Barcelona

For the first time in more than a decade, Barcelona is back in first place in the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) rankings of the world's biggest convention cities. The Catalan metropolis had not enjoyed such an honour since 2004. With 195 major international events, it moves up from third to first place...

GETTING THERE The SNCF offers 20 daily return trips between Paris and Marseille on weekdays and up to 25 at weekends. Internet: www.voyages-sncf.com MSC Croisières: 5, rue Barbès, 92120 Montrouge. Tel: 01 70 74 00 55 Internet: www.msccroisieres.fr WHAT TO DO AT ESCALES? A host of excursions and activities are on offer at...

Is the wave of long-haul low-cost airlines flooding the European market? In any case, the latest strategic announcement by the IAG group foreshadows a sharp rise in the phenomenon. On 17 March, the parent company of British Airways, Iberia and Vueling confirmed the launch of Level, a low-cost carrier...

A European star in urban tourism, Barcelona has got into the habit, over the last fifteen years or so, of piling up construction sites to constantly surprise. But today, as in the past, the Eixample district remains the most active centre of this booming city. Of course, there's the timeless charm of the Barri Gòtic, the miracle of the...