Barcelona is located on the North East coast of Spain, close to the Pyrenees and looking out over the Mediterranean. It dates back to Roman times and is proud of its history and status as the principle city of Catalonia. You are as likely to hear Catalan spoken in the city as well as Spanish, with most official signs in both languages. English and French are also widely spoken and Barcelona is famous for offering a warm welcome to its many visitors.

No visit to Barcelona would be complete without a stroll down the Ramblas and a drink at one of its many cafés and bars. Equally, it would be impossible to leave the city without paying homage to Gaudi, whose remarkable design influence seems to be everywhere.

The Casa Mila, on the Passeig de Grazia, is considered the definitive modernist piece of architecture and Gaudi’s crowning achievement. Though the sheer scale of the, still unfinished, Sagrada Famiglia, makes this equally unmissable. The Picasso Museum is also a must, and that’s before you even get to Miro. For art and architecture lovers, there can be few cities to rival this Catalan jewel.