Barcelona, Madrid, and Lisbon Vacation for the Seasoned Traveler

With the coming dawn, the whimsical wonders of Antoni Gaudi await to awe and inspire you. After meeting your private guide, who is an architect, you will be introduced to Gaudi’s most iconic landmarks.

Considered as national treasures throughout Spain, especially in Barcelona, the captivating Casa Battlo, Casa Mila, Casa Calvet, and perhaps the most famous of them all, the stunning La Sagrada Familia are sure to amaze. You will even make a stop at one of Gaudi’s very first creations, the Cascada Fountain at Barcelona’s famous Parc de la Ciutadella. The master architect will provide you with astounding details that allow you to enjoy these spectacles from an entirely unique perspective.

Following your architectural romp, you will head to perhaps the most playful and aesthetically pleasing of them all, Parc Guell. After meeting your private guide at the gates to this rainbow-tiled wonderland, you will be given a Polaroid camera. As you are led around sculptures and fairytale-like gardens riddled with magical mosaics, you will be free to snap your favorite shots. Once this unique sightseeing tour is complete, you will compile your photos together in a vintage-style keepsake album for a charming souvenir. Return to your luxury accommodations via private transfer to complete the day.

Escape the hustle and bustle of Barcelona to spend a full day in Spain’s captivating Costa Brava region. Departing in the morning, you will be led by your local expert guide on an epic journey of discovery.

Travel directly to the Costa Brava in your private vehicle, where you admire the most stunning stretch of coastline in all of Catalonia. Your guide will introduce you to spectacular sights, including your first stop at the picturesque Sant Sebastia Lighthouse, where you will most certainly want to capture all of the spectacular surrounding scenery with photographs.

The endlessly charming coastal village of Calella de Palafrugell awaits your exploration next. It will also serve as the departure point of a lovely little nature walk that you will take along the Cami de Ronda. Just before you leave, you will enjoy a lovely picnic lunch to fill you with energy for your exciting exploration ahead. Then, as you stroll along this idyllic footpath, you will hear the fascinating history of its origins, and how it was built along the coast to prevent smuggling. Even though the trek is leisurely and not difficult, you will have certainly earned the amazing dinner that awaits you at a seafront restaurant that serves authentic Spanish fare. After indulging in the freshest seafood, the finest wines, and signature cava, while rubbing elbows with the friendly residents, you will be returned to your luxury Barcelona accommodations, satisfied and inspired after a full day of exploration and adventure.

Awake in Barcelona and waste no time in embarking on your first exciting excursions of the day. Enjoy a private watercolor painting session afoot the gorgeous La Sagrada Familia. Antoni Gaudi’s unrivaled architectural masterpiece offers an artistic environment that will fuel your inspiration.

After meeting your master painter host, you will be supplied with all of the necessary materials and supplies, then set up with your canvas, and admire the grandeur of Gaudi’s genius. While you will be free to unleash your inner artist as you will, your host will be right there to offer helpful tips along the way, should you desire their aid. As with everything else in this luxury itinerary, it is all about your own desired personal experience. The best part is that at the end of your session, you have a handmade memento to document this delightful day.

Your afternoon will be spent on a fun outdoor activity as you explore Barcelona’s beautiful Montjuic Hill Park by e-bike. You will instantly fall in love with this natural enclave, consisting of many wonders to behold, including impressive observatories, stunning vistas, and the gorgeous Castle of Barcelona. After just a moment here, you will understand why both residents and travelers alike adore Montjuic Hill. It is a truly stunning natural jewel, hidden right in the middle of the bustling city. Directly after your e-bike tour, the fun continues as you are treated to a private salsa dance lesson. These activities are followed by an amazing dinner at a local cafe, where professional salsa dancers will display their expert dance moves to delight you as you dine.

Say goodbye to Barcelona and head to Madrid, as your next journey takes you deep into the mystical myths and legends of this lovely Spanish city. After checking in to your luxury accommodations in Madrid, you will meet your expert guide, who will sweep you away on the most entertaining and exciting sightseeing tour that you have ever experienced.

Madrid is steeped in an abundance of mysterious myths and legends and is mystically charming for both residents and visitors. However, your knowledgeable local guide will waste no time in informing you that not all of these scintillating tales are entirely true. Thus, as you follow your wildly entertaining guide, you will be engaged in a fully interactive tour where you can contemplate whether they are true or tall tales.

Along the way, you will wander through the heart of Madrid, perusing not only the iconic highlights of the city but also the secret enclaves that boast the wildest tales. Explore a tiny palace, several haunted buildings, hospitals, eery alleyways with strange yet meaningful monikers, and much more. That afternoon and evening will be spent in much more peaceful pursuits within the stunning Plaza Mayor, where you will be treated to a two-hour painting class with a local Spanish artist, complete with a glass of wine. To finish the magical day, indulge in a decadent al fresco dinner. Your private driver will then pick you up and return you to your Madrid accommodations.

Prepare to have your tastebuds dazzled, as your private gourmand guide takes you on a delicious, full-day Spanish tapas tour. You have never tasted tapas until you have feasted upon distinct Madrid tapas. With the added accouterment of the daily bustle of Spanish life passing by, each heavenly mouthful is pure poetry.

Along your full-day gourmet tour, you will explore several authentic tapas bars in the tucked-away Salamanca neighborhood. Your guide will most show you the local secrets for ordering to avoid falling into the tourist traps that try to entice unaware travelers with their run-of-the-mill fare. After just one bite, you will be a believer in your gourmet guru guide, determining to follow him anywhere for that next mouthful of Spanish magic.

As your tour continues, you will be taken to your guide’s favorite spots to indulge in Spain’s iconic Spanish Omelet (Tortilla de Patatas), as well as many other flavorful tapas. After indulging in the bite-sized Chistorra de Navarra and stopping by locally-owned patisseries, you will be fully satisfied from the fantastic food. In the evening, dancing into the night as you join an intimate evening of Flamenco, will be the welcomed remedy to indulgence. Then, when all the steps have been taken, and every last note has been masterfully played, your private guide will deliver you back to your accommodations.

Continue your adventure the next day as you will be swept away from Madrid and make your way to Portugal’s capital city. Once you are settled into your premier accommodation, you will meet your private guide for a day of non-stop excitement. Start with a scavenger hunt-themed sightseeing tour of Lisbon, where you will be tasked with solving intricate clues and riddles as you are introduced to the highlights of this enchanting Portuguese paradise.

This interactive experience is sure to entertain, excite, and even educate you on all of the fascinating things there are to know about Portugal’s most iconic city. This is a unique and wonderful way to discover the best delights of Lisbon, while also having a huge amount of fun in the process. Imagine solving a clue that will lead you to the beautiful facade of Belem Tower, where you will discover yet another riddle waiting to be solved. And, the cycle continues through Bairro Alto, the chic streets of Chiado, and much more.

After your sightseeing scavenger hunt adventure, you will have certainly worked up an appetite, making the evening’s luxury dinner cruise along the Tagus River the perfect ending to the day. While you glide down the gently flowing river, sip on fine wines and enjoy one of the most gourmet meals that you have ever been served. Once the luxury vessel has returned to the Lisbon docks, your private driver will be waiting to return you to your luxury accommodations for a good night’s rest.

The wild outdoors and Portugal’s natural beauty is calling. As you meet your expert guide in the morning at your luxury accommodations, you will be driven away to spend the last full day of your European getaway amid the pristine natural wonderland of Arrabida Nature Park. Not only will you be perusing one of the most picturesque places in all of Portugal, but you will be experiencing its unrivaled beauty from a state-of-the-art kayak.

You will be driven in a luxury vehicle to nearby Sesimbra, where you will then be outfitted with your very own sit-on-top kayak. When everything is arranged, you will launch out, alongside your guide, into some of the most brilliant blue waters you have ever seen. As you paddle along the captivating coastline of this natural wonderland, you will instantly fall in love with the stunning scenery that surrounds you. Midway into your journey, you will stop to partake in a light gourmet picnic on a tucked-away beach. Following lunch, you will enjoy a brief but refreshing snorkeling session before returning to your original departure point in your kayaks.

You will arrive back to your starting point just as the sun is about to set, and immediately upon your arrival on shore, you will have the red carpet treatment. Enjoy private shower facilities onsite, clean towels, a change of your own clothes that was previously arranged, and even a cozy blanket to wrap yourself in for the ride back to your luxury Lisbon accommodations. As with everything thus far, your needs have been anticipated, and then some. Finally, as you arrive back at your Lisbon accommodations, a delicious Portuguese feast will be awaiting, leaving you to spend your final night tucked in safe and sound, amid peace and luxury.

Awaken to mouthwatering goodbye brunch your last morning in Lisbon, and as you savor every morsel, you will also be savoring your final moments in this magical place. The past nine days will have surely flown by, filled with exciting excursions and the discovery of new and amazing European wonders.

As you finish your morning meal and your private driver arrives to deliver you to the airport, you will secretly be wishing that you could extend your trip to nine more days. However, it will fill your heart with warmth and joy to know that this trio of paradises is only a flight away, awaiting your imminent return to wander and roam even further afield.