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.

In times of crisis and challenge, we ask ourselves: What is the true value of travel? Is it just hedonism...or something more powerful? After a lifetime of exploring Europe Rick Steves shares his reasons why. This special episode is a sonnet to travel — an introspective love story, set in Europe, that vividly celebrates the rewards of exploring our world and the joy that awaits those who travel.

Travel lovers unite! Rick highlights the places he'd love to visit when we can travel again, in a montage of destinations including Sicily, Mykonos, England’s Cotswolds, Tuscany and Romania.

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.