Spain

Spain runs on its own clock, and adjusting to it is the whole point. Lunch at three, dinner at ten, and in between, more concentrated living than most countries manage in a week. Barcelona gives you Gaudí's melting cathedrals and beach afternoons in the same day. Madrid counters with the golden triangle of art museums and tapas crawls that turn strangers into dinner companions. Andalusia is the deep south of the soul: the Alhambra's carved paradise in Granada, flamenco in Seville courtyards, white villages draped over olive-covered hills. The north keeps its own secrets, from San Sebastián's pintxos bars, arguably Europe's best eating, to Rioja's cathedral-like wineries. Islands, vineyards, paradors in old castles. Spain is generous, loud, gorgeous and impossible to finish.