Rick Steves' Europe Video

European Travel Skills: Driving in Europe

20 Mar 2013

Contributed by Lukas

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...

European Travel Skills: Arrival in Europe

13 Mar 2013

Contributed by Lukas

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...

European Travel Skills: Packing Light

06 Mar 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Packing light is essential for happy, hassle-free travel. Choose your luggage carefully — a carry-on sized convertible backpack/suitcase is the best...

European Travel Skills: Planning Your Itinerary

27 Feb 2013

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Keswick, England: Communing with Nature

20 Feb 2013

Contributed by Lukas

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 R...

Florence, Italy: Strolling the Oltrarno Neighborhood

13 Feb 2013

Contributed by Lukas

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 color...

European Travel Skills: Riding the Rails

06 Feb 2013

Contributed by Lukas

The European train system works great for locals and travelers alike, with well-signed stations, easily accessed schedules, and efficient connections ...

Venice, Italy: Romantic Gondolas

30 Jan 2013

Contributed by Lukas

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 m...

London, England: The Docklands

23 Jan 2013

Contributed by Lukas

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 Do...

Paris, France: Rue Cler Street Market

16 Jan 2013

Contributed by Lukas

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 p...

Rome, Italy: Roman Forum

09 Jan 2013

Contributed by Lukas

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 t...

Season 7 Preview — European Travel Skills Part III

02 Jan 2013

Contributed by Lukas

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

Season 7 Preview — European Travel Skills Part II

26 Dec 2012

Contributed by Lukas

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

Season 7 Preview — European Travel Skills Part I

19 Dec 2012

Contributed by Lukas

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

Season 7 Preview — Venice and its Lagoon

12 Dec 2012

Contributed by Lukas

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

Season 7 Preview — Venice: City of Dreams

05 Dec 2012

Contributed by Lukas

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

Season 7 Preview — North England's Lake District and Durham

28 Nov 2012

Contributed by Lukas

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

Season 7 Preview — London: Historic and Dynamic

21 Nov 2012

Contributed by Lukas

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

Season 7 Preview — Paris: Embracing Life and Art

14 Nov 2012

Contributed by Lukas

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

Season 7 Preview — Paris: Regal and Intimate

07 Nov 2012

Contributed by Lukas

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

Season 7 Preview — Florentine Delights and Tuscan Side-Trips

31 Oct 2012

Contributed by Lukas

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

Season 7 Preview — Florence: Heart of the Renaissance

24 Oct 2012

Contributed by Lukas

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

Season 7 Preview — Rome: Back-Street Riches

17 Oct 2012

Contributed by Lukas

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

Season 7 Preview — Rome: Baroque Brilliance

10 Oct 2012

Contributed by Lukas

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

Season 7 Preview — Rome: Ancient Glory

26 Sep 2012

Contributed by Lukas

The seventh season of Rick Steves’ Europe — 14 new episodes — debuts this October on public television (check your local listings). Part one of ...

Dublin, Ireland: Trinity College

19 Sep 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Trinity College — founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I in the center of Dublin — has long been Ireland's most prestigious college. The big draw on...

Trebinje, Bosnia-Herzegovina: Charming Market Town

12 Sep 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Trebinje, nestled along a river in a fertile valley just over the border from Dubrovnik, is a showcase town of the semi-autonomous Serb state called R...

Copenhagen, Denmark: Tivoli Gardens

05 Sep 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Europe's most famous amusement park is Tivoli Gardens, an ideal place since 1843 to see Danes at play. One admission price lets you lose yourself in a...

Terezín, Czech Republic: Concentration Camp Memorial

29 Aug 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Terezín, an hour north of Prague, was built by the Habsburgs in the 1780s as a fortified town with (still intact) massive state-of-the-art, star-shap...

Amalfi Coast, Italy: Illustrious Seaside Town

22 Aug 2012

Contributed by Lukas

The town of Amalfi is perched on Italy's stunning Amalfi Coast just south of Naples. Amalfi has a proud history that peaked in the 10th century when i...

Oslo, Norway: Fantastic Folk Museum

15 Aug 2012

Contributed by Lukas

The Norwegian Folk Museum keeps traditional culture alive for visitors to Norway's capital. Over 150 old buildings from all corners of the country hav...

French Riviera: Cannes and Antibes

08 Aug 2012

Contributed by Lukas

The French Riviera stretches along the Mediterranean from St-Tropez to the Italian border. Two popular destinations are Cannes and Antibes. With exclu...

Bath, England: Creamy Complexion

01 Aug 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Good looking British towns are not rare, but few combine beauty and hospitality as well as Bath. The entire city is built of creamy limestone called "...

Istanbul, Turkey: Hagia Sophia

25 Jul 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Hagia Sophia has served over the centuries as one of the greatest houses of worship in both the Christian and Muslim worlds. It was built as a church ...

Zagreb, Croatia: Lively and Livable Capital

18 Jul 2012

Contributed by Lukas

You can't get a complete picture of modern Croatia without a visit to the lively and livable city that is home to one out of every six Croatians — Z...

León, Spain: Remarkable Religious Art

11 Jul 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Lively León is a sizeable city with a delightfully compact Old Town full of small-town atmosphere. A key stopping place for centuries on the Camino d...

Slovenia: Chatting with the Locals

04 Jul 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Rick visits the home of his friend and Slovenian tour guide, Tina Hiti, to learn about family life in Slovenia, and how things have changed since liv...

Aix-en-Provence, France: Living Well and Looking Good

27 Jun 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Aix-en-Provence is famous for its elegant streets and squares, markets, beautiful people, and ability to embrace the good life. For a tourist, Aix is ...

Edinburgh, Scotland: Iconic Castle

20 Jun 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Edinburgh Castle is the fortified birthplace of the city. Used as both a fort and a royal residence since the 11th century, most of the castle buildin...

Tallinn, Estonia: Two Medieval Towns

13 Jun 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Tallinn, like many parts of the Baltic states, has modernized at an astounding rate since the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. Yet the Old World amb...

Berlin, Germany: Postdamer Platz and the Reichstag

06 Jun 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Potsdamer Platz, once the busiest square in Europe, was sliced in two by the Wall in 1961, leaving a deserted no-man's-land. Today, this immense comme...

Brú na Bóinne, Ireland: Prehistoric Burial Mounds

30 May 2012

Contributed by Lukas

One hour north of Dublin in the Boyne River valley, evocative 5000-year-old (older than the pyramids!) burial mounds sprout from the lush Irish countr...

Barcelona, Spain: Inviting Beaches and Intriguing Gothic Quarter

23 May 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Barcelona's once-seedy waterfront was completely transformed when the Olympics were held here in 1992. The man-made beaches — a series of golden cre...

Mycenae, Greece: Ancient and Mysterious

16 May 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Mycenae, a hilltop fortress located on the Peloponnesian Peninsula SW of Athens was the hub of a mighty civilization that dominated the Greek world be...

Lake Como, Italy: Bellagio and Varenna

09 May 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Lake Como — lined with palm trees and elegant pastel-colored villas, crowned by snowcapped mountains, and criss-crossed by a fleet of ferries and hy...

Motovun, Croatia: Dramatic Hill Town

02 May 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Perched high above vineyards and a truffle-filled forest, Motovun on the Istrian peninsula is the best-known and most-visited hill town in the region....

York, England: Walled City Packed with Sights

25 Apr 2012

Contributed by Lukas

After London, York is hands-down the best sightseeing city in England. Everything that's great about Britain finds its best expression in this managea...

French Basque Country: A Cultural Blend

18 Apr 2012

Contributed by Lukas

The land where Spain and France meet the Atlantic is Basque Country. Compared to their more stridently Basque neighbors across the border in Spain, Ba...

Helsinki, Finland: Vibrant Baltic City

11 Apr 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Finland's leading city, with over half a million people, is the only European capital with no medieval past. Founded in the 16th century by the Swedes...

Brussels, Belgium: Europe's Political Nerve Center

04 Apr 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Brussels is the capital of a united Europe — only Washington DC has more lobbyists. While tourists munch tasty treats in the historic town center, o...

Harran, Turkey: Ancient City of Abraham

28 Mar 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Centuries of wind and warriors have rounded the corners of Harrans' fortress. Here, 500 miles SE of Istanbul near the Syrian border it seems the peopl...

Capri, Italy: Pricey Towns and Priceless Views

21 Mar 2012

Contributed by Lukas

The Isle of Capri, a short boat ride from Sorrento or Naples is well worth a visit. The main town of Capri sits in a saddle above the port. The main s...

Solvorn, Norway: Idyllic Fjordside Town

14 Mar 2012

Contributed by Lukas

For a taste of Norway's romanticism, visit the mellow town of Solvorn with its dramatic setting on the Lustrafjord, an arm of the majestic Sognefjord....

Bayeux, France: Famous Medieval Tapestry

07 Mar 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Bayeux, a town 140 miles west of Paris in the Normandy region, is famous for the Bayeux Tapestry. This 230 foot long embroidery, housed in an excellen...

Lake Bled, Slovenia: Natural Beauty

29 Feb 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Lake Bled — nestled in NW Slovenia's Julian Alps — comes complete with a sweeping mountain panorama, a cliff-hanging castle, a lazy lakeside prome...

Ronda, Spain: Gorge-Straddling Hill Town

22 Feb 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Spaniards know Ronda, one of the White Hill Towns of Andalucía, as the cradle of modern bullfighting and for its stunning cliffside location. The rea...

Stockholm, Sweden: Gamla Stan

15 Feb 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Stockholm's compact island core is charming, photogenic, and full of antiques shops, street lanterns and surprises like the beautiful Lutheran cathedr...

Athens, Greece: Museum Traces the Sweep of Greek History

08 Feb 2012

Contributed by Lukas

The National Archaeological Museum in Athens is the single best place on earth to see ancient Greek artifacts. Strolling through the chronologically d...

Blaenau Ffestiniog, Wales: Fascinating Slate Mine Experience

01 Feb 2012

Contributed by Lukas

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....

Split, Croatia: Modern City on Ancient Roots

25 Jan 2012

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Córdoba, Spain: Magnificent Mezquita

18 Jan 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Tucked into a bend of its river, Córdoba is rich in Roman, Moorish and Christian history. Within massive old town walls, inviting courtyards and conv...

Belfast, Northern Ireland: A Black Cab Tour of Falls Road

11 Jan 2012

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Orvieto Italy: Family-run Winery

04 Jan 2012

Contributed by Lukas

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-r...

Hillerød, Denmark: Stunning Frederiksborg Castle

28 Dec 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Just outside of Copenhagen is Frederiksborg castle, built in the early 1600s by Denmark's greatest king, Christian IV. Many consider this "Danish Vers...

Rothenburg, Germany: Christmas Tree Traditions

21 Dec 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Christmas in Europe is rich with tradition. About 500 years ago Germany was the first place where decorated trees became a part of Christmas celebrati...

Basque Country: St. Jean-de-Luz

14 Dec 2011

Contributed by Lukas

The colorful, compact Basque region hugs the Atlantic coast, straddling northeast Spain and southwest France. St. Jean-de-Luz, France is a relaxing li...

Bergen, Norway: Salty Harbor Town

07 Dec 2011

Contributed by Lukas

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 sa...

Barcelona, Spain: Parc Güell

30 Nov 2011

Contributed by Lukas

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 proj...

Delphi, Greece: Spectacular Ancient Site

23 Nov 2011

Contributed by Lukas

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 jou...

Conwy, Wales: Charming Garrison Town

16 Nov 2011

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Rouen, France: A Mix of the Gothic and Contemporary

09 Nov 2011

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Korčula, Croatia: Laid-back Island Village

02 Nov 2011

Contributed by Lukas

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, w...

Slovenia: Julian Alps and Soča River Valley

26 Oct 2011

Contributed by Lukas

This northwestern corner of Slovenia is busy with visitors both winter and summer. The Julian Alps, laced with hiking paths and alpine villages, and t...

Switzerland's Jungfrau Region: Interlaken and Swiss Military Secrets

19 Oct 2011

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Rothenburg, Germany: Medieval Wonders

12 Oct 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Rothenburg — Germany's best-preserved medieval walled town — houses the country's best wood carving, a vivid dose of medieval punishment, and an e...

Vienna, Austria: St. Stephen's Cathedral

28 Sep 2011

Contributed by Lukas

The massive St. Stephen's Cathedral is the Gothic needle around which Vienna spins. While heavily damaged in WWII, the church survived. Today it symbo...

Positano, Italy: Jewel of the Amalfi Coast

28 Sep 2011

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Stockholm, Sweden: Nobel's Home

21 Sep 2011

Contributed by Lukas

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 awa...

Dubrovnik, Croatia: Restored and Thriving

14 Sep 2011

Contributed by Lukas

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 t...

Albi, France: Worthy Stop in the Languedoc

31 Aug 2011

Contributed by Lukas

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 th...

Northern Spain: Walking the Camino de Santiago

24 Aug 2011

Contributed by Lukas

The Camino de Santiago — literally the "Way of St. James" — is Europe's ultimate pilgrimage route. Since the Middle Ages, pilgrims have walked hun...

Istanbul, Turkey: Enjoying a Turkish Bath

17 Aug 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Istanbul is a city of experiences and one of the most memorable is enjoying a Turkish bath. Turks brought the steam bath with them from Central Asia, ...

Helsinki, Finland: Relaxing by Boat and Sauna

10 Aug 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Helsinki is set in a natural wonderland, and the several-hundred islands of its archipelago provide a delightful playground for a boat tour. We also v...

Zugspitze, Alps: Germany's Highest Mountain

03 Aug 2011

Contributed by Lukas

While there are many higher mountains in the Alps, Zugspitze is unique — standing alone with a view of over 400 peaks in four countries: Germany, Au...

Amalfi Coast, Italy: Serene Sorrento

27 Jul 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Wedged on a ledge under the mountains and over the sea, spritzed by lemon and orange groves, Sorrento is an attractive resort; well-located both as a ...

Bruges, Belgium: The Art of Flemish Fries

20 Jul 2011

Contributed by Lukas

French fries, called Flemish fries in northern Dutch-speaking Belgium, are a local specialty. They taste so good because they're deep-fried twice — ...

Honfleur, France: Easygoing Marina

13 Jul 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Honfleur escaped the bombs of World War II, and feels as picturesque as it looks. For over a thousand years, sailors have enjoyed Honfleur's ideal loc...

Oslo, Norway: Maritime History in Bygdøy

06 Jul 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Oslo's Bygdøy neighborhood is a thought-provoking and exciting cluster of sights on a park-like peninsula just across the harbor from downtown. Withi...

Karst, Slovenia: Dramatic Škocjan Cave

29 Jun 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Slovenia's Karst region — a high, fertile, and windblown plateau — is honeycombed with a vast network of caves and underground rivers. The most dr...

Jerez, Andalucía: Dazzling Horses and Velvety Sherry

22 Jun 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Andalucía's rich heritage is alive in today's culture and it expresses itself in iconic themes. The town of Jerez is famous for three of them: dazzli...

Rovinj, Croatia: Istria's Old World Oasis

15 Jun 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Like the rest of the Croatian coast, Rovinj was part of the Venetian Empire for centuries. And Istria remained part of Italy until after WWII. That's ...

Taormina, Sicily: Spectacular Resort

08 Jun 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Sicily's most spectacular resort, Taormina, hangs high above the sea with handy cable car access to the beach. Taormina was a favorite aristocratic es...

London, England: The National Gallery

01 Jun 2011

Contributed by Lukas

London's greatest collection of European paintings is in the National Gallery. From medieval to Renaissance to Impressionist, you can tour the sweepin...

Peloponnese, Greece: Rugged Mani Peninsula

25 May 2011

Contributed by Lukas

While most visitors to Greece's Peloponnese enjoy the same tourist stops, a three-hour drive takes you off the beaten path to the timless and rustic s...

Portrush, Northern Ireland: The Playground of Ulster

18 May 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Portrush is North Ireland's favorite resort, filled with family-oriented amusements, fun eateries and cheap and cheery B and Bs.

Giverny, France: Monet's Gardens

11 May 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Claude Monet, the father of the Impressionist movement, spent his last 40 years in Giverny finding inspiration in these gardens. He diverted a stream,...

Munich, Germany: Imperial Grandeur in the Residenz

04 May 2011

Contributed by Lukas

The Residenz was the palace of the Wittelsbach family, who ruled Bavaria for more than 700 years. The Wittelsbachs were always trying to keep up with ...

Oban, Scotland: Classic Scottish Port Town

27 Apr 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Oban, the "Gateway to the Isles," is a busy little ferry terminal. The wind, boats, gulls, layers of islands, and the promise of a wide-open Atlantic ...

Istanbul, Turkey: The Topkapı Palace

20 Apr 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Our storybook image of the Ottomans — sultans, harems, eunuchs — is best experienced here, in the Topkapı Palace. Built in the late 15th century,...

Mürren, Switzerland: Exploring the Swiss Alps by Bike

13 Apr 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Mürren is a good starting point for mountain biking, popular here in the Alps. Small service roads and well-marked intersections make biking easy. Fo...