Highlights of Spain

(11 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Madrid & Toledo, Seville & Cordoba, Barcelona

This private luxury Spain tour is an ideal overview of the country, offering in-depth touring in Madrid, Seville and Barcelona, plus the most interesting day excursions from each city.

Begin in Madrid, the Spanish capital known for its elegant squares, stately architecture, leafy boulevards and world-class art museums. During flexible private touring, visit renowned museums such as the Prado Museum, Reina Sofia National Museum or Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, and tour the majestic Royal Palace. Stroll through favorite neighborhoods, beautiful parks, and exclusive shopping and residential districts. Also visit historic squares and lively food markets, including the gourmet San Miguel Market. Other touring options include visiting the flea market, seeing the bullring or touring smaller museums. Upon request, additional experiences can be arranged such as cooking lessons, tickets to soccer matches, a behind-the-scenes tour of Santiago Bernabeu Stadium or insider shopping tours.

One day, enjoy a private excursion to Toledo, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed hill town. During private touring, explore the impressive historic center, which reflects the mixed Jewish, Muslim and Christian history of the medieval city. See highlights such as the spectacular Gothic cathedral, the Mudejar-style El Transito Synagogue and Cristo de la Luz Mosque, and paintings by El Greco, a Toledo resident. Also enjoy time to browse local shops and sample local culinary specialties. Another option is Segovia, a charming historic city and UNESCO World Heritage Site. See its impressive ancient Roman aqueduct, imposing Gothic cathedral and fairy-tale Alcazar castle, which perches on a rocky outcrop. Also enjoy time for lunch of local specialties at a top restaurant.

Next, take the high-speed train to Cordoba, a capital under the Romans and the Moors. During private touring, explore the UNESCO World Heritage-listed historic center to see highlights such as the incredible Cathedral-Mosque, the ancient Roman bridge, and the narrow backstreets and whitewashed buildings of the former Jewish Quarter. Continue to Seville, the capital of Andalusia. Enjoy an insider's tour of this beautiful city flavored as much by the sounds of flamenco and the smell of orange blossoms as by its 500-year domination by the Moors. Visit the world's largest Gothic cathedral (which contains the tomb of Christopher Columbus), explore the charming Santa Cruz neighborhood, and tour the gardens, spectacular Mudejar-style architecture, carved stuccowork and tile-covered rooms of the Real Alcazar, a Moorish palace. See additional architectural highlights such as the Plaza de España, the modern Metropol Parasol, and other historic palaces filled with azulejo tiles and decorative arts. Also, browse specialty boutiques and markets. One evening, enjoy a private tasting tour of some of Seville's most beloved tapas bars and attend a flamenco performance. One day, enjoy a private excursion to Jerez de la Frontera. Learn about Andalusian horses and enjoy a uniquely choreographed horse show at an equestrian school, then visit a local sherry bodega for a tasting. If desired, additional activities can be arranged in Seville, including visits to ceramics workshops in the Triana neighborhood, carriage rides through Maria Luisa Park, private flamenco dance or guitar lessons, architecture tours of World Expo buildings, learning about Semana Santa (Holy Week) culture at the Basilica of La Macarena and excursions to nearby Roman ruins, pueblos blancos (whitewashed villages) or a bull ranch.

Continue to Barcelona, the capital of the Catalonia region and a center of modern design and cutting-edge cuisine. During comprehensive private touring, discover Gaudi's fantastical structures such as the Sagrada Familia, Casa Mila, Casa Batllo and Parc Guell. Stroll along Las Ramblas—Barcelona's most famous boulevard—and explore the narrow streets of the Gothic Quarter and La Ribera. Visit excellent museums such as the Picasso Museum or Miro Museum. If desired, browse upscale boutiques along the Passeig de Gracia and design shops in the stylish Born and Raval neighborhoods. Also visit top food markets such as the Santa Caterina Market and La Boqueria Market. One day, enjoy a private excursion according to your interests. Options include visiting top wineries in Penedes or Priorat to sample different styles of wine and cava (sparkling wine), a specialty of Catalonia; touring Jewish sites in the historic city of Girona; visiting the Dali Theatre-Museum in Figueres; or hiking or biking in the mountains around Montserrat. Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can also arrange other activities in Barcelona, such as cooking lessons, Jewish touring, tickets to soccer matches, visiting favorite family attractions, private yacht charters and foodie tours.

Booking Information >

All Artisans of Leisure tours are private and depart daily.

Please Contact Us for more information regarding the above tour, or to begin customizing your own itinerary.

The Artisans of Leisure Style of Travel:

• Private touring with your own personal guides and drivers
• Preferred rooms in the very best luxury hotels
• Firsthand, sophisticated destination knowledge and recommendations from our travel specialists
• Itineraries that are customized according to your interests and schedule
• Artisans of Leisure upgrades and amenities
• A seamless travel experience, including all logistics, skipping lines during touring whenever possible, restaurant and spa reservations, performance tickets, private airport transfers, internal transportation, VIP and fast-track airport assistance in many destinations
• Around-the-clock support in each destination during your trip
• Unique, insider travel experiences and access to the Artisans of Leisure network of experts around the world