Iberian Autumn - 5254A

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

Ibiza Town, or as the locals call it Vila d’Eivissa, is situated on the SE coast of the Spanish island of Ibiza, of which it is the capital. Most famous for its night life - indeed the island is regarded the undisputed Party Capital of the World - two of the island's most luxurious nightclubs, Pacha and El Divino, are located in Ibiza Town itself, while the nightclub Space is just south of the town. Ibiza Town is certainly the most fascinating part of the island, as it has a concentration of all the attractions and eccentricities which have made Ibiza world famous. Read more about Ibiza Town, Spain

Palma de Mallorca is the major city and port on the Mediterranean island of Majorca, and capital city of the autonomous community of the Balearic Islands in Spain. It is situated on the south coast of the island on the Bay of Palma, and almost half of the total population of Majorca live there. Visitors are spellbound by its blue waters, white beaches, lush foliage (almost 40 percent of the island is protected countryside), and 300 days of sunshine each year. Palma is a city of modern hotel chains and flashy shops, yet is dated and still retains much of its old architecture. Read more about Palma de Mallorca, Spain

Mahon is the capital city of the Balearic Island of Minorca. The Balearic Islands form an autonomous Spanish community. Mahon, located on the eastern part of the island has the second deepest natural harbor in the world. Towards the end of the 20th century, the renovation of its historic centre was made possible by income from tourism, while the attractive Mao Park in the centre of the city has become the home of many important events. Read more about Mahon, Spain

Toulon is a French city that borders the Mediterranean in the SE of Provence. Better known as France’s main naval base than a cruise port, there are some excellent beaches a short drive along the coast, and many visit the beautiful and often dramatic Provencal countryside, while others prefer to drive east to the French Riviera resorts. Bobbing sailing boats dot its busy harbour where French warships also constantly come and go. In Toulon there are numerous superb maritime and art museums, and in true French fashion you'll also find plenty of stylish spots for shopping and lunching. Read more about Toulon, France

The seaside resort town of Saint-Tropez that lies 104 km to the east of Marseille in SE France is very popular with tourists. Set on the lovely blue water of the Bay of Saint-Tropez, this modern version of a medieval town is distinguished by the line of yachts along the quay, the promenade, and the famous terrace cafes. Behind the cafes, the small streets and old buildings comprising sunset-hued pink, orange and deep red townhouses are picturesque, but they're possibly more popular for the multitude of shops and restaurants than their historical significance. Read more about St Tropez, France

Sète is the most fascinating small town on the French Mediterranean coast precisely because it doesn't go out of its way to be charming. The town encircles a lone hill, the Mont St-Clair, on the otherwise flat Languedoc coast. With the sea out front, and backed by the salt water Thau lagoon - colonised by oyster and mussel beds - and the two joined by a series of canals, Sète is all but an island. The canals define the town and many townsfolk have their own little boats to take them shopping, while anglers line the banks. Read more about Sete, France

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

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

Malaga is a lively, prosperous city on Spain's fabled Costa del Sol aside the Mediterranean Sea, just 100 km east of the Strait of Gibraltar. The city’s warm winter temperatures (average daytime of 17 C) make it an ideal place to visit any time of year. The archaeological remains and monuments from the Phoenician, Roman, Arabian and Christian eras convert the historic centre into an ‘Open Museum’ displaying its rich history of more than 3,000 years. Visit the unfinished Gothic cathedral, surrounded by traditional balconied buildings, narrow pedestrian streets and some of the best tapas bars in the province. Read more about Malaga, 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

Located in the scenic estuary of the Douro River with swathes of vineyards clinging to the hills, Oporto - aka Porto - is Portugal's second largest metropolis, and one of Europe's most charismatic cities. The city is home to monuments by leading world architects from the past and the present, and some fantastic baroque carvings. Then there’s the world-famous sweet wine, and Ribeira - Its historical centre - that was awarded World Heritage status by UNESCO. Understandably, it is considered the economic and cultural heart of the entire region. Read more about Oporto, Portugal

Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, lies in the western Iberian Peninsula aside the Atlantic Ocean and the Tagus River. As one of the oldest cities in the world, it is rich in Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque, Modern and Post-Modern constructions. The city is also crossed by historical boulevards and monuments along the main thoroughfares. The Lisbon Coast hosts some fine sandy beaches at Cascais and Estoril and fishing villages like Sesimbra. Read more about Lisbon, Portugal