Iberian Peninsula

Nice rises from the pebbled coast to lush hills, yet the heart of the city is located between the old port city and the Aeroport de Côte d’Azur. To take it all in, enjoy a jaunt on the Promenade des Anglais along the Mediterranean Sea. The Old Port, located in Vieux Nice (Old Nice), is a colorful and busy place, with various markets. There discover an ensemble of narrow streets, colorful architecture, and picturesque piazzas. Stretch out on Nice’s recognizable blue lounge chairs on one of its iconic beaches. Some of these private beaches, like the Blue Beach or the Castel Beach, are among the most glamorous beaches on the French Riviera.

A cultural gem along the French Riviera, La Ciotat is recognized as the birthplace of cinema and pétanque, two of France’s favorite pastimes. Magnificent fjords like Calanque de Mugel invite you to explore the coast’s mesmerizing blue waters amid a backdrop of rugged cliffs. Discover works of art and architecture at the 17th-century Church of Notre Dame on the west side of the harbor. Explore the flavors of France at restaurants such as La Tête d’ail, where you can savor delicacies like mussels cooked in pine thorns. Stop by Le Vin Sobre to pick up a bottle of regional wine carefully curated by a French former winemaker.

The capital of Spain’s Catalonia region, Barcelona, lives up to its reputation as a center of grand architecture and inspiring art. Antoni Gaudi’s Park Guell displays architecture as art, making for a whimsical and colorful stroll through Barcelona. Stretching from La Rambla to Via Laietana you find the Gothic Quarter, the city’s historic center with intricate medieval buildings and streets turned into modern bars, clubs, and restaurants. A short way up La Rambla you’ll come across La Boqueria, one of Europe’s largest and most famous food markets, filled with fruits, pastries, and many tasty samples of local fare.

You know you have arrived in Palma de Mallorca, a major city in the Balearics of Spain when you are met with majestic limestone cliffs plunging into glimmering blue water. On shore, its rich history is evident in its wonderful buildings, castles, and cathedrals. Take in the landmark Gothic cathedral, La Seu, with its enormous rose window and its wrought-iron canopy over the main altar designed by famed Spanish architect Antonio Gaudí. Go for a run or bike ride along the seaside promenade that connects Palma de Mallorca to the neighboring villages of Portitxol and Es Molinar. Beyond the city, explore the lush Sierra de Tramuntana Valley, the island’s major mountain range, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Dalt Vila, also known as Ibiza Town, is one of the Balearic’s most picturesque cities and a fabulous place to wander around. It’s home to an old port and historic city ramparts and has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The island of Ibiza has some of the most beautiful and well-known beaches in the Mediterranean, including Ses Figueretes and Playa D’en Bossa. Wherever you choose to swim or sunbathe, you find inviting clear blue waters and golden sands lined with beach bars. For a more relaxing excursion, head toward S’Espalmador, a small, uninhabited island between Ibiza and Formentera.

Along the south of Spain on the Mediterranean coast sits Cartagena, founded in 227 BCE and inhabited for more than two millennia. From thousands of years of Roman theater to the ARQUA Marine Archaeology Museum, it’s a place rife with stories for the curious mind to dive into. Driving down dirt roads about 30 minutes outside of Cartagena, you find yourself at the tip of Cape Tiñoso, where the impressive Batería de Castillitos resides. Bring yourself back to the present with shopping, bars, cafes, and restaurants on Calle Mayor. While Cartagena only has one beach, Cala Cortina, it’s an oasis jewel located within a tiny cove.

Located along the Costa del Sol of southeast Spain, Puerto Banús promises a tropical climate made for both adventurous explorations and laid-back relaxation. Just a few short miles east of the port lies the summer-paradise city of Marbella. It’s here you find the most Ferraris in all of Europe and some of the best golf courses for a luxurious getaway made for the discerning traveler.

Spain's cuisine is famous for its tapas, and when in Marbella and Puerto Banús, gambas al pil-pil (garlic prawns) are the go-to appetizer. Served in garlic, chili, and sizzling olive oil, this simple but mouthwatering dish makes an impression even on the most judicious tastebuds.

Perched on the tip of the Iberian Peninsula between Europe and Africa lies the famous Rock of Gibraltar. The Mediterranean Steps, once a military path, now act as a pedestrian walkway for visitors that seek a challenging adventure that leads to rewarding panoramas. Atop the promontory, the 300 Barbary macaques, Europe’s only wild-monkey population, greet you and await their feeding.

Down in the Neolithic limestone caves of Gibraltar, where Europe’s Neanderthal ancestors once lived, stalactites and stalagmites tell the story of thousands of years of history. Among this system lies St. Michael’s Cave, where the residents of Gibraltar turned the natural formations into an event auditorium where the staging’s lights cast an ethereal glow against the rocks for a truly magnificent show.

Along the southwestern coast of the Algarve region of Portugal lies the vibrant port city of Portimão, equal parts history come to life and modern, cosmopolitan atmosphere. The Megalithic Monuments of Alcalar contain prehistoric remnants of the country’s beginnings while Praia da Rocha (Rock Beach) presents the quintessential beach scene that makes this an ideal, tropical getaway. Not far from here you’ll find Praia dos Três Castelos, a beach well-known for its strange and dramatic rock formations of limestone. Located in the urban setting of Portimão, the Fort of Santa Catarina creates a stark contrast with its medieval construct, where walking the ancient paths calls to your inner child and makes you feel a sense of wonder and imagination.

Portugal’s capital Lisbon comes alive with a rich history seen in every nook and cranny of the city. From the resting place of famous explorer Vasco de Gama at Jeronimos Monastery to the impressive turrets of São Jorge Castle dating all the way back to the second century B.C.E., Lisbon offers a deep dive into the past to satiate the most curious travelers.

While Western Europe’s oldest city boasts an array of Baroque and Neoclassical architecture, that does not mean it has remained stuck in the past. On the contrary, the colorful culture and vibrant life that runs throughout the city’s restaurants, shops, and rooftop bars make it buzz with infectious energy. Taking a tuk-tuk through its hard-to-reach passages allows you to experience Lisbon as the locals do.