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.

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.

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.

Casablanca is Morocco's largest city and industrial center. Its renaissance came with the French protectorate under its first resident general, Lyautey. It was largely his ideas on public works and the layout of the new city which gave Casablanca its wide boulevards, public parks and fountains, and imposing Moresque civic buildings.

Agadir, on North Africa's Atlantic coast beneath the Atlas Mountains, was rebuilt after the 1961 earthquake destroyed most historic Portuguese, Arab, and French colonial buildings. Today it's an upscale resort with beaches, golf, tennis, horseback riding, colorful souks, Moroccan and international dining, and trips to Berber villages, the Souss Valley, and the High Atlas.

Discover Arrecife, a relaxed modern city of white buildings against volcanic landscapes and a turquoise bay. Visit Timanfaya National Park's twisted lava formations and caves, El Charco de San Gines lagoon with fishing boats and blue-white homes, the International Museum of Modern Art in Castle of San Jose, and the Archaeological Museum in Castle San Gabriel. Shop Calle Leon y Castilla for linens, carvings, pottery, perfume, and liquor, then enjoy tapas and wine by the sea.

Old San Juan, the oldest city under U.S. jurisdiction and second-oldest European settlement in the Americas, blends historic landmarks, pristine beaches, great cuisine, and resilience. Walk cobblestoned streets past Spanish Colonial sites, browse colorful plazas, and visit Castillo San Felipe del Morro, Castillo San Cristobal, and Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico. Then explore El Yunque's rainforest and waterfalls before relaxing on Luquillo Beach.

Sunny Florida skies, year-round warmth, nightlife, and a diverse culture define this cosmopolitan city. South Beach draws crowds, while the Art Deco District is the world's largest collection of Art Deco architecture. Shop from Bal Harbour to Lincoln Road and Coconut Grove, enjoy Cuban culture on Calle Ocho, or visit the historic Venetian Pool. There's something for everyone in this "Gateway to the Americas."