Limited Time Offer: 16-Day Spain and Portugal Foodie Tour + 10-Night Scenic Douro River Cruise
For a limited time only, explore the flavours of Spain and Portugal on an exclusive route from a private Basque gastronomic society to a five-star stay in Lisbon’s EPIC SANA Marquês Hotel. This is your ticket to an exclusive route as written by tour co-curators and former MasterChef Australia judges, Matt Preston and Gary Mehigan, before a pause in southern Portugal and a 10-night Scenic cruise along the Douro River.
With years spent researching the world’s finest cuisines and a deep appreciation for this corner of the culinary world, Matt and Gary’s expert knowledge ensures this once-in-a-lifetime journey is packed with aromatic excellence and high-class accommodation, including two nights at a restored 16th-century noble palace.
While Matt and Gary shape the itinerary’s highlights with their insider knowledge, your adventure will be brought to life each day by Luxury Escapes’ expert local guides — the ones who know every back street, hidden market and family recipe. Matt describes the tour as “a brilliant and fun way to get closer to some Catalan kitchen classics,” complete with hands-on cooking classes that even taught the MasterChefs a thing or two.
Begin your adventure in Spain, where you’ll learn the secrets of Basque cuisine and prepare the perfect paella at hands-on cooking classes, wander the covered markets of Barcelona and tour the pintxo bars of San Sebastian. Sample the original Basque burnt cheesecake, savour wine tasting in a reclaimed vineyard stable barn and taste Matt and Gary’s favourite handpicked churrerias.
Beyond fabulous food, you’ll stay in some of Spain’s most extraordinary lodging – from a household name gazing upon Sagrada Familia to a meticulously restored 12th-century Cistercian monastery complete with a thermal spa fed by natural hot springs.
Pass through Portugal, as you discover the country’s best. Travel through Porto, Lisbon and the Douro River region, with an included Michelin-starred lunch at Casa de Chá da Boa Nova, plus an itinerary of food trails and dessert routes curated by Matt Preston.
Matt and Gary’s advice was left in Lisbon, now it’s time to write your own story! After three nights at the EPIC SANA Algarve Hotel on Portugal’s south coast, fly to Porto and board the custom-built Scenic Azure to float blissfully inland through the Douro Valley.
The Scenic cruise is an unforgettable voyage that slices through Portugal’s most picturesque landscape, from the coastal hues of Porto to the sun-kissed valleys of Pinhão and beyond. The Scenic Azure forms part of Scenic’s “Space-Ship” fleet, equipped with all the dining and wellness facilities you could need to unwind between offboard excursions.
Don’t miss your chance to experience Spain and Portugal the way only culinary insiders can, uncovering flavours and traditions off the tourist track. This exclusive offer won’t last – book by 11 June 2026 to lock in your spot.
Return international flights available: Fly to Spain in style with return economy or business class flights from Australia. For further details, please contact our dedicated Tours Concierge team at tours@luxuryescapes.com.
Balcony Suite Upgrade: Wake to natural light and picturesque views of the Portuguese countryside from the window of your Balcony Suite aboard the Scenic Azure.