Rick Steves' Europe Video

Hadrian's Wall, built nearly 2000 years ago by the Romans during the reign of Emperor Hadrian, was a cleverly-designed military rampart manned by 20,000 troops. This 73-mile long undulating wall likely defined and protected the bleak northern edge of Roman Britain from pesky barbarians. Much-loved by hikers and historians, the wall is truly one of England’s most thought provoking sights. For more...

Surrounding Venice and cradled by the lagoon are a string of low-lying islands which make a nice escape from the hubbub — especially if you can linger after the tourists return to the city. Regular ferryboats and water taxis connect Venice with nearby lagoon communities like Murano, famous for glass, and Burano, with its lace shops and photogenic Crayola-colored houses. For more information on the...

Auguste Rodin was a modern Michelangelo, sculpting human figures on an epic scale, revealing through the body their deepest emotions. The Rodin Museum presents a full range of his work in marble and bronze (including his famous "The Kiss" and "The Thinker") housed in a historic mansion where the artist once lived and worked. For more information on the Rick Steves' Europe TV series — including epi...

Paris is a leader in the fashion world, famous for its high end design. Here, window shopping (known to the French as "window licking") in the bountiful boutiques can be a cultural experience. Department stores were invented in Paris, and they are often beautiful monuments to fine living. The Galeries Lafayette, with its belle époque dome, is a classic example. For more information on the Rick Ste...

More than just a great museum, the Borghese Gallery is a beautiful villa set in the leafy surrounding gardens. Art commissioned by the luxury-loving Borghese family is displayed in the fancy frescoed rooms for which it was created. Masterpieces by Baroque masters Bernini and Caravaggio are among the highlights. Don't forget to get an easy-to-obtain reservation. For more information on the Rick Ste...

For a lively and unique way to enjoy Paris, hire a car and driver for a magical after-dark blitz of the city's best views. The French raise floodlighting to an art form and monuments like the majestic Notre Dame and the sparkling Eiffel Tower will take your breath away. Paris is magnifique! For more information on the Rick Steves' Europe TV series — including episode descriptions, scripts, partici...

One of the great joys of travel is eating. Restaurants filled with locals are where you’ll find high quality and good value. Order your meal with a spirit of adventure, seeking out seasonal and regional specialties. Markets and shops offer culinary delights as well. Think of cuisine as sightseeing for your palate. Bon appetit! For more information on the Rick Steves' Europe TV series — including e...

Today's Europe is increasingly bilingual — and lucky for us English is its second language. You can manage just fine by being polite and by speaking clearly and slowly. Starting conversations with "Do you speak English?" in the local language shows you are willing to try and is appreciated. Communicate with curiosity and an appetite for learning local lingo and gestures. For more information on th...

Renting a car and driving in Europe is a breeze — cars get great mileage, distances are usually short, and roads are in excellent condition. Driving is ideal for countryside-focused trips and gives you maximum mobility. Clear signage makes navigation easy. For more information on the Rick Steves' Europe TV series — including episode descriptions, scripts, participating stations, travel information...

Upon arrival in Europe, getting settled and oriented is a snap. Your first stop should be a tourist information booth, where you can pick up a map and ask questions. Zip into town on the efficient local public transit system to reach your hotel. Conquer jet lag by staying active in the fresh air before going to bed at an early local bedtime. For more information on the Rick Steves' Europe TV serie...

Packing light is essential for happy, hassle-free travel. Choose your luggage carefully — a carry-on sized convertible backpack/suitcase is the best bet for most travelers. As you pack, carefully scrutinize each item (clothing, electronics, toiletries, etc.) to see if it justifies hauling it around. The payoff is sweet mobility, freedom and a better trip. For more information on the Rick Steves' E...

Developing a thoughtful itinerary helps make the most of a trip. Start by brainstorming a must-see wish list in logical geographic order, then pare it down based upon time and interest. Time spent planning will pay off later and help ensure rich, rewarding and efficient trip. For more information on the Rick Steves' Europe TV series — including episode descriptions, scripts, participating stations...

Located on a beautiful lake known as Derwentwater, Keswick is the ideal home base in North Lake District. The town's fine old buildings recall those Romantic era-days when big city folks flocked here to "commune with nature." Today, compact Keswick is well-stocked with plenty of welcoming B-and-Bs, hiking-gear shops and plenty of kid- and dog-friendly pubs. A scenic boat cruise takes you to a rugg...

There's much more to Florence than the touristy zone north of the Arno River. To discover rustic, old Florence cross the river and dive into the colorful Oltrarno district. Wander the back lanes and you'll find artisans practicing centuries-old crafts like picture framing, violin making and more. Finish your day at a Florentine steakhouse, which as any meat lover knows means sampling the tender, l...

The European train system works great for locals and travelers alike, with well-signed stations, easily accessed schedules, and efficient connections between popular destinations. First-time train travelers get the hang of it faster than they expect. Generally, European trains go where you need them to go and are fast, frequent, and affordable. For more information on the Rick Steves' Europe TV se...

One of Europe's great experiences is a Venetian gondola ride. An expensive rip-off for some, this peaceful glide through the canals is a traditional must for romantics. Wait till early evening, when the crowds diminish and the light is right. Choose a gondolier whose personality you enjoy, settle on a price, hop in, sit back and enjoy the magic of Venice. A visit to a gondola workshop provides a f...

Survey London's skyline (or a Tube map), and it becomes clear that this grand city is shifting east. The thundering heart of this new London is the Docklands. Nestled around a hairpin bend in the Thames, this area was a gritty, bustling harbor and warehouse district back in the 19th century, when Britannia ruled the waves. Neglected for decades, today it's been gentrified into a futuristic, skyscr...

Rick tags along with a local woman as she shops in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower on Rue Cler, picking out fresh ingredients for that night's dinner party. Paris abounds with atmospheric street markets like this, each oozing with small-town charm in the middle of the big city and providing a feast for the eyes as well as the stomach. Rue Cler is chock-full of shops and stalls specializing in produ...

In its heyday, Rome ruled a vast empire that stretched from Scotland to Egypt. The Roman Forum was the political, religious, and commercial heart of the city. Rome's most important monuments, temples and halls of justice were built here. As Rome's empire expanded, these few acres of land near the Tiber became the navel of the civilized world. All roads did lead to Rome. For more information on the...

The seventh season of Rick Steves' Europe — 14 new episodes — debuts this Fall on public television (check your local listings).

The seventh season of Rick Steves' Europe — 14 new episodes — debuts this Fall on public television (check your local listings). This three-part special distills Rick Steves' 30 years of travel experience into 90 minutes of practical advice on how to have a fun, affordable, and culturally broadening trip to Europe. In Part II, we'll compare independent travel to group travel, and we'll cover tips...

The seventh season of Rick Steves' Europe — 14 new episodes — debuts this Fall on public television (check your local listings). This three-part special distills Rick Steves' 30 years of travel experience into 90 minutes of practical advice on how to have a fun, affordable, and culturally broadening trip to Europe. In Part I, we'll learn how to get settled once in Europe, then how to travel by tra...

The seventh season of Rick Steves' Europe — 14 new episodes — debuts this Fall on public television (check your local listings). In this episode, we'll sample the treasures of Venice's Accademia Gallery and explore the city's back-street wonders. Then we'll we cruise its lagoon, stopping in fiery Murano for glass, pastel Burano for lace, and murky Torcello for a sense of where Venice was born. For...

The seventh season of Rick Steves' Europe — 14 new episodes — debuts this Fall on public television (check your local listings). In this episode on Venice, we'll cruise the Grand Canal, luxuriate in a venerable café, and savor fresh fish canalside with Venetian friends. We'll also be dazzled by masterpieces of the Venetian Renaissance and get intimate with the city of Casanova...on a gondola in th...

The seventh season of Rick Steves' Europe — 14 new episodes — debuts this Fall on public television (check your local listings).