> WHEN YOU GO

Where to Stay: Barcelona: Hotel Casa Fuster, one of Barcelona’s classiest hotels, is housed in a 1908-11 modernista mansion. Check out the romantic Café Vienese and the rooftop terrace and pool with spectacular views. Rooms from 262 ($401). Passeig de Gracia 132; hotelcasafuster.com. Casa Gracia, a high-design hostel with a cool atmosphere, has a DJ-driven bar and quirky common spaces. Rooms from 103 ($158). Passeig de Gracia 116; casagraciabcn.com. Granada: Hotel Hospes Palacio de Los Patos is widely regarded as the best hotel in Granada. Housed in a classic UNESCO-protected manor that features a grand staircase, an Arabian garden and the Roman Emperor spa. Rooms from 200 ($306). Solarillo de Gracia 1; hospes.com. Hotel Zaguan del Darro, in the historic Muslim quarter Albayzin, is a 16th-century house with 13 different rooms, some looking out over the Rio Darro, close to the Alhambra. Rooms from 55 ($84). Carrera del Darro 23; hotelzaguan.com. Malaga: Gran Hotel Miramar, a palatial estate looking over the Mediterranean, evokes Nazarid Moorish architecture with ornate designs. Rooms from 310 ($474). Paseo de Reding 22; granhotelmiramarmalaga.com/en. Molino Lario, at the entrance to the old city, has comfortable contemporary rooms and a terrific staff. Small balconies look out to the bay and the grand cathedral. Rooms from 130 ($199). Calle Molina Lario 20-22; hotelmolinalario.com. Seville: Hotel Alfonso XIII, created in 1928 and renovated in 2012, is among the most luxurious hotels in Eu- rope. It features classic Moorish Andalusian architecture with a glassed-in courtyard restaurant, glazed tiles and terracotta brick. Enjoy a cocktail at the jazzy Bar Americano. Rooms from 312 ($478). Calle San Fernando 2; hotel-alfonsoxiii-seville.com. Hotel Casa 1800, an idyllic inn in the heart of the Casco Viejo’s Barrio Santa Cruz, offers great service, a warm atmosphere and elegant suites. Rooms from 195 ($298). Calle Rodrigo Caro 6; hotelcasa1800sevilla.com. Where to Eat and Drink: Barcelona: Tickets, one of the most soughtafter reservations in the restaurant world, is the new culinary success of Ferran Adrià, who built a gastronomic revolution with his El Bulli. Dinner for one (17 tapas plates, dessert tastings and a drink) cost 124.85 ($435.95). Avinguda Parallel 179; elbarriadna.com. Granada: Carmela Restaurante specializes in Mediterranean cuisine with Andalusian traditions in a small dining room overlooking a popular corner of the old city. A dinner of bacalao (cod) mozarabe, a pionono dessert (bananas) and one glass of wine,

31.70 ($48.50). Calle Colcha 13; restaurantecarmela.com. Malaga: El Piyayo, famous for its pescaitos fritos (fried fish), serves up typical tapas fare including manchego cheese to go with robust red wine. Dinner for one, 10 ($15.30). Calle Granada 36; entreplatos.es. Seville: La Azotea, a popular neighbourhood tapas bar, offers a welcoming ambience, artfully presented plates and excellent wines. Dinner for one with wine, around 10 ($15.30). Azotea has four branches in Seville. My favourite is on Calle Zaragoza 5; phone 955 11 67 48.