Barcelona is an enchanting seaside city with boundless culture, fabled architecture and a world-class drinking and dining scene.

No city on earth is more alive than Madrid, an enchanting place whose sheer energy carries a simple message: this city really knows how to live.

A richly studded crown of historical sites, Palma shelters a seemingly endless array of galleries, restaurants, craft studios and bars – it's without doubt Mallorca's greatest treasure. Wander in any direction from the awe-inspiring Gothic Catedral at its geographic and historical heart and you'll find bent medieval streets lined with aristocratic townhouses, looming baroque churches, teeming public squares, vibrant bohemian neighbourhoods and markets overflowing with all the bounty of the island.

Cradle of the Renaissance and world-class art, Florence is magnetic, romantic and busy. Its urban fabric has hardly changed since the Renaissance, its narrow streets evoke a thousand tales.

Venice is the consummate magician, thriving on mystery and awe. From the secret passageways that riddle Gothic Palazzo Ducale, to the esoteric powers of the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute, to the inexplicable radiance of Titian's Assunta altarpiece. Some spells are simply too hard to break.

A heady mix of haunting sights, awe-inspiring art and vibrant street life, Italy's Eternal City is one of the world's most beautiful and inspiring capitals. Walk around the centre and without even trying you’ll come across masterpieces by the giants of the artistic pantheon – sculptures by Michelangelo, canvases by Caravaggio, Raphael frescoes and fountains by Bernini.

The Amalfi Coast is a mesmerizing combination of great beauty and gripping drama: coastal mountains plunge into the sea in a stunning vertical scene of steep cliffs, picturesque towns and lush forests.