Alicante and the surrounding Costa Blanca are popular tourist destinations. The town of Alicante offers wide boulevards, sandy beaches and numerous attractions including the Museum of 20th Century Art (with works by Miró, Picasso and Dali); the Castillo de Santa Barbara, and 16th century fortress which offers beautiful views across the town.

Barcelona, Spain's second largest city and a mayor commercial and industrial centre. Some of the highlights of this beautiful city are: Sagrada Familla, (Church of the Holy Family) Gaudí's unfinished masterpiece; The Picasso Museum; and the Ramblas (the busy main street, filled with cafés, flower markets etc.) Just outside the town, the monastery of Montserrat, set high in the hills, is worth a visit for the fantastic views it offers.
Map of Las Ramblas, Barcelona

Valencia, is the third largest city in Spain, and is the capital of the province of Valencia. Attractions of this pleasant city include the Palacio de Marqués de dos Aguas (an elaborately sculptured Baroque palace); the Museo de Bellas Artes (first rate museum housing works by El Greco, Goya & Velázquez) and the Cathedral, which houses the Holy Grail.

Zaragoza (or Saragossa) lies inland, and is the capital of Aragon. Life centres around the Plaza de Nuestra Señora del Pilar, with its many monuments, including the cathedral, built to commemorate an appearance of the Virgin Mary in AD 40. It is also home to the Aljafería, Europe's oldest Moorish palace.

The Balearic Islands

The Mediterranean islands of Majorca, Minorca, Ibiza and Formentera are extremely popular destinations for holiday makers from all over Europe. Palma, the main town on the largest island, Majorca, has numerous attractions including the enormous cathedral and the Almundaina Palace, former residence of the Majorcan monarchs. In general, however, it is the sun, sea, sand and nightlife that bring people year after year to these islands.