VERSAILLES, FRANCE – Okay, so why did it take the French so long to revolt if this revolting monument to decadence is an example of what the royals of the day were spending the people’s money on.

PARIS – Very few visitors rent a car in Paris – “much too dangerous. Too many crazy drivers,” says my guide Romy as he assembles a small tour group outside the cycle shop at 37 Boulavard Bourdon, across from the new Paris opera.

MENTON, FRANCE – The woman wearing the colorful Provençal apron insisted we try one of her oranges. She wanted to reward us for being early morning visitors to her tiny stall in this sun-drenched town’s historic outdoor market.

AIX-EN-PROVENCE, FRANCE – Market day in this ancient Roman city is always a colorful event. The fruit and vegetable stands are lush with bright, local produce; large jars filled with spices punch the air with erotic scents; freshly-picked flowers are stacked high; colourful French characters, cigarettes dangling out of their mouths, seduce the crowd with their charming wit and salesmanship.

CAGNES-SUR-MER, FRANCE – A visitor sits on a hotel terrace high above the Mediterranean coastline enjoying a glass of wine and watching the sun dip behind the far-off Alps. The golden streaks that appear at sunset look like they've been added by an artist's brush.

BERLIN - While walking through a handsome square called Bebelplatz one night, my eyes are drawn to a corner where a white light rising from the cobblestones cuts through the darkness like a knife.

BATH, ENGLAND - On several occasions I’ve come to Britain in search of the places and locations featured in the many films made in this magical kingdom that provides so many stunning movie backdrops.

BIBURY, ENGLAND - As we nervously try to avoid oncoming traffic on the narrow one-lane highway leading into what I remember as a magical Cotswold village, flashes of my last visit to Bibury more than a decade ago start dancing in my head.

GREENWICH, ENGLAND - The steel gangplank leading to the tour boats tied up at London’s Westminster Pier strain under the weight of the hundreds of tourists waiting to take a trip back in time to this lovely city on the River Thames.

OXFORD, ENGLAND - Finally, I can look my snooty Ivy League school friends straight in the eye and tell them “I went to Oxford.”