Rick Steves' Europe

- Season 3

(2004)

Experiencing Madrid at its fun-loving best, we stare down a flamenco dancer, nibble pigs' ears, and ogle lavish palaces before side-tripping for some unforgettable history.

In Castile - Roman Segovia, walled Ávila, youthful Salamanca, and holy Toledo - we marvel at art, pop perky pickles, ramble ramparts, and enjoy Europe's most enchanting square.

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.

We tour bustling Belfast, sneaking a peek at its politically charged neighborhoods, then head for the scenic Antrim Coast and go wild in the seaside resort of Portrush.

London is both quintessentially English and thoroughly cosmopolitan - a city where the new and modern seem to mingle enthusiastically with the old and traditional.

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.

We 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 quaint little Bruges.

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.

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.

In Poland, we witness the cobbled charm of bubbly, Baroque Kraków; make a soul-searching side-trip to Auschwitz; and see what's turned Warsaw into a lively, thriving capital once again.

In grand, inviting Budapest, we visit fascinating relics of the city's difficult past, relax in thermal baths and elegant cafes, and cruise the Danube under floodlit monuments.

We enjoy the good life in Lisbon, a ramshackle mix of glorious old and fun-loving new, then head for the pristine beaches of Portugal's sunny south coast - the Algarve.

We'll explore flamboyant Sevilla, where orange trees ring lacy palaces, bullfighting is still a cultural event, and little girls dream of growing up to become flamenco dancers.

Join Rick Steves for a colorful, musical celebration of Christmas across Europe. From England to Wales, France, Norway, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy, you'll see the bright Christmas markets, hear local choirs, share holiday traditions with families...and even play in the snow.