Mediterranean Magic

Barcelona, located in Catalonia Spain, is Europe's largest metropolis on the Mediterranean coast, and one of the world’s major global cities. Today, Barcelona balances itself on the cutting edge of architecture, intellectual life, and style. Indeed Barcelona won the 1999 RIBA Royal Gold Medal for its architecture, the first time that the winner has been a city, and not an individual architect. Read more about Barcelona, Spain

Palma de Mallorca is the major city and port on the Mediterranean island of Majorca, and capital city of the autonomous community of the Balearic Islands in Spain. It is situated on the south coast of the island on the Bay of Palma, and almost half of the total population of Majorca live there. Visitors are spellbound by its blue waters, white beaches, lush foliage (almost 40 percent of the island is protected countryside), and 300 days of sunshine each year. Read more about Palma de Mallorca, Spain

Mahon is the capital city of the Balearic Island of Minorca. The Balearic Islands form an autonomous Spanish community. Mahon, located on the eastern part of the island has the second deepest natural harbor in the world. Read more about Mahon, Spain

Cagliari is the capital of the island of Sardinia, a region in Italy. An ancient city, it has seen the rule of several civilisations and in the ‘old city’ that lies on the top of a hill with a wonderful view of the ocean, it’s amazing to see the walls still intact, together with its two 13th century limestone towers. Importantly, the city is also home to exceptional beaches, rocky cliffs and numerous underwater caves. Read more about Cagliari, Italy

Bonifacio, on the southern tip of the Mediterranean island of Corsica, is a picturesque natural harbour located at the end of a fjord-like inlet, and is the southernmost commune in Metropolitan France. Bonifacio also boasts a busy marina filled with impressive yachts and lined with - chic bars, restaurants, and hotels - enhancing the vibrancy of this fashionable coastal resort. The Old Town, otherwise known as the Upper City, is situated on the site of a citadel built in the 9th century when the city was first founded, and with its labyrinth of narrow streets and historic Genoese buildings is a truly fascinating place to explore. Read more about Bonifacio, France

Portoferraio lies of the edge of the harbour of the Italian Island of Elba. The city's buildings are situated on a tiny hill surrounded on three sides by the sea, which presents an intriguing sight to visitors. Portoferraio remains a delightful seaside resort. Read more about Portoferraio, Italy

Portovenere is a tiny town on the Italian Riviera that overlooks the Gulf of La Spezia. It is a wonderful, delightful village that acts as the gateway to the well-known Cinque Terre that has remained relatively isolated from the rest of the world for centuries, and subsequently has retained the medieval look of the 'Five Lands'. It is accessible by boat and train, and there are some great tours on offer. Read more about Portovenere, Italy

The picturesque and elegant French city of Cannes, situated on the French Riviera, is possibly best known for its famous annual Film Festival, though it is also known for some beautiful beaches, glamorous yachts, a variety of luxury shops, and restaurants. Cannes is a most cosmopolitan town, and visitors are hard pressed to find a genuine native, as many attracted to the Côte d'Azur have chosen to make it their home. Not surprisingly, restaurants have international cuisines, including the traditional gastronomic delights. Read more about Cannes, France

Monte Carlo is an administrative area of the Principality of Monaco in France. It really has a fairy-tale image with its beautiful Riviera - Côte d'Azur - setting, yacht-filled harbor and the elegant Casino that visitors can’t miss, though most don’t even enter to see the opulence and grandeur reflecting its exorbitant cost. It is an extremely rich place, where fast cars, big diamonds and flashy yachts are the norm. Read more about Monte Carlo, France