Rick Steves' Europe

Like no other European capital, Portugal's Lisbon has an old time charm — it feels like San Francisco but older, grittier... and less expensive.

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.

This time we're kicking off a South England adventure, starting at the White Cliffs of Dover and following the coast to Land's End.

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.

Europe's our playground—and Germany's in the heart of the fun. After a stop at historic Cologne we ride the train to the resort spa of Baden Baden, then hop south through the highlights of the Black Forest.

Crowning Britain in the Northwest of Europe, Scotland welcomes visitors. From the town of Oban, we cruise to the Isles of Mull and Iona, then follow the Caledonian Canal to Glencoe, Loch Ness and onto Culloden.