Rick Steves' Europe Video

Istanbul offers a good opportunity to better understand Islam. Visitors are welcome to visit historic mosques — such as the Blue Mosque, nicknamed because of its blue tiles — and at the same time experience a religion that still packs the house. For more information on the Rick Steves' Europe TV series — including episode descriptions, scripts, participating stations, travel information on destina...

Denmark's roots, both Viking and royal, are on display in Roskilde. This historic capital’s centerpiece is its imposing cathedral, with paintings surviving from before the Reformation. And the Viking Ship Museum is a hands-on center for experiencing Denmark's seafaring heritage. For more information on the Rick Steves' Europe TV series — including episode descriptions, scripts, participating stati...

Copenhagen has lots of idyllic parks. Its most royal is the King's Garden surrounding the Rosenborg Castle, summer residence to Denmark's "big personality" king, Christian IV, who ruled from 1588 until 1648. The castle's basement holds cases of treasures to dazzle visitors, including the finest renaissance crown in Europe, from Christian IV's coronation in 1596. For more information on the Rick St...

Settle into the pace of Greek country life in Kardamyli. We visit a shopkeeper serving up chamomile and olives harvested from his backyard: the hills of the Peloponnese. 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.

Only a 90-minute hydrofoil ride from bustling Athens, Hydra is the prettiest of the Greek isles. The community is an easy blend of work-a-day commerce, fancy yachts and lazy tourists meandering through traffic-free streets, alongside the occasional donkey. For more information on the Rick Steves' Europe TV series — including episode descriptions, scripts, participating stations, travel information...

The astronomical clock of Olomouc — destroyed by the Nazis in World War II — was rebuilt under Communism in 1953. In good social realist style, you see earnest chemists and heroic mothers rather than holy saints and Virgin Marys. And this is where you can sample the notorious cheese of Moravia, purportedly the stinkiest in the whole country. For more information on the Rick Steves' Europe TV serie...

The Danube River valley is at its romantic best between Melk and Vienna. This stretch is easily explored by bike and boat, and is ornamented with cute villages, fabled castles, colorful pubs, and capped with a 900-year-old abbey. For more information on the Rick Steves' Europe TV series — including episode descriptions, scripts, participating stations, travel information on destinations and more —...

Near Lake Lucerne, visitors interested in Switzerland's secret defenses can tour Fortress Furigen, one of nine forts buried within the mountains. Wandering through this hidden fortress, you are reminded how perilous Switzerland's position was in the 21st century and how committed the Swiss were to defending their freedom. For more information on the Rick Steves' Europe TV series — including episod...

Nestled between Switzerland and Austria, the principality of Liechtenstein is defined by the mighty Alps to the east, the baby Rhine River to the west, and a stout fortress protecting the mouth of its valley to the south. This quirky remnant of medieval feudal politics, where women were not given the vote until 1984, holds 11 villages in its 62 square miles. For more information on the Rick Steves...

Catalunya's town of Figueres is home to the trailblazing artist Salvador Dali and the museum that displays his life's work. The nearby fishing village Cadaques features another museum of sorts, Dali's home, where even the furniture is a work of provocative and playful surrealist art. For more information on the Rick Steves' Europe TV series — including episode descriptions, scripts, participating...

Sarlat is the pedestrian-friendly main town of France's Dordogne River valley. It's just the right size: everything in town is within an easy meander along traffic-free, cobblestone lanes lined with foie gras shops, and tourists. For more information on the Rick Steves' Europe TV series — including episode descriptions, scripts, participating stations, travel information on destinations and more —...

Burgundy's Taize community, founded in 1940, welcomes visitors who'd like to spend a few days getting close to God through meditation, singing and simple living. At any given time there are several thousand here from about a hundred countries, enjoying a week-long retreat. For more information on the Rick Steves' Europe TV series — including episode descriptions, scripts, participating stations, t...

Istanbul's Golden Horn offers panaramic views of the Old Town, a chance to see how the fishermen are doing, and plenty of options for a meal, including Istanbul's version of fast food: fresh mackerel sandwiches. For urban energy, join the million commuters who ferry over and back daily from the Asian side to the European. For more information on the Rick Steves' Europe TV series — including episod...

The best way to explore Aero, Denmark's charming 22-mile island, is by bicycle. Aero's 7,000 residents enjoy local produce sold roadside on the honor system and save on heating costs using one of the world's largest solar power plants. The island also features prehistoric burial sites, one of which holds a full Viking ship. For more information on the Rick Steves' Europe TV series — including epis...

In 1971, several hundred squatters took over an abandoned military barracks in Christiania and attempted to create their own utopia. Two generations later, 800 idealists still live here, defending their right to enjoy life on their terms, while real estate developers set their sights on this now desirable piece of land. For more information on the Rick Steves' Europe TV series — including episode...

For over a thousand years, the Sanctuary of Olympia was primarily a religious place and only open to people during the Olympic games, started here in 776 B.C. These games were held to honor the gods and to unify the Greeks, and the Sanctuary hosted them for 1,200 years. For more information on the Rick Steves' Europe TV series — including episode descriptions, scripts, participating stations, trav...

Crowned by the mighty Parthenon temple, the Acropolis rises above modern Athens; a lasting testament to Greece's glorious golden age. The Acropolis was the center of ritual and ceremony, and the religious heart of the city. The marketplace at its base is Agora, and was the hub of commercial, political and social life. For more information on the Rick Steves' Europe TV series — including episode de...

30 miles south of Prague is Konopiste, the lavish residence of the arch duke Franz Ferdinand, heir of the Habsburg throne. While waiting his turn to become emperor, Ferdinand turned this castle into a palace with all the latest comforts, amassed one of the world's best collections of arms and armor, and lined the walls with over 4,000 hunting trophies. For more information on the Rick Steves' Euro...

Among Europe's grandiose palaces, only Schonbrunn rivals Versailles, with over 1,400 rooms in the Baroque and Rococo style. In room after luxurious room, the palace heralds the story of the Habsburg's powerful reign. For more information on the Rick Steves' Europe TV series — including episode descriptions, scripts, participating stations, travel information on destinations and more — visit www.ri...

The real charm of Lausanne lies in its charming lakefront. From local office workers to roller bladers strutting their stuff, the promenade is a great place for tourists to catch a glimpse of city life. 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.

Located just a few miles inland from the Adriatic coast, the Republic of San Marino brags it's the world's oldest and smallest republic. It's remained sovereign and independent from Italy through almost all its 1700-year history. Located in the rugged Apennine Mountains, San Marino takes you back to the age of city-states, an era of pageantry, pride and fierce independence. For more information on...

Barcelona's Eixample neighborhood is an architectural showcase for residents and tourists alike. Buildings adorned with, and inspired by Modernisma, Catalan's version of Art Nouveau, line the Block of Discord with characteristic, colorful, leafy, flowing and blooming shapes, ending with Gaudi's triumphant Casa Mila. For more information on the Rick Steves' Europe TV series — including episode desc...

Six centuries ago, the Dordogne River separated warring England and France during the Hundred Year's War. Today, tourists float along the lazy Dordogne exploring riverside castles and villages. 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.

Burgundy, like much of France, is laced with canals just made for spending lazy afternoons gliding by pastoral scenes. From small captain-it-yourself boats to full-service barges complete with captain and crew, cruising a canal is a great option for a relaxing trip through one of France's most popular regions. For more information on the Rick Steves' Europe TV series — including episode descriptio...

300 years ago, half of what we know as The Netherlands was under water. Slowly, the former seabed was reclaimed and the Dutch went to work drying the ground with the country's leading natural resource - the wind. Over 1000 windmills, some still functioning, survive in the Netherlands today, reminding locals and tourists alike of the clever engine that powered the creation of this land. For more in...