Amazingly Diverse!
Spain
Spain – Day 1 – Madrid
We arrive in Madrid, Spain. Our local host meets us at 8pm and takes us around the main square of the city, sampling wine and food along the way. He is a Spanish celebrity who knows everything about the history of this beautiful place.
Spain – Day 2 – Prado Museum
We are excited for our private tour of the Museo del Prado, an institution dating back almost 200 years and one whose origins and unique nature are largely due to the collecting tastes of Spain’s 16th- and 17th-century monarchs. Collecting at that period differed from the present day. This explains why the Prado has been described as a museum of painters not of paintings, given that its artists are represented in a superlative manner with, for example, the largest holdings of Bosch, Titian, El Greco, Rubens, Velázquez and Goya, some numbering more than 100 works.
Spain – Day 3 – Granada
We hop in our sports car and start the drive to Granada. Along the way we stop in Toledo. We tour Churches and museums, have lunch and then on to the magical city of Granada.
Spain – Day 4 – Los Patos Palace
We are staying at Los Patos Palace, an elegant conversion of a 19th-century palace. Its classic and industrial architecture is declared an Asset of Cultural Interest and the newly constructed Alabastro Building combines depth and transparencies behind a majestic and subtle latticework.
Spain – Day 4 – Los Platos Dining
As suggested, we start off and enjoy the deeply rooted local tradition-tapas. Our options are pastela moruna (chicken pastry pie), a recipe with clear Mozarabic influence; the scallop salad with citrus and saffron, or the red tuna fillet with lime and wasabi cream. Other gastronomic highlights at Los Patos include delicious meat dishes such as the rack of segureño suckling lamb with couscous salad, cucumber, and mint yogurt. We love our fabulous, authentic meal and fall right asleep in our gorgeous room.
Spain – Day 5 – Alhambra Palace
We leave lots of time to tour The Alhambra Palace. It was built in 889. Then in 1333, the Sultan of Granada built it into the largest example of Islamic Architecture.
Spain – Day 6 – Sevilla
Off to Sevilla! You cannot go to Sevilla without spending time in the Metropol Parasol. It is said to be the world’s largest wooden structure. There are museums and cafés all around. Children and young people are on skateboards, musicians are singing – it is a wonderful place to people watch.
Spain – Day 7 – Barcelona
Next it’s a quick flight to Barcelona and an evening panoramic tour of Barcelona.
Spain – Day 8 – Picaso Museum
We tour the Picasso Museum that displays his early works and then our guide takes us on a walking tour with frequent stops at private galleries. The Architecture of Antonio Gaudi is all around you in Barcelona. The Sagrada Familia, his most famous project, began construction in 1883 and still is not completed. It is the largest building that combines both Gothic and Art Nouveau Architecture.
Spain – Day 9 – Ibiza
What a delight in experiencing all this culture and culinary wonders. But now it’s time to relax on the beaches of Ibiza.
