Spain & Italy: 16-Day Itinerary
Expert Guides
Luxury Vehicles
Discover Both Spain & Italy With Our Luxury Tour
This 16-day tour combines private driver-guided experiences, insider access, and seamless comfort, revealing two of Europe’s most culturally rich nations at their most authentic.
Travel in style and comfort between four distinctive bases, Madrid, Seville, Rome, and Tuscany. With each destination, enjoy immersive guided explorations by day, and tranquil evenings in handpicked boutique hotels or countryside villas.
Destinations on Our 16 Day Tour of Spain & Italy:
- Day 1: Madrid: Arrival & walking tour & tapas evening
- Day 2: Madrid: The Golden Triangle of Art
- Day 3: Madrid: Royal Palace, Old Madrid & Retiro Park
- Day 4: Segovia: Day trip
- Day 5: Seville: Walking tour & flamenco dinner show
- Day 6: Seville: The Alcázar Palace, Seville Cathedral & Giralda Tower
- Day 7: Córdoba: Day trip to the Mezquita & Jewish Quarter
- Day 8: Andalusia Countryside
- Day 9: Rome: Walking tour & dinner in Trastevere
- Day 10: Rome: Ancient Rome – Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill
- Day 11: Vatican City: Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter’s Basilica
- Day 12: Tivoli: Day trip to Villa d’Este & Hadrian’s Villa
- Day 13: Tuscany: Arrival at countryside villa & farm-to-table dinner
- Day 14: Siena & San Gimignano: Tuscany’s medieval hill towns
- Day 15: Chianti: Private winery visits & tastings
- Day 16: Florence: Uffizi Gallery, Duomo & artisan quarter art walk
What’s Included?
- Exclusive skip-the-line access to all major sites
- English-Speaking Expert Local Guides
- Private tours and luxury vehicles for transfers
- Select Central Luxury Accommodations
- 24-7 Emergency Help
Day 1: Arrival & Introduction to Madrid
Private transfer • Walking Tour • Tapas evening
Arrive at Madrid–Barajas Airport, where your private driver awaits to whisk you into the city.
Take time to settle in before meeting your private local guide for a gentle walking orientation tour through the city’s highlights.
Wander down the Gran Vía, lined with art deco façades and old theatres, before emerging at Puerta del Sol, the symbolic center of Spain. Continue to Plaza Mayor, a grand 17th-century square framed by arched walkways, cafés, and street performers.
In the evening, we will prepare a private tapas tour in La Latina, one of Madrid’s liveliest districts. Duck into local taverns and family-run bodegas as your guide introduces you to classic bites, jamón ibérico, croquetas, grilled prawns, and tortilla española, all paired with regional wines or vermouth on tap. It’s the perfect, flavorful welcome to Spain.
Day 2: Madrid’s Golden Triangle of Art
Private art historian guide • Prado, Reina Sofía & Thyssen-Bornemisza Museums
This morning, meet your private art historian guide for a journey through the heart of Spanish art and culture. Your focus today is Madrid’s legendary Golden Triangle of Art, where three world-class museums sit along the leafy Paseo del Prado.
Begin with a guided tour of the Prado Museum, home to masterpieces by Velázquez, Goya, and El Greco.
Next, we will deliver you to the Reina Sofía Museum, which features Picasso’s Guernica, a visceral depiction of war and human suffering, Dalí and Miró’s surrealist works amongst many other Masterpieces.
Conclude at the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, a private collection spanning five centuries, from the Renaissance to Impressionism to early modern art. Van Gogh’s emotion, Monet’s light, and Kandinsky’s abstraction close this extraordinary artistic journey.
Day 3: Royal Madrid & Historic Quarters
Private heritage tour • Royal Palace • Retiro Park
Today, your private guide reveals Madrid’s royal and historical side.
Begin at the Royal Palace, where you will step through its grand staircase, the Throne Room, and the Hall of Mirrors as your guide shares stories of royal ceremonies and artistry, from frescoed ceilings to Stradivarius violins.
From here, wander through Old Madrid, often called the Austrian Quarter. Narrow lanes lead past 17th-century façades, intimate churches, and hidden courtyards. Stop at Plaza de la Villa, Madrid’s medieval center, where time seems to stand still.
After lunch at a neighborhood tavern, spend your afternoon back in Retiro Park, exploring its Crystal Palace, the Rose Garden, and quiet paths shaded by chestnut trees.
As the sun sets, ascend to the rooftop of the Círculo de Bellas Artes, one of Madrid’s most iconic viewpoints, where the skyline glows gold over the domes of the Gran Vía. Enjoy a drink here before an evening at leisure.
Day 4: Day Trip to Segovia: Roman Grandeur & Castilian Charm
Private driver-guide full-day excursion
Today, your private driver-guide takes you beyond the capital to explore Segovia, a UNESCO World Heritage treasure and a showcase of Spain’s medieval elegance.
Begin at the city’s spectacular Roman aqueduct, perfectly preserved and stretching for more than 800 meters through the town, a marvel of ancient engineering that has stood for nearly two millennia.
From there, stroll through Segovia’s narrow lanes to reach the Alcázar, a fairytale fortress that inspired Disney’s Sleeping Beauty castle. Explore its turrets, courtyards, and panoramic ramparts overlooking the countryside.
Visit the Segovia Cathedral, a masterpiece of late Gothic architecture rising from the town’s highest point, and enjoy a traditional Castilian lunch in a historic inn, perhaps roast suckling pig, garlic soup, and local red wine.
In the late afternoon, return to Madrid for your luggage and a moment of rest before heading to the train station.
Board the AVE high-speed train to Seville, gliding south across the sunlit plains of La Mancha and the olive groves of Andalusia. In just over two hours, you will arrive in the sultry rhythm of Seville, ready to begin the next chapter of your Spanish journey.
Day 5: Seville & Evening Flamenco Experience
Private Walking Tour • Flamenco dinner show
On the morning of day 5, you’ll wake up in Seville and meet your private guide in the lobby of your hotel as they take you on a private walking tour of the city to introduce you to some of its grandest locations.
Stroll past lively plazas, tiled courtyards, and the banks of the Guadalquivir River, once the gateway to Spain’s Age of Discovery.
Later, experience the raw emotion of flamenco at an intimate venue.
Your evening includes a private dinner show, where passionate dance, song, and guitar merge into an unforgettable expression of Andalusian spirit. Dine on tapas and local wines as you feel the heartbeat of Seville come alive under candlelight.
Day 6: Seville’s Royal Heritage & Moorish Splendor
Private guided tour • Alcázar Palace • Seville Cathedral • Giralda Tower
Today, your private guide reveals Seville’s most iconic treasures, with the Alcazar Palace and Seville Cathedral.
Begin at the Real Alcázar Palace, a masterpiece of Mudéjar architecture, where Islamic artistry meets Christian grandeur. Wander through its intricately tiled halls, arabesque archways, and lush gardens perfumed with jasmine and citrus. Your guide will weave stories of dynasties, conquests, and the artists who shaped this living palace.
Continue to the Seville Cathedral. Inside, marvel at its vast Gothic nave and climb the Giralda Tower for sweeping views over the city’s rooftops.
End your morning in the Barrio Santa Cruz, Seville’s enchanting old Jewish Quarter. Lose yourself in its labyrinth of cobbled lanes and flower-filled patios, where sunlight filters through wrought-iron balconies.
The afternoon is yours to relax or explore at leisure, perhaps a siesta, a carriage ride through María Luisa Park, or coffee at a shaded plaza. Dine tonight on traditional Andalusian dishes such as salmorejo or grilled Iberian pork, paired with a crisp sherry from nearby Jerez.
Day 7: Day Trip to Córdoba: The City of Three Cultures
Private driver-guide full-day excursion
This morning, your private driver-guide takes you east toward Córdoba, a city where Islamic, Jewish, and Christian heritage intertwine in perfect harmony.
Your walking tour begins at the Mezquita, one of the most remarkable monuments in Spain, a vast mosque-turned-cathedral where columns and red-and-white arches create a mesmerizing forest of light and geometry. Your guide will bring Córdoba’s Golden Age to life, when scholars and poets made this city a beacon of learning and coexistence.
Explore the Jewish Quarter, where whitewashed lanes are lined with blue flowerpots and hidden courtyards. Visit the Synagogue of Córdoba, one of the few preserved from medieval Spain, and stop at artisan workshops where leather and silver crafts still flourish.
Enjoy a leisurely lunch in a local courtyard restaurant before returning to Seville through a landscape of olive groves and distant sierras.
The evening is free to relax, perhaps with rooftop cocktails as church bells echo across the city.
Day 8: White Villages of Andalusia
Today we have a private full-day excursion into the heart of Andalusia’s countryside planned for you to explore rugged limestone mountains, olive orchards, and impossibly picturesque villages.
Travel in comfort with your private driver-guide to the White Villages Route (Pueblos Blancos), where each town shines with whitewashed walls and terracotta roofs set against a backdrop of green hills and blue sky.
Stroll through Grazalema, known for its mountain charm, and Zahara de la Sierra, perched above a turquoise reservoir like a fairytale fortress.
Savor a countryside lunch with panoramic views before your return to Seville in the late afternoon for your flight to Rome.
Day 9: Rome & Evening in Trastevere
Private transfer • Orientation walk • Dinner in Trastevere
Your Roman base is ideally situated near the historic core, where church bells, cobblestones, and café chatter blend into a timeless symphony.
In the afternoon, meet your private guide for a gentle orientation walk through the nearby piazzas and landmarks. Stroll past the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, and Piazza Navona, where Baroque fountains sparkle under the afternoon sun.
As dusk descends, cross the Tiber into Trastevere, one of Rome’s most atmospheric districts.
Here, narrow lanes come alive with candlelit trattorias and ivy-draped terraces. Enjoy a relaxed welcome dinner featuring Roman classics such as cacio e pepe or saltimbocca alla romana, paired with a glass of local wine.
Day 10: Ancient Rome: Empire & Legacy
Private archaeologist guide • Colosseum • Roman Forum • Palatine Hill
Step back 2,000 years with your private archaeologist guide, who will lead you through the heart of the ancient empire.
Begin at the Colosseum, the mighty amphitheater that once echoed with the cheers of 50,000 spectators. Walk its corridors and imagine the spectacles that once captivated Rome’s citizens: gladiator battles, naval reenactments, and imperial processions.
Continue to the Roman Forum, where the ruins of temples, basilicas, and triumphal arches line the ancient Via Sacra. Your guide brings the stones to life, describing daily life in the Republic and the birth of Western civilization’s political ideals.
Climb the Palatine Hill, the legendary birthplace of Rome, where emperors built their palaces overlooking the city. From its gardens, gaze down at the Forum and across to the Colosseum, a panoramic tableau of history.
Day 11: The Vatican: Art, Faith & Majesty
Private art historian guide • Vatican Museums • Sistine Chapel • St. Peter’s Basilica
This morning, meet your private art historian guide for a journey through the Vatican.
Admire Raphael’s frescoes, ancient sculptures, and the famed Gallery of Maps. Your guide weaves history, art, and legend into a vivid narrative as you move toward the Vatican’s crown jewel, the Sistine Chapel.
Stand beneath Michelangelo’s frescoes, where creation, judgment, and divine power unfold across the ceiling and altar wall, one of humanity’s most outstanding artistic achievements.
Continue into St. Peter’s Basilica, an architectural wonder of Renaissance ambition. Marvel at Bernini’s gilded canopy, Michelangelo’s Pietà, and the light streaming through the dome into a sea of marble and devotion.
In the evening, enjoy a Michelin-starred dinner or a local osteria in Campo de’ Fiori, where Rome’s culinary traditions blend with contemporary flair.
Day 12: Day Trip To Tivoli
Private driver-guide full-day excursion
Drive east through the Roman countryside to Tivoli, a town famed for its Renaissance gardens and ancient villas.
Explore Villa d’Este, a UNESCO-listed masterpiece of fountains, terraces, and cypress groves. Wander its cool shaded paths to the sound of cascading water, an oasis of beauty that inspired Europe’s great garden designers.
Continue to Hadrian’s Villa, the vast imperial retreat of Emperor Hadrian, where ruins of palaces, baths, and temples evoke the grandeur of the ancient world.
Day 13: Arrival in Tuscany & Countryside Welcome
Private transfer from Rome • Check-in at luxury villa or agriturismo • Farm-to-table dinner
After breakfast in Rome, your private driver escorts you north through the scenic Italian countryside, as you arrive at the timeless beauty of Tuscany.
Check into your luxury countryside villa or boutique agriturismo near Florence or Chianti, a serene base blending rustic charm with refined comfort. Relax on your terrace with views across the hills or stroll among the vines before your first taste of Tuscany’s slow rhythm.
This evening, enjoy a farm-to-table welcome dinner prepared with local ingredients, homemade pasta, seasonal vegetables, extra-virgin olive oil, and the region’s celebrated wines.
As the sun sets behind the hills, you’ll feel the pace of travel melt into Tuscany’s calm embrace.
Day 14: Siena & San Gimignano
Private driver-guide full-day excursion • Walking tours • Local lunch
Your private driver-guide meets you this morning for a full-day exploration of Tuscany’s medieval jewels, Siena and San Gimignano.
Begin in Siena, a city of terracotta rooftops and proud traditions. With your private guide, stroll the Piazza del Campo, one of Europe’s most beautiful squares and home to the historic Palio horse race.
Visit the Siena Cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture adorned with marble mosaics, sculptures, and frescoes by Renaissance masters. Learn about Siena’s centuries-old rivalries, guilds, and noble families as you wander its elegant lanes.
Continue through the countryside to San Gimignano, often called the “Medieval Manhattan” for its soaring stone towers. Explore its artisan shops and gelaterias before climbing a tower for sweeping views across vineyards and olive groves.
Return to your villa by evening to relax beneath a sky filled with stars.
Day 15: Chianti Wine Country Experience
Private winery visits • Tastings • Countryside drive
Today is devoted to the flavors of Tuscany. Set out with your private driver-guide on a Chianti wine country tour.
Visit a family-owned winery, where your host guides you through the vineyards and cellars, sharing stories of generations who have cultivated these hills. Taste award-winning Chianti Classico wines paired with aged pecorino, olive oil, and cured meats, a celebration of simple, perfect ingredients.
Continue to a second estate or boutique vineyard, perhaps with a picnic or terrace lunch overlooking the valley.
If you wish, your guide can include a stop in a small hill town such as Greve or Castellina in Chianti, known for local markets and artisan workshops.
Return to your villa in the afternoon for leisure time.
Day 16: Florence Art Walk & Farewell to Italy
Private art historian guide • Uffizi Gallery • Duomo • Artisan quarter
Your magnificent Spain and Italy tour comes to a close in Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance. Meet your private art historian guide for a curated art walk through the city’s masterpieces.
Begin at the Uffizi Gallery, home to Botticelli’s Birth of Venus, Leonardo da Vinci’s early works, and the luminous portraits of Raphael and Titian. Continue to the Duomo, Florence’s cathedral, crowned by Brunelleschi’s magnificent dome. Climb to the terrace for breathtaking views over the city’s rooftops and the Arno River.
Stroll across the Ponte Vecchio, lined with goldsmiths and jewelers, into the Oltrarno district, where you will have the opportunity to see artisans handcraft leather goods, marbled paper, and sculpture as they have for centuries.
Enjoy a farewell lunch or aperitivo on a terrace overlooking the river.
Meet Your Personal Tour Planner!
Say Ola to Emily, your personal tour planner at Guided Spain Tours. Get in touch by filling in the form below and requesting your complimentary itinerary!
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Contact Us for a Bespoke Tour Through Spain & Italy
Every journey we design can be tailored to your pace, passions, and preferences, all on a complimentary basis.
Whether you wish to extend your time in Tuscany, add a private cooking class in Seville, or include an exclusive art tour in Rome, our travel designers will take care of every detail for you.
Contact us today to begin planning your private luxury journey through Spain and Italy.
Email us
Let us know your questions!
Call our team
US: +1 (240) 332-1519
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