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Explore northern and southern Spain as well as Portugal on one comprehensive itinerary that reveals the multitude of influences that have shaped the history, culture and incredible cuisine of the region, and enjoy two nights at the Gehry-designed Hotel Marque’s de Riscal.
Highlights
- Stay for two nights at the dazzling Hotel Marqués de Riscal, designed by world-renowned architect Frank Gehry
- Admire another Gehry-designed masterpiece when you visit the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao
- Enjoy a private dinner and superb flamenco performance at a palace in Seville on an A&K-exclusive experience
- Taste a variety of culinary treats on a tapas tour in Madrid
- Roam the medieval streets of Córdoba’s Jewish Quarter and view the stunning interior of the city’s Grand Mosque
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive Lisbon, Portugal
Arrive in Lisbon, capital of Portugal, where you are met and transferred to your hotel. Settle in and then join your A&K Resident Tour Director for a welcome drink followed by dinner at your hotel.
Meals Included: Dinner
Accommodation: Olissippo Lapa Palace
Day 2
Lisbon | Private Tile-Painting Workshop
Today, tour the National Tile Museum — housed in the 16th-century Convent of Madre de Deus — to view its displays of a wide array of the beautifully detailed painted tiles for which Lisbon is renowned. Take part in an interactive private tile-painting workshop and take home your creation. Enjoy your afternoon and evening at leisure.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Olissippo Lapa Palace
Day 3
Évora | Walled Medieval City
Journey to Évora, a beautifully preserved medieval city, stopping for a wine tasting en route. On arrival, visit the historic town centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to view a pillared Roman Temple dating to the first century, the Gothic 13th-century Sé Cathedral with its Romanesque architectural influences, and the striking city walls.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Convento do Espinheiro
Day 4
Mérida, Spain & Seville | Ancient Mérida
Today, drive eastward into Spain, stopping in Mérida to view its Roman amphitheatre, inaugurated in 8 BC to host theatrical performances and gladiatorial combat, as well as an ancient 82-foot-tall aqueduct built from stone and brick. Afterward, continue into Spain’s storied Andalusia region for a two-night stay in vibrant Seville. Once there, ride a horse-drawn carriage to a palace where the owners host your private dinner, followed by a performance of flamenco dancing and singing on the patio of this historic home.
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Palacio de Villapanes
Day 5
Seville | Gothic Cathedral & Jewish Quarter
Enjoy a city tour of Seville, including a visit to the largest Gothic cathedral in the world. Proceed to the city’s Jewish Quarter, with its labyrinth of narrow streets dating to the time of Moorish rule. Then, relax during an afternoon and evening at leisure.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Palacio de Villapanes
Day 6
Granada | The Moorish Architecture of Alhambra
After breakfast, travel to Granada and set out on a city tour that includes a visit to Alhambra, a vast palace and UNESCO World Heritage Site that exemplifies Moorish architecture. Tonight, dine at a local restaurant.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Palacio de Santa Paula
Day 7
Córdoba & Madrid | Jewish Quarter & Mezquita
Travel to Córdoba, arriving in time to visit this city’s historic Jewish neighbourhood and roam its narrow streets, and then enter the former Great Mosque, now known as the Mezquita, to view its breathtaking Moorish-influenced interior. Enjoy time to explore before boarding a high-speed AVE train to Madrid. Upon arrival, check into your hotel. Cap off your day of exploring with a fun tapas tour for dinner.
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Gran Meliá Palacio de los Duques
Day 8
Madrid | Royal Splendour
Set out on a city tour that includes the Royal Palace, with its rich decor comprised of marble, stucco and mahogany. Break for lunch at a local restaurant. Enjoy the afternoon and evening at leisure.
Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch
Accommodation: Gran Meliá Palacio de los Duques
Day 9
Madrid & Toledo | Design Your Day
Today, enjoy one of these Design Your Day activities.
- See Madrid on a Parks & River Bike Tour, cycling in a vast, beautiful city park and along the Manzanares River.
- Discover Toledo, a place in medieval Europe where Muslim, Jewish and Christian communities coexisted.
- Tour the Prado Museum, viewing works by El Greco, Velázquez and Goya, guided by a local expert.
Spend your evening at leisure in Madrid, free to sample the city’s many culinary attractions.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Gran Meliá Palacio de los Duques
Day 10
Elciego | Enchanting Food & Wine Experience
Today, journey to Elciego, stopping en route for a tour, followed by a gourmet lunch with wine pairings, at the Museum of Wine Culture in La Rioja. Then, proceed to Elciego and check into the Hotel Marqués de Riscal. Settle into your luxurious accommodations, relax and admire the hotel’s amazing design, created by master architect Frank Gehry. Gaze out to the lush, vineyard-covered hills surrounding this contemporary retreat from one of its eight terraces and perhaps enjoy the on-site Michelin-starred restaurant for dinner at your leisure.
Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel Marqués de Riscal
Day 11
Elciego | Rioja Wines
This morning, explore Spain’s storied Rioja region. Return to your hotel to take advantage of the many facilities and relax in the lush surroundings before gathering for dinner at the hotel.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Marqués de Riscal
Day 12
Bilbao | Guggenheim Museum Tour
Drive to Bilbao today, where you tour galleries devoted to modern and contemporary art, including the monumental sculpture, The Matter of Time, at the Frank Gehry-designed Guggenheim Museum Bilbao. After lunch at a local restaurant, fly to Barcelona, settle into your hotel, and then enjoy a light dinner.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: El Palace
Day 13
Barcelona | Gaudí’s Unfinished Masterpiece
This morning, set out on a panoramic city tour. See the Barcelona Pavilion, a study in minimalism built for the 1929 International Exposition, and then explore the Sagrada Família, a spectacular basilica designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí. This amazing structure features eight towering spires outside and an incomparably detailed vaulted ceiling inside. Begun in 1882, parts of it are still under construction. Enjoy time for lunch at leisure in the Central Market, also known as La Boqueria, one of the city’s many vital marketplaces for fish, meat and produce. Spend your afternoon with time to relax or explore this colourful, vibrant city on your own. Tonight, join your Resident Tour Director and fellow guests for a Scenic Sundowner followed by a festive farewell dinner.
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: El Palace
Day 14
Depart Barcelona
After breakfast, transfer to the airport and depart or begin your post-tour extension.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Journey Details
- Minimum age is 10 years.
- First group event: welcome briefing at 6:30 p.m. on Day 1.
- Last group event: farewell dinner at 7:30 p.m. on Day 8.
- Departures are guaranteed to operate with a minimum of 2 guests.
Departures & Rates
Ask one of our Travel Specialists about Packaging Flights with your Tour and Save
Additional dates and rates may be available, please speak to one of our Travel Specialists for more information.
Single Supplement rates are available on request.
*Rates are subject to availability and changes without notice. Rate are based on the lowest available and may differ at time of booking. Other travel dates may be available at an additional cost.
For more information and other conditions please confirm with our Travel Specialists at time of booking.
*Rates are subject to availability and seasonality and may change without notice. Rates are based on two adults sharing. For solo travellers or single person occupancy rates or further information on terms and conditions, please contact our Travel Specialists at time of booking.
Accommodation
Olissippo Lapa Palace Hotel, Lisbon
The Olissippo Lapa Palace, originally a stately home (or Palacetes), was built in 1870 for a noble Portuguese family. Set in the most elegant residential area of Lisbon, it is now among the most refined in Portugal. The Lapa’s grand exterior rises amongst lush gardens and is the very epitome of elegance and class.
The 109 rooms are spread across the hotel’s colonial core and two modern wings and lovingly appointed. All feature Portuguese furniture made in Paços de Ferreira, where excellent craftsmen have recreated the styles of D. João V, D. Maria I and D. José. Every room and suite has a different style – you will find Art Deco, Colonial, Algarvian and Neo-Classic. With the addition of a range of modern comforts, they provide truly luxurious living spaces.
Located in the sleepy Embassy district, this hotel is just five minutes by taxi from the heart of Lisbon.
Convento do Espinheiro
This beautifully restored 15th century convent stands just outside Évora and offers 92 luxurious rooms, a swimming pool set amongst olive, fig and pink pepper trees and an excellent spa. Regional cuisine is served in the ancient, vaulted wine cellar
Hotel Palacio de Villapanes
Hotel Palacio de Villapanes is a stylish 18th century palace which combines classical style with Andalusian culture. High ceilings, balconies with original timber shutters and marble-columned patios are complemented by contemporary designer furniture. There are beautiful patios and arcades and 50 chic rooms and suites as well as a rooftop pool and bar.
Hotel AC Palacio de Santa Paula
Hotel AC Palacio de Santa Paula is a 75-room property located in the old part of Granada, the result of a careful and meticulous renovation of the old 16th century Santa Paula Convent and cloisters and a neighbouring 14th century townhouse. Original vaulted ceilings and cobbled courtyards remain, as well as a Moorish patio, alcoved staircase and even the tombs of a few of the convent’s former inhabitants. ‘El Claustro’ restaurant, housed in the old convent library, is one of the city’s best.
Gran Meliá Palacio de los Duques
Located in the privileged Habsburg district next to the Royal Palace, the Opera House and the Cathedral, Leading Hotel of the World Gran Melia Palacio de los Duques is a luxury urban resort. Inspired by the masterpieces of Velazquez, this beautiful hotel combines two historic buildings – a 13th century convent and the 19th century Palace of the Dukes of Ega and Villahermosa – updated in an avant-garde style with large reproductions of the great master’s paintings and a colour scheme inspired by his palette – ochre, indigo and maroon. Behind the magnificent Elizabethan façade are 180 spacious rooms and luxurious suites with different Velázquez portraits in each one. The serene courtyard garden and terrace and rooftop pool offer perfect spots to relax and dining is a treat at a choice of excellent restaurants. A gym and spa complete the leisure facilities.
Hotel Marqués de Riscal
The sinuous titanium waves, skewed windows and cathedral-height ceilings of Hotel Marqués de Riscal are unmistakably Frank Gehry. Designed to reflect the colours of Rioja, the hotel is situated at the heart of the vineyard and offers boutique style accommodation in 43 rooms and suites. The design aesthetic continues indoors with curved maple wood walls, leather furniture, and marble bathrooms. A spa by luxe brand Caudalie offers wine themed treatments and there is a library stocked with books on wine, art and Spain. The hotel has two restaurants, one of which boasts a Michelin star.
El Palace Hotel
With its neo-classical façade, Hotel El Palace is one of Barcelona’s most iconic hotels. Located in the heart of the city surrounded by boulevards, boutiques and the major attractions, there are 125 rooms and suites, some which still preserve the original Roman baths and antiques. There are two excellent restaurants, a cocktail bar as well as the romantic Diana’s Garden with a swimming pool on the rooftop terrace. The Mayan Spa has a wide choice of treatments including the Temazcal prehispanic sauna.
