Seville is a wonderful destination, a sophisticated and sun-kissed city on the banks of the Guadalquivir river. It’s a treat for all the senses, from the smell of orange blossom to the heart-tugging sounds of flamenco, and the highlight of the calendar is undoubtedly Semana Santa, when a spectacular Easter parade fills the streets.

After years of neglect, Tangier is finally being restored to its former glory as a cosmopolitan crossroads between Europe and Africa. The Moroccan government has invested heavily in modern infrastructure, while the spruced up medina shines with a new-found cultural dynamism.

Sovereignty of ‘The Rock’ has been a thorny issue ever since Gibraltar was ceded to Britain in 1713, though on the ground it’s clear where most locals’ sympathies lie. Gibraltar is often described as ‘more British than Britain’, a curious enclave of red postboxes, double decker buses and chip shops.

Formentera is Ibiza’s sleepy little sister, the smallest and least visited of the four main Balearic Islands. There is little in the way of sights or nightlife; instead, travellers come here to relax on the stunning beaches, explore the island by bicycle and enjoy some peace and quiet.

Fishing boats and yachts fill the little harbour at Port de Sóller, on the pretty northwest coast of Mallorca. To see a different side of the island take the quirky tram, built in 1913, up to the sleepy village of Sóller, set amongst orange and lemon groves and the rugged Tramuntana mountains.