A Luxury Spanish Honeymoon

In Spain’s northwestern corner sits the proudly independent comunidad autónoma of Catalonia, with the charismatic city of Barcelona as its capital.

In Spain’s northwestern corner sits the proudly independent comunidad autónoma of Catalonia, with the charismatic city of Barcelona as its capital. One of Europe’s greatest cities, Barcelona has a rich history with iconic architectural treasures dating from Roman temples to winding gothic streets, with Gaudi’s uniquely playful modernism cut with stark millennial flashes of glass and steel. There is a tangibly buzzing culture in the streets and squares, an inspiration for some of the 20th century’s greatest artists and writers, that makes exploring tucked away bars, cafes, restaurants, museums and galleries endlessly captivating.

Enjoy Gaudi's La Pedrera when everyone else has gone home with an exclusive after hours tour. As well as getting to explore the building you'll enjoy an audiovisual show with multiple projections in the stairwells, offering an insight into the life and essence of Gaudi's architecture. The rooftop is home to a collection of sculptures known as 'soldiers' and you'll enjoy looking out over the twinkling city while toasting your tour with a glass of cava.

Explore the beautiful city of Barcelona, the Catalan capital that is at once traditional and eccentric. You'll begin at the Citadel Park and the Trionf Arch, where the 1888 World Fair took place, before heading to the bustling Paseo de Gracia. Discover some of Gaudí’s most famous works including Casa Milá, Casa Batlló, and La Sagrada Familia which, although not finished, is considered his masterpiece and is a real feat of engineering incorporating stone, brick, tiles and glass.

You’ll also explore the narrow streets of the city’ Gothic Quarter - the medieval remains hidden in these streets will help give life to the unknown corners of the city that rarely appear in the guidebooks. Finally you will head to Parc de Montjuïc in the Sants neighbourhood, located on the hill overlooking the port. This area hosted the 1992 Olympic Games and is now home to museums, gardens and the pretty Magic Fountain.

Take a stunning scenic helicopter flight over Barcelona for a view of the city like no other. Have fun spotting the Olympic Port, Sagrada Familia, Park Güell and the Barcelona football stadium. You'll also fly over Montserrat with incredible views of the mountains of Catalonia.

Some of the world’s finest wines and cava are produced in the Penedès region of Catalonia, located between the plains of the Mediterranean coast and the mountains. You’ll visit the Can Ràfols del Caus winery which has its own cellar carved out of the Dolomitic limestone, totally invisible from above ground. Enjoy a wine tasting and a tapas lunch with cava.

Barcelona is a city that comes alive at night, and you’ll experience the bright lights and the buzz with an evening sidecar tour. Whizz through the streets, taking in sights such as the Columbus Monument, Barceloneta Beach, El Born, Sagrada Familia, Montjuic Hill and much more. The city's buildings and avenues take on a different personality at night and you'll enjoy seeing a whole new side to Barcelona.

Few fail to be impressed by the Guggenheim’s other-worldly appearance, a silver space-age construction dedicated to modern and contemporary art. Designed by Frank Gehry, the museum is located on a former wharf and made from approximately 33,000 extremely thin titanium sheets. Inside is just as impressive with three floors centred around the atrium by means of curved walkways and titanium and glass elevators.

The sophisticated and shimmering city of San Sebastian in the north of the country sits at the mouth of the River Urumea, looking out on to the Bay of Biscay, with the natural beauty of Mount Urgull, Mount Ulia, Mount Adarra and Mount Igeldo at its back. Its covetable position has given rise to a lively beachfront that includes Playa de la Concha, renowned as one of the best beaches in Europe, and Playa de la Zurriola, a champion surfing destination. But it's the city's fabled elegant architecture, spacious plazas and plentiful green parks that has led to its moniker as the 'Pearl of Northern Spain'. San Sebastian is famous for its pintxos and an evening dipping in and out of its bars is not to be missed.

San Sebastian has every right to be incredibly proud of its culinary heritage, and going out for pintxos is a fun and delicious experience. Pintxos are small morsels of food and people will typically visit three or four bars, sampling a different dish in each place. Originally pintxos were held together by a toothpick but nowadays there are all sorts of variations and they are best enjoyed with a wine, beer or a glass of txakolí - the lightly sparkling wine typical of the Basque country.

Take to the turquoise waters of the beautiful La Concha Bay and paddle past Santa Clara Island, the Peine del Viento sculpture by Ondaretta Beach and the port. Your instructor will show you the ropes and guide you through the calm waters so you can relax and enjoy the views of this pretty town from a different and unique angle.

Internationally famous for the quality of its produce, the wines that bear its name, La Rioja showcases more than 500 wineries nestled in vast vineyards. While you’re here, you can discover tiny family owned and operated bodegas alongside huge industrial producers. It’s not all vineyards though. La Rioja also presents a beautifully varied landscape of forests, Iberian mountain ranges, lunar-like landscapes and no less than seven rivers which along with their tributaries have carved almost countless valleys and grandiose canyons.

Enjoy a panoramic drive through La Sonsierra, where modern winemaking originated, through quaint villages such as Labastida and Briones en route to Haro. As well as containing many of the region's legendary bodegas, Haro houses the Museo del Vino de Rioja which chronicles the history, evolution and creation of Spanish wines. It also has a pretty old town with several palaces and every years hosts the Batalla de Vino, where participants douse each other in red wine during a mock battle. The tour finishes in Laguardia where you’ll visit the Casa Primicia winery.

The jewel in the Moorish Caliphate of Cordoba and the capital of the most powerful Castilian Kingdom, Seville has been left with eye-popping architecture and majestic grace. While Seville reached its peak in the 17th century and then suffered terribly in the Spanish Civil War, today it has resurrected itself as the capital and largest city of Andalusia. You'll need to spend a few days here at least to experience the true essence of Spanish grandeur.

Enjoy a walking tour through Barrio de Santa Cruz, Seville's oldest quarter, learning about its history from the Roman times right up until the present day. You'll visit the cathedral which sits on the site of the Great Mosque of the 12th century; the only part of this that remains is the minaret, now known as the Giralda Tower. The Royal Alcazar was the site of the marriage between Carlos V and Isabel of Portugal and is centred around two courtyards. The Ambassador's Hall is beautifully decorated with plasterwork and tiles, while the top floor is accessed by a 16th century staircase featuring paintings by Roelas and Madrazo. The pretty gardens reflect the passing of historical periods and are a lush hideaway filled with pomegranate, orange and palm trees.

Take the pressure off your feet for a while and enjoy a horse and carriage ride through Seville. Admire some of the city’s most famous monuments, buildings and parks including the Palace of Saint Telmo, the former tobacco factory, Maria Luisa Park and the Torre del Oro.

Flamenco is the traditional song and dance of the gypsies of Andalusia and was developed over hundreds of years before becoming popular in the 19th century as a form of café entertainment. There are three parts to every flamenco show: 'grande' or 'hondo' with intense, profound songs; 'intermedio'; and finally 'pequeño', lighthearted songs about love and nature.

Spain has an incredibly rich culinary history and is famous for its tapas, bite-sized morsels of delicious food usually enjoyed with a glass or wine or beer. You'll visit some of the city's best tapas bars and enjoy dining the way Spaniards have for more than two centuries.

Sat either side of the Taj del Ronda, a narrow gorge more than 150m deep, Ronda is one of Spain's most dramatic towns. The medieval quarter is located to the south of the river while the more modern town has sprung up to the north. Walk along the 18th century Puente Nuevo bridge which straddles the chasm and offers spectacular views out over the Serranía de Ronda mountains and visit beautiful old buildings such as the Church of Santa Maria and the bullring.

Seville's brooding Andalusian sister sits at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains, the Iberian Peninsula's highest massif. Renowned as the last stronghold of the Moors who were driven out of Western Europe in the 15th century, it's here that you'll best discover Andalusia's splendid Arabic architectural heritage including the beautiful Alhambra Palace.

The lavish Alhambra is Granada's most visited site. Once a palace and fortress for the city's Muslim rulers, the Alhambra means ‘red fort' and is named after the red clay used in its construction in the mid-13th century. The Generalife was the country residence of the Nasrid king and the recreational courtyard and its beautiful gardens sit on the slopes of the Cerro del Sol, offering spectacular views.

Take to the skies and enjoying seeing Granada from a truly unique angle. You'll take off from the Hermitage of San Miguel Alto to the west of the city and fly over the famous Sacromonte and Alzayzín neighbourhoods, the cathedral and the mighty Alhambra. Once you land, you'll enjoy an informal breakfast in the countryside.

Head to the Hammam al Andalus, the first Arab baths to reopen in Europe after being closed down in the 16th century. The baths are located at the foot of the Alhambra over the ruins of an original public bath. They feature hot, warm and cool baths which you can dip in and out of, as well as a steam room. You'll also enjoy a traditional massage using red grape soap and essential oils.

Cordoba is perhaps Spain’s most handsome city, an historic centre of culture and lasting testament to a golden age of religious tolerance during its time as a caliphate. King Ferdinand III then claimed the city for Castile during the Spanish Reconquista, bequeathing it its gothic and renaissance finery. Visit today, and you'll find Cordoba's grand past beautifully reflected in the city's magnificent architecture. During your tour, explore the Moorish, Jewish and Christian quarters including the Alcazar with its beautiful gardens. You'll also discover Roman remains and the famous Mezquita Mosque-Cathedral.