Luxury Iberian Peninsula Adventure: Spain & Portugal - 14 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Madrid (Spain), Wine Tasting Tour

Welcome to Spain! Touchdown in the vibrant capital, Madrid, a cultural hub known for its plazas, palaces, parks, and museums. Your private driver will take you to the Relais & Châteaux Heritage Hotel Madrid, a luxury retreat in the exclusive Salamanca neighborhood. Settle into your room at this Belle Epoque-style listed building; highlights include balconies, hydromassage tubs, European antiques, and 18th-19th century artwork. 

Later, enjoy a wine tour of the city with a private sommelier. As you roam the city streets and ancient plazas of Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor, learn how Spain is one of the most prolific wine countries, offering 23 native grape varieties that grow across 70 designations of origin. Taste some of the country's top wines and learn how Madrid's popular vermouth drink is made, accompanied by local tapas.

Day 2: Madrid History, Culture & Architecture Tour, Michelin-Starred Dinner

Get to know Madrid better today on a guided history, culture, and architecture tour of the city. Accompanied by a local guide, head to the Habsburg district, the oldest part of the city, known in Spanish as El Madrid de Los Austrias. You'll visit the Baroque Royal Palace, Almudena Cathedral, and Plaza Mayor. Your guide will stop at hidden treasures and tell stories about Madrid's fascinating history along the way.

Spend the afternoon exploring at your leisure. Soak up some culture with a trip to the Museo Nacional del Prado or the Reina Sofia, which was named for Queen Sofia and is packed with 20th-century art. Alternatively, head to the park of El Retiro or explore La Latina, one of Madrid's oldest neighborhoods, filled with narrow medieval streets, leafy plazas, and cathedrals. Make time to enjoy coffee in one of the main plazas, where you can sit outside and people-watch.

Freshen up at your hotel before dinner at the 2 Michelin-starred Paco Roncero. Set in an avant-garde space on the top floor of a 19th-century building, this restaurant is run by innovative chef Paco Roncero. Dine on Spanish cuisine with seasonal dishes that range from lemon cod brandade pie to cauliflower and hazelnut blancmange, paired with fine wines.

Day 3: El Escorial Tour & Winery Visit

Head northwest of Madrid today to explore the historic town of El Escorial at the foot of the mighty Guadarrama Mountains. The town is famed for its sprawling San Lorenzo de El Escorial monastery and palace complex, built by Felipe II in the 16th century. Take a private tour of the complex with an expert guide, discovering its ornate palace and Renaissance library, mausoleum, basilica, and 15 cloisters.

Continue to a family-owned vineyard nearby, where you'll enjoy a wine-tasting session and gourmet local cuisine with sweeping countryside views. You'll also get to visit the Celtic monument Bulls of Guisando, a collection of bull statues thought to date back to the third century BCE, and learn about more recent Spanish history at the Valley of the Fallen, a memorial to those who died in the Spanish Civil War. 

Afterward, return to Madrid for a final evening in the city. Dine at your hotel's lavish Haroma restaurant, which is run by the 2 Michelin-starred chef Mario Sandoval, and features a fine-dining menu of Spanish classics created using modern techniques.

Day 4: Train to Granada, Olfactory Tour & Spanish Guitar Workshop

This morning, take the train five hours south to Granada. Set in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, the city is renowned for its Moorish architecture and history, as well as its bars and flamenco venues. Highlights range from the city's oldest square, Plaza Nueva, and the 16th-century Granada Cathedral to the medieval center Albaicín.

Check into your 5-star hotel, the Hospes Palacio de Los Patos, which sits just outside Granada's Old Town. Stay in a renovated 19th-century palace with vaulted ceilings, marble staircases, wrought-iron balconies, and chandeliers. You can relax at the decadent Spa Bodyna with its whirlpool, Turkish bath, sauna, and treatment rooms, then dine on typical Granada cuisine at the acclaimed Restaurante Los Patos.

Settle in and then head out for a unique private tour of Granada, where you'll explore the city's history and culture through its scents. This olfactory tour uses eight different fragrances that represent life in Granada. Stops include The Bañuelo, a hammam from the Ziri period, the Granada Cathedral, and the Alcaicería, once a Moorish bazaar that's now full of Andalusian treats, trinkets, and souvenirs.

Finish the day on a musical note with a private Spanish guitar workshop and recital in one of Granada's oldest neighborhoods, known for its hidden corners, buildings, and flowery plazas. Meet a local composer and guitarist who'll teach you about the relationship between flamenco and Spanish classical guitar, performing numbers that have shaped Spanish culture.

Day 5: Guided Alhambra Visit, Hammam Experience & Flamenco Show

Discover Granada's most famous landmark, the Alhambra, on today's private tour. Set on a hill above Granada, this imposing Muslim fortress dates back to the ninth century but was rebuilt in the 14th century by the Nasrid Dynasty. The dramatic landmark was a Moorish palace until the Christian reconquest in 1492 when it became the Royal Court of Ferdinand and Isabella. 

Tour this UNESCO World Heritage Site's grand buildings, which include striking examples of Moorish history. Observe features such as the hand of Fatima on the gateway of the Puerta de la Justicia (Gate of Justice), fingers outstretched to ward off the evil eye, or the extravagant design in the Patio de Comares (Court of the Myrtles). You'll also stroll through the Generalife Gardens with panoramic views of Granada.

Afterward, relax with a steam bath at one of Granada's traditional hammams. Hop between different rooms with varying temperatures for a detoxifying steam, then soak in hot and cold baths, followed by optional massages and treatments.

End the day with a flamenco show in a Sacromonte cave. Flamenco is the ultimate artistic expression of Andalusia, and Granada's Sacromonte neighborhood is one of the best places to explore this art form. The area is the birthplace of the zambra, a flamenco dance party that dates to the 16th century, and the marital rituals of the Moors. Between the 18th and 19th centuries, locals waited at cave entrances, ready to perform their flamenco show for travelers.

Day 6: Transfer to Seville, Grazalema Natural Park Hike

Travel 2.5 hours west this morning to Seville, the capital of Andalusia. You'll stop for a privately guided hike in Grazalema Natural Park, a 127,741-acre (51,695 ha) wonderland of limestone mountains and fir-tree forests dotted with whitewashed villages. Hike among the Sierra de Grazalema, which features 20 peaks that soar to over 3,281 feet (1,000 m) above sea level, following a trail alongside a deep gorge where you'll discover secret caves and spot birdlife, from nesting raptors to griffon vultures.

Afterward, continue your journey to Seville, where you'll stay at a renovated 18th-century palace, Palacio de Villapanes, complete with vaulted ceilings, marble columns, and arched bay windows. Check into your chic room or suite, which blends traditional architecture with elegant contemporary decor, then head to the roof terrace for a dip in the plunge pool and drinks accompanied by views of Seville. 

Day 7: Seville Guided Tour, Paella Cooking Class

Delve into Seville's 2,000-year history today on a private walking tour. Your local guide will cover highlights such as UNESCO-listed Seville Cathedral, a 15th-century Roman-Catholic church home to the tomb of Christopher Columbus and recognized as the world's largest Gothic church. Admire the cathedral's looming bell tower, La Giralda, built as a minaret for the Great Mosque when the Moors ruled Andalusia. 

Next, wander to the orange tree-filled Santa Cruz neighborhood, which lies in the old city center. Take a break for some tapas and wine at one of the area's cute cafés, then continue to Alcazar, a set of palaces and gardens recognized by UNESCO for its synthesis of Christian and Muslim cultures. Finish your tour with a walk along the peaceful banks of the Guadalquivir River.

Get a taste of Seville this afternoon during a private paella cooking class led by a local chef. Start with a visit to the market to source ingredients, which range from fresh fish to spices and produce. Return to your host's home to cook this signature Spanish dish, along with Andalusian starters and desserts, while your chef chats about the region's culinary traditions. Afterward, feast on your creations.

Day 8: Tour of Mérida & Transfer to Lisbon (Portugal)

Leave Spain today, making the eight-hour journey west by private car to Portugal's capital, Lisbon. Before you cross the border, stop at the historic Spanish city of Mérida, known for its rich Roman heritage and well-preserved archaeological sites. Take a private tour of the UNESCO city with a local historian, visiting Spain's most extensive set of Roman ruins, then stop for lunch.

Continue your journey, eventually arriving in Lisbon's winding cobbled streets traversed by yellow trams, the skyline punctuated with medieval towers, Baroque palaces, and dome-topped monasteries. Head straight for the main square, Praça do Municipio, where you'll check into the luxury hotel AlmaLusa Baixa/Chiado. Settle into one of the boutique rooms or suites in this 18th-century building, which offers everything from original fireplaces and flagstone floors to supreme city views.

Day 9: Lisbon Walking Tour, Cooking Workshop or Michelin-Starred Dinner

This morning, explore two of Lisbon's most ancient neighborhoods, Mouraria and Alfama, on a private tour. Stroll from 12th-century alleys into the modern-day city, soaking up the laid-back vibes of each area and stopping along the way to sample authentic Portuguese dishes and snacks. You'll also learn about Mouraria's roots as the birthplace of fado, a Portuguese music form that dates back to the 1820s.

Spend the rest of the day exploring Lisbon at your own pace. Head to the Feira da Ladra flea market on Tuesdays and Saturdays, where you can find everything from vintage clothing to quirky antiques. Then there's the daily Mercado da Ribeira and all kinds of food under one roof at the Time Out Market next door. 

Famous sites include the Elevador de Santa Justa, a thin iron elevator built in 1902, which you can ride to the top of a 150-foot (45 m) tower showcasing views of the city and the sea beyond. Pass through the grand archway, Arco Monumental da Rua Augusta, which leads into Praça do Comércio, and discover the colorful Chiado district and Bairro Alto's hilltop views over the city.

Finish the day with a private cooking class where you'll learn to prepare a traditional Portuguese meal, complete with both a fish and meat dish, followed by dessert. Alternatively, opt for an exclusive fine dining experience, where you'll enjoy a meal prepared by a Michelin-starred chef in his culinary lab, where he creates new recipes for award-winning restaurants. 

Day 10: Sintra Tour & Cascais Cruise

Escape the city today and travel half an hour west to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sintra and the nearby fishing town of Cascais. Set among cool, forested hills, Sintra acted as a summer retreat for Portuguese royalty and, as such, is dotted with turreted palaces, villas, and fairy-tale castles. These enchanting landscapes served as inspiration for Lord Byron's poems.

Accompanied by a guide, you'll visit the Palacio Nacional da Pena, a 19th-century romanticist castle that blends Moorish and Portuguese late-Gothic architectural styles. Next, explore Cascais and its famous Citadel, a set of formidable fortifications that date back over 500 years, built to protect Lisbon from pirates. Stop at Hell's Mouth, a dramatic chasm in the seaside cliffs. 

End with a private cruise along the coast of Cascais and Estoril, taking in views of secluded coves and golden beaches. Dock in Lisbon's Belém neighborhood, home to the UNESCO-listed Torre de Belém and Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, a monastery built in 1501. Enjoy a final meal at one of Lisbon's top restaurants, accompanied by the sounds of fado.

Day 11: Train to Porto, UNESCO Walking Tour

Say goodbye to Lisbon this morning and take a train 3.5 hours north to Porto, traveling first class. Porto is the country's second-largest city, beloved for its riverside Ribeira neighborhood, lined with port cellars and cafés and the colossal steel skeleton of Dom Luís I Bridge that spans the Douro River. 

Upon arrival, your driver will drop you at The Yeatman Hotel, which lies on a hillside above the south bank of the Douro River. The wine hotel and spa sprawls over 7 acres (3 ha), with a decanter-shaped infinity pool, mammoth wine cellar, and spa offering wine-inspired treatments, from grapeseed oil massages and facials to barrel baths. Settle into your luxury room or suite, drinking in city views from your private balcony. 

Take a private walking tour of Porto's UNESCO-listed city center this afternoon. Your guide will introduce you to the city's architectural highlights, including the Rivoli Theater, the Art-Deco-style old Cinema Batalha, and Centro Português de Fotografia, set in a former prison. End with a stroll along the Douro River and the Rua da Reboleira to see the rehabilitation of the Ribeira neighborhood. Enjoy a meal by the water before returning to your hotel for the evening.

Day 12: Explore Matosinhos

Discover one of Porto's lesser-visited gems today: Matosinhos. Located just a few miles from the city center, Matosinhos is where Porto's residents come to kick back and dine. As it once made a living from the ocean, Matosinhos has an affinity for seafood, and the best place to experience this tradition is at the Municipal Market on Rua França Júnior.

The market lies in a curving white pavilion that dates to 1944 but has been revamped in the last few years. As part of this renovation, offices and studios have been set up for young designers in the galleries above the market floor. It's one for the early birds, as the best time to visit is first thing in the morning.

Matosinhos also has one of the best beaches in the Porto area, with surf-friendly waves all year round. 17th-century forts defend the oceanfront, and there's history in the shape of Baroque and medieval churches, as well as the stellar Sea Life Aquarium. Don't miss the Piscina das Marés, remarkable saltwater swimming pools cut into the rock face.

Day 13: Douro Valley Wine Tasting & River Cruise

Today, your private driver will be waiting to whisk you into the mountains and valleys of the Douro Valley wine region, where you'll visit traditional wineries accompanied by your expert guide. After a wine tasting, you'll enjoy lunch at one of the valley's famous quintas (estates).

Afterward, it's time to hop aboard a riverboat for an hourlong cruise down the tranquil Douro River. Relax and admire the beautiful scenery of the valley and the rolling hills along the riverbanks. You'll return to Porto, where you can spend a leisurely evening in the city's lively Ribeira area.

Day 14: Depart Porto

Today your luxurious two-week exploration of Spain and Portugal comes to an end. Take a private car to the airport in time for your homebound flight. Safe travels!

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