30 miles south of Prague is Konopiste, the lavish residence of the arch duke Franz Ferdinand, heir of the Hapsburg throne. While waiting his turn to become emperor, Ferdinand turned this castle into a palace with all the latest comforts, amassed one of the world's best collections of arms and armor,...

Among Europe's grandiose palaces, only Schonbrunn rivals Versailles, with over 1,400 rooms in the Baroque and Rococo style. In room after luxurious room, the palace heralds the story of the Hapsburg's powerful reign. For more information on the Rick Steves' Europe TV series — including episode des...

The real charm of Lausanne lies in its charming lakefront. From local office workers to roller bladers strutting their stuff, the promenade is a great place for tourists to catch a glimpse of city life. For more information on the Rick Steves' Europe TV series — including episode descriptions, scr...

Located just a few miles inland from the Adriatic coast, the Republic of San Marino brags it's the world's oldest and smallest republic. It's remained sovereign and independent from Italy through almost all its 1700-year history. Located in the rugged Apennine Mountains, San Marino takes you back to...

See Rick's full show on Barcelona coming this fall to your local PBS station. Barcelona's Eixample neighborhood is an architectural showcase for residents and tourists alike. Buildings adorned with, and inspired by Modernisma, Catalan's version of Art Nouveau, line the Block of Discord with characte...

See Rick's full show on the Dordogne River coming this fall to your local PBS station. Six centuries ago, the Dordogne River separated warring England and France during the Hundred Year's War. Today, tourists float along the lazy Dordogne exploring riverside castles and villages. For more informatio...

See Rick's full show on Burgundy coming this fall to your local PBS station. Burgundy, like much of France, is laced with canals just made for spending lazy afternoons gliding by pastoral scenes. From small captain-it-yourself boats to full-service barges complete with captain and crew, cruising a c...

Flowers are big business in Holland. Every day, 21 million flowers are sent from Aalsmeer's flower auction hall to destinations across Europe and around the world. Visitors can take in all the action from the building's five auction halls where over a thousand wholesalers bid on trainloads of flower...

Inishmore, at eight miles long and two miles wide, is the largest of the Aran Islands and also the most populated, interesting and visited. Kilronan, the islands' only town, features traditional Irish dancing and music, along with the impressive fort Dun Aengus. For more information on the Rick Stev...

300 years ago, half of what we know as The Netherlands was under water. Slowly, the former seabed was reclaimed and the Dutch went to work drying the ground with the country's leading natural resource - the wind. Over 1000 windmills, some still functioning, survive in the Netherlands today, remindin...

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' Euro...