Wine, Culinary & Cultural Tours in Spain, Portugal & SW France
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Luxury Celebrations
Highlights of Spain Luxury Tour
Itinerary | Features | Prices | Travel Options
Highlights of your unforgettable visit include:
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Accommodations in 5* and 4* luxury hotels in Barcelona, Seville, Madrid and countryside
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Spanish Cities: Private Guided tours of the spectacular architecture and museums of Madrid, Toledo, Seville and Barcelona.
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Spanish Countryside: Private Guided tours of winieries and markets, cooking classes with local chefs and more
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Fine dining - local products, extraordinary wines and dinner at a Michelin 3* restaurant.
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Tastings of exquisite gourmet Spanish foods including ham, cheese, olives, wines, dried fruits, nuts and chocolate
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Your private Spanish tour will start with airport collection and chauffeured transfer in a luxury vehicle to your 4-star traditional Spanish style hotel in the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona. Formerly, your hotel was the palace residence of a wealthy Duke in the city and is deep-seated in history. A basket of fruit and chocolate will be waiting for you in your room to welcome you to Spain. We suggest an evening to relax and re-energise after your long journey, with perhaps a light dinner at the hotel or several informal dining options we can recommend upon request.
Transfer from Barcelona Airport, Overnight Barcelona
This morning, after a delicious breakfast, your experienced, Official Licensed Guide will meet you at your hotel. Your Guide will hand to you the printed Personal Travel Journals for your private Spanish tour, with daily itinerary details and plenty of suggestions for restaurants and free time activities. All this information and more will also be available on your Online Personal Travel Webpage, which we prepare prior to commencement of your customized luxury food, wine & cultural tour.
Afterwards, together you will traverse the city on a gourmet walking tour through the Gothic quarter of Barcelona! The Gothic Quarter is considered the heart of Barcelona and home to an abundance of tucked away gourmet cafes and shops. You will visit the famous Barcelona Cathedral and Sant Jaume Square, as well as Santa Maria del Mar Church, which is a beautiful and important 14th-century church and is considered the finest and most complete example of Catalan Gothic architecture anywhere. You will of course enjoy a wander through las Ramblas, the colourful must-see pedestrian area. Our guide is a real specialist in local history and will be ready to answer all your questions.
Continuing your walk, you will enjoy a taste of some of the best Spanish cheeses at a charming local cheese shop paired with some excellent local wine. You will be able to judge yourself why the Tou de Tilers, Cabrales or Mahon cheeses are so appreciated by the locals. You will then take the path of Picasso on the famous Avignon Street where you will visit the Picasso museum with your guide who will share fascinating anecdotes of one of Spain's greatest artists. Following your short artistic excursion, you will also stop at a lovely old fashioned “Master roasters” shop for refreshments, dried nuts and fruits, when you will see the drying process at first hand.
You will visit the old Jewish areas of Barcelona; A Jewish community settled in the Barri Gotic from the 2nd century onwards in the area now called El Call close to Plaça St. Jaume and Calle Ferran. A medieval synagogue, discovered beneath a 17th century building at the corner of Sant Domènec and Marlet, has been restored and opened to the public.
The rest of your afternoon will be free to enjoy as you wish. Prior to leaving you, your guide will be happy to provide a lot of suggestions for really good places to eat, cafes, shops etc.
Private Guided Tour of Barcelona Gothic Quarter, Food & Wine Tastings, Overnight in Barcelona
After breakfast at your hotel, today a private cooking class with our Barcelona chef awaits you! Meet with our chef and make a visit to La Boqueria - Spain’s most important and lively market place offering the freshest produce and variety from all around Europe. The word "Boqueria" was partially named for the response people have when they first see this extraordinary market: their mouths (boca) fall agape! Built on a site where an open-air market has existed since the 13th century, just off the famous La Rambla street, La Boqueria offers an incredible array of colors and activity and is a must-see to discover why Mediterranean cuisine is internationally known due to its ingredients! During the tour of the market, you will learn an infinite amount about local products and our chef will help you choose the best ingredients for your gourmet cooking lesson and 4-course Spanish meal.
Afterwards, you will embark for a private cooking lesson at a prestigious cooking school where you will learn the secrets of the best seafood paella, suquet or crema catalana in town. Sit back and relax with a glass of wine or put on your apron and participate if you prefer. Either way you will be sure to enjoy the personalized attention of our chef and a sumptuous lunch with wines to follow.
Surely after this day of activity you will welcome some siesta time and relish a free evening on your own; we can recommend a few fine dining venues nearby.
Private Guided Tour of La Boqueria Market, Private Cooking Class, Lunch, Overnight in Barcelona
This morning, enjoy a private guided cultural tour of Barcelona & Gaudi! Your guide will await you and you will leave in taxis to visit the incredible La Sagrada Família, a work on a grand scale which was begun in 1882. At the end of 1883 Gaudí was commissioned to carry on the works, a task which he did not abandon until his death in 1926. Since then different architects have continued the work after his original idea. Throughout Gaudi's work, you will see much of his architectural inspiration came from his experiences in nature. Gaudi is the city's most internationally renowned and emblematic architect.
Continuing your morning on the Gaudi route, you will head to the Passeig de Gracia area, where you will enjoy a walking tour of other famous works of Gaudi, including his famous Casa Batllo and la Pedrera. For a mid morning pick me up your guide will lead you to a sophisticated and fashionable gourmet chocolate boutique to sample the city's finest chocolates with a glass of cava. Many of these chocolate recipes were created by Albert Adria, the dessert chef of famous restaurant “El Bulli”, and the brother of the most famous chef in Spain, Ferran Adria. You will then make a visit to Gaudi´s famous Pedrera built between 1906 and 1910 for the Milà family. This is one of the main Gaudí residential buildings and one of the most imaginative houses of the history of the architecture, this building is more a sculpture than a building.
This afternoon you will have free to discover the lively city and restaurants of Barcelona on your own. We have many suggestions for restaurants which will suit your mood of the moment.
Private guided tour of Gaudi Route, Overnight Barcelona
Today, following your experience of touring bustling Barcelona, you will now sit back in your comfortable car whilst you are transferred to the beautiful and serene countryside of Emporda where you will move to your new home for the next 5 nights - an authentic Spanish medieval castle, an architectural jewel that was built eight centuries ago.
After checking into your hotel, a private guided tour of Spanish Costa Brava & medieval villages is the order of the day! Your guide will show you one of the most chic of the coastal towns in Costa Brava, Calella de Palafrugell, where you can enjoy a scenic walk breathing in the fresh sea air and breeze, exploring the picturesque ocean front spots of this lovely fishermens village. Perhaps too you would care to visit the medieval village of Peratallada, one of the best-preserved medieval villages in all of Spain! As you walk through the narrow village streets, next to the city walls, towers and churches, you will feel as though you have walked into a new time altogether. The stone archways, cobblestone streets and wrought balconies adorned with flowers create a welcoming feel in this Romanesque village.
On returning to your hotel, you will still have plenty of time to get acquainted with the grounds of the castle and enjoying all the amenities of your fairy tale residence (including a gorgeous swimming pool) before a peaceful dinner by candlelight.
Private guided tour of Calella de Palafrugell & Peratallada, Overnight Emporda
Today starts with a wine tour - a guided visit to a most prestigious winery, Castillo Perelada. There, the bi-lingual house wine expert will await you and together you will make a complete visit to this famous cellar with a long tradition of wine making, which was commenced by the Carmelite Monks in the 14th century. Your visit will start with a stroll along the beautiful vineyards, where our expert will show you the local vine and soil types and describe the unique factors of Catalan geography contributing to the development of Emporda wines. You will visit the cellar and learn about the wine making techinques; afterwards you will cross the lane to a 13th century Romanesque Castle, which is home to an ancient wine press and current wine making facilities. The Gran Claustre cava or Grand Cloister cava, which is the finest cava available at this vineyard, is a cava that is still fermented with the same process and in the same location in which the Carmelite monks of the 14th century used to prepare it in their monastery. This cava was selected in a blind tasting between the world’s finest champagnes to be served at the wedding in 2004 of the Spanish Prince Felipe. You will finish your visit with a tasting of their best cavas and wines, including of course, the Gran Claustre.
For lunch today you will be the guest of a local Catalan chef as he invites you into his cooking school nearby. You will join him for a private Spanish cooking class - a feast of tapas, wine and traditional dishes! The menu will be personalized to your liking. You will have the opportunity to participate in the chef's preparations or, if you prefer, you can sit back with a glass of wine and enjoy his artful work. Lunch will surely be completed with Catalan crème or another local favorite.
After lunch you will have a private guided visit to view the masterpieces of Dali in his museum in Figueres. The great artist purchased the museum building and personally oversaw its reconstruction and renovation. Now restored in a style appealing to Dali, it is home to some of his greatest works of surrealism. Our guide is a real expert on Dali's work , so you can ask her all the unofficial and unconfessed secrets about the artist.
Private guided tour of Emporda winery, Private Cooking Lesson, Private guided tour of Dali Museum, Overnight in Emporda
This morning, after a leisurely breakfast at your hotel, your guide will escort you to the romantic city of Girona, enchanted by stretches of cobblestone streets, the very famous old Jewish Quarter, where you will enjoy a private guided tour. You will wind through the narrow streets and stoned walls of the old Gothic Quarter and encounter the magnificent Girona Cathedral affording a great view of the area, little shops, cafes and medieval homes that families have passed down through the generations.
Lunch today will be at an exquisite 3-star Michelin restaurant owned by three local Catalan brothers - Celler de Can Roca. Local recipes are the inspiration for the exquisite dishes served here, from delectable parfaits to the most appreciated wild mushroom soufflé. The enthusiasm and creativity of Chef Joan in his cooking is only matched by sommelier Josep's expertise at pairing the perfect wines with your dinner. Both of them are also complemented by their third brother, Jordi's, delightful desserts. From the aperitif to the dessert, you will remember this dining experience for years to come!
The rest of your day is free and a great opportunity if you so wish to take a hike in the area of your hotel.
Private guided tour of Girona, Lunch Celler de Can Roca, Overnight in Emporda
Thanks to a breakfast fit for royalty at the castle, you will be ready for a morning exploring the picturesque fishermen´s village of Cadaques. A quiet bohemian resort near Spain's border with France, white-washed Cadaquès is a Mediterranean postcard come to life. A former fishing village now known as an artists' hotspot, Cadaquès was the home of Salvador Dalí and has hosted the likes of Pablo Picasso, Joan Miró and Man Ray. Its allure is obvious: pale jagged cliffs form the shoreline, sailboats and fishing boats dot the sea, gentle waves lap at pebbly beaches, and low white buildings huddle together in the knot of a town center. You will notice the artistic influence on this town as it is apparent in the lingering feel of the laidback and creative atmosphere.
You will visit the summer seaside home of Dali, complete with his works and arrangement of rooms, to have a glimpse into his life. Next, you will follow his footsteps as you dine on a delightful lunch in one of the charming local haunts of the artist. The fresh fish of this seaside village will be enjoyed in the same haunts as the locals. You will experience the atmosphere of this town in an authentic way as you try a few of the locals’ favorite dishes.
Cadaques, Guided tour of Dali House Museum, Lunch, Overnight in Emporda
This morning you will leave for a private guided visit to the medieval town of Besalú, former seat of the counts of the same name, which is a magnificent historic-artistic site.
This small village seduces you with a magnificent XI century bridge stretching over the Fluvia River. Inside is one of the most complete and best-preserved collections of Romanesque architecture in Catalonia. This makes it a beautiful town to stroll around, while popping into shops every now and then to taste sausages, cheeses, olive oils and their local specialty, ratafia. Here you will visit the old Jewish Quarter, including the only remaining Jewish bath house in Europe, the Mikwé and the local public gardens where villagers grow the herbs needed for their traditional homemade ratafia, which you will certainly have a chance to taste.
Then you will visit Empuries, home of the picturesque ruins of a once great Greek town in a very privileged location on the coast. The agreeable walkways take you by sand dunes, pine trees and small coved beaches. May we suggest lunch at one of our favorite spots in the area, with a seaview to die for and excellent food. Alternatively, you can enjoy an informal tapas meal at the lovely stone village of Sant Marti de Empuries.
Surely, after such a very busy day, you will enjoy returning to your hotel and relaxing by the pool, sipping a glass of sparkling cava and having a quiet dinner.
Private guided tour of Besalú & Empuries, Overnight in Emporda
Today after breakfast you will leave your castle hotel and your chauffeur will drive you south to Sitges, by the sea shore. At every turn, you are afforded picturesque views of the Mediterranean and the town abounds with colonial style houses fashioned for the local aristocracy of the 18th and 19th centuries. After your stroll, relax with a glass of Chardonnay as you take in the Mediterranean from a terrace view, prior to enjoying a delicious lunch with wines at the best restaurant in town.
Later you will transfer to a 5* Luxury Wine Spa hotel, where you will stay for the next two days of your tour. The hotel rests at the foot of the Montserrat Mountains and is a former villa residence dating back to the 16th century. It provides an exceptional combination of modern luxurious accommodation, splendid natural beauty from the surrounding vineyards, mountain views and pampering treatments for an unforgettable stay.
Dinner with wine tonight will be in one of the hotel's restaurants.
Sitges, Lunch, Dinner, Overnight in Penedes
You will start your day with an unforgettable guided visit to an exceptional Vineyard, owned by one family since 1790 and situated in the heart of the Penedés wine region. A bilingual in-house expert will take you on a private tour of the vineyards, which have been ecologically cultivated for more than 300 years. It is no wonder their wines have been officially certified as “ecological-organic” since 2004. You will be amazed at how the "intervention" of bees, sheep, and lunar phases can help create outstanding wines. The grapes in this vineyard are all hand picked to ensure harvest at the ideal time for each vine. Back at the cellar, the in-house oenologist will show you the entire wine making process and finally guide you through your complete tasting of an array of ecological and organic varieties of wines and cavas. Additionally, the vineyard owners make their own olive oil, and they will gladly explain to you the process and properties of this "liquid gold" and will invite you for a tasting, accompanied by local sausages, bread and cheese.
You will have lunch at a local restaurant that pairs all of their dishes with wines to further celebrate both the local food and wines of the region.
After trying the finest wines of the region, you have the afternoon free to relax with the activities of your choosing, at the hotel or in the surrounding area. We suggest a walk around the picturesque vineyards surrounding the expansive hotel property and taking advantage of the relaxing spa circuit overlooking the Montserrat mountains.
Dinner with wine tonight at the hotel restaurant.
Private guided tour of Penedes winery, Lunch, Dinner, Overnight in Penedes
After a very early final breakfast at your Wine Spa Hotel, you will be ready for the journey to Barcelona and your departure for another part of your Spanish tour, in Seville. Our Chauffeur will drive you to Barcelona Sants Station, where you will take a fast and comfortable high speed train to Seville. Your cross-country journey will take only 5 h 30 min. Alternatively, you may wish to fly to Seville. On arrival, you will take a taxi to your boutique 4* hotel in Seville. Situated in a delightful area, in the picturesque and authentic Barrio de Santa Cruz, the hotel is an attractive, converted manor house dating back to the 16th century.
You may wish to have a relaxed lunch, perhaps something typically Andalusian (much of the cuisine in Seville is influenced by the Moors), after your long journey prior to doing a little private sightseeing! We have several suggestions for a delightful dinner in the Barrio Santa Cruz.
AVE train to Seville, Overnight in Seville
Today, your Seville guide will be waiting for you and you will depart for a private sightseeing tour of Seville's Barrio Santacruz, which is the old Jewish quarter and it is a real joy to amble around its beautiful squares and narrow streets, which form a labyrinth, where it is easy to get lost! This is part of its charm, because when one is lost, one may discover a convent or a palace or an hotel. The air in the barrio is perfumed by jasmine flowers and the orange trees that one finds there. Many of the palaces have wrought iron gates that allow one to peep into their beautiful patios. The area abounds in small stores and artisan shops, as well as good art galleries.
In the evening, make yourself ready for a wonderful Gypsy Flamenco Show, Flamenco and its Origins, where the swirling skirts and tapping heels of the dancers will amaze and thrill.
Private guided tour of Barrio Santacruz, Flamenco Show, Overnight in Seville
This morning after a delicious breakfast in your hotel, you will commence a private guided tour of historic Seville, visiting the Seville Cathedral, La Giralda and the Reales Alcazares. The cathedral is the largest gothic edifice in the world and is an incredibly imposing building. The Giralda which is the cathedral tower was once the minaret of the mosque on whose site the cathedral was built. Climb to the top of the tower for wonderful views across the city.
The Reales Alcazares in Seville is a fortress/palace which dates originally from the 9th century. Many additions have been made to the building over the centuries but the Alcazar is most famous for the Mudejar architecture from the 14th century. Not to be missed are the beautiful gardens. The Reales Alcazares is the oldest royal palace in Europe and is the residence of the Spanish Royal Family when they stay in Seville. The afternoon is free, but we have plenty of suggestions for restaurants, areas for further sightseeing and walks.
Private guided tour of historical Seville, Overnight in Seville
This morning you will check out of your hotel and take a taxi ( or have a chauffeured transfer) to the railway station where you have reservations for seats on a high speed train for Madrid. On arrival in Madrid you will take a taxi ( or chauffeured transfer) to your 4* hotel which is situated in the centre in a beautiful 19th century building which was the first US Embassy and was restored as a charming hotel in 2001. It is protected by Patrimonio Nacional (National Heritage) due to its historical interest and the original staircase and lift have been preserved.
This afternoon, your local guide will take you on private guided tour of Madrid. You will visit El Prado Museum, but on the way you will pass by various historical sites and will learn about Madrid’s intriguing past. The Prado Museum is the biggest art gallery in the world. It has more than 7,600 paintings, but can exhibit only one part of its collection for lack of space. However a recent addition to the museum increased the space by 50%, so more paintings will be on display. Prado means meadow, and the museum got the name of Prado because there was an open meadow where the museum now sits.
Then, your gourmet tapas tour of Madrid starts - your guide will lead you to the best tapas places in town, starting at the Mercado de San Miguel, the hottest gastronomic spot in Madrid. Recently re-opened, it functions as a food market during the day, but in the evening its bars and restaurants make it the place to meet in old Madrid. Tonight be ready to stand in bars, drinking slowly but surely and sampling a variety of tapas and wines which, although originally from different Spanish regions, have found their place in the melting pot that is Madrid. By the end of the evening you will have discovered the key to wine and gastronomy (some of it is for the fearless only!) and heard many anecdotes of 17th century Madrid, along whose streets you will stroll.
AVE train to Madrid, Private guided tour of Madrid, Gourmet tapas route, Overnight in Madrid
This morning you are off to Toledo, a beautiful town just 30 min away by high speed train. On arrival, your private guide will lead you on a visit to the Cathedral, which is one of the most outstanding buildings in the city and is considered to be one of the high points of Gothic art. On its main facade the outstanding feature is the doorway, made up of three doors: Infierno (Hell), Perdón (Forgiveness) and Juicio (Judgement).
Following on your guide will show you the the famous Toledo synagogues; Santa Maria La Blanca and El Tránsito, where the remains of the Jewish community are well preserved. Continuing your tour you will visit the Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes. Your fantastic day in Toledo, which will by the way have a pause for lunch, will terminate with a visit to the church of Santo Tomé, famous for housing El Greco's famous picture entitled “El entierro del Conde Orgaz” (The burial of Count Orgaz).
On your return to Madrid, you will no doubt be delighted to put your feet up for a while, perhaps even have a quiet and relaxed dinner in your hotel. Alternatively, should you be bounding with energy, take a leisurely walk along the Plaça Mayor and taste a tapa and a dry sherry in any of the various tapas bars.
High Speed Train to Toledo, Private Guided tour of Toledo, Overnight in Madrid
Today you will surely appreciate time on your own to explore all that the bustling Spanish capital has to offer. As always, we are at your disposal with sugesstions. You may wish to take a walk in El Retiro Park which is located in the center of Madrid and is quite big, occupying a space of 12 hectares. One of the features of the park is the large artificial lake (El Estanque del Retiro) that is located by the monument to Alfonso XII. This park is gorgeous and is a very enjoyable place to visit and see beautiful gardens and enjoy nature.
Following onward you could make a visit to the Palacio Real in Madrid, which is also called the Palacio de Oriente. This palace is in the center of Madrid and is used by the king for ceremonial purposes. The king does not live here, but lives in the Palacio de la Zarzuela in the outskirts of the city. This evening, we have many suggestions for a relaxed dinner.
Free day in Madrid, Overnight in Madrid
This morning you will check out of your hotel and take a taxi to the railway station where you have reservations for seats on a high speed train for your return to Barcelona.
On arrival in Barcelona you will take a taxi ( or chauffeured transfer) from the station to your hotel. The rest of your afternoon and evening will be free to do a little extra sightseeing, shopping or purely to relax over a glass of wine prior to having a final farewell dinner, for which we have many suggestions.
AVE train to Barcelona, Overnight in Barcelona
Day 19 top
This morning your Chauffeur will take you to Barcelona Airport in time for your flight home.
We do hope you will join us for this very exciting tour of some of the very best and representative parts of Spain, which will surely be a truly memorable experience!
Transfer to Barcelona airport
Your Highlights of Spain Luxury Tour includes:top
- Accommodation for 5 nights in luxurious 4-star Spanish palace hotel in Barcelona Gothic quarter (double occupancy)
- Accommodation for 5 nights in authentic 13th century stone Castle converted into a luxury 4 star hotel (double occupancy)
- Accommodation for 2 nights in a luxury 5* Wine Spa Hotel (double occupancy)
- Accommodation for 3 nights in an historic 4* hotel in the centre of Seville (double occupancy)
- Accommodation for 3 nights in a 19th century 4* hotel in the centre of Madrid, (double occupancy)
- 18 full breakfasts
- Assistance of an experienced bilingual Official Licensed Guide, as indicated in the tour itinerary
- Transfers in a luxury vehicle, as indicated in the itinerary
- All the culinary, cultural visits and tastings indicated in the itinerary
- 2 private cooking classes followed by lavish meals, paired with local wines
- Luxury gastronomic menu lunch, paired with wines at one of the best Spanish restaurants, Michelin 3*
- Train tickets on a preferential basis (1st Class) from Barcelona to Seville, Seville to Madrid and Madrid to Barcelona; and on a standard basis from Madrid to Toledo and return.
- Online Personal Travel Webpage including daily itinerary, maps, general local information, restaurant reservations, details of places of interest, and suggestions for your free time, etc.
- Customized Travel Journal, which will include the information on your Personal Travel Website, that you can take with you to use as a reference throughout your tour
- 24/7 Back Office Assistance
Your Highlights of Spain Luxury Tour does not include:
- Flights
- Meals and Drinks not specified
- Personal Expenses such as Telephone, Minibar, etc.
- Tips and Gratuities (Restaurants, etc.)
- Basic Travel Insurance may be included in your quotation on request. We strongly recommend that you take out separate Cancellation Insurance
Highlights of Spain Luxury Tour dates:
Available upon request all year round.
Highlights of Spain Luxury Tour Prices:
Please note our tours are available for PRIVATE GROUPS ONLY and are not scheduled tours for mixed groups.
The tour price varies depending on the Travel Option you choose. Please click on the option which suits you best in order to request a quotation.
In order to find out more about Gourmand Breaks' Travel Options, please Click Here
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