They get an early start on the Christmas season in some parts of Europe with celebrations that can go way back.

But for an American dad raising his kids in Amsterdam, the Dutch holiday character of Black Pete can be a bit hard to swallow.

And I have to smile and I have to think,

this is wonderful and the kids enjoying this.

Well, all the while I'm thinking to myself,

this is disgusting.

Coming up, we hear about the nostalgic traditions that open up the holiday season in the Netherlands and in Sweden.

Joanna Lumley finds a connection to even earlier days when she visits Greece.

Everything we know about came from Greece in the old days, the way that we do medicine,

theatre, sport, politics, democracy, all these things came from Greece in the first place.

And we'll take a closer look at the grandeur anyone can experience in the great churches of Europe.

You go in there, there's statues, you look up, there's got a gold leaf ceiling, they've got painting, stained glass, they got incense.

Incense.

Connect with the world and the hour ahead.

It's Travel with Rick Steves.

Prepared to be awestruck today on Travel with Rick Steves. Actress Joanna Lumbly shares high points of her

filming Odyssey in Greece where she got close to ancient sites and close to memorable people.

And we'll explore how you can put yourself inside some of the world's grandest architecture

by visiting the great churches and cathedrals of Europe.

But first, St Nicholas Day is a high point of the holidays for many Europeans.

It's a time for a new generation to be dazzled by the traditions of the season

and to get acquainted with their own version of Santa Claus and his associates.

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