Barcelona blends vibrant energy with Catalan tradition: explore the Gothic Quarter and Gaudí's architecture, enjoy tapas and cava in plazas and cafés, relax at the beach, shop along Passeig de Gràcia, and end the night in bohemian bars on La Rambla. A stylish city full of character.

Marseille, France's oldest city, feels youthful: a multicultural port with great museums, galleries, lively squares and bars, plus bouillabaisse. See fountains from Napoleon III's era and city hall from Louis XIV's. Beyond the city, explore the dramatic Calanques coast, and Provence's cypress, lavender, Avignon and Aix-en-Provence, linked to Van Gogh, Cézanne and Peter Mayle. Taste Syrah and the region's terroir, and wander from Marseille's boisterous roots into classic Provence.

Villefranche-sur-Mer, a jewel on the Côte d'Azur, charms with pastel houses, flowers, and provincial scenes. Set on a sapphire harbour, it offers the Corniche by Plage des Marinières, a crescent of soft sand on the Mediterranean. Visit its chapels and centuries-old citadel for views of Cap Ferrat, then explore nearby walled towns: art-focused St-Paul-de-Vence and picturesque Èze, once admired by Walt Disney.

Framed by Monte Argentario's wild landscapes, lookout towers, hidden coves, and lighthouses, Porto Santo Stefano is one of Italy's best-kept secrets. Steep streets fall from the Spanish Fortress through cobbled lanes to the old port, where fishermen unload their catch and sailboats bob in clear shallows. Stroll the boardwalk to waterfront eateries, visit the WWF-protected Orbetello Lagoon with flamingos and egrets, or sail to Giglio and Giannutri in the Tuscan Archipelago.

Naples, between Mount Vesuvius and the Phlegraean Fields, is rich in history and Italian culture. See Baroque churches, Renaissance palazzi, and Neoclassical opera houses; ride the funicular to Castel Sant'Elmo for views over the Bay of Naples, Sorrento Peninsula, and Amalfi Coast. Explore the city's underground tunnels, and visit nearby Pompeii, Herculaneum, or Capri.

Sicily blends olive-strewn landscapes, Greek temples, Byzantine mosaics, and ricotta-rich farm-to-table food. Wander Palermo's ficus-lined streets and the Florio family story, sip wine near Mount Etna and Taormina's Teatro Greco, and explore UNESCO sites, Villa Tasca, Monreale and Cefalù's medieval mosaics, plus ruins and secluded temples. From Baroque south-coast towns and chocolate to Michelin dining, Trapani beaches, and fishermen outside hip bars, its contrasts define the island.

Ibiza's magnetic vibe blends relaxed island life with nature and nightlife. Visit Las Salinas, enjoy paella and sangria, browse boutiques, and unwind at fincas, pine valleys, orange groves, almond trees, and orchards. Retreat to spas for yoga, massage, and healing, or relax at private beach events. By night, bars and clubs host world-class DJs. Warm, easy-going, and inspiring, Ibiza has long drawn artists, writers, gurus, and beatniks-some never leave.

Leave craggy coastlines behind and head into Mallorca's heartland, where authentic charm, history, and nature await. Celebrate at Spain's oldest winery, shop chic Palma boutiques, and ride a vintage train through UNESCO-listed limestone mountains in bloom. Visit a tranquil monastery, art-filled hacienda, and protected wildlife reserves; enjoy wood-fired paella, historic churches, and old Mallorcan villages. Sapphire seas and spotless beaches complete this Balearic beauty.

Barcelona blends vibrant energy with Catalan tradition: explore the Gothic Quarter and Gaudí's architecture, enjoy tapas and cava in plazas and cafés, relax at the beach, shop along Passeig de Gràcia, and end the night in bohemian bars on La Rambla. A stylish city full of character.

Alicante blends blue-domed cathedrals, cobbled lanes and leafy plazas, and opens onto Costa Blanca beaches, mountains and medieval villages. Stroll El Barrio for tapas and turrón, climb to Santa Cruz's whitewashed houses on Mount Benacantil, and visit the 1,000-year-old Castel de la Santa Bàrbara for sweeping Mediterranean views and the palm-fringed Explanada de España.

Enjoy Lisbon's rich buzz and strong architectural, cultural, and historical ties. Wander cobbled streets, colourful buildings, the river Sado, and nature. Visit Fatima, hill villages, learn Portuguese cooking, and hear Lisbon blues. Escape to Cascais for quiet beaches. Soak up the light and enjoy petiscos and fado.

Enjoy Lisbon's rich buzz and strong architectural, cultural, and historical ties. Wander cobbled streets, colourful buildings, the river Sado, and nature. Visit Fatima, hill villages, learn Portuguese cooking, and hear Lisbon blues. Escape to Cascais for quiet beaches. Soak up the light and enjoy petiscos and fado.

The Hassan II Mosque rises like a lighthouse over Casablanca's port, with a 690-ft minaret. Africa's largest mosque is one of only two in Morocco open to non-Muslims, showcasing mosaics, marble columns and 50 Murano glass chandeliers. Casablanca blends tradition and modernity: the Habous Quartier's French colonial Art Deco, whitewashed Moorish houses, alleys, souks and olive markets meet cosmopolitan nightlife, restaurants and Parisian-style cafés.

The Hassan II Mosque rises like a lighthouse over Casablanca's port, with a 690-ft minaret. Africa's largest mosque is one of only two in Morocco open to non-Muslims, showcasing mosaics, marble columns and 50 Murano glass chandeliers. Casablanca blends tradition and modernity: the Habous Quartier's French colonial Art Deco, whitewashed Moorish houses, alleys, souks and olive markets meet cosmopolitan nightlife, restaurants and Parisian-style cafés.

At the crossroads of Europe and Africa, Tangier keeps its bohemian, artistic feel. Watch the scene from Petit Socco, then wander the Kasbah and Grand Socco through color-saturated streets of tiles and painted shutters. Must-visits: Librairie des Colonnes, Café Hafa for sunset mint tea over the Strait of Gibraltar, and El Morocco Club for rooftop drinks or the city's only piano bar.

Enjoy the epitome of Spanish charm. Slowly discover Andalusian riches to reveal Picasso's birthplace, the Alhambra in Granada, Mezquita in Cordoba and the Ronda valley. Explore ancient heritage sites, dance the flamenco, dare to hike the Caminito del Rey trail and delve into white villages sprinkled amongst mango groves and avocado orchards. Sip cocktails by day and sangria by night. And as you watch the sun slip down, reflect upon this gateway of delights.

Explore Costa Tropical, a subtropical stretch of Spain with mangos, bananas, and local rum. Sheltered by the Sierra Nevada, visit Salobreña's castle and sugar cane plantation, taste rum in Motril, eat tapas in Granada, and see the Alhambra. In Elche, UNESCO-listed date palms fill a unique urban park; in Almuñécar, find Roman remains. Enjoy vino de costa, custard apples, Caribbean-style weather, glittering seas, flamenco, and Andalusian charm.

Barcelona blends vibrant energy with Catalan tradition: explore the Gothic Quarter and Gaudí's architecture, enjoy tapas and cava in plazas and cafés, relax at the beach, shop along Passeig de Gràcia, and end the night in bohemian bars on La Rambla. A stylish city full of character.