Tour description

Bespoke Tour of Portugal, Spain & France

If you have always wanted to take a sun-drenched European road trip, this is the tour for you! This fantastic self-drive Portugal, Spain & France tour is a mix of cities and countryside, guided tours and food and wine. Starting in Europe’s western-most capital of Lisbon, you will visit picturesque places, try regional food and see what makes each country unique; ending your tour in Barcelona. On this independent itinerary we take you to Portugal: Lisbon, Sintra, Obidos, Pinhao and Porto, we take you to Spain: Santiago de Compostela, Burgos, Bilbao, San Sebastian, Girona and Barcelona and we take you to France: Bordeaux, Dordogne and Carcassonne. This Portugal, Spain & France Bespoke tour is created just for you; so that you can see and experience the places you have always wanted to visit!

DAY 1 LISBON

Bespoke Tour of Portugal, Spain & France

Your Bespoke Tour of Portugal, Spain & France begins today when our chauffeur will be waiting with a luxury vehicle, to transfer you to your hotel. Your 4* boutique hotel is a genuine Art Deco building in the heart of Lisbon which echoes the glamour of the 1940s. Classified as a historic building, this small and unique hotel is located on a quiet street alongside the cosmopolitan Avenida da Liberdade. You will most likely be tired after your journey hence a short siesta is suggested before you start to get acquainted with this fabulous city!

If San Francisco had a sister, it would be Lisbon. Both cities have twin bridges and famously foggy weather. Both are situated on the best natural harbors on the west coast of their respective continents. Both have bright yellow trams from the 1930´s rattling up and down steep hills past characteristic buildings. And both have survived horrific earthquakes. In 1755, an estimated 9.0 earthquake leveled two-thirds of Lisbon. Within a month, a new city was designed; and downtown Lisbon was rebuilt on a progressive grid plan, with broad boulevards and square squares. Today, Lisbon is a charming mix of old and new and still feels like Europe’s gateway to the world. In your Tour of Portugal, Spain & France Travel Journal you find an array of recommended restaurants. Start your tour of Portugal with a taste of some local Portuguese cuisine this evening!

Tour in a nutshell: Private chauffeured transfer from Lisbon airport. Overnight in a genuine Art Deco 4* boutique hotel in the heart of Lisbon.

DAY 2 LISBON

Bespoke Tour of Portugal, Spain & France

Your Officially Licensed guide will be waiting at your hotel, to take you on a private gourmet and historical tour of Lisbon. You will start with Moorish St George’s Castle, from where you will have impressive views over the sea and city below. Leading down from the castle to the river, you will traverse the Alfama, the old sailors’ quarter. Its tangled street plan is one of the few parts of Lisbon to survive the big quake, making the Alfama a cobbled playground of Old World color. Urban-jungle roads are squeezed into a maze of confusing alleys, designed to frustrate invaders trying to get up to the castle. Gnarled houses snuggle together in their romantic shabbiness; the air drips with laundry and the smell of clams and raw fish. Onward now to the Baixa and Chiado districts where there are many well-known cafes to enjoy a coffee stop and a typical Portuguese cake. You will be visiting a specialized gourmet delicatessen stocked with authentic local delights such as the typical Bacalhau (dried, salted cod), exclusive wines, traditional sweets, chorizo sausages and much more. Your Lisbon tour guide will provide you with many personalized suggestions for the rest of your day, but you will surely appreciate a relax at your Lisbon hotel first.

Your private tour guide will arrange a taxi back to your hotel for you, but not before providing you with many personalized suggestions for the rest of your time in Lisbon! For extra suggestions, your Tour of Portugal, Spain & France Travel Journal will provide further information.

Tour in a nutshell: Private guided gourmet and historic tour of Lisbon. Gourmet delicatessen lunch with wine. Overnight Lisbon.

DAY 3 SINTRA & CASCAIS

Bespoke Tour of Portugal, Spain & France

The independent aspect of your Portugal, Spain & France Tour begins today, when with your own rental car you head out to explore the beautiful Sintra and Cascais. Elegant  Cascais is a gentrified former fishing-town, where you will be able to stroll the cobblestone sidewalks, admire the traditional tile-work on the buildings and maybe indulge in some shopping at the designer boutiques. We suggest a visit to the Museu Condes de Castro Guimarães, a pretty little museum, which is housed in a historic villa with gardens, featuring an array of tapestries, paintings, furniture and other objets d’art. Stop for lunch where it takes your fancy – there are various restaurants and small locales to choose from and we will provide you with recommendations in your Personal Travel Website. You may then like to drive up the coast (approx. 30 minutes) to The Roca Cape – the most western point of Europe: “where the earth ends and the sea begins” in the words of the great poet Luis de Camoes.

You will then head inland for Sintra, a gorgeous little mountain city, home to the one and only Palacio da Pena, the greatest expression of 19th-century romanticism in Portugal. The Pena Palace is the most extraordinary palace in Portugal, built in the 1840’s for Queen Maria II by her husband and rivaling the castles of Ludwig of Bavaria. This afternoon you are booked for a private tour of the Pena Palace. Your private guide will take you for your private guided visit of the impressive architecture, exteriors and gardens and then you will have free time to visit the interior and stroll in the forest and luxuriant gardens with over five hundred different species of trees originating from the four corners of the earth.

Tour in a nutshell: Private guided visit to Palacio da Pena. Overnight Lisbon.

DAY 4 OBIDOS

Bespoke Tour of Portugal, Spain & France

Your self-drive tour leads you north to the Douro Valley. On the way we suggest making a short detour (about 5 minutes off the highway) to visit one of the hidden gems of the Portuguese countryside: the medieval town of Obidos. This completely walled town presents itself with pride and white washed houses that the Moorish occupation left behind in a maze of narrow cobbled streets on the way up to the castle. Here you can enjoy a stroll while you explore the charming town before having a coffee break or, depending on the time, having lunch. In Obidos it will be hard to choose either to pop into the little ceramic shops along the way or enjoy the pleasures of the famous local Cherry Liquor known as Ginjinha.

Onward now to the Douro Valley, considered one the most spectacular wine regions of the world with its characteristic terraced vineyards meeting the meandering river below. You will check into your hotel, a charming 5-star property dating back to the XVIII century when it was once an old Port winery, with a privileged location in the heart of the Douro valley and overlooking the Douro River. Later, you may wish to explore Pinhao. This afternoon, you may like to enjoy a guided visit to a great Douro Valley winery that is just a short stroll from your hotel. We will be delighted to include a visit and a tasting of their wines in your itinerary if you so wish. Or you may like to take a cruise on the Douro River, there are various Rabelo (old style boats) trips that depart from the dock close to your hotel. You may wish to eat at your hotel tonight, but there are also many local good quality restaurants we can suggest.

Tour in a nutshell: Drive to the Douro Valley via Obidos. Optional afternoon Douro Valley Winery visit with wine tasting. Overnight in a charming 5* hotel in the Douro Valley.

DAY 5 DOURO VALLEY

Bespoke Tour of Portugal, Spain & France

Get ready to experience the love of nature as you drive out for a day into the picturesque Douro Valley wine region. First off you will be making a wonderful visit to a very special and world famous winery. Sitting in a privileged location in the Douro demarcated region, this Quinta is famous for its sophisticated wines as well as for the dramatic views. This single vineyard property dates as far back as the early seventeenth century, long before the Douro became the world’s first demarcated wine region in 1756. You will have a full private visit of the winery, including the vineyards (with mind blowing views of the River Douro) and cellars, followed by a tasting of their incredible wines and ports. Then enjoy a romantic winery lunch, perfectly accompanied by their top wines from the aperitif through to dessert.

After lunch your Bespoke Tour of Portugal, Spain & France will take you to another great Quinta, where you will enjoy a private visit to an exceptional winery. This family run winery has a small production (for Douro standards), but offers great wines and even better views. A relatively young winery, with its first harvest taking place in 2007, the estate now occupies 30 hectares of land, 14 of which are vineyards. Both sophisticated techniques and traditional methods are used, and despite the small number of years that the Quinta has been active; this young estate has now established itself as a quality winemaker! Red, white and rose wines are produced with love and precision, where after a complete private tour, you will enjoy another excellent Douro Valley wine tasting.

Tour in a nutshell: Private guided visits to two prestigious wineries with tastings of their finest wines and lunch at one. Overnight Douro Valley.

DAY 6 PORTO

Bespoke Tour of Portugal, Spain & France

The beautiful city of Porto is your next destination. Your luxury 5* wine hotel and spa, in Vila Nova de Gaia is in the midst of the famous Port Wine Lodges. Port houses have aged their wines in Vila Nova de Gaia for over three centuries and today over fifty wine companies are based in its narrow, twisting streets. Here, the ageing and blending of most of the world’s supply of Port wine takes place beneath a sea of red roofs emblazoned with some of the most famous names in wine-making. Many of the oldest Port firms were founded by British merchant families and are owned by their successors to this day. You can now leave your Portuguese rental car behind as a representative of the rental car company will collect it from your hotel.

At midday you are booked for a visit to a prestigious wine lodge, one of the oldest of the founding Port houses, established over three centuries ago in 1692! For many, it is the archetypal Port house and its wines the quintessential Ports. It is dedicated entirely to the production of Port wine and in particular to its finest styles. The history of the firm is in many ways the history of the Port trade itself. Since its foundation the company has remained independent. Now well into its fourth century, it has thrived and prospered, establishing itself as one of the world’s most respected historic wine houses. Your tour will conclude with a delightful private tasting of some of their best ports. We have many suggestions in your Portugal, Spain & France Tour Travel Journal for a perfect late afternoon foray into the historical center of Porto for a bit of local culture and a fantastic dinner!

Tour in a nutshell: Drive to Porto. Prestigious Port wine lodge visit with top range port tasting. Overnight in a luxury 5* spa hotel in Porto.

DAY 7 SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA

Bespoke Tour of Portugal, Spain & France

Finally to Spain, the next country of your wonderful European Tour! Our chauffeur will be awaiting you to transfer you to Santiago de Compostela, stopping in Guimaraes en route with time for a walk around. Guiamaraes is called the birthplace of Portugal, as Afonso Henriques who went on to be the first king of Portugal, was born here in 1110. It has beautifully preserved its illustrious past which you will find evident in the graceful iron verandas, granite balconies and porticos, mansions, arches, time-smoothed paving slabs, towers and cloisters. Its medieval center is a labyrinthine of lanes and picturesque plazas framed by 14th-century buildings.

Your chauffeur will drop you off at your grand luxury 5* hotel, set in a beautiful 15th-century building, a former pilgrims’ hospital and an emblem of Santiago. It is located in the Old Town, on Obradoiro Square, near the cathedral, creating an area of spectacular beauty in one of the most visited provincial capitals in the world. Santiago de Compostela is known as the end of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route and is the alleged burial site of the apostle St. James, whose remains lie inside the cathedral. It became a symbol of the Spanish Christians’ struggle against Islam, being destroyed by the Muslims at the end of the 10th century; it was subsequently completely rebuilt in the following century. This town is a very well preserved historical city and a place deeply instilled with faith.

Please note: If you would like to experience Saint James’ Way, our chauffeur will take you to the most beautiful strip of the Padron/Escravitude/Santiago route, a trail of around 20km. You could then arrive in Santiago de Compostela in style, walking as an authentic Pilgrim!

Tour in a nutshell: Chauffeured transfer to Santiago de Compostela via Guimaraes. Overnight in a luxury 5* hotel in Santiago de Compostela.

DAY 8 SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA

Bespoke Tour of Portugal, Spain & France

A wonderful guided walking tour of Santiago de Compostela is on the cards today, when our officially licensed guide meets you at your hotel. First you will visit the Cathedral, the most outstanding example of Romanesque architecture in Spain. The crypt of Saint James the apostle lies directly beneath the Baroque style main altar of the Cathedral. And in the Cathedral’s Museum you will see all the historic and artistic treasures, from the earliest basilicas. You will then meander through the intricate alleys and narrow streets of the old city center and be able to admire some of its most ancient stores and buildings. Santiago’s old quarter has the UNESCO World Heritage designation and you will see why as you look at the palaces, churches, alleyways and squares in the historic center.

You will also make a visit to the traditional market where many of its traders are the producers, harvesters, butchers and fishmongers selling their very own fresh vegetables, fruit, local cheeses, catches of the day etc. En-route you will be introduced to the famous Galician gastronomy – the Galician Rias offer a wide variety of fish (mostly eaten boiled or grilled) and seafood, so you will surely delight in tasting the typical dishes such as Fair-style octopus, seafood, fried peppers from Padron and the famous empanadas or meat pies, accompanied by a glass of Albarino wine. Our private guide will leave you with many personalized suggestions for some more sightseeing for the rest of your day. For example, a walk in the beautiful open space that is Alameda Park dating back to the 19th century offers a privileged and stunning view of ancient Santiago!

Tour in a nutshell: Private guided morning tour of historical Santiago de Compostela with food & wine tastings. Overnight in Santiago de Compostela.

DAY 9 BURGOS

Bespoke Tour of Portugal, Spain & France

This morning, with your Spanish rental vehicle, you can leave Santiago de Compostela behind as you undertake the journey to Burgos, an historical Castilian town, and the capital of the province. Your excellent 4* hotel is located in the heart of Burgos, beside the River Arlanzon and a few minutes walk from Burgos Cathedral. The building itself, a magnificent Gothic creation built in the 16th and 17th centuries, is as impressive as the setting. The three main entrances of the Cathedral are flanked by ornamented bell towers and beneath these majestic spires lays the tomb of Burgos’ favourite and most roguish son, El Cid – the 11th-century mercenary.

Enjoying a stroll in the old town, in purely Castilian style, is well worth it to get the feel of the Castilian way of life marked by its intact medieval architecture. Burgos is also a place known for both excellent home-style cuisine and Michelin starred restaurants. Like most cities in Spain, the local cuisine is enriched by a great variety of locally grown products, like pulses, cured sausages and game meat. For dessert, try the delicious “yemas” (a sweet made with egg yolks and sugar), fresh cheese with honey and walnuts, or caramel almonds. All this should be had with some of the famous wines that hold the label Designation of Origin – Ribera del Duero; the closest Spanish wine region to the city. As always, we will provide you with a fount of ideas for how to spend your afternoon in your Portugal, Spain & France Tour Travel Website.

Tour in a nutshell: Overnight in a 4* palace hotel in Burgos.

DAY 10 BILBAO

Bespoke Tour of Portugal, Spain & France

Today you will be heading north as you drive to Bilbao, known for its famous Guggenheim Museum, designed by Canadian-American architect Frank Gehry. This museum, of modern and contemporary art, features permanent and visiting exhibits of works by Spanish and international artists. The curves on the building were designed to appear random and the architect has been quoted as saying that “the randomness of the curves are designed to catch the light”. If you want to spend some more time in the city after the museum, another option would be to enjoy some typical local tapas along our cherished tapas route which we will provide. In the Old Quarter you can relive Medieval Bilbao, with its cobbled streets, charming corners and squares, which have witnessed the port’s hustle and bustle that made the Village grow. Its walls, Saint James’s Gothic Cathedral, the Plaza Nueva, the emblematic San Anton Church and the ancient ruins it was built on, and the busy Mercado de la Ribera (Seaside Market) account for more than 500 years of history and an urban life not affected by the passing of time.

Onwards to San Sebastian – just over an hours drive away, where you will check-in to your elegant 4* hotel, with a beach front location. San Sebastian will immediately draw you in due to its beauty alone, and is probably best known for the still, brilliantly sparkling waters of La Concha Bay surrounded by luscious green hills. Maybe take a moonlit stroll along the promenade of the lovely La Concha Bay to fully appreciate the beauty of your new surroundings. You make like to Michelin dine this evening at one the famed Michelin 3* restaurants for which we would be delighted to assist with prior booking.

Tour in a nutshell: Drive to San Sebastian via Bilbao. Bilbao Guggenheim Museum entrance. Overnight in San Sebastian.

DAY 11 SAN SEBASTIAN

Bespoke Tour of Portugal, Spain & France

This morning our Officially Licensed tour guide will await you and together you will experience a private gourmet & cultural tour of San Sebastian, renowned as the best city to eat in Spain (if not the world!) Your guide will show you around all the most interesting parts of the city where you will be privileged not only to go to the best bars, but to sample the specialities of each place, accompanied by the best Txakoli wine. Although tapas were invented in Andalucia they became perfected in San Sebastian and here are known as Pinchos (written as Pintxos in the Basque language). Each bar is bursting with so many different and creative pinchos – local tradition dictates that you enjoy one or two pinchos at one bar, before moving on to the next!

In the afternoon, you might wish to further explore San Sebastian on your own. The Old Town of San Sebastian is bordered by three natural elements: Urgull Mountain (Monte), the Urumea River and Concha Bay, all great for taking a walk. The town itself is surrounded by three mountains whose beauty has been protected for centuries and are ideal for hiking, to appreciate the views. At the top of Monte Urgull you will also see the remains of the walls and canons from the city’s military past and, guarding the city, stands the Sacred Heart statue (Cristo de la Mota). It’s no Rio de Janeiro but this giant statue of Christ measures over 12 meters! On the other side of San Sebastian there is Mount Igueldo where the best way to get to the top is by using the funicular railway which has been operating since 1912 and is the oldest in the Basque Country.

Tour in a nutshell: Private guided tour of San Sebastian with tapas hopping lunch. Overnight in San Sebastian.

DAY 12 BORDEAUX

Bespoke Tour of Portugal, Spain & France

From Spain into France goes your food, wine and cultural tour today! In the morning you will leave for the legendary Bordeaux wine region of France, home of the most sought-after and expensive wines in the world. Bordeaux has 57 appellations, with about 7,000 wine-producing chateaux and 13,000 wine growers! Bordeaux’s reputation as a great wine region rests on its most superb reds, legendary and long-lived wines made by historic wine estates (chateaux), which can improve for several decades. About 75 to 80 percent of Bordeaux’s wines are red, with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, which give vigor, tannin and excellent cellaring qualities, and Merlot which brings a softness and suppleness. White wines are produced mostly from Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon and sometimes, Muscatel.

You will undertake a wine tour at a leading winery which is one of the oldest chateaux in Bordeaux. The vineyards of the winery cover 80 acres, producing marvelously concentrated, elegant reds with a purity of style- full bodied, well-structured and smooth, with flavours of smoky ripe plum, tobacco, earthy coffee and chocolate. The whites are full bodied with undertones of honey, apricots and melons with a refreshing vibrancy. At the end of your private VIP tour you will enjoy a very special tasting with the winery sommelier who will introduce you to some of their great wines. You will then check-in to your chateau hotel nestled in rural landscape amongst vineyards and horses. It is a relaxing haven of peace in a gorgeous setting. We will, of course, provide you with our restaurant recommendations in your Bespoke Tour of Portugal, Spain & France Personal Travel Journal.

Tour in a nutshell: Private guided tour of a prestigious Bordeaux winery. Overnight in a chateau hotel in the Bordeaux wine region of France.

DAY 13 DORDOGNE

Bespoke Tour of Portugal, Spain & France

Say ‘au revoir’ to Bordeaux today, though if you would like to extend your tour itinerary to visit more wineries in this famous French wine region we can happily include more nights for you. Your next stop is the picturesque French region of the Dordogne valley. On the way you may like to stop in Bergerac, located on the northern bank of the Dordogne river and one of the largest towns of the region. The old town or ‘vieille ville’ is a delight to stroll around with old half-timbered houses, narrow alleys and lovely squares. Some of the surrounding towns of interest are Sarlat and Rocamadour. Sarlat boasts some of the region’s best-preserved medieval architecture is a picturesque tangle of alleyways, virtually unchanged since the middle ages, lined with honey-colored buildings and embracing secret squares. The old town dates from both medieval and renaissance times. Rocamadour lies on the eastern edge of the Dordogne, a town with a beautiful and dramatic setting as it climbs up a cliff side. This small village is an important pilgrimage destination, and has been for a 1000 years as it was built on the site of a shrine to a Madonna, which became famous for its healing powers.

The Dordogne region of France has literally hundreds of caves, several open to visit. Early Homo Sapiens lived about 40,000 years ago, and skeletal remains of Cro-Magnon man were first found here in 1868. Today a number of excavated caves and grottoes are open for public viewing. In and around the town of Les Eyzies de Tayac there are a series of prehistoric rock dwellings, with caves including some of the most significant archaeological finds of the Upper Paleolithic (from about 40,000 to 10,000 years ago) and Middle Paleolithic (200,000 to 40,000 years ago) periods.

Tour in a nutshell: Drive to the Dordogne region of France. Overnight in a delightful 4* hotel in the Dordogne.

DAY 14 DORDOGNE

Bespoke Tour of Portugal, Spain & France

Discover more of Dordogne today, to discover this historic and beautiful area of France. You may like to head underground and visit some more caves. The most important caves in France are here, located near the village of Montignac, called the Lascaux caves – just over an hour away. The original cave has been closed to the public for more than 50 years and is now under close surveillance in order to preserve it. However, a replica cave has been built nearby, Lascaux II, and is open to visit. In its two galleries the same paintings, same techniques and same pigments have been meticulously reproduced to enable everybody to discover the prehistoric masterpieces.

Dordogne also has a wealth of castles, some perched upon breathtaking cliff tops,others with visitable gardens and interesting museums. The impressive medieval fortress of Chateau de Beynac is perched above the Dordogne river and carved out of the rock of the cliff! Other impressive castles to visit are the beautifully-preserved gothic castle of Chateau de Milandes (the home of the famous dancer and humanitarian Josephine Baker) as well as Château de Castelnaud; owned by the same family for several generations and today the home of the Museum of Mediaeval Warfare. There are also some wonderful gardens with stunning views in the area, we will provide you all the detailed information in your Tour of Portugal, Spain & France Travel Journal. You may prefer to breathe in the fresh country air today with a hike or cycle. Your hotel is in the triangle between Perigueux, Bergerac and Sarlat, and there are many walking and cycling routes for you to take in the stunning French scenery, and work up an appetite to enjoy some French cuisine!

Tour in a nutshell: Free day in the Dordogne. Overnight Dordogne.

DAY 15 CARCASSONNE

Bespoke Tour of Portugal, Spain & France

Today you will be driving from Dordogne to Carcassonne, an approximate four hour drive, through the ancient Occitane region of France. Carcassonne is a perfectly restored, medieval walled fortress town which sits majestically above the River Aude and Canal du Midi. Carcassonne is an excellent example of a medieval fortified town whose massive defenses were constructed on walls dating from Late Antiquity. You will check into your lovely 4* hotel, overlooking Carcassonne with its castle and drawbridge, nestled in greenery, offering you a haven of tranquility where you can recharge your batteries after your journey.

This afternoon you will meet with your officially licensed private guide, who will then take you on a private walking tour of Carcassonne. You will stroll down medieval streets and explore the superb castle, city ramparts and romantic buildings. The walled city of Carcassonne has been occupied since the 6th-Century BC, first as a Gallic settlement and later as a fortified Roman city. The Visigoths seized the city in the 5th-Century, and were followed by the Saracens, who remained in control for just 30 years before the Franks expelled them. After exploring with your guide, why not stroll along the cobblestone streets, browse through the artisan shops and enjoy a cafe au lait at one of the many cafes. For dinner, we have various fantastic French restaurant suggestions in and around the area to be found in your Tour of Portugal, Spain & France Travel Journal.

Tour in a nutshell: Drive to Carcassonne. Private guided tour of historic Carcassonne. Overnight at a charming 4* boutique hotel in Carcassonne.

DAY 16 GIRONA

Bespoke Tour of Portugal, Spain & France

Back into Spain today, where en route to your destination of Barcelona, we highly recommend stopping off on the way to visit Girona, whose old town is a medieval wonder. You may like to make Girona your next stay rather than just a day visit and we will be delighted to include extra nights to your tour itinerary for you. Girona is a little city with a big heart that has enchanting stretches of cobblestone streets. Over 1000 years of history make up the charming old part of Girona, located around the single nave Cathedral, the Jewish quarter, Sant Feliu church and Sant Pere de Galligants monastery. As you wander through the enchanting old town of Girona you will step back in time as you wind through the narrow streets and stoned walls of the old Gothic Quarter and encounter little shops, cafes and medieval homes that families have passed down through the generations. We have many restaurant recommendations in your Tour of Portugal, Spain & France Travel Journal, for where to have lunch in Girona.

On arrival in Barcelona you will be able to drop off your rental car at the local office before taking a taxi to your 4* boutique hotel, ideally located in the Barcelona Gothic Quarter, nearby to all major sights, but at the same time on the seafront. The rooftop terrace bar and pool provide an astonishing view of the city as well as the port, and your lovely room looks out onto the harbor. Formerly, your hotel was the residence of a wealthy Duke in the city and is deep-seated in history. We have several dinner recommendations for fine restaurants, as well as informal tapas places nearby to your hotel, in the Gothic and Born districts, as well as in the relaxing old port area.

Tour in a nutshell: Drive to Barcelona. Overnight in an excellent 4* boutique hotel in Barcelona.

DAY 17 BARCELONA

Bespoke Tour of Portugal, Spain & France

Today you enjoy a private guided walking tour of Barcelona, in the company of our Officially Licensed Guide. Enjoy a private guided visit of La Sagrada Familia, Gaudi’s Cathedral on a grand scale. You will then continue with a guided visit to La Boqueria, Spain’s largest marketplace. Our expert culinary guide will lead you around the best booths and you will taste some of the most delicious local seasonal produce at a famous La Boqueria bar, frequented by celebrities. Continuing your private walking tour through the Gothic quarter of Barcelona, you will see a few architectural feats and of course, enjoy a wander through Las Ramblas, the colorful must-see pedestrian area. Our guide is a real specialist in local history and will amuse you with fascinating local stories! Now, you will taste some of the best artisan Spanish cheeses at a charming cheese shop. The knowledgeable owner will divulge the secrets of her cheese while you taste some of the delicious specialties paired with excellent Priorat wine. For something sweet, your tour will stop at the oldest venue in Barcelona for dried nuts, fruits and chocolates. This quaint store has existed for over 150 years and is still decorated with its original wood oven.

Your private walking tour will finish with a light lunch of exquisite Spanish produce, from the best delicatessen in the city. Here you will taste fine cold cuts, delectable local preserves of tuna and sardines and a selection of the best olive oils, etc. In addition, there are sommeliers on hand to guide you through more than 6,000 wines! Your guide will then leave you settled safely at this amazing delicatessen, enjoying your delicious meal.

Tour in a nutshell: Private guided tour of La Sagrada Familia and the Gothic Quarter and Born Areas of Barcelona with gourmet food and wine tastings. Overnight Barcelona.

DAY 18 DEPARTURE

Bespoke Tour of Portugal, Spain & France

Your tour concludes with a lovely breakfast at your hotel, followed by a chauffeured transfer to Barcelona airport for your onward journey home.

We very much hope you will join us for this unforgettable Bespoke Tour of Portugal, Spain & France. It is sure to be a wonderful wine, food and cultural adventure!

Tour in a nutshell: Chauffeured transfer to Barcelona airport.

Tour quotation

Bespoke Tour of Portugal, Spain & France Quote Request

We are excited that you are considering joining us on one of our fabulous custom-built tours of Spain, Portugal, SW France and/or Italy! Please fill in the form below and we will happily provide you with a non-committal initial quote for the sample tour itinerary chosen.

In case you would prefer us to build a personal tour proposal for you from scratch, please e-mail us at [email protected] and we will be delighted to start working with you on your personal and very special travel itinerary with us.

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Bespoke Tour of Portugal, Spain & France

Tour in a Nutshell

Portugal: Lisbon, Sintra, Douro valley wine region & Porto

Spain: Santiago de Compostela, Burgos, Bilbao & Barcelona

France: wine region of Bordeaux & adorable villages of Dordogne

Private guides, monument visits and food, wine & culture

18 days/17 nights, boutique 4* and 5* hand selected hotels

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