Southampton is the largest city and port on the south coast of England. Tour the historic byways of Old Town with its Medieval walls and Tudor architecture. Spend an hour or two meandering along the pathways of Royal Victoria Country Park, picturesquely set along the waterfront on the grounds of a former military hospital where Florence Nightingale once worked. Southampton's maritime past can be explored by strolling along the Town Quay with its marina and lively bars and restaurants. It was here that the Titanic departed on its fateful journey and where the Mayflower sailed for the New World.

Enjoy the scenic trip through the rolling French countryside to Paris and spend the day savoring it's gardens, museums and historic sites. Visit the Louvre, Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower. Take a boat ride along the Seine and a stroll along the Champs Elysee. Or visit historic Rouen or the battlefields of Normandy.

Tiny and historic, St Peter Port is the capital and main port of Guernsey in the Channel Islands. Its steep cobbled streets lead past Castle Cornet, 800 years old, the Town Church in an historic chapel, Candie Gardens with sweeping harbor views, and Hauteville House, Victor Hugo's home from 1856-70, preserved as when he wrote Les Misérables. World-class dining and shopping abound.

Explore this fascinating fortified town or discover the lovely medieval town of Dinan and its impressive clock tower and picturesque half-timbered houses. Drive along the rugged Brittany coast and savor the stunning view of mystical Mont St. Michel before wandering through its steep winding streets and the mazelike abbey passages.

Explore the heart of this naval port, nestled in one of France's most beautiful natural harbors. Named after the Iroise Sea, you can't help but stand in awe for the Pont de l'Iroise bridge, which crosses the River Elorn. For another awe-inspiring experience visit Océanopolis, the only ocean discovery centre of its kind in Europe, with its enormous aquariums and a seal clinic. Visitors are welcomed to interact with some of the marine animals.

Bordeaux is located near the European Atlantic coast, in the north of the Aquitaine region in France. The city is built on a bend of the river Garonne, with the city literally divided into two parts. The world's wine capital, Bordeaux has about 60 appellations, 9,000 wine-producing châteaux, and 13,000 grape growers. With an annual production of over 700 million bottles, Bordeaux produces large quantities of everyday wine as well as the most expensive ones.

Bordeaux is located near the European Atlantic coast, in the north of the Aquitaine region in France. The city is built on a bend of the river Garonne, with the city literally divided into two parts. The world's wine capital, Bordeaux has about 60 appellations, 9,000 wine-producing châteaux, and 13,000 grape growers. With an annual production of over 700 million bottles, Bordeaux produces large quantities of everyday wine as well as the most expensive ones.

On France's Côte Basque, Biarritz rose to fame in the mid-19th century when Napoleon III built a summer palace for Empress Eugénie; it's now the Hotel du Palais. France's surfing culture began here in the late 1950s, and surfers still ride the Bay of Biscay waves. The city also offers beaches, museums, the blue-domed Russian Orthodox Church, chic shops, and Basque-inspired cuisine like veal stew, cured ham, tapas, and foie gras.

Bilbao straddles the Bilbao or Nervión River some 15 miles from the Cantabrian Seacoast. An industrial city, the metropolitan area ranks among Spain's most important commercial and financial centers. Proximity to the sea and early discovery of vast mineral deposits led to the development of the port. The modern city center is El Ensanche (literally "the expansion"). Possibly the newest source of great local pride is the remarkable Guggenheim Museum-Bilbao.

La Coruna is a busy port on the Atlantic Ocean that provides a distribution point for agricultural goods from the region. It was the arrival of democracy in Spain after the death of Francisco Franco that caused a major growth in the city. The city is the site of the Roman Tower of Hercules, a lighthouse that has been in continuous operation for nearly 2,000 years. The city is also well-known for its characteristic glazed window balconies, called galerías.

Lisbon, said to have been founded by Ulysses as Olisipo, is one of Europe's most fascinating cities. A devastating 1755 earthquake destroyed much of it, and the Baixa was rebuilt in neo-classical style, now the city's heart. Overlooking the Tagus, the "City of Explorers" offers districts like Alfama, with Moorish lanes, and Bairro Alto, where you can hear Fado. Nearby are the palaces of Queluz and Sintra.

Portimão offers a relaxing beach getaway framed by golden sands and impressive cliffs. History and architecture lovers can visit the medieval Castle of Alvor and the 14th-century Igreja da Nossa Senhora da Conceição, restored after a devastating earthquake with a walnut-wood altar and azulejo religious scenes. Nature brings cultivated fields, pine-covered slopes, and wildflowers. Take home traditional lace, ceramics, leather goods, and baskets.

Cádiz, Andalusia's famed capital, has been beautifully restored. Palm trees, elegant squares, flower-filled parks, red-tile rooftops, and lively markets give the port a charming feel. Its old town sits on the peninsula tip, full of lively plazas, while the new town is an elegant modern city with excellent beaches. Cádiz is also a good base for a day trip to Seville, home to the Alcazar, Seville Cathedral, and the Giralda Tower.

Explore the Mendoubia Gardens which contain a fascinating banyan tree that is more than 800 years old. The Caves of Hercules are 9 miles west of Tangier in the Cap Spartel area; it is a place of great beauty and archeological significance.

Málaga, on Spain's Costa del Sol, is the region's capital and a popular holiday base. It is Picasso's birthplace, and his works are displayed in the Museo Picasso in the Palacio de Buenavista. Visitors can also sample sweet Málaga dessert wines from nearby hillside vineyards. The city is a pleasant place to explore and a common starting point for trips to Granada and the Alhambra in the Sierra Nevada foothills.

Cartagena is a Spanish Mediterranean city with more than 2,500 years of history. Each corner, street and square offers travelers monumental examples of its splendorous historical past. The origins of the city are shown at the Punic Wall, which marks the foundation of the city by the Carthaginians in 227 BC. Cartagena has been the capital of the Spanish Navy's Maritime Department of the Mediterranean since the arrival of the Spanish Bourbons in the eighteenth century.

There is something for everyone in Alicante. The historic Mediterranean port city is located in renowned Costa Blanca, within the region of Valencia. From outdoor cafés to white-sand beaches to museums that house rare masterpieces, this town has everything one would expect of a Mediterranean escape. Be sure to visit the picturesque town of Guadalest, one of the most unique destinations in all of Spain.

Ibiza is often called the "White Island" due to its abundance of whitewashed houses. Part of the Balearic Islands, it is covered with limestone hills and topped by lush pine forests. Winding lanes take visitors through cobbled streets to admire the stunning views across the bay or to a blissful calm amidst the action. Designer shops, fine restaurants, neighboring beaches and a thriving nightlife add to the excitement Ibiza has become world famous for.

Mallorca, also known as Majorca, is a wind-swept island with steep jagged cliffs and olive groves more than a thousand years old. Mallorca is an island of contrasts. To the south is a busy tourist area with hotels, bars, restaurants, shopping and dazzling night life. To the north are rocky valleys, sleepy villages shrouded in bougainvillea, and breathtaking views. Palma is dominated by the breathtaking Gothic Cathedral, located high above the waterfront on the site of a former mosque.

One of Europe's most visually stunning cities, Barcelona balances the medieval intimacy of its Gothic Quarter with the grace and distinction of the wide boulevards in the Moderniste Eixample. It was the home of architect Antoni Gaudí, whose Sagrada Familia Cathedral, Park Güell and Casa Milà are the most profound statements of Modernisme. View the splendid works at the Picasso Museum and the Miro Foundation, or discover Barcelona's passionate ambiance at a flamenco show.