France & Benelux 2000 - 2007

After marveling at masterpieces in the Louvre and strolling the Champs-Elysees, we explore a delightful Parisian neighborhood. We meet a pipe organist, drop by a butcher shop, design our own perfume, and cruise the Seine.

Packing the best of Paris into one episode, we scale the Eiffel Tower, then savor classic treats — from steak tartare to crème brulée. We marvel at Monet, Manet and company in the stunning Orsay Gallery. Tracing the sad steps of Marie Antoinette, we relive French history from its bloody revolution to its extravagant belle epoch.

After exploring the half-timbered charm of Rouen, we reflect on Monet's lily ponds, peek in on local artisans, and set up an easel at Honfleur's harbor. We venture into composer Eric Satie's eccentric world and feast on the finest of Normandy cuisine. After pondering sacrifice and celebrating freedom on the D-Day beaches, we hike with pilgrims to the enchanted island abbey of Mont St. Michel.

Provence, known for its soft light and fierce wind, is as loved by Americans as it is by the sun. We climb Roman ruins in Nimes, explore a papal palace in Avignon, and savor vivid views immortalized by van Gogh in Arles. Crossing acres of lavender and wispy vineyards, we explore the Côtes du Rhone, lonely villages of the Luberon, and the wonders of the South of France.

A longtime favorite escape of Europe's elite, the Riviera coastline — stretching from burly Marseilles and the delicate cliffs of Cassis to the border of Italy — still sparkles with yachts. In fairytale Monaco we listen to the graceful reshuffling of personal fortunes at the casino. Then we follow in the footsteps of 19th century aristocrats along Nice's promenade des Anglais, and visit the picturesque, artist hangouts of Chagall, Matisse and Picasso.

France's countryside is the ideal place to rent a car for relaxed sight-seeing. We drive up Alsace's route du vin - 90 miles of vineyards, half-timbered villages and feudal fortresses. After strolling Alsatian village streets, we head for Verdun and walk the trenches of the longest battle of World War I. Then, at Reims Cathedral we marvel at Gothic splendor and Chagall's stained glass. Our final stop is Epernay, the bubbly birth place of champagne, where we savor a few sparkling samples.

Belgium is a land of contrasts. From the powerhouse headquarters of the European Union and Europe's grandest square in big-city Brussels, we go quaint with delicate lace and back lane bike rides in small-town Bruges. We check into a medieval hospital, savor the exquisite art of Memling, and climb a bell tower to get up close and fortissimo at a carillon concert. Then passionate chefs — creators of French fries and Europe's finest chocolate — give us a taste of their art.

Amsterdam stimulates all the senses, with Rembrandts and stately architecture from its Golden Age, hidden churches and Holocaust memorials from its troubled times, and Van Goghs and titillating street life from its modern age. Then, side-tripping into the countryside (and below sea-level), we hike dikes, climb windmills, tour the world's biggest flower market, and see how in Holland, "everything's just so Dutch!"