Norwegian Girls Choir

In the land of the Midnight Sun, Christmas (and the Rick Steves European Christmas TV special) is lit by candles and beautiful Norwegian voices.

File size: 813 KB

Rick and the Christkind
under the mistletoe

Rick Steves packs a hard-working public television film crew (and some fresh mistletoe) for his visit with Germany's gift-giving angel, the Christkind. The Rick Steves' European Christmas special will bring your holiday season a multi-cultural joy.

File size: 1.16 MB

Samichlaus and Schmutzli

Swiss children dream of a Christmas visit from Samichlaus and his spooky sidekick Schmutzli. Those who were not naughty but nice get a treat from their magic bag of goodies. Last year Samichlaus spoke English (Rick's son Andy) and his visits came with an American film crew. Enjoy this Christmas through the wide eyes of a child in seven different lands with Rick Steves' European Christmas.

File size: 753 KB

Rick in Salzburg

Rick Steves traces Christmas traditions across Europe in his holiday special. Salzburg — near where Silent Night was first performed — is just one of seven stops you'll enjoy in the traditional, tasty, and musical delights of a European Christmas.

File size: 1.61 MB

Celebrating Christmas in Austria

In Germany and Austria, parents and grandparents decorate the tree in secret. The children finally see it — with real candles flickering above their holiday gifts — on Christmas Eve. Watching Rick Steves' European Christmas, you're right there on the carpet as the bell tinkles and the children enter that special room.

File size: 719 KB

Sleighride at dusk in the Alps

Dashing through the snow, Rick Steves takes his public television viewers across Europe in search of the rich and varied traditional celebrations of Christmas. Don't miss Rick Steves' European Christmas.

File size: 755 KB

Ice skating at the base of
the Eiffel Tower

While enjoying Rick Steves' European Christmas, you'll celebrate the holidays from Europe's mountains to the sea, from villages to the great cities. In Paris, you're skating.half way up the Eiffel Tower.

File size: 955 KB (vertical)

Christmas fondue party

By watching Rick Steves' European Christmas, you're right at the table in seven different countries. In Switzerland, fondue enlivens and warms up the Christmas season. Remember, if you drop your bread in the pot.you must kiss the person on your left.

File size: 730 KB

Christmas market in Nurnberg

Germany's ultimate Christmas market lights up the main square in Nurnberg.

File size: 794 KB

Steves family in the Alps

Rick Steves' European Christmas is a family-friendly journey celebrating the holidays in seven different cultures. High in the Swiss Alps, the Steves family wishes public television viewers Joyeux Noel, Froliche Weihnachten, Buon Natale, and Merry Christmas.

File size: 778 KB

Rick & the crew with Santa

Rick Steves' crew (clockwise): Santa, producer Simon Griffith, cameraman Karel Bauer, audio recordist Todd Schmidt, and Rick.

File size: 2.09 MB

Town Crier in Trafalgar Square

"Hear ye, hear ye, let the festivities begin!"

File size: 1 MB

A holiday toast

Rick Steves' European Christmas is sure to give public television viewers a joyeux Noel, Froliche Weihnachten, Buon Natale, and a very Merry Christmas.

File size: 681 KB

Santa's Family Tree

Rick Steves' European Christmas special explores fun and fascinating Yule time traditions in seven different countries. When it comes to the fanciful Christmas gift-giver, it's a complicated story. Mix Solstice Kings, Saint Nicholas, and baby Jesus up over a couple thousand years, season with local traditions, and you'll get about as many Santas as nationalities.

File size: 746 KB

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