Portuguese tarts, Barcelona’s Gaudí architecture, and fiery flamenco performances – only the best for this 17-day adventure.
Your journey begins in Barcelona, a vibrant Mediterranean city that overflows with art and spectacular architecture. Check-in to your five-star accommodation, The One Barcelona. Before heading out to hit the streets of Barcelona, cool off in the rooftop pool or order a cocktail in the adjacent bar.
A feverish period at the start of the 20th century saw Gaudí, Pablo Picasso and Joan Miró all stake their claim on Catalonia’s cultural capital. You can chart Picasso’s progression in the museum of his name or take the cable car to Montjuïc to see local-born Miró’s work. In Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter, you’ll find the medieval cathedral and lanes from where Gaudí pulled inspiration.
Two thousand years of history, some of the world’s best modern architecture and one of Europe’s oldest protected wine regions — Spain and Portugal offer a dizzying array of experiences, both geographically and culturally.
This grand tour takes in many of the Iberian Peninsula’s well-known highlights, including flamenco performance, Moorish history and Gaudí’s architecture. However, it also includes quieter moments, like strolling in leafy Retiro Park or nibbling a custard tart which offer an authentic glimpse the true soul of Spain and Portugal.
This is a bustling tapas restaurant that’s popular among locals and tourists alike. The menu is extensive and the prices are reasonable.
Today, explore the city with a hop-on, hop-off bus ticket taking you to Barcelona’s major sights. Book a two-day pass so you can use it for tomorrow’s adventure as well. Park Güell is a must-visit, comprising of gardens and sculptures designed by the brilliant Antoni Gaudi, who is responsible for much of Barcelona’s most striking architecture.
Explore the park with a skip-the-line pass and guided tour. You might like to stop in for lunch at Maoz Vegetarian, a great casual lunch spot, before hopping back on the bus and seeing the rest of Barcelona at your leisure. Tonight, dine at the three Michelin-star restaurant Àbac, run by chef Jordi Cruz and featuring a menu consisting of exquisite dishes like onion soup with smoked pullet egg and cheese Chinese bun with freeze-dried truffle.
This is a great lunch spot especially for those seeking a meat-free meal, with a variety of delicious falafel and pita options that are filling and affordable.
This Michelin-starred restaurant that offers innovative and beautifully presented dishes. The tasting menu is pricey but worth it for a special occasion.
The Sagrada Familia, designed by Antoni Gaudí, is one of the most visited buildings in the world. Visit the astonishing interior of this basilica, where vaults reach up to 70 meters tall and the windows are stained with colour, creating an otherworldly effect inside the structure. While you’re here, pay a visit to the Sagrada Familia museum, where you can find drawings, plaster models and pictures depicting the history and development of this basilica from its early beginnings to the present day.
This restaurant is known for its playful and creative cuisine. The tasting menu is a culinary journey that’s sure to impress, but it comes with a high price tag.
Today, escape the city to explore Montserrat, a mountain range around an hour’s train ride north of Barcelona via stunning stretches of countryside. Famous for the Benedictine monastery of Santa Maria de Montserrat that was founded in 1025, this small monastery has drawn countless pilgrims and visitors since opening its doors in the last millennium.
This evening, return to Barcelona for another amazing dining experience at La Flauta. More casual than the past two nights, this Tapas restaurant is renowned for its delicious seafood tapas.
This restaurant offers traditional Catalan dishes in a cozy atmosphere. The menu includes a variety of tapas, seafood dishes, and meat options.
Next stop, Madrid! This cosmopolitan city boasts some of the world’s best art museums, Baroque architecture and Belle Époque palaces. As well as telling the story of Spain’s complex history, Madrid is also a modern metropolis of innovative cuisine and global shops.
Get to know the city on a walking tour to explore the highlights, including Basílica de San Francisco El Grande, Parque del Buen Retiro, and Plaza de Toros Las Ventas. Later, join a tapas tasting tour to gain insider’s knowledge on the best tapas in the city. If you’re a sports fan, you’re in luck – Madrid is home to two of the world’s biggest football clubs: Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid.
This traditional Spanish restaurant is located in the heart of Madrid and offers an excellent value for money. The menu features classic dishes like tortilla de patatas, croquetas, and paella, and the atmosphere is lively and welcoming.
Get ready to discover one of the most emblematic highlights of Madrid. The Royal Palace is well-known for its marvellous architecture, artworks and impressive gardens. Make the most of your visit with a guided tour of the Royal Palace of Madrid, where you’ll be privy to a detailed, all-access pass to make sure you miss nothing of this spectacular building. Visit the Throne Room, the Hall of Mirrors, the Banquet Hall and the private Royal Apartments, where you can view a stunning array of tapestries, ceramics, old watches, swords, and famous artworks by grandmasters such as Goya and Velázquez.
For lunch, drop by StreetXO – a casual eatery with an emphasis on creative, bold flavours. (Please note, due to the restaurant’s loud music, babies and children are not recommended). For dinner, visit the traditional cider house, Casa Mingo. They’re famed for their classic roast chicken, so make sure to give it a try.
For a unique and trendy dining experience, StreetXO is a great option. This fusion restaurant combines Asian and Spanish cuisines and offers a creative and adventurous menu. The prices are mid-range, but it’s worth it for the experience. It opens at 1pm, so don’t arrive too early!
A must-visit for any visitor to Madrid, this restaurant is famous for its roasted chicken and cider. It has been a favorite among locals since 1888, and the prices are very reasonable.
Today, visit the famed Reina Sofía Museum. The collection includes around 20,000 works of art and masterpieces by Spanish and international artists. Here you will find works by Picasso and Dalí, but also Joan Miró, Juan Gris, Lucio Fontana, Ives Klein, Max Ernst, Robert Delaunay, Yves Tanguy, Georges Braque and many more.
Afterwards, enjoy lunch at local favourite Ramen Kagura Opera. Here, you’ll find more than simply ramen – try the sushi, gyoza, and the restaurant’s specialty desserts.
This cozy ramen shop is a favorite among locals and serves some of the best ramen in Madrid at very affordable prices. The menu features different types of ramen, gyoza, and other Japanese dishes.
Home to one of the oldest universities in Europe and a harmonious collection of Renaissance palaces, Gothic churches and Baroque squares, Salamanca showcases the architectural grandeur of Spain’s Golden Age.
What better way to admire this grand architecture than on a private guided tour of the city’s most significant monuments? Visit Plaza Mayor and Clerecía, Casa de las Conchas, and see the Sky of Salamanca 15th-century painting in the University.
This restaurant is a great option for those looking for upscale dining without breaking the bank. The menu focuses on regional cuisine and features dishes like the famous Iberian pork sirloin.
Say adios to Spain as you make your way to the northern reaches of Portugal. Here, the Douro River’s steep banks have been carefully terraced into corrugations for thousands of years, each row hand-carved from the unforgiving schist to create the region’s storied vineyards. It’s one of the world’s oldest demarcated wine regions, protected by the Marquis de Pombal in 1756 to preserve the worldwide reputation of port wine.
The Douro spills out into the Atlantic at Porto, where the wine once made its journey downriver on shallow, wooden rabelo boats to the city’s riverside cellars and warehouses. The region is well known for both its vintages and scenery, with long views of terraced hills, granite bluffs and winding valleys. Don’t miss out on joining a wine tour via a boat cruise, punctuated by tastings, as well as walks among the vines.
Spend a full day visiting three of the best wineries the region has to offer. You can organise a tour locally through your hotel, or do it yourself and rent a car or arrange a driver to take you at your own pace. Stop in at Quinta do Noval, one of them most famous vineyards in the valley, the family owned Quinta do Crasto, and the historic Quinta do Vallado which dates back to 1716.
One of the most famous vineyards in the Douro Valley, Quinta do Noval is known for its high-quality port wine. The vineyard offers tours and tastings, and visitors can also explore the historic estate and enjoy beautiful views of the valley. The vineyard also has a luxury hotel where guests can stay and enjoy the tranquility of the region.
This historic vineyard dates back to 1716 and has been producing wine for over 300 years. The estate has been renovated and modernised in recent years, and now offers luxury accommodation, a restaurant, and a tasting room where visitors can sample the wines.
Located in the heart of the Douro Valley, Quinta do Crasto is a family-owned vineyard that has been producing wine for over a century. The vineyard offers tours and tastings, and visitors can enjoy stunning views of the river and surrounding hills.
Porto is a hilly city built on the steep banks of the mouth of the Douro River. The city is filled with character; you’ll find brightly tiled, tight-knit houses crowding the slopes above Ribeira, the medieval waterfront district.
The Douro River – crossed by six bridges – was historically the region’s main artery. It runs from the inland wine country to the Vila Nova de Gaia parish, across the water from the main city. There, Porto’s eponymous fortified wine still ages in oak casks hidden in wine cellars, just as it has for hundreds of years.
Enjoy a full day in Porto. You might like to visit the Serralves Museum, just a 12-minute drive from your hotel. Here, you’ll find a celebration of contemporary art and culture through collections, temporary exhibitions, performance and education.
Or, opt to join a half-day private tour to Braga, the oldest Christian city in Portugal. Discover almost 2,000 years of history as well as Portugal’s very first cathedral. For dinner tonight, treat yourself to a fine-dining experience at Terra Restaurant. This Michelin-star restaurant in only a 15-minute drive from your accommodation.
For a high-end dining experience, Terra is a Michelin-starred restaurant that offers a tasting menu featuring innovative and creative dishes that showcase the flavors and textures of local ingredients. The restaurant has a minimalist and elegant atmosphere, perfect for a special occasion.
Immerse yourself in Porto’s history and sites today on a guided tour. Visit the Port Wine Cellars and enjoy a tipple or two. See the Porto Cathedral – one of the city’s oldest monuments. Admire the Church of São Francisco, and walk the picturesque riverside area of Cais da Ribeira – home to markets, restaurants and bars.
Dinner tonight is at O Buraco - a great restaurant specialising in homemade local dishes. We recommend arriving early as this is a popular spot for travellers and locals alike! Try the cod fritters and feijoada alongside delicious local wine.
For an affordable and traditional experience, O Buraco is a small, cosy restaurant that serves homemade Portuguese dishes. The menu includes dishes like grilled sardines, octopus rice, and pork cheeks, all cooked to perfection.
Aboard a high-speed Alfa Pendular bullet train, you can reach Lisbon from Porto in as little as two and a half hours. Check-in to your five-star escape, The One Palácio da Anunciada, housed within a 16th-century palace.
Enjoy a free afternoon to discover Lisbon’s pastel-hued architecture and lively plazas. Opt to soar over Lisbon on the historic Santa Justa lift, an engineering marvel that ascends over 44 metres to an epic viewing platform. A Padaria Portuguesa is a popular bakery that serves freshly baked bread, pastries, sandwiches, and coffee, and is a great place to stop and refuel during your city explorations.
The prices are very reasonable, and the quality of the food is excellent. Make sure to try the classic Portuguese Tart!
Spend the morning at leisure. You might like to treat yourself to a spot of pampering at Despacio Spa, where you can hop between a Finnish sauna, plunge pool and treatments like a diamond facial.
For lunch, there’s nowhere like the Time Out Market. This buzzing food hall is located in the heart of Lisbon, featuring a selection of some of the best chefs and restaurants in the city. The market offers a wide variety of cuisines, including burgers, handmade pasta, fresh oysters and croquettes. Don’t fill up too much – this afternoon you’ll be privy to an insider’s look at Lisbon’s food scene on a walking tour of the city, where you can sample the city’s best dishes, including the famous dried and salted codfish.
Travel back in time to the fairytale castles and hills of Sintra, a 19th-century resort town and UNESCO World Heritage site. Sintra is just a 30-minute drive from Lisbon, or you might prefer to join a day tour via coach which will pick you up and drop you off at your hotel. Explore the colourful manors, medieval palaces, and lush gardens that enchanted the English Romantic poet Lord Byron as well as Portuguese royalty.
Before checking out of your glamorous accommodation, sneak in one last swim in the rooftop pool (and maybe a Portuguese Tart!) before it’s time to depart.