Samichlaus: Well, we hope you all have a Merry Christmas. The European Christmas season is long and festive. Olle: Well let’s shake it. Contemporary 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 Explore Switzerland! … Then he might ask for a song or a poem…, Samichlaus: What would you like to sing? Mission accomplished and it's time for dinner. Rick: If there's fondue, there will be a good ambiance. Andy: Yeah, Olle, I think we can do better. My son, Andy, is playing Samichlaus this year. 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. My family has arrived for a Swiss Alps Christmas. Come on in and stand just there… and you stand just there… you come across there… that's right… and tell me your name… Up here, where villages huddle under towering peaks, Christmas fills a … 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. By Rick Steves, Tribune Content Agency on Nov 28, 2017 High in Switzerland, the mighty Alps seem to shout the glory of God. Having read this beautiful article Steve I think I’m going to start planning to be in Switzerland next Christmas. . 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. Up here, the Christmas season fills a winter wonderland with good cheer. After dinner, both our families gather in the living room… lighting the candles is a treat our children will always remember. High in Switzerland, the mighty Alps seem to shout the glory of God. Merry 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)! Santa : Come on in now. With Rick Steves, Andreas Clemens, Georg Reichlmayr, Holger Zimmer. Today we travel to the Swiss Alps, which seem to shout the glory of God. … Three generations come together as grandpa reads from the old family Bible. Up here, where villages huddle under towering peaks, Christmas fills … Samichlaus: Have you been feeding the cows lately? Switzerland. Andy: I like it a lot, Olle. Germanic cities host colorful Christmas markets with all the seasonal toys and treats. To celebrate the season, I’m sharing clips, extras and behind-the-scenes notes from Rick Steves' European Christmas: https://www.ricksteves.com/christmas. Many sights and banks close down on national holidays — keep it in mind when planning your itinerary. In these villages, traditions are strong… and warmth is a priority. Join Rick Steves for a colorful, musical celebration of Christmas across Europe. Samichlaus surprises the children and checks in his ledger to see if they've been doing their chores…. Video: Christmas in Germany To celebrate the season, I’m sharing clips, extras, and behind-the-scenes notes from Rick Steves’ European Christmas . Maria: Yes, everybody knows what figugel means… Get inspired with Rick Steves’ recommended places to go and things to do, with tips, photos, videos, and travel information on Gimmelwald. ‎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. Join Rick Steves for a colorful, musical celebration of Christmas across Europe. Girl: (Sings). (photo: Cameron Hewitt) High in Switzerland, the … Rick: Here's to a happy Christmas. Related Pages See All. And for the kids, much of that anticipation is about presents — rewards for being not naughty… but nice. To celebrate the season, I'm sharing clips, extras and behind-the-scenes notes from Rick Steves' European Christmas. Behind the Scenes: Filming Christmas in Switzerland. High in Switzerland, the mighty Alps seem to shout the glory of God. Up here, the Christmas season fills a winter wonderland with good cheer. The evening's capped off with the sharing of gifts. It may be cold outside, but, as the sun sets, it's impossible not to linger in this cozy setting. The TV Special: Experience Christmas with Rick Steves in England, Norway, France, Italy, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland! Olle: What do you think? Included are 14 complete live concert performances of music. And the donkey is playing… himself. Rick: So if you have a party you know that it’s going to be… December 23, 2019. 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. Before we know it, the light outside begins to fade…. Here in the Alps, it's Samichlaus — that's Swiss German for St. Nicolas — and his side-kick, Schmutzli. Jackie: Yeah this is a good tree, I think we should cut it. Back home, grandma and grandpa have joined the gang as we settle into a classic Swiss Christmas Eve. Rick’s son and a villager dress up as St. Nicholas ("Samichlaus") and his sidekick, Schmutzli, to bring a treat to every child. Up here, Christmas fills a wintry wonderland with good cheer. 16800 posts. For this family, the holiday feast includes ham, scalloped potatoes with mountain cheese, and lovingly decorated gingerbread cookies. Fortunately you’ve given us so much detail so it shouldn’t be too hard to do. Jackie: …look at this! It takes the reader on a journey across Europe to reveal the food, decorations, songs, and celebrations of its many countries. High in Switzerland, the mighty Alps seem to shout the glory of God. (4½ min), ©2021 Rick Steves' Europe, Inc. | Food We learn that German kids believe the Christkind (a female angel) brings gifts. keywords Up here, where villages huddle under towering peaks, Christmas fills a wintry wonderland with good cheer. And in Austria, which gave us “Silent Night,” a welcoming family shares their holiday traditions. 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 … Olle's son, Sven, is playing Schmutzli. Olle: Yes, it was quite a bit of work. 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. To celebrate the season, I’m sharing clips, extras, and behind-the-scenes notes from Rick Steves’ European Christmas. 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. 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. Advent is all about anticipation. Maria: When it's cold outside, you know it's perfect. Up here, where villages huddle under towering peaks, Christmas fills a wintry wonderland with good cheer. Rick Steves' European Christmas gives viewers a look at sacred, intimate family Christmas traditions. see our FAQ. Rick’s son and a villager dress up as St. Nicholas ("Samichlaus") and his sidekick, Schmutzli, … As the sun sets, we've got our tree, and take an unforgettable ride home to Gimmelwald…. For more information about these and other events, visit the official tourism site for Switzerland. Rick Steves' Europe. Christmas See you next year. The Swiss village of Gimmelwald, under a blanket of snow, is a picturesque place for winter festivities. For coronavirus (COVID-19) travel information, 06/26/14 09:32 PM. Andy: I’m not sure, shake it. Christmas in Switzerland. Jump to bottom. Rick: This feels just right in the winter doesn't it? 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. From manger scenes and mistletoe to wintry wonderlands, RICK STEVES' EUROPEAN CHRISTMAS celebrates the Christmas season throughout the European continent. Olle: What do you think about this tree here? Terms of Service | Privacy. And everywhere, Christmas is celebrated with family, as together Europe remembers the quiet night that that holiest family came to be. 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. Each year, Gimmelwald's children anticipate a visit from this dynamic Christmas duo. By Rick Steves. Join Rick Steves for a colorful, musical celebration of Christmas across Europe. High in Switzerland, the mighty Alps seem to shout the glory of God. Explore Gimmelwald! Posted by leanne (brisbane) ... Rick Steves' Europe. It may be cold outside, but, as the sun sets, it's impossible not to linger in this cozy setting. The sense of anticipation is the same as — day by day — Christmas approaches. When it comes to traditional holiday images, Germany’s Bavaria is the heartland. Ovens are small, so wood is too. Still high above Gimmelwald, we're stopping in a hut for a little fondue. Back in the village, the kids take the tree home and we've been invited to enjoy another Christmas tradition. High in Switzerland, the mighty Alps seem to … American travel authority Rick Steves guides viewers through his favorite European cities. All: Yes…, It's impossible not to linger in this cozy setting. Merry Christmas! 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. 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. 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. While I grew up opening windows on a paper Advent calendars, up here the windows are real. And the performance is always followed by a treat from his big bag of gifts. (photo: Cameron Hewitt) In Switzerland, some families still use real candles to adorn their Christmas tree. In Burgundy, carols ring out at church and a family preps a special dinner. 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). Here's a clip from the Rick Steves' European Christmas TV special, as the Steves family goes tree-hunting in the snowy Swiss Alps. This list includes major festivals in major cities, plus national holidays observed throughout Switzerland. Up here, where villages huddle under towering peaks, Christmas fills a wintry wonderland with good cheer. Christianity Olle is taking us high above his village on a quest to find and cut the perfect Christmas tree. Nature, in all its wintry glory, seems to shout out the joy of the season in Switzerland. Get inspired with Rick Steves’ recommended places to go and things to do, with tips, photos, videos, and travel information on Switzerland. Anne: We've got the tree. High in Switzerland where the churches are small and villages huddle below towering peaks, the mighty Alps seem to shout the glory of God. Figugegl means — Fondu isch guet und git e gueti Lune — it means in English that fondue is delicious and gives a good mood. Switzerland. All: Cheers! Thanks once again and have a wonderful Christmas wherever you are. Religion 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. And a family preps a Special dinner Germany ’ rick steves christmas in switzerland Bavaria is the heartland peaks. Have you been feeding the cows lately many countries know it 's perfect: like. 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