Smart Travels with Rudy Maxa
Season 2
With an extensive investigative reporting background, Rudy Maxa uses his fine-tuned travel techniques on his journey around the world. Join him and discover all sorts of incredible countries and cities that are full of energy and vitality.
Where to Watch Season 2
13 Episodes
- Athens and the Peloponnese
E1Athens and the PeloponneseWhile Athens sprawls, its historic core survives. After climbing the majestic Acropolis, rowing the Plaka, and cheering Greece's best folk dancers, we take some easy trips outside the city. Take a pilgrimage to the location where the famed Oracle of Delphi provided guidance and cryptic predictions, and visit the epic ruins of King Agamemnon in the ancient capital of Mycenae. - Greek Islands
E2Greek IslandsOn the Greek Islands we get familiar with the ferries as we island-hop the Aegean. Sun-drenched, upscale and exotic, Santorini sits on the rim of an ancient, but still active, volcano. At one end of the island, the archaeological site at Akrotiri uncovers a city frozen in time by the volcano's eruption 3,600 years ago. - France's Burgundy and Loire Regions
E4France's Burgundy and Loire RegionsThe Burgundy region boasts top French wines, romantic canals, Romanesque churches, and some of France's most renowned cuisine. We base in the small town of Beaune and learn about its history of exceptional wine-making. Add a wondrous hot-air balloon ride over the verdant Loire Valley to the itinerary too. - Munich and Bavaria
E6Munich and BavariaMunich's lively Marienplatz pulses with outdoor cafes, shoppers, street musicians and happy tourists. At the famous Hofbrauhaus, we sample Bavarian beer and kick up our heels with Schuhplattler dancers clad in lederhosen. Next stop is the Residenz, the family palace built by the Wittlesbachs, who ruled Bavaria for more than 700 years. - Salzburg and the Lakes District
E7Salzburg and the Lakes DistrictIn musical Salzburg, we focus on Austria's easy approach to life. We visit the city's grand cathedral, take a funicular up to Europe's greatest medieval fortress, and shop along fine Baroque streets reminiscent of Mozart's time. We visit the house where the young Amadeus was born and where he composed his first masterpiece. - Vienna and the Danube
E8Vienna and the DanubeHabsburg palaces, coffee houses, Strauss waltzes...all are symbolic of Vienna. Visiting elegant Schönbrunn Palace, riding in carriages, sampling luscious apple strudel and listening to Mozart concerts, we see that Austria's capital still lives its elegant, proud past. - Milan and Lake Como
E9Milan and Lake ComoMilan symbolizes the powerhouse Italy of the 21st century--a European center for finance and fashion. We explore Italy's most extravagantly decorated Gothic cathedral, look at Leonardo da Vinci's famous Last Supper and shop, shop, shop. A visit to the Milan Design Museum shows how, for the Milanese, everyday life is art - Classical Europe: Ancient Greece and Rome
E11Classical Europe: Ancient Greece and RomeHere's where we pull together some of Europe's most rewarding sites from the classical world. Ancient Greek and Roman remnants are more than cold stone. They hold centuries of stories. So we revisit some favorite classical sites around the Mediterranean, pick up some new stories and see what kinds of connections we can make. - Renaissance Europe
E12Renaissance EuropeTravelers adore Italy, and Italy adores the Renaissance. In this historical half-hour, we follow Western Europe's transition from medieval to modern times by exploring the arts and ambiance of this vibrant period of human history that turned our imaginations towards greater purpose.
