A TOP American broadcaster has chosen York as one of his favourite travel destinations in Europe.
Rick Steves - dubbed America's answer to Judith Chalmers - came to the city to film the next series of his popular travel show.
More than 100 million American households will tune in to the programme to see Rick visit some of York's finest visitor attractions.
The city's tourism bosses said they hoped the show would attract crowds of much-needed US tourists next year.
Rick told the Evening Press: "York is easily accessible and has wonderful places to stay within easy reach of the city centre.
"The Minster is unique, of course, and the city has more than its fair share of beautiful museums - the York Castle Museum is one my personal favourites.
"I always enjoy coming here. York is quintessentially English."
Kay Hyde, of the York Tourism Bureau, said: "It's a great privilege to be chosen as one of the key destinations for Rick's new series.
"At a time when we need more US visitors, this is fantastic news for York and we hope the coverage will increase US visits over the next year."
Rick is a best-selling author of Europe guidebooks in the United States, and his travel programme is broadcast on more than 300 TV stations across the country.
His film crew stayed in York over the weekend at the Mount Royale Hotel - where staff are expecting to be inundated with bookings from eager American tourists when the programme airs.
Rick Steves's film crew is the second to visit York this month. Last week a Hollywood crew came to the city to film scenes for Garfield 2, starring Jennifer Love Hewitt and Billy Connolly.
Ms Hyde said: "The producers of Garfield 2 were delighted with the welcome they received and we also did everything possible to help Rick's crew during their stay here.
"We're enjoying a great deal of success in attracting film crews to York, and we're working closely with the city council to make York the most film-friendly city in the UK."
:: Hotspots
York Tourism Bureau worked with Rick Steves to put together a comprehensive itinerary of the city's hotspots.
The sites featured in the York edition of Rick's show are:
Clifford's Tower
Shambles
Stonegate
St Mary's Abbey
Yorkshire Museum
York Castle Museum
York Railway Station
Updated: 10:19 Monday, September 05, 2005
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