Ep 6. European Festivals I

Rick Steves' Europe season 10 episode 6 titled "European Festivals I" takes the viewers on a tour of some of the most exciting and vibrant festivals in Europe. Rick Steves starts his journey in the Netherlands during the King’s Day celebrations in Amsterdam. He then travels to France where he witnesses the colorful Nice Carnival, followed by the annual bullfighting festival in Pamplona, Spain.

The first stop on Rick's tour is Amsterdam, where he explores the streets filled with orange-clad locals celebrating King's Day, the biggest national holiday in the country. He checks out the flea markets, traditional Dutch food stalls, and canal boat parades. Rick also visits the Rijksmuseum, where he gets a glimpse of Rembrandt’s masterpiece "The Night Watch."

Next, Rick travels to the French Riviera for the Nice Carnival, which is known for its extravagant parades featuring giant papier-mâché figures and beautiful floats. Rick takes part in the festivities, dancing alongside the locals in the streets and enjoying the evening light show. He also visits the nearby medieval hilltop town of Eze to learn about the local traditional perfumes.

Rick then makes his way to Spain for one of the most famous festivals in the world, the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona. He observes the adrenaline-fueled spectacle of the bull run, followed by the festive atmosphere of the evening bullfight. Rick also visits the nearby Basque coastal town of San Sebastian to sample the world-renowned pintxos (tapas) and to check out the local surf scene.

The episode concludes with Rick's visit to the Swiss city of Interlaken, where he joins the locals in celebrating the annual Unspunnen festival, featuring traditional Swiss music, wrestling, and yodeling competitions. Rick even tries his hand at some of these activities to get a feel for the local culture.

Throughout the episode, Rick shares his insights and experiences as he immerses himself in the rich and diverse cultural traditions of Europe's many festivals. Viewers are treated to a front-row seat at some of the continent's most exciting and vibrant celebrations, getting a taste of the joy and excitement that comes with these annual events. This episode provides an ultimate cultural experience that will inspire viewers to add these festivals to their bucket list.