Sitting on the sunny side of the Alps, Slovenia feels almost Tyrolean. In Ljubljana, Slovenia's capital and largest city with over 300,000 people, festivals fill the summer, sophisticated cafes thrive, and people enjoy Sunday strolls any day of the week. 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 mid nineteenth century, Bulgaria underwent a cultural revival. Bulgaria's new-found wealth led to ornate buildings complete with fine furnishings and opulent sitting rooms. Today, folk groups keep traditional Bulgarian culture alive through dance and music performances. 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.

While visitors to Wales are greeted with bi-lingual signs and English-speaking locals, the Welsh language and culture remain alive and vibrant through the many songs and poetry composed and recited in the native language. A trip to Wales isn't complete without a jaunt into the beautiful countryside where dogs tend sheep and happy travelers leave with woolly sweaters. 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.

Made up of 3 lakes spanning more than 20 miles in length, the Caledonian Canal slices Scotland in half, and provides a shipping route through, rather than around, the country. The canal's most famous stretch, Loch Ness, thrives on tourism surrounding the lake's famous so-called resident Nessie. 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 1812, after Russia won Finland in a battle against Sweden, the capital moved to Helsinki. Just over 100 years later, Finland gained independence from Russia in 1917 and began developing into what would become a crowning highlight of the Baltic coast. 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.

The only surviving wonder of the ancient world, Egypt's pyramid of Cheops takes up 13 acres of land, and overlooks the neighboring pyramids belonging to this pharaoh's son and grandson. Experts speculate it took one hundred thousand laborers roughly 20 years to build the pyramid of Cheops alone. 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.

Jerusalem's most important site to those of the Jewish faith, Temple Mount operates as an open-air synagogue. The Western wall of Judaism's most sacred site is actually an extension of Solomon's original temple, rebuilt by King Harod in 31 b.c. 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.

Spending a day in Tangier might not be the ideal way to experience Morocco, but at just an hour's crossing by boat from Spain it makes for a day full of adventure. To make the most of your time in Africa, consider a reliable and well organized tour out of Tarifa, Spain that will cover sights and activities in and around Tangier. 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.

13th Century Ehrenburg castle was located strategically along the Via Claudia Augusta, a thoroughfare which connected Venice to Germany by way of the Alps. Today, the stark and brooding ruins of Ehrenburg Castle provide a striking contrast to King Ludwig's fantastical Neuschwanstein. 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.

Tourists and adventurers alike flock to Switzerland's ultimate perch - the Jungfraujoch. At 11,000 feet, the station sits between two of the region's highest mountain peaks. 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.

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.

Brunelleschi's dome, topping the Duomo in Florence, is the highlight of the often-overlooked, first century of the Italian Renaissance. Built in 1420, Brunelleschi's dome ignited an architectural Renaissance that can still be experienced today. Tourists climb 500 steps to the top in a hollow space Brunelleschi devised to make the dome lighter, therefore ultimately able to stand. 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.

Five hundred years ago, Dubrovnik was a major power with the third biggest navy in the Mediterranean. Today, Dubrovnik is the pearl of the Adriatic, jutting confidently out the sea. The city's 15th Century walls, kid-friendly squares, and traffic-free old town are just some of the chrams Dubrovnik has in store for travelers. 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.

Once the biggest palace for the ultimate King, the Louvre now houses the world's grandest art gallery with over 300,000 works of art. First open to the pubic after the French Revolution in 1793, the Louvre is one of the oldest museums in the world. 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.

Rothenburg once one of Germany's largest cities with a population of 6,000 residents, is today a charming tourist destination. For great views and a good orientation, hike Rothenburg's mile-long wall and climb the city's tower. 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.

The power of Ancient Greece is best felt wandering around the remains of its temples. Built in the 5th Century B.C. for the Goddess Athena, the Parthenon is considered the greatest Classical temple in the Greek world. Nestled at the foot of the Acropolis, the modern agora, or market, surrounds the ancient agora where Athenians have traded for over 3000 years. 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.

With its sea-front promenade, fine museums and sunny coastline, Nice is the enjoyable, big-city highlight of the Riviera. Much loved for its blues seas and blue skies, since the Nineteenth Century, Nice is the place for Europeans to socialize, gamble and escape the dreary weather. 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.

Florence's city hall, once the palace of the ruling Medici family, towers over the main square and overlooks a copy of Michelangelo's David. The original David is the centerpiece of the nearby Accademia gallery, which houses a series of Michelangelo's unfinished statues as well. Looking at David in this temple of humanism is looking at Renaissance man. 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.

The Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame Cathedral top tourists' lists as the great icons of Paris. Built in 1889 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution, the Eiffel Tower is a marvel of the Industrial Age and trumpets progress and man's ingenuity. Meanwhile, centered on the Isle de la Cite, Notre Dame sits atop what centuries ago was a Roman temple. Construction began in 1163 and lasted 200 years, resulting in one of the city's most notable sites. 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 visit to Baden-Baden's baths are a highlight for any visitor. Choose between the kid-friendly Caracalla Baths or the ritualistic Roman-Irish Friedrich's Bath. 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.

The Black Forest is a hit with holiday goers, city folk, and families. Fresh air, great views, and wide-open spaces attract travelers looking for a bright and sunny vacation spot where local dialects still survive, and traditions are strong. 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.