Hi, I'm Rick Steves, and it's Christmas time
in Europe. From manger scenes to mistletoe,
from Norway to Rome, we're celebrating
all over the continent. Buon Natale! Froehliche Weihnachten! Joyeux Noel! Merry Christmas! And thanks for joining us. [ Background orchestra plays
"Joy to the World" ] In melting pot America, Christmas is celebrated
year after year with traditions that came over
on the boat with our ancestors. In this holiday special, we're traveling
back to the old country, to places of rich variety
and deep roots. We'll explore the history behind
our much-loved traditions. Joining friends and families
across Europe, we'll discover a Christmas that's both familiar
and different. England is filled with voices
singing in the season. The short days
around the solstice bring Norwegians out to celebrate the light
of Christmas. Families,
friends, and food are the centerpiece
of the French Noel. An angelic Christmas presence
fills Germany and Austria with magical wonder. Italy reveals the sacred
nature of the season, from its countryside
to its holiest shrines. Nature in all its
wintry glory seems to shout out the joy of
the season in Switzerland. And everywhere Christmas
is celebrated with family, including my own,
as together, Europe remembers
the quiet night that that holiest family
came to be. While each European culture gives Christmas
its own special twist, they all follow
the same story of how the Son of God
was born on Earth, as told in the Bible and illustrated over
the centuries by great artists. The Christmas story begins
with the Annunciation: "An angel sent from God
with a message "for a young woman
whose name was Mary. "And the angel said, "'Fear not, for thou shalt
bring forth a son, "'and you will
name him Jesus. "'and he shall be called
the Son of the Most High and his kingdom
will have no end.'" "And it came to pass, "that there went out a decree
from Caesar Augustus, "that all the world
should be taxed. "And Joseph,
a carpenter from Nazareth, "went to Bethlehem
to be taxed, "with Mary,
who was expecting a child. "And while they
were there, "she brought forth
her firstborn son "and laid him in a manger "because there was no room
in the inn. "In that region,
there were shepherds, "keeping watch
over their flocks by night. "An angel of the Lord came
to them, and said, "'Fear not, for behold, "'I bring you good tidings
of great joy. "'For unto you is born on
this day in the city of David, "'a savior,
who is Christ the Lord.' "And suddenly there was
a multitude of angels "proclaiming: 'Glory
to God in the highest, "'and on Earth peace and
good will to all.' "And the shepherds said,
'Let us go to Bethlehem,' "where they found
Mary and Joseph "and the babe
lying in a manger. "Now, after Jesus was born,
there also came wise men. "And a glorious star,
which they saw in the east, "went before them. "Guiding them, it stood over
where the child was. "The wise men knelt down
and worshipped the child, "giving him gifts: Gold,
frankincense, and myrrh. The long-awaited Messiah
had arrived." This is the story that Christians have celebrated
through the ages. We don't really know
on which day Jesus was born. Historians argue
it was likely in the spring, as shepherds were
"tending their flocks." But, in the 4th century,
a pope declared December 25th to be the official birthday
of Jesus. Why that date? Christianity was newly legal
in the Roman empire, and the clever pope figured
it would be smart if the biggest Christian
festival coincided with the biggest
pagan one: winter solstice. And throughout the land,
people -- Christians celebrating
the birth of the Son and pagans celebrating
the return of the sun -- have been rejoicing
ever since. For scenes
straight out of a box of old-fashioned
Christmas cards, we head to England,
to the city of Bath. Here, in the heart
of the old town near the magnificent
medieval abbey, Bath hosts
an annual Christmas market. - Woman: Hello. - Man: Hello.
Mulled wine please? Woman: Yes. Carols are
a deeply ingrained part of the English
Christmas tradition. The custom goes back
to Shakespeare's day. Today, young and old sing
their way through the season. Here the Bath Abbey Choir
of Boys and Men are performing a carol
concert by candlelight. [ Choir singing
"Oh, Holy Night" ] [ Introduction to light,
staccato melody ] [ Choir singing ] As is the case
just about anywhere, it's in the countryside that
families celebrate Christmas in the most
down-to-earth style. My friends Maddy and Paul
and their kids, Theo and Leila, are looking
for a living tree, which they'll decorate
and then plant at home. Maddy: That the right size?
Yeah...OK. Paul: You think it would look
good with the fairy on top? Maddy: Brilliant.
I like it. It's a new
twist on an old tradition, with a wink to the
nature-worshipping pagans who once haunted
these parts. Decorating with greens
goes back to the druids who adorned their temples
with swags of evergreen. For pagans, living greens
in the dead of winter represented the persistence
of life. And for Christians,
evergreens are a reminder of the gift
of everlasting life. During this hectic season, getting together
to bake Christmas goodies while the little ones
decorate edible ornaments, is a fine way for busy mums
to enjoy some time together. Maddy's recipe
for mince pies harkens back to the days
of Henry VIII. Back then, the dried fruits,
spices, and shredded meat for the filling
were so expensive that only the wealthy could
afford to make a mince pie. According to tradition,
12 pies should be eaten during the 12 days
of Christmas to ensure good luck each
month of the coming year. Woman: Don't let me forget
those mince pies, Maddy. But it's the Christmas pudding
that's the real centerpiece of a traditional English
holiday meal. ♪ Now bring us some
figgy pudding. ♪ ♪ Now bring us some
figgy pudding. ♪ ♪ Now bring us some
figgy pudding. ♪ ♪ Now bring some
out here. ♪♪ Put this one
up here. Like a lot of us, Maddy and Paul are opting
for a simpler, less commercial style
of Christmas, and that's reflected
in their family traditions. Little Theos and Leilas
wouldn't always have been so involved
in the family activities. Childhood as we know it
really began in 19th-century England
with the new middle class. And at Christmas
those stern Victorians gave themselves permission
to indulge their children. [ Talks indistinctly ] The English tradition of
caroling starts very young. We're visiting Theo's school as
the students take center-stage at the 14th-century
village church for a very special
Christmas concert. ♪ ...here we go off
to Bethlehem ♪ ♪ on a cold
and frosty morning ♪ ♪ We're going to be taxed
in Bethlehem, ♪ ♪ Bethlehem, Bethlehem ♪ ♪ We're going to be taxed
in Bethlehem ♪ ♪ on a cold
and frosty morning ♪ ♪ There is no place
in Bethlehem, ♪ ♪ Bethlehem, Bethlehem ♪ ♪ There is no place
to Bethlehem ♪ ♪ on a cold
and frosty morning ♪♪ [ Applause ] [ Children singing
"Jingle Bells" ] Christmas is
drawing near, and tonight
these lucky kids are taking a train
through the woods to meet Santa, or as the English know him,
Father Christmas. Father Christmas:
Come on in now. Come on in
and stand just there. And you stand
just there. You come across there.
That's right. Tell me
your names. Now, what's
your name? Dillon.
Hello. What's your
name? Kate. And what's
your name? Jack. Well done!
Now then, most important. What do you want
for Christmas? I don't know. Just some
surprises. I'm very good
at surprises. And what do
you want? Well, I haven't
written my list out yet. So we're going to
wait for your list, and when it comes,
I'll be ready for it. Now, are you going
to do something for me? Are you going to leave me
something out on Christmas Eve? Child:
Yes! What are you
going to leave me? Mince pies
and wine! And are you going to leave
a carrot for the reindeer? Yeah.
Yes! We'll check back
with Theo and Leila on Christmas Eve. While children
on their best behavior ask Santa for the toy
of their dreams, my wish right now
is a chance to hear one of finest chamber choirs
in England, the Sixteen, filling a church with
timeless sounds of the season. Woman soloist:
♪ the holly and the ivy ♪ ♪ trees that's both
well-known ♪ ♪ of all the trees
that grows in woods ♪ ♪ the holly bears the crown ♪ Chorus:
♪ the rising of the sun ♪ ♪ the running of the deer ♪ ♪ the playing
of the merry harp ♪ ♪ sweet singing
in the choir ♪ Male soloist:
♪ the holly bears a bark ♪ ♪ as bitter as any gall ♪ ♪ and Mary bore
sweet Jesus Christ ♪ ♪ for to redeem us all ♪ Chorus:
♪ the rising of the sun ♪ ♪ the running of the deer ♪ ♪ the playing
of the merry harp ♪ ♪ sweet singing
in the choir ♪ Woman soloist:
♪ the holly and the ivy ♪ ♪ trees that's both
well-known ♪ ♪ of all the trees
that grows in woods ♪ ♪ the holly bears the crown ♪ Chorus:
♪ the rising of the sun ♪ ♪ the running of the deer ♪ ♪ the playing
of the merry harp ♪ ♪ sweet singing
in the choir ♪♪ Leaving the tranquility of
the English countryside behind, London offers Christmas fun
fit for a queen and streets twinkling
with joy. There's magic in the air. Or...is that snow? Here in Trafalgar Square,
in the heart of the city, a winter wonderland has been
created just for the day. [ Exclaiming ] [ Laughing ] It's a lovely
snowy day, isn't it? Father Christmas has dropped
by for the wintry fun, and London's town crier
is in fine form as he passes out mince pies
and holiday cheer. Nearby at Somerset House,
once a grand palace, the courtyard
has been transformed into an ice-skating rink, elegant enough to make a
commoner feel like royalty. At Covent Garden, shoppers can
find classic toys for tots at Benjamin Pollock's
famous toy shop, in business
since the 1880s. The joy and peace
of the Christmas season bring both people
and countries together. This giant spruce, a gift
from the citizens of Oslo, is a reminder
of the friendship forged between Britain and
Norway during World War II. And Norway
is where we're headed next. Here in small-town Norway, Christmas is celebrated
with a unique intimacy and a Scandinavian flair
for community. We're in Drobak,
about an hour south of Oslo. While it's Norway's
self-proclaimed capital of Christmas, Drobak feels like any idyllic
town on a fjord. It's Santa Lucia Day,
December 13th, one of the darkest days
of winter and an important part of the
Scandinavian Christmas season. All over Nordic Europe, little
candle-bearing Santa Lucias are bringing light
to the middle of winter and the promise
of the return of summer. These processions are led
by a young Lucia wearing a crown
of lights. [ Children singing
"Santa Lucia" in Norwegian ] ♪ ...Santa Lucia ♪ ♪ Santa Lucia ♪♪ [ Applause ] This home has housed
widows and seniors for over 200 years, and
today the kindergarteners are bringing on the light
in more ways than one. The children have baked
the traditional Santa Lucia
saffron buns -- the same ones
these seniors baked when they
were kindergarteners. Taking their cue
from Santa Lucia, Norwegians,
cozy in their homes, brighten their long,
dark winters with lots of candles, white lights -- you'll
never see a colored one-- and lots of greenery. In Norway,
as in the rest of Europe, pagan symbols --
like the evergreen tree -- survive disguised
as Christmas traditions. The same is true
with this sprig of mistletoe. In Scandinavia, it's associated with
the Viking goddess of love. For Celtic people,
it was a sacred plant. They used it to heal the sick
and enhance fertility. For most of us,
it's just a handy excuse to steal
a little Christmas kiss. Oh, that's a mistletoe.
Mmmm. The Norwegian spirit
of Christmas extends even
to the departed. Candles flicker
in graveyards as families remember
lost loved ones. And all over Norway, communities gather together
in churches just like this as choirs cap Santa Lucia Day
with a concert. [ Choir singing
"Angels We Have Heard on High" ] ♪ ...glo...ria... ♪ ♪ In excelsis deo ♪♪ And as the congregation
follows the Santa Lucias out, more light of Christmas spills into this little
fjord-side community. [ Choir singing
"Santa Lucia" in Norwegian ] ♪ ...Santa Lucia ♪ ♪ Santa Lucia ♪♪ A common theme across cultures
is a legendary gift giver -- not always fat and jolly --
who kids butter up with treats. While I grew up leaving
Santa Claus milk and cookies by the fireplace, the kids here leave a bowl
of porridge out by the barn for the Julenisse. These mischievous
elves-from-the-forest visit each Christmas,
not on reindeer, but with a horse, pig,
and mouse entourage and a bag of gifts. Every good child knows the Julenisse is coming
with an exciting reward. Just up the fjord,
Norway's capital, Oslo, celebrates Christmas
with a more urban charm. Streets are decorated, locals not ready to rely
on the Julenisse, are out shopping, and good cheer
is abundant. [ Shrieking ] Christmas in Oslo
feels low-key. You'll find it best not on
the streets or in the malls, but in the homes,
with friends and in music. Youthful voices fill
the city's oldest church. The old Aker Church, which dates back
to the 12th century, hosts
the Norwegian Girls' Choir for an Advent concert. [ Choir singing carol
in Norwegian ] ♪ ...in excelsis deo ♪♪ [ Loud applause ] We'll check back with the Santa
Lucias and the Julenisse later. And while Norway awaits
the return of the sun, further south, Paris
creates its own light. Paris is nicknamed
Europe's "City of Light" for its incandescent energy
and effervescent culture. In the dark of winter,
the city's best-loved icon, the Eiffel Tower, brilliantly heralds
this happy season. By night, Paris' biggest
department stores dress up the streets. Printemps is pretty in pink,
and the Galeries Lafayette has woven an exquisite
embroidery of lights. And all along
the Champs-Elysées, it's a festive forest
of 2,000 twinkling trees. [ Bells chiming ] By day, the signs of
Christmas are more subtle but can be found
everywhere. The best-dressed trees
are seen here in the Pompidou Center. Where else but in Paris will you find avant-garde
Christmas trees making a fashion
statement? With visions of Versace
dancing in their heads, inspired fashionistas
can bundle up their wish lists and head to the designer
boutiques on the Rue Royale. Christmas in Paris
is elegantly understated, and the city yields
unexpected moments. Turn a corner, and you just
might find yourself in a stylish arcade
all wrapped up in red. Busy Parisian shoppers fuel up
on the city's street food: Steamy crêpes... and hot roasted
chestnuts. Man: Joyeux Noel! And neighborhood brasseries
are full of friends slurping fresh oysters rushed
in from the Brittany coast. Oysters are favorites
at Christmas, which makes perfect sense as they're plump and
delicious this time of year. 'Tis also the season
of elegant edibles. Foie gras, a pâté
made from goose liver and a smidge of cognac, is especially popular
during holidays. And chocolate shops
and patisseries -- wonderful any time
of year -- get even better
at Christmas. There are chocolate chestnuts... Yummy yule logs... And delights fit
for a king. Even sophisticated Paris rolls out the magic carpet
for children. French families
from all over the country rendezvous at the windows of
the grand department stores. Displays are
especially designed to enchant the
little ones. And stools provided
by thoughtful stores make sure that even the
tiniest tot enjoys a good view. During Christmas,
the Eiffel tower becomes the highest
ice-skating rink in Paris. Kids ride ponies
at Luxembourg Gardens... And the city's magical
Manèges de Noel, the carousels
of Christmas, spin memories. A clear, cold day
brings out Parisians, trying to soak up as much
sunlight as possible on these, the shortest days
of the year, while a dusting of snow brings out hopes
for a white Christmas, like at home. Whether you're young
or just young at heart, Christmas in Paris
is the stuff of dreams. If Paris is a grandam strutting
her Christmas finery, then Burgundy,
where we're heading next, is her pious country cousin. [ Choir singing in French ] Burgundy lies in the quiet,
religious heart of this mostly
secular nation. France's most venerable
abbeys are here, and their spirit seems to
animate the small villages throughout the region. Ancient traditions survive
comfortably here. This 13th-century abbey resonates with the rich sounds of the French group Phonema, singing medieval carols just as they were sung
centuries ago. [ Singing continues ] A sense of community runs
strong in rural France, and it expresses itself
in simple rituals shared by families
and friends. In Burgundy,
no one goes without. Communities take good care
of one another year-round, with special treats
at Christmas. This amiable village mayor,
accompanied by her entourage, gets into the spirit
of things by delivering baskets of
delicacies to the elderly for the Christmas
Eve feast. [ Both speaking French ] This morning my friends
the Berteloots are shopping for seasonal
fare at the Saturday market. [ Speaking French ] [ Speaking French ] Fine food's at the center
of life in Burgundy, even in the dead
of winter. Right about now the truffles
are at their pungent best. [ All speaking French ] Delphine and Emmanuel
prepare for the grandest culinary
event of the year. The French call
their Christmas Eve feast "Le réveillon de Noel." [ Speaks French ] At home the family's busy
preparing for the big event. The children
are decorating candles to set on the windowsill
on Christmas eve to light up the dark
on that night so filled
with anticipation. [ Speaking French ] [ Speaking French ] And the tree's not quite done
until capped with a star. [ Both speak French ] In the kitchen, Delphine
slices her foie gras... Then devotes herself to the
centerpiece of the réveillon: Filet of beef wrapped
in brioche. Stretching the pastry
is a two-person job. After generously
grating local truffles the beef is
tenderly wrapped and ready for the oven. And there's still
the serious business of selecting the perfect wine
from the cellar. Soon guests
will be arriving. This time of year, when the days are short and the
nights are long, it's customary to leave
a welcoming light in the window. We'll be back
when dinner's ready. But first, we've got some
shopping to do...in Germany. When it comes
to traditional holiday images, Germany's Bavaria
is the heartland. Here we'll savor
classic holiday themes: Glittering trees,
old-time carols, and colorful Christmas markets. These markets,
called Christkindl markets, enliven squares
throughout Germany. The most famous
is here in Nuernberg. It's a festive swirl of the heartwarming sights,
sounds, and smells of Christmas. Long a center of toy making
in Germany, a woody and traditional
ambiance prevails. Nutcrackers are
characters of authority: Uniformed, strong-jawed, and able to crack
the tough nuts. Smokers, with their
fragrant incense wafting, feature common folk like
this village toy maker. Prune people,
with their fig body, walnut head,
and prune limbs, are dolled up
in Bavarian folk costumes. And hovering above it all
is the golden Rausch angel, an icon of Christmas
in Nuernberg. "Rausch" is the sound of wind
blowing through its wings. It's a favorite for capping
family Christmas trees. Bakeries crank out
old-fashioned gingerbread -- the Lebkuchen Nuernberg -- using the original
17th-century recipe. Back then, Nuernberg was the gingerbread
capital of the world, and its love affair
with gingerbread lives on. Shoppers can also munch the
famous Nuernberg bratwurst, skinny as your
little finger... And sip hot spiced wine. As in so many cultures, kids love their local version
of Santa Claus. While Santa is a legend, his character is based
on St. Nicholas, a kind and
generous bishop who actually lived in Turkey
in the 4th century. Holiday gift-giving, especially in Catholic regions, is often associated with the
feast day of St. Nicholas, December 6th. But Germany
is Luther country. Back in the early 1500s, the
Great Reformer, Martin Luther, wanted to humanize
the Christmas story by shifting the focus
away from the saints and back onto
the birthday boy: Jesus. Rather than
jolly old St. Nick bringing the goodies
on December 6th, Luther established
the idea that gifts would be given
on the 25th by the Christ child
or, in German, "Christkind." [ Speaking German ] [ Laughing ] But for kids,
it was hard to imagine the little baby in the manger
delivering gifts, so an angel served as the gift-giving
Christ child. And somehow the
angel came to be represented by
a young girl. She spends her
reign spreading the joy of the season. The Christkind
concludes by telling the enthralled
children, "if you're very, very gentle, you can touch my wings." Nuernberg's favorite angel
then leads her fans into the children's section
of the market where expertly bundled kids enjoy a Christmas wonderland. [ Children shouting ] Now we cross the border
into Austria to the town that to me
always feels like Christmas: Salzburg. With its old town gathered
under its formidable castle, Salzburg celebrates
the holidays with an Alpine elegance. [ Horseshoes clopping ] Christmas-y shopping lanes
delight browsers. Markets are busy as shoppers gather
last-minute holiday decorations and perhaps a fresh
sprig of mistletoe. [ Gunshots ] These Tiroleans
celebrate the season in noisier fashions,
as well. [ Gunshot ] From the castle ramparts,
high above town, traditional gunners
fire away as they have since the days
when they really believed these shots would scare away
evil spirits. [ Gunshots ] Salzburg, nicknamed
"the Rome of the North," has a magnificent
cathedral inspired by St. Peter's
at the Vatican. Locals here in the town
of Mozart pack the place to mix worship
with glorious music. [ Orchestra playing;
Choir singing ] [ Bells chiming
"Silent Night" ] It was here,
in the region of Salzburg that the most-loved carol
of the Christmas season, "Silent Night," was sung
for the first time nearly 200 years ago. According to legend,
a local priest went out one Christmas night
to bless a newborn baby. As he walked home
in the snow, he was so moved
by the stillness of the starlit and holy night that he wrote a poem
about it. He gave the poem
to Franz Gruber, the organist in his church,
who composed a simple tune. On Christmas Eve,
1818, the carol was sung
for the first time accompanied only
by a guitar. [ Plucks introductory notes ] Both:
♪ stille nacht ♪ ♪ heilige nacht ♪ ♪ alles schlaeft...♪ Austria is one of Europe's
more traditional corners. Its strong Catholicism
and a love of heritage shine especially brightly at Christmastime
in the countryside. ♪ ...hochheilige Paar ♪ ♪ holder knabe ♪ ♪ im lockigen haar ♪ We're visiting
the Weissacher family farm. - "Frohe Weihnachten!
Kommt herein, bitte." This family happily shares
its love of the season with a guest. Like just about anywhere, part of Christmas is making
cookies with grandma. More unique to Austria
is this ritual in which the dad blesses
the home with incense as his daughter follows
with holy water. The prayer is for a healthy
and happy new year. Maria teaches her daughters
how the advent wreath marks the four weeks
of Advent: The season
of preparation leading to the advent,
or arrival, of Jesus. Ancient peoples were
the first wreath makers. For Christians,
that evergreen circle came to symbolize
everlasting life. The candles, one
for each week, reminded them that the birth
of their Savior was approaching. Austrians lovingly
decorate their tree, but keep it secret and
hidden from the children until December 24th arrives. We'll check back a little later
to see what Christmas brings. From here in the Alps,
we journey to a grand city that was the capital
of the Western world on that first Christmas
2,000 years ago and remains a leading city
in Christendom today: Rome. This is home
of the Vatican City, headquarters of the
Roman Catholic church and some of Europe's most
sacred Christmas traditions. For centuries,
pilgrims have hiked from all over Christendom
to this great city. Domes and ancient obelisks
still serve as markers, lacing together relics
and sacred stops... Including the tomb
of St. Peter, marked by the greatest dome
anywhere. And through the ages,
pilgrims have stopped here at the Basilica
of Santa Maria Maggiore. The faithful believe
the original planks from Jesus' crib are
in this ornate container. And here in the capital
of Catholicism, each Christmas, lovingly
constructed manger scenes, called "presepi,"
pop up all over town. St. Francis of Assisi
is credited with assembling the first manger scene
in 1223. He used it as a tool
to teach people the story
of the first Christmas. Since then, in the creative
teaching style of St. Francis, manger scenes often put
Bethlehem in a local context. Instead of the Middle East,
Italians have long set the Holy Family right here
in Italian settings. St. Francis knew that
by putting Jesus in a place people would recognize --
their own neighborhood -- the faithful
could relate more easily to the story
of His birth. And presepi range
from the very traditional to the very surprising, like this one that imagines
the Nativity in an Eskimo village. The ultimate
manger scene is back on Rome's
ultimate square. St. Peter's is where the pope
celebrates midnight mass each Christmas Eve. For Roman families there are more than
just manger scenes to see. For centuries this lively
square, Piazza Navona, has hosted a boisterous
village-like holiday market that stays busy until
Epiphany in January. The Christmas season
in Europe stretches
for well over a month, not to maximize
shopping days, but to fit in
the season's many holy days. Advent starts four Sundays
before Christmas Eve. Then comes the feast
of St. Nicholas on December 6th. Santa Lucia Day
is on the 13th, and Europeans don't
wrap things up on the 25th. The 12 days of Christmas
stretch from the 25th through January 6th.
That's Epiphany, the day the three kings
finally delivered the gifts. In Italy on Epiphany, La Befana,
a popular Christmas witch, flies over the rooftops filling children's stockings
with candy...or coal. Between visiting
their manger scenes and Christmas witches, many Italians are shopping for
their big Christmas eve dinner. [ Shouts in Italian ] When it comes
to a festa, Italians like to buy
fresh and local, and lucky Romans enjoy an abundance
of farmers markets. La vigilia, the traditional
Christmas Eve dinner, calls for all
the trimmings. Here in Rome,
that's lots of veggies and a nice big
female eel. As anywhere, Christmas in Rome
is a time of giving. The spirit of charity
is especially alive in this neighborhood, which has come together
for a special holiday meal. At the church of Santa Maria
in Trastevere, tables have replaced pews and the poor
are enjoying a feast prepared and served
by the community. It's a joyful occasion,
and by all accounts those doing the giving feel as
blessed as those they feed. Outside of Rome, in villages
in regions such as Tuscany, Christmas celebrations
are a little more rustic. The festivities, while
low-key, are memorable. During a busy season that
sometimes feels overwhelming, village life can be
refreshingly simple. These jovial friends
are playing an old game. The idea is to toss the panforte,
the local fruitcake, close to the edge
of the table without having it slide off. [ All talking in Italian ] [ All exclaim ] [ Woman calls to child ] These children
are flip-flopping the gift-giving
tradition. Woman:
Grazie! Boy:
Buon Natale. They're delivering another
Christmas treat, panettone, a rich brioche made
with raisins and citrus, to older folks
who have no family nearby. Woman: Buon Natale! While providing a bright spot
in this grandma's day, the child experiences
the joy of giving. Woman: Buon Natale! And today the children have
another important errand. It's time to post their
letters to Babbo Natale, the Italian version
of Santa Claus. This special mailbox mysteriously appears
each Christmas. [ Men singing
Gregorian chant ] Sacred music and prayer infuse
this tranquil landscape. Here at the 15th-century abbey
of Monte Oliveto Maggiore, reclusive monks
celebrate their faith in a timeless fashion as if one with the
communities they serve. [ Chanting continues ] And in this town, the people are
doing a dress rehearsal for a "presepio vivente,"
or living nativity. On Christmas Eve
in this simple cloister they'll recreate
the town of Bethlehem on that holiest
of nights. Monks:
♪ Amen ♪♪ In the countryside, you'll appreciate how sacred
traditions have deep roots. Here in this medieval
Tuscan hill town, villagers stack neat pyramids
of wood for great bonfires. The lighting of the fires
is a signal to villagers, dressed as shepherds, to
come and sing old carols. [ All singing in Italian ] It's a reminder
that through the ages Italy's humble shepherds
entertained the faithful as they gathered
by fires to warm themselves and await
the arrival of Christmas. [ Singing continues ] While Italy
has the rich history, magnificent manger scenes,
and grand churches, the spirit of Christmas
can be experienced everywhere in Europe. High in Switzerland, where
the churches are small and villages huddle
below towering peaks, the mighty Alps seem to shout
the glory of God. Up here, Christmas
fills a wintry wonderland with good cheer. [ Bells clanging ] In these villages,
traditions are strong, [ clanging continues louder ] And warmth
is a priority. Ovens are small
so wood is, too. My family has arrived
for a Swiss Alps Christmas. Along with our kids,
Andy and Jackie, my wife, Anne,
has joined me here in the tiny village
of Gimmelwald where we're having
some fun with our friends Olle and
Maria and their kids. [ Shrieks and laughter ] Yahoo! Hoo!
Hoo-hoo! Whoo! Olle is taking us
high above his village on a quest to find and cut
the perfect Christmas tree. Ollie: What do you think? Andy
(offscreen): I like it a lot. Yeah, this is a good tree.
I think we should cut it. [ Various people
exclaiming ] [ Indistinct talking
and laughter ] Still high above
Gimmelwald, we're stopping in a hut
for a little fondue. - Anne: We've got the tree.
- Jackie: Yes! Olle: That was quite
a bit of work. Rick: This feels just right
in the winter, doesn't it? Maria: When it's cold
outside, it's perfect. "Figugegl"
means, um... "Fondue isch guet und
git e gueti Lune" And it means in English
"fondue is delicious and gives a good mood." Rick: So if you have a party,
it's going to be -- Maria: Yes, everybody knows what
"figugegl" means. Rick: If there's fondue,
it'll be a good ambience. Maria: Yes.
[ All laugh ] It's impossible not to
linger in this cozy setting. Before we know it, the light outside
begins to fade. Rick: Here's to
a happy Christmas. Cheers! [ All laugh ] As the sun sets,
we've got our tree and take an unforgettable
ride home to Gimmelwald. [ Laughing, shrieking ] Back in the village, the
kids take the tree home, and we've been invited to enjoy
another Christmas tradition. While I grew up opening windows
on a paper Advent calendar, up here the
windows are real. 25 homes decorate a window for
each day of Advent. The sense of anticipation
is the same as, day by day,
Christmas approaches. [ Bells jingling,
sheep bleating ] Advent is
all about anticipation. And for the kids,
much of that anticipation is about presents: Rewards for being not naughty,
but nice. And as we've seen,
throughout Europe each culture seems to have
its own version of Santa Claus, who serves parents by providing children
incentives for good behavior. Here in the Alps,
it's Samichlaus -- that's Swiss-German
for "St. Nicolas" -- and his sidekick,
Schmutzli. My son, Andy, is playing
Samichlaus this year. Olle's son, Sven,
is playing Schmutzli. And the donkey
is playing himself. Each year, Gimmelwald's
children anticipate a visit from this dynamic
Christmas duo. Samichlaus surprises
the children and checks in his ledger to see if they've been doing
their chores. Have you been feeding
the cows lately? [ Speaks Swiss-German ] Then he might ask
for song or a poem. Samichlaus: What would you
like to sing? [ Sings in Swiss-German ] And the performance is
always followed by a treat from his big
bag of gifts. I hope you have
a merry Christmas. Frohe Weihnachten! See you
next year. Bye. [ Everybody laughing ] Mission accomplished, and
it's time for dinner. Back home, Grandma and
Grandpa have joined the gang as we settle into a classic
Swiss Christmas Eve. After dinner, both our families
gather in the living room. Lighting the candles
is a treat our children
will always remember. [ Man reading
in German ] Three generations
come together as Grandpa reads from the
old family Bible. [ Continues reading
in German ] The evening's capped off
with the sharing of gifts. [ Exclamations,
appreciative comments ] Christmas Eve is finally here,
and right about now, all across Europe, our friends are celebrating
this long-anticipated night in their own unique ways. Down the chimney St. Nicholas
came with a bound... In England, the family
snuggles together, anticipating the arrival
of Father Christmas. [ Crowd singing carol ] Up in Norway, they're
joining hands in song. "Joyeux Noel!" In Burgundy, a toast
starts the réveillon. And Delphine's beef
is finally done. [ Exclamations and applause ] In Austria,
the children discover what their grandparents
have been hiding from them. Final touches
are made to the Bethlehem
being created in Tuscany. [ Bell pealing ] And at the Vatican,
people pack St. Peter's, as millions
around the world share a sacred
and glorious Midnight Mass. ♪ all seem to say
throw cares away ♪ ♪ Christmas is here
bringing good cheer ♪ ♪ to young and old,
meek and the bold ♪ ♪ ding, dong, ding, dong,
that is the song ♪ ♪ with joyful ring,
all caroling ♪ ♪ one seems to hear
words of good cheer ♪ ♪ from everywhere
filling the air ♪ ♪ oh, how they pound,
raising the sound ♪ ♪ o'er hill and dale,
telling their tale ♪ ♪ gaily they ring,
while people sing ♪ ♪ songs of good cheer,
Christmas is here ♪ ♪ merry, merry, merry,
merry Christmas ♪ ♪ merry, merry, merry,
merry Christmas ♪ ♪ Christmas is here
bringing good cheer ♪ ♪ to young and old,
meek and the bold ♪ ♪ ding, dong, ding, dong,
that is the song ♪ ♪ with joyful ring,
all caroling ♪ ♪ one seems to hear
words of good cheer ♪ ♪ from everywhere
filling the air ♪ ♪ oh, how they pound,
raising the sound ♪ ♪ o'er hill and dale,
telling their tale ♪ ♪ gaily they ring,
while people sing ♪ ♪ songs of good cheer,
Christmas is here ♪ ♪ merry, merry, merry,
merry Christmas ♪ ♪ merry, merry, merry,
merry Christmas ♪ ♪ on, on they send
on without end ♪ ♪ their joyful tone
to every home ♪ ♪ on, on they send
on without end ♪ ♪ their joyful tone
to every home ♪♪ And as Christmas
Day dawns, a joyful chorus heralds
the birth of Jesus. [ Loud chorus
of bells pealing ] [ Bells fade away ] Happy Christmas! Joyeux Noel! Schoene Weihnachten! Buon Natale a tutti! God Jul! Merry Christmas! Froehliche Weihnachten! Joyeux Noel! Happy Christmas! Ho, ho, ho,
Frohe Weihnachten! All:
God Jul! [ Bell clanging ] Oyez! Oyez! I wish you all
a very merry Christmas!
I can say with all honesty that Rick Steves has influenced my life more than any other "celebrity".
He is best known as the Bob Ross of travel. I got hooked on his shows about 15 years ago as I share his passion for travelling Europe. Hes a great tour guide, as he has a backpackers mentality. Hes frugal with money, but rich on experiances. He has a great knowledge of European history and culture, and has been at the forefront of socially conscious travelling from the get go (yes, I am aware of the downsides of having Rick feature your town on his show...millions will follow). He has advocated for legalization of marajuana for decades, has used his shows to strengthen PBS, wrote numerous books..Travel as a Political Act is a fave of mine...and owns apartment buildings that he rents out to low income people in his community.
Inspired by Rick, I took a year out of my life to move to europe and visit as many countries as I could (22), and in everyone of them, I had Rick in my ear, guiding me along.
Hes the best.
Always loved Rick Steve's, he childish enthusiasm is most endearing. His fame may not be large but his desire to show the beauty of the world with some wanderlust has impacted me.
This is an absolutely charming special, highly rec. Steve is also a damn good dude who helps travelers avoid tourist experiences in favor of living more like a local.
I’m watching this for sure
The man is a treasure. When we first went to Rome we were intimidated. Was there too much to see in one trip? Yes, but Rome is a human city. The main historical places are definitely walkable. He gives you a good base of sites not to miss, reminds you to get timed tickets, and then go explore!
He’s been doing this since he was in his 20’s.
When they’re all sledding down the hill with the candles and the christmas tree, that’s some fairy tale stuff. I love me some Rick Steves
His voice and presentation is calming.
Started watching the first four minutes an didn’t like it whatsoever. After the 5th minute I thought how much my Nanna would have loved this and am still watching! Amazing! RIP nanna 💖
Dude smokes that dro too. I'd love to spark it with Steves.