Our list of articles tagged with "Spain."
Like many of our travelers, we love visiting gardens when we travel. Not only beautiful and relaxing, gardens are tangible reflections of local culture that offer insights into local history, aesthetics, religions, and culinary and medicinal traditions.
Artisans of Leisure arranges visits to private homes and important, formerly private residences in destinations around the world. Such visits are a great way to learn about local history, experience exceptional architecture, and see impressive collections of art and decorative arts–they also often provide a fascinating peek into the lifestyles and personal whims of their inhabitants. A […]
El Torcal Natural Park Reserve is one of our favorite off-the-beaten-track destinations in Spain, especially for hikers or anyone interested in spectacular scenery. A craggy, otherworldly landscape of eroded limestone karsts on a high plateau, El Torcal was formed millions of years ago during the Jurassic Period, when the area was under the sea. In […]
More and more Artisans of Leisure travelers want their private tours to include activities based on their passions. One such traveler is Derek S., an energetic sixth-grader who loves soccer. Last spring break, Derek’s parents surprised him with an Artisans of Leisure private tour of Spain that included Madrid, Barcelona, Toledo and Valencia. To help […]
One of our Spain travel experts, Stephanie, just returned from her most recent trip through Northern Spain and the Basque Region. Q: Where did you go? I spent several days in the Basque Country, including time in Pamplona, San Sebastian, Bilbao and the French Pays Basque, before traveling to Madrid. Q: What was your favorite […]
Comprising four provinces in northern Spain and three provinces in southern France, the Basque Country packs a lot into an area about the size of New Jersey. The region has its own language and a rich cultural heritage that make it a surprising change from the flamenco-tinged pueblos of Andalusia and the big-city bustle of […]
Artisans of Leisure travel specialist, Stephanie, tells us how she has been lucky to be able to combine her twin passions–birding and travel–since she was a child. Q: When and how did you become interested in birding? A: My mom has been birding forever, and she would take me along with her when I was […]
The Alhambra is one of Europe’s “must visit” attractions, especially for travelers interested in Moorish architecture, design and gardens. Located on a hilltop above the town of Granada in Andalusia (southern Spain), the Alhambra is a fortress-palace-garden complex built from the ninth through the 14th centuries by the Moors who ruled over much of the […]
When taking a luxury cruise, a great way to make the most of your time in ports of call is with private shore excursions and private overland tours. Artisans of Leisure has a vast network of expert guides and drivers in cruise destinations around the world, and we work with sophisticated travelers to customize private […]
For travelers to Madrid interested in an experience beyond the urban center, we recommend a private day tour that combines the grand Royal Site of San Lorenzo of El Escorial and the charming Castilian town of Segovia. Segovia is one of our very favorite towns in Spain. It is best known for its wonderfully preserved architecture, which […]
Our travel experts have created a list of our Top 5 favorite romantic destinations–these locations are perfect for honeymooners or anyone seeking a special romantic getaway. 1.) Morocco Our favorite way to experience the most luxurious and romantic side of Morocco is to stay in Marrakesh for several days at luxury resort such as the […]
Madrid is one of Europe’s most interesting cities for art and architecture lovers, with renowned art museums, notable contemporary architecture and beautiful historic sites. The first stop for many international travelers arriving in Spain is Terminal 4 at Madrid Barajas International Airport. A stunning complex of glass walls and undulating rooftops designed by British architect […]
John is one of the travel experts based in our New York City office. He’s passionate about art and architecture, and helps design our tours around the world. Q: What are your favorite travel destinations? A: Each destination is fascinating in its own way, and I love exploring new places and discovering what’s distinctive about them—local […]
We feel that food is a window into culture, history and traditions, and we always encourage our travelers to visit local food markets as part of the private tours we arrange. It’s a great opportunity for people-watching and to sample the tastes and flavors of each destination. Here are a few of our favorite food […]
One of the main draws for travelers to Barcelona is the number of structures built in Modernista style, that fantastical, colorful, most whimsical of architectural styles popularized in the late 1800’s that is the Catalan equivalent to Art Nouveau. Most often associated with Antoni Gaudi, there are in fact other renowned Modernista architects, most notably […]