Series synopsis
Rick Steves' Europe: 20-Year Anthology is an American drama television series that premiered on October 1, 2012. It was created by Rick Steves.
Rick Steves is your perfect travel partner, guiding you through 60 hours of discoveries in his favorite European cities, villages, and off-the-beaten-path destinations. This 16-DVD set (+ bonus disc) brings you every one of Rick's half-hour TV shows-plus his highly acclaimed, hour-long TV specials. You'll also find a wealth of extras, including embarrassing outtakes, Rick's very first TV show from 1989, and a 17th bonus disc packed with Rick's best travel tips for your next European adventure.
Premise
Rick Steves is your perfect travel partner, guiding you through 60 hours of discoveries in his favorite European cities, villages, and off-the-beaten-path destinations. This 16-DVD set (+ bonus disc) brings you every one of Rick's half-hour TV shows-plus his highly acclaimed, hour-long TV specials. You'll also find a wealth of extras, including embarrassing outtakes, Rick's very first TV show from 1989, and a 17th bonus disc packed with Rick's best travel tips for your next European adventure.
Episodes
This series spans 18 seasons with 118 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 8 | September 29, 2012 | November 30, 2012 |
| Season 2 | 8 | November 10, 2006 | November 19, 2016 |
| Season 3 | 6 | October 9, 2004 | |
| Season 4 | 6 | September 18, 2004 | October 30, 2004 |
| Season 5 | 8 | October 22, 2016 | |
| Season 6 | 7 | November 25, 2006 | October 9, 2020 |
| Season 7 | 8 | October 8, 2018 | |
| Season 8 | 8 | October 26, 2002 | December 22, 2018 |
| Season 9 | 7 | August 20, 2017 | |
| Season 10 | 7 | October 23, 2010 | |
| Season 11 | 8 | ||
| Season 12 | 7 | ||
| Season 13 | 7 | ||
| Season 14 | 6 | ||
| Season 15 | 4 | ||
| Season 16 | 4 | ||
| Season 17 | 4 | ||
| Season 18 | 5 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Rome: Ancient Glory Focusing on the grandeur of the classical Rome, we'll marvel at the Colosseum, Pantheon, and Capitoline Museum, before heading out on a bike ride along the ancient Appian Way Originally S7.E1 |
October 1, 2012 |
| 2 |
Rome: Baroque Brilliance Part two in Rome reveals an energetic city bursting with Baroque. Ramble through the heart of Rome, and admire Bernini statues, visit St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, and enjoy an early-evening stroll. Also, Rome's romantic nightspots. Originally S7-E2 |
October 13, 2012 |
| 3 |
Rome: Back-Street Riches In part three in Rome, explore a grand metropolis, rich in art and culture, on a more intimate scale. Delve into Rome's back lanes and unheralded corners and uncover charms of hidden Rome that compete with its marquee sites. Originally S7.E3 |
October 20, 2012 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Milan and Lake Como In Milan we'll take a peek at Italy's highest fashion, fanciest delis, grandest cemetery, and greatest opera house...not to mention Leonardo's "Last Supper." Then we'll cruise Lake Como, settling down in the lakeside village of Varenna. Originally S4.E6 |
November 11, 2006 |
| 2 |
Tuscany's Dolce Vita We enjoy the charms of rural Tuscany's "sweet life" as we hunt for truffles in an oak forest, nibble on artichokes, and cruise through cypress groves in a classic convertible. Originally S4.E7 |
November 18, 2006 |
| 3 |
Italy's Great Hill Towns Italy's quintessential charms survive in its classic hill towns. From San Gimignano's medieval towers to Civita di Bagnoregio's cliff-hanging vistas, all sit on lofty stone perches that now protect them only from the modern world. Originally S4.E8 |
November 25, 2006 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Paris: Regal and Intimate In Paris, we'll cruise the Seine River, pay a visit to Napoleon's tomb, and take in the majestic Louvre. Then we'll shop in a village-like neighborhood, attend church in a pipe organ loft, and celebrate Bastille Day. Originally S7.E6 |
|
| 2 |
Paris: Embracing Life and Art We'll ride a unicorn into the Middle Ages at Paris' Cluny Museum, get a heavenly look at stained glass in Sainte-Chapelle, go on a tombstone pilgrimage at Père Lachaise Cemetery, and savor the Parisian cafe scene. Originally S7.E7 |
|
| 3 |
Highlights of Paris: Eiffel and Monet to Crème Brulee Packing the best of Paris into one episode, we scale the Eiffel Tower, savor steak tartare and creme brulee, meander in Montmartre, and marvel at the Orsay's Monets and Manets. Originally S3.E6 |
October 9, 2004 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Normandy: War-Torn Yet Full of Life With its thought-provoking sights, delicious cuisine, and idyllic coastline, it's no wonder Normandy is both a Mecca for history buffs and a popular getaway for Parisians. Originally S3.E3 |
September 18, 2004 |
| 2 |
Provence: Legendary Light, Wind, and Wine Discover the wonders of southern France as we savor Roman ruins in Nîmes, a papal palace in Avignon, Van Gogh's vivid views in Arles, and the vineyards of the Côtes du Rhône. Originally S3.E8 |
October 23, 2004 |
| 3 |
French Riviera: Uniquely Chic Here in the Cote d'Azur, we stroll the promenades in Nice, eavesdrop on the reshuffling of fortunes at Monaco's casino, and visit the elegant villas of artists and heiresses. Originally S3.E9 |
October 30, 2004 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Munich and the Foothills of the Alps We experience quintessential Germany - and that means southern Bavaria: fairy-tale castles, the exciting city of Munich, and fun in the breathtaking Alps. Originally S2.E13 |
|
| 2 |
Germany's Romantic Rhine and Rothenburg We explore storybook Germany - setting aside its modern urbanity to enjoy the charms of its medieval walled towns, riverside villages, and evocative ruins. Originally S2.E12 |
November 23, 2002 |
| 3 |
Germany's Black Forest and Cologne Europe's our playground--and Germany's in the heart of the fun. After a stop at historic Cologne we ride the train to the resort spa of Baden Baden, then hop south through the highlights of the Black Forest. Originally S1.E6 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Vienna In Vienna, we'll explore the palace, picnic on the Danube, bake a strudel, visit an extraordinary Gothic cathedral, chase butterflies, marvel at the crown jewels, and (of course) do a little waltzing. Originally S4.E9 |
November 25, 2006 |
| 2 |
Vienna and the Danube This time we're celebrating the good life in Vienna - elegant parks, imperial art collections, and great music - before heading out to explore the romantic Danube River Valley. Originally S5.E6 |
|
| 3 |
Salzburg and Surroundings In Salzburg, we'll explore the delightful old town, enjoy Mozart in a palace, and relax in a beer garden; then we'll settle into a farmhouse B&B, survive a mountain luge run, and cruise to one of the jewels of Austria's Lake District. Originally S4.E10 |
December 9, 2006 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
London: Historic and Dynamic In 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, and straddle the Prime Meridian at Greenwich. Originally S7.E8 |
|
| 2 |
North Wales: Feisty and Poetic In North Wales we'll climb a mountain aboard a steam train, learn some Welsh, follow a miner deep into a slate mine, herd sheep with a very clever dog, and work in a pop pilgrimage to the Beatles' Liverpool. Originally S4.E2 |
October 14, 2006 |
| 3 |
England's Bath and York We explore Roman hot springs and quiet Georgian canals in Bath, then head to medieval York to marvel at England's finest Gothic church and get a surprising dose of Viking history. Originally S4.E1 |
October 7, 2006 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Dublin and Mystical Side Trips From its ancient past to its struggles for independence, Dublin is the capital of a nation with a rich history, an irrepressible spirit and an always-lively pub scene. Originally S2.E8 |
October 26, 2002 |
| 2 |
South Ireland: Waterford to the Ring of Kerry Nicknamed "the island of saints and scholars," Ireland is also known as "the terrible beauty" for its bittersweet mix of political struggles, hunger, friendly people, and gorgeous landscapes. Originally S2.E9 |
November 2, 2002 |
| 3 |
The Best of West Ireland: Dingle, Galway, and the Aran Islands We'll explore the far west of Ireland, home to remote islands, bustling Galway, dramatic cliffs, and the charming fishing town of Dingle, with its scenic peninsula. Originally S3.E10 |
November 9, 2002 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Copenhagen Join Rick as we taste, pedal, and cruise our way through Scandinavia's most fun-loving capital - Copenhagen. Originally S5.E10 |
|
| 2 |
Denmark Beyond Copenhagen Using Copenhagen as a springboard, we'll visit the very best of Denmark, from the open-air museum at Aarhus, to the Viking ship museum in royal Roskilde, to the delightfully quaint island of Aero. Originally S5.E11 |
|
| 3 |
Norway's West: Fjords, Mountains, and Bergen Join Rick as we explore Norway's rugged west. We'll sail through majestic fjords and hike powerful glaciers before enjoying the salty hospitality of the country's historic capital, Bergen. Originally S6.E8 |
November 20, 2010 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Prague We'll visit beautifully preserved Prague to experience its massive castle, evocative Jewish Quarter, thrilling history, infectious music... and perhaps the best beer in Europe. |
|
| 2 |
The Czech Republic Beyond Prague We'll venture beyond Prague to experience a whirlwind of Art Nouveau, local pub music, stinky cheese, and peat bathing. Then we'll tour a Holocaust memorial in Terezín and the charming castle town of Český Krumlov. |
|
| 3 |
Poland Rediscovered: Krakow, Auschwitz, and Warsaw We'll witness the cobbled charm of bubbly , Boaroque Kraków, make a soul-searching side-trip to Auschwitz, and see what's turned Warsaw into a lively, thriving capital once again. |
November 6, 2004 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Barcelona and Catalunya We'll galavant through the vibrant streets of Barcelona, with its artistic wonders and tasty tapas, then out to nearby sights in the proudly distinct region of Catalunya. |
|
| 2 |
Basque Country The homeland of the proud Basque people is split between France and Spain. From San Sebastian, we'll tour the ancient Basque capital of Guernica and the Guggenheim Bilbao. Then we'll cross into France to experience Basque culture at its most vivid. |
|
| 3 |
Northern Spain and the Camino de Santiago We'll follow the pilgrimage trail from the French border to Santiago de Compostela in the northwest corner of Spain. Along the way, we'll run with the bulls in Pamplona and dive into the unique Celtic culture of Galicia. |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Lisbon WE'll stroll Lisbon's waterfront and back lanes, and hear some foulful fado music. Then we'll head over to Sintra to explore it's fanciful castles and ramparts with grand views. |
|
| 2 |
Portugal's Heartland We'll dance on the beach at Nazaré, marvel at Batalha's abbey, revel with the students in Coimbra, savor port wine, and get to know Portugal's fascinating second city of Porto |
|
| 3 |
The Best of Sicily In Palermo we'll sing with the merchants, drop in on a contessa, and join in the passeggiata. Then we'll sip wine near Mount Etna, ponder Greek and Roman relics, and relax in Taormina. |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Amsterdam Uniquely entertaining Amsterdam shows off its Rembrands and Van Goghs, rivers of bikes, and pot-filled coffeeshops - all under gabled facades leaning out over the placid canals. |
|
| 2 |
The Netherlands: Beyond Amsterdam Zipping from Haarlem to Rotterdam, from Delft to the former Zuiderzee, we'll enjoy the fragrant cheese markets, soggy polder land, charming towns, and windmills both new and old. |
|
| 3 |
Belgium: Bruges and Brussels We'll explore Belgium as a land of contrasts, from Brussels - with its powerhouse EU headquarters and Europe's grandest square - to back-lane bike rides in the quaint little Bruges. |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Istanbul In Istanbul, we'll wander through the Grand Bazaar, the fragrant Spice Market, and the treasures of Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and Topkapi Palace. Then we'll cruise the Bosphorus, make friends over backgammon, and try a traditional Turkish bath. |
|
| 2 |
Western Turkey After kicking off in Kuşadası, we'll wander ancient Ephesus, soak in a natural spa at Pamakkale, learn why dervishes whirl in Konya, and sail the Med on a gulet from Antalya. |
|
| 3 |
Central Turkey In Turkey, we'll marvel at the fascinating landscape of Cappadocia from high above in a balloon... and from deep below, prowling an underground city where Christians once hid out. |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
European Festivals Joining Rick, we'll run with the bulls at Pamplona, don a mask in Venice for Carnevale, dance with the Spaniards at the April Fair, cheer on the horses at Siena's Palio, hoist a frothy stein at Munich's Oktoberfest, toss a caber at a Scottish Highland Games, and more. No museums... just Europe at play. |
|
| 2 |
Cruising the Mediterranenan We'll sail from Barcelona to Athens, with stops in the French Riviera, Rome, and more. Our goal: to explore the ins and outs and pros and cons of cruising. We'll learn how to make the most of the cruise experience, from enjoying time on the ship to exercising independence on shore - savoring iconic sights and romantic island getaways. |
|
| 3 |
Iran We'll explore the most surprising and fascinating land Rick's ever visited: Iran. We'll discover the splendid monuments of Iran's glorious past, learn more about the recent history of this perplexing nation, and experience modern Iranian life in it's historic capital and in a countryside village. And we'll meet the people of. this nation, whose government so exasperates our own. |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
European Christmas From England to Norway, Burgundy to Bavaria, and Rome to the top of the Swiss Alps, this hour-long special gets you a seat at the family feast, saves you a pew up in the lofts with the finest choirs, and hands you a rolling pin in grandma's kitchen as she labors over her best-kept holiday secrets. You'll join Romans cooking up female eels, Parisians slurping up oysters, Tuscans tossing fruit cakes, and Norwegian kids winning marzipan pigs. Exploring the rich and fascinating mix of traditions - Christians, pagen, commercial, and edible - you'll see Christmas in a new light. |
|
| 2 |
European Easter On this springtime journey through Spain, Slovenia, Italy, and Greece, we'll celebrate the 2,000-year-old story of Easter in a variety of cultures. Feel the emotion of Holy Week as we join the solemn parades and raucous small-town festivities full of feasting and fireworks. Exploring a rich and fascinating mix of traditions - from Easter's pagan roots to its glorious finale- this one-hour special sheds new light on this timeless holiday. |
|
| 3 |
Europe Through the Back Door TV Pilot (1989) In 1989, a gawky 34-year-old Rick Steves, with his big glasses and trademark backpack, was introduced to the public television through a TV pilot called "travel Through the Back Door." Join Rick on his journey into making his first travel show, which would eventually become one of America's most beloved travel series, Rick Steves' Europe. Rick visits his favorite "back door" destinations and shares tips on traveling smart and appreciating Europes's most magnificent art and its rich history. |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hunger and Hope: Lessons from Ethiopia and Guatemala | |
| 2 | Egypt: Yesterday and Today | |
| 3 | Best of the Alps |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | European Travel Skills Part I | |
| 2 | European Travel Skills Part II | |
| 3 | European Travel Skills Part III |
Production
Release
| First aired | October 1, 2012 |
|---|---|
| Last aired | October 9, 2020 |
| Status | continue |