London: A Royal Tour
Our royal tour of London starts with red-coat pageantry at Buckingham Palace. Riding red buses, black cabs, and the Tube, we pop into the Houses of Parliament at Westminster and visit Churchill’s underground war rooms — a World War II time warp. After looking into the eyes of those who put the great in Britain at the Portrait Gallery, we cruise the River Thames to the mighty Tower of London.
Episodes
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London: A Royal Tour
S13 E1310 - 25m 34s
Our royal tour of London starts with red-coat pageantry at Buckingham Palace. Riding red buses, black cabs, and the Tube, we pop into the Houses of Parliament at Westminster and visit Churchill’s underground war rooms — a World War II time warp. After looking into the eyes of those who put the great in Britain at the Portrait Gallery, we cruise the River Thames to the mighty Tower of London.
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Istanbul: Capital of Emperors and Sultans
S13 E1308 - 25m 34s
Istanbul's rich heritage spans the centuries from Christian Byzantium to Muslim Ottoman rule to today's thriving city. We start our look back at the Roman-tinged Hippodrome, then indulge in the ancient ritual of the Turkish bath. We take in the Blue Mosque and the grand Hagia Sophia, taste Turkish delight at the venerable Spice Market, and explore Topkapı Palace and its harem room deep within.
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Paris of the Parisians
S13 E1307 - 25m 34s
Paris is a world-class city — but also one that to millions is simply home. On this adventure, we're going local. We start at the city's proud symbol, the Eiffel Tower, then cruise the Seine before exploring a few distinctive neighborhoods. We visit the market for fresh food and flowers, window-shop along trendy streets, and cap our tour with a nighttime ride through the sparkling City of Light.
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Burgundy: Gourmet Barge Cruise
S13 E1306 - 25m 34s
We set a course on a tranquil cruise along the rivers and canals of France's Burgundy region. Aboard a century-old barge-turned-hotel, we experience the relaxing pace and natural beauty — plus plenty of gourmet meals and fine wine. Stops for a hike or bike ride help us work up our next appetite, and a château lord welcomes us to taste the vintages of the famed Côte d'Or.
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Italy’s Highlights
S13 E1305 - 27m 10s
From north to south, Italy is a nonstop highlight reel. On this whirlwind look back through our travels, we sample la dolce vita in seductive Venice and Renaissance titan Florence, then soak up the Italian Riviera and the hill towns of Tuscany and Umbria. We touch down in the historical epicenter of Rome, embrace intense Naples and the Amalfi Coast, and finish amid the beautiful chaos of Sicily.
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Poland’s Warsaw and Gdańsk
S13 E1304 - 25m 33s
Warsaw, the heartbeat of contemporary Poland, is gilded with a grand palace, home to a hard-fought 20th-century history, and busy with Chopin concerts. After a stop at the gingerbread bakeries in red-brick Toruń, we ogle the massive Teutonic Knight fortress of Malbork. Finishing in maritime Gdańsk, we experience handsome Hanseatic townhouses, amber jewelry, and stirring Solidarity history.
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Kraków: Poland’s Historic Capital
S13 E1303 - 24m 56s
In Kraków, we linger on one of Europe's most crowd-pleasing squares, marvel at past glories in art galleries and at Wawel Castle, and savor Polish cuisine — including a lesson in making pierogi by hand. Nearby, the communist-planned town of Nowa Huta offers a nostalgic spin through the Cold War days, while the sobering concentration camp memorial of Auschwitz-Birkenau honors victims of the Nazis.
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Moving soon to WETA Passport
Iceland’s Ring Road
S13 E1302 - 25m 34s
Europe's ultimate road trip is the 800-mile loop around Iceland on Highway 1 — the Ring Road. We visit the geothermal hot zone of Lake Mývatn, the rugged Eastfjords, the glacier lagoons of the Southeast, the waterfalls and beaches of the South Coast, and side trip to the Westman Islands to see puffins. We also break for insightful folk museums, sod-roofed settlements, and a little whale watching.
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Istanbul: Turkish Delights
S13 E1309 - 25m 35s
In Istanbul, we sample the wonders of this city that bridges two continents. After cruising the busy port of the Bosphorus, we dive into the Grand Bazaar, where endless shops enchant visitors. Then we stroll along the Golden Horn, watch dervishes whirl in their captivating spiritual trance, and zip by tram from the Old Town to Taksim Square, tasting local treats before hopping a ferry to Asia.
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Iceland’s Reykjavík and the Golden Circle
S13 E1301 - 25m 38s
Reykjavík is a world capital with a small-town feel. We tour the city's endearing sights, get to know the uniquely Icelandic way of life, and take a dip in a thermal pool. Then we side-trip into majestic Icelandic nature: its famous Blue Lagoon; the classic Golden Circle, bubbling geysers, thundering waterfalls, and otherworldly scenery; and Snæfellsnes Peninsula, an "Iceland-in-miniature" loop.
Extras + Features
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Delft, Netherlands: Town Square and Delftware
S8 E810 - 3m 5s
We stroll along Delft's idyllic canals and markets, and see how its famous Delftware porcelain is made.
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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.
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Berlin, Germany: The Wall and Checkpoint Charlie
S8 E812 - 2m 56s
The Berlin Wall Memorial and Museum House at Checkpoint Charlie educate visitors about Berlin's tumultuous 20th century.
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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.
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Amsterdam, Netherlands: The Van Gogh Museum
S8 E809 - 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.
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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.
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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.
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Tel Aviv, Israel: Beautiful Beaches and Tasty Cuisine
S8 E805 - 1m 56s
Tel Aviv is a young, modern city with gleaming new buildings, a beautiful beach scene, and delicious, locally-sourced cuisine.
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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.
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Monterosso al Mare, Italy: Cinque Terre Resort Town
S8 E807 - 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.
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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.
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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
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Rick Steves' Europe
Friday
Dec 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. -
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Rick Steves' Europe
Friday
Dec 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. -
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Rick Steves' Europe
Saturday
Dec 6
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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Rick Steves' Europe
Belfast and the Best of Northern Ireland
Saturday
Dec 6
30 Minutes
Belfast, Northern Ireland; Irish whiskey; rock columns; golf course; Irish music. -
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Rick Steves' Europe
Belfast and the Best of Northern Ireland
Saturday
Dec 6
30 Minutes
Belfast, Northern Ireland; Irish whiskey; rock columns; golf course; Irish music. -
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Rick Steves' Europe
Belfast and the Best of Northern Ireland
Sunday
Dec 7
30 Minutes
Belfast, Northern Ireland; Irish whiskey; rock columns; golf course; Irish music. -
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Rick Steves' Europe
Monday
Dec 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. -
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Rick Steves' Europe
Tuesday
Dec 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
Tuesday
Dec 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. -
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Rick Steves' Europe
Wednesday
Dec 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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Rick Steves' Europe
Thursday
Dec 11
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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Rick Steves' Europe
London: Yesterday and Today
Thursday
Dec 11
30 Minutes
Jogging in Hyde Park; British Museum; Victoria and Albert Museum; East End food tour; celebrating London's regeneration. -
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Rick Steves' Europe
Thursday
Dec 11
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
Friday
Dec 12
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
Friday
Dec 12
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
Saturday
Dec 13
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
Dublin and Mystical Side Trips
Saturday
Dec 13
30 Minutes
Dublin, Ireland; castle; jail; Trinity College; the Book of Kells; Temple Bar; Celtic music; monastery; Wicklow Mountains. -
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Rick Steves' Europe
Dublin and Mystical Side Trips
Saturday
Dec 13
30 Minutes
Dublin, Ireland; castle; jail; Trinity College; the Book of Kells; Temple Bar; Celtic music; monastery; Wicklow Mountains. -
Image
Rick Steves' Europe
Dublin and Mystical Side Trips
Sunday
Dec 14
30 Minutes
Dublin, Ireland; castle; jail; Trinity College; the Book of Kells; Temple Bar; Celtic music; monastery; Wicklow Mountains. -
Image
Rick Steves' Europe
Monday
Dec 15
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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