Rudy Maxa's World (Seasons 1 - 4) -
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"Trust Rudy if you want to travel in style."-The Today Show
Rudy Maxa, the award-winning public television host has for years
shared his authoritative "tips, trips & secret places." Rudy is the
travel expert millions trust to make their trips memorable. From
magnificent cities and must-see landmarks to off the beaten path
surprises that only Rudy knows, Best of Europe and Best Travel is the only way to go!
DVD 1: Treasures Outside London
Dublin and Beyond - Discover history around every
corner of Dublin; find inspiration in the hillsides of Glendalough;
visit Malahide Castle and the Hill of Tara, home of the ancient Irish
kings; and take a side trip to Northern Ireland's Folk Park.
Ireland's West Coast - Shop for Irish crystal in
Galway; explore a Stone Age fort on the Aran Islands; attend a medieval
banquet at Bunratty Castle; visit a Muckross country manor; and tour the
stunning Dingle Peninsula.
Bath and Wales - Experience Georgian loveliness in
Bath; hear legends of Camelot in Glastonbury; and visit castles, country
fairs and more in Wales and the Wye River Valley.
Edinburgh and Scotland - Climb the ramparts of
Edinburgh Castle; tee up at the world's most famous golf course--St.
Andrews; tour Dewar's whiskey distillery; stroll Stirling's historic
battlefields of Braveheart fame; and sail the bonny banks of legendary Loch Lomond.
Extra Features:
- Rudy's Travel Tips - International driver's license; Rental car collision insurance; European driving etiquette.
- Fascinating Side Trips - Bunratty Castle entertainers;
Irish Brush Dance at Claymore Castle; Kingstroop Royal Horse Artillery;
The Edinburgh Ghost and Witchery Tour.
DVD 2: Splendors of France
France's Champagne Region - Begin this intoxicating
tour in Reims, home of the historic cathedral where French kings were
crowned. Visit champagne producers both large and small in wine country,
and shop for the fine chocolate in the medieval town of Troyes.
Discover Charleville's tradition of puppetry, and marvel at the fortress
of Sedan, the largest castle in Europe.
Normandy - Witness the birth of Impressionism in
Giverny and in the museums in Rouen and Honfleur. The Norman conquest
unfolds in the Bayeux tapestry, and we remember World War II's D-Day
landing. After sampling cider and cheese in the farmland just inland
from Honfleur, your journey ends at the awe-inspiring Abbey of
Mont-St-Michel.
Carcassonne and the Pyrenees - From a fairy tale
fortress to the gentle Pyrenees, Rudy takes in the castles and peaks of
this magical region. Your itinerary includes an unforgettable stop at
Carcassonne, the largest fortress in Europe; romantic castle ruins; and
in the high country, one of the world's natural wonders--a mountain
amphitheater with cascading waterfalls.
France's Bordeaux and Dordogne - Sample the best
Bordeaux, and then cruise the lovely Dordogne and Lot Rivers, with stops
at chateaux, ancient watermills, and perched villages. Attend cooking
classes and embark on an underground adventure to see pre-historic cave
paintings.
Europe Just For Fun - Looking for absolute R&R,
total escape, or just a change of pace? Rudy shares his "personal picks"
for a variety of European adventures that are especially entertaining,
exhilarating or challenging, including hot-air-ballooning, mountain luge
rides, golf, puppetry, amusement parks, country mazes, hiking, or just
lazing on a sunny beach.
Extra Features:
- Rudy's Travel Tips - Ten biggest traveler mistakes; Strategies for beating the crowds; Choosing a hotel, and more.
- Fascinating Side Trips - Champagne from the air; Monet's garden at Giverny; Medieval jousting at Carcassonne, and more.
DVD 3: Mysteries of Greece and Rome
Athens and Delphi - Following a tour of Athens'
historic sites, take a pilgrimage to the famed Oracle of Delphi, and
visit a beautiful medieval monastery. On the Peloponnesian Peninsula,
scope out Nafplion's charming port, and visit the epic ruins of King
Agamemnon in the ancient capital of Mycenae.
Greek Islands - Go island hopping on the Aegean! On
the sun-drenched island of Santorini, discover a city frozen in time by a
volcano's eruption 3,600 years ago. Catch some R&R on trendy
Mykonos, and then head to sacred Delos, an uninhabited island covered
with ancient ruins.
Out of Rome - Explore the environs of Rome by way of
the Appian Way. First, experience the majesty of Emperor Hadrian's
villa and lakes of the Alban Hills. Next, head south to the ancient
seaport of Ostia. Along the way, sample olive oil, stop at a medieval
hilltop town, and enjoy a retreat fit for an emperor at a five-star
villa.
Classical Europe - Ancient Greek and Roman remnants
are more than cold stone. They hold centuries of stories. Revisit
favorite classical sites around the Mediterranean, including Athens,
Delphi, Delos, Paestum, Syracuse, Pompeii, Rome, and Provence.
Extra Features:
- Rudy's Travel Tips - E-tickets, in-flight email, looking for festivals.
- Fascinating Side Trips - Music videos: Athens and Delphi, Greek Islands' traditional Italian street music, and more.
DVD 4: Great Cities of Europe
Madrid - Grand plazas, sparkling fountains, and
world-famous museums await you in Madrid. Tour El Palacio Real, the seat
of the Spanish empire, and the Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales, a
hoard of art treasures hidden away in the center of the city. Then,
day-trip to the imperial city of Toledo with its twisting streets and
narrow alleyways.
Barcelona and Costa Brava - From tapas bars, to
surrealist art, to Modernist structures, we will feast on Barcelona's
delights. Rambles along La Rambla, Gaudi's treasures, a neighborhood
festival, designer shopping and waterfront fun are some of the
highlights. For the best beaches we head north to the coves of the Costa
Brava.
Four Great Cities of Europe - London calls for high
tea at the Athenaeum and modern art at the Tate Modern. Paris treats us
to impressive dining, the Musee d'Orsay, and the Centre Georges
Pompidou. Amsterdam offers Rembrandt's The Night Watch and a traditional
rijsttafel dinner. In Brussels, visit what some call the most beautiful
town square in Europe.
Four Great Cities of Europe II - How can you be part
of the international jet set and still get a taste of the authentic
"old" Europe? Embark on a whirlwind tour of four European cities that
represent a bit of the old and a bit of the new. Learn how to get the
most out of one-day visits to Copenhagen, Berlin, Munich, and Rome.
Extra Features:
- Rudy's Travel Tips - Health tips; Tips for women traveling alone, for seniors, or for travelers with disabilities.
- Fascinating Side Trips - Flamenco performance; Riding a roller coaster in Tivoli Gardens, and more.
DVD 5: Romantic Germany and Beyond
Germany's Romantic Road - Follow the Romantic Road
as it winds through some of Germany's most picturesque countryside.
Visit Wurzburg, with the spectacular Baroque Bishop's Palace, and enjoy a
front row seat for Dinkelsbuhl's annual observance of the day the
children saved the town during the Thirty Years War. Conclude your trip
in Rothenburg, the best-preserved medieval walled city in Germany.
Germany's Rhine and Mosel Rivers - Take a scenic
cruise down Germany's Rhine and Mosel rivers to visit vineyards and
ancient castles. In Koblenz, witness where Julius Caeser destroyed two
Germanic tribes, and just downstream, where American troops first
crossed the Rhine during World War II. Your trip concludes in Cologne,
with its modern art museum.
Prague and Budapest - Marvel at Prague's beautiful
Old Town and tour the labyrinthine castle that haunted writer Franz
Kafka. Browse the shops in this former communist country, as we witness
the scene of the "Velvet Revolution." Then it is off to Budapest, where
we surrender ourselves to mineral spas, are serenaded by gypsy music,
and sway to the rhythms of Hungarian dancers.
Croatia's Dalmation Coast - Europe's best-kept
secret, the Croatian coast of Dalmatia, dazzles with stunning white
stone cities and azure waters. From Dubrovnik, island hop up the coast
and revel in the scenery. A highlight of this excursion is a visit to
Korcula, an idyllic island retreat that is the most romantic of all
Croatian walled beauties.
Music Lover's Europe - Wherever you are headed in
Europe, music rings out in concert halls, opera houses, local festivals,
markets, and street corners. Rudy shares his favorite musical moments
in destinations that are worth a special trip: from Italy and the French
Pyrenees to Ireland's County Clare and Norway.
Extra Features:
- Rudy's Travel Tips - Train travel; Phoning home affordably; Theme Trips, and more.
- Fascinating Side Trips - The Hungarian State Folk Ensemble, boat ride from Korcula, and more.
DVD 6: Alpine Secrets
Bologna and Emilio-Romagna - Sample the diverse and
delicious flavors of this slice of Northern Italy and take in the
glorious art and culture along the way: cheese and mosaics in Parma;
balsamic vinegar and race cars in Modena; and ham, pasta, and university
life in Bologna. The mountainous Apennines, Ravenna's sixth-century
mosaics, and a Rimini beach resort complete your excursion.
Veneto and Dolomite - After a night at the opera in
Verona's Roman arena, set out in search of Giotto's colorful frescoes in
Padua and architect Palladio's villas in Vicenza and the surrounding
countryside. Then head for the hills and the dramatic peaks and meadows
of the Dolomite Mountains.
Switzerland and the Alps - From the year-round
playground of Interlaken, sail across glacial Lake Brienz. Thrill to a
heart-stopping gondola ride to alpine heights in the spectacular
Lauterbrunnen Valley, and hike past flower-filled meadows and mountain
chalets. Enjoy shopping, chocolate, and taste Swiss cuisine in vibrant
Zurich.
Christmas in Switzerland - Celebrate the joys of a
Switzerland Christmas, where Christmas markets and toasty ski lodges
offer good cheer. From Zurich with its glittering trees and festive
music, veer off the beaten path to the medieval towns of Bremgarten and
Einsiedeln. Dog sledding on a glacier and a visit with Father Christmas
raise holiday spirits.
Extra Features:
- Rudy's Travel Tips - Converting kilometers to miles; Sampling wines in Europe, and more.
- Fascinating Side Trips - Cable car to the Shilthorn; Geneva Escalade Festival; Splendors of the Dolomites, and more.
