FROM PALMA DE MALLORCA TO TENERIFFA

Valencia impresses with its age-old buildings and modern architecture. The heart of the old town is the Plaza de la Reina with its magnificent cathedral, with a bell tower offering fantastic views over the city. It’s well worth taking a walk around the Mercado Central, where local specialities await culinary enthusiasts. Futuristic charm comes from the Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciencies, an impressive complex of buildings and parkland designed by Santiago Calatrava and Felix Candela and incorporating an opera, science museum and aquarium.

Andalusia’s second largest city exudes the scent of orange groves and the heat of the sun, which shines over the Bay of Malaga. The majestic Montes de Malaga mountain range is just a few miles north of the city, whereas the 130 m (426 ft) high Gibralfaro rises up in the city centre: from the walls of the Castillo de Gibralfaro, you can see Malaga in all its beauty – with the old town dominated by the elegant towers of the cathedral, one of the most beautiful in the Mediterranean. Beneath the castle are the romantic gardens of the Moorish Alcazaba fortress, a great place to while away some time. Wine lovers will appreciate the fertile soils of the Vega, which produce wines like Pedro Ximenez. In the evening, there are numerous options for going out. Malaga is a feast for all the senses.

At the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula, the striking rock of Gibraltar greets all seafarers from afar. Right at the foot of the monolithic limestone rock lies a fascinating piece of Great Britain: Gibraltar. Red telephone boxes, teatime and double-decker buses give the city its typical English charm. The lighthouse in the south offers breathtaking views across the sea to Africa. The free-roaming Barbary macaques, which can be found here, are unique in Europe – according to legend, Gibraltar will remain British as long as they are there. But be careful, as it’s better not to feed the cheeky animals. Gibraltar combines history, nature and British flair, offering visitors a unique experience.

Modern life and historic charm go hand in hand in Casablanca. The lively metropolis is Morocco’s economic centre and offers an exciting mix of Arab or Muslim heritage and remnants from the French colonial period. The old town, also known as the medina, is inviting with its winding streets and numerous bazaars to wander around, while the art deco district and the Corniche promenade show the city’s modern side. At the end of the Corniche, you will see the majestic Hassan II Mosque and its minaret rising about 210 m (689 ft) into the blue sky: one of the largest mosques in the world, its architectural beauty and the glorious marble of the huge prayer hall are impressive. In the evening, the city also shows itself from its most beautiful side and invites you to enjoy whiling away some time.

Agadir welcomes its guests with a coastline that stretches gently in the sunlight and offers sweeping views across the Atlantic Ocean. Along the golden Corniche, well-maintained promenades invite you to stroll, while colourfully painted fishing boats rock gently to the rhythm of the waves. High above the city rises the old kasbah – a silent guardian that tells of times gone by. In the alleys of the Souk El Had, the scents of cinnamon, saffron and fresh mint mingle to create an enchanting feast for the senses. This is where modern life meets the history of the Berbers, who still whisper of freedom and tradition in the mountains.

Volcanoes and sandy beaches: Lanzarote is a fascinating interplay of colours. Born around 20 million years ago, the island is now a masterpiece of nature, with golden, black and almost white beaches. In between lie turquoise bays, red and black lava fields and the bright green vineyards of La Geria, which thrive in the volcanic soil. Lanzarote is rugged and gentle at the same time, barren and fertile – a place full of contrasts that exudes a magical attraction with its quiet power and unspoilt beauty, leaving visitors deeply moved.

Laurel forests, shrouded in mystical fog, shape the wild beauty of La Gomera. Garajonay National Park tells a story of ancient times, when nature still played the leading role. The coasts drop dramatically into the sea and El Silbo, the whistling language of the indigenous people, rings through the valleys. From the summits, there are views over the unending blue of the Atlantic, where the waves gently lap against the rugged cliffs. La Gomera is a place full of secrets and magic, a paradise for explorers and dreamers. You can round off the evening in cosy bars.

Santa Cruz de la Palma, the capital of the “Isla Bonita” stretches between green hillsides and dark beaches. The colourful house facades and colonial palaces along the Calle Real and the Calle de San Sebastian exude traditional Canarian charm. In the narrow streets, small tapas bars and cafes invite you to while away some time, while the cobblestone pavements and baroque city palaces bring the splendour of centuries past back to life. Santa Cruz is the heart of the island – charming, culturally rich and full of soul.