Northeastern Spain is a land of abundance, overflowing with history, cuisine, wine, art, and architecture. It was the birthplace of the king who united Spain and some of its greatest artists. It became the tragic crossroads of multiple wars and the crucible of the Spanish Inquisition. Its history and landscape were the inspiration for two singular architectural styles: mudéjar and modernista. While impossible to capture in one trip, we embark on a quest from Barcelona to Valencia to experience some its highlights.

The genius of Antoni Gaudí and his modernista colleagues defines Barcelona’s aesthetic; yet the city has an embarrassment of architectural riches from the Gothic cathedral to the seminal modernist pavilion of Mies Van der Rohe. Catalonia also produced Joan Miró, Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dalí, who built a fascinating museum in his hometown and an eccentric home on the Mediterranean. Stretching from the Pyrenées to fertile plains, Aragón provides opportunity to stay in a medieval castle, hike a river gorge, walk through 15th-century Moorish villages, and visit the birthplace of Francisco Goya. The mudéjar architecture of Aragón comprises a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In addition to its ceramic-making history, Valencia offers stunning Gothic architecture juxtaposed with the contemporary splendor of the City of Arts and Sciences by native son, Santiago Calatrava. You may even end your quest with a glimpse of the Holy Grail.

All three regions produce a literal, as well as aesthetic, feast. The fisherman and rice growers of Valencia invented paella in the village of El Palmar. Catalonia and Aragón have lesser-known but high-quality vineyards in addition to olive oil. In Cadaqués, fisherman deliver the catch from the sea to your table. Fresh orange juice greets you every morning and is the centerpiece of the delicious agua de Valencia. The Spanish lifestyle, with afternoon siestas and long dinners, ensures that you have the opportunity to indulge fully.