Rick Steves' Europe Video

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...

Sitting on the sunny side of the Alps, Slovenia feels almost Tyrolean. In Ljubljana, Slovenia's capital and largest city with over 300,000 people, festivals fill the summer, sophisticated cafes thrive, and people enjoy Sunday strolls any day of the week. For more information on the Rick Steves' Europe TV series — including episode descriptions, scripts, participating stations, travel information o...

In the mid nineteenth century, Bulgaria underwent a cultural revival. Bulgaria's new-found wealth led to ornate buildings complete with fine furnishings and opulent sitting rooms. Today, folk groups keep traditional Bulgarian culture alive through dance and music performances. For more information on the Rick Steves' Europe TV series — including episode descriptions, scripts, participating station...

While visitors to Wales are greeted with bi-lingual signs and English-speaking locals, the Welsh language and culture remain alive and vibrant through the many songs and poetry composed and recited in the native language. A trip to Wales isn't complete without a jaunt into the beautiful countryside where dogs tend sheep and happy travelers leave with woolly sweaters. For more information on the Ri...

Made up of 3 lakes spanning more than 20 miles in length, the Caledonian Canal slices Scotland in half, and provides a shipping route through, rather than around, the country. The canal's most famous stretch, Loch Ness, thrives on tourism surrounding the lake's famous so-called resident Nessie. For more information on the Rick Steves' Europe TV series — including episode descriptions, scripts, par...

In 1812, after Russia won Finland in a battle against Sweden, the capital moved to Helsinki. Just over 100 years later, Finland gained independence from Russia in 1917 and began developing into what would become a crowning highlight of the Baltic coast. For more information on the Rick Steves' Europe TV series — including episode descriptions, scripts, participating stations, travel information on...

The only surviving wonder of the ancient world, Egypt's pyramid of Cheops takes up 13 acres of land, and overlooks the neighboring pyramids belonging to this pharaoh's son and grandson. Experts speculate it took one hundred thousand laborers roughly 20 years to build the pyramid of Cheops alone. For more information on the Rick Steves' Europe TV series — including episode descriptions, scripts, pa...

Jerusalem's most important site to those of the Jewish faith, Temple Mount operates as an open-air synagogue. The Western wall of Judaism's most sacred site is actually an extension of Solomon's original temple, rebuilt by King Harod in 31 b.c. For more information on the Rick Steves' Europe TV series — including episode descriptions, scripts, participating stations, travel information on destinat...

Spending a day in Tangier might not be the ideal way to experience Morocco, but at just an hour's crossing by boat from Spain it makes for a day full of adventure. To make the most of your time in Africa, consider a reliable and well organized tour out of Tarifa, Spain that will cover sights and activities in and around Tangier. For more information on the Rick Steves' Europe TV series — including...

13th Century Ehrenburg castle was located strategically along the Via Claudia Augusta, a thoroughfare which connected Venice to Germany by way of the Alps. Today, the stark and brooding ruins of Ehrenburg Castle provide a striking contrast to King Ludwig's fantastical Neuschwanstein. For more information on the Rick Steves' Europe TV series — including episode descriptions, scripts, participating...

Tourists and adventurers alike flock to Switzerland's ultimate perch - the Jungfraujoch. At 11,000 feet, the station sits between two of the region's highest mountain peaks. 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.

Copenhagen offers a peek at Denmark's Royal Family, an up-close look at the Danish underground resistance, and a photo-op with one of the most famous women in Northern Europe, the Little Mermaid, all while maintaining its values of freedom, prosperity and a distinct way of life. For more information on the Rick Steves' Europe TV series — including episode descriptions, scripts, participating stati...

Lined with some of the city's finest sights, Oslo's Karl Johans gate boulevard is an easily-navigable pedestrian zone made for people-watching and tourists. While street musicians line the way, helping give the city a youthful pulse, the best opportunity to mingle with locals, and experience the work of the greatest European sculptor since Rodin, can be found in Vigeland Park. For more information...

Much enjoyed by visitors, the five villages of the Cinque Terre are connected by a series of scenic trails. What some fans of the region don't know is that the villages, Corniglia in particular, produce more than just breathtaking views. Perched along the hillsides, small family vineyards are tended with care; the white wine produced is just another reason to visit Italy's most famous back door. F...