Spain

Spain covers most of the Iberian Peninsula, along with the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean and the Canary Islands in the Atlantic. Madrid, the capital, has its art triangle — the Prado, the Thyssen-Bornemisza and the Reina Sofía — the Retiro park and late dinners of tapas, small plates shared over wine. Barcelona brings Antoni Gaudí’s modernisme, from the Sagrada Família to Passeig de Gràcia, the medieval lanes of the Gothic Quarter and city beaches.

Andalusia is the home of flamenco: Seville has its vast Gothic cathedral and the Alcázar, Granada the Alhambra. The Mediterranean coasts differ in mood — the rocky coves of the Costa Brava, Marbella and the golf courses of the Costa del Sol, the long beaches of the Costa Blanca. San Sebastián in the Basque Country is famed for its food and pintxos, bite-sized snacks on sticks; Ribera del Duero and Rioja for their reds. Mallorca rises to the UNESCO-listed Serra de Tramuntana, Ibiza hides quiet coves, and Tenerife is crowned by Teide, Spain’s highest peak.

The coasts are Mediterranean, with hot, dry summers and mild winters; inland Madrid often tops 30 °C in summer and is cool in winter, while the Canaries stay spring-like all year. Spain suits lovers of art and food, families, beach and golf holidays, wine journeys and honeymoons.