Smart Travels with Rudy Maxa - Season 4

Friendly and feisty, Scotland makes us feel right at home. In Edinburgh, we climb the ramparts of this city’s famous castle, shop for kilts, visit mysterious Rosslyn chapel and thrill to a spooky ghost tour. Then we head to historic St. Andrew’s to practice our swing on the world’s most famous golf course.

A Mediterranean marvel, Barcelona simmers with beautiful beaches, medieval mazes, eye popping art and hypnotic architecture. From tapas bars, to surrealist art, to Modernist structures, we’ll feast on Barcelona’s delights.

The Spanish capital Madrid welcomes us with grand plazas and sparkling fountains. First stop is the Prado, one of Europe’s great museums and home to Goya, El Greco and Velázquez.

From a fairy tale fortress to the gentle Pyrenees, Rudy takes in the castles and peaks of this magical region. We tour the largest fortress in Europe, Carcassonne, and sample the local stew, Cassoulet.

The world’s finest wines, sweeping vineyards and fine food couple with a river valley dotted with castles. We sample the best Bordeaux then cruise the lovely Dordogne and Lot rivers with stops at chateaux, ancient watermills, and perched villages.

The Swiss Alps reverberate with cowbells, accordions, and laughter. We make our home base in the year-round playground of Interlaken, the “town between two lakes”. We sail across glacial Lake Brienz, famous for its beautiful woodcarving.

Hot-spiced cider and strains of “O Tannenbaum” warm our hearts as we head to Europe for Christmas. Switzerland has a special glow this time of year and we find plenty of good cheer in the bright Christmas markets and toasty ski lodges.

We leave the eternal city behind by way of the famous Appian Way to explore the environs of Rome. First it’s the majesty of Emperor Hadrian’s villa and the wine and lakes of the Alban Hills. Next, it’s south to the ancient seaport of Ostia, Rome’s Pompeii.

Europe’s best kept secret, the Croatian coast of Dalmatia dazzles with stunning white stone cities and azure waters. We begin in Dubrovnik, then island hop up the coast, snorkeling, swimming, sunning and reveling in the scenery.