Of the hundred or so whisky distilleries in Scotland, about half lie near the valley of the River Spey — making the area practically a pilgrimage for Scotch whisky aficionados. Step inside a distillery for an up-close look at the whisky making process. For more European travel information, visit ricksteves.com.
The Greek island of Mykonos is known around the world for its picturesque beaches. There are a range of beaches you can visit, from trendy Paradise Beach — with its bars, rentable lounge chairs, and party atmosphere — to the more remote and tranquil Agios Sostis.
Part 3 of 5, this clip celebrates how travel can be our teacher and the road our school as we better appreciate art and culture.
Looming nearly two miles above the town of Chamonix is the Aiguille du Midi, part of the Mont Blanc massif in the French Alps. At 12,600 feet, it's also the highest mountain peak served by cable car. Take the ride up from Chamonix to immerse yourself in snow-capped peaks, a sea of glaciers, and unforgettable views of France and Italy. More info about travel to France: https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/france
In the famous Berner Oberland, gondola lifts and funiculars take visitors high into the Alps, making for easy and jaw-droppingly beautiful hikes back down. Along the way, cliff-clinging villages like Mürren and Gimmelwald offer hikers the chance to rest their feet, experience traditional Swiss alpine culture, and toast their adventure with a refreshing beer before heading back down. More info about travel to Switzerland: https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/switzerland
If you want the natural surroundings of Innsbruck without the crowds, head to Hall in Tirol. Built as a salt-mining town when Innsbruck was just a humble bridge, Hall became an important trading city. Today, its well-preserved medieval town center features a rich bundle of pastel buildings and cobbled streets that feel refreshingly traditional. More info about travel to Austria: https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/austria
The Pyramids of Giza are one of the most recognizable scenes in all of tourism. The grandest is known as the Great Pyramid; one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, it was designed to house the pharaoh Cheops' body — and help send his soul into the afterlife. Nearby, the Great Sphinx keeps watch over the rising sun.
(Part 2 of 5) In this clip from Rick's "Why We Travel" TV special, we learn how, through travel, we can deepen our understanding of history, gain context and perspective…and become wiser.
Vienna's historic center is encircled by a road called the Ringstrasse. In the 1860s, Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria had Vienna's medieval walls torn down and replaced with this grand boulevard. Today, the three-mile loop is lined with many of Vienna's top sights; hop aboard one of the trams that traverse the Ringstrasse for a DIY, budget tour of the city. More info about travel to Austria: https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/austria
Lyon's Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, who has been an important religious figure to the city for centuries. Amble down the main aisle to marvel at dazzling Neo-Byzantine art celebrating "Our Lady" and depicting French history, then take the dizzying climb up to the basilica's rooftop for a grand view of Lyon. More info about travel to France: https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/france
Zermatt is a small town of 6,000 that hosts nearly two million visitors each year. It has more hotel beds than residents, and nearly everyone earns a living from tourists, who flock here for a peek at the magnificent Matterhorn. You can still find pockets of traditional charm if you wander off the main path, including 200-year-old houses and impromptu folk music performances. More info about travel to Switzerland: https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/switzerland
The Walderalm farm, perched high above the Austrian city of Innsbruck, offers travelers a peek at life on a traditional alpine farm. And for the many visitors enjoying the area's breathtaking hiking and biking trails, it also offers welcome respite and refreshment. More info about travel to Austria: https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/austria
Part 1 of 5, this clip celebrates how we travel to have experiences…to have fun. Going to new places invigorates us. It’s exciting.
Built by Ramses II in about 1250 BC, the temple of Abu Simbel is one of Egypt's must-sees. About 50 years ago, it was at risk of being submerged by the creation of Lake Nasser. Thanks to a heroic effort, the ancient temple was cut into huge blocks and moved to the location where it stands today.
A visit to the Egyptian Museum in Cairo helps bring the country's many ancient sights to life. The museum houses the best collection of ancient Egyptian art anywhere, including 3,000-year-old statues, vibrant paintings, and funerary art fit for a pharaoh.
Straddling the border between Provence and Burgundy, Lyon has been one of France's leading cities since Roman times. After Paris, it's arguably the most historic and culturally important city in the country, especially considering its reputation as the cuisine capital of France. More info about travel to France: https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/france
Zermatt, at the foot of the Matterhorn, was essentially built for enjoying the Alps. It's hugely popular with skiers in the winter and hikers in the summer. And with its many lifts, Zermatt is a springboard for countless trails and unforgettable viewpoints. More info about travel to Zermatt: https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/switzerland/zermatt
At nearly 10,000 feet, the Zugspitze is Germany’s highest mountain. A cable car zips visitors up to the summit, where breathtaking views of peaks in Germany, Austria, Italy, and Switzerland await. The summit also marks the border between Germany and Austria, making for one of the most thrilling border crossings in Europe. More info about travel to the Bavarian Alps: https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/germany/bavarian-alps
Karnak was the most important place of worship in ancient Egypt. This sprawling temple complex was built over many centuries during the New Kingdom period, when most of the great pharaohs ruled. Rather than for the public, Karnak was reserved only for royals, priests, and the gods. But today, anyone can explore the site's impressive ruins.
In the British countryside, near the village of Avebury, stand two of England's most mysterious prehistoric sites: the Avebury Stone Circle, 16 times as big as Stonehenge, and Silbury Hill, a yet-to-be-explained mountain of chalk that's the largest man-made construction from prehistoric Europe. More info about travel to England: https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/england
Tallinn's Kumu Art Museum displays contemporary Estonian art that traces the country's chaotic 20th century, from idyllic German-influenced pastorals and Communist propaganda to the 1960s counterculture and Estonia's eventual (and peaceful) fight for independence. More info about travel to Estonia: https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/estonia
Rising above a plain where the Lowlands meet the Highlands, Stirling Castle was the seat of the kings and queens of Scotland for hundreds of years. It's no surprise that this strategic castle has hosted many of the biggest names and events of Scottish history, from Mary, Queen of Scots, to the Battle of Bannockburn. More info about travel to Scotland: https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/scotland
Rome is magnificent and overwhelming at the same time. Make your trip to the Eternal City fun and hassle-free with Rick's travel tips, from choosing where to stay to using public transportation. More info about travel to Italy: https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/italy
For centuries, Portugal's royalty considered Sintra the perfect place to escape from Lisbon. Today, tourists can experience Sintra's mix of natural and man-made beauty, too, from fantasy castles to lush forests to craggy hilltops with hazy views of the Atlantic. More info about travel to Portugal: https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/portugal
The Kelvingrove Art Gallery is Glasgow's best museum. Like a Scottish Smithsonian, it features everything from natural history exhibits to fine art, including pieces by the 19th-century Scottish Romantics and Art Nouveau architect (and Glaswegian) Charles Rennie Mackintosh. More info about travel to Scotland: https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/scotland
In Northern Ireland, Orangemen parades fill village and neighborhood streets with Protestants from Easter through September. The long-established Orange Order — with their signature orange team color — works to defend British rule, and these parades are like pep rallies for the cause of continued union. More info about travel to Northern Ireland: https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/ireland/northern-ireland
Sicily's sprawling, gritty capital of Palermo boasts colorful markets and bustling shopping streets that signal a fun-loving city in regeneration. Take an evening stroll through the landmark Quattro Canti and discover Palermo's trendy, inviting neighborhoods. More info about travel to Sicily: https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/italy/sicily
In Rome, pop into churches to see art in situ — not hanging on museum walls, but exactly where it was meant to be enjoyed — including magnificent Michelangelo sculptures, dazzling Byzantine mosaics, and impressive Renaissance frescoes. More info about travel to Italy: https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/italy
Made from huge stones that were quarried, carved, and moved from as far away as Wales, Stonehenge has amazed visitors for thousands of years. And throughout that time, it's continued to work as a functioning celestial calendar, lining up with the rising and setting sun on the longest day of the year. More info about travel to England: https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/england
With one of Scotland's best distillery tours and plenty of character, Oban is a basket of Scottish traditions. And it's ideally situated for day trips to three of the most worthwhile Inner Hebrides: Mull, Iona, and Staffa. More info about travel to Scotland: https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/scotland
