Roaming Europe, we admire stately Neoclassical buildings and dramatic Romantic paintings.

Florence's bold "rebirth" is powered by the genius of Leonardo, Rafael, and Michelangelo.

From Portugal to Germany, booming economies and new technologies produce exquisite art.

The grand cities of ancient Rome's vast empire and majestic Christian churches of its fall.

Rome's rise, as seen in its supersized monuments, colorful mosaics, and marble Caesars.

We marvel at Stone Age cave paintings, mighty megaliths, and mysterious goddesses.

We'll discover the best of Israel, stopping in passionate, traditional Jerusalem, cosmopolitan Tel Aviv, the fortress of Masada, the Sea of Galilee, and the Yad Vashem memorial.

While visiting Berlin's powerful sights - moving memorials, top-tier museums, surviving bits of communist and fascist days - we'll take time to revel in its vibrant social scene.

We'll start with a cruise through Venice's lagoon, pausing to savor fresh fish canal-side. Then we'll sample the treasures of the Accademia Gallery, explore some back-street wonders, and luxuriate in a venerable cafe on St. Mark's Square.

We explore Rome on a more intimate scale - dodging Vespas in Trastevere, roaming through the historic Jewish Ghetto, and enjoying art treasures in a string of rarely visited churches to uncover the charms of hidden Rome.