After Rome fell, Europe spent a thousand years in its Middle Ages. Its art shows how the light of civilization flickered in monasteries and on Europe's fringes: Christian Byzantium, Moorish Spain, and pagan Vikings. Then, around A.D. 1000, Europe rebounded. The High Middle Ages brought majestic castles, radiant Gothic cathedrals, and exquisite art that dazzled the faithful and the secular alike.

The Romans gave Europe its first taste of a common culture — and awe-inspiring art. From its groundbreaking architecture to its statues, mosaics, and frescos, Rome engineered bigger and better than anyone before. At its peak, the Roman Empire was a society of unprecedented luxury, with colossal arenas for entertaining the masses and giant monuments to egotistical emperors. And then it fell.

As the Ice Age glaciers melted, European civilization was born — and with it, so was art. From the Stone Age came prehistoric art: mysterious tombs, mighty megaliths, and vivid cave paintings. Then the Egyptians and the Greeks laid the foundations of Western art — creating a world of magical gods, massive pyramids, sun-splashed temples, and ever-more-lifelike statues.

In this one-hour special, Rick Steves travels across the Alps with scenic train rides, breathtaking lifts, majestic glaciers, and unforgettable hikes.

All aboard! Enjoy this unforgettable voyage with Rick Steves as he tours four of Europe's most intriguing and surprising islands: Malta, Capri, Orkney, and Skye. We'll island-hop to remote beaches, Crusader castles, a Blue Grotto, prehistoric wonders, and salty traditional island lifestyles.

Rick Stevesʻ European Easter celebrates this 2,000-year-old story in a variety of cultures. From ancient rituals of woolly beasts scaring winter away in Slovenia, elegant masked carnival parties in Venice to crowds that fill St. Peter’s Square in Rome and more, explore the rich and fascinating mix of traditions — from its pagan roots to its glorious finale - in this program.

Go behind the scenes with archaeologists and scientists as they venture through Africa – from the Pyramids to the glaciers of Mt. Kilimanjaro – in search of clues to solve the mystery of the mass grave, examining the political and environmental catastrophes that plunged Egypt and its people into anarchy.

Samantha visits the New Mexico Capitol Art Collection; hikes to the peak of Dale Ball Trail #9 overlooking the entire city, and then navigates the Margarita Trail of Santa Fe at the legendary Cowgirl BBQ.

Switzerland has a beauty that goes unmatched. Mountains, shimmering lakes, vibrant cities, terraced vineyards… all housed in a small but mighty country. Switzerland is also home to some of the friendliest people on the planet, and getting to know those behind Swiss traditions and treasures is well worth it.

The Fetes de Bayonne is one of the largest celebrations in Europe, and Mickela attends this giant party to learn the traditions of the French Basque Country.