It would be a shame to visit Barcelona without also seeing something of Catalunya (Catalonia). Despite being an autonomous province of Spain, this unique region feels in many ways like a separate country, with its own language and deeply rooted traditions, culture and cuisine. Its geographical location makes it the gateway to Spain. Over the centuries the passage of many peoples and civilisations has shaped the region, leaving magical cities such as Girona and Tarragona brimming with historical monuments, while its beautiful landscapes have provided inspiration for such artists as Gaudí, Miró, Dalí and Picasso.