Barcelona to Lisbon

Barcelona’s seaside beauty, sprawling beaches, eclectic architecture, world-class tapas and Tempranillo are all reasons to fall in love with the city of Gaudí. Indeed, the treasures here are many and diverse, captivating travelers and experts alike. In fact, nine important sites in the city, seven designed by the famed architect himself, have earned the acclaim of UNESCO.

Palma de Mallorca, rich in monuments of many ages, was founded by the Romans more than 2,000 years ago. A magnificent rose-colored Gothic cathedral dominates the palm-fringed waterfront of its urban center. Mallorca, known as the “Island of Tranquility,” is the largest and most developed of the Balearic group. Steep mountains, serene valleys and wide plains form its varied landscape. Visit the island’s quaint villages and the monastery where George Sand and Frederic Chopin spent a winter.

Sunbathe in one of Spain’s most exhilarating cities. Valencia is vibrant town with dynamic nightlife, outdoor activities and sports, and its mezcla of architectural wonders. In Old Town, see everything from a 15th-century palaces, to recent wonders of modern art.

From its ancient natural harbor where Phoenicians would trade to its Roman Empire heyday when it was known as the New Carthage, Cartagena’s enviable position on the Mediterranean has long made it one of the most important ports in Spain. The country’s Naval Headquarters is here, as are Dockyard Gate and Midshipman School. Discover ancient Roman ruins and Modernista buildings, the magnificent Concepcion Castle and a stunning City Hall.

With visions of Bergman and Bogart filling the imagination, it’s easy to explore the French-colonial design and narrow alleyways of the old Medina, and bargain-filled souks are reminders of mysterious days past. Yet this gleaming city has a firm grasp on the 21st century and today encompasses broad palm-lined boulevards, attractive public parks and soaring high-rises.

Tangier, a Moroccan port on the Strait of Gibraltar, has been a strategic gateway between Africa and Europe since Phoenician times. Its whitewashed hillside medina is home to the Dar el Makhzen, a palace of the sultans that’s now a museum of Moroccan artifacts. The American Legation Museum, also in the medina, documents early diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Morocco in an 1821 Moorish-style former consulate.

Get lost in the Western world’s oldest continuously inhabited city. Cádiz continues to charm travelers today with its romantic El Pópulo and Santa María districts, fresh seafood, and the Puertas de Tierra which divides the city into old and new. In Seville, stroll through the ancient city center or see a flamenco show followed by tapas and a glass of delicious wine or sherry.

Discover the world’s last colonial empire, turned bustling cosmopolitan city. Lisbon has dozens of Moorish castles, pastel buildings, and white sand beaches to explore. This Atlantic-coast city perfectly encapsulates Mediterranean charm with its wine, food, and architecture.