Iberian Odyssey: Southern Spain and Portugal

Arrive in Barcelona to a warm welcome from you’re A&K Guardian Angel, who will accompany you to your accommodation for assisted check-in.

Barcelona, the vibrant heart of Catalonia, is a city where history seamlessly merges with avant-garde artistry. From its iconic architecture, notably the surreal landmarks of Antoni Gaudí, like the breathtaking Sagrada Família and the whimsical Park Güell, to the bustling atmosphere of its lively streets and sun-soaked beaches, Barcelona is a tapestry of culture and creativity.

El Palace Barcelona

Wake in the cultural heart of Spain, where you’ll spend the morning exploring the genius of Gaudi, one of the world’s most celebrated avant-garde architects. Via his works, your expert guide will take you on a journey through Gaudi’s complex personality, telling stories of the savant and how he fused nature and geometry to become a master of his mind-bending craft. From the famed Sagrada Familia Basilica to the Parc Guell — where you’ll have a panoramic view of the city — to the Casa Mila, marvel at spiral stairways, catenary arches, honeycomb gates, gargoyles, and tree-inspired columns.

This afternoon, wander through the Gothic cathedrals and chapels, medieval choir stalls and shady cloisters of the old city. Step back into the 14th century at the Santa Maria del Mar Church, to absorb the purest form of Gothic architecture in the country, before visiting the Picasso Museum. Stroll through the part-Gothic, part-Roman palace, where some of Picasso’s very first works are housed.

El Palace Barcelona | Meals: B

Journey to Madrid via the high-speed AVE train; meet your Madrid-specialist A&K Guardian Angel, and transfer privately to your hotel. Located in the heart of the city, the exclusive Relais & Châteaux Hotel Orfila is the perfect location from which to explore Madrid’s extensive cache of art galleries and restaurants.

Madrid is unquestionably one of the richest culinary capitals in Europe. This evening, you may choose to join a local connoisseur for a tapa bars tour (additional cost) where you will be introduced to some of the best tapas in the city. Either sit down and enjoy a variety of raciones in one place, or, like the locals, stroll between several establishments.

Hotel Orfila | Meals: B

Few cities can boast an artistic pedigree quite as pure as Madrid. Don your walking shoes and take to the Prado Museum — one of the most important art museums in the world — with your expert guide. Feast your eyes out works by Spain's three greatest painters, Goya, Velazquez and El Greco, together with superb collections of works by Flemish, Italian and European masters. You’ll also admire some of the city’s most striking sites. Soak in the atmosphere, with a dose of vibrant people-watching at the bustling square of Puerta del Sol, once the eastern gate of the city. Continue to the 17th-century Plaza Mayor, where you’ll meander down narrow cobble-stoned streets to find colourful shops and boutiques, many housed in ancient ateliers and workshops. The remainder of your day is at leisure.

Alternatively, you may like to discover the most historic neighbourhood in Madrid, Los Austrias. Uncover all secrets of the great monarchs who once lived among its monuments, churches and palaces on an historical walking tour with your expert. Sample culinary delights at Mercado de San Miguel, one of Madrid’s oldest and most beautiful markets, then continue to the lavish Royal Palace. The palace is home to an extraordinary 2,800 rooms, which hold truly remarkable treasures, from superb tapestries and paintings to beautifully ornate clocks and Stradivarius violins (additional cost).

Hotel Orfila | Meals: B

Journey to Granada on the high-speed AVE train, via Andalucian beauty, Cordoba. Meet your expert local guide who’ll take you wandering between Cordoba’s wrought-iron balconies and lamps, potted plants, overhanging trees, golden-stone buildings, verdant interior patios, and quaint hidden plazas. Meander whitewashed medieval streets in the old Jewish quarter to learn how these ancient peoples prospered under Muslim rule. Explore the gigantic and hypnotic Mezquita, one of the greatest Islamic buildings in the world, and uncover a trove of UNESCO-listed monuments that tell the story of Roman, Arabic, Islamic, and Christian conquerors. The colossal structure’s striking corridors, numerous arches, intricate golden mosaics, and rows of Roman columns are a sight to behold.

After lunch at leisure, transfer by private vehicle through spectacular countryside to Granada. Arrive at your 19th-century palace hotel, with the evening at leisure.

Hospes Palacio de Los Patos | Meals: B

Today you’ll travel back through time to the extraordinary construction of the Nasrid Dynasty — the last of the Muslim dynasties in the country — at UNESCO World Heritage site, the Alhambra. This awe-inspiring site is the best example of a medieval Muslim palace in the world, with its delicate Arabic carvings, bright and vivid tiles, and its breathtaking views of the Albayzn. The Alhambra spans nearly 26 acres, with more than a mile of walls and 30 towers. Your outstanding historical guide deftly steers you to the best vantage points with the most intriguing artworks as they tell of the military families who once graced the Alcazaba, the sultan and his kin who occupied the many palaces, and the court officials who lived in the Medina. Finish at the sumptuous gardens of the Generalife, once a summer palace and country estate where kings came to escape the affairs of the palace. The rest of the day is at your leisure.

Hospes Palacio de Los Patos | Meals: B

Continue west with your driver today to the seductive city of Seville. In these sunny Andalusian streets, you’ll find a rhythmic Flamenco soul alongside aristocratic mansions, tapas bars and orange trees, and endless Moorish motifs. Arrive at Hotel Alfonso XIII in the historic quarter of Santa Cruz, where you’ll live in luxury on the doorstep of the Alcazar Palace and the Seville Cathedral. The rest of your day is at leisure.

Alternatively, you might choose to take the scenic route through the Andalusian countryside to the charming town of Antequera (additional cost). Often referred to as the 'Florence of Andalucía', explore the medley of stunningly preserved architecture, ranging from Roman baths and Moorish castles to Renaissance fountains, 19th-century bullrings and more than 30 stunningly preserved Spanish-Baroque churches. The main event is the ancient burial mounds — The dolmens — a series of megalithic stone tombs dating from the Neolithic era, which have earned UNESCO World Heritage status. Your guide will impart insights on how these mysterious mausoleums were engineered by farmers 6000 years ago, pointing to a robust society with deep-rooted religious commitments. Continue to Seville with your evening at leisure.

Hotel Alfonso XIII | Meals: B

This morning, don your walking shoes and take to the soulful streets of Seville with your expert guide. You’ll discover how diverse influences over time have shaped the city into the vibrant melting pot you see today. Begin at Seville’s masterpiece, the awe-inspiring Catedral & Giralda, one of the world’s largest Gothic cathedrals and a veritable treasure trove of art, with notable works by Zurbarán, Murillo, Goya and others. The main event is the original 104-metre-tall Islamic minaret, the top of which offers sensational views over the city.

Continue to the Real Alcazar where you’ll uncover the hidden corners of the oldest European palace still in use today. With exquisite Islamic, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Romantic and Mudéjar designs and art works, a walk through the palace is a chance to awaken the senses and hone your architectural prowess. Finally soak in the atmospheric web of tiny streets in the Barrio de Santa Cruz, many of which are lined with lively tapas bars, colourful tiled benches, and squares bursting with Sevillian life.

No visit to Seville would be complete without an immersion in the mesmerising art of Flamenco. This evening, let yourself be moved by the raw emotion, fire and flare of a traditional flamenco show.

Hotel Alfonso XIII | Meals: B

Today you will journey by air to Portugal’s cinematic city of Lisbon. Surrounded by seven dramatic hills that overlook the Rio Tejo cradle, Lisbon’s panorama of cobbled alleys, white-domed cathedrals and Roman Moorish ruins create a captivating visual crafted over centuries.

Arrive to meet your Guardian Angel who’ll assist you with arrival, accompany you to your hotel, and assist you with check-in. After settling in, perhaps take to the terrace with its stunning view over Lisbon’s skyline and the Tagus river.

Bairro Alto Hotel | Meals: B

Wake in Lisbon, a bohemian and inspiring city, where tradition meets rebellion at every corner. This morning, join your driver and guide, and discover the highlights. From the fascinating Alfama Quarter, which dates back to the 5th century, to the Baixa, with its grand 18th-century plazas, sun-drenched cafés and narrow cobblestone lanes — you’ll discover how each district has its own distinct personality. Wander the Belém district with its sprawling manicured gardens, expansive riverside squares and Manueline-style monuments, and explore the UNESCO-listed monastery. Top it off with a taste of Lisbon’s famous tart, the scrumptious Pastéis de Belém. This afternoon is at leisure. Discover Portugal your way, with some on-the-spot planning from your Guardian Angel.

Alternatively, you may like to choose from one of the following tours:

Art lovers might opt for a Lisbon art tour. Travel back through 5,000 years of history and discover the private collection amassed by the fascinating Calouste Gulbenkian, an Armenian oil magnate and philanthropist. This is by far one of the country’s most outstanding private collections of art and the man behind the museum is just as intriguing. Admire masterpieces by Rembrandt, Renoir, Monet and Van Dyke, as well as exquisite René Lalique jewellery (additional cost).

Further afield, visit the UNESCO World Heritage town of Sintra. With its rippling mountains, fertile forests and glittering palaces, Sintra is like a page torn from a fairy tale. The centre, Sintra-Vila, is strewn with pastel-hued mansions folded into luxuriant hills that cascade down to the blue Atlantic. Immerse yourself in 19th-century Romantic architecture and learn all about the former Kings and aristocrats who once called this stunning town home. Don’t forget to try the famed local queijadas, a delectable Portuguese cheese tart (additional cost).

This evening is an opportunity to savour Lisbon’s vibrant gastronomy with your Guardian Angel, who knows all the most authentic haunts. You’ll hop from place to place, enjoying vibrant city life and lively conversation with a real local. Starting with an apéritif, some fine cheeses and smoked hams, you’ll move on to a selection of petiscos, before indulging traditional desserts at a selection of Lisbon’s most esteemed restaurants (additional cost).

Bairro Alto Hotel | Meals: B

Head northward with your driver to edgy-yet-opulent Porto, which rises scenically from the banks of the Rio Douro. On route, make a stop in Portugal’s once-medieval capital Coimbra where, an atmospheric city steeped in history. On summer nights, the haunting notes of the guitarra and the baritone voices of fado singers echo off the old stone walls. Stretch your legs as you wander around its dark cobbled lanes and monumental cathedral and listen in as your guides shares insider secrets at the prestigious university library. After a lunch at leisure, continue onto pop-up-book Porto. Settle into your luxury hotel, which once housed the Dalai Lama and Bob Dylan. We recommend heading up to the Scarlett Brasserie and Wine Bar for dinner, the perfect destination for gourmet foodies.

Hotel Infante Sagres | Meals: B

Wake in the port city, a colourful town full of medieval relics, soaring bell towers, extravagant Baroque churches and stately Beaux-Arts buildings. Porto is also a bright hub of arts and culture, with superb museums and galleries, and Michelin-starred restaurants. This morning, follow your guide to Ribeira, Porto’s most famous neighborhood. Narrow lanes take you past tall and slender townhouses, some covered in colourful tiles and pastels, all the way down to the river. Stop in at the opulent 19th-century Stock Exchange Palace and the St Francis Church, before crossing over the river for a port wine tasting at one of the famous riverside lodges.

This evening, you might choose to embark on an exhilarating motorbike sidecar tour to see the highlights of Porto all lit up at night. A brilliant twist on the traditional night tour, cruise down glamorous avenues, discovering the beautiful coastal city as the sun goes down and the lights twinkle off the water. Wind through Virtudes, with its artistic feel and sunset views, and Clérigos, with its towering bell tower, before cruising along the river toward the ocean. Toast the evening with a sundowner, and afterwards ask your guide to drop you at one of Porto’s finest restaurants for a dinner at leisure (additional cost).

Hotel Infante Sagres | Meals: B

Transfer privately to the airport for your onward flight.

Meals: B