Private Sightseeing Tour - The Dynamic Duo ULIB10

Personal Highlights:

• An a la carte Catalan lunch in the Mountains outside Barcelona
• A private walking tour of the Gothic Quarter
• A private cooking class in Madrid
• Touring the Prado Museum with a knowledgeable private guide

Day 1 Depart USA

This evening we board our overnight flight to Barcelona the first of the two cities visited in this program.

Day 2 Welcome to Barcelona

We arrive in Barcelona and complete immigration procedures. Upon leaving customs, we are met by our driver and given an overview of Barcelona’s scenic attractions including Gaudi’s unfinished masterpiece La Sagrada Famila, the Olympic stadium and Montjuic which is the location of our hotel. After arriving at the hotel we have the chance to relax on the terrace enjoying the stunning views of the city and out to the Mediterranean. Dinner at the hotel this evening.                   

Day 3 A Private Tour of the Gothic Quarter and La Rambla

After breakfast our host will meet us to take us on a walking tour of the medieval part of the city called the Gothic Quarter. First we will walk down one of Barcelona’s most famous streets known as La Rambla. Here we will see top quality stores, fine hotels and street vendors selling pets, chickens, flowers and other interesting items. Leaving La Rambla we enter the quaint and twisting streets of the Gothic Quarter home to residents, shops and fine restaurants. In the central part of the Quarter is the Cathedral built in the 13th Century which we will visit. We will also visit the Picasso Museum with many of the works created during his extended residency in the city. We will top off our visit at one of the area’s better restaurants where a fine meal awaits. After an extended lunch you are free to continue an exploration of the Quarter or La Rambla before returning on your own to our hotel.  This evening we join our host for a tour through the best of the Tapas bars along with the appropriate wines.                                  

Day 4 Catalan Dining in the Pyrenees

Nestled in the Pyrenees Mountains just north of Barcelona are numerous and charming medieval villages with their stone houses and cafes built directly into the mountainside. After a short drive from Barcelona we begin our adventure by exploring a village’s winding cobblestone streets and buildings dating back more than 500 years. We’ll take a walk through the wooded trails and be rewarded with streams, rivers, waterfalls and spectacular views of forested valleys. A leisurely a la carte lunch with wine in a traditional Catalan restaurant provides the perfect highlight to our day in the mountains before we return to the city. This evening is left open to allow you to enjoy one of Barcelona’s many fine restaurants or to just sit on the terrace of the hotel with a nice bottle of wine overlooking the lights of the city.

Day 5 A Tale of Two CIties

After breakfast, our driver will be waiting to take us to the station where we have reserved 1st Class seats on one of Spain’s high speed trains. While we watch the Spanish countryside roll by, we have lunch with wine before arriving in Madrid. Upon arrival in Madrid we are met by our host and taken on an orientation drive of the city before checking into our hotel.                                 

Day 6 The Royal Palace and the Prado Museum

Today our morning will be focused on the Royal Palace and the Prado Museum. The Royal Palace is the largest in Europe and was built by Philip V in the 18th Century. The building itself is an architectural treasure but inside is a rare and diverse collection of ceramics, tapestry and clocks. After the palace we visit the Prado, one of the most important art galleries in the world. Here are the Spanish masters including Goya, Velasquez, El Greco and Ribera. They are joined by Raphael, Rubens and Titian among others. This afternoon is left open to allow you some time for personal sightseeing or some shopping. This evening we take you on a gourmet tasting tour with wine through old Madrid.                                

Day 7 Ten secrets of Spanish Cooking and the Flamenco

This morning our driver will take us to the kitchen of a noted chef/instructor who will give us a private cooking lesson on the preparation of key main courses and desserts, Madrid style. We will participate in the cooking and, when it is finished enjoy the fruits of our labors along with some fine regional wine. We have the afternoon to relax before going to one of Madrid’s finest Flamenco clubs where we enjoy good food, fine wine and authentic Flamenco.                                                                                                          

Day 8 Return to USA

After breakfast our driver will be waiting to take us to the airport for our return flight to the US.

Services Included

• 1st Class rail travel as indicated on the itinerary
• Superior Rooms at the properties indicated in the accommodations area (We reserve the right to substitute a property of equal quality in advance of departure should the designated hotel be unavailable)
• Private Transfers to and from the airport or rail station at destination
• All meals as indicated on the itinerary by B=Breakfast, L=Lunch and D=Dinner
• Private guides for city explorations and private driver/guide while traveling.
• Entrance fees to all museums, attractions and other venues as indicated on the daily itinerary
• Baggage handling at all hotels
• All applicable taxes and service fees

Services Not Included

• International airfare (round-trip from hometown departure gateway to destination)
• Beverages with included meals (unless otherwise indicated on itinerary page)
• Any meals not indicated on the Itinerary page
• Items of a personal nature e.g. minibar, film, postcards etc.
• Gratuities to Guides and Driver/Guides (we provide suggested guidelines for your selected destination in your pre-departure material)
• Any passport or visa fees or government departure taxes (It is the traveler’s responsibility to secure the latest information regarding passports and visa requirements)

Available Year Round