Lovers’ Getaway to Spain and Portugal

In the morning, the history of Barcelona emanates from the doors of a famous bar, which originally opened in the 18th century and served the likes of Ernest Hemingway and Pablo Picasso. The sweet aroma of cinnamon pastries filled with custard emanates from cafes hidden along the cobbled lanes of the Gothic Quarter. After breakfast, your private transfer meets you in the hotel lobby, eager to escort you on a tour of Barcelona’s most captivating neighborhoods and artistry, beginning with the 19th century Art Nouveau style of Antoni Gaudi. The district of Eixample maintains the heritage home of Casa Milà, which was erected between 1906 and 1912.

The avant-garde structure has a curved stone façade with rounded windows. The metal railings resemble vines in that they would coil around the windows and balconies. The undulating rooftop houses decorative chimneys. Standing in front of the edifice brings art to life, allowing passersby to interact with the surreal image. You both venture into the inner courtyard, imagining what life would be like living among the ribbed arches and the roof terrace adorned with the opulent mosaic chimneys. You couldn’t imagine a more romantic experience than living inside a work of art. You continue your tour of the city’s unparalleled aesthetics in front of the soaring towers of La Sagrada Familia.

The morning light washes over the often-overlooked hedge maze inside the Labyrinth Park of Horta. The maze is one of the city’s oldest, originally crafted in the late 18th century. The hedge walls encompass more than 2,000 feet, twisting and turning in fun and romantic confusion. Statues of Eros, the Greek god of Love, offer insight into the original intent of a lovers’ ambiance. After breakfast, the day is yours to explore and indulge in the majesty of Barcelona. Take to the hedge maze for a unique stroll through history or enjoy the fine-grains of the gold-sand beaches.

Venture through the narrow cobbled avenues of the Gothic Quarter. The historic streets offer a peaceful refrain from the bustling movement of the boulevards. Peaceful fountains trickle with water and kids kick soccer balls against the antique stone walls of the neighborhood. Cafes place tables and chairs in tranquil plazas offering views of the spires of the Santa Eulalia Cathedral. The 13th-century edifice has a Romanesque architectural style embellished with arched doorways and vertical buttresses.

For a special experience, you enter the Museu de la Xocolata, which offers the history and culture of chocolate in the Old World. The aroma of melted chocolate fills the galleries, leading you from the exhibits into the kitchen for a private class on how to make a mixture of confections. You gain a new understanding of the sweet treat during your time in the museum, with the chocolate-making class offering a variety of ways for you to enjoy the complex flavor of cacao.

In the morning, you can’t help but think about the marvelous dinner four-course meal you had the previous night. You sat within the charm of a casual home enjoying the passion of the chef’s connection to Mediterranean cuisine and the wines grown in Spain. The unique dinner offered an exclusive experience and secluded ambiance. At breakfast, you bask in the aroma of fresh coffee and sweet pastries dusted with powdered sugar. Your private transfer greets you in the hotel lobby and escorts you to Barcelona Sants Railway Station to board your first class train car.

The buttery scent of freshly made pastries fills the room as you venture through the Spanish countryside. Cypress and oak trees grow along rolling hills. Rows of endless grapevines frame historical Spanish manors. You reach Madrid Atocha Railway Station to meet your private transfer. The pace of the city immediately contrasts the relaxed beachside vibe of Barcelona. The capital of Spain moves to its own beat, wrapping around verdant parks and enchanting museums, creative restaurants and an array of architectural styles.

After settling into the luxuries of your centrally located hotel, you have the remainder of the day at your leisure. For a romantic introduction to the city, you make your way to the secret courtyard of Federica & Co. The atmosphere blends passion and bohemia set behind the gates of the Calle Hermosilla shopping district. Lights flicker along the trees surrounded by boutique shops. The aroma of coffee with milk accentuates the scent of red wine that locals sip at the table while enjoying the sunset.

Today your guide greets you at the hotel and whisks you through the charms of Madrid, beginning at Plaza de la Paja. The square was erected between the 12th and 13th centuries, marking the beginning of the Muslim Quarter. Narrow lanes meandered along the foothills leading to the market that once occupied the plaza. The 18th-century walls of Jardin del Principe Anglona continue to wrap around a tranquil garden at the heart of the city. You reach the portal leading into the Royal Palace. The complex was erected in the 18th century and rivals the beauty and prestige of France’s Versailles, with more than 300 rooms.

You are excited to share in the immeasurable grandeur of the décor, witnessing the 215 ornate clocks and complete collection of Stradivarius strings. You immediately feel like royalty upon entering the Grand Staircase. An extravagant fresco painted by Giaquinto adorns the ceiling. The stairs were crafted from a single piece of San Agustin marble. Enter the Throne Room, which was first opened in 1772, to find a ceiling blanketed with works crafted by Tiepolo, set above the bronze sculptures of the four Virtues.

The streets of Madrid return to life in the morning, with locals overtaking the walkways of the Gran Via. The boulevard leads to Plaza de España and contains more than a half-mile of shops and restaurants. The day is yours to indulge in, taking the time to enjoy a stroll through the blossoming flowers of El Retiro Park or traversing the halls of the famous Basilica of San Francisco. Share in the wonderment of Madrid’s past by wandering through the galleries of the Prado Museum, which houses one of the largest art collections in Europe. The works represent Western European aesthetic between the 12th and 19th centuries, in 2,300 pieces spread across over 100 rooms.

Natural light pours through the large windows into the lavish halls. The polished marble floors accentuate the history of the grounds and the elegance of the artworks on display. View the magnificent portrait of King Carlos IV as painted by Goya. One of the works inside the gallery portrays the uprising of the city against the occupying forces of Napoleon, offering a sense of spiritual and visual pride to Spain. In the evening, you both bask in an unforgettable meal, making your way to a cozy professional kitchen to partake in private cooking class as taught by a celebrated chef. You quickly learn that the secret to Spanish cuisine in Madrid is setting the perfect ambiance.

The grace of the Habsburg-era in Madrid emanates from the city center, found opposite of the Royal Palace. The scent of pastries topped with cinnamon sugar accompanies the fragrant coffee filling the dining room. After breakfast, your private transfer escorts you to Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport for your flight to Lisbon, the capital of Portugal. The historic streets overtake the hills and riverbanks for a navigable paradise adorned with cobbled lanes, red-tiled roofs, and captivating aromas. You make your way by private transfer to the splendors of your centrally located hotel, ready to relish the remaining day at your preferred pace.

The various neighborhoods of Lisbon reveal a different character of the city, from the former Jewish quarter to the bohemian streets of Bairro Alto and the elegance of the Belle Époque architecture in Chiado. Stroll hand and hand alongside the neo-classical facades of the Baixa district. Boutique shops line Avenidas Novas and cafes overlook the waterfront at Praça do Comércio. Gorgeous nautical themed mosaics add movement to the plaza amongst the aroma of the freshwater at the mouth of the River Targus. The calm water laps at the white sands of the beachfront near the Rua Augusta Arch. In the evening, you can partake in an elaborate meal at one of the oldest restaurants in Portugal for a romantic ambiance accentuated with royal flair.

The trolleys run up and down the cobbled hills throughout the day, ferrying locals and visitors from the banks of the Tagus River to the summit supporting the crenelated walls of Jorge’s Castle. In the morning, the aroma of buttery pastries blends with the subtle scent of the Atlantic Ocean drifting in the breeze. Your guide greets you after breakfast ready to lead you on an exceptional tour of Lisbon’s romantic past connected to the Age of Discovery. Tram 28 takes you on an enchanting ride through the narrow lanes of the historic quarters, passing former villas adorned with azulejos tiles.

The foundations of Castel de São Jorge were laid in the 5th century, built over by Moors and Christians before the Portuguese royals cobbled the towers between the 14th and 16th centuries. The Ulysses Tower contains a camera obscura, offering a distinctive 360-degree view of Lisbon. The galleries inside the castle contain relics of the different cultures that once held the grounds. You have an immaculate view of the city, looking down over the whitewashed walls and red-tiled roofs of the Alfama district below, leading to the Vasco da Gama Bridge, which spans the mouth of the Tagus River.

The subtle charms of the Mouraria district return in the morning, emanating from the pastel-colored facades and narrow lanes once inhabited by Moorish and Jewish communities between the 12th and 15th centuries. The neighborhood retains its cosmopolitan allure, captivating musical aficionados due to its reputation as the birthplace of Fado, the national music of Portugal. After breakfast, the day is yours to indulge in the splendors in and outside of Lisbon at your preferred pace. Take to the riverbanks to stroll along the esplanade or take the scenic train to Sintra, a quaint town surrounded by fairytale castles. Cobbled streets meander along the historic center nestled against the forested foothills. Shops present elaborate window displays of local styles and cafes set out tables and chairs to offer views of the nearby castles and tower-homes.

Make your way to the historic estate of Quinta Regaleira, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was erected in the early 20th century. Lush trees encircle the grand estate revitalizing gothic, renaissance, and romantic styles. The interior contains marvelous fireplaces and Venetian glass mosaics. Symbols adorning the doors, walls, and balustrades represent the mythology of the Knights Templar. Strolling through the grounds make you feel like you have stepped into a mythological manor. Upon returning to Lisbon, you venture to a restaurant brimming with enchanting music; you are ready to bask in the romantic sounds of Fado accompanied by a delicious traditional meal.

The morning light washes over the terrace of Portas do Sol, offering one of the best views of Lisbon. The terrace overlooks the glistening domes and colorful rooftops of the old city. The cobalt hues of the water shimmer in the background. The cafes of the city open their doors along the narrow roads, filling the air with fragrant roasted coffee beans and custard tarts. Boats glide down the Tagus River heading towards the open waters of the Atlantic Ocean. You make your way one last time through the narrow lanes of Lisbon to absorb the charming ambiance before making your way to Lisbon Portela Airport for your flight home.