Barcelona, Valencia and the Baleares Islands all have two things in common: they are all in eastern Spain and their coastlines border on the Mediterranean Sea. Barcelona is farthest north, close to France; Valencia is farther south; and the Baleares Islands are in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. You can take a boat from Barcelona to Mallorca (the largest of these islands) and be there in a little under four hours. Of course there are always planes too, but these boats are fast and are a cool alternative.

Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain, with a population of one and a half million people. It is also the capital of Cataluña, where there are two official languages spoken: Catalonian and Spanish. Barcelona enjoys a mild Mediterranean weather all year long. If you walk along Las Ramblas, you will see all sorts of street entertainers and vendors, but if you prefer to visit historical sites, grab your camera and go to the Barrio Gótico, a Gothic downtown area full of magnificent buildings and magical parks. You can also visit the fountains of Montjuic, the Tibidabo amusement park, and the Sagrada Familia— the unfinished church that was designed by the world-famous architect Antonio Gaudí. Barcelona is also famous for its shoe manufacturers like Camper.

Next there is the modern city of Valencia, one of three cities in a region called also Valencia, where the weather is so mild that year-round you may enjoy the traditional Spanish dish paella while sitting on one of the terraces by the sea. Valencia has an amazing annual celebration called las Fallas when dozens of cardboard figures and statues are burned in huge street bonfires during the night. You may spend time on the splendid, long beaches and enjoy different water sports, and you may also like to visit the nearly twenty national parks of the region.

But if you really love beautiful beaches, you have to go to the Baleares Islands. With a total population of slightly under one million people, the islands are called Mallorca, Cabrera, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera, and all of them possess breath-taking calas (hidden beaches). Mallorca is the largest island, with Palma de Mallorca as its capital and an airport that is one of the busiest in all of Europe! The famous composer Chopin lived on this island, and presently the Spanish royal family spends its summers there. Mallorcan pearls are a great souvenir but one of the most interesting attractions of the island is the Caves of Drach, which have one of the largest subterranean lakes in the world! You can even take a boat ride in it while enjoying a classical music concert. If you would like to take a look at these impressive “Dragon caves,” visit their website at www.cuevasdeldrach.com .