Spanien

The heart and soul of the island, Ibiza Town (Eivissa) is a vivacious, stylish and elegant capital with a magical, fortified World Heritage–listed old quarter topped by a castle and cathedral, set against a spectacular natural harbour. It's also a shopaholic's dream, a hedonist's paradise and a world-famous party destination. Ibiza Town's leafy squares, harbour-front promenade and warren of whitewashed lanes are crammed with boutiques, restaurants, cafes and bars, attracting a unique blend of characters. In summer, the city becomes one of the globe's greatest catwalks, with fashionistas, clubbers, beach addicts and everyone in between strutting around its compact centre. Also here are some of the world's glitziest megaclubs and, perhaps less prominently, a clutch of fascinating museums.

The northwest corner of the old town is Valencia's oldest quarter, offering bohemian local character and several good museums. El Carme, as it is known in Valenciano, is fertile ground for eating and drinking, with a profusion of little bars and restaurants to track down in its narrow, confusing medieval street plan.

Bilbao är Baskiens kulturhuvudstad, och en trevlig avstickare om man spenderar några dagar i Biarritz eller San Sebastian. Här är 6 tips på saker att göra, som lotsar dig förbi några av stadens bästa höjdpunkter.

The ever-popular star of the Mediterranean, Mallorca has a sunny personality thanks to its ravishing beaches, azure views, remote mountains and soulful hill towns.

Get out the copas (glasses) for La Rioja and some of the best red wines produced in the country. Wine goes well with the region’s ochre earth and vast blue skies, which seem far more Mediterranean than the Basque greens further north. In fact, it’s hard not to feel as if you’re in a different country altogether. The bulk of the vineyards line Río Ebro around the town of Haro, but some also extend into neighbouring Navarra and the Basque province of Álava. This diverse region offers more than just the pleasures of the grape, though, and a few days here can see you mixing it up in lively towns and quiet pilgrim churches, and even hunting for the remains of giant reptiles.

Serene Islamic architecture, monumental churches, old-school tapas bars and counterculture graffiti art combine to make Granada a compelling city break.

Inte långt från Barcelona gömmer sig vindistriktet Priorat. Här vandrar man i karg men underskön natur, och njuter av viner i världsklass.

De naturliga omgivningarna på Kanarieöarna, variationen av landskap och pittoreska platser har inte bara lockat soldyrkande svenskar de senaste åren, utan även attraherat stora Hollywoodproduktioner till den spanska skärgården.

The long stripe of the Costa Blanca (White Coast) is one of Spain's premier holiday coasts, popular with both domestic and foreign visitors. It's very busy in summer, with a lively social scene and great beaches. Even if that's not your scene, there are still several worthwhile destinations along this coast. Although the original fishing villages have long been engulfed by the sprawl of resorts, a few old-town kernels, such as those at Xàbia (Jávea) and Altea, still survive. Alicante itself has plenty to offer besides legendary nightlife, while Dénia is an enticing blend of traditional fishing town, beach resort and gastronomic destination.

La Rambla, Barcelona's most famous pedestrian strip, is always a hive of activity, with buskers and peddlers, tourists and con artists (watch out!) mingling amid the crowds gracing the sunlit cafes and shops on the boulevard. The adjoining Barri Gòtic is packed with historical treasures – relics of ancient Rome, 14th-century Gothic churches and atmospheric cobblestone lanes lined with shops, bars and restaurants.