Barcelona to Los Angeles

Visit the magnificent Gothic cathedral and the amazing La Sagrada Familia, Antoni Gaudí’s unfinished masterpiece. Enjoy the lovely Montjuic Gardens, Gaudí’s other fabulous structures, the charming squares of the old Gothic Quarter and the Ramblas, Barcelona’s famed downtown promenade. Or visit beautiful Montserrat and its monastery in a breathtaking setting high in the mountains.

Explore this beautiful island beginning with the magnificent Seo Cathedral and Bellver Castle. See the windmills and impressive manor house in the verdant countryside. Discover the amazing natural wonders in the Drach Caves. And for romance, visit the former Carthusian monastery in Valldemosa, where George Sand and Chopin spent a winter.

See the sights and enjoy the views of historic old Marseille and visit the charming fishing port of Cassis. Or venture into the celebrated Provençal countryside with its fields of lavender and sunflowers. Explore lovely Aix or stroll through Avignon and its Papal Palace and the hilltop village of Les Baux.

See the sights and enjoy the views of historic old Marseille and visit the charming fishing port of Cassis. Or venture into the celebrated Provençal countryside with its fields of lavender and sunflowers. Explore lovely Aix or stroll through Avignon and its Papal Palace and the hilltop village of Les Baux.

The quintessential Côte d’Azur resort town, Cannes has long been a playground for the rich and famous. Its epicenter is La Croisette, a boutique-lined boulevard with a legendary seven-mile beach. While it’s easy to spend a day here people-watching, be sure to venture up Susquet Hill and wander the winding streets of the old town. The 12th century Chapel of St. Anne and the eclectic collection of art in the Museum of the Castre will be of interest. The hilltop also affords phenomenal views of Cannes and the Lérins Islands lying just offshore.

Spend a glorious day amidst the fabled architecture of this Renaissance city. See the Duomo with Brunelleschi’s dome, the famous baptistry, Michelangelo’s magnificent David, the bridge over the Arno and the astonishing Uffizi Gallery. Visit Pisa’s superb Campo dei Miracoli and its beautiful cathedral and famed campanile. Or enjoy the Tuscan countryside, Siena and San Gimignano, renowned for its medieval towers. Shopping: Find leather goods, lingerie, gold jewelry, Florentine mosaic, lace, marbled paper items, antiques and fine art. Dining: Savor the prosciutto, pecorino cheese and infinite variety of breads, cakes and salamis.

Wander through the lovely town of Olbia and visit its 11th century cathedral with Roman artifacts and Punic burials. Or drive into the stunningly beautiful countryside of the Costa Smeralda with its towering cliffs, quiet grottoes and exquisite sandy beaches beside emerald green waters. Explore the enigmatic remnants of the ancient Nuraghic culture.

Immerse yourself in the glorious history of this ancient city and its magnificent monuments, like the imposing Norman cathedral and the majestic 9th century Arab palace and its breathtaking Palatine Chapel. Admire the marvelous opera house and the artifacts in the archaeological museum.

Spend a day exploring the fabulous ruins of ancient Pompeii or Herculaneum with their stunning temples, frescoes and mosaics. Explore fascinating Naples and its famed museums, visit charming Sorrento or take a boat trip to the beautiful Isle of Capri.

Travel to Rome and revel in the magnificent monuments, from the ancient Roman Forum and Coliseum to the splendor of St. Peter’s Basilica with Michelangelo’s Pietà and his breathtaking frescoes in the Sistine Chapel. Or enjoy a drive through the lush farmlands of the Roman countryside to lovely medieval Castelgandolfo.

Salerno is a port city southeast of Naples, in Italy. Atop Monte Bonadies, the centuries-old Arechi Castle has sea views, plus Museo Medievale del Castello, exhibiting medieval ceramics and coins. In town, built on the ruins of a Roman temple, is Salerno Cathedral. It has Byzantine bronze doors, a baroque crypt and a marble altar. The terraced Minerva’s Garden has been growing medicinal plants since the 14th century.

Visit beautiful Taormina and marvel at its famous Greek theater and the stunning view of Mount Etna. Explore lovely medieval Messina with its historic churches and the cathedral where it is rumored Richard the Lionheart worshipped in 1190. Or discover ancient Tyndaris, founded in 396 B.C., with its fine mosaics, Roman baths and impressive theater overlooking the sea.

Discover the myriad of cultural layers of Malta, from its amazing prehistoric temples at Tarxien to beautiful walled medieval Mdina, nearby Rabat, and Marsaxlokk, a colorful fishing village. Admire the stunning scenery and wander through imposing churches and down the streets of fortified towns where the Knights of St. John once held sway.

Meander through Tunis’ opulent, historic medina with its winding alleys and souks. Visit the superb Bardo Museum with its spectacular Roman mosaics or the lovely whitewashed village of Sidi Bou Saïd, perched on a cliff above the sea, a charming spot of cobbled streets, flower-filled courtyards and ornate window grills painted deep blue.

Savor this delightful old city spread over seven hills and its many attractions reflecting the influence of its numerous rulers. Climb to the citadel and visit the fabulous archaeological museum, Roman ruins and Pisan towers, early Byzantine churches, the cathedral or the botanic gardens. Enjoy the nearby beach or discover the remains of Sardinia’s ancient, enigmatic Nuraghic culture and their stone towers built in scenic locations all over Sardinia.

Lying on Spain’s radiant Costa Blanca, Alicante exudes a rare beauty. Lovely Baroque buildings cluster around the historic central district. Marble plazas grace its broad waterfront boulevard, the illustrious Explanada de España. Pristine beaches like San Juan hug the shoreline. It’s no surprise that Alicante is popular year-round. Venture to the grand Castle of Santa Barbara overlooking the city and walk from its high towers down into the dungeon. Stop for a glass of refreshing sangria in the Old Quarter. Behold the masterpieces hanging in the Gravina Museum of Fine Arts, a former 18th century palace.

This walled city has always been a major naval port due to its natural harbor and strategic location. Enjoy a hilltop view from Concepción Castle, which served as a fortress for the Carthaginians, Romans and other peoples who once occupied the city. Visit the 1st century B.C. Roman Theater, the remains of the 13th century Cathedral of Santa Maria and the Naval Museum. For modernist architecture, see the City Hall, Grand Hotel and Casino.

Melilla is a Spanish autonomous city located on the northwest coast of Africa, sharing a border with Morocco. It has an area of 12.3 km². Melilla, an exclave, is one of two permanently inhabited Spanish cities in mainland Africa, the other being Ceuta.

Spend a day in Granada seeing the magnificent Alhambra and Generalife Gardens, last stronghold of the Moors, or venture into the mountains to the picturesque Mijas, one of Andalusia’s dazzling “white” towns. Explore delightful Málaga, its Alcazaba, Roman theater and beautiful cathedral, or discover the charming resorts of Marbella and Puerto Banus along the famed Costa del Sol.

Spend a fabulous day in Seville visiting the magnificent cathedral, climbing the famed Giralda Tower and strolling through the gorgeous Alcazar and its gardens. See the ceramic-encrusted Plaza de España and stroll through the alleys of Barrio de Santa Cruz. Or explore the Andalusian wine country and Jerez, the home of sherry. Don’t miss the charm of Cádiz with its gracious squares, its flower-filled parks on the city bastions and its bustling markets.

Visit the ornate Belem Tower and Jeronimos Monastery and stroll the narrow, winding streets of the charming Alfama district. Enjoy marvelous old Sintra, a royal country retreat, and Cascais, a beautiful seaside resort. Explore medieval Obidos or make a pilgrimage to Fatima, where the Virgin Mary appeared repeatedly to three shepherd children in 1917.

Situated on the sun-kissed coastline of Algarve, Portimão is a colorful city with a bustling waterfront and a charming city center decorated with parks and plazas. The Museum of Portimão traces the history of human settlement in the area as far back as the Roman and Islamic periods. Enjoy beautiful views and explore hidden caves on a scenic boat trip up the coast and along the Rio Arade.

Breathtaking vistas await throughout this beautiful island. Take a cable car up to Monte for spectacular views of the botanical gardens and the charming town. Drive along the coast to a village where Winston Churchill painted seascapes or out to the stunning cliffs of Cabo Girão and enjoy a visit to a quaint fishing village.

Volcanic in origin, Tenerife is the largest of the Canary Islands. While in port, you’ll notice the Auditorium of Tenerife, an amazing, organic structure that instantly became an icon when completed in 2003. Another modern landmark is the Oscar Domínguez Institute, a contemporary art gallery named after the 20th century surrealist. For a respite from the urban environment, visit the Palmetum, a botanical garden with more than 400 species of palms.

Stroll along Calle O’Daly, the pedestrian district named after an Irish banana merchant and lined with historic residences. Visit the Town Hall and the church, Iglesia del Salvador, both of the 16th century. There is an interesting museum of natural science as well as a naval museum.

Begin in Old San Juan, a walled enclave of hundreds of restored 16th and 17th century Spanish colonial buildings. Notice the blue-tinged cobblestone streets; they were once ballast on Spanish ships. Elsewhere, tour the medieval Saint John the Baptist Cathedral, the Museum of Art, and Casa del Libro, a repository of priceless documents.

People-watchers will enjoy South Beach’s Ocean Drive, while architecture buffs will love the Art Deco District. If you’re looking for something a bit different, there are world-class museums and shopping venues too. In Miami, there really is something for everyone.

Swim and snorkel with shy and gentle stingrays, see the underwater world from a semi-submersible sub, send a postcard from “Hell,” visit a turtle farm where green sea turtles are raised, or just relax on miles and miles of exquisite white sand beach.

Take a scenic drive through the residential area of Manga and admire the beautiful mansions. Explore the Castillo San Felipe de Barajas, a fort that was once the most important military structure built in Latin America. Enjoy a boat ride to the Islas del Rosario and continue to the island of San Martín de Pajarales to visit the aquarium. Board a beautiful Spanish galleon, a replica of a 17th century sailing ship, for a cruise of the inner bay of Cartagena.

The Panama Canal is an artificial 82 km waterway in Panama that connects the Atlantic Ocean with the Pacific Ocean. The canal cuts across the Isthmus of Panama and is a conduit for maritime trade.

Be awed by the spectacular rainforest canopy, whether you walk through it or ride an aerial tram. Discover breathtaking waterfalls, butterfly gardens and a cloud forest. Watch for curious monkeys and brilliantly colored birds. Ride horseback through a rare virgin tropical dry forest. Or enjoy a scenic drive to San Jose and see this charming city and its sights.

Nicaragua’s largest port, Corinto sits on an island connected to the mainland by bridges. Nicaragua is home to some of the world’s most beautiful beaches, and the area offers long stretches of white sand and clear blue waters. Visit the nearby city of León to see the wonderful cathedral, monuments and colonial buildings as well as the ruins of León Viejo, one of the oldest Spanish settlements in the Americas.

Drive into the mountains to beautiful old Antigua, once the country’s colonial capital, and discover its lovely bougainvillea-draped buildings and breathtaking views of emerald volcanoes. Travel to famed Lake Atitlan and step back in time as you encounter the indigenous people in all of their finery still living along the lakeshore. Or better yet, fly to Flores and experience the magnificent and enigmatic Mayan temples and palaces of the Tikal complex, surrounded by jungle.

Savor the breathtaking views of Acapulco Bay from Fort San Diego or the Chapel of Peace. Swim or stroll along miles of magnificent beach. Don’t miss the cliff divers of La Quebrada or the old colonial quarter of town. Or visit Taxco, renowned for its silver.

Go whale-watching, snorkeling, rainforest ziplining, deep-sea fishing or horseback riding. Or enjoy world-class shopping, tequila-tasting and people-watching along the Malecon, which also boasts sculptures created by world famous artists.

Bask on the sun-kissed beaches of Malibu or shop along Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. Ride a bike through Griffith Park and visit the observatory, just below the Hollywood sign. Visit the stunning Getty Museum and maybe take in a special concert at the Disney Concert Hall, designed by Frank Gehry.