Rick Steves' Europe

Madrid is studded with riches from its glory days. We tour the lavish Royal Palace, enjoy art-packed museums, and look deep into Picasso's greatest masterpiece. Experience Madrid at its fun-loving best.

Castille sparkles with Roman Segovia, walled Avila, student-filled Salamanca, and holy Toledo! We marvel at El Greco, pop some explosive pickles, and ramble Spain's most awe-inspiring medieval walls.

After exploring the charm of Rouen, we reflect on Monet's lily ponds, and peek in on local artisans. We venture into composer Eric Satie's eccentric world and feast on the finest of Normandy cuisine.

No trip to the Emerald Isle is complete without a visit to Northern Ireland. We tour bustling Belfast, sneaking a peek at politically charged neighborhoods. Then we head for the Antrim Coast and go wild in Portrush.

Belgium is a land of contrasts. From the powerhouse headquarters of the European Union and Europe's grandest square in big-city Brussels, we go quaint with delicate lace and back lane bike rides in small-town Bruges.

Provence, known for its soft light and fierce wind, is as loved by Americans as it is by the sun. We climb Roman ruins in Nimes, explore a papal palace in Avignon, and savor vivid views immortalized by van Gogh in Arles.

A favorite escape of Europe's elite, the Riviera coastline, stretches from burly Marseilles and the delicate cliffs of Cassis to the border of Italy. In fairytale Monaco we listen to the graceful reshuffling of personal fortunes at the casino.

Budapest, once Vienna's partner in ruling the Austro-Hungarian Empire, feels like the capital of Eastern Europe. It's two cities, busy Pest and noble Buda, straddling the Danube and laced together by mighty bridges.

Experience the best of Portugal. We start in Lisbon, a ramshackle mix of glorious old and fun-loving new. Recall the glory days when Vasco da Gama and Magellan made Portugal a world power.

Sevilla is the flamboyant city of Carmen and Don Juan. Sevilla has soul, and we feel it in its lacy Moorish palace, massive cathedral, lavish royal tombs, labyrinthine Jewish quarter, and its people-filled streets.