History has always been a fascination of humankind as we can learn so much from those that have come and gone before us. Apart from life lessons, history also opens a remarkable window into the culture of the past. From the origins of local food to the style of homes in which inhabitants lived, so much information can be gleaned from stepping into a place’s past and perusing its treasure trove of secrets. This historically based 9-day journey whisks you away to the European gems of Barcelona,...
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Barcelona – Historical Tour with Tapas
When your flight lands in Barcelona and you clear customs, your private driver will meet and escort you to your luxurious accommodations in the city. After you settle in, your private guide will lead you on a historical tour of the city’s highlights with your expert guide. This in-depth exploration will lead you to the city’s most famous locales, including the Passeig de Gracia, La Peddler, and a few of Antoni Gaudi’s architectural wonders. Your final stop will be Old Town Barcelona, where you can stroll through the captivating streets of the Gothic Quarter. Your tour will include several stops at local vendors that sell authentic Spanish tapas.
What's Included:
Day 2
Barcelona – Three Medieval Villages
Day 3
Barcelona – Witness Montserrat Monastery
Day 4
Barcelona – Girona and Figueres
Day 5
Madrid – Attend a Flamenco Show
Day 6
Madrid – Cultural Food Tour
Day 7
Lisbon – Historical Tour of Lisbon
Day 8
Lisbon – Sintra’s Fairytale Locale
Day 9
Lisbon - Departure
Trip Highlights
- Witness the most iconic sites of Madrid before being treated to an incredible Flamenco performance
- Stroll the lovely streets of Lisbon as you step back in time and hear about its fascinating history from a local and knowledgeable guide
- Immerse yourself in a trio of medieval villages on a trip of discovery
- Ascend to the summit of Montserrat Monastery to see where monks used to live and worship among spectacular Spanish landscapes
- Be swept off of your feet by the whimsy and wonder of Sintra as you wander among its charming town and palaces
- Indulge in the most delicious tapas as you are provided with a taste of Spanish history and culture in Madrid
- Witness the Girona and visit Figueres, which is the birthplace of Salvador Dali, on a full-day tour from Barcelona
Detailed Description
When it comes to scenic beauty and options for entertainment and activities, the famed European cities of Barcelona, Madrid, and Lisbon are all at the top of the list for most travelers. Oddly enough, very few travelers realize what a wealth of historical treasures each of these cosmopolitan enclaves possesses.
This incredible 9-day journey will take you back in time and introduce you to the historical wonders of these spectacular cities. This incredible journey features the most elite and exclusive activities, including ascending to the heights of Montserrat Monastery for a trip to discovering the medieval allure of three Spanish cities on a private tour from Barcelona. You will also be amazed and inspired as you write the next exciting chapter in your own history book.
Your hand-crafted getaway will begin in Barcelona, where you will spend your first evening being led on a private historical tour of the city. As you stroll through its most iconic sites, you will also be able to sample local tapas as no proper tour of Barcelona would be complete without these delicious treats. Your first full day in Europe will have you leaving Barcelona behind to discover the three medieval villages of Besalu, Rupit, and Tavertet with your private guide. The following morning will have you embarking on a journey to the Montserrat Monastery, which is perched on the Spanish mountains just outside of Barcelona. There, you will spend the day being awed and inspired as your private guide regales you with the history of the monastery.
A pair of equally intriguing locales will beckon to you on day four, which is when you will venture to the Spanish havens of Girona and Figueres. On day five, you will depart Barcelona and make your way to Madrid, where you will waste no time in jumping into your first exciting event: a private historical tour of the city’s iconic sites. Following your comprehensive and enlightening tour, you will be treated to a spectacular flamenco performance, which will provide you with a glimpse of Spanish culture that you will surely never forget.
On the morning of day six, you will embark on a unique historical tour that will be focused on the origins and ramifications of the Spanish Inquisition. Following your informative and intriguing tour, you will spend the rest of the day indulging in a tapas-centered food and cultural tour. Day seven will have you transferring to Lisbon. Here, you will spend your first afternoon and evening on a historical walking tour of the city’s streets before indulging in an al fresco feast. Your final experience in Portugal will lead you to the impressive fairytale world of Sintra, where history is joyfully intertwined with rainbow-colored castles, charming streets, and much more.
During your journey, you will stay in luxurious accommodations and have every detail handled for you, including all private transfers to and from every destination. Nearly everything about his itinerary is customizable, so you can adjust nearly anything and everything to better suit your moods and desires once you are in Europe.
Starting Price
$3,600 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
The starting price is based on travel during the low season for a minimum of two travelers staying in shared 3-star accommodations. Please inquire for a custom trip quote based on your travel preferences and travel dates.
Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service
4.91 stars based on 3411 reviews.
We had a great eight-day trip to Madrid, planned by Zicasso's tour partners. They worked with me every step of the way to update the itinerary multiple times throughout the planning process and also helped provide great attraction, eatery, and transport recommendations.
When we arrived in Spain, we felt we were in good hands the entire time. Every driver and tour guide was on time, responsive, friendly, and knowledgeable! The agency even surprised us with a few gifts throughout our trip to help us celebrate our seven-year anniversary! I would definitely use them again!
Reviewed By Janice T.
We recently used Zicasso's travel specialist to help plan and coordinate our trip to Paris and Lisbon, and the experience was absolutely outstanding from start to finish. Every detail of our itinerary was thoughtfully arranged and the entire trip ran smoothly, thanks to their meticulous planning.
In both cities, the accommodations they selected were perfect—centrally located, charming, and comfortable, with excellent service. We truly felt like we were staying in places that matched our style and needs. The staff at both hotels were very accommodating and helpful.
The excursions and tours arranged by the agency were equally impressive. Each guide was knowledgeable, engaging, and added so much depth to our experience. Whether it was exploring hidden gems in Paris or enjoying the culture and history of Lisbon, the tours were well-paced, enriching, and never felt rushed or overly touristy.
We especially appreciated how flexible and responsive the team was throughout the process. They took the time to understand what we were looking for and customized everything to fit our preferences. It made a huge difference knowing we were in such capable hands. We can’t recommend this agency highly enough. Their professionalism, attention to detail, and personal touch turned our trip into an unforgettable experience. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the wonderful individuals who made our journey so memorable. Each of them played a unique role in crafting an experience that exceeded our expectations.
Our travel agent, who thoughtfully customized our itinerary with care and creativity. Her ability to listen and tailor the trip to our interests laid the perfect foundation for everything that followed.
Our trip planner, for her warm, personal touches that welcomed us at each hotel and for being readily available throughout our travels. Her kindness, attention to detail, and support made us feel truly cared for every step of the way.
Our culinary tour guide, who led us on a delightful tasting tour. Her friendly energy, deep knowledge, and passion for the local cuisine added a rich and flavorful layer to our time abroad.
Our winery expert, whose expertise and engaging personality made our champagne tastings unforgettable. His insights and enthusiasm helped us appreciate each sip in an entirely new way.
Our history guide, for sharing his deep knowledge of history with such warmth and compassion. His thoughtful storytelling and genuine care made our time together educational and incredibly meaningful.
Reviewed By Michelle S.
Our trip to Spain was fantastic! Zicasso and their travel planner did an amazing job selecting well-appointed hotels in great locations, providing transfers, curating experiences and tours, and providing local tour guides who knew about Spain!
Reviewed By Kimberly T.
We had an amazing trip to Portugal. The Zicasso travel agent's planning allowed us to enjoy a wonderful and stress-free holiday. She and her team even picked us up from and dropped us off at the airport.
We enjoyed all of the activities she planned. The tour guides were extremely knowledgeable.
Her restaurant recommendations were great too! Our drivers were friendly and helpful.
Reviewed By Hope M.
Memorable Mother-Daughter Trip!
We had a wonderful mother-daughter trip to Spain and Portugal! I traveled with my 16-year-old daughter and everything was beautifully organized—excellent accommodations, knowledgeable guides, reliable drivers, and thoughtful recommendations throughout. One of the absolute highlights was a cooking tour in Spain, which gave us an unforgettable, authentic experience.
The agency was extremely responsive and a huge bonus was their app, which made it easy to access our itinerary and connect with them via live chat for questions, tips, and extra suggestions along the way. We felt fully supported from start to finish and would enthusiastically recommend Zicasso's travel partners to anyone planning a special trip.
Reviewed By Shela H.
We had an excellent trip! Everything went as planned. The guides were extremely knowledgeable and accommodating. We would definitely use Zicasso again.
Reviewed By Amy G.
