18-Day Ultimate Luxury Escapes Route in Spain
Spain is a land of vibrant contrasts, where ancient history meets avant-garde luxury. On this 18-day epic journey, you will traverse the Iberian Peninsula, staying in world-class palaces turned hotels, dining at Michelin-starred tables, and moving between cities via first-class high-speed rail and private transfers.
This luxury escape is designed to showcase the best of Spanish culture, from the soul-stirring flamenco of Andalusia to the modernist masterpieces of Catalonia. Prepare for an immersive experience that balances exclusive private tours with the relaxed, sun-soaked lifestyle for which Spain is legendary.
The Itinerary
Day 1: Madrid, Spain - Arrival & Royal Welcome
VIP Airport Arrival
Enjoy a private chauffeur transfer from Madrid-Barajas Airport to your luxury hotel in the Salamanca district.
Lunch at El Paraguas
Indulge in high-end Asturian cuisine at one of Madrid's most prestigious dining spots in Jorge Juan street.
Retiro Park Private Boat Row
Explore the lush Retiro Park, including a private booking for a traditional rowboat on the central lake.
Welcome Tapas Tour
A private guide will lead you through the 'Tabernas Centenarias' to sample the city's finest jamón ibérico and local wines.
Day 2: Madrid, Spain - The Golden Triangle of Art
Prado Museum Private Opening
Witness Velázquez and Goya’s masterpieces with a private art historian before the general public crowds arrive.
Gourmet Picnic in the Royal Botanical Garden
Enjoy a curated basket of Spanish delicacies amidst 30,000 species of plants in the heart of the city.
Thyssen-Bornemisza Gallery Tour
Explore one of the world's finest private art collections, spanning the 13th to the 20th century.
Dinner at DiverXO
Experience the three-Michelin-starred avant-garde culinary theater of chef Dabiz Muñoz.
Day 3: Madrid, Spain - Fashion & Royal Grandeur
Royal Palace Private Gallery
Tour the official residence of the Spanish Royal Family, including the Royal Armoury and the Throne Room.
Lunch at Casa Lucio
Dine at this legendary establishment, famous for its 'Huevos Rotos' and its history of hosting royalty and celebrities.
Personal Shopping in Salamanca
Let a fashion expert guide you through the luxury boutiques of Calle de Serrano and Ortega y Gasset.
Opera at Teatro Real
Watch a world-class performance from a private box at one of Europe's most significant opera houses.
Day 4: Seville, Spain - High-Speed South
AVE First Class to Seville
Board the high-speed train for a scenic 2.5-hour journey through the rolling hills of La Mancha to Andalusia.
Check-in at Hotel Alfonso XIII
Settle into Spain’s most prestigious historic hotel, built by the King of Spain in 1929.
Santa Cruz District Wander
Walk through the narrow, flower-filled alleys of the former Jewish Quarter with a local storyteller.
Sunset over the Guadalquivir
Enjoy a private cocktail reception on a rooftop terrace overlooking the Torre del Oro.
Day 5: Seville, Spain - Alcázar & Cathedral
Real Alcázar Private Tour
Explore the stunning Mudéjar architecture of this royal palace, including the gardens where Game of Thrones was filmed.
The Great Cathedral & Giralda
Climb the Giralda tower for panoramic views and visit the tomb of Christopher Columbus.
Traditional Carriage Ride
Tour the Maria Luisa Park and Plaza de España in a classic horse-drawn carriage.
Dinner at Abades Triana
Savor modern Andalusian cuisine with floor-to-ceiling views of the Seville skyline across the river.
Day 6: Seville, Spain - The Soul of Flamenco
Flamenco Dance Workshop
Learn the basic rhythms and steps of flamenco in a private session with a professional 'bailaora'.
Lunch in Triana Market
Cross the bridge to the Triana neighborhood for a gourmet tasting of local cheeses and sherries.
Palacio de las Dueñas Visit
Visit the residence of the House of Alba, a palace filled with art, tapestries, and beautiful courtyards.
Exclusive Flamenco Tablao
Witness the raw passion of flamenco from front-row seats at a traditional, high-end venue.
Day 7: Granada, Spain - The White Villages Route
Private Transfer to Granada
Depart Seville via a luxury private car, stopping at the breathtaking clifftop town of Ronda.
Ronda Gorge Exploration
Walk across the Puente Nuevo bridge and visit the oldest bullring in Spain before a cliffside lunch.
Arrival in Granada
Check into your luxury suite at the Alhambra Palace Hotel, offering views of the city and the Sierra Nevada.
Albacyín Night Walk
Explore the Moorish quarter by moonlight, ending at the Mirador de San Nicolás for Alhambra views.
Day 8: Granada, Spain - The Alhambra Dream
Alhambra & Nasrid Palaces
A private guide takes you through the world’s most beautiful example of Islamic architecture and the Generalife gardens.
Lunch at Parador de Granada
Dine within the Alhambra complex itself at this historic monastery-turned-hotel.
Arab Baths Experience
Relax at the Hammam Al Ándalus with traditional water circuits and essential oil massages.
Sacromonte Caves Dinner
Enjoy a traditional dinner in the historic cave dwellings of the Gypsy quarter.
Day 9: Marbella, Spain - The Golden Mile
Drive to the Costa del Sol
A scenic 2-hour private drive takes you from the mountains of Granada to the luxury shores of Marbella.
Lunch at Trocadero Arena
Enjoy upscale Mediterranean fusion at this stylish beach club on the sand.
Leisure at Puente Romano
Relax by the pools or visit the world-class tennis club at your luxury resort.
Dinner at Dani García’s Leña
Experience the wood-fired culinary magic of Marbella’s own Michelin-starred celebrity chef.
Day 10: Marbella, Spain - Yachting & Glamour
Private Yacht Charter
Spend the morning cruising the coastline, looking for dolphins and enjoying champagne on deck.
Puerto Banús Exploration
Disembark at the famous marina to browse designer boutiques and admire the superyachts.
Beach Club Relaxation
Reserve a VIP bed at Ocean Club for an afternoon of music and sophisticated vibes.
Dinner in Old Town Marbella
Escape to the charming Orange Square (Plaza de los Naranjos) for an elegant dinner in a historic courtyard.
Day 11: Barcelona, Spain - Catalonia Bound
Flight to Barcelona
A short domestic flight from Málaga takes you to the vibrant capital of Catalonia.
Check-in at Hotel Arts
Enter your luxury room overlooking the Mediterranean and the iconic Frank Gehry fish sculpture.
Gothic Quarter History Tour
Walk the ancient Roman and Medieval streets with an expert in Catalan history.
Dinner at Disfrutar
Experience modern gastronomy at its finest in this world-renowned, multi-starred restaurant.
Day 12: Barcelona, Spain - The World of Gaudí
Sagrada Família Private Access
Skip the lines and explore Gaudí's unfinished masterpiece with an expert architectural guide.
Park Güell VIP Entrance
Wander through the whimsical ceramic-covered park and take in the views from the serpentine bench.
Casa Batlló Blue Itinerary
Enjoy a private evening tour of this Modernist jewel on the Passeig de Gràcia.
Tapas at Cervecería Catalana
Dine at this local favorite for some of the best high-end tapas in the Eixample district.
Day 13: Barcelona, Spain - Markets & Mediterranean
La Boqueria & Cooking Class
Shop for fresh ingredients at the world's most famous market followed by a private Catalan cooking lesson.
Lunch in Barceloneta
Savor authentic seafood paella at a beachfront restaurant like Pez Vela.
Picasso Museum Tour
Explore the formative years of Pablo Picasso in the beautiful palaces of the El Born district.
Magic Fountain Show
Watch the spectacular water, light, and music display at Montjuïc from a private terrace.
Day 14: Barcelona, Spain - Montserrat Monastery
Montserrat Private Excursion
Drive to the serrated mountains to visit the Benedictine monastery and hear the Boys' Choir sing.
Wine Tasting in Penedès
Stop at a boutique winery on the way back for a private tasting of premium Cava and local reds.
Free Time for Luxury Shopping
Visit Loewe and other Spanish heritage brands on the glamorous Passeig de Gràcia.
Farewell Barcelona Dinner
Dine at Tickets (if you can get a spot!) or another Albert Adrià concept for a night of culinary fun.
Day 15: San Sebastián, Spain - The Culinary North
Flight to San Sebastián
Fly north to the Basque Country, landing at the scenic Hondarribia airport.
Check-in at Hotel Maria Cristina
Arrive at the Belle Époque grand dame hotel of San Sebastián, overlooking the Urumea River.
La Concha Promenade
Take a leisurely stroll along one of the world's most beautiful urban beaches.
Pintxos Crawl in Old Town
Begin your culinary immersion with a private guide visiting the best pintxos bars in the 'Parte Vieja'.
Day 16: San Sebastián, Spain - Michelin Star Mastery
Mount Igueldo Funicular
Ride the historic wooden cable car for the most iconic panoramic view of the bay.
Lunch at Arzak
Dine at the legendary three-Michelin-starred restaurant that pioneered New Basque Cuisine.
Chillida Leku Museum
Visit the open-air sculpture park dedicated to the work of Eduardo Chillida in the nearby countryside.
Relaxed Evening in Gros
Explore the trendier Gros district for modern pintxos and a vibrant local atmosphere.
Day 17: San Sebastián, Spain - Coastal Serenity
Getaria Fishing Village Visit
Take a private car to this charming village, home to the Balenciaga Museum and incredible grilled turbot.
Lunch at Elkano
Experience what many call the best grilled fish in the world at this Michelin-starred coastal gem.
Txakoli Vineyard Tour
Taste the local sparkling white wine at a hillside vineyard overlooking the Atlantic.
Spa Session at La Perla
Relax at the historic thalassotherapy center right on the beach of La Concha.
Day 18: Bilbao, Spain - Guggenheim & Departure
Private Transfer to Bilbao
Enjoy a final scenic drive through the Basque mountains to the industrial-turned-art city of Bilbao.
Guggenheim Museum Private Tour
Marvel at Frank Gehry’s titanium masterpiece and the world-class modern art collection inside.
Farewell Lunch at Nerua
Dine within the Guggenheim itself at this Michelin-starred restaurant focused on local ingredients.
Final Transfer to Bilbao Airport
Your private chauffeur will take you to the airport for your return flight or onward journey.
Best Time to Visit Spain
The best time to visit Spain is during the spring (April to June) and fall (September to October). During these periods, the weather is pleasant across the country—neither too hot in Andalusia nor too rainy in the North. Spring brings the spectacular festivals of Seville, while fall offers the harvest season in the wine regions. If you prefer beach weather, the summer months are ideal for Marbella and San Sebastian, though Madrid and Seville can become very hot.
Currency & Money
Spain uses the Euro (€). While credit and debit cards (Visa and Mastercard) are widely accepted in almost every establishment, it is always wise to carry some cash for small purchases at local markets or traditional bars. Tipping is not mandatory but appreciated; in high-end restaurants, a 5-10% tip for exceptional service is customary. ATMs are plentiful in all cities, but check with your bank regarding international fees.
Getting Around Spain
Intercity travel in Spain is best handled by the AVE (Alta Velocidad Española) high-speed trains, which connect Madrid, Seville, and Barcelona with incredible speed and comfort. For North-South travel, domestic flights are efficient. Within the cities, private chauffeurs or high-end taxi apps like Cabify are the preferred luxury choice. For rural areas like the White Villages or the Basque coast, a private car with a driver is highly recommended to maximize comfort and flexibility.
