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The Best Episodes of Rick Steves' Europe

Every episode of Rick Steves' Europe ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Rick Steves' Europe!

The Best Episodes of Rick Steves' Europe

Rick Steves, America's leading authority on European travel, returns to transport viewers to the continent's bustling cities, quaint villages and picturesque countryside.
  1. Background image for Austrian and Italian Alps
    8.3/10(19 votes)

    #1 - Austrian and Italian Alps

    S11:E1

    In the Alps of Austria and Italy, we celebrate both nature and culture. After conquering the Zugspitze, we tour Innsbruck, visit a remote farm in Austria, and join in a Tirolean village festival. Then we cross the Alps into Italy and tour a uniquely well-preserved medieval castle before joyriding deep into the rugged Dolomite Mountains.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  2. Background image for Oslo
    8.2/10(19 votes)

    #2 - Oslo

    S6:E7

    The proud spirit of the Norwegian people shines in every dimension of their capital city — from its once-fearsome Viking ships to its sleek new Opera House, from a fun folk museum that keeps traditions alive to the constant festival of its thriving harborfront. Connecting with the culture, we enjoy art — from Vigeland's statues to Munch's scream — and join local friends for a boat ride on their fjord.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  3. Background image for Paris: Regal and Intimate
    8.2/10(35 votes)

    #3 - Paris: Regal and Intimate

    S7:E6

    In Paris, amidst all of its grandeur, the little joys of life are still embraced. In this first of two episodes on Paris, we'll cruise the Seine River, visit Napoleon's tomb, and take in the Louvre. Then we'll feel the pulse of Paris — shopping in village-like neighborhoods, attending church in a grand pipe organ loft, and celebrating the mother of all revolutions with a big, patriotic Bastille Day bang.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  4. Background image for Paris: Embracing Life and Art
    8.2/10(35 votes)

    #4 - Paris: Embracing Life and Art

    S7:E7

    In this second of two episodes on Europe's "City of Light," we'll ride a unicorn into the Middle Ages at the Cluny Museum, take a midnight Paris joyride in a classic car, get an extremely close-up look at heavenly stained glass in Sainte-Chapelle, go on a tombstone pilgrimage at Père Lachaise Cemetery, and savor the Parisian café scene. Few cites are so confident in their expertise in good living — and as travelers, we get to share in that uniquely Parisian "joie de vivre."

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  5. Background image for Southeast England
    8.2/10(24 votes)

    #5 - Southeast England

    S9:E9

    Arcing along the southeast coast of England, we'll travel from Canterbury (with its famous cathedral) to Dover (stoutly fortified from Roman times to the Battle of Britain). Then we'll hike the trails that top the towering chalk cliffs of the South Downs, wander into the beachy resort of Brighton (England's Coney Island), and push on to Portsmouth, whose naval heritage has left it with the best collection of historic sailing ships anywhere.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  6. Background image for Germany's Fascist History
    8.2/10(22 votes)

    #6 - Germany's Fascist History

    S11:E4

    Traveling across Germany, we learn how fascism rose and then fell, taking millions of people with it. Visiting actual locations — from Munich to Nürnberg to Berlin — we trace the roots of Nazism in the aftermath of World War I, when masses of angry people were enchanted by Hitler. We explore the totalitarian society Hitler built, and see the consequences: genocide and total war. Learning from Germany's fascist story, we can recognize that hateful ideology as well as the tricks of wannabe dictators in our own age.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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  8. Background image for Art of Prehistoric Europe
    8.2/10(6 votes)

    #7 - Art of Prehistoric Europe

    S12:E1

    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.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  9. Background image for Andalucía: The Best of Southern Spain
    8.1/10(8 votes)

    #8 - Andalucía: The Best of Southern Spain

    S6:E1

    Join Rick as he weaves Andalucía's rich mix of culture, cuisine, history, and natural wonders into a 60-minute special. The hour includes the major cities of Sevilla, Córdoba, and Granada; flamenco, sherry, and horses; dramatic white-washed hill towns; and fun in the Costa del Sol sun — plus a dash of Britain in Gibraltar.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  10. Background image for Florence: Heart of the Renaissance
    8.1/10(32 votes)

    #9 - Florence: Heart of the Renaissance

    S7:E4

    Fifteenth-century Florence was the home of the Renaissance and the birthplace of our modern world. In this first of two episodes, we'll gaze into the self-assured eyes of Michelangelo's David, enjoy Botticelli's Birth of Venus, delve into the 3-D wonders of Ghiberti's Gates of Paradise, appreciate Fra Angelico's serene beauty, and climb the dome that kicked off the Renaissance. Then we'll cross the Arno to where Florentine artisans live, work, and eat…very well.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  11. Background image for London: Historic and Dynamic
    8.1/10(31 votes)

    #10 - London: Historic and Dynamic

    S7:E8

    In many-faceted London, we’ll ponder royal tombs in Westminster Abbey, discover treasures in the British Library, enjoy the vibrant evening scene in Soho, uncover Churchill’s secret WWII headquarters, join the 9-to-5 crowd in the new London, shop where the queen shops, and straddle the Prime Meridian in Greenwich.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  12. Background image for Bulgaria
    8.1/10(24 votes)

    #11 - Bulgaria

    S9:E4

    Bulgaria, so mysterious to most Americans, has a vivid identity as a crossroads of the Balkans. We'll trace the country's complex history, from ancient Thracian tombs to medieval Orthodox Christian monasteries to Soviet monuments. And we'll enjoy an intimate taste of contemporary culture: the yellow brick road of Sofia; the gregarious craftspeople of the medieval capital, Veliko Tarnovo; and the thriving pedestrian zones of cosmopolitan Plovdiv.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  13. Background image for West England
    8.1/10(24 votes)

    #12 - West England

    S9:E8

    The quintessence of charming England is the "West Country": quaint Cotswold villages with their fine churches, manor homes, and gastropubs; Wells, England's smallest cathedral town; and the New Age capital of Glastonbury, with its legends of the Holy Grail and King Arthur. We'll finish by pondering the dramatic prehistoric stone circles of Stonehenge and Avebury.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  14. Background image for The Majesty of Madrid
    8.0/10(23 votes)

    #13 - The Majesty of Madrid

    S3:E1

    Madrid is studded with riches from its glory days. We tour the lavish Royal Palace, enjoy art-packed museums, and look deep into Picasso's greatest masterpiece. Experiencing Madrid at its fun-loving best, we're mesmerized by flamenco dancers and munch on pigs' ears. Then, for a dose of Spain's dramatic history, we side-trip to El Escorial and the Valley of the Fallen.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  15. Background image for London: Mod and Trad
    8.0/10(23 votes)

    #14 - London: Mod and Trad

    S3:E5

    London is quintessentially English, yet cosmopolitan. We check out the new — the Millennium Bridge and the British Museum's Great Court, and admire the old — well-wrapped mummies and a rare Leonardo. After bantering with Beefeaters at the Tower of London, we do some riverside beach-combing. Strolling the trendy South Bank of the Thames takes us from the Tate Modern to the dizzying London Eye.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  16. Background image for Highlights of Paris: Eiffel and Monet to Crème Brûlée
    8.0/10(27 votes)

    #15 - Highlights of Paris: Eiffel and Monet to Crème Brûlée

    S3:E6

    Packing the best of Paris into one episode, we scale the Eiffel Tower, then savor classic treats - from steak tartare to crème brulée. We marvel at Monet, Manet and company in the stunning Orsay Gallery. Tracing the sad steps of Marie Antoinette, we relive French history from its bloody revolution to its extravagant belle epoche.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  17. Background image for Salzburg and Surroundings
    8.0/10(25 votes)

    #16 - Salzburg and Surroundings

    S4:E10

    The birthplace of Mozart — and everyone's Sound of Music fantasies — Salzburg is a Baroque jewel of a town. It's also the springboard for lots of alpine fun — from thrilling summer bobsledding, to idyllic boat rides in the Salzkammergut lake district, to exploring the delightful romantic town of Hallstatt.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  18. Background image for Rome: Ancient Glory
    8.0/10(42 votes)

    #17 - Rome: Ancient Glory

    S7:E1

    Part one of three shows on the Eternal City, this episode resurrects the rubble and brings back to life the capital of the ancient world. Focusing on the grandeur of classical Rome, we'll admire the groundbreaking architecture at the Colosseum and Pantheon, and the empire's exquisite art at the Capitoline Museum. Then we'll head out on a bike ride along the ancient Appian Way and take in nearby marvels of Roman engineering.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  19. Background image for North England's Lake District and Durham
    8.0/10(32 votes)

    #18 - North England's Lake District and Durham

    S7:E9

    Hiking through the Cumbrian Lake District — England's green and pristine mountain playground — we'll admire idyllic lakes, discover misty waterfalls, tour a slate mine, and conquer stony summits. And we'll meet the locals — and their beloved dogs and sheep — everywhere. Then we play a little cricket, hike Hadrian's Wall, and get dazzled by Durham's Norman cathedral.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  20. Background image for European Travel Skills (2)
    8.0/10(23 votes)

    #19 - European Travel Skills (2)

    S7:E13

    In this second of three shows focusing on travel skills, we'll visit Venice, Siena, and the Cinque Terre in Italy to learn about trip planning, packing, safety, and — perhaps the most rewarding skill of all — connecting with the locals. Going beyond the sights, Rick shares some practical tips to help make European travel fun and hassle-free.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  21. Background image for European Travel Skills (3)
    8.0/10(22 votes)

    #20 - European Travel Skills (3)

    S7:E14

    In this third of three shows focusing on travel skills, we'll visit the Swiss Alps, Paris, and London while covering tips for finding the best accommodations, getting around in big cities, and enjoying Europe's cuisine. This information is key to making the most of your travel time and, if you're on a budget, can help you cut the cost of your travels in half.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  22. Background image for Paris Side-Trips
    8.0/10(31 votes)

    #21 - Paris Side-Trips

    S8:E4

    Side-tripping from Paris into the Ile-de-France, we indulge in the world of royal and aristocratic extravagance in the pre-Revolutionary playground of France's elite. We explore Versailles, Europe's palace of palaces; exquisite Vaux le Vicomte; and extravagant Fontainebleau, home to centuries of French rulers. We'll also marvel at the glass and statuary of Chartres cathedral and dine like kings.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  23. Background image for England's Cornwall
    8.0/10(24 votes)

    #22 - England's Cornwall

    S9:E10

    The far southwest of England is a world unto itself, with a persistent Cornish culture. We'll explore a world of flowers springing from towering hedges, a tin-mining heritage going back to biblical times, salty pirates' towns and fishing villages, and the Land's End of England. Then, side-tripping deep into the vast and mysterious Dartmoor National Park, we'll hike to forgotten stone circles and chase wild ponies.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  24. Background image for Lisbon
    8.0/10(24 votes)

    #23 - Lisbon

    S10:E2

    Lisbon, built with the riches of Portugal's New World discoveries, has a rustic charm. We'll remember great navigators, eat lots of cod, enjoy pastries hot out of the oven, stroll the city's back lanes and its reinvigorated waterfront, marvel at an exquisite church built with spice taxes, and enjoy some soulful fado music. Then we'll side-trip to Sintra to explore the fanciful castles of Portuguese royalty and climb hilltop ramparts with grand views.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  25. Background image for The Best of Sicily
    8.0/10(23 votes)

    #24 - The Best of Sicily

    S10:E8

    This tour of Sicilian highlights starts in Palermo, where we'll sing with the merchants in the markets, join locals in their passeggiata, drop in on a contessa, and marvel at the Romanesque cathedral of Monreale. Then we'll sip wine on the slopes of Mount Etna, munch cannoli, ponder Greek temples at Agrigento, admire Roman mosaics at the Villa of Casale, and marvel at the view from the Greek theater in Taormina.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  26. Background image for Glasgow and Scottish Passions
    8.0/10(24 votes)

    #25 - Glasgow and Scottish Passions

    S10:E12

    Glasgow, once an industrial powerhouse, offers a fun look at Scotland's vibrantly gritty urban side — full of edgy street art, trendy dining, and the striking architecture of Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Leaving town, we'll tap into Scottish passions as we tour historic Stirling Castle and nearby battlefields, sample a dram at the land's most beloved distilleries on the Speyside Whisky Trail, watch a sheepdog demonstration, and struggle to lift the Manhood Stone at a Highland Games.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

Best Episodes Summary

"Austrian and Italian Alps" is the best rated episode of "Rick Steves' Europe". It scored 8.3/10 based on 19 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 10/19/2020. This episode scored 0.1 points higher than the second highest rated, "Oslo".