Rick Steves' Europe

Beautifully filmed on location, this 3-part, 90-minute special distills Ricks 25 years of travel experience into practical tips on: planning a trip, overcoming the language barrier, getting around, finding accommodations, staying safe, and more. In this first of three shows covering travel skills, well visit the Netherlands and Germany to learn about transportation by train and car within Europe, changing money, and settling in upon arrival. How well youre able to enjoy the delights of Europe depends upon how well you plan and how skillfully you travel.

Beautifully filmed on location, this 3-part, 90-minute special distills Ricks 25 years of travel experience into practical tips on: planning a trip, overcoming the language barrier, getting around, finding accommodations, staying safe, and more. In this third of three shows focusing on travel skills, well visit the Swiss Alps, Paris, and London while covering tips for finding the best accommodations, getting around in big cities, and enjoying Europes cuisine. This information is key to making the most of your travel time and, if youre on a budget, can help you cut the cost of your travels in half.

Newly energized Prague, slinky with sumptuous Art Nouveau facades, is perpetually playing Mozart and Vivaldi. Eastern Europes top destination has Europes best beer, biggest castle, liveliest pedestrian bridge, and most evocative Jewish Quarter. From Prague, we side-trip to Kutna Hora, once a silver-mining boomtown, to descend into its medieval mine and ponder its eerie chapel, decorated centuries ago with 40,000 bones.

We find the icons of Ireland strewn along its fascinating south coast: Waterfords much-loved crystal factory; the Kennedy family homestead; the Dunbrody famine ship; and Kinsales star-shaped fortresses. After learning why locals dont kiss the Blarney Stone, visit elegant Muckross House. Then savor the scenic charms of the Emerald Isle by driving the Ring of Kerry.

Berlin is back, resuming its place as a great European capital. We climb the Reichstags glass dome, sway at a modern-day cabaret, and pop a few chocolates in the now thriving eastern sector. Along with Germanys finest art, complicated Berlin also has hidden remnants of its fascist and communist past. In a city thats rebounding and rebuilding, we crane our necks at Potsdamer Platz, Europes newest Times Square.

In Munich, where locals specialize in good living, we visit boisterous markets and go-for-Baroque palaces. while office workers surf in the Isar River. Heading into the foothills of the Alps, we tour the fairy-tale castles of "Mad" King Ludwig, and climb to the highest point in Germany atop the Zugspitz. Then we cross into the Tirol to conquer a desolate ruined castle.

Madrid is studded with riches from its glory days. We tour the lavish Royal Palace, enjoy art-packed museums, and look deep into Picassos greatest masterpiece. Experiencing Madrid at its fun-loving best, were mesmerized by flamenco dancers and munch on pigs ears. Then, for a dose of Spains dramatic history, we side-trip to El Escorial and the Valley of the Fallen.

After exploring the half-timbered charm of Rouen, we reflect on Monets lily ponds, peek in on local artisans, and set up an easel at Honfleurs harbor. We venture into composer Eric Saties eccentric world and feast on the finest of Normandy cuisine. After pondering sacrifice and celebrating freedom on the D-Day beaches, we hike with pilgrims to the enchanted island abbey of Mont St. Michel.

London is quintessentially English, yet cosmopolitan. We check out the new — the Millennium Bridge and the British Museums Great Court, and admire the old — well-wrapped mummies and a rare Leonardo. After bantering with Beefeaters at the Tower of London, we do some riverside beach-combing. Strolling the trendy South Bank of the Thames takes us from the Tate Modern to the dizzying London Eye.

Belgium is a land of contrasts. From the powerhouse headquarters of the European Union and Europes grandest square in big-city Brussels, we go quaint with delicate lace and back lane bike rides in small-town Bruges. We check into a medieval hospital, savor the exquisite art of Memling, and climb a bell tower to get up close and fortissimo at a carillon concert. Then passionate chefs - creators of French fries and Europes finest chocolate - give us a taste of their art.

A longtime favorite escape of Europes elite, the Riviera coastline still sparkles with yachts. In fairytale Monaco we listen to the graceful reshuffling of personal fortunes at the casino. Then we follow in the footsteps of 19th century aristocrats along Nices promenade des Anglais, and visit the picturesque, artist hangouts of Chagall, Matisse and Picasso.

Budapest, once Viennas partner in ruling the Austro-Hungarian empire, feels like the capital of Eastern Europe. Its actually two cities — busy Pest and noble Buda — straddling the Danube and laced together by mighty bridges. Capitalism has taken hold with gusto as shopping boulevards thrive and stone Lenins and cast iron Stalins litter a theme park at the edge of town. Today Roma (Gypsy) orchestras feature smoking violins, venerable mineral baths are the rage, and 19th century coffeehouses enjoy a renaissance.

Sevilla, Spain, is the flamboyant city of Carmen and Don Juan. Its where bullfighting is still politically correct and where little girls dream of growing up to become flamenco dancers. 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. After munching tasty tapas, we head south for Andalusias ultimate whitewashed hilltown, Arcos de la Frontera.

From towering Mount Snowdon and evocative medieval castles to grand Victorian promenades, North Wales is a poem written in landscape. Well climb a mountain aboard a steam train, learn some Welsh, follow a miner deep into a slate mine, herd sheep with a very clever dog, and work in a pop pilgrimage to the Beatles Liverpool.

Naples is Italy in the extreme. Well prowl backstreet fish markets, dodge fast-moving Vespas, and dine on pizza where it was invented. Well climb to the top of nearby Mount Vesuvius, then wander through the amazing ruins of Pompeii, the Roman town it destroyed.

No trip to Italy is complete without Milan and Lake Como. In Milan well take a peek at Italys highest fashion, fanciest delis, grandest cemetery and greatest opera house...not to mention Leonardos Last Supper. Then well cruise along Lake Como, settling down in the lakeside village of Varenna...classic honeymoon country, where Italy meets the Alps.

Connoisseurs of Italy find its quintessential charms survive in its classic hill towns. From San Gimignanos medieval towers to Civita di Bagnoregios cliff-hanging vistas...all sit on lofty stone perches that now protect them only from the modern world.

The birthplace of Mozart — and everyones Sound of Music fantasies — Salzburg is a Baroque jewel of a town. Its also the springboard for lots of alpine fun — from thrilling summer bobsledding, to idyllic boat rides in the Salzkammergut lake district, to exploring the delightful romantic town of Hallstatt.

Burgundy is a calm and cultivated corner of France, where fine living is intimately tied to nature and traditions run strong. Well slow down to enjoy the regions edible, drinkable, scenic, and floatable delights. Well travel on a canal barge, visit a medieval hospice and a modern monastery, build a barrel, appreciate fine Burgundy wine, slurp escargot, and eat very, very well. If youre looking for quintessential French culture, youll find it in Burgundy.

The creative spirit of Spains Catalunya — the land of Picasso, Gaudí, and Salvador Dalí — is on a roll. Well get caught up in the festivity of Barcelona, enjoying the vibrant street scenes, tasty tapas, and pedestrian-friendly Gothic Quarter. Then well take a scenic side trip to mountaintop Montserrat, and finish with an artist’s pilgrimage along the Costa Brava to Salvador Dalí country. In seaside Cadaqués, we’ll visit Dalís home, and in nearby Figueres, well experience his playfully surreal mausoleum/museum.

Focusing on Switzerlands often-overlooked urban charms, we explore lakeside Luzern, cobbled Bern, spire-filled Zürich, and sophisticated Lausanne. Well enjoy eye-opening art, from Chagall and Klee to the works of asylum inmates. Well ring a very big bell high up in a church spire, float down a rushing river, and ponder Switzerlands pragmatic drug policies and hidden underground arsenals. And its all before a backdrop of stunning natural beauty.

Few travelers venture beyond Prague to experience the Czech Republics many cultural riches and offbeat delights. Well get started with a whirlwind of Art Nouveau, local pub music, stinky-cheese tasting, and peat bathing in places like Olomouc, Moravský Krumlov, Třeboň, and Konopiště. Well also tour a remarkable memorial to the Holocaust in Terezín, and the charming castle town of Český Krumlov.

After exploring the ancient capital of Mycenae, well enjoy Greeces charming old port town of Nafplio, take center stage at the remarkably preserved theater at Epidavros, and time-trip through the ruins of Olympia. Then well wander off the beaten path along the rustic, rough-and-tumble Mani Peninsula — with a relaxing stop in the idyllic beach town of Kardamyli — and marvel at Greeces Rock of Gibraltar: the fortress town of Monemvasia.

Using Copenhagen as a springboard, well visit the very best of Denmark. Aarhus welcomes us with its ruddy affluence, charming open-air museum, and eerily well-preserved ancient bog man. Roskilde impresses visitors with its royal burial church and the best Viking-ship museum anywhere. And the delightfully quaint isle of Ærø comes with half-timbered cottages, ships in bottles, and cobbled alleyways that remind us of the world of Hans Christian Andersen.

As hes done with previous programs on Israel, Egypt, and eastern Turkey, Rick takes us beyond Europe to a place thats rich with history…and mystery. In this first of two half-hour shows on Iran, Rick dodges traffic in Tehran, enjoys the tranquility of a nearby village, and encounters both anti-American propaganda and a warm welcome from everyday Iranians.

Join Rick as he weaves Andalucías rich mix of culture, cuisine, history, and natural wonders into a 60-minute special. The hour includes the major cities of Sevilla, Córdoba, and Granada; flamenco, sherry, and horses; dramatic white-washed hill towns; and fun in the Costa del Sol sun — plus a dash of Britain in Gibraltar.

Nestled inside its mighty ramparts is Dubrovnik, the "Pearl of the Adriatic." From this remarkably preserved medieval fortress city, we venture into less-touristed corners of the former Yugoslavia. In Montenegro, we sail the fjord-like Bay of Kotor and explore its mysterious, mountainous interior. And in Bosnia, we visit Mostar — war-torn in the 90s, but bursting with promise today.

Andalucías Moorish heritage sparkles in the historic capitals of Granada and Córdoba. And the pride of the Reconquista and the power of Queen Isabel and King Ferdinand enliven the regions great sights. Tasting the smooth sherry and marveling at prancing stallions, we find the passion in Andalusian culture. And we top it off with fun in the Spanish sun on the Costa del Sol.

The proud spirit of the Norwegian people shines in every dimension of their capital city — from its once-fearsome Viking ships to its sleek new Opera House, from a fun folk museum that keeps traditions alive to the constant festival of its thriving harborfront. Connecting with the culture, we enjoy art — from Vigelands statues to Munchs scream — and join local friends for a boat ride on their fjord.

Swedens capital, confident and self-assured, glitters with souvenirs from the day when it ruled as a superpower. From pondering gilded royal staterooms to sampling gourmet reindeer and sipping vodka in an ice bar, we experience the citys cultural highlights. Then we sail the archipelago for the prettiest island-hopping in northern Europe.

We follow the trail pilgrims have trod for centuries, from the French border to Santiago de Compostela in the northwest corner of Spain. Along the way, we stop off in Pamplona to run with the bulls, and dive into the unique Celtic culture of Galicia — where Riverdance meets flamenco.

Part one of three shows on the Eternal City, this episode resurrects the rubble and brings back to life the capital of the ancient world. Focusing on the grandeur of classical Rome, well admire the groundbreaking architecture at the Colosseum and Pantheon, and the empires exquisite art at the Capitoline Museum. Then well head out on a bike ride along the ancient Appian Way and take in nearby marvels of Roman engineering.

In this third of three shows on the Eternal City, well explore this grand metropolis — so rich in art and culture — on a more intimate scale, delving into its back lanes and unheralded corners. Venturing through the crusty Trastevere district, visiting the historic Jewish Ghetto, and enjoying art treasures in a string of rarely visited churches, we uncover charms of hidden Rome that compete with its marquee sights.

In this second of two episodes on Florence, well enjoy more of the exquisite artistic treasures of the city that propelled Europe out of the Middle Ages. Then well side-trip to a couple of rival cities and cultural capitals in their own right, Pisa and Lucca, where well marvel at a tipsy tower, circle a city on its ramparts, and enjoy some Puccini in his hometown.

In this second of two episodes on Europes "City of Light," well ride a unicorn into the Middle Ages at the Cluny Museum, take a midnight Paris joyride in a classic car, get an extremely close-up look at heavenly stained glass in Sainte-Chapelle, go on a tombstone pilgrimage at Père Lachaise Cemetery, and savor the Parisian café scene. Few cites are so confident in their expertise in good living — and as travelers, we get to share in that uniquely Parisian "joie de vivre."

Hiking through the Cumbrian Lake District — Englands green and pristine mountain playground — well admire idyllic lakes, discover misty waterfalls, tour a slate mine, and conquer stony summits. And well meet the locals — and their beloved dogs and sheep — everywhere. Then we play a little cricket, hike Hadrians Wall, and get dazzled by Durhams Norman cathedral.

Join us as we trace the life of Venice, once Europes most powerful city, from its early beginnings to its superpower heyday to its hedonistic decline. Well start by cruising its lagoon, stopping in fiery Murano for glass, pastel Burano for lace, and murky Torcello for a sense of where Venice was born. Along with sampling the sumptuous art treasures and exploring its back-street wonders, well luxuriate in a venerable café and savor fresh fish canalside with Venetian friends. Get intimate with the decadent city of Casanova as we become as anonymous as possible in this city of masks.

In this second of three shows focusing on travel skills, well visit Venice, Siena, and the Cinque Terre in Italy to learn about trip planning, packing, safety, and — perhaps the most rewarding skill of all — connecting with the locals. Going beyond the sights, Rick shares some practical tips to help make European travel fun and hassle-free.

The streets of ancient Ephesus; natural spa at Pamukkale; lunch in a Turkish pizzeria; cruising the Mediterranean on a traditional Turkish gulet.

Along the Loire River Valley, the beautiful French countryside is studded with evocative châteaux. Home-basing in Amboise, we visit four unique castles: elegant Chenonceau, massive Chambord, stately Cheverny, and fragrant Villandry. Along the way, we tour Leonardos home, feed hunting dogs, enjoy the local cuisine, and savor a princely garden.

We start in Jerusalem, alive with religious tradition and passion — Christian, Muslim, and Jewish. We then visit cosmopolitan Tel Aviv, with its in-love-with-life beaches; ponder the sad fortress of Masada; and join pilgrims at biblical sights around the Sea of Galilee. Well also pay our respects at the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial, drop into an Orthodox Jewish neighborhood, and savor the local cuisine.

Exploring Italys most remote and romantic stretch of Riviera, we visit five tiny port towns: dramatic Vernazza, surrounded by vineyards; reclusive Corniglia, high on its bluff; pastel Manarola; hardscrabble Riomaggiore; and the pint-sized resort of Monterosso. Fishing for anchovies, sipping wine out of rustic barrels, and savoring twinkling Mediterranean vistas, we enjoy the ultimate Riviera adventure.

Europes best-preserved 17th-century city, Amsterdam is quaint and jarring, traditional and modern. Filled with history and happy-go-lucky, its a delight to explore. Uniquely entertaining Amsterdam shows us Rembrandts and Van Goghs, more bikes than cars, flirting prostitutes, and pot-filled coffeeshops — all under tall, skinny facades leaning out below quaint church towers.

The capital of the Czech Republic, Prague is the best-preserved Baroque city in Central Europe. We experience its massive castle, beloved statue-lined bridge, evocative Jewish Quarter, and thrilling 20th-century history while enjoying its infectious love of music and perhaps the best beer in Europe. With a beautifully preserved Old Town, Prague deserves its nickname: the Golden City of a Hundred Spires.

Hamburg, Germanys mighty port city, has risen from the ashes of World War II with a gleaming new skyline and a brisk creative energy. From there, we visit the great historic sights of Martin Luther and the Reformation (Erfurt, Wittenberg, and Wartburg Castle) before finishing in the capital of Franconia: wine-loving Würzburg.

Skyscraper-studded Frankfurt — with so much commerce its nicknamed "Bankfurt" — has a delightful-to-explore old center. Well also visit Nürnberg, a capital for both the First Reich (the Holy Roman Empire) and the Third. From its towering castle and playful fountains to its Nazi Documentation Center and maze of underground bomb shelters, Nürnberg is a fascinating study in contrasts.

Well tour Romanias vibrant capital, Bucharest, with its "Little Paris of the East" architecture and lingering reminders of a brutal communist dictator. Then well head into Transylvania, where well visit fortified churches, cobbled merchant towns like Sighișoara, and castles made famous by an imported German king and the real-life Dracula. Finally well explore Maramureș, where everyday life still feels like an open-air folk museum.

The quintessence of charming England is the "West Country": quaint Cotswold villages with their fine churches, manor homes, and gastropubs; Wells, Englands smallest cathedral town; and the New Age capital of Glastonbury, with its legends of the Holy Grail and King Arthur. Well finish by pondering the dramatic prehistoric stone circles of Stonehenge and Avebury.

The far southwest of England is a world unto itself, with a persistent Cornish culture. Well explore a world of flowers springing from towering hedges, a tin-mining heritage going back to biblical times, salty pirates towns and fishing villages, and the Lands End of England. Then, side-tripping deep into the vast and mysterious Dartmoor National Park, well hike to forgotten stone circles and chase wild ponies.

Lisbon, built with the riches of Portugals New World discoveries, has a rustic charm. Well remember great navigators, eat lots of cod, enjoy pastries hot out of the oven, stroll the citys back lanes and its reinvigorated waterfront, marvel at an exquisite church built with spice taxes, and enjoy some soulful fado music. Then well side-trip to Sintra to explore the fanciful castles of Portuguese royalty and climb hilltop ramparts with grand views.

Setting sail on the Mediterranean, well explore the ins and outs and pros and cons of cruising. Well learn how to get the most out of a cruise and exercise our independence to make smart use of limited time on shore by planning well, avoiding lines, and eating quick-but-local meals on the go. Along with the joys and efficiencies of cruising, well consider the downsides, including the inevitable congestion and commercialism that comes with mass tourism.

In this first of two episodes on Europes greatest festivals, well cheer with the masses at Sienas crazy Palio horse race, toss a caber at a Scottish Highland Games, don a mask for Carnevale in Venice, and celebrate Easter in Greece. Dropping in on some of the Continents top parties, we discover that each one is a celebration of traditional culture, and all of them are full of opportunities to sing and dance, feast on traditional food, and party with locals.

This tour of Sicilian highlights starts in Palermo, where well sing with the merchants in the markets, join locals in their passeggiata, drop in on a contessa, and marvel at the Romanesque cathedral of Monreale. Then well sip wine on the slopes of Mount Etna, munch cannoli, ponder Greek temples at Agrigento, admire Roman mosaics at the Villa of Casale, and marvel at the view from the Greek theater in Taormina.

The Highlands stoke kilted dreams of Scotland…where legends of Bonnie Prince Charlie swirl around lonely castles. We visit the "Weeping Glen" of Glencoe, bustling Inverness, and the battlefield at Culloden. Then well make a pilgrimage to the spiritual capital of a major clan, and go prehistoric at Stone Age burial grounds and Iron Age island forts. Venturing along the Caledonian Canal and watching for Nessie at Loch Ness, we work up an appetite for modern Scottish cuisine and enjoy traditional folk music.

Glasgow, once an industrial powerhouse, offers a fun look at Scotlands vibrantly gritty urban side — full of edgy street art, trendy dining, and the striking architecture of Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Leaving town, well tap into Scottish passions as we tour historic Stirling Castle and nearby battlefields, sample a dram at the lands most beloved distilleries on the Speyside Whisky Trail, watch a sheepdog demonstration, and struggle to lift the Manhood Stone at a Highland Games.

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.

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 Germanys fascist story, we can recognize that hateful ideology as well as the tricks of wannabe dictators in our own age.

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: Ramses IIs magnificent temple at Abu Simbel.

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.

Ancient Greece laid the foundations of Western art. Traveling from its sun-splashed isles to the rugged mainland to bustling Athens, we trace the rise of Greek culture. We marvel at the timeless Acropolis, perfect Parthenon, and Golden Age theaters. And we watch as art evolves from stiff statues to perfectly balanced Venuses to the exuberant Winged Victory, capturing the spirit of the age.

With its vast empire, ancient Rome gave Europe its first common culture. From England to Turkey, we explore the greatest Roman cities, marveling at their over-the-top art, soaring aqueducts, and crowd-pleasing theaters. As Rome fell, saints replaced Caesars and Christianity filled the vacuum with art-filled churches — preserving the grandeur of imperial Rome and inspiring the Europe to come.

As Europe passed AD 1000, its growing prosperity was reflected in soaring Gothic cathedrals graced with colorful altarpieces, lacy stonework, and radiant stained glass. We visit luxurious castles to see exquisite tapestries showing a new secular love of worldly pleasures and, end in Italy, where pioneering artists like Giotto were mastering realism and pointing the way to the future of art.

From Italy, the Renaissance spread across Europe, revolutionizing art. We travel to Spain and Portugal where overseas plunder is transformed into lacy architecture and ethereal paintings by El Greco. In bustling Germany and Belgium, new technologies enable Durers mass-produced engravings, Van Eycks meticulous oil paintings, Brueghels peasants at play, and the futuristic visions of Bosch.

Around 1800, Europe was in transition, reflected in two art styles. First, we visit Europes great cities with their stately Neoclassical buildings of columns and domes. Meanwhile, the Revolution has unleashed a call for freedom, both political and personal. We see dramatic Romantic canvases depicting extreme emotions and awesome Nature, and tour dreamy castles — virtual theme parks of Romanticism.

Europes tumultuous 20th century spawned a kaleidoscope of cutting-edge art. From Spain to Hungary, Glasgow to Oslo, we seek out all thats wild, colorful, surreal, and just plain fun. The fascinating work of Pablo Picasso leads us through the centurys major art styles. And in todays gleaming cities, we see how a persistent artistic spirit connects us with both our past and an exciting future.

Europes ultimate road trip is the 800-mile loop around Iceland on Highway 1 — the Ring Road. We visit the geothermal hot zone of Lake Mývatn, the rugged Eastfjords, the glacier lagoons of the Southeast, the waterfalls and beaches of the South Coast, and side trip to the Westman Islands to see puffins. We also break for insightful folk museums, sod-roofed settlements, and a little whale watching.

Warsaw, the heartbeat of contemporary Poland, is gilded with a grand palace, home to a hard-fought 20th-century history, and busy with Chopin concerts. After a stop at the gingerbread bakeries in red-brick Toruń, we ogle the massive Teutonic Knight fortress of Malbork. Finishing in maritime Gdańsk, we experience handsome Hanseatic townhouses, amber jewelry, and stirring Solidarity history.

We set a course on a tranquil cruise of the rivers and canals of Frances Burgundy region. Aboard a century-old barge-turned-hotel, were treated to a relaxing pace and natural beauty — plus plenty of gourmet meals and fine wine. Stops for a hike or bike ride help us work up our next appetite, and a château lord welcomes us to taste the vintages of the famed Côte dOr. 

Istanbuls rich heritage spans the centuries from Christian Byzantium to Muslim Ottoman rule to todays thriving city. We start our look back at the Roman-tinged Hippodrome, then indulge in the ancient ritual of the Turkish bath. We take in the Blue Mosque and the grand Hagia Sophia, taste Turkish delight at the venerable Spice Market, and explore Topkapı Palace and its harem room deep within.

Our royal tour of London starts with red-coat pageantry at Buckingham Palace. Riding red buses, black cabs, and the Tube, we pop into the Houses of Parliament at Westminster and visit Churchill’s underground war rooms — a World War II time warp. After looking into the eyes of those who put the great in Britain at the Portrait Gallery, we cruise the River Thames to the mighty Tower of London.