Barcelona’s seaside beauty, sprawling beaches, eclectic architecture, world-class tapas and Tempranillo are all reasons to fall in love with the city of Gaudí. Indeed, the treasures here are many and diverse, captivating travelers and experts alike. In fact, nine important sites in the city, seven designed by the famed architect himself, have earned the acclaim of UNESCO.

From its ancient natural harbor where Phoenicians would trade to its Roman Empire heyday when it was known as the New Carthage, Cartagena’s enviable position on the Mediterranean has long made it one of the most important ports in Spain. The country’s Naval Headquarters is here, as are Dockyard Gate and Midshipman School. Discover ancient Roman ruins and Modernista buildings, the magnificent Concepcion Castle and a stunning City Hall.

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 that's 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.

Get lost in the Western world’s oldest continuously inhabited city. Cádiz continues to charm travelers today with its romantic El Pópulo and Santa María districts, fresh seafood, and the Puertas de Tierra which divides the city into old and new. In Seville, stroll through the ancient city center or see a flamenco show followed by tapas and a glass of delicious wine or sherry.

Portimão is a port city in the Algarve region of southern Portugal. It’s known for its old quarter, busy marina and proximity to many beaches. Museu de Portimão is housed in a restored 19th-century cannery, with displays on local history. The Gothic-style Nossa Senhora da Conceição church has azulejo tiles. To the south are Rocha Beach, backed by ochre cliffs, and the medieval Fort of Santa Catarina de Ribamar.

Discover the world’s last colonial empire, turned bustling cosmopolitan city. Lisbon has dozens of Moorish castles, pastel buildings, and white sand beaches to explore. This Atlantic-coast city perfectly encapsulates Mediterranean charm with its wine, food, and architecture.

Oporto brings together the best of Portugal: warm sunshine, a relaxed riverside setting, grand churches, winding medieval streets, and courtyards filled with geraniums. Perhaps what Oporto is most famous for, however, is its port wine. Crafted in the neighboring Vila Nova da Gaia district, ports from all over the region can be sampled in the lodges just across the river. Wander through historic Ribeira, the recently restored riverside district and UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Legend holds that Hercules founded this city of Romanesque squares and medieval churches, and indeed, its Tower of Hercules is one of La Coruña's most enduring symbols. Steeped in beauty, the city is renowned for its gardens, including the Jardines de Méndez Núñez, located in the center of the Pescaderia, and the Jardine de San Carlos in the Old City. Visit the Museo Arqueologico e Historico for exceptional views, and see the elaborately carved door on the church of Calle de Santa Maria.

This UNESCO-designated city known as Port of the Moon due the natural shape of its harbor is celebrated for its glorious chateaux, its mouth-watering cuisine and its incomparable wines – Bordeaux is surrounded by the world's most famous vineyards including Medoc, St-Emilion, Pomerol, Graves and Sauternes. One time the richest community and largest port in France, Bordeaux today is second only to Paris as the country's most densely populated city.

This UNESCO-designated city known as Port of the Moon due the natural shape of its harbor is celebrated for its glorious chateaux, its mouth-watering cuisine and its incomparable wines – Bordeaux is surrounded by the world's most famous vineyards including Medoc, St-Emilion, Pomerol, Graves and Sauternes. One time the richest community and largest port in France, Bordeaux today is second only to Paris as the country's most densely populated city.

With a history that spans more than 1,000 years, La Rochelle has endured times of turbulent crisis, as well as periods of economic and cultural prosperity. As a result, its inhabitants have inherited a desire for independence and a flare for innovation. These characteristics have made this community a leader in shipbuilding, chemical production, train-building and aquaculture. La Rochelle's diverse past comes to life in the form of its medieval- and Renaissance-style architecture. The Old Port, which is surrounded by 14th-century stone towers, reminds visitors of the city's longstanding tradition of commerce. The city's interests and character are further illustrated in museums that offer perspectives on art, oceanography, sailing, trade and natural history.

Brest is a port city in the Finistère département in Brittany. Located in a sheltered bay not far from the western tip of the peninsula, and the western extremity .

Floating betwixt England and France, the Channel Islands chart their own geopolitical course. And Jersey’s is especially scenic, with its rugged coastline and balmy Gulf Stream-kissed climate, shown off with green abandon at the Samarès Manor botanical garden. But all is not butterflies and roses around here; Hitler used Jersey as a massive WWII bulwark, and his observation towers, bunkers and subterranean hospital are enduring reminders. Mont Orgeuil Castle (1212) is an even older war relic.

This picturesque port easily inspired some of the greats – from its Vieux Bassin (Old Harbour) to the bare vertical cliffs of Etretat and Yport. Boudin, Courbet and Monet all discovered the inherent artistic qualities of Honfleur, still apparent along its storied shores that evoke a feeling of Normandy in centuries past. While it boasts historical clout for centuries, some of the most intriguing sites in town played pivotal roles in the epic events of D-Day.

Portsmouth is a port city and naval base on England’s south coast, mostly spread across Portsea Island. It’s known for its maritime heritage and Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. The dockyard is home to the interactive National Museum of the Royal Navy, the wooden warship HMS Victory, where Nelson died in the Battle of Trafalgar, and HMS Warrior 1860. The Tudor ship Mary Rose is also conserved in a dockyard museum.

Portsmouth is a port city and naval base on England’s south coast, mostly spread across Portsea Island. It’s known for its maritime heritage and Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. The dockyard is home to the interactive National Museum of the Royal Navy, the wooden warship HMS Victory, where Nelson died in the Battle of Trafalgar, and HMS Warrior 1860. The Tudor ship Mary Rose is also conserved in a dockyard museum.

Acrossroad in the English Channel for centuries, Zeebrugge is the gateway to Flanders, whose Golden Age heritage resides in three historic cities: Ghent, Antwerp and Bruges. Here, museums display the glories of the old Flemish masters, from Van Dyck to Rubens. Summertime is a delight, showcasing colorful flower-filled window boxes, the graceful arcs of windmills, a patchwork of farms and picturesque rivers.

Newcastle upon Tyne is a university city on the River Tyne in northeast England. With its twin city, Gateshead, it was a major shipbuilding and manufacturing hub during the Industrial Revolution and is now a centre of business, arts and sciences. Spanning the Tyne, modern Gateshead Millennium Bridge, noted for its unique tilting aperture, is a symbol of the 2 cities.

Aplace of contrasts and balance, Kirkwall offers the high points of a large Scottish city – stellar local shopping and impressive historical sites like the St. Magnus Cathedral and ruins of the Bishop’s Palace and Earl’s Palace – as well as the charms of a small village. It is a relatively quiet ferry landing town that is also an excellent example of an ancient Norse settlement, making Kirkwall itself a living museum.

At the head of the Oslofjord, which boasts many densely wooded islands, lies the impressive Norwegian capital of Oslo. This inspiring city is the site of many of Norway's finest historic and cultural achievements., including the imposing Akershus Fortress and Castle. Graceful Viking ships, the Munch Art Museum and Gustav Vigeland's awesome sculpture collection are among the city’s rich treasury of attractions.

Immerse yourself in the vitality of this delightful capital city of the world’s oldest kingdom as you explore its expansive parks and plazas and a treasure trove of historic galleries and buildings. Discover its exquisite combination of Scandinavian elegance and European joie de vivre. Visitors traveling outside the city enter an altogether different world; one where stately castles are found nestled in the gentle, emerald-green Danish countryside.

Immerse yourself in the vitality of this delightful capital city of the world’s oldest kingdom as you explore its expansive parks and plazas and a treasure trove of historic galleries and buildings. Discover its exquisite combination of Scandinavian elegance and European joie de vivre. Visitors traveling outside the city enter an altogether different world; one where stately castles are found nestled in the gentle, emerald-green Danish countryside.