Journey Through Spain

(13 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Madrid & Toledo, Seville & Cordoba, Granada, Barcelona, San Sebastian with Bilbao & Rioja

This is the ultimate private luxury tour of the most interesting historical, cultural and culinary destinations in Spain. It features in-depth private touring with expert guides, accommodation at Spain's most exclusive hotels and resorts, and special activities such as private art tours of top museums, wine tours at exclusive wineries, and tasting tours of our favorite tapas and pintxos bars.

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. 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 Granada, one of the richest and most populous cities during Moorish rule. With your expert private guide, tour the Alhambra, a breathtaking Moorish castle, palace and garden complex on a hillside overlooking the city. Also visit the Generalife, the summer palace and gardens of Moorish royalty. See additional city highlights such as the opulent Royal Chapel, where monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella are buried, and the labyrinthine Albaicin (the former Arab Quarter), a world of winding streets, Moorish fountains and teterias (Arabic tearooms) in the hills. For dinner, Artisans of Leisure can make reservations at a restaurant with views of the Alhambra.

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. 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.

Fly to Bilbao, a city renowned for contemporary architecture. Enjoy a private tour of the Guggenheim Museum—a stunning building designed by Frank Gehry—and its art collection. Perhaps have lunch in its Michelin-starred restaurant. Then, see highlights of the Old Town, as well as additional architectural landmarks around the city by Calatrava, Foster and others. Continue to San Sebastian, an elegant seaside resort that's the gastronomic capital of the Basque Country and home of some of the finest cuisine in the world. With your private guide, tour the picturesque historic center and walk along beautiful seaside promenades. Enjoy a private tasting tour that features the city's best pintxos—the Basque version of tapas—and Txakoli, an effervescent white wine from the region. Also enjoy a private tour of a local market followed by a cooking lesson at a private gastronomic society. One day, enjoy a private excursion to La Rioja, one of the world's most renowned wine regions. Drive through vineyards, enjoy wine tastings at some of Spain's top bodegas (wineries), and see outstanding winery buildings designed by celebrated contemporary architects such as Santiago Calatrava and Zaha Hadid. Also enjoy views of the medieval villages and beautiful mountains typical of the Rioja region.

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