Highlights of Spain & Portugal

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

This private, luxurious tour features the very best of Spain and Portugal: dynamic cities, beautiful landscapes, impressive UNESCO World Heritage sites, rich cultural traditions, and delicious food and wine. The tour includes accommodation at acclaimed luxury hotels and private touring with sophisticated local experts.

Begin in 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. 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.

Continue by high-speed train to 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. One evening, enjoy a private tasting tour of some of Madrid's most beloved tapas bars. 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.

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. 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.

Next, you will be driven to Portugal. Stop in Evora, a beautiful city and UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Alentejo region. Explore narrow streets lined with whitewashed houses and see ancient Roman ruins and Moorish architecture. Continue to Lisbon and experience it as an insider during private touring with an expert local guide. Tour the historic Alfama district, the sophisticated Bairro Alto and Lapa districts and the riverside Belem district. See St. George's Castle, Mosteiro dos Jeronimos monastery, Belem Tower and other impressive monuments of Moorish and Manueline architecture. Browse select shops offering Portuguese specialties such as azulejo tiles, embroidered linens, Indo-Portuguese furniture, gold jewelry, Portuguese design products and antiques. Sample local food specialties such as pasteis de nata custard tarts. Also tour museums according to your interests, including options such as the National Tile Museum, the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum, the National Coach Museum and the Museum of Folk Art. Other touring options include vibrant food markets, botanical gardens, scenic viewpoints overlooking the city and a private appointment to visit the Ricardo do Espirito Santo Silva Foundation, which is dedicated to the preservation and reproduction of traditional Portuguese design and decorative art. One evening, enjoy a memorable fado music performance at a local club. Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can arrange dinner reservations at Lisbon's best restaurants.

One day, enjoy a private excursion to Sintra, an aristocratic town of fairy-tale palaces and gardens among forested hills. During private touring in this UNESCO World Heritage Site, visit highlights including the romantic National Palace of Pena, the spectacular National Palace of Sintra and the narrow streets in the historic center of the town, including the former Jewish quarter. If desired, also visit the upscale seaside town of Cascais.

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