Rick Steves' European Christmas gives viewers a look at sacred, intimate family Christmas traditions. Christmas in Switzerland. December 23, 2019. ‎Show Rick Steves' European Christmas (video), Ep Part 6: Switzerland - Dec 15, 2006 ‎High in Switzerland, the mighty Alps seem to shout the glory of God. Andy: Yeah, Olle, I think we can do better. Up here, where villages huddle under towering peaks, Christmas fills a wintry wonderland with good cheer. Advent is all about anticipation. High in Switzerland, the mighty Alps seem to shout the glory of God. Samichlaus: Have you been feeding the cows lately? It may be cold outside, but, as the sun sets, it's impossible not to linger in this cozy setting. Rick: If there's fondue, there will be a good ambiance. Rick Steves' European Christmas DVD provides a vivid and authentic portrait of how Europeans celebrate the holiday from England to Norway, Burgundy to Bavaria, and Rome to the top of the Swiss Alps. Rick’s son and a villager dress up as St. Nicholas ("Samichlaus") and his sidekick, Schmutzli, to bring a treat to every child. Switzerland. After dinner, both our families gather in the living room… lighting the candles is a treat our children will always remember. keywords Maria: Yes, everybody knows what figugel means… 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. As the sun sets, we've got our tree, and take an unforgettable ride home to Gimmelwald…. For coronavirus (COVID-19) travel information, High in Switzerland, the mighty Alps seem to shout the glory of God. Religion Rick: This feels just right in the winter doesn't it? Christmas Included are 14 complete live concert performances of music. Rick: Here's to a happy Christmas. Festive Fun: Rick and his crew experienced 12 carol concerts, 11 mugs of Glühwein, 10 living mangers, 9 happy families, 8 Christmas feasts, 7 Euro-cultures, 6 mistletoe kisses, 5 alternative Santas, 4 pounds of weight gain, 3 midnight Masses, 2 exhausted cameramen, and a very merry Christmas for one and all (go ahead, sing it)! My family has arrived for a Swiss Alps Christmas. Up here, Christmas fills a wintry wonderland with good cheer. The sense of anticipation is the same as — day by day — Christmas approaches. Germanic cities host colorful Christmas markets with all the seasonal toys and treats. Rick: So if you have a party you know that it’s going to be… Up here, the Christmas season fills a winter wonderland with good cheer. Christianity For this family, the holiday feast includes ham, scalloped potatoes with mountain cheese, and lovingly decorated gingerbread cookies. Up here, where villages huddle under towering peaks, Christmas fills … Rick Steves' Europe. see our FAQ. It takes the reader on a journey across Europe to reveal the food, decorations, songs, and celebrations of its many countries. To celebrate the season, I’m sharing clips, extras, and behind-the-scenes notes from my one-hour special, “Rick Steves’ European Christmas.” Today we travel to the Swiss Alps, which seem to shout the glory of God. The evening's capped off with the sharing of gifts. … Then he might ask for a song or a poem…, Samichlaus: What would you like to sing? And the donkey is playing… himself. This colorful companion book to the "Rick Steves' European Christmas" TV special takes you on a wintertime wander among local holiday celebrations in England, Norway, France, Germany, Austria, Italy, and Switzerland. In the special, Rick visits friends and families in England, France, Norway, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy to reveal their customs and practices of the holiday season. From England to Wales, France, Norway, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy, you'll see the bright Christmas markets, hear local choirs, share holiday traditions with … Jackie: Yeah this is a good tree, I think we should cut it. Rick Steves' new edition of his classic European Christmas book will be a hit with his fans and an eye-opener for those not familiar with his work. 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…. With Rick Steves, Andreas Clemens, Georg Reichlmayr, Holger Zimmer. (photo: Cameron Hewitt) High in Switzerland, the … See you next year. This list includes major festivals in major cities, plus national holidays observed throughout Switzerland. With Rick Steves. Jackie: …look at this! Jump to bottom. Fortunately you’ve given us so much detail so it shouldn’t be too hard to do. Merry Christmas! Video: Christmas in Germany To celebrate the season, I’m sharing clips, extras, and behind-the-scenes notes from Rick Steves’ European Christmas . Girl: (Sings). The European Christmas season is long and festive. Posted by leanne (brisbane) ... Rick Steves' Europe. My son, Andy, is playing Samichlaus this year. Santa : Come on in now. Back in the village, the kids take the tree home and we've been invited to enjoy another Christmas tradition. To celebrate the season, I'm sharing clips, extras and behind-the-scenes notes from Rick Steves' European Christmas. Nature, in all its wintry glory, seems to shout out the joy of the season in Switzerland. Still high above Gimmelwald, we're stopping in a hut for a little fondue. High in Switzerland, the mighty Alps seem to … Having read this beautiful article Steve I think I’m going to start planning to be in Switzerland next Christmas. Olle: What do you think about this tree here? Up here, where villages huddle under towering peaks, Christmas fills a wintry wonderland with good cheer. Enjoying a white Christmas in an alpine village with a local family, we find the perfect tree, sample fondue, take a sleigh ride, eat a hearty feast, and sing carols. Switzerland. And in Austria, which gave us “Silent Night,” a welcoming family shares their holiday traditions. And for the kids, much of that anticipation is about presents — rewards for being not naughty… but nice. Olle is taking us high above his village on a quest to find and cut the perfect Christmas tree. High in Switzerland, the mighty Alps seem to shout the glory of God. 06/26/14 09:32 PM. The TV Special: Experience Christmas with Rick Steves in England, Norway, France, Italy, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland! Ovens are small, so wood is too. Here in the Alps, it's Samichlaus — that's Swiss German for St. Nicolas — and his side-kick, Schmutzli. For more information about these and other events, visit the official tourism site for Switzerland. Join Rick Steves for a colorful, musical celebration of Christmas across Europe. … Three generations come together as grandpa reads from the old family Bible. Samichlaus: Well, we hope you all have a Merry Christmas. Rick’s son and a villager dress up as St. Nicholas ("Samichlaus") and his sidekick, Schmutzli, … Up here, where villages huddle under towering peaks, Christmas fills a wintry wonderland with good cheer. I think it's always good advice to stay at the most attractive/scenic spot, even if it's small, or because it's small, rather than day-tripping from a larger town. Back home, grandma and grandpa have joined the gang as we settle into a classic Swiss Christmas Eve. Before we know it, the light outside begins to fade…. Each year, Gimmelwald's children anticipate a visit from this dynamic Christmas duo. High in Switzerland, the mighty Alps seem to shout the glory of God. Come on in and stand just there… and you stand just there… you come across there… that's right… and tell me your name… Andy: I’m not sure, shake it. Olle: Well let’s shake it. Food Mission accomplished and it's time for dinner. By Rick Steves, Tribune Content Agency on Nov 28, 2017 High in Switzerland, the mighty Alps seem to shout the glory of God. (photo: Cameron Hewitt) In Switzerland, some families still use real candles to adorn their Christmas tree. It may be cold outside, but, as the sun sets, it's impossible not to linger in this cozy setting. Olle's son, Sven, is playing Schmutzli. Here's a clip from the Rick Steves' European Christmas TV special, as the Steves family goes tree-hunting in the snowy Swiss Alps. While I grew up opening windows on a paper Advent calendars, up here the windows are real. Related Pages See All. Behind the Scenes: Filming Christmas in Switzerland. All: Cheers! And everywhere, Christmas is celebrated with family, as together Europe remembers the quiet night that that holiest family came to be. Andy: I like it a lot, Olle. . Figugegl means — Fondu isch guet und git e gueti Lune — it means in English that fondue is delicious and gives a good mood. Olle: What do you think? 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. Paris in Christmas means twinkling lights (at the Eiffel Tower and fancy stores), fun window displays, stylish trees, ice-skating, and tasty treats (chestnuts, oysters, and Yule log cakes). Get inspired with Rick Steves’ recommended places to go and things to do, with tips, photos, videos, and travel information on Gimmelwald. To celebrate the season, I’m sharing clips, extras, and behind-the-scenes notes from Rick Steves’ European Christmas. Olle: Yes, it was quite a bit of work. From England to Norway, Burgundy to Bavaria, Rome to the top of the Swiss Alps, locals brimming with holiday cheer celebrate Christmas in seven European countries, including a very memorable Christmas Eve Mass at St. Peter's in Rome. High in Switzerland where the churches are small and villages huddle below towering peaks, the mighty Alps seem to shout the glory of God. By Rick Steves. In these villages, traditions are strong… and warmth is a priority. When it comes to traditional holiday images, Germany’s Bavaria is the heartland. To celebrate the season, I’m sharing clips, extras and behind-the-scenes notes from Rick Steves' European Christmas: https://www.ricksteves.com/christmas. All: Yes…, It's impossible not to linger in this cozy setting. We learn that German kids believe the Christkind (a female angel) brings gifts. Anne: We've got the tree. Samichlaus surprises the children and checks in his ledger to see if they've been doing their chores…. And the performance is always followed by a treat from his big bag of gifts. Terms of Service | Privacy. From manger scenes and mistletoe to wintry wonderlands, RICK STEVES' EUROPEAN CHRISTMAS celebrates the Christmas season throughout the European continent. Today we travel to the Swiss Alps, which seem to shout the glory of God. Twenty-five homes decorate a window for each day of Advent. Up here, where villages huddle under towering peaks, Christmas fills a wintry wonderland with good cheer. American travel authority Rick Steves guides viewers through his favorite European cities. Up here, the Christmas season fills a winter wonderland with good cheer. Thanks once again and have a wonderful Christmas wherever you are. Rick Steves' European Christmas (2005) From England to Wales, France, Norway, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Italy, you'll see the bright Christmas markets, hear local choirs, share holiday traditions with families…and even play in the snow The Swiss village of Gimmelwald, under a blanket of snow, is a picturesque place for winter festivities. Explore Switzerland! In Burgundy, carols ring out at church and a family preps a special dinner. Join Rick Steves for a colorful, musical celebration of Christmas across Europe. Merry Christmas! Explore Gimmelwald! Get inspired with Rick Steves’ recommended places to go and things to do, with tips, photos, videos, and travel information on Switzerland. Join Rick Steves for a colorful, musical celebration of Christmas across Europe. (4½ min), ©2021 Rick Steves' Europe, Inc. | Many sights and banks close down on national holidays — keep it in mind when planning your itinerary. 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