From Rick Steves’ Europe. Iceland’s unofficial mascot is the Atlantic puffin (Fratercula arctica)—that adorably stout, tuxedo-clad seabird with a too-big orange beak and beady black eyes. Some 10 million puffins summer in Iceland—the largest population of any country on earth. They usually arrive in Iceland in April/May, then take off again at summer’s end—making the…

From Rick Steves’ Europe. The Húsavik Whale Museum, housed in an abandoned slaughterhouse, offers an informative look at Iceland’s native whales. You’ll first learn about whale evolution—including the surprising hypothesis that whales may have evolved from a four-legged, hoofed land mammal (an artiodactyl) that lived some 50 million years ago. You’ll then see an actual…

From Rick Steves’ Europe. Iceland’s South Coast—stretching from Vík about 40 miles west to the Markárfljót river and Seljalandsfoss waterfall—is one of Iceland’s most enjoyable corners. Within this hour-long stretch you’ll encounter black sand beaches, scenic promontories, hikeable and touchable glaciers, a pleasant folk museum, and two spectacular waterfalls. On the way back to Reykjavík,…

From Rick Steves’ Europe. When people around the world talk about geysers, most don’t realize they’re referencing a place in Iceland: Geysir (GAY-seer), which literally means “the gusher.” While the original Geysir geyser is no longer very active, the geothermal field around it still steams, boils, and bubbles nonstop, regularly punctuated by a dramatic eruption…

From Rick Steves’ Europe. The Blue Lagoon—arguably Iceland’s most famous attraction—is tucked into a jagged volcanic landscape in the middle of nowhere, about a 45-minute drive south of downtown Reykjavík and not far from the international airport. People flock here from around the globe to soak, splash, and bob in the lagoon’s thermal and, yes,…

From Rick Steves’ Europe. Season 13 of Rick Steves’ Europe features 11 all-new episodes. Stow away with Rick as he experiences the local culture, history, cuisine, and fun with two episodes each in Iceland (Reykjavík with the Golden Circle, Ring Road), Poland (Kraków, Warsaw with Gdańsk), Istanbul (Turkish Delights, Capital of Emperors and Sultans), and…

From Rick Steves’ Europe. Getting up to date in London, we jog with locals in Hyde Park, marvel at cultural treasures in the British Museum and Victoria and Albert Museum, and nibble through a trendy East End food tour before luxuriating over afternoon tea. Then we celebrate London’s regeneration as it turns industrial wastelands into…

From Rick Steves’ Europe. Our royal tour of London starts with red-coat pageantry at Buckingham Palace. Riding red buses, black cabs, and the Tube, we pop into the Houses of Parliament at Westminster and visit Churchill’s underground war rooms — a World War II time warp. After looking into the eyes of those who put the…

From Rick Steves’ Europe. In Istanbul, we sample the wonders of this city that bridges two continents. After cruising the busy port of the Bosphorus, we dive into the Grand Bazaar, where endless shops enchant visitors. Then we stroll along the Golden Horn, watch dervishes whirl in their captivating spiritual trance, and zip by tram…

From Rick Steves’ Europe. Istanbul’s rich heritage spans the centuries from Christian Byzantium to Muslim Ottoman rule to today’s thriving city. We start our look back at the Roman-tinged Hippodrome, then indulge in the ancient ritual of the Turkish bath. We take in the Blue Mosque and the grand Hagia Sophia, taste Turkish delight at…

From Rick Steves’ Europe. Paris is a world-class city — but also one that to millions is simply home. On this adventure, we’re going local. We start at the city’s proud symbol, the Eiffel Tower, then cruise the Seine before exploring a few distinctive neighborhoods. We visit the market for fresh food and flowers, window-shop…

From Rick Steves’ Europe. From north to south, Italy is a nonstop highlight reel. On this whirlwind look back through our travels, we sample la dolce vita in seductive Venice and Renaissance titan Florence, then soak up the Italian Riviera and the hill towns of Tuscany and Umbria. We touch down in the historical epicenter…

From Rick Steves’ Europe. We set a course on a tranquil cruise of the rivers and canals of France’s Burgundy region. Aboard a century-old barge-turned-hotel, we’re treated to a relaxing pace and natural beauty — plus plenty of gourmet meals and fine wine. Stops for a hike or bike ride help us work up our…

From Rick Steves’ Europe. In Kraków, we linger on one of Europe’s most crowd-pleasing squares, marvel at past glories in art galleries and at Wawel Castle, and savor Polish cuisine — including a lesson in making pierogi by hand. Nearby, the communist-planned town of Nowa Huta offers a nostalgic spin through the Cold War days,…

From Rick Steves’ Europe. Warsaw, the heartbeat of contemporary Poland, is gilded with a grand palace, home to a hard-fought 20th-century history, and busy with Chopin concerts. After a stop at the gingerbread bakeries in red-brick Toruń, we ogle the massive Teutonic Knight fortress of Malbork. Finishing in maritime Gdańsk, we experience handsome Hanseatic townhouses, amber…

From Rick Steves’ Europe. Europe’s ultimate road trip is the 800-mile loop around Iceland on Highway 1 — the Ring Road. We visit the geothermal hot zone of Lake Mývatn, the rugged Eastfjords, the glacier lagoons of the Southeast, the waterfalls and beaches of the South Coast, and side trip to the Westman Islands to…

From Rick Steves’ Europe. Reykjavík is a world capital with a small-town feel. We tour the city’s endearing sights, get to know the uniquely Icelandic way of life, and take a dip in a thermal pool. Then we side-trip into majestic Icelandic nature: its famous Blue Lagoon; the classic Golden Circle, bubbling geysers, thundering waterfalls,…

From Rick Steves’ Europe. Get a 30-second peek at Rick Steves Best of Paris special now premiering across the US on public television — check your local listings. Also streaming at https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/video/tv-show/best-of-paris In this one-hour celebration of the "City of Light” we cruise the Seine, marvel at the stained-glass glory of Sainte-Chapelle, dance on the…