Spain

Barcelona is where Gothic architecture meets Gaudí's surreal masterpieces, where tapas bars spill onto sunny plazas, and where the beach is just a metro ride from the mountains. The Catalan capital has a creative energy all its own — distinct from the rest of Spain and fiercely proud of it.

Seville is Spain at its most passionate — flamenco, tapas, orange trees, and a cathedral that took a century to build. The Alcazar palace rivals the Alhambra, the barrio of Santa Cruz is endlessly wanderable, and the energy of Feria de Abril and Semana Santa processions is electric. Extremely hot in summer but magical in spring and fall.

Spain's vibrant capital pulses with energy from late-night tapas bars to world-class museums like the Prado and Reina Sofía. The city lives outdoors — grand plazas, Retiro Park, and a nightlife scene that doesn't start until midnight.