Iceland
This one-hour special begins in Reykjavík, with endearing sights and thermal pools, plus a side-trip to the Golden Circle's gorges, geysers, and waterfalls. Then, after fording rivers in a desolate valley and spotting puffins on volcano-shaped islands, we drive the 800-mile Ring Road — connecting glaciers, fjords, geothermal hotspots, sod-roofed settlements, and majestic Icelandic nature.
Episodes
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Rick Steves’ Europe: Art of the 20th Century
S12 E1212 - 25m 16s
Europe’s tumultuous 20th century spawned a kaleidoscope of cutting-edge art. From Spain to Hungary, Glasgow to Oslo, we seek out all that’s wild, colorful, surreal, and just plain fun. The fascinating work of Pablo Picasso leads us through the century’s major art styles. And in today’s gleaming cities, we see how a persistent artistic spirit connects us with both our past and an exciting future.
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Rick Steves’ Europe: Art of the Impressionists and Beyond
S12 E1211 - 25m 17s
The late-1800s saw old notions of beauty challenged by revolutionary artists. We enjoy pioneering Impressionist works—Monet’s lilies, Renoir’s ladies, Degas’ snapshots and Rodin’s statues—that capture the joie de vivre of the age. We trace the tempestuous travels of Van Gogh through his incomparable art. And we finish in Spain, with wild and crazy buildings that herald the dawn of a new century.
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Rick Steves’ Europe: Art of the Neoclassical Age
S12 E1210 - 25m 18s
Around 1800, Europe was in transition, reflected in two art styles. First, we visit Europe’s great cities with their stately Neoclassical buildings of columns and domes. Meanwhile, the Revolution has unleashed a call for freedom, both political and personal. We see dramatic Romantic canvases depicting extreme emotions and awesome Nature, and tour dreamy castles—virtual theme parks of Romanticism.
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Rick Steves’ Europe: Baroque Art
S12 E1209 - 25m 36s
Forged in Europe’s religious struggles, Baroque art inspired the faithful and dazzled the masses. We start in Rome, with its awe-inspiring St. Peter’s, fleshy Bernini statues and bubbly fountains. In Belgium, we see the dramatic canvases of Rubens. And finally: the ultimate Baroque palace, Versailles, with its chandeliered Hall of Mirrors and vast gardens where nobles played as Revolution brewed.
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Rick Steves’ Europe: Art of the Renaissance Beyond Florence
S12 E1208 - 25m 39s
From Italy, the Renaissance spread across Europe, revolutionizing art. We travel to Spain and Portugal where overseas plunder is transformed into lacy architecture and ethereal paintings by El Greco. In bustling Germany and Belgium, new technologies enable Durer’s mass-produced engravings, Van Eyck’s meticulous oil paintings, Brueghel’s peasants at play, and the futuristic visions of Bosch.
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Rick Steves’ Europe: Art of the Florentine Renaissance
S12 E1207 - 25m 18s
After its medieval struggles, Europe rediscovered the art of the ancients, led by booming Florence. We revel in the bold spirit of the Cathedral’s lofty dome and Botticelli’s sweet Venus. Leonardo da Vinci gives us the iconic Last Supper and enigmatic Mona Lisa. And Michelangelo—sculptor of David, painter of the Sistine, and architect of St. Peter’s—takes the Florentine Renaissance to new heights.
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Rick Steves’ Europe: Art of the High Middle Ages
S12 E1206 - 25m 36s
As Europe passed A.D. 1000, its growing prosperity was reflected in soaring Gothic cathedrals graced with colorful altarpieces, lacy stonework, and radiant stained glass. We visit luxurious castles to see exquisite tapestries showing a new secular love of worldly pleasures and, end in Italy, where pioneering artists like Giotto were mastering realism and pointing the way to the future of art.
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Rick Steves’ Europe: Art of the Early Middle Ages
S12 E1205 - 25m 18s
After Rome’s fall, Europe’s Christians kept culture alive with art rooted in their deep faith. We visit sturdy Romanesque churches filled with art that reinforced the ruling order. Meanwhile, Europe was invigorated from the fringes: Byzantines to the East, with their dazzling mosaics; Spanish Muslims with their lush palaces; and fierce Vikings of the North—all part of Europe’s rich cultural stew.
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Rick Steves’ Europe: Art of the Roman Empire
S12 E1204 - 25m 19s
With its vast empire, ancient Rome gave Europe its first common culture. From England to Turkey, we explore the greatest Roman cities, marveling at their over-the-top art, soaring aqueducts, and crowd-pleasing theaters. As Rome fell, saints replaced Caesars and Christianity filled the vacuum with art-filled churches—preserving the grandeur of imperial Rome and inspiring the Europe to come.
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Rick Steves' Europe: Ancient Roman Art
S12 E1203 - 25m 37s
Follow Rome’s rise through its awe-inspiring art, starting at Rome’s humble birthplace in the Forum. Soon Rome is graced with supersized monuments like the majestic domed Pantheon and the Colosseum, where gladiators battled to the death. We also get a glimpse of Rome’s more intimate side: the colorful mosaics, luxurious frescoes, and realistic portraits of the solid citizens who made Rome great.
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Rick Steves' Europe: Art of Ancient Greece
S12 E1202 - 25m 19s
Ancient Greece laid the foundations of Western art. Traveling from its sun-splashed isles to the rugged mainland to bustling Athens, we trace the rise of Greek culture. We marvel at the timeless Acropolis, perfect Parthenon, and Golden Age theaters. And we watch as art evolves from stiff statues to perfectly balanced Venuses to the exuberant Winged Victory, capturing the spirit of the age.
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Rick Steves’ Europe: Art of Prehistoric Europe
S12 E1201 - 25m 18s
As the Ice Age glaciers melted, prehistoric Europe bloomed with surprisingly sophisticated art. From Ireland to France, Scotland to the Greek Isles, we traverse that mystical world of mighty megaliths, torchlit cave paintings, magical goddesses, and wrinkled bog people. We stand in awe as a massive tomb is radiated by a dramatic beam of sunlight and listen to ritual horns that still play today.
Extras + Features
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Delft, Netherlands: Town Square and Delftware
S8 E810 - 3m 5s
We stroll along Delft's idyllic canals and markets, and see how its famous Delftware porcelain is made.
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Padova, Italy: The Scrovegni Chapel
S8 E808 - 3m 32s
Padova’s Scrovegni Chapel, with its precious 14th-century Giotto frescoes, is one of Italy’s most beloved art treasures.
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Berlin, Germany: The Wall and Checkpoint Charlie
S8 E812 - 2m 56s
The Berlin Wall Memorial and Museum House at Checkpoint Charlie educate visitors about Berlin's tumultuous 20th century.
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Fontainebleau, France: Royal Château
S8 E804 - 3m 5s
It seems every king, queen, and emperor since has loved this palace — Louis XIII was born here, Louis XV was married here — but Fontainebleau has more Napoleon Bonaparte connections than any other palace.
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Amsterdam, Netherlands: The Van Gogh Museum
S8 E809 - 2m 52s
The Van Gogh Museum houses the 200 paintings owned by Vincent’s younger brother, Theo — laid out as the story of Vincent's life.
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Prague, Czech Republic: Old Town Square
S8 E811 - 1m 52s
Prague’s Old Town Square is filled with beautifully preserved landmarks: the Gothic Týn Church, a memorial to Jan Hus, and a 15-century Astronomical Clock.
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Güzelyurt, Turkey: Beautiful Land
S8 E802 - 3m 58s
Güzelyurt is the kind of discovery I love to feature in my guidebooks — almost no tourism, lots of history, plenty of character.
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Tel Aviv, Israel: Beautiful Beaches and Tasty Cuisine
S8 E805 - 1m 56s
Tel Aviv is a young, modern city with gleaming new buildings, a beautiful beach scene, and delicious, locally-sourced cuisine.
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Ramallah, Palestine: Cultural Capital
S8 E806 - 2m 14s
Ramallah hosts the Palestinian government and international agencies, and is filled with positive energy from the students at nearby Birzeit University.
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Monterosso al Mare, Italy: Cinque Terre Resort Town
S8 E807 - 2m 39s
Monterosso al Mare is the Cinque Terre's most resorty town of the group, with cars, larger hotels, rentable umbrellas, and the best beach around.
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Cheverny, France: Château and Hounds
S8 E803 - 2m 39s
The stately hunting palace of Cheverny is immaculately preserved, having stayed in the same family for five centuries. The kennel is also worth a visit at dinnertime, when the 70 hunting hounds are fed.
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Antalya, Turkey: Relaxing Gulet Cruise
S8 E801 - 3m 9s
A popular excursion from Antalya is a cruise on a gulet — the traditional Turkish sailboat. Sailing away, we marvel at the dramatic shoreline under snow-capped peaks. Resorts, park-like beaches, and ancient ruins clinging to cliffs are all tucked into this rugged-yet accessible Riviera playground.
Schedule
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Rick Steves' Europe
The Best of Israel
Thursday
Nov 21
30 Minutes
Religious tradition in Jerusalem; Tel Aviv; Masada; pilgrims visit biblical sites around the Sea of Galilee; Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial. -
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Rick Steves' Europe
Thursday
Nov 21
30 Minutes
Rick Steves' guidebooks, public-radio program and numerous television series have made him an essential resource for travelers wishing to explore Europe. This program finds the knowledgeable host offering globetrotters a fresh perspective on lodgings, transportation and places to visit on their journeys. One thing that hasn't changed, however, is Steves' belief that travelers should become "temporary locals," exploring not only major cities and the usual sites, but out-of-the-way locales that often produce the most authentic, and enjoyable, experiences of a trip. -
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Rick Steves' Europe
Austrian and Italian Alps
Thursday
Nov 21
30 Minutes
Zugspitze; touring Innsbruck, Austria; a Tyrolean village festival; crossing the Alps into Italy to tour a medieval castle and explore the rugged Dolomite Mountains. -
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Rick Steves' Europe
Glasgow and Scottish Passions
Thursday
Nov 21
30 Minutes
Street art, trendy dining and Charles Rennie Mackintosh architecture in Glasgow, Scotland; touring historic Stirling Castle; bagpipe lesson; the Speyside Whisky Trail; Manhood Stone. -
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Rick Steves' Europe
France's Loire: Chateau Country
Friday
Nov 22
30 Minutes
Touring four castles -- Chenonceau, Chambord, Cheverny and Villandry; feeding hunting dogs; local cuisine; a princely garden. -
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Rick Steves' Europe
Friday
Nov 22
30 Minutes
Rick Steves' guidebooks, public-radio program and numerous television series have made him an essential resource for travelers wishing to explore Europe. This program finds the knowledgeable host offering globetrotters a fresh perspective on lodgings, transportation and places to visit on their journeys. One thing that hasn't changed, however, is Steves' belief that travelers should become "temporary locals," exploring not only major cities and the usual sites, but out-of-the-way locales that often produce the most authentic, and enjoyable, experiences of a trip. -
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Rick Steves' Europe
Austrian and Italian Alps
Friday
Nov 22
30 Minutes
Zugspitze; touring Innsbruck, Austria; a Tyrolean village festival; crossing the Alps into Italy to tour a medieval castle and explore the rugged Dolomite Mountains. -
Image
Rick Steves' Europe
The Best of Israel
Saturday
Nov 23
30 Minutes
Religious tradition in Jerusalem; Tel Aviv; Masada; pilgrims visit biblical sites around the Sea of Galilee; Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial. -
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Rick Steves' Europe
Saturday
Nov 23
30 Minutes
Rick Steves' guidebooks, public-radio program and numerous television series have made him an essential resource for travelers wishing to explore Europe. This program finds the knowledgeable host offering globetrotters a fresh perspective on lodgings, transportation and places to visit on their journeys. One thing that hasn't changed, however, is Steves' belief that travelers should become "temporary locals," exploring not only major cities and the usual sites, but out-of-the-way locales that often produce the most authentic, and enjoyable, experiences of a trip. -
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Rick Steves' Europe
Swiss Alps
Monday
Nov 25
30 Minutes
Switzerland's mountains and culture; scenic train rides; exploring glaciers; making cheese the old fashioned way. -
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Rick Steves' Europe
Italy's Veneto: Verona, Padua, and Ravenna
Tuesday
Nov 26
30 Minutes
The city of Padua, Italy, is known for its university, Giotto frescoes and basilica; Verona's Roman ruins; Ravenna's mosaics. -
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Rick Steves' Europe
Tuesday
Nov 26
30 Minutes
Rick Steves' guidebooks, public-radio program and numerous television series have made him an essential resource for travelers wishing to explore Europe. This program finds the knowledgeable host offering globetrotters a fresh perspective on lodgings, transportation and places to visit on their journeys. One thing that hasn't changed, however, is Steves' belief that travelers should become "temporary locals," exploring not only major cities and the usual sites, but out-of-the-way locales that often produce the most authentic, and enjoyable, experiences of a trip. -
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Rick Steves' Europe
French Alps and Lyon
Tuesday
Nov 26
30 Minutes
The cuisine of Lyon, France; Chamonix in France; riding the lift up to Aiguille du Midi and to the border of Italy; hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc -- the trail that circles the mountain. -
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Rick Steves' Europe
Amsterdam
Wednesday
Nov 27
30 Minutes
Rick Steves takes a look at the rich history, art and culture on offer in Amsterdam, Holland's capital. -
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Rick Steves' Europe
Italy's Riviera: Cinque Terre
Wednesday
Nov 27
30 Minutes
Five port towns along the Italian Riviera include Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, Riomaggiore, Monterosso. -
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Rick Steves' Europe
Wednesday
Nov 27
30 Minutes
Rick Steves' guidebooks, public-radio program and numerous television series have made him an essential resource for travelers wishing to explore Europe. This program finds the knowledgeable host offering globetrotters a fresh perspective on lodgings, transportation and places to visit on their journeys. One thing that hasn't changed, however, is Steves' belief that travelers should become "temporary locals," exploring not only major cities and the usual sites, but out-of-the-way locales that often produce the most authentic, and enjoyable, experiences of a trip. -
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Rick Steves' Europe
Naples and Pompeii
Wednesday
Nov 27
30 Minutes
Back-street fish markets; pizza; climbing Mount Vesuvius; the ruins of Pompeii. -
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Rick Steves' Europe
Germany's Fascist Story
Wednesday
Nov 27
30 Minutes
The rise and fall of fascism in Germany; tracing the roots of Nazism after World War I, from Munich to Nuremberg to Berlin; exploring the totalitarian society built by Adolf Hitler. -
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Rick Steves' Europe
The Netherlands Beyond Amsterdam
Thursday
Nov 28
30 Minutes
Rick Steves takes a look at the sights outside of Amsterdam, from Haarlem, to Rotterdam, Delft and Zuiderzee. -
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Rick Steves' Europe
Thursday
Nov 28
30 Minutes
Rick Steves' guidebooks, public-radio program and numerous television series have made him an essential resource for travelers wishing to explore Europe. This program finds the knowledgeable host offering globetrotters a fresh perspective on lodgings, transportation and places to visit on their journeys. One thing that hasn't changed, however, is Steves' belief that travelers should become "temporary locals," exploring not only major cities and the usual sites, but out-of-the-way locales that often produce the most authentic, and enjoyable, experiences of a trip.
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