Trips of a lifetime: an Iberian adventure from Barcelona to Madrid

Immerse yourself in modernist Barcelona from the very heart of its quintessential neighbourhood, Eixample, where Mandarin Oriental, Barcelona is located. The hotel, right on the Passeig de Gràcia, has views of one of Antoni Gaudí’s most recognisable buildings, Casa Batlló, and is the ideal base for exploring the so-called ‘Golden Square' of major galleries here. The artistic movement and the architectural gems are part of the story of these streets, with buildings that served as residences for the early 20th-century Catalonian bourgeoisie, including another Gaudí masterpiece, the imposing La Pedrera.

After a stroll through the local heritage sites, stop in at Boo and explore its range of sustainable, locally produced fashion companies, including Spanish brands such as Elosegui, Steve Mono and Urdina Islandwear, whose fabric is made from recycled ocean plastic.

Back at Mandarin Oriental, Barcelona, dine at Moments, where you can sample the culinary talents of Carme Ruscalleda. Ruscalleda is the only female chef globally to have achieved seven Michelin stars, which are held across her establishments in Spain and Japan. She is at the helm of this two-star restaurant, together with her son Raül Balam, which offers the best of Catalonian flavours and shares the passion of this family of chefs for produce from the region.

Back on the AVE train, it’s an hour and a half from Zaragoza to Madrid-Atocha. The Paseo del Prado starts at the station’s exit. The boulevard par excellence in Spain’s capital passes through the Royal Botanical Garden and the Prado Museum, before reaching Mandarin Oriental Ritz, Madrid, which reopened in 2021 after a complete refurbishment, and comes complete with an elegant marble spa. Nearby, you’ll also find the Thyssen-Bornemisza, the Reina Sofia museum, the Royal Observatory of Madrid and the city’s beloved Retiro Park.

The wider Madrid region is surprisingly diverse, and includes the Hayedo de Montejo, part of the Sierra del Rincón biosphere reserve. The humid microclimate in this mountain-adjacent region has created a large, lush, tall-treed forest. From here, it’s also easy to chart a route through charming towns such as Buitrago del Lozoya, El Berrueco and Sieteiglesias.

Any Madrid adventure that doesn’t take in the city’s celebrated culinary scene would be incomplete. Quique Dacosta, the chef who has overseen the food on offer at Mandarin Oriental Ritz, Madrid knows this well. Deessa, the most ambitious undertaking of the famous chef – which has earned two Michelin stars – is a trip through Dacosta’s history, from the dehesa de Extremadura (cured Ibérico pig), where he was born, to the Levantine coast, where he grew professionally.