Luxury Northern Spain: Madrid, La Rioja, Basque Country & Barcelona - 14 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Madrid, Wine Tasting Tour

Welcome to Spain! Touch down in the vibrant capital, Madrid, a cultural hub known for its sweeping plazas, palaces, parks, and museums. A driver will take you to the luxurious Palacio de los Duques Gran Melia, a restored 19th-century palace in the upmarket El Madrid de los Austrias area. The 5-star hotel is themed around the renowned artist Velázquez and features his prints in each room, along with historic gardens, a rooftop pool, a spa, and exceptional views of Madrid and the mountains.

Settle in before heading out for a wine tour of the city with a private sommelier. As you roam the city streets and historic plazas of Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor, learn about 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 traditional tapas.

Day 2: Madrid Markets Tour, VIP Real Madrid Soccer Match

Get a taste of Madrid this morning on a gastronomic adventure through some of the city's 46 markets with a private guide. Listen to local chatter as you watch people at work preparing and selling the fish, artisan bread, seasonal fruit, and fresh vegetables that make up a typical Spanish shopping list. 

Spend the afternoon exploring at your leisure. Soak up some culture with a visit 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 peaceful 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 tonight's sporting experience. Your driver will take you to the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, where you'll take your VIP seats to watch an exciting Real Madrid soccer match. Enjoy watching this world-famous team before heading back to your hotel for drinks.

Day 3: Guided Tour of Ávila by Train

Take a scenic train ride 1.5 hours northwest to the medieval city of Ávila today, set against the spike-topped Sierra de Gredos mountain range. The city is protected by imposing 1.25-mile (2 km) walls dotted with eight monumental gates, 88 watchtowers, and over 2,500 turrets, making it one of the best-preserved medieval sites in Spain.

Explore Ávila with an expert local guide who'll talk you through the city's rich history. Admire Gothic and Romanesque churches, cathedrals, convents, and the shrine to Santa Teresa, whom pilgrims come to honor. Pause in Plaza de Santa Teresa for lunch, soaking up the atmosphere in this bastion of Spanish history. In the late afternoon, catch the train back to Madrid for a final night in the capital. 

Day 4: Drive to La Rioja

This morning, pick up your rental car and drive 3.5 hours north to the lush La Rioja region, a patchwork quilt of rolling countryside grooved with vineyards that produce some of Spain's best red wines. Along the way, visit some of northern Spain's heritage sites and towns. Marvel at the UNESCO-listed Roman aqueduct in Segovia, wander cobbled streets in Sepúlveda and tour the showstopping Burgos Cathedral. Take a break for tapas in Miranda de Ebro, a town beloved for its castle and historic center. 

Your final destination is the medieval town of Elciego, where you'll check into the chic Hotel Marqués de Riscal. Set on the region's oldest winery, this 21st-century castillo was designed by the Guggenheim Museum architect Frank Gehry. The avant-garde, steel and titanium exterior contains neoclassical interiors with cathedral-like ceilings, Italian marble baths, and vineyard views. Check into your arty room, sip wine in the rooftop lounge, or head to the spa for grape-infused treatments. 

Day 5: Sunrise Hot-Air Balloon Ride, Explore La Rioja

Rise early for a hot-air balloon ride over La Rioja. The adventure begins with a transfer before dawn to the village of Haro, where you'll board the balloon and drift into the clouds as the sun rises. Watch the light paint the vineyards and mountains shades of gold and pink as you float above the landscape, spotting tiny villages and the ribbon of the Ebro River below. Back on land, enjoy a Champagne breakfast, and receive your flight certificate.

The rest of the day is yours to explore La Rioja's history, vineyards, and landscapes. The 10th-century walled town of Laguardia is a highlight, set on a hilltop surrounded by a carpet of vineyards set against the Cantabrian Mountains. Get lost in the mazelike streets and open plazas of Haro, which lies on the banks of the Ebro and hosts an annual wine festival

Have lunch in the regional capital, Logroño, where many bars specialize in a particular type of tapas, from grilled garlicky mushrooms to spider crab fishcakes. Get a taste of it all, hopping from bar to bar on Calle Laurel in the Old Town. Spend the afternoon touring one of the area's stellar vineyards and return to your hotel for a meal at 1860 Tradición or Restaurante Marqués de Riscal, both run by Michelin-starred chef Francis Paniego.

Day 6: Drive to Bilbao, Pintxos Walking Tour

Say goodbye to La Rioja this morning and drive 1.5 hours north to Bilbao in the beautiful Basque Country. Surrounded by green-hued mountains, the city features innovative architecture, art museums, and a venerable dining scene. On your way to Bilbao, visit Atapuerca. On this UNESCO-listed archaeological site, the bones of what is believed to be the oldest European human were discovered, dating back 1.2 million years. 

Continue to Bilbao and check into the luxurious Hotel Ercilla de Bilbao near the city's bustling Plaza Moyúa. Founded in 1972, the family-owned hotel has hosted prominent artists, matadors, movie stars, and politicians. Settle into your elegantly restored room, which retains the hotel's original '70s vibe, then head to the rooftop for drinks accompanied by 360-degree city views. 

Finish the day by indulging in Bilbao's finest pintxos (pronounced "peen-chos"), a type of tapas prevalent in the Basque region served in most bars, cafés, and restaurants. An expert guide will take you on a private gourmet walking tour, stopping at the city's top food spots and teaching you about the local cuisine. Taste everything from lamb skewers to oxtail croquettes and cheese and mushroom pancakes.

Day 7: Bilbao & Guggenheim Museum Tour

Uncover Bilbao's history and architecture today on a private guided city tour. Stroll along the banks of the Nervión River, passing Frank Gehry's iconic Guggenheim Museum. Learn about Basque culture and the city's transformation as you navigate the streets, stopping to browse Ribera Market, the largest covered market in Europe. End with a walk through the Casco Viejo (Old Town) area with its 700-year-old buildings. 

After lunch, take a private tour of the Guggenheim, a glimmering titanium structure that's an artwork in itself. You'll explore the 260,000 square-foot (24,000 sq m) museum, which houses a treasure trove of works from great artists such as Andy Warhol, Anish Kapoor, Jeff Koons, Louise Bourgeois, and Eduardo Chillida. End the day by feasting on more of Bilbao's traditional cuisine at a streetside eatery.

Day 8: Scenic Coastal Drive to San Sebastián & Michelin-Star Lunch

Set off for a jaw-dropping coastal drive to San Sebastián today, winding along the northern Atlantic coast with views of the sparkling Bay of Biscay. Stretch your legs with a stop at the quaint beach towns of Zumaia and Getaria, where you can wander on golden beaches, buzzing ports, and towns with neoclassical, Baroque, and Gothic architecture. 

Pause for lunch at Michelin-starred Elkano in Getaria, a laid-back family-run restaurant that's been serving fresh fish from the Atlantic since 1964 and is renowned for its grilled turbot. Roasted whole, skin and all, and served with a simple dressing, the dish is one of the best examples of Basque Country cuisine. Afterward, continue to San Sebastián, the sought-after resort city where Spanish royals once vacationed. The seaside haunt is famous for its beaches, historic center, and eclectic pintxos scene. 

You'll stay at the Hotel Akelarre just outside the city, carved into a hillside that overlooks the Bay of Biscay. Having started life as a 3 Michelin-starred restaurant run by Chef Pedro Subijana, an ambassador of new Basque cuisine, Akelarre now offers modern rooms and suites. Highlights include panoramic windows and a slate terrace where you can soak up bay views, as well as local artwork and a decadent spa.

Day 9: San Sebastián Walking Tour, Free Afternoon

Delve beneath the surface of San Sebastián today on a private walking tour. Begin at Mount Igueldo on the west side of the city, where you'll enjoy views of the coast and city, learning how San Sebastián played an essential role in Spanish, Basque, and maritime history. Discover how wool trading made some locals uber-wealthy and which ships were considered the Ferraris of their time in the 16th century.

Descend via the city's 100-year-old wooden funicular for more incredible views and visit the famous El Peine del Viento by Eduardo Chillida, a set of steel sculptures known as the Wind Comb. Head east next to the surfing meccas of Sagüés and La Zurriola, stopping to admire the Belle Epoch-style Miramar Palace. Your guide will highlight San Sebastián's stately architecture, leading to plazas, parks, cathedrals, and the 12th-century Castillo Motako Gaztelua.

After lunch, spend the rest of the day as you please. Ramble through the cobblestone streets and pop into ornate cathedrals and coffee shops, then stroll along the promenade to crescent-shaped Playa La Concha. You can also embark upon an optional Basque cider house experience, exploring the long-standing tradition of sidrerias (cider houses) in the Basque country.

Day 10: Hondarribia Mountain, Winery & Old Town Tour

Head out of San Sebastián today to explore the region's hilltop forts and sweeping vineyards. A private tour guide will take you 30 minutes east to the walled coastal town of Hondarribia on the French border. Take a three-hour hike to Mount Jaizkibel, where you'll discover the ruinous Guadalupe Fort, once a Spanish Civil War prison, and enjoy views over the Bay of Txingudi.

Afterward, relax with a trip to a nearby winery for a private tour, learning about the entire production process. Finish with a tasting session and snacks, then head back to Hondarribia for a guided walk through the Old Town to the marina with its brightly-colored houses. Stop for some tapas before returning to San Sebastián for a final night in the city.

Day 11: Train to Barcelona, Tour of La Sagrada Família

Drop off your rental car and wave farewell to the Basque Country this morning as you take a 5.5-hour train journey east to Spain's second city, Barcelona. This seaside metropolis is the capital of the Catalonia region, famed for its astounding art museums and architecture, as well as a world-class food and nightlife scene, thriving markets, and lively beaches. 

A driver will be waiting to take you to your hotel, Alma Barcelona, just off the high-end Passeig de Gracia. Check into your 5-star room, which offers a sanctuary from hectic city life with classic-yet-modern design. Be sure to indulge in the sauna, steam room, and indoor pool, then head to the rooftop sun deck, where views of Barcelona's skyline await. 

After settling in, take a private tour of Barcelona's most famous architectural wonder, La Sagrada Família. This spectacular Roman Catholic church and UNESCO World Heritage Site was designed by the late Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí. Hear about its history and elaborate design from your guide, who'll point out ornamental spires, sculptures, and stained-glass windows. End by climbing the 19-story Torre de la Pasión tower for aerial views over Barcelona.

Day 12: Gothic Quarter Tour, Catalan Gastronomy & Wine Experience

Discover the oldest corners of Barcelona this morning with a private tour of the 2,000-year-old Gothic Quarter. Ramble through its snaking lanes and grand plazas, stopping to enter the soul-stirring Barcelona Cathedral, a Gothic masterpiece built between the 13th and 15th centuries. Savor the peace of the cathedral's gardens with its 15th-century fountain before continuing to the Temple of Augustus. 

After working up an appetite on your walking tour, join your sommelier for a culinary journey to four of Barcelona's standout restaurants. You'll start with mouthwatering tapas accompanied by locally-made cava at a popular eatery, then continue to a trendy wine bar for more Spanish dishes and craft wines. Taste authentic Catalan cuisine paired with fine Spanish wines at your final stops.

Spend the rest of the afternoon exploring Barcelona independently. A walk down Las Ramblas, Barcelona's most famous pedestrian street, is a must, veering off to peruse the artisan stalls of La Boqueria Market. Art fans should head to the Picasso Museum to discover an extensive collection of his work. Alternatively, relax under the sun in leafy Parc de la Ciutadella or Barceloneta Beach and finish the day with streetside drinks and tapas.

Day 13: Costa Brava Hiking & Sea Kayaking

Journey two hours out of the city today to experience the beauty of the Costa Brava with a day hike along the Camí de Ronda. This 135-mile (217 km) coastal path was established to link remote fishing villages in the 19th century and was later used to help police tackle smuggling. Accompanied by a private guide, you'll hike a striking section of the trail near Sant Feliu de Guíxols, with endless views of the Mediterranean. 

Eventually, you'll reach the honey-hued cove of Sant Pol de S'Agaró and hop into a sea kayak. Paddle into the turquoise water alongside majestic sandstone cliffs, entering hidden sea caves home to nesting birds. Anchor up at a crystal lagoon where you can swim and snorkel to spot colorful marine life. Head back to shore for a well-earned lunch at a local restaurant where you can dine on seafood and paella before returning to Barcelona for a restful evening.

Day 14: Ancient Bath Experience, Depart Barcelona

Today, your luxury Spanish adventure comes to an end. Before you leave, indulge in a pamper session at the Aire Ancient Baths, inspired by Roman, Greek, and Ottoman bathing traditions. You'll enjoy the "Ultimate Blossom Experience," which begins with a water circuit where you'll soak in hot pools and relax on heated marble beds in the aromatherapy room. Next, experience a Himalayan pink salt and kukui oil body scrub, followed by a white-clay mask and a soothing head massage. 

Fully refreshed, take a private car to the airport this afternoon in time for your homebound flight. Safe travels!