Formerly a sleepy Spanish city, Barcelona has recently been reborn as an eclectic fusion of the modern and medieval. Seek inspiration from the creations of its modernist architect, Antonio Gaudí, or the Picasso Museum. Or, take in the breathtaking cathedrals in the Gothic Quarter.

The great Rock of Gibraltar is a sight to behold. Made of limestone, it towers 1,400 feet above the mouth of the majestic Mediterranean Sea and is surrounded by beautiful countryside and a nature reserve.

Lanzarote lies in the Atlantic only 60 miles from the coast of Africa. Experience this living museum of unique volcanic geological formations, connecting caves, underground grottoes, and the rare species found in them. Plus, the works and influence of César Manrique gives the island a unique artistic flavor.

Lush forests, spectacular beaches, deserts, mountains – Tenerifes options will leave you in a quandary for how to spend your precious day. Take a cable car to the top of Mount Teide, a volcano which also happens to be the highest point in Spain and casts the largest shadow in the world. Stand in its surrounding landscape and feel like youre on the moons surface. In reality, youll be standing where parts of The Planet of the Apes and Star Wars were filmed.

The extreme and varied micro-climates and vegetation are what have earned this lovely island, “The Small Continent.” Here you will find mountains, desert land and tropical forests in amazingly close proximity; its not at all rare to see mountain peaks of snow as youre basking in the sun on a beautiful beach.

Casablanca

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 thats 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.

Málaga is the gateway to the Andalusian countryside and the Costa del Sol, some of the region’s most impressive beaches. It also is home to a number of magnificent palaces, including the Moorish Alcabaza and Gibralfaro.

Formerly a sleepy Spanish city, Barcelona has recently been reborn as an eclectic fusion of the modern and medieval. Seek inspiration from the creations of its modernist architect, Antonio Gaudí, or the Picasso Museum. Or, take in the breathtaking cathedrals in the Gothic Quarter.