Spain and Portugal Luxury Tours

Where to Go

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  Madrid

  A lively jumble of endless fiestas, astounding imperial and post-industrial architecture, vast gardens, a fresh art scene, and a flourishing international food scene help to weave Madrid’s cultural story. But its flamboyant personality has been shaped, not only by its eclectic past, but by its rich Royal history, and the Royal Palaces are a stately highlight of any tour of Spain. But there’s a wealth of art in the museums along the Avenida del Arte, stunning cathedrals from numerous eras in an abundance of styles, and the remnants of two medieval walls — the 9th-century Muslim walls and the 12th-century Christian walls, that hint at Madrid’s long-forgotten troubles.

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  Barcelona

  Barcelona is a sculptural masterpiece of long man-made beaches and incredible spires, the most iconic of which are those at the Sagrada Familia that burst onto the skyline as a bundle of bright pyrotechnics. Much of Barcelona feels like a 3D canvas, sculpted through the ages by various cultures, Gaudi and more recently by Jean Nouvel, with fantastic apartments at the Casa Batlló and a modern market at Mercat de Santa Caterina. But there’s more: from charming local art galleries, modern cafes, and delicious Catalan cuisine, best lapped up in the old quarter.

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  Porto

  Portugal’s beguiling second city, Porto stretches out across the mouth of the Duoro River in shades of orange, yellow, and green, its medieval roots beautifully well-preserved and a charming gateway to the beaches, wine regions, and wildernesses of northern Portugal. Explore the charm-filled streets of Miragaia and Ribeira, view lavish baroque churches, and trace Portugal’s history via the Portuguese tiled walls of São Bento railway station. Taste a coffee and Pastel de Nata for breakfast but wait until after dinner to sip one of Porto’s eponymous fortified wines, aged in the cellars across the river in Vila Nova de Gaia.

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  Lisbon

  Portugal’s hilly capital overlooks the vast Tagus River, and its various neighborhoods are linked and connected by charming trams and funiculars, making Lisbon a delight to explore by public transport. As a centuries-old, essential trading hub, the Portuguese capital is alive with history. Baroque architecture abounds along the pedestrianized streets of Baixa, and Moorish influences abound in the streets of Alfama, one of Lisbon’s oldest neighborhoods. Jump on a 28 tram through the Graça neighborhood and to São Jorge Castle for views that condense the entire city into their postcard form, with the blue waters of the river providing a sharp contrast to the old orange rooftops of Lisbon.