The medieval fortified town of Carcassonne is one of the most visited cities in France. There are ski resorts and spas throughout this area, as well as innumerable historic sites and monuments. Coverage extends from Languedoc-Rouissillon and Aquitaine in France to Spanish Catelonia, Aragon, and Navarre.

Ancient cathedrals abound, and the church in the tiny village of Rennes le Chateau is thought to have been visited by Mary Magdalene and to be where the Holy Grail is hidden. By contrast, Gaudi's Sagrada Familia in Barcelona is one of the most unusual churches in the world with its melting sand-castle appearance and odd bubble-shaped spires.

At Cap d'Agde, also known as Naked City and the world's mecca of nudism, visitors can bank, shop, or beachcomb in the buff. Tourists delight in the vast selection of mountain-climbing destinations, ski resorts, spa villages, Gallo-Roman ruins, and prehistoric cave paintings in the region. Some of the best food in all of Europe is found in this part of France where black truffles, cassoullet, Roquefort cheese, and Bordeaux wine all originated.

On the Spanish side of the range, Catelonia is marked by breathtaking cliffs, expanses of beaches, and the thriving, hip seaside city of Barcelona. In the Navarre region, men taunt large, dangerous animals for Pamplona's annual Running of the Bulls.

The authors guide us through every corner of this fascinating region, where they have spent much of their time over many years.