Ijmuiden (Amsterdam) to Barcelona

Within its fortified walls, this city of bustling shops, cafés and bars is home to the highest concentration of seafood restaurants in Europe. Heavily bombed during World War II, it was lovingly restored to its original splendor. The city’s top destination is the citadel, from where Corsairs would raid enemy ships in the name of the King. Be sure to take a stroll atop the ramparts for magical views, and save time for a journey to the medieval Mont St-Michel abbey.

Brest is a port city in the Finistère département in Brittany. Located in a sheltered bay not far from the western tip of the peninsula, and the western extremity .

This seaside gem in the south of Brittany’s Riviera holds abundant maritime heritage, from an indestructible – and explorable – World War II Nazi submarine to the latest high-tech developments in yacht racing at the Cité de la Voile. Throughout the lovely town, you’ll find vestiges of conquests of India and the East Indies, as the French East India Company was based here, where peaceful beaches and sun-soaked promenades rule the landscape.

The least-known of the Canary Islands, densely wooded La Gomera is home to Garajonay National Park, a World Heritage site that protects the largest laurel rainforest remaining on earth. Columbus stopped for water in the little capital of San Sebastian before crossing the Atlantic. He planned to stay four days, but spent a month when he met the lovely Beatriz de Bobadilla. On the sunny southwestern coast in the breathtaking Valle Gran Rey, Vueltas is a hot spot for dolphins and whale watching.

At the western end of northern Spain’s famed Costa Verde, Gijón offers what one would expect from a seaside town: plenty of sun and sandy beaches. To the southeast rises the somewhat unexpected glacier-carved mountains of Los Picos de Europa. Here is where the first Spanish national park is located, along with some of Europe’s most rare wildlife, such as the Iberian brown bear and the Asturcon, a shaggy wild horse so small that it would be more fitting to call it a wild pony.

The very name of this summer resort offers a clue to its character. Spelled with a “g” and a “j” yet with both pronounced as an “h” (“hee-hohn,”), Gijón at first appears simple and straightforward, but upon closer inspection is a little more complex. Once acquainted with the town, its treasures unfold easily.

Legend holds that Hercules founded this city of Romanesque squares and medieval churches, and indeed, its Tower of Hercules is one of La Coruña’s most enduring symbols. Steeped in beauty, the city is renowned for its gardens, including the Jardines de Méndez Núñez, located in the center of the Pescaderia, and the Jardine de San Carlos in the Old City. Visit the Museo Arqueologico e Historico for exceptional views, and see the elaborately carved door on the church of Calle de Santa Maria.

Oporto brings together the best of Portugal: warm sunshine, a relaxed riverside setting, grand churches, winding medieval streets, and courtyards filled with geraniums. Perhaps what Oporto is most famous for, however, is its port wine. Crafted in the neighboring Vila Nova da Gaia district, ports from all over the region can be sampled in the lodges just across the river. Wander through historic Ribeira, the recently restored riverside district and UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Discover the world’s last colonial empire, turned bustling cosmopolitan city. Lisbon has dozens of Moorish castles, pastel buildings, and white sand beaches to explore. This Atlantic-coast city perfectly encapsulates Mediterranean charm with its wine, food, and architecture.

Get lost in the Western world’s oldest continuously inhabited city. Cádiz continues to charm travelers today with its romantic El Pópulo and Santa María districts, fresh seafood, and the Puertas de Tierra which divides the city into old and new. In Seville, stroll through the ancient city center or see a flamenco show followed by tapas and a glass of delicious wine or sherry.

See the wealth of historical treasures found in the coastal city of Màlaga. Once a major trading port, Màlaga has an eclectic mix of sites influenced by the Phoenicians, the Moors, and the Spanish.

From its ancient natural harbor where Phoenicians would trade to its Roman Empire heyday when it was known as the New Carthage, Cartagena’s enviable position on the Mediterranean has long made it one of the most important ports in Spain. The country’s Naval Headquarters is here, as are Dockyard Gate and Midshipman School. Discover ancient Roman ruins and Modernista buildings, the magnificent Concepcion Castle and a stunning City Hall.

Drenched in year-round sunshine, this beach-loving town boasts one of Spain’s best, San Juan Beach. Sprinkled throughout its Old Town are colorful houses, winding alleyways and a beautiful Renaissance church, while a trek up Mount Benacantil leads to the medieval ruins Castle of Santa Bárabara affording spectacular views of the Mediterranean and surrounding landscape. Closer to shore, the Explanada de Espana is perfect for a stroll overlooking the sea.

Sunbathe in one of Spain’s most exhilarating cities. Valencia is vibrant town with dynamic nightlife, outdoor activities and sports, and its mezcla of architectural wonders. In Old Town, see everything from a 15th-century palaces, to recent wonders of modern art.

Barcelona’s seaside beauty, sprawling beaches, eclectic architecture, world-class tapas and Tempranillo are all reasons to fall in love with the city of Gaudí. Indeed, the treasures here are many and diverse, captivating travelers and experts alike. In fact, nine important sites in the city, seven designed by the famed architect himself, have earned the acclaim of UNESCO.