Honeymoon Getaway to Portugal and Spain

Portugal’s hilly coastline exudes scenic charm and its capital city, Lisbon, is an example of the kind of cultural allure that can be found along the banks of the Tagus Estuary. Pastel-colored homes hover over sparkling waters, historic landmarks punctuate town squares, and forested mountains accentuate views from a dreamy accommodation you will privately transfer from Lisbon Portela Airport. A local with insider knowledge of Lisbon’s gastronomic scene will greet you in the lobby, and you will spend the afternoon discovering the multiculturalism of Mouraria through traditional Fado music and tantalizing food included in your culinary tour.

A delicious breakfast of eggs benedict, freshly squeezed orange juice, and zesty fruit salads against backdrops of the shimmering, sun-washed estuary will mark your first morning in Lisbon. Your knowledgeable guide will meet you after breakfast for a highlights tour of the city, beginning in the lush gardens of the 18th-century aqueduct, Jardim das Amoreiras. The upscale mansions of Príncipe Real, steep cobbled streets of Bairro Alto’s bohemian quarter, and bustling boutique boulevards of Baixa will seduce you en route to lofty viewpoints from Belem Tower’s medieval battlements.

After breakfast, your guide will collect you from your accommodation for an otherworldly adventure through the magnificent fairytale forests of Sintra to the historic region’s artistic landmarks. Your journey will begin beneath the twisted treeline of Pena Park and, as you stroll along grassy paths past rippling water features and medieval constructs, the birds will sing a sweet symphony for you and your partner. Peek inside the park’s secret caves and wander effortlessly through the greenery before you arrive at the multi-colored, Renaissance-inspired Pena Palace perched atop the summit of Sintra Mountain.

A rental car is yours to enjoy the scenic roads between Lisbon and Comporta as you make your way along the coastline to a sublime 17-acre estate with luxe suites standing over pearl-white shores. There are few better honeymoon retreats than the quiet beaches of Comporta, particularly the velvety private coastline that sweeps miles of the coastal paradise. Unpack your belongings and wander a few feet to reach the seaside or hop on horseback to gallop to distant headlands. Romantic picnics on deserted beaches and private lakes represent a few more of the secluded pleasures for you to enjoy.

Sand dunes stretch across Comporta’s coastline, rice fields flourish amongst the proliferating meadows, fishing ports pepper the far-flung bays, and wine grape vineyards cascade the surrounding countryside. There are boundless experiences for couples, from relaxing and intimate activities to others that allow you both to embrace the local cultural roots. In the afternoon, you may slip into a silky robe and sip on a warm cup of tea as your expert masseuse prepares a range of spa therapies for you two to indulge in together.

Spain’s mountainous Basque Country boasts a sprawling golden coastline of vibrant resort towns nestled in coves overlooking the Bay of Biscay. San Sebastian has long stood as one of the Basque Country’s most coveted seaside retreats as it hosts an assortment of elegant bungalows and chalets with postcard-perfect panoramas of the spectacular sunny seascape. You will check into a luxurious country home a stone's throw away from San Sebastian’s spirited beaches and spend your afternoon acclimating to Spain’s sensational seaside atmosphere and cultural bliss.

After a hearty breakfast of Spanish finger foods and silky fruit juices, you will join your driver and escape to the Basque countryside on a culinary tour. Your private full-day tour will take you through quaint villages that pepper the pastures to a sheep farm famous for its production of the local culinary icon, Idiazabal cheese. Embrace an intimate exploration of the farm’s timeless traditions, starting in the Milking Room and ending with a taste of the homegrown delicacies. Your tour will continue to the rolling Txakoli vineyards for exceptional vintages and a charming fishing village for tantalizing seafood dishes.

San Sebastian is a gateway to the surrounding splendors of the Basque Country, most notably absorbed along the quiet shores of the enormous Hendia beach. After a romantic stroll along the soft sands, you will tour the posh French beach resorts of Saint Jean de Luz and Biarritz and the fortified medieval parts of Hondarribia. Saint Jean de Luz’s 17-th century seaside history, Biarritz’s royal allure, and Hondarribia’s gothic and renaissance charms will come to life during your privately guided heritage tour of the French and Spanish Basque highlights.

The gastronomic gems of the Basque Country reflect years of culinary history and represent the future of Spanish cuisine, highlighting themselves as a marvelous blend of the tradition and sophistication rendered by some of the country’s most acclaimed chefs. You and your partner will relish an evening Pintxos, or Basque tapas, tour to the region’s celebrity chef-owned and historically adored restaurants and eateries to try a wealth of exceptionally crafted regional dishes. From the avant-garde atmosphere of unique bars to the stirring flavors of salted line-caught baby squid, Basque foodie brilliance is yours to indulge in.

Rising from the depths of the Balearic Sea stands the impressive Spanish Mallorca island, a spellbinding limestone formation bragging intimate resorts, sheltered coves, and Roman and Moorish remains that will entice you during your peaceful stay at a stunning sea villa. The stately accommodation is built upon a towering cliff looming over a charming fishing village surrounded by luxuriant mountains. The warm Mediterranean climate sweeps the hills and will nudge you down to the sunny sands where you may spend your afternoon on recliners reading books or sipping cocktails on stylish terraces.

Mallorca’s beauty knows no bounds, and the best way to explore its sublime scenery is from the comfort of a lavish yacht sailing the seas and narrow turquoise channels. Your insightful skipper will navigate the tranquil waters to crystal clear bays where snorkeling will introduce you to a colorful underwater world and hidden coves with not a single soul in sight. You will take your time enjoying the refuge of these concealed shores and uncrowded reefs before you arrive at a local village tucked away in the headland for an authentic bite of seafood caught earlier in the day.

Mallorca’s landscape is as magnificent as its seascape, and you will be thrilled to partake in a private tour of the island’s historic countryside and the wine farms and agricultural estates that have stood for centuries amongst the unspoiled wilderness. The oldest wine farm on the island was opened in 1711, and its cellars continue to produce some of Spain’s finest island wines. After sipping on a selection of vintages paired with charcuterie, you will visit an agricultural estate, known as a Finca, to learn more about how the delicate meats are prepared from the locally bred lamb and pork.

You and your partner will pack up your things, meet your private transfer, head for the airport, and take to the skies for the final leg of your journey in the cosmopolitan capital of Spain’s Catalonia region, Barcelona. Upon arrival, you will transfer to a gorgeous multiple-star accommodation a short walk from Barcelona’s famous Plaza Catalunya. You will admire the historic buildings' century-old charm, marble staircases, and embellished ceilings as you unpack in your new home away from home and spend the afternoon wallowing in the regality of it all.

After breakfast, your private guide for the day will show you to restored WWII motorbikes with sidecars lined outside your accommodation. You and your partner will climb into your own bike with a sidecar to follow your guide through the busy city streets down majestic avenues, through twists and turns, and past emblematic art nouveau architecture and heritage sites such as the Eixample, the Arc de Triumf, the Columbus monument, and the Arenas Monumental Bullfighting Stadium. You will also admire Antoni Gaudí’s collection of works in and around Barcelona, including the Sagrada Familia and more.

The day is yours to enjoy at leisure, choosing from a range of couple’s activities in and around Barcelona such as strolls through manicured gardens, visits to galleries boasting visionary works of art, and plazas bragging exemplary Spanish restaurants. In the evening, you will meet a local foodie with an uncanny knowledge of the city’s cuisine who will show you to northern Barcelona’s best-kept gastronomic secrets. Exploring colorful food markets, decorated restaurants, and cultural eateries, you will delve into the heart and history of Spanish cuisine.

On a clear day, the sunrise over Barcelona dresses the city in golden light and reflects off the ancient landmarks, historic buildings, and contemporary architecture. Locals and foreigners will flood the city streets, following the scent of freshly baked goods and the chorus of chatter coming from local markets. You will tuck into breakfast and spend your last moments enjoying the city scenes before your private transfer helps you load up your luggage and takes you to Barcelona airport in a timely manner.