Rick Steves Europe: Romantics' Europe Station Support

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Rick Steves' Romantics' Europe [519 words]

In this special two-hour adventure, Rick Steves guides his public television travel partners through some of Europe's less-traveled destinations: Barcelona, France's Dordogne River Valley, and the Czech Republic…all vibrant with romantic charms.

Today's Barcelona is teeming with a stylish and enthusiastic passion for good living. Strolling down the Carnival-esque Ramblas—a people-filled celebration of life—we drop in on a grade school where the children speak Catalan first, and Spanish second. Then we join Barcelonans in front of their cathedral for that somber circle dance celebrating their ethnic independence: the Sardana. Pausing under the melted ice-cream eaves designed by beloved Modernista architects, we stop in a characteristic pub to sample the tapas scene. Elbowing our way to the bar, we cobble together a dinner of tasty morsels, fine wine, and new friends.

Next we marvel at the fun-loving art and creative spirit of three leading Catalunyans. Donning hardhats, we climb Antoni Gaudí's unfinished Sagrada Família church. Then we trace the evolution of Pablo Picasso's art, from the remarkably realistic art of his youth—when he painted like an adult—to the radical rule-breaking art of his maturity, when he declared, "At last I've learned to paint as a child." Later, we stand upon the tomb of Salvador Dalí precisely as he wished—surrounded by the finest collection of Surrealist art in Europe.

Then, traveling to France's Dordogne River Valley, we enjoy the distinctly French good life. Canoeing past troglodyte villages, we beach our boat in stony and venerable Beynac, where the aristocratic lady of the castle welcomes us by candlelight into the Middle Ages. At Lascaux, we strap on headlamps, climb into a cave, and travel back 20,000 years to be awe-inspired by the "Sistine Chapel of the prehistoric age." Here—with the help of a local guide—we actually feel a kinship with the Magdalenian people. And after walking with a farmer through her goose farm to witness the gavage (force-feeding), we willingly gorge—at least vicariously—on goose livers, enjoying the region's prized cuisine laced with its much-loved, if controversial, delicacy: foie gras.

Finally, in the Czech Republic, we see charming sights beyond the much-loved, yet over-touristed capital of Prague. Venturing where most travelers rarely go, we soak in a peat bath that has all the elegance and delicacy of a communist gulag. We trace the romantic stuggles of the Czech people through the Art Nouveau genius of Alfons Mucha and his Slav Epic—perhaps Europe's most beautiful series of paintings, displayed in one of its ugliest towns. We hop a raft and splash down a dreamy river, through Bohemia and into the fairy-tale town of Český Krumlov. And there's no better way to cap a day in the Czech countryside than to dance to a Gypsy band, while quaffing a beer so good it keeps underemployed locals from immigrating West in search of better jobs.

Don't miss this two-hour adventure. Stow away with public television's favorite tour guide to enjoy the romantic and quirky charms of Spain, France, and the Czech Republic.

Rick Steves' new special, Romantics' Europe, airs Xday, March xx at xpm on KXXX.

Rick Steves' Romantics' Europe [371 words]

Today's Barcelona is teeming with a stylish and enthusiastic passion for good living. Stroll with Rick down the Carnival-esque Ramblas, a people-filled celebration of local life. Drop in on a grade school where the children speak Catalan first, and Spanish second. Then join Barcelonans in front of their cathedral for that somber circle dance celebrating their ethnic independence: the Sardana. Marvel with Rick at the fun-loving art and creative spirit of three leading Catalunyans: Climb Antoni Gaudí's unfinished Sagrada Família church, trace the evolution of Pablo Picasso's art, and stand upon the tomb of Salvador Dalí precisely as he wished—surrounded by the finest collection of Surrealist art in Europe.

Next we travel to France's Dordogne River Valley. Canoeing past troglodyte villages, Rick beaches his boat in stony and venerable Beynac, where the aristocratic lady of the castle welcomes him by candlelight into the Middle Ages. Then, at Lascaux, strap on headlamps, climb into a cave, and travel back 20,000 years to be awe-inspired by the "Sistine Chapel of the prehistoric age." Here—with the help of a local guide—we actually feel a kinship with the Magdalenian people. And after walking with a farmer through her goose farm to witness the gavage (force-feeding), we willingly gorge—at least vicariously—on goose livers, enjoying the region's prized cuisine.

Finally, in the Czech Republic, Rick ventures where tourists rarely go. Soak with Rick in a peat bath with all the elegance and delicacy of a communist gulag. Trace the romantic stuggles of the Czech people through the Art Nouveau genius of Alfons Mucha and his Slav Epic. Hop a raft and splash with Rick down a dreamy river through Bohemia and into the fairy-tale town of Český Krumlov. And there's no better way to cap a day in the Czech countryside than to dance to a Gypsy band, while quaffing a beer so good it keeps underemployed locals from immigrating West in search of better jobs.

Rick Steves' new special, Romantics' Europe, airs Xday, March xx at xpm on KXXX.

Rick Steves' Romantics' Europe [276 words]

In this special two-hour adventure, Rick Steves guides his public television travel partners through Barcelona, France's Dordogne River Valley, and the Czech Republic…all vibrant with romantic charms.

In Barcelona, stroll with Rick down the Carnival-esque Ramblas, a people-filled celebration of local life. Drop in on a grade school where the children speak Catalan first, and Spanish second. Then join Barcelonans in front of their cathedral for that somber circle-dance celebrating their ethnic independence: the Sardana. And experience the fun-loving art and creative spirit of three leading Catalunyans: Antoni Gaudí, Pablo Picasso, and Salvador Dalí.

Next we travel to France's Dordogne River Valley. Canoeing past troglodyte villages, Rick beaches his boat in Beynac where the aristocratic lady of the castle welcomes him by candlelight into the Middle Ages. Then, at Lascaux, climb into a cave and travel back 20,000 years to be awe-inspired by the "Sistine Chapel of the prehistoric age." And walk with a farmer through her goose farm to witness the gavage (force-feeding), before savoring the region's prized cuisine, laced by the controversial foie gras.

Finally, in the Czech Republic, soak with Rick in a peat bath with all the elegance and delicacy of a communist gulag. Trace the romantic stuggles of the Czech people through the Art Nouveau genius of Alfons Mucha and his Slav Epic. And ride a raft down a dreamy river through Bohemia and into the fairy-tale town of Český Krumlov. And there's no better way to cap a day in the Czech countryside than to dance to a Gypsy band while quaffing what may be Europe's best beer.

Rick Steves' Romantics' Europe airs Xday, March xx at xpm on KXXX.

Rick Steves' Romantics' Europe [116 words]

In this special two-hour adventure, Rick Steves takes us to some of Europe's less-traveled destinations: Barcelona, France's Dordogne River Valley, and the Czech Republic…all vibrant with romantic charms.

In Barcelona we'll be inspired by the creative spirit of its Catalan culture, including the fun-loving art of Gaudí, Picasso, and Salvador Dalí.

In France's Dordogne River Valley, we'll canoe past dramatic castles, marvel at prehistoric cave paintings, and savor the region's prized cuisine—foie gras.

Finally, in the Czech Republic, we'll soak in a peat bath, do some river rafting, dance to a Gypsy band in a pub, and admire its finest Art Nouveau masterpieces.