Barcelona is Spain's second city - but don't tell the inhabitants that. To them Barcelona is the most fabulous city on earth. And they may just be right.

Barcelona is one of the few great European cities by the sea. While Madrid withers in the summer sun, Barcelona chills out on its beach. Barcelona's main thoroughfare, Las Ramblas, runs all the way from the quayside through the heart of the city and it is here that you should start your tour of one of Europe's most exciting cities.

Barcelona is busy all day, but really comes into its own at night when Spanish and foreign visitors come out to parade up and down the streets and relax in the hundreds of bars and restaurants on offer.

You particularly don't want to miss the fabulous architecture of Gaudí, Barcelona's favourite son.