Deal

A glorious mosaic of beauty, freedom, and authenticity, Portugal’s capital is a stirring artwork of a city. Known for the seven hills it spreads across, and its stirring fado music, Lisbon is a pastel-coloured blend of houses and beautiful tile artworks – and this creative city strikes a perfect harmony between natural and manmade beauty. Stroll along Alfama’s steep, cobbled streets as you explore one of the city’s oldest neighbourhoods – where each house and door could be its own photograph. Look for the decorative tiles, with the distinctive blues and whites of Azulejo ceramics, and visit the dedicated museum to learn more. Afterward, wind up to São Jorge Castle, where views out across Lisbon’s red rooftops unravel. Just one of many majestic viewpoints, you can also seek out Miradouro da Graça for perhaps Lisbon’s finest panorama, with the copper-coloured suspension bridge stretching over sparkling water beyond the sea of buildings. The elegant Tower of Belém rises in the Tagus estuary and is a historic defender of these shores. The grand, carved cloisters of Jerónimos Monastery spread out close by, and there’s another UNESCO-recognised location close by at Sintra, where a colourful town is set amid thick gardens and towering mountains – capped by the royal Pena Palace. Later, relax and take a quick break to drink Ginjinha, a cherry liqueur made from chocolate cups instead of coffee. Lisboetas have a sweet tooth, and the famous Pastel de Nata’s crumbling pastry and caramelised custard topping is the essential accompaniment to any coffee stop.

Whether you pronounce it Seville or Sevilla, this gorgeous Spanish town is most certainly the stuff of dreams. Over 2,200 years old, Seville has a multi-layered personality; home to Flamenco, high temperatures, and three UNESCO-World Heritage Sites, there is a noble ancestry to the southern Spanish town. Not forgetting that it is the birthplace of painter Diego Velazquez, the resting place of Christopher Columbus, the inspiration for Bizet’s Carmen, and a location for Game of Thrones filming, Seville is truly more than just a sum of its parts.

Seville is a full-on experience, a beguiling labyrinth of centuries-old streets, tiny tapas restaurants serving possibly the best dishes you’ll taste south of Madrid, and a paradise of Mudejar architecture and tranquil palm trees and fountain-filled gardens.

A curious slice of Britain – picked up and plonked into the sun, sea, and sand of southern Spain – Gibraltar is a unique and historic peninsula, crowned by the iconic Rock of Gibraltar mountain. Bright red phone boxes gleam, Union Jacks flutter in the breeze, and cones of fish and chips are scoffed in the sun in this most British of outposts. At times a surreal and strange juxtaposition, you can be gazing at the African shoreline from the beach one moment, and carefully treading across the runway of a crammed-in international airport the next. Gibraltar’s cathedral-like Rock towers 400 metres above the waves and the stark limestone mountain watches out across a narrow, strategic strait between the European and African continents. The pointed Rock is a symbol of this unique place, and you can hike it – or take the convenient cable car – to enjoy the views and meet the mischievous colony of Barbary macaques who live on its slopes. Europe’s only wild monkeys roam free and loose on the mountain – so be sure to hang onto your sunglasses and cameras. The Siege Tunnels bring to life the struggles for this land, with the plucky British boring tunnels through the rock by hand, effectively converting it into a giant watchtower, capable of defending the distant territory. Natural caves inside droop with stalactites, while a squat Moorish castle stands proudly at its summit. Grand Casemates Square is a sunbathed plaza, and drizzly old Britain feels a world away, as you sit back and sip ice-cold beers and cocktails in Gibraltar’s historic centre.

Bathing in the Sunshine Coast’s stunning subtropical climate, and laying out endless spectacular beaches, it’s no surprise that Malaga is one of Spain’s most popular cities. The already impressive cultural appeal of this holiday city has skyrocketed over recent years, and with a storied old town and Moorish fortifications, Malaga has a lot to offer. Nearby, you can recline on the renowned beaches of the Costa del Sol, or venture inland to discover the Moorish treasures of Granada and Cordoba. La Malagueta beach is Malaga’s spacious urban beach, perfect for a sunbathe and a dip in the warm water, before enjoying seaside cocktails or seafood tapas in the restaurants nearby. Malaga and the Costa del Sol may be best known for glorious weather and beaches, but Malaga can now stake a genuine claim as an artistic powerhouse too. Visit the renowned Picasso museum – housed in the artist’s birthplace – before exploring the freshly opened outpost of the Pompidou Centre. The art also spills out onto the streets in the colourful Soho district – splashed with vibrant street paintings. Known as La Manquita – or the one-armed woman – the city’s cathedral rises over the historic old town. Its huge bell tower stands tall, but an accompanying second tower was never completed – hence the nickname. The Alcazaba fortress palace looms over the waterfront and forms a spectacularly preserved remnant from the era when the Moors controlled the Andalusia region. Discover more of the Arabic influence by visiting Granada’s Alhambra palace, or Cordoba’s La Mezquita mosque. Together with Seville’s converted cathedral, the cities form Andalusia’s Golden Triangle of Moorish wonders.

The infinite variety of street life, the nooks and crannies of the medieval Barri Gòtic, the ceramic tiles and stained glass of Art Nouveau facades, the art, and music, the throb of street life, the food (ah, the food!) – one way or another, Barcelona will find a way to get your full attention. The capital of Catalonia is a banquet for the senses, with its beguiling mix of ancient and modern architecture, tempting cafés and markets, and sun-drenched Mediterranean beaches. A stroll along La Rambla and through waterfront Barceloneta, as well as a tour of Gaudí’s majestic Sagrada Família and his other unique creations, are part of a visit to Spain’s second-biggest city. Modern art museums and chic shops call for attention, too. Barcelona’s vibe stays lively well into the night when you can linger over regional wine and cuisine at buzzing tapas bars.

Surrounded by water, Sete is a Mediterranean fishing capital and a port with maritime heritage flowing through its salty veins. Set on a lagoon beside the Mediterranean’s waves, Sete’s streets are interspersed with canals, and the historic Canal du Midi terminates here. Canal boats joust on the river during August’s festival, in this working city of breezy nautical charm. Known as the Venice of Languedoc, house facades front up against canal banks, while leisurely cruises offer romantic trips through this colourful, maritime city. The ascent of Mount St-Clair is perhaps the best spot to appreciate this wonderful, watery setting, and you can also take in the bright frescoes of the Chapel of Notre Dame de la Salette while you’re there. Or absorb the town’s deep fishing heritage with a harbour walk among the bobbing little boats, or within the preserved La Pointe Courte fisherman’s village. Sit down to sample the incredible sea life at fine restaurants, which plate up mounds of juicy oysters and shellfish, hauled ashore from the waters. Swing golf clubs on rollercoaster coastal courses, or relax on miles of golden beaches stretching along the nearby spit. Inland, discover rich medieval history, beautifully preserved at the walled city of Aigues-Mortes. Mighty Carcassonne UNESCO World Heritage Site also stands within reach, inviting you to enter a majestic fairy-tale citadel of fantasy turrets and imposing battlements. Step across the drawbridge and brush shoulders with armed soldiers and artisans, inside this living timewarp’s immense ramparts.

France’s sunniest and oldest city may not have the glamour of some of its Cote D’Azur neighbours, but what it lacks in glitz, it certainly makes up for in authenticity and cultural depth. France’s second-biggest city, Marseille served as European Capital of Culture in 2013 and is a fantastic hub of museums, creativity, and colour. The Le Panier district is a vivid illustration of this – with its faded streets revitalised by overflowing flowerpots and pretty naturally distressed doorways. Look down to the yacht-crammed port – where fishermen still unload fresh catches – from the viewpoint at the spectacular Notre-Dame de la Garde – a true crowning glory. Standing over walled fortifications – and capped by an elegant dome – the soaring golden statue of Madonna and Child rises high into the air and is visible all over the city. The huge Marseille Cathedral is equally impressive, with its stunning zebra-striped exterior. Palais Longchamp, built in 1862, twinkles with flowing water, and its saturated gardens and splashing fountains were built to celebrate the engineering feat of successfully redirecting water to the city. You can’t leave Marseille without tucking into its famous fish stew – bouillabaisse. Flavoured with thyme, garlic, and hunks of Mediterranean fish and plump prawns, it’s a bold and delicious taste of Provence. Wash your hands clean after, with some of Marseille’s traditional soap, created using a fragrant recipe of rich olive oil. Escape the hubbub of the city, to soak in the natural glory of Calanques National Park. Hike, kayak and sail your way through a treasure trove of limestone cliffs, dropping off to hidden beaches.