From stylish Barcelona to sunny resort towns on the Costa Brava and Costa Dorada, Catalonia offers a wealth of attractions. Barcelona attracts those who love Gaudi's architecture, hot nightlife and thrilling restaurants. Elegant Tarragona's Roman ruins and amphitheater add to its historical appeal. Beach lovers flock to Mediterranean playgrounds including pine back-dropped Cape Salou, stunning Costa de Garraf, home to gay-popular beach resort Sitges, and the 40 sandy miles of La Maresme.

A popular budget holiday destination on the Costa Brava, the former fishing village of Lloret de Mar offers an appealing climate, great scenery and wealth of competitive accommodations. Visit the narrow streets of the Old Town and sites such as Can Xardo and Can Comadran, or take to the waves in Water World or sailing, parasailing or kayaking on the Mediterranean. A handful of excellent beaches round out the offerings of this Catalonian family resort, easily reached by car from Barcelona.

The Costa Dorada is one of the main tourist destinations on the Mediterranean. It is a rich and varied territory, with a long coastline bathed in sunshine and an interior dotted by quiet villages and cultivated fields. The Costa Dorada is much more than sun, sea and sand. It offers its visitors a wide range of leisure activities, culture, nature and history in an ideal setting of peace and tranquillity, perfect for holidays with the whole family.

Tossa del Mar has beautiful beaches—and tourists flock to them in summer, so make sure you have a reservation if you’re planning to visit in high season. Enjoy the seafront restaurants (and, of course, fresh-caught fish specialties) and many tapas bars in this charming Catalan town.

The largest and many say most beautiful island in the Bay of Naples, Ischia is renowned for its curative spas. Ferries and hydrofoils connect Naples to Ischia Porto, the main town. Nearby at Ischia Ponte (connected to the main island by a foot bridge) are the magnificent Castello Aragonese and Guevara Tower. Forio on the island’s west coast, Lacco Ameno in the northwest and Sant’Angelo in the south are the liveliest resort towns. Casamicciola Terme in the north is one of Europe’s oldest spas.

Dominated by concrete postwar architecture, Pescara is more functional port than breezy seaside escape. But that doesn’t stop sunseekers from flocking to lively waterfront promenades and some of the longest urban beaches on the Adriatic.

There's more than one way to enjoy the spa experience in St. Lucia. One is to book a treatment at any of the luxury spas or resorts on the island. The other is to visit Sulphur Springs, inside the bowl of an extinct volcano, where you're welcome to try a volcanic mud bath or the 31°C/88°F Roman bath.