Over the centuries Romans, medieval Catalan kings and the French Royal Navy have all sailed into the deep, natural harbor of Port-Vendres in Roussillon – the French part of Catalonia. Just up the coast from this working fishing port, you’ll find the colorful seaside village of Collioure, which has inspired artists like Henri Matisse and Picasso and is one of the most picturesque resorts on the Côte Vermeille.

The second largest of Spain’s Balearic Islands, Menorca boasts more beaches than Majorca, Ibiza and Formentera combined.  What’s more, this ecologically-minded island has managed to remain utterly unspoiled, as UNESCO declared it a Biosphere Reserve in 1993, and it remains protected to this day. Take a stroll in the town of Ciutadella, the island’s former longtime capital, and you’ll find a beautiful historic quarter where the narrow medieval streets invite exploration.