Spain for Honeymooners

ITINERARY

• DAY 1
  Travelers having private horse carriage ride in Seville, Spain

  Welcome to Spain!

  Upon arrival at Madrid airport, we will arrange for a private transfer to the train station where you will take the high-speed train to Cordoba. Upon arrival in Cordoba, your private driver will take you to your hotel in the historic center.
  
  Free evening to explore the city at your leisure.

  What's included?

  • Accommodation
  • Transfer
• DAY 2
  The courtyards (patios) in Cordoba

  Cordoba - City tour to the beautiful & historic Cordoba

  Your art historian guide will meet you at the lobby of your hotel to take you for an introductory walking tour to discover the main* sites of Cordoba, a Unesco listed city.
  
  The visit will, of course, include the famed Mosque/Cathedral (La Mezquita), a monumental site which encapsulates this city's identity like few other buildings can, with the layers of its beautifully complex history visibly integrated into its walls and bearing the marks of the various and diverse cultures and civilizations that helped shape this fascinating city. Free afternoon to relax or explore the city further at your leisure.
  
  Córdoba is a city in the southern Spanish region of Andalusia, and the capital of the province of Córdoba. A great cultural reference point in Europe, this ancient city has been declared a World Heritage Site and contains a mixture of the diverse cultures that have settled it throughout history. Very few places in the world can boast of having been the capital of a Roman province (Hispania Ulterior), the capital of an Arab State (Al-Andalus), and a Caliphate. The city famously houses the Mezquita, a symbol of the worldly, sophisticated culture that flourished here more than a millennium ago when Córdoba was western Europe's biggest, most cultured city. Such splendor is palpable in the intellectual wealth of this city, which has seen the birth of figures like Seneca, Averroes, and Maimonides (Cordoba has in fact erected a life-size statue in honor of this physician and philosopher considered one of the greatest Jewish thinkers of all time).
  
  You will also discover the Jewish quarter, a quaint and charming network of pretty narrow lanes which will lead you to the Synagogue a unique building in Andalusia and one of the three best-preserved Medieval synagogues in the whole of Spain. Tonight you will enjoy a marvelous equestrian exhibition in which purebred Spanish horses are the main protagonists. The stage; an emblematic and magical historical building, once the birthplace of the Andalusian Horse and now an unparalleled setting for this enchanting 1-hour equestrian show. The Royal Stables are located next to the Royal Alcázar and just a 5 mins walk from your hotel.
  
  After the show, we recommend dinner at one of the local restaurants in the nearby and authentic "San Basilio" district. The Royal Stables, once the birthplace of the Andalusian Horse and now an unparalleled setting for this unique equestrian show, this emblematic and historical building was founded in 1570 by King Felipe II, a great horse lover with the dream of making a pure Spanish thoroughbred. tonight, you will enjoy an enchanting evening of music, lights, and dancing combined with majestic horse dressage. This wonderful tour will end at the Royal Alcazar/Palace, once the residence of Roman governors and Moorish caliphs, and finally, in 1328 the Cordovan home of the Spanish kings.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
• DAY 3
  Exploring Cordoba, Spain

  Cordoba - A day in the countryside

  On this exciting tour, you will venture out into the countryside to explore the beautiful hills of Montilla (still a very unspoiled wine region 40 mins south of Córdoba). This tour is designed for curious and adventurous wine lovers, amateurs, and experts alike! Olive oil, gastronomy, and wine are part of Andalucia’s popular wisdom and with this tour, you will delve into the fascinating world of olive oil and wine.
  
  Your first stop will be a family-run olive oil mill where you will discover the full process of olive oil making. You will enjoy a tour of the family groves and learn about the different characteristics, culinary uses, and health benefits of olive oil. After a visit to the mill and the on-site museum, you will enjoy a very interesting short video about oil production followed by a tasting of two of their delicious varieties along with freshly baked bread made by the very same family!
  The second experience of the day is a visit to a local family-run boutique winery located right in the heart of the Sierra de Montilla, a stunning rural landscape with endless vineyards and rolling hills. Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by a truly passionate viticulturist who will take you to the family vineyards to tell you about the history of this ancestral winery. Next, you will be guided into the wine cellar, named by the family as "Sacristia", a remarkable sacred space where their oldest wines are kept. On this educational tour, you will learn about the unique grape variety that grows exclusively in Montilla, the popular and worldwide known "Pedro Ximenez". You will also learn about the entire process and aging system of these unique dry and sweet wines, a process that is probably the oldest in Spain. The visit will end with a delicious tasting of some of these varieties paired with a selection of tapas showcasing some of the region's best products.
  
  Your olive oil and wine experience will be completed with a lovely pairing lunch at one of the most emblematic taverns in town. Raise your glass for a toast to a great wine experience! After lunch, you will be driven to your hotel in Sevilla, where you will have the rest of the evening free to enjoy at your leisure.
  
  Did you know that Spain is the largest producer of olive oil in the world and that 80% of Spanish production is made in Andalusia? The history of olive oil takes us back to the Phoenician and Greek civilizations that settled in the Iberian Peninsula over 3,000 years ago. The importance of olive oil to Spanish culture cannot be overstated; locals refer to it as "liquid gold". Spain is also home to an abundance of grape varieties; making it the third-largest wine producer in the world. Home of the famed "Gran Capitan", Gonzalo Fernández de Córdoba, a Spanish general who fought in the Conquest of Granada and the Italian Wars, Montilla is the center of the Designation of Origin wine zone known as Montilla-Moriles. The landscape here is dry and the soil is a blinding white Albariza (white marl composed of clay, calcium, and marine fossils). Its excellent moisture retention is very significant as this area is hotter than almost anywhere else in Spain.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
• DAY 4
  The Royal Alcazar of Seville

  Seville - Be enchanted by Seville

  The perfect way to explore Seville's old town's UNESCO World Heritage Sites and learn about the important role they played in the history of the city. Your art historian guide will meet you at the lobby of your hotel for an introductory walking tour to discover the main historic sites in Sevilla. The tour will include a visit to the Roman Catholic Cathedral of Sevilla, the world's largest Gothic church, whose constructions lasted for over a century.
  
  You will then head to the Royal Alcazar Palace, a beautiful example of Mudéjar architecture in the Iberian Peninsula. The tour will take you through the city's Santa Cruz Jewish quarter, this labyrinth of narrow streets and alleys designed to protect you from the oppressive sun of the Sevillian summer is scattered with lovely green and lively plazas. Some cities blast you away, others slowly win you over. Sevilla disarms and seduces you. The irresistible city of Sevilla, Andalucia’s capital, is located on the shores of the River Guadalquivir. Its population of about 1.5 million makes it the fourth-largest city in Spain. Its historic center, the third-largest in Europe with an area of 4 km2, contains three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the fabulous Mudéjar Alcázar palace, the Gothic Cathedral, and the General Archive of the Indies. Lorded over by a colossal Gothic cathedral, the old town is an intoxicating mix of resplendent Mudéjar palaces, baroque churches, and winding medieval lanes. Flamenco clubs keep the intimacy and intensity of this centuries-old tradition alive whilst aristocratic mansions recall the city’s past as a showcase Moorish capital and, later, a 16th-century metropolis rich on the back of New World trade. But what is captivating about the city, as much as the monuments and works of art, is its essential romantic quality, the greatest city of Carmen, Don Juan and Figaro...
  
  In the evening, flamenco performance and dinner at one of the most emblematic "Tablaos" in Seville. Before the performance, an à la carte dinner with dishes of high Andalusian cuisine will be served with drinks. Towards the end of the dinner, the show will start and will last for approximately 1.5 hours. With more than 40 years of experience, this "Tablao" offers the purest Flamenco you can find in Andalusia. Probably the best place in Sevilla to live the excitement and duende of flamenco. This show features up to 15 of the most professional flamenco artists in the whole of Spain. Excitement and enjoyment are guaranteed!

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
• DAY 5
  Marbella, Spain

  Marbella - A Mediterranean beauty

  Your private driver/guide will pick you up from Sevilla and will take you to your hotel in Marbella. In Marbella, you have the best of both worlds: the glorious beach and the historic old town. You’ll have the rest of the day free to enjoy at your leisure.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Accommodation
  • Transfer
• DAY 6
  Cooking in Marbella, Spain

  Marbella - Relax and treat yourselves

  There is another Costa del Sol that is a secret to most tourists and a hidden sanctuary for ramblers. The Senda Litoral de Malaga is a 100 miles (163km) path that goes along the entire province of Malaga's coast and which allows you to go from town to town, starting at Nerja and ending in Manilva. Today, we suggest you take the path to Puerto Puerto Banús: a small marina with luxurious yachts surrounded by high-end designer shops, boutiques, and restaurants.
  The path was built using natural & environmentally friendly materials, mainly wooden walkways or compacted sand, and was designed to blend into the varying landscapes along the route, allowing walkers to explore this beautiful coast with total ease and comfort while enjoying the sound of the sea.
  
  Today we recommend the romantic sunset boat trip. Experience the spectacular Marbella sunset on the pristine waters of the Mediterranean as you admire the Marbella skyline en enjoy the cool breeze. Have a drink, relax, and savor this unique and intimate romantic evening.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Accommodation
• DAY 7
  The historic Calle Gran Via is a main artery in Madrid

  Madrid - The flavours of Madrid

  You can take an easy last morning in Marbella and enjoy the sea and everything this exceptional town has to offer. In the afternoon, the private transfer to Malaga train station to take a high-speed train to Madrid.
  
  Once in Madrid, we will arrange for a private transfer to your hotel, where you can rest and enjoy the rest of the afternoon.
  
  Evening: Madrid Tapas, Taverns & History Evening Tour (small group)
  A 2-in-1 adventure combining amazing tapas and a fascinating walking tour of Madrid’s historic center. Tonight, you will learn to do tapas like a local as you make your way through Madrid’s city center! In between four iconic Madrid tapas bars, you’ll hear the story of how Madrid went from a small village to the capital of one of the world’s greatest empires! Between sipping Spanish wine and devouring the best of Madrid’s tapas, your expert guide will bring the city’s fascinating history to life as you wind in and out of grand plazas and mystery-filled streets. Start your night by popping into a royally located tavern where you’ll find out what tapas really are! As you sip vermouth, you’ll taste freshly fried chips, local olives, and Marcona almonds. Then it’s time for the show-stopper—Spain’s very best jamón ibérico de bellota, or cured acorn-fed Iberian ham. Next up is Madrid’s royal palace, where you’ll get a mini-lesson on how Madrid was founded. As you wander through the oldest part of Madrid, the Habsburg neighborhood, you’ll discover its hidden squares and secrets. Before you get to the next tapas bar, your guide will continue the story of Madrid’s history as they lead you down a tucked-away street to show you a century-old tradition still practiced today!
  
  The next tapas bar is known for one thing—fantastic grilled mushrooms! While here, you’ll learn what most locals drink (it’s NOT sangria!) as you enjoy its famous mushrooms and Padrón peppers. As you make your way to the third tapas bar of the night, you’ll pass through two of Madrid’s key squares as your guide brings more of Madrid’s storied past to life. At the third tapas bar, you’ll taste gambas al ajillo—a dish this family-run bar claims to have invented! You’ll also be able to order a glass of wine made from the same family’s vineyard in the Toro region. To end the night with a bang, you’ll head to a traditional tapas bar to sit down and enjoy hot-off-the-grill raciones—larger portions meant to share! From crispy grilled chorizo to beer-battered calamari and more, this tapas feast will solidify your expertise in doing tapas like a local!

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
• DAY 8
  Almudena Cathedral is a Catholic church in Madrid, Spain

  Madrid - Discover the highlights of Royal Madrid

  Your art historian guide will meet you in the lobby of your hotel for an introductory walking tour* to discover the highlights of Madrid.
  
  On this private tour, you will explore both Hapsburg and Bourbon dynasties' legacies, spanning the 16th to the 19th centuries. In the Madrid of the Habsburgs, you will learn about the development of the area around the Plaza Mayor, the Casa de la Villa square, and the Puerta del Sol, which marked the eastern gate of the city under their reign. The Bourbons expanded the boundary of the city beyond the Puerta del Sol to the Prado Museum and Retiro Park. The Bourbon dynasty was inspired by the court of Versailles and you can see the French influence in the buildings they commissioned, including the Royal Palace, with its elegant Plaza del Oriente and Royal Theater, the Bank of Spain building, the beautiful Cibeles and Neptune fountains, and the world-renowned Prado Museum.
  
  Afternoon & evening to explore other sites of Madrid at your leisure. Madrid, Spain's central capital, is a city of elegant boulevards and expansive, manicured parks such as the Buen Retiro. It’s renowned for its rich repositories of European art, including the Prado Museum’s works by Goya, Velázquez, and other Spanish masters. The Habsburg dynasty (Los Austrias) ruled Spain during its Golden Age and established Madrid as the capital of the country. During their reign in the 16th and 17th centuries, the old center of the city was transformed with the construction of many of the city’s historic buildings around the area of the Plaza Mayor. The Bourbon dynasty reigned after the Habsburgs, and they continued the transformation and expansion of the city. They are responsible for commissioning some of Madrid’s most iconic buildings, including the Royal Palace, the Cibeles and Neptune fountains, and the Prado Museum.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
• DAY 9

  Madrid Airport

  A private driver to take you to the airport for your flight home.
  
  All good things must come to an end... We hope you enjoyed your journey with us in Spain.
  
  Hasta pronto!

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Transfer