Dingle peninsula, dotted with more than 2,000 monuments dating back to 4000 b.c., sorts out some of Ireland's ancient and complex history. The soil, itself, reveals the struggles of the Irish people, where, patch by patch, they created fertile fields for potatoes. In 1845 they planted, but blight swept across the land and nothing grew. For more information on the Rick Steves' Europe TV series — including episode descriptions, scripts, participating stations, travel information on destinations and more — visit www.ricksteves.com.

Milk cows spend their summers munching wild herbs and flowers in the high meadows; their milk destined to become the treasured Alp cheese, or Alp Kase. Alpine farms welcome travelers for a peek at the cheese making action and each village takes pride in its own cheese. For more information on the Rick Steves' Europe TV series — including episode descriptions, scripts, participating stations, travel information on destinations and more — visit www.ricksteves.com.

Palermo, Sicily's main city and historic capital, comes with a whiff of Arabia. With the 9th century Arab conquests, Palermo soon had 200,000 people, 300 mosques, and several busy markets. Today, the beat of bootleg CDs at the Ballaro market competes with singing salesmen. Whether you understand the lyrics or not, this slice of life Sicilian market action is some of the best in Europe. For more information on the Rick Steves' Europe TV series — including episode descriptions, scripts, participating stations, travel information on destinations and more — visit www.ricksteves.com.

Imagine, it's 500 A.D., Rome has been sacked, the land is crawling with barbarians, and the infrastructure of Rome's thousand year empire is crumbling fast. Into this chaotic world comes the emperor of the East, Justinian, bringing stability and order, briefly reassembling the empire, and making Ravenna a beacon of civilization. During this time of transition, Ravenna also begins to make its mark on the art world, blending ancient roman and the first medieval styles and perfecting the craft of mosaics. For more information on the Rick Steves' Europe TV series — including episode descriptions, scripts, participating stations, travel information on destinations and more — visit www.ricksteves.com.

In Nazare, locals renting spare rooms clamor for business. Women camp out at the bus station and the road into town waving signs advertising rooms for rent in five languages hoping to snare arriving tourists. From quartos to barnacles, Rick discovers what makes this Portuguese fishing town so alluring and a definite Back Door destination. For more information on the Rick Steves' Europe TV series — including episode descriptions, scripts, participating stations, travel information on destinations and more — visit www.ricksteves.com.

While Bulgaria welcomes westernization, traditional ways persist. From time-warped villages and donkey carts, to the formidable fortress and spiritual sanctuary of Rila monastery, locals are quick to share a smile as Rick travels the countryside in search of Bulgaria's back doors. For more information on the Rick Steves' Europe TV series — including episode descriptions, scripts, participating stations, travel information on destinations and more — visit www.ricksteves.com.

The beauty of the highlands is powerfully felt in Scotland's vast Rannoch Moor. In this windy expanse, bagpiping feels right at home. Along the road to Glencoe, pipers play for tips — and sometimes give impromptu lessons to adventurous travelers. See how Rick handles the pipes for the first time, on camera. For more information on the Rick Steves' Europe TV series — including episode descriptions, scripts, participating stations, travel information on destinations and more — visit www.ricksteves.com.

After 16 years and more than 100 travel shows, Rick takes you behind the scenes to show just how they produce this series. Join the crew as they scamper through Milan, and follow the creative process as the challenges and surprises that come with travel are shaped into a finished show. For more information on the Rick Steves' Europe TV series — including episode descriptions, scripts, participating stations, travel information on destinations and more — visit www.ricksteves.com.

Salzburg is a world-class destination for live music, with over 2,000 performances bringing life to its churches and palaces year-round. Join us in the opulent Mirabell Palace for Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, performed with gusto by a string quartet visiting from Russia. Then, we'll take a train and boat to the lovely lakeside town of Hallstatt. For more information on the Rick Steves' Europe TV series — including episode descriptions, scripts, participating stations, travel information on destinations and more — visit www.ricksteves.com.

When Italy erupted in chaos after the fall of Rome, people moved to the high ground to escape the marauding barbarians of that dark age. Over time, hill towns such as Siena, Assisi, Volterra and San Marino were fortified and functioned as independent city states. Weakened by plague centuries later, Italy's hill towns became backwaters, stuck in the middle ages — which makes them fascinating for travelers today. For more information on the Rick Steves' Europe TV series — including episode descriptions, scripts, participating stations, travel information on destinations and more — visit www.ricksteves.com