Europe is a place where the senses never sleep. Awaken to the tolling of church bells in Corsica. The whir of an espresso machine in Monte Carlo. The laughter of gondoliers plying the waterways of Venice.

Few places on earth offer such a symphony of sights and sounds, colors and contrasts. Spicy tapas snap the palate to attention. Amazing artwork dazzles the eye. Fragrant pine forests and perfumeries tickle the nose. Brightly painted ceramics and soft, sumptuous fabrics beg to be touched. In Barcelona, the over-the-top architecture of Antoni Guadi offers a brilliant counterpoint to the elegantly dressed locals. On the avenues of Nice, grand hotels blend beautifully with tiny pocket parks. And even though the continent is awash in Spanish cathedrals, French castles and ancient Roman statuary, it is forever looking forward--leading the way in fashion, music, design and gastronomy from the byways of Lisbon to the boulevards of Rome.

When you've had your fill of Europe's high-octane energy, the gentle rhythms of the Mediterranean will restore your sense of calm.