More than any other city, Venice is the place to get out early, or stay out late, where around each corner is an excuse to savor the magic of the city. Venice's Doges Palace, built to remind visitors that Venice was number one, showed off the wealth and power of the republic. From 1150 to 1550, the Doge's Palace was the most powerful piece of real estate in Europe. For more information on the Rick Steves' Europe TV series — including episode descriptions, scripts, participating stations, travel information on destinations and more — visit www.ricksteves.com.

A tourist's delight, Copenhagen offers a peek at Denmark's Royal Family, an up-close look at the Danish Underground Resistance, and a photo-op with one of the most famous women in Northern Europe, the Little Mermaid, all while maintaining its values of freedom, prosperity and a distinct way of life. For more information on the Rick Steves' Europe TV series — including episode descriptions, scripts, participating stations, travel information on destinations and more — visit www.ricksteves.com.

Built under the rule of Emperor Justinian, the great church Hagia Sophia represents Byzantium at its finest, during the glory days of the 6th Century. Upon completion in 537 A.D., Hagia Sophia's dome earned the superlative of having the largest dome anywhere, until the dome atop the Cathedral in Florence was completed some 900 years later. After the fall of the Byzantium Empire, Hagia Sophia was transformed into a Mosque, which it remains to this day. For more information on the Rick Steves' Europe TV series — including episode descriptions, scripts, participating stations, travel information on destinations and more — visit www.ricksteves.com.

Lined with some of the city's finest sights, Oslo's Karl Johans gate boulevard is an easily-navigable pedestrian zone made for people-watching and tourists. While street musicians line the way, helping give the city a youthful pulse, the best opportunity to mingle with locals, and experience the work of the greatest European sculptor since Rodin, can be found in Vigeland Park. For more information on the Rick Steves' Europe TV series — including episode descriptions, scripts, participating stations, travel information on destinations and more — visit www.ricksteves.com.

Much enjoyed by visitors, the five villages of the Cinque Terre are connected by a series of scenic trails. What some fans of the region don't know is that the villages, Corniglia in particular, produce more than just breathtaking views. Perched along the hillsides, small family vineyards are tended with care; the white wine produced is just another reason to visit Italy's most famous back door. For more information on the Rick Steves' Europe TV series — including episode descriptions, scripts, participating stations, travel information on destinations and more — visit www.ricksteves.com.

Built in the early 20th Century as a romantic tip-of-the-hat to Sweden's past, Stockholm's city hall is an impressive mix of eight million bricks, and local pride. Today, city hall is not only a government building meant to remind officials of their Viking past, but it is also the site of the Nobel prize banquet each December. For more information on the Rick Steves' Europe TV series — including episode descriptions, scripts, participating stations, travel information on destinations and more — visit www.ricksteves.com.

In the 13th Century, engineers built a dam on the Amstel River and the community which gathered there would be named for the Amstel Dam, or what we know as present-day Amsterdam. Today, the city's sprawling and lively Vondel Park offers a fun look of locals at play. For more information on the Rick Steves' Europe TV series — including episode descriptions, scripts, participating stations, travel information on destinations and more — visit www.ricksteves.com.

Commissioned in the 14th Century by the Holy Roman Emperor, the Charles Bridge in Prague offers one of the most pleasant 500-yard strolls in Europe. A gauntlet of sights, shops, and restaurants lead from the bridge to Wenceslas Square, but for many the top Czech tourist attraction is beer. For more information on the Rick Steves' Europe TV series — including episode descriptions, scripts, participating stations, travel information on destinations and more — visit www.ricksteves.com.

Classical Rome lasted for about 1000 years - the first half, run by elected senators, was known as the Republic, while the second half, run by un-elected emperors, is what we call the Empire. The reign of Julius Caesar marked the turning point between Rome the Republic and Rome the Empire when he established a no-nonsense, more disciplined government appointing himself dictator for life and immortalizing his name in what today we call the month of July. For more information on the Rick Steves' Europe TV series — including episode descriptions, scripts, participating stations, travel information on destinations and more — visit www.ricksteves.com.

Since ancient times, the Rhine has been one of the world's busiest rivers and major trading routes. Robber-baron castles placed strategically along the Rhine collected taxes that helped towns get rich. Today, under the watchful eye of once-mighty castles, barges carrying thousand-ton loads and busy trains transport goods and tourists along the river. For more information on the Rick Steves' Europe TV series — including episode descriptions, scripts, participating stations, travel information on destinations and more — visit www.ricksteves.com.