frohliche weihnachten. thanks again for your calls. if you've already called in, thank you. and if not, well, we'd love to thank you next. paris is nicknamed europe's city of light for its incandescent energy and effervescent culture. in the dark of winter, the city's best-loved icon, the eiffel tower, brilliantly heralds this happy season. by night, paris's biggest department stores dress up the streets. printemps is pretty in pink, and the galeries lafayette has woven an exquisite embroidery of lights. there's ice skating at the hotel de ville. and all along the champs-elysees, it's a festive forest of 2,000 twinkling trees. [ bells chiming ] by day, the signs of christmas are more subtle but can be found everywhere. the best-dressed trees are seen here at the pompidou center. where else but in paris will you find avant-garde christmas trees making a fashion statement? with visions of versace dancing in their heads, inspired fashionistas can bundle up their wish lists and head to the designer boutiques on

frohliche weihnachten. we enjoy today here at home. it contains more information on the history of this special season than we were able to include in the tv program. each chapter uncovers the fascinating story behind the many traditions so familiar to americans. there's a chapter telling how we actually produced the show, and there are recipes for every festive meal we enjoyed. this beautiful book takes you vividly over to europe for christmas, and it will for years to come. [ singing ] and the rick steves' european christmas cd complements the book and the dvd with a fresh collection of carols sung on location in the seven countries we visited. performances range from inside a rustic stone church in oslo to one of england's best choirs in downtown london. this collection reminds us that while our heritage may be diverse, we can all enjoy the spirit of the christmas season through the joy of music. however you celebrate christmas, it's a time rich in tradition, wondrous for children, and for families to co