Rick Steves’ Europe: Season 11

Season 11 Episodes

Episode 1101: Austrian and Italian Alps

Episode 1102: Swiss Alps

Episode 1103: French Alps and Lyon

Episode 1104: Germany's Fascist Story

Episode 1105: Egypt's Cairo

Episode 1106: Egypt's Nile, Alexandria, and Luxor

Episode 1107: Ethiopia: A Development Story

Episode 1108: Why We Travel

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Season Descriptions

Rick Steves' Europe Season 11 [15 words]
Season 11 of Rick Steves' Europe features eight all-new episodes and debuts in fall 2020.

Rick Steves' Europe Season 11 [60 words]
Season 11 of Rick Steves' Europe features eight all-new episodes. Join Rick as he experiences the local culture, cuisine, and fun along with some powerful lessons that only travel can teach. This season features the Austrian, Italian, Swiss, and French Alps, two episodes on Egypt, and one on Ethiopia. In addition, we've produced a special retrospective episode called "Why We Travel."

Rick Steves' Europe Season 11 [170 words]
Rick Steves' Europe is public television's most-watched, longest-running travel series. Written and hosted by America's best-selling guidebook author Rick Steves, each half-hour show takes viewers to his favorite places in Europe (and beyond), from great cities to off-the-beaten-path discoveries.

Season 11 of Rick Steves' Europe features eight all-new episodes. Join Rick as he experiences the local culture, cuisine, and fun along with some powerful lessons that only travel can teach. This season features the Austrian, Italian, Swiss, and French Alps (including hut-hiking around Mont Blanc) and sights that tell the story of fascism in Germany. This season also ventures beyond Europe, featuring two episodes on Egypt and one on Ethiopia. And, with the coronavirus pandemic causing all of us to reaffirm our values and priorities, we've produced a special retrospective episode called "Why We Travel."

Whether you're an armchair traveler eager to learn, or an active traveler dreaming up new plans, Season 11 of Rick Steves' Europe is the next best thing to a plane ticket.

Episode Descriptions

1101 Austrian and Italian Alps

In the Alps of Austria and Italy, we celebrate both nature and culture. After conquering the Zugspitze, we tour Innsbruck, visit a remote farm in Austria, and join in a Tirolean village festival. Then we cross the Alps into Italy and tour a uniquely well-preserved medieval castle before joyriding deep into the rugged Dolomite Mountains. After an unforgettable hike, we catch our breath in Europe’s largest high-altitude meadow, then enjoy some more alpine folk music.

1102 Swiss Alps

Switzerland draws travelers from around the world for its legendary mountains. From the Matterhorn to the Jungfrau to Appenzell, we savor both the country’s jaw-dropping alpine beauty and the rich and resilient culture of its people. As we lace together that dramatic mountain wonder with scenic train rides, breathtaking lifts, and unforgettable hikes, we also enjoy alpine life — from exploring glaciers to making cheese the old-fashioned way.

1103 French Alps and Lyon

After exploring the proud cuisine capital of Lyon — which, at least in its own mind, rivals Paris — we head for Chamonix, in the shadow of Europe’s tallest peak: Mont Blanc. With the classic alpine resort as our springboard, we make some high-altitude cheese, then ride the lift up to Aiguille du Midi and over to the border of Italy. And we hike the Tour du Mont Blanc — the trail that circles that iconic mountain.

1104 Germany’s Fascist Story

Traveling across Germany, we learn how fascism rose and then fell, taking millions of people with it. Visiting actual locations — from Munich to Nürnberg to Berlin — we trace the roots of Nazism in the aftermath of World War I, when masses of angry people were enchanted by Hitler. We explore the totalitarian society Hitler built, and see the consequences: genocide and total war. Learning from Germany's fascist story, we can recognize that hateful ideology as well as the tricks of wannabe dictators in our own age.

1105 Egypt’s Cairo

Teeming Cairo, straddling the Nile, is the capital of Egypt and one of the leading cities of the Muslim world. With 20 million people, greater Cairo pulses with energy. We explore the back streets on a tuk-tuk, drop in on a mosque, haggle with a gauntlet of eager merchants, bake some pita bread, help chisel a tombstone, marvel at King Tut’s gold, greet the ancient Sphinx, and climb into the center of the greatest pyramid.

1106 Egypt’s Nile, Alexandria, and Luxor

Exploring the Nile Valley from north to south, we see the highlights of Egypt. In the fabled city of Alexandria, we venture through a market wonderland, smoke a shisha, and stroll a Mediterranean promenade. In Luxor, we explore the pharaohs’ tombs and temples before sailing on a timeless felucca. Then we kick back on a riverboat cruise, enjoying iconic views of palm trees, minarets, and rustic villages. Our finale: Ramesses II's magnificent temple at Abu Simbel.

1107 Ethiopia: A Development Story

Venturing beyond Europe, and with local experts as his guides, Rick uses Ethiopia as a classroom for understanding global hunger and extreme poverty — and how to beat it. Together, we witness the importance of water, education, empowering women, and nutrition during a child's first thousand days. And we see firsthand the impact of globalization and climate change. Our souvenir: A vivid appreciation of how ending hunger is possible — and how smart and modern development aid is the key.

1108 Why We Travel

In times of crisis and challenge, we ask ourselves: What is the true value of travel? Is it just hedonism...or something more powerful? After a lifetime of exploring Europe — and inspiring Americans to see Europe as the springboard for world exploration — Rick Steves shares his reasons why. This special episode is a sonnet to travel — an introspective love story, set in Europe, that vividly celebrates the rewards of exploring our world and the joy that awaits those who travel. 

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