Mediterranean Spain Luxury Getaway: Madrid, Menorca & Barcelona - 10 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Madrid, Dinner at a Michelin Restaurant

Welcome to Spain! Touch down in the vibrant capital, Madrid, a cultural hub known for its plazas, palaces, parks, and museums. Your private driver will take you to the 5-star Rosewood Villa Magna on the stately boulevard of Paseo de la Castellana. Surrounded by gardens, the hotel is a classy oasis in the city, offering stylish rooms and suites decorated with 380 unique art pieces. 

Settle into your room before heading out for dinner at the Michelin 2-star-rated 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 2: Guided Prado Museum Tour

Soak up some culture this morning with a private tour of the Museo Nacional del Prado (Prado Museum) with an art historian. The museum showcases one of the finest collections of European art spanning the 12th through to the 20th century, featuring the works of masters like Goya, Bosch, El Greco, Titian, and Diego Velázquez, among others. Explore the collection with your guide, who'll provide expert insight into this world-famous museum. 

Spend the afternoon exploring at your leisure. Head to serene Parque de El Retiro or explore La Latina, one of Madrid's oldest neighborhoods, filled with narrow medieval streets, leafy plazas, and cathedrals. For the ultimate pamper session, indulge in a treatment at your hotel's renowned Sense Spa, then relax in the Finnish sauna, steam room, hot tub, and Turkish hammam. Dine at on-site Amós to sample northern Spanish cuisine by Michelin-starred chef Jesús Sánchez. 

Day 3: Toledo City Tour & Winery Experience

Journey an hour south of Madrid today to explore the imperial city of Toledo. This UNESCO World Heritage Site dates back to Roman times and was the capital of Spain in the 16th century. Toledo's cluster of clay-rooftop buildings, cobbled lanes, and church spires are crowded onto a hilltop overlooking the Tajo River and encircled by protective walls, which you can enter through massive iron gates. 

Take a private guided tour of Toledo, known in the Middle Ages as the "City of the Three Cultures," where Christian, Muslim, and Jewish communities all peacefully coexisted. As such, the city is crammed with religious buildings, including the 12th-century church, Iglesia de Santo Tomé, the Moorish Sinagoga de Santa María la Blanca, considered the oldest synagogue in Europe, and the grand 13th-century Toledo Cathedral.

Afterward, continue to a nearby winery where an expert oenologist will take you on a tour of the 200-year-old vineyard and cellar, tracing the entire production process from grape to bottle. Join a sommelier to taste some exquisite wines before returning to Madrid for a final evening in the city. 

Day 4: Fly to Menorca, Afternoon Sailing Experience

Say goodbye to Madrid this morning and take a two-hour flight to Menorca, the most peaceful of the Balearic Islands, which is now protected as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The island's rolling rural interior is dotted with prehistoric monuments, while its 134 miles (216 km) of coveted coastline features pristine white beaches and golden coves. 

Upon arrival, pick up your rental car and head straight to your heritage hotel, Santa Ponsa. This 17th-century former palace lies on 247 acres (100 ha) of land, including Moorish terraced gardens filled with flowers, palms, and citrus trees. Check into your luxurious room with wood-beamed ceilings and botanical artwork, complete with a modern egg bathtub and private terrace, then take a dip in the infinity pool. 

Hit the high seas this afternoon with a private sailing experience. Board your chic catamaran to sail around Menorca, discovering its best beaches and hidden coves. Sail across the North Minorcan Marine Reserve, a protected 12,847-acre (5,199 ha) stretch of sea where fishing is strictly controlled. The area is a biodiverse wonderland home to species such as lobster, hammerhead sharks, over 600 seaweed varieties, rays, squid, and starfish. 

Drop anchor in secluded coves to plunge into the deep turquoise waters, swimming and snorkeling among colorful sea creatures. Take a paddleboard for a spin and enjoy lavish drinks and snacks on board. Afterward, sail back to shore, returning to your hotel for a restful evening.

Day 5: Explore Menorca, Cheese & Wine Tasting

Relish a dose of sun, sea, and sand today on one of Menorca's top beaches. Remote Cala Pregonda lies in the north of the island, offering powdery sands perfect for basking. A series of craggy islets sit just offshore, and you can snorkel among mirror-clear waters that form part of the island's marine reserve. If you're feeling active, hike 30 minutes to lesser-visited Cala Pilar, also in the north, following a rugged track to a stretch of wild honey-hued sand.

On the east coast, you'll find Cala Presili, a sun-drenched strip of sugary sand. Wander to the candy-striped Favàritx Lighthouse and cool off in the topaz waters. Venture to the south coast for Cala en Turqueta, which is popular for its pine tree-backed sands and tranquil waters ideal for swimming. To avoid the crowds, make a detour to the bay of Cala Escorxada, which you can reach by water taxi or coastal hike.

This afternoon, you'll enjoy a private culinary experience at a local farm. Take a tour of the farm and taste three Menorcan wines: Torralbenc White, Torralbenc Rosé, and Sa Forana Red. These fine wines will be expertly paired with the farm's signature cheeses: Subaida Mahón-Menorca semi-cured, cured, and añejo. Throughout the tasting, your guide will share insights into each wine and cheese's distinctive flavors and characteristics.

Complete your day by choosing between various fine dining options in Maó (also known as Mahón), Menorca's charming capital. For elevated Mediterranean fare, go to Ses Forquilles, which offers artfully presented tapas and mouthwatering dishes, such as traditional cuts of beef or fish accompanied by crispy patatas bravas (spicy potatoes). Alternatively, reserve a table at S'Espigó overlooking the port for fresh seafood, including lobster stew, clams, and tuna steak.

Day 6: Menorca Cooking Class, Visit Cova D'en Xoroi

Get a taste of Menorca today with a one-on-one cooking class. Head half an hour west to the historic coastal city of Ciutadella de Menorca, where you'll meet your chef in their home. Don an apron and learn how to cook typical local dishes step-by-step. While you cook, you'll sip Menorcan wines and snack on cheeses and artisanal cold-cured meats. At the end of the class, sit down and feast on your creations. 

This afternoon, drive to the enchanting Cova d'en Xoroi, a bar set on a cliffside cove in Cala en Porter on Menorca's south coast. Relax on the terrace and take in never-ending views of the Mediterranean Sea from the 100-foot-high (30 m) cliff, sipping a cocktail as the sun sets. Feel the sea breeze on your skin and listen to the waves crashing against the rocks, then dance the night away to live music under starry skies. 

Day 7: Menorca Jeep Safari

Embark upon a private Jeep safari tour of the island this morning, exploring the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve's hidden treasures. Bump across the countryside with the rooftop down for superb views, stopping at age-old quarries, gullies, watermills, and archaeological ruins. Spot native flora and fauna as you travel through farmland lined with Menorca's signature dry stone walls. 

Your guide will lead you on twisting rural paths to scenic clifftops with views of the rugged coastline, teaching you about the culture and history of the island along the way. Highlights include meeting Menorcan horses and stopping at far-flung beaches for a refreshing swim in the shimmering sea. 

Afterward, return to your hotel for a final relaxing evening by the sea. Sample Santa Ponsa's decadent spa, housed in a former cistern, for a massage, sauna, and Nordic baths, then dine on fine Catalan cuisine at the on-site restaurant, Nura.

Day 8: Fly to Barcelona, Gaudí Architecture Walking Tour

Say goodbye to island life this morning and fly an hour northwest to Barcelona, the thriving capital of Catalonia. This seaside metropolis is famed for its astounding blend of Gothic and modern architecture, epitomized by the Catalan modernist work of Antoni Gaudí. Barcelona is also beloved for its world-class food and nightlife scene, buzzing markets, and lively beaches. 

A driver will be waiting to take you to your hotel, Alma Barcelona, just off the swanky boulevard, Passeig de Gràcia. Check into your 5-star room, which offers a sanctuary from hectic city life with classic-yet-contemporary 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. 

Delve into Barcelona's architectural heritage today with a private walking tour of Antoni Gaudí's work, led by an architect guide. Highlights include Passeig de Gràcia, where you'll admire the stone-quarry-style apartment building Casa Milà and Casa Batlló, a modernist masterpiece that locals have christened "House of Bones" for its skeletal design. 

End with a visit to Gaudí's iconic La Sagrada Família, Barcelona's most visually impressive church. Construction of this Gothic/Art Nouveau basilica began in 1882 but technically remains unfinished to this day. Hear about its history and elaborate design from your guide, who'll point out ornamental spires, sculptures, and stained-glass windows.

Day 9: Penedès Winery Tour & Tasting

Head an hour west into the Catalonian countryside today to lush Penedès, one of Spain's most famous wine regions. Set between the sea and mountains, the soil here is rich and fertile, producing 90% of the country's cava. Explore this vineyard-grooved region, one of Europe's most ancient viticulture areas, with an expert winemaker. 

You'll start by privately touring one of Penedès' high-end vineyards, learning about the entire production process, from vine to wine. Stroll through vineyards, stopping to visit the pretty Romanesque church of San Juan Salem, then taste four varieties of wine with gourmet snacks. 

Next, continue to another historical winery, where you'll learn specifically about cava. You'll have an exclusive opportunity to enter the capella (underground caves) where bottles are stored, then tour the barrel rooms and production plant. Finish by sampling four types of Gran Reserva cava paired with tapas before returning to Barcelona for one last night in your luxury hotel.

Day 10: Depart Barcelona

Today your luxury Mediterranean adventure comes to an end. Take a private car to the airport this afternoon in time for your homebound flight. Safe travels!

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