Rick Steves’ Europe: Art of the 20th Century
Europe’s tumultuous 20th century spawned a kaleidoscope of cutting-edge art. From Spain to Hungary, Glasgow to Oslo, we seek out all that’s wild, colorful, surreal, and just plain fun. The fascinating work of Pablo Picasso leads us through the century’s major art styles. And in today’s gleaming cities, we see how a persistent artistic spirit connects us with both our past and an exciting future.
Episodes
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Rick Steves’ Europe: Art of the 20th Century
S12 E1212 - 25m 16s
Europe’s tumultuous 20th century spawned a kaleidoscope of cutting-edge art. From Spain to Hungary, Glasgow to Oslo, we seek out all that’s wild, colorful, surreal, and just plain fun. The fascinating work of Pablo Picasso leads us through the century’s major art styles. And in today’s gleaming cities, we see how a persistent artistic spirit connects us with both our past and an exciting future.
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Rick Steves’ Europe: Art of the Impressionists and Beyond
S12 E1211 - 25m 17s
The late-1800s saw old notions of beauty challenged by revolutionary artists. We enjoy pioneering Impressionist works—Monet’s lilies, Renoir’s ladies, Degas’ snapshots and Rodin’s statues—that capture the joie de vivre of the age. We trace the tempestuous travels of Van Gogh through his incomparable art. And we finish in Spain, with wild and crazy buildings that herald the dawn of a new century.
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Rick Steves’ Europe: Art of the Neoclassical Age
S12 E1210 - 25m 18s
Around 1800, Europe was in transition, reflected in two art styles. First, we visit Europe’s great cities with their stately Neoclassical buildings of columns and domes. Meanwhile, the Revolution has unleashed a call for freedom, both political and personal. We see dramatic Romantic canvases depicting extreme emotions and awesome Nature, and tour dreamy castles—virtual theme parks of Romanticism.
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Rick Steves’ Europe: Baroque Art
S12 E1209 - 25m 36s
Forged in Europe’s religious struggles, Baroque art inspired the faithful and dazzled the masses. We start in Rome, with its awe-inspiring St. Peter’s, fleshy Bernini statues and bubbly fountains. In Belgium, we see the dramatic canvases of Rubens. And finally: the ultimate Baroque palace, Versailles, with its chandeliered Hall of Mirrors and vast gardens where nobles played as Revolution brewed.
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Rick Steves’ Europe: Art of the Renaissance Beyond Florence
S12 E1208 - 25m 39s
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.
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Rick Steves’ Europe: Art of the Florentine Renaissance
S12 E1207 - 25m 18s
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.
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Moving soon to WETA Passport
Rick Steves’ Europe: Art of the High Middle Ages
S12 E1206 - 25m 36s
As Europe passed A.D. 1000, its growing prosperity was reflected in soaring Gothic cathedrals graced with colorful altarpieces, lacy stonework, and radiant stained glass. We visit luxurious castles to see exquisite tapestries showing a new secular love of worldly pleasures and, end in Italy, where pioneering artists like Giotto were mastering realism and pointing the way to the future of art.
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Rick Steves’ Europe: Art of the Early Middle Ages
S12 E1205 - 25m 18s
After Rome’s fall, Europe’s Christians kept culture alive with art rooted in their deep faith. We visit sturdy Romanesque churches filled with art that reinforced the ruling order. Meanwhile, Europe was invigorated from the fringes: Byzantines to the East, with their dazzling mosaics; Spanish Muslims with their lush palaces; and fierce Vikings of the North—all part of Europe’s rich cultural stew.
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Rick Steves’ Europe: Art of the Roman Empire
S12 E1204 - 25m 19s
With its vast empire, ancient Rome gave Europe its first common culture. From England to Turkey, we explore the greatest Roman cities, marveling at their over-the-top art, soaring aqueducts, and crowd-pleasing theaters. As Rome fell, saints replaced Caesars and Christianity filled the vacuum with art-filled churches—preserving the grandeur of imperial Rome and inspiring the Europe to come.
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Rick Steves' Europe: Ancient Roman Art
S12 E1203 - 25m 37s
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.
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Rick Steves' Europe: Art of Ancient Greece
S12 E1202 - 25m 19s
Ancient Greece laid the foundations of Western art. Traveling from its sun-splashed isles to the rugged mainland to bustling Athens, we trace the rise of Greek culture. We marvel at the timeless Acropolis, perfect Parthenon, and Golden Age theaters. And we watch as art evolves from stiff statues to perfectly balanced Venuses to the exuberant Winged Victory, capturing the spirit of the age.
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Rick Steves’ Europe: Art of Prehistoric Europe
S12 E1201 - 25m 18s
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.
Extras + Features
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Delft, Netherlands: Town Square and Delftware
S8 E810 - 3m 5s
We stroll along Delft's idyllic canals and markets, and see how its famous Delftware porcelain is made.
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Padova, Italy: The Scrovegni Chapel
S8 E808 - 3m 32s
Padova’s Scrovegni Chapel, with its precious 14th-century Giotto frescoes, is one of Italy’s most beloved art treasures.
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Berlin, Germany: The Wall and Checkpoint Charlie
S8 E812 - 2m 56s
The Berlin Wall Memorial and Museum House at Checkpoint Charlie educate visitors about Berlin's tumultuous 20th century.
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Fontainebleau, France: Royal Château
S8 E804 - 3m 5s
It seems every king, queen, and emperor since has loved this palace — Louis XIII was born here, Louis XV was married here — but Fontainebleau has more Napoleon Bonaparte connections than any other palace.
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Amsterdam, Netherlands: The Van Gogh Museum
S8 E809 - 2m 52s
The Van Gogh Museum houses the 200 paintings owned by Vincent’s younger brother, Theo — laid out as the story of Vincent's life.
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Prague, Czech Republic: Old Town Square
S8 E811 - 1m 52s
Prague’s Old Town Square is filled with beautifully preserved landmarks: the Gothic Týn Church, a memorial to Jan Hus, and a 15-century Astronomical Clock.
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Güzelyurt, Turkey: Beautiful Land
S8 E802 - 3m 58s
Güzelyurt is the kind of discovery I love to feature in my guidebooks — almost no tourism, lots of history, plenty of character.
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Tel Aviv, Israel: Beautiful Beaches and Tasty Cuisine
S8 E805 - 1m 56s
Tel Aviv is a young, modern city with gleaming new buildings, a beautiful beach scene, and delicious, locally-sourced cuisine.
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Ramallah, Palestine: Cultural Capital
S8 E806 - 2m 14s
Ramallah hosts the Palestinian government and international agencies, and is filled with positive energy from the students at nearby Birzeit University.
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Monterosso al Mare, Italy: Cinque Terre Resort Town
S8 E807 - 2m 39s
Monterosso al Mare is the Cinque Terre's most resorty town of the group, with cars, larger hotels, rentable umbrellas, and the best beach around.
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Cheverny, France: Château and Hounds
S8 E803 - 2m 39s
The stately hunting palace of Cheverny is immaculately preserved, having stayed in the same family for five centuries. The kennel is also worth a visit at dinnertime, when the 70 hunting hounds are fed.
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Antalya, Turkey: Relaxing Gulet Cruise
S8 E801 - 3m 9s
A popular excursion from Antalya is a cruise on a gulet — the traditional Turkish sailboat. Sailing away, we marvel at the dramatic shoreline under snow-capped peaks. Resorts, park-like beaches, and ancient ruins clinging to cliffs are all tucked into this rugged-yet accessible Riviera playground.
Schedule
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Rick Steves' Europe
European Festivals II
Tuesday
Jan 2
30 Minutes
April Fair in Seville, Spain; Bastille Day in Paris; running with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain; Munich's Oktoberfest; a traditional family Christmas; Nuremberg, Germany's holiday market; sledding by torchlight in Switzerland. -
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Rick Steves' Europe
Budapest: The Best of Hungary
Tuesday
Jan 2
30 Minutes
Straddling the Danube River is the Hungarian city of Budapest, with its bridges, mineral baths, old coffeehouses, parks and thriving capitalism. -
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Rick Steves' Europe
The Best of Sicily
Wednesday
Jan 3
30 Minutes
Palermo, Italy; the Romanesque cathedral of Monreale; Mount Etna; cannoli; Greek temples at Agrigento; Roman mosaics at the Villa Romana del Casale; the Greek theater in Taormina. -
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Rick Steves' Europe
Budapest: The Best of Hungary
Wednesday
Jan 3
30 Minutes
Straddling the Danube River is the Hungarian city of Budapest, with its bridges, mineral baths, old coffeehouses, parks and thriving capitalism. -
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Rick Steves' Europe
Budapest: The Best of Hungary
Wednesday
Jan 3
30 Minutes
Straddling the Danube River is the Hungarian city of Budapest, with its bridges, mineral baths, old coffeehouses, parks and thriving capitalism. -
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Rick Steves' Europe
Sicilian Delights
Thursday
Jan 4
30 Minutes
Fresh seafood at the fisherman's harbor in Cefalù, on the northern coast of Sicily; Siracusa; Capuchin crypt; agriturismo; a classic Sicilian banquet. -
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Rick Steves' Europe
Lisbon and the Algarve
Thursday
Jan 4
30 Minutes
The best of Portugal features Lisbon's Fado singers and ornate architecture, and the Algarve's windy Cape Sagres and pristine beaches. -
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Rick Steves' Europe
Sevilla
Thursday
Jan 4
30 Minutes
Bullfighting and flamenco in Sevilla; Moorish palace, cathedral and labyrinthine Jewish quarter in Andalusia. -
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Rick Steves' Europe
Scotland's Highlands
Friday
Jan 5
30 Minutes
The Weeping Glen of Glen Coe; Inverness; the battlefield of Culloden; Stone Age burial grounds and Iron Age island forts; Caledonian Canal; Loch Ness; sheepdog demonstration; traditional folk music. -
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Rick Steves' Europe
Sevilla
Friday
Jan 5
30 Minutes
Bullfighting and flamenco in Sevilla; Moorish palace, cathedral and labyrinthine Jewish quarter in Andalusia. -
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Rick Steves' Europe
Sevilla
Friday
Jan 5
30 Minutes
Bullfighting and flamenco in Sevilla; Moorish palace, cathedral and labyrinthine Jewish quarter in Andalusia. -
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Rick Steves' Europe
Scotland's Islands
Saturday
Jan 6
30 Minutes
The tranquil isle of Iona; Staffa's puffin colony; Isle of Skye's Iron Age forts, thatched crofter huts and Trotternish Peninsula; sailing to Orkney; Scapa Flow. -
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Rick Steves' Europe
England's Bath and York
Saturday
Jan 6
30 Minutes
Roman hot springs; cruising canals; Gothic church; Viking history. -
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Rick Steves' Europe
Rick Steves' Europe: Art of the 20th Century
Saturday
Jan 6
30 Minutes
The wild, colorful, surreal and fun art of the 20th century, from Spain to Hungary to Glasgow to Oslo; the work of Pablo Picasso. -
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Rick Steves' Europe
Tuesday
Jan 9
30 Minutes
Rick Steves' guidebooks, public-radio program and numerous television series have made him an essential resource for travelers wishing to explore Europe. This program finds the knowledgeable host offering globetrotters a fresh perspective on lodgings, transportation and places to visit on their journeys. One thing that hasn't changed, however, is Steves' belief that travelers should become "temporary locals," exploring not only major cities and the usual sites, but out-of-the-way locales that often produce the most authentic, and enjoyable, experiences of a trip. -
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Rick Steves' Europe
North Wales: Feisty and Poetic
Tuesday
Jan 9
30 Minutes
Mount Snowdon; medieval castles; Victorian promenades; slate mine; sheep-herding dog. -
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Rick Steves' Europe
Wednesday
Jan 10
30 Minutes
Rick Steves' guidebooks, public-radio program and numerous television series have made him an essential resource for travelers wishing to explore Europe. This program finds the knowledgeable host offering globetrotters a fresh perspective on lodgings, transportation and places to visit on their journeys. One thing that hasn't changed, however, is Steves' belief that travelers should become "temporary locals," exploring not only major cities and the usual sites, but out-of-the-way locales that often produce the most authentic, and enjoyable, experiences of a trip. -
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Rick Steves' Europe
North Wales: Feisty and Poetic
Wednesday
Jan 10
30 Minutes
Mount Snowdon; medieval castles; Victorian promenades; slate mine; sheep-herding dog. -
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Rick Steves' Europe
Edinburgh
Wednesday
Jan 10
30 Minutes
Edinburgh Castle; the new Scottish Parliament Building; Her Majesty's Yacht Britannia. -
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Rick Steves' Europe
Thursday
Jan 11
30 Minutes
Rick Steves' guidebooks, public-radio program and numerous television series have made him an essential resource for travelers wishing to explore Europe. This program finds the knowledgeable host offering globetrotters a fresh perspective on lodgings, transportation and places to visit on their journeys. One thing that hasn't changed, however, is Steves' belief that travelers should become "temporary locals," exploring not only major cities and the usual sites, but out-of-the-way locales that often produce the most authentic, and enjoyable, experiences of a trip.
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