Every day includes one signature anniversary moment — a private experience, a Michelin dinner, a surprise arrangement, or a memory only the two of you will share. These are marked throughout with ✦.
Budget: $750–$1,000/day for activities and dining (excluding hotels). Michelin tasting menus with wine pairing budget €300–€450/couple.
Notify the JW Marriott team of your 20th anniversary at check-in. Request the concierge to arrange a bottle of Cava and rose petals in the room. Marriott Bonvoy Platinum status may facilitate a complimentary balcony suite upgrade.
Iberia IB0326 arrives 10:15 AM. Chauffeur meets at baggage claim with "Phil Klein" sign. Adjusts automatically if flight is delayed.
Begin with pistachio lattes and vegan French toast at Madrid's finest specialty café. Perfect gentle start after the overnight flight.
Rest at hotel through the afternoon heat, then explore El Retiro — the Crystal Palace, the lake, and the rose gardens in the cool evening air.
Modern Spanish tapas — stylish, relaxed, consistently excellent. Open every day including Sundays — ideal for arrival night. No reservations needed. Grilled vegetables, tortilla española, gazpacho — clear vegetarian section. Hours: Daily 12pm–12am.
A warm, vibrant arrival dinner — the Gran Vía lights outside, a glass of Ribera del Duero, and your first Spanish meal together. ✦
Mobile ticket — show on phone. Meeting point: Madrid Souvenirs shop, Calle de Carlos III 1 (steps from the Royal Palace entrance). Largest royal palace in Western Europe — Throne Room, Royal Armoury, Royal Chapel, state apartments. English-language guided tour with skip-the-line access.
Cancel deadline: 10:31 AM CEST Monday July 26 for full refund.
Skip the worst of the midday heat. Focus on Velázquez's Las Meninas, Goya's Black Paintings, and El Greco's room. Book at museodelprado.es. Optional: private Context Travel guide €180–€250/couple.
Madrid's most celebrated tapas street. Start at Taberna Txakolina (Cava Baja 26) for pintxos, then work down the street. Classic stand-up bar experience — glass of wine at each. Order: patatas bravas, tortilla española, pimientos de padrón, croquetas de queso (ask for cheese, not ham).
★ El Triciclo anniversary dinner is booked for Wednesday July 29 (not tonight — they are closed Mondays).
AVE from Madrid Puerta de Atocha-Almudena. Full day itinerary in the Toledo section. Return to Madrid ~17:03 — freshen up at hotel before dinner.
Creative modern tapas — legendary caramelised onion tortilla. Reservation confirmed: 2 guests, Phil Klein. Table held until 9:45 PM — arrive promptly at 8:15. New location: Calle de Recoletos 10. Vegetarian: grilled artichokes with Parmesan & garlic confit, sweet onion tortilla.
Hire a rowboat on the lake, visit the Crystal Palace, stroll the rose gardens before the heat builds.
Spain's premier modern art museum — home of Picasso's Guernica. Start on Floor 2 (Sabatini Building). Closed Tuesdays. Photography strictly forbidden in the Guernica room. Book at museoreinasofia.es to skip the queue.
Seasonal market menu, outstanding vegetarian options, vibrant open kitchen. Hours: Tue–Sun 8:30–11:30pm. Steps from the Reina Sofía. Book at eltriciclo.es or call +34 910 244 798. Mention 20th anniversary and Sarah's vegetarian diet.
YOUR ANNIVERSARY DINNER in Madrid — a creative, generous kitchen in the literary Huertas neighbourhood, around the corner from where you spent the afternoon. ✦
Crystal Palace, lake, rose gardens. Final coffee at ALCHEMY café before heading to Atocha.
From Madrid Puerta de Atocha-Almudena. BIRD high-speed AVE. Arrive Granada ~15:30. Check in to Palacio de Santa Paula (check-in from 3pm, booking #87632000).
Bus C5 from Toledo station winds up to the Cathedral area (~8 min, €1.40) — or take a taxi (~€5–7, 5 min). All Toledo sightseeing is on foot within the car-free old city.
A private art historian who specialises in Toledo's religious art — unlocks doors closed to the public, explains the El Greco paintings as living theology, takes you through the Sacristy like a private gallery owner.
Traditional Castilian tapas and raciones — lively, authentic, great-value menu del día. Open daily 10:30am–11:30pm. Sarah: artichoke tapas, grilled fresh fish, salads, Manchego cheese. A beloved Toledo local favourite. Book: alfileritos.com
Local Toledo tavern — daily menu of fresh fish and vegetable tapas, beloved by locals. Hours: Mon–Thu 10am–4:30pm, Fri 10am–4:30pm & 8:30–11:30pm, Sat 11am–4:30pm. Ask what the daily vegetable and fish tapas are. Arrives before 3:30pm — gets fully booked. Perfect before the 16:30 return train.
Freshen up at hotel. Dinner at Juana La Loca (Calle de Recoletos 10) at 8:15 PM — confirmed reservation.
Granada may be the most romantic stop on the entire journey. The combination of the Alhambra at dawn, the hammam beneath the Albaicín, and dinner on a rooftop terrace with the Alhambra glowing beneath you is simply extraordinary. ✦
Check in, rest, explore the stunning cloister.
Book the EXCLUSIVE private hammam circuit for two: 90 minutes of hot and cold pools, steam room, and optional aromatherapy massage — all in a private suite beneath the Albaicín. Book the private circuit, not the shared one, for your anniversary. The hammam has operated in the same tradition for 1,000 years.
Rooftop terrace with direct views over the Alhambra. Reservation confirmed: 9:00 PM, 2 guests, Phil Klein. Allow 20 min from hotel — it's uphill. Take a taxi (~€7) rather than risk being late. Request the outside terrace table on arrival. Traditional Andalusian — grilled sea bass, Andalusian salads, gazpacho.
The Alhambra floodlit below you, a glass of Ribera del Duero, and the warm night air of Andalucía — your first Granada evening is one you'll never forget. ✦
Depart hotel by 08:20 AM. Entry to Nasrid Palaces is fixed at 08:30 — cannot be changed. Arrive 10 minutes early. Carry valid photo ID — all participants must show ID.
After Nasrid Palaces, the same ticket gives free access to: Alcazaba fortress, Partal gardens, Generalife.
Tickets sent by email up to 24 hours before — check spam folder. Time may vary up to 120 minutes on high-demand dates — check actual time on received tickets. Take a taxi from hotel (~€7–10, 10 min) to guarantee timing.
It will be hot. This morning deserves quiet reflection.
Contemporary Andalusian tapas. Hours: Wed–Sat 11:30am–4:30pm & 7:30–11:30pm, Sun 12pm–12am, closed Mon & Tue. Order: tuna tataki, fried aubergine with honey (berenjenas con miel), octopus on potato purée. Excellent vegetarian-friendly starters. Book: tabernabulanico.com
Meet at Plaza Nueva next to the fountain — look for the PINK UMBRELLA. Arrive by 7:50 PM — the tour leaves without late arrivals. Route: Plaza Nueva → Paseo de los Tristes → steep climb to Mirador de San Nicolás (sunset over the Alhambra) → Sacromonte. Ends back at Plaza Nueva. The golden light on the Alhambra from the Mirador at this time of evening is the iconic Granada moment.
Cool of the morning. The ancient silk market (Alcaicería) is atmospheric early, before the crowds.
Arrive Seville early evening. Taxi to Hotel Alfonso XIII. Check in to the palace-hotel (booking #84275182).
The Hotel Alfonso XIII is arguably the grandest hotel in Andalusia — a former royal palace. Request a private sherry tasting in the hotel's courtyard on your first evening. Seville's private flamenco soirée is the most memorable experience of the entire trip. ✦
Ask the concierge to arrange a private fino and manzanilla tasting in the hotel's extraordinary Moorish courtyard. Paired with jamón ibérico and local cheeses — a magical first Seville evening.
Modern Andalusian bistro — intimate, neighbourhood favourite, excellent seasonal cooking. Tue–Sun 1:30–4pm & 8:30–11:30pm, closed Monday. Very popular with Seville foodies — book ahead at azzaitsevilla.com. Daily grilled fish, vegetable-forward seasonal dishes.
World's largest Gothic cathedral. Climb the Giralda tower (a ramp, not stairs) for panoramic views. Columbus's tomb is inside. Allow 1.5–2 hours.
UNESCO World Heritage Mudéjar palace still in use by the Spanish royal family. Book well in advance — sells out in summer. The gardens with peacocks, the Mudéjar rooms, and the Upper Royal Apartments are extraordinary. Allow 2.5 hours.
Iconic small bar in Santa Cruz Jewish quarter — classic Seville atmosphere. Daily 9am–12am. Arrive before 7:30pm to get a spot. Order at the counter, find any surface, absorb the energy. Sarah: pesto bruschetta, Manchego, grilled vegetables, salmorejo.
Premium tablao in a 15th-century Andalusian courtyard in Barrio Santa Cruz. Shows daily at 7pm & 9pm — sells out fast in August. Book the 9pm show. Upgrade to front row seating for the full emotional impact.
The 15th-century courtyard, the sound of footwork on wooden boards, the singer's duende filling the stone walls — this is the defining Seville evening. ✦
August 2 is a Sunday — Lalola is closed. Substitute with La Bartola or explore the riverside restaurants on Calle Betis in Triana instead.
Open to all — deeply moving with organ and choir. Then remain inside for the 10:00 AM guided tour.
Meeting point: Plaza del Triunfo, next to 'La Inmaculada Concepción' monument. Arrive by 9:30 AM (30 min before). Look for guide in PURPLE Crown Tours t-shirt. Includes: Cathedral interior + Columbus tomb + Giralda tower + Royal Alcázar.
Dress code: no sleeveless shirts, no short skirts, no sandals or flip flops. Bring ID matching booking.
Book through a Seville specialist: private afternoon tasting of Andalusia's finest olive oils, local Manzanilla and Fino sherries, and artisan cheeses with a local sommelier.
Traditional Sevillian tapas institution — rustic bullfighting décor, genuinely local atmosphere. Daily 9am–12am. If you only have time for one tapas bar in Seville, make it Las Teresas. Stand at the bar like a local. Must order: espinacas con garbanzos (spinach & chickpeas) — one of the great Sevillian vegetarian tapas.
A fitting farewell to Seville — cold fino, espinacas con garbanzos, and the narrow Santa Cruz streets at night. This is the authentic Seville experience. ✦
Phil: Carriage 23, Seat 3B · Sarah: Carriage 23, Seat 3C
2 × Elige Confort (First Class equivalent). eTickets on phone or printed A4 — bring photo ID.
Includes free Cercanías travel up to 4 hrs before departure and 4 hrs after arrival.
Arrange separate taxi to Santa Justa station (~07:15 AM from Alfonso XIII).
Barcelona has four 3-Michelin-Star restaurants — more per square mile than almost anywhere in Europe. This is your gastronomic finale. Brief the Cotton House concierge about your anniversary so they can coordinate a room surprise on arrival. ✦
Taxi from Barcelona Sants to Cotton House Hotel (Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes 670) — check in, rest.
Meet at Travel Bar, Carrer de la Boqueria 27 — black sign with 'Travel' in yellow. Arrive by 6:45 PM. 3 hours through the Gothic Quarter with food and wine at 4 stops: pincho bar, fish bar, traditional tapas bar, and possibly a jamón shop. Ends at Pg. de Colom 7. Contact: +34 932 49 41 23.
Catalan seafood — magnificent paella, fresh fish, traditional Mediterranean. Daily 12:30pm–12am. Seafood paella, grilled lubina (sea bass), sautéed squid. Book: colom.cat
Meeting point: Main entrance at Ctra. del Carmel 23, Horta-Guinardó. Look for 'Golden Tour Guide' sign. Arrive by 9:15 AM — LATE ARRIVALS CANNOT ENTER. Skip-the-line access. Wear comfortable shoes, hat, sunscreen — the park is on a hill. Group tour: you cannot enter Park Güell without the guide.
Oysters, fresh fruit, grilled fish at the market counters.
4,200 works tracing Picasso's evolution from teenage student in Barcelona to fully realised master. The 'Las Meninas' series (after Velázquez) is extraordinary. Five connected medieval palaces in El Born. Beautifully air-conditioned — perfect for the hottest part of the afternoon. Allow 1.5–2 hours.
Meeting point: Plaça de Gaudí near the children's playground (Carrer Gaudí 417). Look for guide in PURPLE Crown Tours jacket near the stairs. Arrive by 5:00 PM (30 min early). The 5:30 PM slot puts you inside during extraordinary late-afternoon light through the stained glass.
Dress code strictly enforced: knees AND shoulders must be covered. No shorts, sleeveless shirts, or short skirts.
Barcelona's famous pintxos street — lined with tapas bars. Take a plate, pick bites from the bar, pay by toothpick. Completely vegetarian-friendly throughout. Grab a glass of Albariño and work your way along. Bars open from 6:30pm, most lively 7–10pm.
Beloved vegetarian bistro-bar — intimate, seasonal, creative dishes, great natural wines. Wed–Mon 7pm–late, closed Tuesday. Full menu is vegetarian. Book ahead: restaurantsesamo.com
Train from Barcelona Sants (38 min). Return ~6pm. Anniversary dinner in Barcelona (Petit Comité) in the evening.
Refined Catalan-French bistro — intimate, candlelit, elegant without being stiff. Beautiful courtyard. Mon–Sat 1:30–3:30pm & 8:30–11pm, closed Sunday. Reserve the courtyard table. Mention the anniversary. Book: petitcomite.cat
YOUR ANNIVERSARY DINNER in Barcelona — three minutes from your hotel, a candlelit courtyard, and a kitchen that produces some of the finest Catalan cooking in the Eixample. ✦
Evening 'Magic Nights' immersive experience — a multimedia journey through Gaudí's most dreamlike building at golden hour, with champagne included. Far more intimate and romantic than the standard daytime visit.
Barcelona's most celebrated seafood tapas bar — counter seating, chef cooks in front of you, no menu. Tue–Sat 1pm–3:45pm & 7:30–11pm, Mon 7:30–11pm, closed Sunday. No reservations for the bar — queue at the door, arrive at 6:30pm on the dot. Sarah: grilled artichokes, courgette flowers, daily fish — ask for the vegetable and fish options.
Just Phil and Sarah with a dedicated guide. 2.5 hours through Roman ruins, medieval Jewish quarter, Barcelona Cathedral, and streets where Picasso spent his formative years. Deep into golden hour light on the ancient stones. Request guide Lowri or Ann-Marie.
Return to the beloved vegetarian bistro — or upgrade to Enigma (2★) or ABaC (3★) for a Michelin dining experience. Book: restaurantsesamo.com
Morning breeze, parakeets, final city views — the free outer sections require no ticket.
Walk from Gothic Quarter down to Barceloneta — 20 minutes on foot from Cotton House. Stroll the Passeig Marítim, dip your feet in the Mediterranean, find a chiringuito for coffee and a croissant. Walk south to Port Olímpic, back through El Born.
Barcelona's most beloved old-school cava bar — standing room, ancient tilework, timeless atmosphere. Tue–Sat 12pm–3:30pm & 7–11pm, Sun 12–3:30pm, closed Monday. No reservations — arrive at opening. Order: house cava (legendary), Manchego, tortilla española, patatas bravas.
Lay out clothes for tomorrow's early flight. Blacklane pickup at 7:00 AM.
Taxi to the Bunkers del Carmel (old civil war anti-aircraft batteries) for 8:20pm golden hour. The 360° panoramic view of Barcelona — Sagrada Família, the sea, Montjuïc, the entire city glowing golden — is the perfect final image of your 20th anniversary journey through Spain.
Celebrated Barcelona vegetarian institution — 25+ years of history, beautiful interior, creative seasonal Mediterranean menu. Open every day 9am–11:30pm. Full menu vegetarian — everything safe for Sarah. Mention the anniversary when booking. Book: teresacarles.com
A perfect farewell — a Barcelona institution where Sarah can truly eat whatever she likes, and where the food is genuinely excellent for everyone. Early night: 7:00am Blacklane pickup tomorrow. ✦
The best view in the Eixample. ✦
From Cotton House Hotel, Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes 670. Arrives airport ~7:25–7:30am. Check in to Delta DL0129. Online check-in opens Aug 8 at ~10:55am — check in the evening before and download boarding passes.
Regional Rodalies trains depart frequently from Barcelona Sants mainline station (not the metro Sants-Estació — walk upstairs). Buy at Sants ticket machines. Walk from Girona station to Cathedral: 10 minutes across the river.
Cross the River Onyar on the colourful painted bridges. The Jewish Quarter (El Call), Cathedral, and medieval walls are all within 800m of the station. Girona's entire old town is walkable in 20 minutes end-to-end. Follow the river toward the Cathedral.
Mediterranean — organic produce, mussels, octopus, exceptional wine list. Mon/Thu–Sun 1–3pm & 8–10pm, closed Tue & Wed. August 6 is Thursday — open. Order: organic tomato salad, mussels in white wine, grilled octopus, natural wine list. Book: vintagesgirona.cat
Return train to Barcelona Sants. Anniversary dinner at Petit Comité (3-min walk from Cotton House) this evening.
Full names + passport/ID numbers must be submitted to Feel the City Tours. Without this, the NON-REFUNDABLE ticket cannot be used. Email: info@feelthecitytours.com · WhatsApp: +34 600 124 206
| What | Date | Time | Paid | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iberia IB0326 — Phil | Jul 25 | 20:40 JFK | EUR 108.72 | Confirmed |
| Iberia IB0326 — Sarah | Jul 25 | 20:40 JFK | EUR 2,219.25 | Confirmed |
| Blacklane — MAD Arrival | Jul 26 | 10:45 AM | EUR 71.88 | Confirmed |
| JW Marriott Madrid | Jul 26 | Check-in 3pm | €2,106.72 | Confirmed |
| Royal Palace Tour (Viator) | Jul 27 | 10:31 AM | USD $100.82 | Confirmed |
| Renfe MAD → GRX | Jul 30 | 13:35 | €181.80 | Confirmed |
| Palacio de Santa Paula | Jul 30 | Check-in 3pm | €618.20 | Confirmed |
| Alhambra + Audioguide | Jul 31 | 08:30 AM | €133.80 | ⚠ Submit ID details! |
| Albaicín Sunset Tour | Jul 31 | 8:00 PM | USD $35.24 | Confirmed |
| Hotel Alfonso XIII | Aug 1 | Check-in 3pm | €1,622.38 | Confirmed |
| Cathedral/Alcázar Tour | Aug 3 | 10:00 AM | USD $163.08 | Confirmed |
| Renfe SVQ → BCN | Aug 4 | 08:37 | USD $243.18 | Confirmed |
| Cotton House Hotel | Aug 4 | Check-in 3pm | €2,303.13 | Confirmed |
| Barcelona Tapas Tour | Aug 4 | 7:00 PM | USD $155.10 | Confirmed |
| Park Güell Tour | Aug 5 | 9:30 AM | USD $70.50 | Confirmed |
| Sagrada Família Tour | Aug 5 | 5:30 PM | USD $187.96 | Confirmed |
| Blacklane BCN → Airport | Aug 9 | 7:00 AM | EUR 76.26 | Confirmed |
| Delta DL0129 Home | Aug 9 | 10:55 AM BCN | — | Confirmed |
Recommendation: Arrive T8 by 6:30 PM. If time permits, Centurion Lounge in T4 for champagne and dinner — return to T8 by 8:00 PM for boarding. Otherwise Greenwich Lounge at T8 is perfectly comfortable.
| City | Best Ticket | Cost/Couple | Key Journey | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madrid | 10-trip ticket × 2 | €24.40 | Banco de España → Atocha | Shareable · Metro L1 or L2 |
| Toledo | Bus C5 (day trip) | €2.80 | Toledo station → Plaza Zocodover | Pay driver · Then walk everywhere |
| Granada | Credibus card × 1 (shared) | ~€10 | Plaza Nueva → Alhambra (Bus C30) | Most important bus in Granada |
| Seville | Contactless tap on tram | €1.40/pp | Plaza Nueva → Cathedral area (T1 tram) | Easiest option — no card needed |
| Girona | Walk | Free | Station → Cathedral (10-min walk) | No transit needed |
| Barcelona | Hola BCN 5-day × 2 | €87.20 | Passeig de Gràcia → Sagrada Família (L2/L5) | Includes airport + all transport |