In Paris, amidst all of its grandeur, the little joys of life are still embraced. In this first of two episodes on Paris, we'll cruise the Seine River, visit Napoleon's tomb, and take in the Louvre. Then we'll feel the pulse of Paris — shopping in village-like neighborhoods, attending church in a grand pipe organ loft, and celebrating the mother of all revolutions with a big, patriotic Bastille Day bang.

Like the Continent, Great Britain is a delight to explore. We're starting in the Cotswolds, two hours west of London. From there we circle south to Wells, Glastonbury, Stonehenge and into South Wales.