Cinematic Shores

Legend states that Ulysses founded Lisbon, calling it Olisipo. Others claim that the name is Phoenician, but all agree it’s one of Europe’s most fascinating destinations. On All Saints’ Day in 1755 a devastating earthquake destroyed much of the city.

Framed by golden sands and impressive cliffs, Portimão offers a relaxing beach getaway for sun-seekers. For lovers of history and architecture, take a stroll through the medieval Castle of Alvor, and for those that enjoy the beauty of nature delight in the cultivated fields and slopes covered with pine trees and wildflowers. Visit the Igreja da Nossa Senhora da Conceição that dates back to the 14th century.

Set along the southern edge of Andalusia, where the Mediterranean meets the Atlantic, Algeciras is a port city shaped by contrasts. Beneath the constant movement of ferries and cargo ships lies a slower rhythm of palm-lined plazas, beachside cafés and hillside roads winding into the surrounding countryside. Beyond the center, the ascent to nearby Castellar de la Frontera reveals a whitewashed hilltop village tucked among the Algeciras hills, where quiet streets and traditional flamenco peñas capture the enduring spirit of the region.

Casablanca is Morocco’s largest city and industrial center. Its renaissance came with the French protectorate under its first resident general, Lyautey. It was largely his ideas on public works and the layout of the new city which gave Casablanca its wide boulevards, public parks and fountains, and imposing Moresque civic buildings.

Explore the Mendoubia Gardens which contain a fascinating banyan tree that is more than 800 years old. The Caves of Hercules are 9 miles west of Tangier in the Cap Spartel area; it is a place of great beauty and archeological significance.

ou wouldn’t expect to find a Spanish city in African territory with a historic military fortress, modernist architecture and a fusion of Mediterranean, European and African cuisine – but that’s exactly what you’ll find in Melilla. One of two autonomous Spanish cities on the Moroccan coast (the other is Ceuta, near Gibraltar), the enclave boasts a staggering architectural heritage. The preserved Citadel, also known as Melilla la Vieja, is a monumental complex consisting of four enclosures separated by a moat. A Gaudi apprentice named Enrique Nieto is credited with inspiring the city’s collection of modernist buildings, a legacy of curved buildings with natural motifs you’ll appreciate in the city’s Golden Triangle.

In Tarragona, explore ancient Roman ruins, stroll along beautiful beaches and enjoy vibrant culture and cuisine. Or journey further to reach one of Europe’s most stunning cities: Barcelona. It is home of architect Antoni Gaudí, whose Sagrada Familia Cathedral, Park Güell and Casa Milà are the most profound statements of Modernisme. View the splendid works at the Picasso Museum and the Miro Foundation, or discover Barcelona’s passionate ambiance at a flamenco show.