Andalusia + Barcelona

About the destination: Malaga, the birthplace of Picasso, radiates art from every corner. Regarded as one of the oldest cities in Spain and Europe, this cosmopolitan port is vibrantly modern while still holding onto its extensive historical past. The palm-tree lined Paseo el Parque leads you beneath Alcazaba, a Moorish palace whose fortified walls surround aromatic gardens and an archaeological museum. The towering Gibralfaro Castle sits atop a nearby hill, offering exceptional views of the expansive city below. The Picasso Museum is also worth a visit, providing not only an impressive artistic heritage, but also educational activities and cultural events. A nighttime visit to Malaga is highly recommended: don't miss a leisurely stroll along the harbor where traditional fried fish is paired with cold beer at chiringuitos (beach bars), and take in the sight of the illuminated Alcazaba, which stands guard over the city from Mount Gibralfaro.

About the destination: Barcelona is a coastal city in northeastern Spain. It's the capital and biggest city of the autonomous region of Catalonia, and the second most populated municipality in Spain. The city has a population of 1.6 million within its limits, but its urban area, which extends to many neighboring municipalities within the Province of Barcelona, is home to approximately 4.8 million people. This makes it the fifth most populated urban area in the European Union, following Paris, the Ruhr area, Madrid, and Milan. Barcelona is one of the largest metropolises on the Mediterranean Sea, situated on the coast between the mouths of the Llobregat and Besòs rivers. It's bordered to the west by the Serra de Collserola mountain range, the highest peak of which is 512 meters (1,680 feet) tall.