Barcelona, capital of Catalonia, is a celebration of history and heir to Greek, Phoenician, Roman, Carthaginian, Gothic and Arab cultural legacies. Since it is nearly as close to Rome, Geneva and Munich as it is to Madrid, Barcelona has long been the Spanish link to Western Europe.

It was the home of Picasso, Miró, Dali, Casals and Gaudí and has been described as a Mediterranean Manhattan, a cosmopolitan experimental center for political ideas and artistic movements.

In addition to its abundance of artistic and architectural treasures, Barcelona serves as the gateway to one of the world's most impressive mountainside enclaves at Montserrat. Discover the secret legends of the Black Virgin and the alluring chants of monastic life high atop the Catalonian plains.

Barcelona's ancient city walls and the narrow crooked streets of the town's old section are laid out for your discovery. You will find that Barcelona has something for everybody.

One of the largest cities of Spain, Valencia is also one of the country's most dynamic. Its location on the Mediterranean offers a mild climate, bringing sun worshippers to Valencia's many beaches. Sports aficionados will find activities galore, including golf, diving, cycling and tennis. When the sun goes down, the tempo speeds up as locals and visitors gather in cafes and nightclubs.

Given that Valencia was founded by the Romans and has been a witness to, if not directly involved in, the history of the centuries, the city also is a showcase of art and architecture. Old Town boasts a cathedral that is mainly of early gothic style, with Romanesque and baroque additions. In the cathedral's museum are works of Goya and the paintings of the Valencia School, representing art of the 15th to the 17th centuries. Spanning the river are three old bridges, one of which has 15th-century towers that were part of Valencia's fortified walls. Then there is Spain's national hero, El Cid, whose famous battle against the Moors was waged here in Valencia.

Prosperous Málaga lies along the beautiful Costa del Sol, approximately 70 miles inside the Strait of Gibraltar. Its wealth of historical sites includes a 16th-century cathedral and the Moorish Alcazaba Fortress.

This modern-looking provincial capital was founded by the Phoenicians and later became culturally and economically important as the port of Granada.

Sightseeing opportunities abound from Málaga. The charming mountain village of Mijas and the impressive Alhambra are attractions you won't want to miss.

On a low-lying peninsula extending into the crescent-shaped bay stands 3,000-year-old Cádiz, the Western world's oldest continuously inhabited city. Neat houses huddle within high walls, while the surrounding countryside is lush with olive groves.

The Puertas de Tierra divides the city in two. Modern Cádiz lies on the isthmus, while the romantic, historical section is located on the other side.

The old districts of El Pópulo and Santa Maria, adorned with narrow streets and ancient stone walls, are in sharp contrast to the parks, gardens, wide roads and plazas of the bustling commercial area.

Centuries-old Casablanca, Morocco's largest city and principal port, lies on the Atlantic coast of North Africa. Awaiting your discovery is a timeless blend of Arabic culture and French sophistication, as seen by the imposing administrative buildings that recall years of colonial influence.

Although the spirits of Bergman and Bogart still linger in the narrow alleyways of the old Medina, this gleaming white city has a firm grasp on the 21st century. Today, it encompasses broad palm-lined boulevards, attractive public parks and soaring high-rises.

Bargain-filled souks are reminders of mysterious Africa and shopping aficionados will delight in scouring narrow alleyways for great buys in leatherwork, pottery, carved woodwork and Moroccan rugs.

The largest and most populated island of the seven which make up the Canary Archipelago, Tenerife lies northwest of the African continent. Its shape is triangular and was formed as a result of the massive volcanic eruptions, which once dominated the area.

The island's original economy was based on agriculture, including the harvesting of bananas, potatoes and tomatoes. However, new industrial products and activities, such as oil, tobacco and paper mills, have slowly emerged. Nonetheless, tourism remains the main industry of Tenerife.

Visitors seeking shelter from the cold winter have long known about the sun-drenched Canary Islands. About 60 miles from the North African coast, Gran Canaria enjoys a mild, spring-like climate year round.

Of the seven islands in the small chain, Gran Canaria is the most popular and boasts Las Palmas as its capital. This bustling Spanish city was founded in 1478 and some of the original buildings still stand. Golden beaches offer a serene contrast to the lush and rugged interior terrain. For a real treat, admire the fine beaches from the top of Bandama, one of Gran Canaria's extinct volcanoes.

The sub-tropical island of Madeira, often called the "Garden of the Atlantic," was the favored retreat of Sir Winston Churchill. This blissful island is a wonderland of rugged mountains, colorful flowers and ornate architecture.

Once ashore, enjoy browsing through local shops that boast an array of intricate embroidery, vibrant tapestries and detailed wickerwork. Feel free to sample the famed Madeira wine while relaxing in one of the island's numerous cafés.

Cosmopolitan Lisbon was the center of the world's last great colonial empire. Today the city nostalgically reveres its imperial past while adapting to Portugal's role as a member of the European Economic Community.

Although located on the Atlantic coast, Lisbon has the soul of a Mediterranean city with Moorish castles, pastel and white buildings, orange-tiled roofs and luminous blue skies. Set amid the hills and valleys of the northern shore of the River Tagus, it is one of the loveliest capitals in the world.