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.

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.

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.

Explore historic Oporto and Vila Nova de Gaia, home to the port wine industry, or the scenic countryside with Guimaraes' medieval castle and Braga's Bom Jesus shrine and cathedral. Shop for filigree jewelry, azulejos, porcelain, leather goods, needlepoint carpets, and Madeiran lace. Try caldo verde, sheep's cheese, olives, smoked ham, fish, pork, and port wine.

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.

Explore Lorient, a historic fishing port with colorful boats, container ships, and yachts. Visit the former submarine base, now a naval museum with an authentic French Navy submarine, and the Maison de l'Imprimeur, parts of which date to the 18th century. Shop on Rue du Port and Rue de Liege for lace, linens, Quimper pottery, and fleur de sel. Enjoy Breton seafood, cod, mussels, crepes, wine, and local cider.

Explore Lorient, a historic fishing port with colorful boats, container ships, and yachts. Visit the former submarine base, now a naval museum with an authentic French Navy submarine, and the Maison de l'Imprimeur, parts of which date to the 18th century. Shop on Rue du Port and Rue de Liege for lace, linens, Quimper pottery, and fleur de sel. Enjoy Breton seafood, cod, mussels, crepes, wine, and local cider.

Tiny and historic, St Peter Port is Guernsey's capital and main port. Its steep cobbled streets, 800-year-old Castle Cornet, historic Town Church, and Candie Gardens overlooking the harbor make it feel like a slice of Europe. Hauteville House, Victor Hugo's home from 1856-70, is preserved as it was when he wrote Les Misérables. World-class dining and shopping round it out.

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.

Dunkirk, site of Operation Dynamo and the 1940 Allied evacuation, is rich in wartime history and Flemish-influenced cuisine. Visit the Mémorial du Souvenir in Bastion 32, the former Allied/French HQ. Climb UNESCO-listed Le Beffroi for its 50 bells and Channel views, see Église St-Éloi's stained glass and pipe organ, and relax on Malo-Les-Bains beach.

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.