Gibraltar
The British colony of Gibraltar, known throughout the world as The Rock, is one of the most picturesque locations in the world. The importance of Gibraltar's geographic position, guarding the entrance to the Mediterranean Sea, has been realized since ancient times, and throughout the millennia The Rock has been the site of countless battles for its control.
The Moors seized Gibraltar in 711, and their conquest of Spain soon followed. In fact, Gibraltar is named after the commander of the Moors, Jebel Tariq, which loosely translates to Jewel's Rock. The Moors controlled Gibraltar for over 700 years, until Spain retook possession in 1462. Spanish rule over this important strip of land lasted until 1704, and in 1713, the Treaty of Utrecht officially granted the land to the United Kingdom. To this day, Gibraltar remains a colony of Britain. The pound is the official currency, and Elizabeth II reigns supreme, much to the dismay of Spain.
Today, Gibraltar is a top tourist destination, and the gateway for European travelers who wish to make the 14km journey to the African mainland. A trip to the summit of The Rock is spectacular, as are visits to the Gibraltar Museum, St. Michael's Caves, and the Moorish Castle. The city is not particularly known for its shopping and nightlife, but great duty-free deals can be found on Main Street, and an evening stroll down this pedestrian thoroughfare is a delightfully romantic way to end the day in this historic stretch of land.
Barcelona
Barcelona has always been a prosperous city , thanks to an exquisite harbor, fertile soil, and a population of hard working, caring citizens. This great city was a strong, incredibly diverse region when Madrid was still a fledgling town with basically no landmarks or significance. The numerous Mediterranean empires that had at one time or another conquered the area brought tremendous influences, much more so than the Iberian presence to the west. Barcelona was most influenced by Rome, Carthage, and France during the Charlemagne era.
The monuments of Barcelona open a book into the rich history of the area. These include the intricate and beautiful Gothic Quarter from the medieval times, the series of Catalan art nouveau, and the surreal artwork of Picasso and Miro. But if you are searching for a little excitement and outdoor fun to mix in with your education and culture, look no further than Barcelona.
In 1992, Barcelona was given a huge boost by serving as home to the Summer Olympic Games. This race to the 21st century was quite beneficial to Barcelona and the neighboring areas, and the restructuring program that became everyone's focus was given the name Post Olympic. As a result of all of this hard work and dedication, Barcelona has recently developed into one of the premier port cities in all of Europe. There are so many fascinating sights and wonderful events; you will be awed by your choices and so much to do. Extraordinary museums and landmarks can be found everywhere in this ancient city with a rich heritage and culture. The Museu Picasso is one of the greatest art exhibits anywhere, and through the center of the old quarter of Barcelona is the gorgeous tree-lined promenade, a visual splendor. The nightlife is truly something, and the shopping is fantastic.
Cannes
Cannes wasn't always world famous. In the fifth century, a small community of monks found their way to the nearby Lerin Islands and established a monastery. For hundreds of years, fishermen and sailors were the only inhabitants of the small Riviera town. In the early 20th Century, Cannes was a place where French families came to get away from work for a while to enjoy the temperate weather and beautiful scenery. Then Hollywood heard about the place, and the rest is history. Today, if you asked an American to name two cities in France, you had better believe that most would respond Paris and Cannes. With fame comes notoriety, and the town has received its share of the latter. People who have been to the Cannes Film Festival complain about the inflated prices and the fact that the town seemingly sells its soul every year in late May.
Like the festival itself, these complaints are overblown. Cannes has retained its charm, and if you visit during any other time of the year you will be enchanted by this small beachside community built into the cliffs. 78,000 people call Cannes home, and they get to enjoy this beautiful city all year long. Plan your trip around the festival, and you'll enjoy it, too.
Cadiz
Beautiful Cadiz is the ideal spot for a peaceful vacation. The Atlantic Ocean surrounds the city on three sides, making it magnificently temperate and scenic. The view from virtually anywhere in the region is marvelous. In February, Spaniards flock to Cadiz for the famous Carnival. However, during the rest of the year the city is fairly quiet and subdued, and most tourists have not yet discovered the wonder of Cadiz. It is for this reason that it is in our best interests to see this exquisite city before it gets discovered.
Phoenician traders founded the region in 1100 B.C. and named it Gadir. It is claimed that Cadiz is the oldest constantly inhabited city in the entire Western World. Julius Caesar lived here and held office, and Hannibal resided here for a time, as well. During the Middle Ages, while controlled by the Moors, Cadiz was forced into a steady decline. Finally, after the discovery of the Americas, the city's commercial importance was rediscovered. Columbus set sail from Cadiz on his second voyage to the New World. In the 18th century, the New World trade was monopolized by Cadiz, and it developed into the most lucrative port in all of Western Europe. The majority of the buildings in the city date from this time period. Built from gold and silver brought from the New World, the cathedral in Cadiz is a breathtaking structure.
A grouping of narrow streets opens into a series of lovely, small squares, and this makes up the forefront of Cadiz. The older portions of the city have an African appearance to them, and the cathedral's golden cupola towers above low, off-white homes. Outstanding parks are scattered throughout Cadiz, and the sparkling bay can be seen from the center of this wonderful city. Plaza de Mina is the perfect starting point to begin your explorations. This square features grand, shady palm trees and an abundance of warm beaches. Everywhere you go, the locals will greet you with a pleasant smile and a kind word, epitomizing the inviting nature of Cadiz, Spain.
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