Luxury Spain

Your adventure begins in Barcelona with arrival into El Prat Airport. Your private driver will meet you for transfer to your hotel in the city. After settling in, you’ll enjoy the afternoon at your leisure – we suggest a self-guided walking tour. You might begin at Mount Montjuic, which overlooks the Port of Barcelona from its nearly 2,000-foot-high summit. You can hop on the Montjuic Cable Car from the metro station or from Barcelona Beach if you’d like to spend a little time there first. Either way it will bring you to Castle Montjuic for a magnificent panoramic vista of the city.

Get to know the city and the famous works by Catalan architect Antonio Gaudi with your private driver/guide on a half-day tour. Begin at the UNESCO-listed Park Güell which sits atop Carmel Hill, an excellent example of his modernist, boundary-pushing style with vibrant colours, a storybook feel and picturesque views. Marvel at the iconic Sagrada Familia basilica with its mix of art nouveau, gothic and modernism style, and then explore Passeig de Gracia, a famous boulevard that features two Gaudi buildings and upscale boutiques. An exclusive helicopter excursion is the grand finale, providing a bird’s-eye view of the coast and all the city landmarks.

One of the best souvenirs of your trip to Spain is new cooking skills you can use back home so that your family and friends can enjoy Spanish tapas. You’ll join your private instructor, a master chef, for this culinary workshop that begins in a local market. Gather fresh produce that will be used to prepare Spanish tapas from scratch in a private downtown kitchen. Afterwards, sit down and enjoy the results. You’ll have several hours to enjoy the city on your own following the class, perhaps shopping the boutiques around Passeig de Gracia before finding an enticing eatery for dinner with local wine.

Saying farewell to Barcelona, enjoy breakfast and then take private transfer to the rail station. From there you’ll hop on the train to Madrid. After arriving in the capital city, enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure, exploring at your own pace. There’s lots to see and do, including picturesque boulevards and parks to stroll, a wide range of museums like Museo del Prado which showcases Spanish, Flemish and Italian works with hundreds of sculptures and thousands of paintings, art galleries, theaters hosting musical productions and plays, and live music venues. In between, be sure to sample Madrid’s world-class food scene.

Join an expert local guide for a half-day tour of the city’s history, architecture and culture. As you visit the top sights, your guide will provide insight into how various time periods influenced the neighbourhoods and buildings. Visit the 16^th-century Madrid de los Austrias, home to the Plaza Mayor, one of Spain’s most impressive plazas, and the Royal Palace, with more than 3,400 rooms. Enjoy a tour of the opulent interior, including Charles III’s bedchambers, the Royal Chapel, Hall of the Crown and the grounds. You’ll have the rest of the day to yourself, perhaps visiting the stunning Jardin de Vivaces garden in El Retiro Park.

Take it easy with a relaxed morning today, perhaps shopping along Fuencarral Street with its designer boutiques and shops selling many high-end brands. If you’re into sports, Estadio Santiago Bernabeau, the home of the Real Madrid football club, can be toured. This evening, you’ll join a private guide for a tour of a guitar workshop to see local artisans crafting traditional instruments and visit a dance academy where future stars are learning flamenco. Meet a shoemaker who produces the dancers’ unique footwear and then catch a sultry flamenco performance. Afterwards you might want to indulge in a late tapas dinner in Calle Ponzano.

Take private transfer to the train station, boarding the high-speed train to Seville to continue your journey, enjoying the scenic landscapes along the way. Upon arrival, your private driver will transfer you to your accommodation in the city. After checking in, we suggest exploring this beautiful capital of the Andalusia region, visiting landmarks in the old quarter like Plaza de la Encarnacion and Metropol Parasol, an icon know as “The Mushrooms,” a fungi-like structure with a honeycomb roof. By taking the elevator to the top you’ll get a fantastic view of the city. Cap off your day at one of the famous tapas bars.

This morning you’ll discover Seville with a local guide, visiting the 15^th-century Seville Cathedral, the world’s largest gothic church and a UNESCO-listed site – it also holds the tomb of Christopher Columbus. Marvel at its soaring 12^th-century bell tower and then stroll over to the trendy Santa Cruz neighbourhood, the city’s former Jewish Quarter. A well-preserved part of the historic center, it’s especially colourful and features a wealth of tapas bars and cafes. Enjoy relaxing with some local wine and a small plate, and then check out some of the local shops and markets where you’ll find intricate artisan-crafted silverwork and beautiful garment embroidery.

Your eight-night adventure through Barcelona, Madrid and Seville comes to an end this morning. Enjoy breakfast and after checking out of your hotel, you’ll take private transfer to the rail station in Seville to board a high-speed train back to Madrid. A private driver will meet you upon arrival for transfer to the airport so that you can catch your flight home, bringing lots of memories and photos of this unforgettable trip with you.