Sample Tour: Honeymoon in Spain

Day 1: Madrid
On arrival in Madrid, our representative will meet you in the arrivals lounge and you will have a private transfer to a new hotel in an old and illustrious district, the “las Letras”, or the “Letters”, to give it its English name. zSome of the most important authors of the Golden era of Spanish literature lived there: Cervantes, Lope de Vega, Góngora and Quevedo to name just a few. This is cultural territory, for only a stone’s throw away there are also three world class museums – the Prado, Reina Sofía and Thyssen-Bornemisza, which make up the so called "triangle of art".

Madrid is one of the world's most vibrant and seductive cities. It is a city with a charming and infectious atmosphere that the visitor can immediately sense, feel a part of and most of all, enjoy. A city that takes unabashed pleasure in its past traditions, it is proud to display a wealth of cultural treasures and architectural glories.
Evening at leisure or…. indulge in a private tapas tour, an ideal introduction to Madrid and Spain.

Day 2: Madrid
After breakfast, enjoy a private walking tour of historic Madrid. You might conclude at the at the Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, which houses Picasso’s Guernica, among other treasures of modern art. After your museum tour, you will have the remainder of the day at leisure.

Day 3: Toledo
After breakfast you will take a taxi to Atocha train station and board on the High speed train to Toledo. Although now completely overshadowed by nearby Madrid, it is Toledo and its narrow,winding streets and steps, stone houses and churches that embodies Spain’s past. In the Middle Ages, Toledo was built on a “convergence” of Christianity, Islam and Judaism, and contains two of the few remaining medieval Spanish synagogues. Visit El Tránsito, a 13th century synagogue and the adjoining Jewish Museum, devoted to the history and legacy of the Jewish Spain. At the centre of Toledo, you will find the soaring Gothic cathedral. Its Sacristy contains many paintings by El Greco, Van Dyck and Goya, plus an impressive collection of medieval garments and textiles. Stop at the church of Santo Tomé, and marvel El Greco’s famed Burial of the Count of Orgaz, considered to be El Greco’s finest work. The Museum of El Greco contains an extensive collection of the former Toledo resident’s paintings – including more of his most famous ones. You might do a bit of strolling or shopping this afternoon. When you are ready, head back to Madrid.

Day 4: Cordoba
Today you will take a taxi to the train station. Here you will board the AVE (High Speed train) to Cordoba. Upon arrival in Cordoba, your private driver will take you to your hotel..

While the rest of Europe was languishing during the Dark Ages, southern Spain, al-Andalus, thrived. Its scholars - Christian, Muslim and Jew - created a society that became the safeguard of Greek and Roman learning. As capital of el-Andalus until its fall in 1236, Cordoba was a city of half a million people, with thousands of mosques and the first street-lighting in Europe. Students and merchants flocked to Cordoba from all over Europe, Africa and even Asia. Its libraries boasted hundreds of thousands of volumes, its palaces and baths were renowned for their opulence and its luxury goods were coveted all over Europe.

Day 5: Seville
After breakfast enjoy a private half day walking tour with our expert guide. In the afternoon you will take the AVE bound to Sevilla.

Captivating and beautiful, the capital of Andalucia intoxicates and excites. It is the city of flamenco, bulls, Carmen and Don Juan; its history and culture give rise to pride, tradition, passion and joy. One is quickly seduced by strolling through the enchanting barrios or neighbourhoods, where the colours of the south reign supreme. The most delightful of all is the barrio de Santa Cruz, the old Jewish quarter. Loose yourself in the twisting narrow streets, stunning patios and squares lined with orange trees.

Day 6: Seville
Your guide will meet you at your hotel… step out into arguably Spain’s most beautiful city. Captivating and beautiful, the capital of Andalucia intoxicates and excites. It is the city of flamenco, bulls, Carmen and Don Juan; its history and culture give rise to pride, tradition, passion and joy. Be seduced by its enchanting neighborhoods, with its twisting narrow streets, stunning patios and squares lined with orange trees.

Your tour includes the enormous cathedral, the third largest, and the largest Gothic building in the world, featuring the tomb of Christopher Columbus and its 12th-century bell-tower, La Giralda, originally built by the Moors as a minaret.
Visit the ornately decorated Alcazar Palace and its Andalusian gardens. Originally a Moorish palace, it was re-built and designed by Mudejar craftsmen for the Christian royalty after the expulsion of the Moors.

Once you have emerged from the Alcazar's gardens, wander through the Barrio de Santa Cruz: originally the Jewish Quarter and now the prettiest quarter of Sevilla. See the Murillo Gardens, a typical Sevillan garden full of arcades and foliage. For other areas and sights, we leave this to the discretion of the expert guide.

Afternoon & evening at leisure

Day 7: Andalusia
After breakfast you will continue drive down to one of Andalucia’s well-know white villages, Vejer de La Frontera.

Vejer is a labyrinth of whitewashed houses & winding cobbled streets. Set 200m above the surrounding countryside the old town has a mass of historical monuments. The castle, turreted medieval walls, minaret of the old mosque, churches and convents are a blend of Moorish, Visigoth and Mudejar styles. Vejer is an unspoilt town, its romantic flower filled courtyards and small plazas are uncorrupted by modern tourism. The village has a lively atmosphere where the locals are happy to welcome visitors and small bars and restaurants make wandering through the historic quarter a real pleasure.

Check in at hotel.

The Costa de la Luz (Coast of light) is the western part of the Andalucía coastline that faces out to the Atlantic. The sand is finer and a more golden colour than the neighbouring Costa del Sol.

The typical beaches here are more expansive and probably backed by sand dunes and pine trees. This part of the coast has not seen the high-rise hotel development of other areas. The temperatures are slightly milder and the often strong Atlantic winds and waves are favoured by wind surfers and surfboarders alike.

Day 8: Enjoy the Costa de la Luz and possibly make day trips to places of interest in the surrounding area.

Day 9: Travel to Granada

Day 10: Granada
This morning enjoy a private tour of the Alhambra, the best preserved example of a Moorish fortress palace in Europe, and one of the world’s most romantic monuments. With our expert guide, discover a fascinating world that was home to the Nasrid sultans, rulers of the last Spanish Moorish kingdom. With its construction, Moorish architecture and art reached spectacular levels, yet as our guide will explain, the Alhambra reveals also much about the life and culture of this lost kingdom. You will visit the Generalife, the country retreat of Moorish royalty just behind the Alhambra.

Early evening… you will meet a long-time resident of Granada who will lead you on a walk through the old Moorish Quarter, the Albaicín. You will take in a magnificent view of the Alhambra Palaces as twilight falls, the sun casting its brilliant hues on this amazing piece of history, with the backdrop of the Sierra Nevada mountain range.

From here you will be taken through the winding cobbled streets of the Albaicín, a truly fascinating neighborhood which, to this day, preserves many facets of its Moorish heritage. Your guide will tell you about the past, present and future of this district as you walk through some of its most characteristic streets and squares.
At the end of the walk you will stop at a couple of typical local bars. In Granada the tradition is that each drink is accompanied by a small snack, the tapa. Not only is this is a great introduction into the cuisine, but it will also give you an insight into local culture, where much of the social life revolves around tapeando – going out for drinks and tapas.

Day 11: Return to Madrid
Today you will be transferred to Granada’s airport.
Morning flight to Madrid.
Check into your hotel.
Evening at leisure or enjoy “Zaranda”

Shortly after opening its doors three years ago, the American magazine “Food & Wine” referred to “Zaranda” as “the revelation of Madrid”. Within two years, the restaurant had won its first Michelin star. Great things are happening here… Like most of his contemporaries, chef Fernando Pérez Arellano embraces a contemporary creative approach to his cuisine, but he never abandons tradition. Indeed, the menu is shaped almost wholly by the seasons of the year. Fernando’s wife Itziar, meticulously supervises the smallest details and ensures a class act beyond the kitchen.
We are extremely fortunate to enjoy an excellent relationship with Fernado and Itziar, and our clients can benefit from a unique culinary experience here.

Fernando creates a special tastings menu, bearing in mind personal preferences and tastes. Simply let us know any foods or products you can’t eat and then prepare yourselves for a sumptuous culinary experience. Your dishes will be accompanied by wines selected by Itziar. At the end of the dinner (as long as you don’t leave early!) chef Fernando will come and introduce himself to you.

Make your final dinner in Madrid special!

Sample Tour: 2-Week Family Vacation in Spain

Day 1: Barcelona
Upon arrival, our representative will meet you in the arrivals lounge and you will have a private transfer to your luxury hotel. After freshening up, enjoy an introductory private tour of Barcelona. In the evening, we suggest you dine either in the acclaimed Restaurant Arola (2 Michelin stars) or venture out and dine in the city center.

Day 2: Several options!
Take an Insider’s Epicurean Tour of the city. Our hostess is a lady who runs the cookery school in Barcelona and who knows all the epicurean nooks and crannies of Barcelona… the markets, places to shop and sample cheeses, olive oil, chocolate, cava etc etc. You’ll be in great hands and you’ll really get a first class insiders foodie tour, full of surprises and delights.

Or, if you are feeling more active, why not head out of the city on a half day private biking excursion. Or, if you prefer, taking a deeper appreciation of the history and architecture of the city on a private Gaudi and Modernisme architecture tour.
In the afternoon / early evening, relax at your hotel and make use of its facilities, such as the outdoor swimming pool.

In the evening, dine out at one Barcelona’s internationally acclaimed restaurants or an authentic local eatery.

Day 3: Head north to the province of Girona
Girona’s history dates back to the Roman era, and you will find the town full of magnificent monuments, museums and archives. Successive rulers have left a mix of architecture in Girona ranging from the Gothic cathedral to the beautiful 12th century Arab baths. Your guide will lead you through the winding medieval alleyways of Girona. Girona’s Call, the old Jewish Quarter, was home to a prosperous community until the end of the 15th century.

Before heading to your hotel, why not stop and explore a couple of Catalunya’s medieval villages. The towns of Pals, Peratallada and Torroella de Montgrí (among others) have castles and lanes that give you an idea of what life was like centuries ago. An intriguing insight into Spain’s past.

Dinner and Overnight in Girona

Day 4: Horseback Riding
Today is a wonderful opportunity for horse-riding. Whether on the plain, in the foothills or mountains, horse-riding represents an original way of discovering this beautiful part of Catalunya.

The out riding is spectacular, we are happy to offer a couple of hours active riding or a full day, through a variety of terrain... fields, hills forests. It’s possible to ride for hours without crossing a road, and even then it’s more likely to be a country lane where it is completely unusual to find anything other than the old tractor. The route can also take in small villages.

Later, several options but you may wish to consider the following:
Head to Figueres, Salvador Dalí’s hometown. Here you will visit the Dalí Theatre-Museum, designed by the artist himself. It contains a broad range of works spanning his career. In the museum, you should expect the outrageous. Highlights include a stage set featuring large mannequins, a long black Cadillac with sprinklers inside, and a salon that uses furniture to recreate Mae West’s face (with a sofa fashioned like soft red lips). Dalí himself is buried in a crypt here, next to a series of gold cobra statues.

Or… explore the Costa Brava at leisure. The resort towns of Llafranc and L’Estartit have sandy beaches. Aiguablava, a beach hidden in a cove near Begur, is very pretty. Indeed, you may be interested in a snorkeling excursion by boat, departing from L’Estartit.
Although Spain is not known for its diving, this area is an exception. The Illes Medes, a group of islets just offshore, form a nature preserve where a large bird population lives. Underwater, you will find coral and diverse marine life.

Return to your luxury hotel at the end of the day.

Day 5: San Sebastian
On arrival in San Sebastian, our representative will be waiting to meet you to provide a private transfer for you from the airport to your hotel.

Wonderfully situated on this coast, surrounded by rolling hills, the attractive city of San Sebastián (or Donostia) sits on a stunning circular bay known as La Concha. La Concha is in fact just one of four beaches in the city, but La Concha remains the undisputed sovereign. The picturesque little island just off the coast is La Isla de Santa Clara.

Turning inwards, the highlight of San Sebastián is its old town is situated on the eastern side of the bay, wedged between this and the River Urumea and at the foot or Monte Urgull. San Sebastián has a rich history and its people never flinch in lauding or celebrating it, yet you’re most likely to remember the city for its beauty, generous hospitality and outstanding cuisine.

This evening… Private Pinxtos Tour in San Sebastian…

To every resident of San Sebastian, the terms “pintxos” conjures up images of mouth watering delicacies, from simple eats to highly elaborate haute cuisine creations. Such is the fervour of the residents of San Sebastian for its gastronomy and pintxos, every year the city stages a competition in which all the bars seek to create the tastiest, most original pintxos. Winners proudly proclaim their plaques outside their doors, and many establishments are renowned for one dish above all others.

With almost one hundred bas to choose from, knowing where to go and what to order only comes with experience and local knowledge. Your host for the evening has plenty of both, and together you can enjoy an evening of fine food and good company. It’s a must-do experience in San Sebastian.

Day 6: San Sebastian
This morning, enjoy an introductory tour of the city, focusing also on local markets and traditions.

Later a cooking class at one of San Sebastian’s famous gastronomic societies, a typical albeit very rustic environment OR…

A more private one day COOKING CLASS with a talented local chef in a chic tasting room overlooking one of the most emblematic streets of the old part of San Sebastian. The emphasis is on top notch products and participation in this custom designed class.
The day starts with a guided visit of San Sebastian's market with its marvelous fish section and outdoor farm stands. Learn the differences between the various types of Iberia hams, taste Basque cheeses and pick up other fresh raw ingredients for the class.

Two blocks from the market, roll up your sleeves to prepare an exquisite 4 course meal of fabulous Basque dishes under the guidance of your chef. Later enjoy the fruits of your labor in a lovely private dining room with specially chosen local wines to compliment the dishes you have prepared. A relaxed and intimate experience which allows a unique glimpse into the Basque Kitchen.

In the afternoon, stretch your legs and enjoy a wonderful hike that finishes in a very local village full of character.

In the evening, why not indulge and dine at Arzak or Mugaritz, BOTH restaurants in most lists for Top Ten Restaurants in the World.

Day 7: San Sebastian
A more relaxing day in San Sebastian. Around the beach we can arrange something on the water… surfing, kayaking or sailing.

Inland, we can arrange a biking tour. You will see the city from a different perspective and explore the small alleys and cobbled stone streets on the old part of San Sebastián. The guide will adapt to your pace and you will take breaks whenever needed. OR

This is your day for a wonderful foray into the world of traditional (and contemporary) Spanish wines. It’s a long day but the Full Day Excursion to La Rioja is a must for those interested in Spanish wines.

Dinner and Overnight in San Sebastian (Or, you have the choice to spend the night in Bilbao)

Day 8: Bilbao
En route you will pass Getaria home to Juan Sebastian Elcano. Don’t recognise the name? In the age of the exploration in the early 16th century, he became the first man to circumnavigate the globe. If you stop for a look, your guide will reveal more as you see his statue overlooking the fishing harbour of Getaria.

Either stop here for lunch or continue onto Bilbao and lunch at the Restaurante Guggenheim, an acclaimed restaurant in the hands of one Spain’s top chefs, Martín Berasategui.

Later, enjoy a private tour of the Guggenheim Museum, designed by the North American Architect Frank O. Gehry. It is a unique Museum built on a 32,500 square meter site in the centre of the city; an amazing feat of construction. The building itself is an extraordinary combination of interconnecting shapes. Orthogonal blocks in limestone contrast with curved and bent forms covered in titanium. For all visitors, the Guggenheim creates a sense of awe.

Posed against a bend in the river, the titanium-clad mega-monument has attracted visitors in droves and has become one of the world’s “must-see’s”. It has also sparked a renaissance in Bilbao. Gritty industrial buildings have been scrubbed clean and converted into high-priced loft apartments. Great tapas bars and restaurants have opened.

In the late afternoon, fly direct to Malaga airport, where you will be met by a chauffeur and driven to Granada.

Dinner and Overnight in Granada

Day 9: Granada
This morning enjoy a private tour of the Alhambra.

Afternoon at leisure. If you stay at the Parador, enjoy the gardens and the view overlooking the Generalife. Or… options of hiking or biking excursions in the afternoon.

Early in the evening, enjoy a private stroll through the Albaycin neighborhood

Rather than finish with tapas, we recommend a restaurant overlooking the Alhambra lit up at night.

Day 10: Sevilla
Check out of your hotel and head to Sevilla with your private driver and guide.

En route, we suggest that you take a detour and take time to visit Ronda … a town famous worldwide for its dramatic escarpments and view over the deep El Tajo gorge. Ronda is also known as the birthplace of modern bullfighting, and you can visit Spain’s oldest and arguably most beautiful bull ring here.

You may wish to head into the heart of the spectacular white village, Zahara de la Sierra and climb to the castle overlooking mountainous and very beautiful area known as the Sierra de Grazalema.

Dinner and overnight in Sevilla

Day 11: Sevilla
This is an opportunity to pay tennis…. And/or take a ride in a hot air balloon….
We could have a driver at your disposition to take you into Sevilla during the day…
In the evening why not head into Sevilla for an Insiders Tapas Tour….

Seville is possibly the best city in Spain for tapas. It is after all, the home of the tapas and has the largest number of bars per inhabitant anywhere, offering an amazing range of food. There’s something for everybody, whether it be meat, seafood, vegetables, olives, cheese etc. You name it, somebody is sure to have used it in a tapa. In charming small bars in the heart of Sevilla’s historic area, sample hearty food in manageable portions, helped down with some pleasingly potent wines, and amidst the joyous hullabaloo of the welcoming Sevillanos. The variety is extensive, encompassing seafood, salads, cured hams, chesses, red pepper dishes, the obligatory Spanish potato omelette and so on. Tapear’ in Sevilla is a fun and recommendable alternative to the full-blown sit down meal.

Day 12: Sevilla
Today, head back into Sevilla for a private tour of the historic city.

Later, take the high speed AVE train to Madrid, travelling in Club Class.

On arrival in Madrid, our representative will meet you in the arrivals lounge and you will have a private transfer to your hotel.

Day 13: Madrid
Madrid is one of the world's most vibrant and seductive cities. It is a city with a charming and infectious atmosphere that the visitor can immediately sense, feel a part of and most of all, enjoy. A city that takes unabashed pleasure in its past traditions, it is proud to display a wealth of cultural treasures and architectural glories.

After breakfast, enjoy a private walking tour of historic Madrid.

Morning and afternoon at leisure.

For dinner this evening, you have the option of enjoying the following culinary experience… dinner at a Michelin star restaurant. Or we can book you elsewhere.

Day 14: Madrid
Day at leisure in Madrid… pampering, shopping, sightseeing at leisure… or the option of taking a full day excursion to El Escorial & Segovia.

Day 15: Madrid
Private transfer to the airport and farewells to Spain.