Rick Steves' Europe Video

Spaniards know Ronda, one of the White Hill Towns of Andalucía, as the cradle of modern bullfighting and for its stunning cliffside location. The real joy of Ronda lies in exploring the old and new sections, taking in its beautiful balconies, exuberant flowerpots, and panoramic views into the gorge far below. Strolling the back streets, you feel a strong local pride and sense of community where mi...

Stockholm's compact island core is charming, photogenic, and full of antiques shops, street lanterns and surprises like the beautiful Lutheran cathedral . The main drag is a favorite with shoppers and tourists. But just a block or two from the commotion, the atmosphere changes. Tranquil lanes feel much like they did back in the 17th century, when all of Stockholm fit on Gamla Stan. For more inform...

The National Archaeological Museum in Athens is the single best place on earth to see ancient Greek artifacts. Strolling through the chronologically displayed collection — from 7,000 B.C. to A.D. 500 — is like watching a time-lapse movie of the evolution of art. You’ll go from the stylized figurines of the Cycladic Islands, to the golden artifacts of the Mycenaeans, to the stiff, stoic kouros stat...

Slate mining played a blockbuster role in Welsh heritage and visitors are welcome at the Llechwedd mine, nestled in the rugged terrain of North Wales. After a train ride deep into the mountain, a guide tells of the harsh working conditions and traditional mining techniques and demonstrates the art of slate splitting. While the mining culture is virtually gone, the tradition of singing survives. We...

Split's residents are literally living in a Roman palace. In the fourth century AD the Roman Emperor Diocletian retired and built a vast residence to live out his golden years here in his native Dalmatia. Later when Rome fell, Diocletian's palace was abandoned. Eventually, a medieval town sprouted from its abandoned classical shell and his mausoleum became a cathedral. To this day, the maze of nar...

Tucked into a bend of its river, Córdoba is rich in Roman, Moorish and Christian history. Within massive old town walls, inviting courtyards and convivial squares beckon. The heart of the city is dominated by the glorious Mezquita, a mosque/cathedral complex that epitomizes a turbulent past. Yet despite long periods of conflict, the Golden Age of the 10th century saw Jews, Christians and Muslims l...

A cab is the best way to tour Belfast's sectarian neighborhoods and their gripping political murals. Just west of downtown, Falls Road (Catholic) and the Shankhill Road (Protestant) are two well-known areas. And your ride can come with an education; for a reasonable hourly fee, many cabbies give visitors impromptu tours that will give you insights into the "Troubles", a conflict that is thankfully...

Italy is literally covered in vineyards. An hour north of Rome, near the hill town of Orvieto is the Tenuta le Vellete winery. A tour of this family-run property includes the main house with its atmospheric Etruscan cellars, stunning views from the terrace and a chance to taste several wines including the famous Orvieto Classico. For more information on the Rick Steves' Europe TV series — includin...

Just outside of Copenhagen is Frederiksborg castle, built in the early 1600s by Denmark's greatest king, Christian IV. Many consider this "Danish Versailles" to be the grandest castle in all of Scandinavia. The king imported Dutch Renaissance architects to create his own striking "Christian IV style" used here and in fancy buildings all over Copenhagen. Inside the castle you'll find an excellent m...

Christmas in Europe is rich with tradition. About 500 years ago Germany was the first place where decorated trees became a part of Christmas celebrations, though the use of trees during a winter festival predates the birth of Christ. In the 1800s, when candles became affordable, the tree of lights arrived along with the tradition of the family gathering around the tree for gift-giving. Rothenburg...

The colorful, compact Basque region hugs the Atlantic coast, straddling northeast Spain and southwest France. St. Jean-de-Luz, France is a relaxing little port to "come home" to, with its mellow ambience, fine strolling, unique architecture, sandy beach, and enticing restaurants. For more information on the Rick Steves' Europe TV series — including episode descriptions, scripts, participating stat...

With 250,000 people, Bergen has big-city parking problems and high prices, but visitors sticking to the old center find it charming. Enjoy Bergen's salty market, then stroll the easy-on-foot old quarter, with cute lanes of delicate old wooden houses. And, for a modern contrast, head for the urban heart of Bergen — which has a thriving personality all its own. For more information on the Rick Steve...

For a playful dose of architectural genius, visit Gaudí's colorful Parc Güell. Gaudí intended this 30-acre garden to be a 60-residence housing project — a kind of gated community. As a high-end housing development, the project flopped. But a century later, as a park, it's a huge success. For more information on the Rick Steves' Europe TV series — including episode descriptions, scripts, participat...

Ancient Delphi, perched high on the slopes of Mt. Parnassos, was not a city. It was the site of the oracle of Apollo, god of the sun. People would journey here from all over the known world to seek wisdom from the gods on vital affairs of state. Tourists today zig-zag up the ancient Sacred Way to the Temple of Apollo. The path is flanked by the remains of Delphi's famous treasuries — monuments ere...

The fortified castle town of Conwy was a safe base in the 13th century for the English invaders as they tried (and tried) to put down the angry Welsh insurgency. Today the harbor — once vital for military purposes — is now a laid back zone that locals treat like a town square. The scene is mellow, multigenerational, and perfectly Welsh. For more information on the Rick Steves' Europe TV series — i...

During the middle ages Rouen — with 40,000 residents — was France's second largest city. Only Paris was bigger. In the 12th century, half of today's France was ruled by England. Caught in the middle, Rouen walked a political tightrope between England and France for centuries. And because this was an important English base during the Hundred Years' War, this was the place where Joan of Arc was burn...

Like other Croatian coastal towns, Korčula has two parts: The practical side where most people park, eat, and sleep — and the time-warp old town, where narrow lanes come with an atmospheric, easygoing charm. For more information on the Rick Steves' Europe TV series — including episode descriptions, scripts, participating stations, travel information on destinations and more — visit www.ricksteves....

This northwestern corner of Slovenia is busy with visitors both winter and summer. The Julian Alps, laced with hiking paths and alpine villages, and the milky-blue Soča River flowing down into the peaceful valley below offer plenty of diversions for nature-lovers. This terrain also has a terrible war history—it was the Soča Front during World War I; a nearby museum tells the story. For more inform...

Interlaken, one of the Alps' original resorts, is a useful springboard for alpine thrills. And, when the famous peaks get socked in by clouds, you can choose from some interesting lowland options. In this town, four innocent-looking hay barns conceal a network of tunnels connecting several big guns. Many of these once top-secret sites are now open to the public as museums. For more information on...

Rothenburg — Germany's best-preserved medieval walled town — houses the country's best wood carving, a vivid dose of medieval punishment, and an entertaining tour into the past with the Night Watchman. For more information on the Rick Steves' Europe TV series — including episode descriptions, scripts, participating stations, travel information on destinations and more — visit www.ricksteves.com.

Specializing in scenery, shopping and sand, the resort town of Positano hangs on the most spectacular stretch of the coast. It's a pleasant gathering of cafés, galleries, and boutiques. There's little to do here but eat, window-shop, and enjoy the beach and views...and that's exactly the way its many visitors like it. For more information on the Rick Steves' Europe TV series — including episode de...

The massive St. Stephen's Cathedral is the Gothic needle around which Vienna spins. While heavily damaged in WWII, the church survived. Today it symbolizes the city's freedom and proud spirit. For more information on the Rick Steves' Europe TV series — including episode descriptions, scripts, participating stations, travel information on destinations and more — visit www.ricksteves.com.

Opened in 2001 for the 100-year anniversary of the Nobel Prize, Stockholm's wonderful Nobel Museum tells the story of the world's most prestigious award. The annual Nobel Prize banquet is held a short walk away, in Stockholm's City Hall — particularly enjoyable and worthwhile for its entertaining guided tour. For more information on the Rick Steves' Europe TV series — including episode description...

Confined within its walls as it has been for centuries, Dubrovnik juts out from the rocky Croatian coastline looking inviting from both the land and the sea. Though the war killed tourism in the 1990s, today the crowds are most decidedly back. And understandably so — Dubrovnik is a living fairy tale that shouldn't be missed. For more information on the Rick Steves' Europe TV series — including epi...

Albi's massive Roman Catholic cathedral, St. Cécile, looks less like a church and more like a fortress — on purpose. It was built in a time when the pope felt compelled to make it clear that the only acceptable Christianity was Roman-style. Next to the church is the world's largest collection of art by Henri Toulouse-Lautrec. The museum displays his work chronologically, letting you follow the evo...