliance

Wednesday
Feb 8

1:30 am

30 Minutes

Bernini statues; St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican; Roman dinner; romantic nightspots.
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Rick Steves' Europe

Rome: Back-Street Riches

Thursday
Feb 9

1:30 am

30 Minutes

The Trastevere district's historic Jewish Ghetto; churches.
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Rick Steves' Europe

Florence: Heart of the Renaissance

Friday
Feb 10

1:30 am

30 Minutes

Michelangelo's "David"; Botticelli's "Birth of Venus"; Ghiberti's "Gates of Paradise"; Florentine artists live and work across the Arno.
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Rick Steves' Europe

Florentine Delights and Tuscan Side Trips

Saturday
Feb 11

1:30 am

30 Minutes

Pisa y Lucca; a tipsy tower; Puccini.
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Rick Steves' Europe

Egypt's Cairo

Saturday
Feb 11

8:30 am

30 Minutes

Exploring the back streets of Cairo on a tuk-tuk; baking pita bread; chiseling a tombstone; King Tut's gold; the ancient Sphinx; climbing to the center of a pyramid.
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Rick Steves' Europe

The Czech Republic Beyond Prague

Sunday
Feb 12

8:00 am

30 Minutes

Art Nouveau; peat bathing in Olomouc, Moravský Krumlov, Trebon and Konopiste; Holocaust memorial in Terezen.
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Rick Steves' Europe

Athens and Side Trips

Sunday
Feb 12

8:30 am

30 Minutes

The Parthenon, Agora and National Archaeological Museum in Athens; the ruins of the oracle at Delphi; traffic-free Isle of Hydra.
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Rick Steves' Europe

Greece's Peloponnese

Sunday
Feb 12

9:00 am

30 Minutes

Old port town of Nafplio; the ruins of Olympia; preserved theater at Epidauros; ancient capital of Mycenae; Mani Peninsula.
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Rick Steves' Europe

Copenhagen

Sunday
Feb 12

9:30 am

30 Minutes

Copenhagen's Viking history; Europe's first pedestrian boulevard; palace treasury; bike ride through a hippie squatter community; Tivoli Gardens.
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Rick Steves' Europe

Paris: Regal and Intimate

Tuesday
Feb 14

1:30 am

30 Minutes

Cruising the River Seine; Napoleon's tomb; Louvre; shopping in Paris; Bastille Day celebration.
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Rick Steves' Europe

Paris: Embracing Life and Art

Wednesday
Feb 15

1:30 am

30 Minutes

Cluny Museum; midnight ride in a classic car; stained glass in Sainte-Chapelle; Père Lachaise Cemetery; Parisian cafes.

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