It was a great trip -- aside from the IB transat flights -- and both places are to be returned to when time permits. BCN is an architectural delight with its crazy arte moderne buildings. It's also an easy city to get around once you master the metro and bus systems, making it possible to cover a lot of territory in a short time. And of course, since the evenings only get going after 8 pm plenty of street life well into the early hours. The weather was perfect for sight seeing and evening strolls: mid-60s F.

Palma de Mallorca has its own charm, but unfortunately a day does not give one the chance to get around the rest of the island, and a Monday is that worst of days to visit a city since most museums and galleries are closed.

Don't think I could have picked a more accommodating place to do this mileage run, and it was a part of the Mediterranean I've been wanting to get to for years.

If you enjoy Spain, and the Spanish attitude to enjoying life, then these are places for you.