Seduced by the Glamour of Spain & Portugal: 16-Day Honeymoon Getaway

Barcelona is built on history and its contemporary cosmopolitan still holds the character of ancient Spain among its modern skyscrapers and art deco buildings. A marvelous mix of local flavor and international influence derives from the artistically shaped walls of famous architectural structures and blended town squares featuring a flurry of fusion restaurants. Your honeymoon will begin the moment you transfer from the airport to your accommodation, relishing a ravishing tour of Antoni Gaudí’s surreal works of art, including the curvaceous facade of Batlló House, fairytale spires of the Sagrada Familia, and colorful gardens of Park Güell.

Medieval districts dressed in buildings typical of ancient Rome will be your playground on a tour of Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter, featuring large arches and candle lights flickering in romantic red restaurants hidden within the brown-bricked alleys. You may unravel the neighborhood's Jewish heritage from within magnificent old synagogues and discover important landmarks such as San Jaime Square and Barcelona's Cathedral before you peacefully stroll along the lush boulevards of Las Ramblas. Colorful flowers are picked from florists, water fountains trickle in and around town squares, and aromas dance from chic cafés; this is Barcelona at its best.

Portugal’s artistic jewel Porto is a short distance from Barcelona, and you will transfer comfortably to an accommodation just steps away from the bubbly city center. Your guide will meet you when you are ready for an adventure in and around the famous European city. Porto’s historic center combines influences of the Romans, medieval settlers, and Almada’s period habitants who sought refuge on the safe Portuguese coastline. Today, their authority can be seen and their lives reimagined as you visit central highlights reflecting a timeline from ancient eras through the Renaissance and Baroque periods to the neoclassical and modern present.

There is something to discover behind every corner of Porto, and your second day here is left free for you to unpack the history and cultural highlights on your own time. You may wake up late or grab breakfast early, depending on your preferences and desire to see what else Porto has to offer. From panoramic views atop Clérigos Tower to breathtaking, colorful ceramic tile displays veiling the São Bento Railway Station, multicultural markets of Mercado do Bolhão, and unique architecture of succeeding eras, you and your partner will be at a loss for words exploring the pleasures of Porto.

Loaded with historic landmarks, bursting with cultural character, and boasting a distinct pastel-colored cityscape wedged between the shimmering Tagus Estuary and the sun-baked virescent Portuguese hills, Lisbon is a dream coastal capital you will discover today. Lisbon’s Jewish heritage exudes from the buildings, museums, and galleries built in and around the towns where thousands of refugees escaped the devastating effects of World War II. Alfama and Bairro Alto represent two of these historically significant districts, and your visits today will be educational as they are endearing as you explore by carriage and dine at intimate family-run restaurants.

There’s much to explore in and around Lisbon, and you may spend your morning and afternoon doing exactly that, with a stunning and charming estuary sailing experience planned between your free time. The city of Lisbon’s beauty may be appreciated from this unique vantage point as the distance allows you to absorb its majesty in its entirety, and you may capture sensational landscape photography of the pastel skyline kissed by the sunshine. Approaching the Tower of Belém and 25th April Bridge, you will get a better sense of their commanding stature from the bobbing waters of the Tagus.

Today marks your return to Spain, this time to the Andalusian capital of Seville, a rich reservoir of European heritage nestled on the banks of the lower reaches of the River Guadalquivir. You will check into a gorgeous accommodation accentuated by old-world embellishments and featuring a rooftop terrace where you can enjoy the views while sipping on a steamy cup of coffee. In the afternoon, your guide will chaperone you through Seville’s old city and drop you off at alluring highlights such as La Giralda, the Alcázar, and the city’s heart of tourism, Barrio Santa Cruz.

Seville’s Triana neighborhood reflects the history on which working-class Spain was built, introducing visitors to the heritage of bullfighting, the culture of flamenco dancing, and swashbuckling fables of Columbus and the Spanish Inquisition. The neighborhood’s buildings capture the fascinating whimsy of old-world Spain, from echoing stadiums to stately theaters, and you may witness performances or explore exhibits to unearth Seville’s timeless traditions. In the afternoon, you will indulge in the luxurious Seville tapas during a tasting tour from café to restaurant and culminating at a vibrant bar for sunset.

Spain is one of the world’s coveted wine producers, representing the third-largest exporter of wine around the globe, and the leading manufacturer of olive oil. The fertile soils of the countryside surrounding Seville grow an astonishing assortment of grapes used to create the country’s rich collection of varietals. Today, you and your partner will be whisked through the country to wineries and olive mills where European romance is no better enjoyed than overlooking the golden landscape with a glass of wine in one hand and a cracker with award-winning cheese and a drizzle of olive oil in the other.

At this point in your vacation, you will have appreciated the beauty of the European countryside, absorbed the inspiration of Spain’s multicultural heritage, and admired the art of Portugal’s bustling cityscapes. Today, you will continue to adore your time in Europe only from the comforts of the sun-washed shorelines of Spain’s resort town, Nerja. As your transfer wraps around the forested headlands, you will catch a glimpse of the town’s blinding white-washed buildings and gleaming pearl-white sands – a luxe and postcard-perfect retreat from Europe’s busy cities.

Nestled at the foothills of the Sierra Nevada’s snowy peaks and fortified in sandstone hues on a rolling olive-green hilltop, Granada appears frozen in time from the outside. As you enter the gates and browse its charming complex, you will quickly discover that its historic ambiance also emanates from within. Today, you will trace back Granada’s Moorish origins and explore the royal grounds of the Alhambra and the landscaped lawns and floral collections of the Generalife Gardens. There is something intrinsically magical and timeless about the landmark’s towering patios, regal palaces, and shining pools dating back to the Nasrid dynasty.

The coastal Mediterranean region of Axarquía in Spain is a delightful place to spend a free day as visitors may soak up the sunshine from the soft sands of Nerja’s castaway beaches, head for the forested hills to spot Andalusian wildlife, or visit modest local villages such as Cómpeta or Sayalonga. These quiet towns provide refuge from tourist crowds and allow eager couples stepping off the beaten path to take their time basking in the authentic Spanish atmosphere, radiant golden sunshine, and exquisite delicacies sending fragrant wafts through friendly town squares.

The Spanish capital of Madrid competes with the world’s most glamorous cities, and it wins in most regards thanks to the city’s iconic fashion culture, exquisite contemporary and historically-influenced architecture, and galleries hosting the world’s emblematic works of art. After arriving, you may slip into your favorite fashionable clothing and hit the exuberant city streets to tour landmark sites such as the Madrid de Los Austrias, Plaza Mayor, and the Puerta del Sol. Your best of the city experience will culminate in the Prado Museum, where you will be stunned by the works of Goya, Velázquez, and more.

The walled city of Toledo is a point of historic importance that captures Jewish heritage from within the cultural quarter and the medieval constructs and complexes that you will visit on a tour of the destination today. The synagogues Santa María la Blanca and Nuestra Señora del Tránsito are two of the most important in Spanish history, owing to the city’s nickname “Spain’s Jerusalem”. You will explore more of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town to admire the art and architecture preserving centuries of Spanish history before you tuck into regional cuisine in an intimate dining setting this evening.

You may spend your morning in Madrid wandering the neighborhoods around town at your pace, taking your time to lap up every little detail of the Spanish capital in images captured from lofty viewpoints and moments walking hand in hand down flowered boulevards. In the afternoon, you will ignite your taste buds with the flavors of Spanish cuisine during a tapas and wine tour led by a professional sommelier. You will learn about the country’s wine production origins, master the art of wine tasting, and satisfy your senses with sensational snacks.

Your honeymoon getaway to Spain and Portugal will be coming to an end today, so take some time to appreciate Madrid’s magic this morning after breakfast and before you transfer to the airport for your flight home. You may stroll the busy streets and take detours down quiet alleys where crowds dwindle and collections of fashionable stores and stylish cafés unassumingly express the cultural charms of Spain. You may head for a few more highlights such as Buen Retiro, a manicured park where couples sit beneath the trees, or museums not yet explored before you go.