Spanish Magic & Morocco I I - 5250

Barcelona, located in Catalonia Spain, is Europe's largest metropolis on the Mediterranean coast, and one of the world’s major global cities. Today, Barcelona balances itself on the cutting edge of architecture, intellectual life, and style. Indeed Barcelona won the 1999 RIBA Royal Gold Medal for its architecture, the first time that the winner has been a city, and not an individual architect. The ‘Gothic Quarter’ is the centre of the old city of Barcelona, where many of the buildings date as far back as the Roman settlement. Read more about Barcelona, Spain

Valencia city, the administrative capital of the Valencian community and the centre of the region of L’Horta, is situated in the centre of the Spanish Mediterranean coastline. The Old City of Valencia, with its monuments, museums, and gardens, is a major tourist attraction. Here one finds the Gothic building of La Lonja that has been declared by UNESCO as a universal heritage monument. Built between 1482 and 1548, this late Valencian Gothic style building is possibly its major attraction.The Cathedral of Valencia, with its amazing Apostles Door that is situated in the centre of the ancient Roman city, where some believe the temple of Diana once stood, is also well worth visiting. Read more about Valencia, Spain

Cadiz is a city and port in SW Spain. It is the capital of Cadiz Province, an autonomous community of Andalusia. Due to its small size one is never more than a few blocks from the sea, and this engenders a safe, relaxed, and easy-going atmosphere. The oldest continuously inhabited settlement in Western Europe, it has a history of around 3,000 years, and the old central quarter is famous for its picturesque fascination and spectacular buildings. Read more about Cadiz, Spain

Gibraltar shares a northern border with Spain, but is a UK Overseas Territory located near the southernmost tip of the Iberian Peninsula, overlooking the Strait of Gibraltar. It has an area of 6 sq.km. and a 1.2 km border with Spain. Under its 2006 constitution Gibraltar governs its own affairs, though some powers such as defense and foreign relations remain the responsibility of the UK Government. Read more about Gibraltar, Spain

More than any other city, the likeable, lively and cosmopolitan city of Tangier has become Morocco’s face to the world. With a long history dating back to the Phoenicians, and a rich culture - an interesting mix of African and European influences - to explore, Tangier is a fascinating port of call. Of historical interest is the Medina, the old walled city that is home to alleyways filled with tea houses and shops selling trinkets. There’s the Kasbah, an old fortress with a fine Museum of Moroccan art, that is also a great example of Morocco’s rich architecture. Read more about Tangier, Morocco

Motril, nestling at the foothills of the Sierra Lujar mountains, lies at the heart of the Costa Tropical in Spain It is an ideal base for exploring the many delights of the Andalucian coastline and hinterland. With warm winters and long hot summers, it is a magnet for both Spanish and foreign visitors. Numerous beaches, such as the Calahonda beach with its pretty setting serviced by beach bars, are delightful and always enjoyed by visitors. There you will find a great golf course in an area of beauty, and a very good range of truly fine restaurants. Read more about Motril, Spain

Melilla is one of the two Spanish enclaves that lies on the coast of Morocco. It has been in Spanish hands since the late 15th century. The town is a convenient entry point into Morocco, with ferries to Malaga and Merida. Among the major sights are the Medina Sidonia and the municipal museum. Read more about Mellila, Spain

Cartagena is a Mediterranean city and naval station located in the Region of Murcia, SE Spain. The rich Carthaginian heritage extends as far as the Sea Wall, built by Charles III in the 18th century, and which defines the old quarter. Overlooking the Mediterranean there are two elements that are clearly connected with the sea: the prototype of the submarine by the inventor Isaac Peral; and the National Museum of Maritime Archaeology. The museum is home to the National Centre of Underwater Archaeological Research that highlights aspects of naval construction from ancient times. Read more about Cartagena, Spain

L'Île-Rousse is a city on the NW coast of the French island of Corsica 170km SE of the Continental city of Nice. The township was founded in 1758 by Pasquale Paoli on a bay bounded to the NW by rocky islets. He wanted to create a port to export the olive oil produced in the region, one that would not be in the hands of the Genoese merchants, as was Calvi 10 miles to the south-west. Thanks to the busy trading of wine and oil, it soon began to prosper and, two and a half centuries later, still thrives as a successful port. Read more about L'Ile-Rousse, France

Rome, the capital, and largest city of Italy, is full of unending possibilities. It can be reached from the port of Civitavecchia in approximately ninety minutes either by train or coach. Rome greets visitors with a multitude of faces, such as the Ancient City with ruins like: the Colosseum; the seven hills; the Roman Forum; and the Sacred Way, the path used for triumphal processions. There is Renaissance Rome, full of winding streets and sun-dappled piazzas, and the Vatican, home to the Pope. Read more about Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy