Travel with Rick Steves 815 Sacred Paris; Newgrange Solstice; Finnish Sauna; Christmas in Estonia, Rome, Venice
Dec 13, 2025
Join Susan Cahill, a Paris expert and author of "Sacred Paris," as she illuminates the city's stunning religious architecture, revealing hidden gems from historic churches to vibrant synagogues. Igor Scamparin, a Venetian guide, shares the magic of Christmas in Venice—talking about glass-themed decorations, communal festivities, and delicious holiday foods like musetto and panettone. Their insights transport listeners to enchanting traditions, from Finland's sauna culture to Ireland’s ancient solstice rituals, painting a rich tapestry of winter celebrations.
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Inside Newgrange On Winter Solstice
- Stephen McPhillamy describes Newgrange as a 5,000-year-old mound older than the pyramids and Stonehenge.
- He explains the burial chamber was designed so a winter-solstice sunlight beam would illuminate urns containing ancestors' ashes.
Winning The Newgrange Lottery — Clouds Came
- Stephen recounts winning a spot via lottery to be one of 20 people inside Newgrange on solstice but experienced clouds that kept the chamber dark.
- He felt no disappointment, saying the uncertainty mirrored how ancestors experienced the ritual.
Book Newgrange Tours Online Year-Round
- You can visit Newgrange most days of the year and see a simulated winter-solstice light if you can't win the solstice lottery.
- Make reservations online through the visitor center to secure a regular tour.
