Rick Steves' Europe

- Season 5

(2008)

Slowing down to savor Burgundy's historic, scenic, and edible delights, we revel in the rich traditions of this serene region, where nature is as sophisticated as the people.

We explore the dramatic castles, prehistoric cave paintings, and prized cuisine of the Dordogne River Valley, with its unforgettable blend of man-made and natural beauty.

Galavant with Rick 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.

Rick explores Europe's "microstates": Powerful Vatican City, the city-state of San Marino, alpine Liechtenstein, fairy-tale Monaco, and little Andorra, high in the Pyrenees.

Focusing on Switzerland's often-overlooked urban charms, we make stops in lakeside Luzern, cobbled Bern, spire-filled Zürich, and sophisticated Lausanne.

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.

To get a fair look at any country, you need to venture beyond its dominant city. Here in the Czech Republic there's a world of cultural riches and offbeat delights outside of Prague - and here, that's our focus.

At a time when Rome was just a village, it was here in Athens that the foundations of our Western civilization were laid. And today, in the mist of such a rich heritage, the vibrant capital of Greece still thrives.

The real heart of Greece is found in the Peloponnese - where the peninsula's wild, mountainous landscape has hosted the rise and fall of cultures for centuries.

Join Rick as we taste, pedal, and cruise our way through Scandinavia's most fun-loving capital - 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.

For thousands of years, Istanbul - where East meets West - has been the crossroads of civilizations. Few places on earth have seen more history than this sprawling metropolis on the Bosphorus.

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In this first of two shows on Iran, Rick dodges traffic in Tehran, enjoys the tranquility of a nearby village, and encounters both anti-American propaganda and a warm welcome from everyday Iranians.

In the second of two shows on Iran, Rick explores the country's historic capitals: Persepolis, with its splendid monuments; Shiraz, with the tombs of Iran's beloved poets; and Isfahan, with its extraordinary mosques and endearing people.