Couple's Retreat to Barcelona, Valencia, and Madrid

The Mediterranean's shimmering waters will welcome you in as your plane coasts along the tarmac at Barcelona's El Prat International Airport. Anticipation builds for Spain's savory paella and delectable seafood as you step off the plane. You will be greeted by your private guide and will gather your bags before boarding your airport transfer into the city. You and your partner will marvel at the spectacular coastline and exquisite facades as you pass bold palaces and grand cathedrals. Soon, you will round the Placa de Catalunya and arrive at your luxury hotel accommodations in the heart of the historic Gothic Quarter.

After settling into your hotel accommodations and taking in the city views from your private balcony, you can venture into the city as a couple for some self-guided exploration. Together, you can meander down Las Ramblas boulevard to peruse artwork and handicrafts. Then, step inside La Boqueria Market to admire the beautiful displays of cheeses and olives before enjoying a glass of red wine and pintxos appetizer. Later that evening, after a moonlit stroll along the beach, you can enjoy a lovely three-course meal along La Barceloneta.

In the morning, you and your partner will set off on a guided tour of Barcelona's Gothic Quarter, just beyond your hotel lobby. There's so much to see and do in the city center. Experience its history through the impressive architecture, which mostly dates back to the 19th and 20-centuries. Together with your guide, you will visit such highlights as the Placa Reial, Placa Sant Jaume, Church of Santa Maria del Pi and the remains of an ancient Roman temple. Midday, you will stop for lunch beside the Palau de la Generalitat while being entertained by street performers and live music.

In the afternoon, you can set out by foot, metro, or private shuttle accommodations to Gaudi's grand Park Guell, located in the Gracia neighborhood. You and your partner will get lost in the romantic whimsy of the park as you stroll beneath archways adorned with careful stonework, climb majestic staircases, explore charming cottages, and hike secluded trails. As the sun begins to set, you and your partner can find a place for yourself on the beautiful tile mosaic benches as you look out on stunning panoramic views of the city outstretched below.

The next day, you are in for a treat, quite literally. You will explore most of Gaudi's fantastical designs, then take part in an authentic cooking class. In the early morning hours, as the city begins to buzz with activity, you can enjoy a light breakfast from your hotel balcony before meeting your expert guide in your hotel lobby an hour or so later.

First, you will set out by metro or private transport, whatever your preference, to the Sagrada Familia cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Gaudi's classic facades are eye-catching, even from a distance. Careful stonework depicting biblical stories morphs below into oozing, molten lava-like formations. As you enter the church, you will surely be in awe as you are met with the kaleidoscopic hues of light pouring in from massive stained glass windows. Stroll amongst the massive stone columns and marvel at the soaring ceilings.

Later that afternoon, you will participate in a couple's cooking class with the help of an expert chef. Roll up your sleeves as you mix vegetables, seafood, and chicken, blended with rice and crimson-red saffron to create a culinary medley you two can enjoy from a luxurious balcony overlooking the city.

In the morning, you're off to more sunshine, whimsy, and artistic excellence in Spain's beautiful coastal city of Valencia. You will take a high-speed train from Barcelona and arrive in Spain's third-largest city less than 2.5 hours later. Moreover, you will enjoy stunning views of Mediterannean as you careen down the shoreline. Soon, you will arrive in Valencia and settle into your hotel beside the Mercat Central in the city's historic downtown.

On your first day, you and your partner can amble along the cobbled streets of Valencia's downtown to admire Plaza de la Reina, the Serranos Towers, and La Rotunda. You can also step inside the Mercat Central to marvel at intricate displays of wines, cheeses, and olives. Then, venture due east to Valencia's stunning beaches, including La Malva Rosa Beach. You can look out on bobbing sailboats as you wade into the warm, sparkling water. Once dusk falls on the city, you can return to the historic downtown to participate in a tapas bar crawl, including shrimp, croquetas, patatas bravas, and of course, the coveted paella. Enjoy a glass of wine or sangria as nighttime entertainment ensues, from live music to impromptu flamenco dancing.

Today, you and your partner will set out on an adventure all your own. You can choose for a guide to accompany you for portions of the day, or take on sightseeing, just the two of you. You can enjoy a light breakfast, a cafe con leche and tostada, from a charming cafe beside your hotel. Then set off on a scenic bike ride to Santiago Calatrava's famous City of Arts and Sciences. This beautiful, fifteen-minute bike ride offers you unmatched city views as you pass through Valencia's serpentine greenspace. Soon, you will arrive at the park complex and immediately be met by the bold, stark white structures and futuristic designs most closely associated with Calatrava's aesthetic. You can walk past the L'Oceanografic, the city's aquarium, and marvel at the massive glass windows that reflect the sparkling sunlight. Then, walk around the park's central basin and admire the dome or tortoise shell-like exterior known as the Hemispheric.

In the evening, you can enjoy a romantic dinner beside the city's cathedral, then take one last stroll through the historic downtown, past the Portal de la Valldigna and La Lonja de la Seda.

Finally, you will make your way via high-speed train to Spain's national capital. You and your partner can get lost amongst the hustle and bustle of city life as you wind along cobbled streets as mopeds and taxis whiz past you. You'll arrive mid-morning at your hotel just minutes from the Plaza del Sol. You can explore the plaza as tourists gather to admire the Puerta del Sol, marking the convergence point of all major Spanish roads. Street performers, musicians, and vendors line major boulevards and quaint plazas throughout the downtown.

Your first sightseeing highlight will bring you to Madrid's Royal Palace. You will walk the opulent halls of the palace, still the official residence of the Spanish royal family to this day. From the courtyard, you can take in panoramic views of the city. Then, in the afternoon, you'll once again cross the city center, this time, to Parque El Retiro. Hitch a ride on a horse-drawn carriage ride or board a tandem paddle boat ride along the Grande Pond to admire the park from a new vantage point. In the evening, you can dine at the grand Plaza Mayor.

On your final day in Spain, you will have a choice to explore either downtown or along the city's periphery. You can also focus your last day on sightseeing or final souvenir shopping activities. You can begin the day by indulging in Madrid's beloved sugary fried churros at one of the country's oldest churreria cafes.

Then, discover trendy shops along Madrid's bustling Gran Via fashion district or venture beyond the city center to the trendy neighborhoods of Malasana or Lavapies. You can visit open-aired markets or uncover excellent hole-in-the-wall tapas venues while live music plays in the background. As time allows, you may also get the chance to visit Reina Sofia Art Museum, featuring famous work by Salvador Dali and Pablo Picasso.

By late afternoon, you and your partner will return to your hotel and meet your guide. Then, you will collect your bags and board your private airport shuttle. As you both look out the window, you will surely think back to the exquisite Park Guell at sunset, the bold architecture of Valencia's City of Arts and Sciences, and the energetic fervor of Madrid's Plaza del Sol.