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The Worst Episodes of Rick Steves' Europe

Every episode of Rick Steves' Europe ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst Episodes of Rick Steves' Europe!

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Rick Steves, America's leading authority on European travel, returns to transport viewers to the continent's bustling cities, quaint villages and picturesque countryside.

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  1. #1 Worst Episode
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    Rick Steves' Europe Season 1 Episode 12 - Slovenia and Croatia
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #1 - Slovenia and Croatia

    S1:E12

    We discover that Dubrovnik is still the "jewel of the Adriatic" while nearby villages decorate their dreamy archipelago with small-town Venetian charm. Ljubljana is like Salzburg without tourists. The Julian Alps glisten with pristine lakes as Lipizzaner stallions are eager to strut their stuff.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. Rick Steves' Europe Season 12 Episode 3 - Ancient Roman Art
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #2 - Ancient Roman Art

    S12:E3

    We 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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. Rick Steves' Europe Season 12 Episode 7 - Art of the Florentine Renaissance
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #3 - Art of the Florentine Renaissance

    S12:E7

    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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. Rick Steves' Europe Season 12 Episode 8 - Art of the Renaissance Beyond Florence
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #4 - Art of the Renaissance Beyond Florence

    S12:E8

    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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. Rick Steves' Europe Season 13 Episode 5 - Italy's Highlights
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #5 - Italy's Highlights

    S13:E5

    From north to south, Italy is a nonstop highlight reel. On this whirlwind look back through our travels, we sample la dolce vita in seductive Venice and Renaissance titan Florence, then soak up the Italian Riviera and the hill towns of Tuscany and Umbria. We touch down in the historical epicenter of Rome, embrace intense Naples and the Amalfi Coast, and finish amid the beautiful chaos of Sicily.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. Rick Steves' Europe Season 13 Episode 6 - Burgundy: Gourmet Barge Cruise
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #6 - Burgundy: Gourmet Barge Cruise

    S13:E6

    We set a course on a tranquil cruise of the rivers and canals of France's Burgundy region. Aboard a century-old barge-turned-hotel, we're treated to a relaxing pace and natural beauty — plus plenty of gourmet meals and fine wine. Stops for a hike or bike ride help us work up our next appetite, and a château lord welcomes us to taste the vintages of the famed Côte d'Or. 

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  7. Rick Steves' Europe Season 13 Episode 7 - Paris of the Parisians
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #7 - Paris of the Parisians

    S13:E7

    Paris is a world-class city — but also one that to millions is simply home. On this adventure, we're going local. We start at the city's proud symbol, the Eiffel Tower, then cruise the Seine before exploring a few distinctive neighborhoods. We visit the market for fresh food and flowers, window-shop along trendy streets, and cap our tour with a nighttime ride through the sparkling City of Light.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. Rick Steves' Europe Season 13 Episode 8 - Istanbul: Capital of Emperors and Sultans
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #8 - Istanbul: Capital of Emperors and Sultans

    S13:E8

    Istanbul's rich heritage spans the centuries from Christian Byzantium to Muslim Ottoman rule to today's thriving city. We start our look back at the Roman-tinged Hippodrome, then indulge in the ancient ritual of the Turkish bath. We take in the Blue Mosque and the grand Hagia Sophia, taste Turkish delight at the venerable Spice Market, and explore Topkapı Palace and its harem room deep within.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. Rick Steves' Europe Season 13 Episode 9 - Istanbul: Turkish Delights
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #9 - Istanbul: Turkish Delights

    S13:E9

    In Istanbul, we sample the wonders of this city that bridges two continents. After cruising the busy port of the Bosphorus, we dive into the Grand Bazaar, where endless shops enchant visitors. Then we view the mosaics of Chora Church, watch dervishes whirl in their captivating spiritual trance, and zip by tram from the Old Town to Taksim Square, tasting local treats before hopping a ferry to Asia.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. Rick Steves' Europe Season 13 Episode 10 - London: A Royal Tour
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #10 - London: A Royal Tour

    S13:E10

    Our royal tour of London starts with red-coat pageantry at Buckingham Palace. Riding red buses, black cabs, and the Tube, we pop into the Houses of Parliament at Westminster and visit Churchill’s underground war rooms — a World War II time warp. After looking into the eyes of those who put the great in Britain at the Portrait Gallery, we cruise the River Thames to the mighty Tower of London.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  11. Rick Steves' Europe Season 13 Episode 11 - London: Yesterday and Today
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #11 - London: Yesterday and Today

    S13:E11

    Getting up to date in London, we jog with locals in Hyde Park, marvel at cultural treasures in the British Museum and Victoria and Albert Museum, and nibble through a trendy East End food tour before luxuriating over afternoon tea. Then we celebrate London’s regeneration as it turns industrial wastelands into inviting commercial zones and skyscrapers come with “garden in the sky” viewing platforms.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. Rick Steves' Europe Season 1 Episode 1 - Portugal's Heartland
    6.4/10(18 votes)

    #12 - Portugal's Heartland

    S1:E1

    Leaving Lisbon for the countryside, we eat barnacles in a salty old fishing town, march with pilgrims on the anniversary of a miracle, ponder the local Romeo and Juliet, sample university life, and rummage through the riches of Portugal's Golden Age.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. Rick Steves' Europe Season 1 Episode 16 - Travel Skills Special (3)
    6.8/10(10 votes)

    #13 - Travel Skills Special (3)

    S1:E16

    Beautifully filmed on location, this 3-part, 90-minute special distills Rick's 25 years of travel experience into practical tips on: planning a trip, overcoming the language barrier, getting around, finding accommodations, staying safe, and more. 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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  14. Rick Steves' Europe Season 4 Episode 4 - Naples and Pompeii
    6.9/10(30 votes)

    #14 - Naples and Pompeii

    S4:E4

    Naples is Italy in the extreme. We'll prowl backstreet fish markets, dodge fast-moving Vespas, and dine on pizza where it was invented. We'll climb to the top of nearby Mount Vesuvius, then wander through the amazing ruins of Pompeii, the Roman town it destroyed.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  15. Rick Steves' Europe Season 11 Episode 8 - Why We Travel
    6.9/10(22 votes)

    #15 - Why We Travel

    S11:E8

    In times of crisis and challenge, we ask ourselves: What is the true value of travel? Is it just hedonism…or something more powerful? After a lifetime of exploring Europe — and inspiring Americans to see Europe as the springboard for world exploration — Rick Steves shares his reasons why. This special episode is a sonnet to travel — an introspective love story, set in Europe, that vividly celebrates the rewards of exploring our world and the joy that awaits those who travel.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  16. Rick Steves' Europe Season 2 Episode 2 - Venice Side-Trips: The Best of Veneto
    7.0/10(11 votes)

    #16 - Venice Side-Trips: The Best of Veneto

    S2:E2

    Pulling on hip boots, we settle into the muck of Venice, then take a speedboat tour of the lagoon. On the mainland, we head for Padova to tour a once-illegal anatomy theater and track the restoration of Giotto's Scrovegni Chapel. In Vicenza, we admire elegant Palladian-style streets and villas. In Verona, we climb the Roman arena, jostle with tourists to rub the brass breast of Juliet, and taste-test grappa before riding the train to Ravenna for its dazzling 1500-year-old mosaics.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  17. Rick Steves' Europe Season 2 Episode 4 - Siena and Assisi: Italy's Grand Hill Towns
    7.0/10(16 votes)

    #17 - Siena and Assisi: Italy's Grand Hill Towns

    S2:E4

    In red-bricked Siena, we tour the town's innovative medieval hospital, lavish cathedral, and a bakery that makes panforte (like fruitcake, only delicious). Exploring the Chianti region, we sip Brunello di Montalcino — with its makers. Spending the night at a farmhouse, we meet the family and its sheep, learn of the Slow Food Movement, and enjoy a homegrown dinner. In Assisi, we follow the footsteps of St. Francis, from his humble chapel to the Giotto-frescoed basilica that holds his tomb.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  18. Rick Steves' Europe Season 5 Episode 12 - Istanbul
    7.0/10(26 votes)

    #18 - Istanbul

    S5:E12

    In Istanbul, we’ll lose our way in the Grand Bazaar and munch our way through the famously fragrant Spice Market. We’ll follow the fall of the ancient capital of Byzantium and the rise of Islam at the city’s ancient wall, and wander among the treasures of Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and Topkapı Palace. To escape the city bustle, we’ll cruise the churning waters of the Bosphorus, make friends over backgammon, and try a traditional Turkish bath.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. Rick Steves' Europe Season 1 Episode 15 - Travel Skills Special (2)
    7.1/10(11 votes)

    #19 - Travel Skills Special (2)

    S1:E15

    Beautifully filmed on location, this 3-part, 90-minute special distills Rick's 25 years of travel experience into practical tips on: planning a trip, overcoming the language barrier, getting around, finding accommodations, staying safe, and more. 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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  20. Rick Steves' Europe Season 3 Episode 12 - Lisbon and the Algarve
    7.1/10(26 votes)

    #20 - Lisbon and the Algarve

    S3:E12

    Experiencing the best of Portugal, we start in Lisbon, a ramshackle mix of glorious old and fun-loving new. Salty sailors' quarters and wistful Fado singers mix with ornate architecture to recall the glory days when Vasco da Gama and Magellan made Portugal a world power. Then we head for the south coast of your travel dreams-the Algarve. We explore the Land's End of Europe-windy and historic Cape Sagres before savoring pristine beaches and arm-wrestling octopi in the sleepy fishing village of Salema.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. Rick Steves' Europe Season 4 Episode 7 - Tuscany's Dolce Vita
    7.1/10(22 votes)

    #21 - Tuscany's Dolce Vita

    S4:E7

    The small towns and rural charms of Tuscany give us a healthy dose of the "sweet life" as we hunt for truffles in an oak forest, nibble our way through an artichoke festival, share a farmhouse feast, and ride a classic convertible through the cypress groves of Mona Lisa's backyard.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  22. Rick Steves' Europe Season 5 Episode 2 - France's Dordogne
    7.1/10(22 votes)

    #22 - France's Dordogne

    S5:E2

    The Dordogne River Valley — with its dramatic castles, evocative cave paintings, and prized cuisine — is an unforgettable blend of man-made and natural beauty. We'll take an idyllic canoe ride, and then visit a goose farm and savor the foie gras. We'll also wander through a lamp-lit castle, enjoy a country market, and visit the Sistine Chapel of the prehistoric world. Then we head south to Albi, home of Toulouse-Lautrec, and the imposing fortress city of Carcassonne.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  23. Rick Steves' Europe Season 5 Episode 7 - The Czech Republic Beyond Prague
    7.1/10(28 votes)

    #23 - The Czech Republic Beyond Prague

    S5:E7

    Few travelers venture beyond Prague to experience the Czech Republic's many cultural riches and offbeat delights. We'll get started with a whirlwind of Art Nouveau, local pub music, stinky-cheese tasting, and peat bathing in places like Olomouc, Moravský Krumlov, Třeboň, and Konopiště. We'll also tour a remarkable memorial to the Holocaust in Terezín, and the charming castle town of Český Krumlov.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  24. Rick Steves' Europe Season 6 Episode 11 - Northern Spain and the Camino de Santiago
    7.1/10(22 votes)

    #24 - Northern Spain and the Camino de Santiago

    S6:E11

    We follow the trail pilgrims have trod for centuries, from the French border to Santiago de Compostela in the northwest corner of Spain. Along the way, we stop off in Pamplona to run with the bulls, and dive into the unique Celtic culture of Galicia — where Riverdance meets flamenco.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  25. Rick Steves' Europe Season 6 Episode 12 - Basque Country
    7.1/10(19 votes)

    #25 - Basque Country

    S6:E12

    The homeland of the proud and resilient Basque people is split between France and Spain. From our San Sebastián home base, we tour the ancient Basque capital of Guernica, the dazzling Guggenheim Bilbao, and then cross into France for more Basque Country charms. From yummy tapa bars to lightning-fast jai alai games, we’ll experience Basque culture at its most vivid.

    Director:Simon Griffith
    Writer:Rick Steves

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Worst Episodes Summary

"Slovenia and Croatia" is the worst rated episode of "Rick Steves' Europe". It scored /10 based on 0 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 11/19/2000. This episode scored 0.0 points lower than the second lowest rated, "Ancient Roman Art".