Barcelona, Spain -

Barcelona is a one of the world's great cities. Stroll down her tree-lined boulevards, the magnificent Passeig de Gràcia or the more touristed Las Ramblas. On the Passeig, shop a serious fashion district while marveling at examples of Mordenisme architecture, seemingly sculpted from the stuff of dreams (Gaudi's masterpiece of a family home, Casa Batlló is well worth a visit). If a trip on the Passeig hasn't convinced you of Gaudi's genius, a visit to La Sagrada Familia Cathedral will do the trick; this fantastic, soaring marvel will live on in your memory long after you've returned.

Not far from the Passeig and just north of Las Ramblas, the Gothic Quarter (the Barri Gotic) provides an abundance of shopping opportunities for all tastes, and a bit of European history to boot - check out the tranquil Cathedral of Barcelona. To see a bit of local life a visit to a food market is a quick, fun detour: try Santa Caterina near the Cathedral or Mercado de La Boqueria, right off of Las Ramblas.

Barcelona's food is also a highlight: stop into a tapas bar and try a variety of delicacies. "Standard" restaurants of every style are available, too. And, there's music, too! Visit an underground jazz club or the magnificent Palau de la Música Catalana; or stop by the Palau Dalmases for a stunning, flamenco performance (it's near the Picasso museum). Did we mention art? One of the largest collections of Picasso's art is found at the Museau Picasso, and a great collection of contemporary, figurative (i.e not abstract) painting and sculpture is housed at the European Museum of Modern Art just around the corner.

It's probably clear by now that you really can't get it all done in a day (even if all means "just the must-sees"). So, stay for a day or three in the Gothic Quarter or near Plaça de Catalunya and really get a feel for what makes Barcelona such a wonderful place. Partly it's the result of the "accidents" of its history and present: as the regional capital of Spain's prosperous Catalunya region, Barcelona has a "flavor" that is a bit of a mix between Spanish and French (it's located quite close to the French border). Yes, you can practice your Spanish here - it attracts Spaniards from throughout the country - but you'll also see and hear Catalan with it's own charm. You won't regret your time here.

Palma De Mallorca, Spain - The Spanish island of Mallorca offers towering mountains and dramatic cliffs rising over clear, blue water — but its jewel is Palma de Mallorca, the island's capital and largest city, where you'll find quaint historic streets, Gothic castles and gastronomic delights. Cruise to Palma de Mallorca and check out one-of-a-kind Palma Cathedral: The 14th-century Gothic spires of exterior contrast the modernist interior designed by in the early 1900s by Gaudi. See the circular courtyard and Arab-inspired arches of Castell de Bellver, and take in the fresh scent of the miles of pine forest that surround it. Or rent bikes and pedal east to Palma Beach, where you can soak in the sun on the white sands and clear waves.

Provence (Marseille), France - Marseille offers an unexpected view of a mosaic of buildings and National Heritage Sites from the terraces of Notre-Dame de la Garde Basilica that towers above and watches over the city.

Alongside the port the towers of Saint Victor Abbey house crypts that already existed when Christianity was introduced into Provence. The columns of the Palais de la Bourse, the noble facades of the Prefecture and the fountains of the Palais Longchamp are part of the triumphant architecture from the 19th Century that is scattered throughout the city and that gave Marseille renewed splendour.

In the old quarter the houses are built on the sunny slopes ; the clock in the Accoules Bell tower, which was the old Sauveterre tower, still marks the hours of life around the Town Hall, while beyond the dome of the Vieille Charite hospice, Pierre Puget's masterpiece, stands out against the sky. The small streets of the Panier quarter lie a little further on.

La Spezia, Italy - La Spezia is a gateway to some of Italy's greatest treasures.

A quite pleasant small city itself, is located on a natural harbor and boasts a beautiful park parallel to its waterfront, substantial shopping, plenty of opportunities for good food, an archaeolgical museum in its historic hilltop fort and a nice contemporary art museum.

A short distance La Spezia and you are on the Cinque Terre ("The Five Cities") coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of Italy's great natural jewels. These five small villages dotting the coast are free of car traffic and are reached only by a railway, hiking trails, or a pedestrian ferry. Small, winding paths connect many of the villages, and a light amount of hiking will afford you some spectacular views of cliffs, coastline, and stone terraces.

A little further afield is Pisa, one of the great renaissance cities whose ships dominated trade for decades. It is best known today, of course for it's famous "leaning Tower," from the top of which Galileo Galilei demonstrated that gravity's strength was independant of the weight of a falling object. It stands there still, if somewhat crookedly, after 650 years.

Sill further but worth the trip, is Florence where you can view the timeless treasures from the very height of renaissance achievements: the lofty Duomo, Giotto's gorgeous bell tower, Michelangelo's original David, the Uffizi Gallery, Ponte Vecchio over the Arno.

Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy - Extraordinary architecture, millennia of turbulent history, magnificent basilicas concealing unimaginable riches, and ornate fountains splashing at the heart of sun-drenched piazzas are just some of the many reasons to visit Rome. Art greets you on every corner, from elaborate statues to delicate frescoes. Stroll the ancient center and history comes to life as you explore the Colosseum, the Pantheon and the Roman Forum. Enjoy Italian café culture in Trastevere, where you can wander the narrow streets and soak up a sense of la dolce vita, or throw a coin into the baroque Trevi Fountain to guarantee your return to this vibrant, intoxicating city.

Naples, Italy - Capital of Southern Italy and the largest city in Campania, Naples is the third most populated city in Italy (after Rome and Milan) with over a million inhabitants. It's the most important industrial center and trading port for the South. Naples itself can provide a day's fun and entertainment, if its somewhat rundown appearance doesn't dissuade you. Or, join a tour of incredible Pompeii, frozen in time since A.D. 79 when Mt. Vesuvius brought an end to that then-thriving city. Or, take a quick ferry across the bay to the flowery Isle of Capri. Or, (yes, there's more) visit fabulous Sorrento, vacation spot for the well to do.

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