Make Your Next Trip Extraordinary

Barara Palter and her husband atop of Montserrat during a rainy and foggy day.

A rainy, foggy day atop Montserrat: The guide’s deft scheduling avoided the worst of the rain.

My husband and I were travelling to Barcelona on business and wanted to extend our stay to see the sites around the city.

I contacted Pablo early in the year to let him know that we were coming to Spain but weren’t entirely sure of our timing. He was super helpful and provided us a list of suggested ideas for the surrounding area.

With just a few weeks before departure, Pablo put together a fantastic itinerary for us. We spent three days with our marvelous guide Jordi. Jordi was super friendly, incredibly knowledgeable and just a pleasure to spend time with. Sadly, it rained for most our time together and Jordi manipulated the schedule so that we could be indoors during the downpours. One of the gems that he inserted at the last minute was the Gala Dali Castle—this was not a museum but rather the home of Dali’s wife. The architecture, furniture and photos there helped us to understand the eccentric lives of Gala and Salvador Dali—would highly recommend! In addition, Jordi took us on a tapas tour around Barcelona. We ate our way through some sensational local restaurants and enjoyed every bite.

Thank you to Pablo, Jordi, and our driver John who really made our stay in Barcelona a special one.

Pablo’s expertise as a travel specialist for Spain is evident in the impeccable planning and execution of this trip to Madrid and surrounding areas. His attention to detail and ability to curate exceptional experiences make him a worthy addition to Wendy Perrin’s WOW List.

Itinerary and Guides
Pablo’s selection of guides was outstanding, each bringing unique knowledge and passion to the tours:

– Yolanda expertly led walking tours of Madrid and Toledo, showcasing highlights such as the Royal Palace and Prado Museum in Madrid.
– In Toledo, the ancient Synagogue of Santa María la Blanca and El Greco’s “The Burial of Count Orgaz” were standout experiences.
– Alfonso Santos, a knowledgeable and personable guide, provided an immersive historical experience during the day trip to El Escorial Monastery and Alcázar.
– Gustavo, a local resident of Alcalá de Henares, offered exclusive access and deep insights into his hometown’s art and history, particularly at the Paranymph of the University of Alcalá and the Monastery of San Juan de la Penitencia.

Accommodations and Experiences
While Pablo’s hotel choices were very good, we recommended and Pablo expertly booked the Hotel Urso, demonstrating his flexibility and responsiveness to client preferences.

The Flamenco Show at Corral de la Moreria was a highlight, showcasing Pablo’s ability to incorporate high-quality cultural experiences into the itinerary. We only wish that the venue was not as crowded as it was. The restaurant there is a Michelin Star Restaurant which definitely added to the intimate experience.

Transportation
Luis, the driver, provided safe transportation and added a personal touch to the journey with his friendliness and thoughtful gift of Venezuelan chocolate products.

Overall Assessment
Pablo’s meticulous planning, selection of exceptional guides, and ability to create a diverse and engaging itinerary showcasing the rich cultural tapestry of Spain solidify his status as a WOW List local fixer. His expertise in blending historical sites, art, and cultural experiences, along with his responsiveness to client preferences, make him an invaluable resource for travelers seeking an authentic and memorable Spanish adventure.

We visited Barcelona, Montserrat, Madrid, and Toledo from January 11-21. Pablo planned a terrific trip for us. The Relais & Chateaux hotel he picked in the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona was perfect. The guides were incredibly knowledgeable and fun. They made the history and culture come alive. The drivers were all very professional and punctual. Highlights included the tapas tour in Barcelona, our day trip to Montserrat, and our day trip to Toledo. Thanks for a wonderful trip!

Our trip to Spain at the end of October was arranged by Pablo Calvo. It was a short lead-up time to arrange the trip and Pablo did a fabulous job! He has wonderful guides that looked after us from start to finish. The special events he arranged were great and we enjoyed every event and every guide. We started in Madrid and visited the Prado Museum with a guide who was marvelous. She clearly loves the Prado and this added to our enjoyment of the Museum. Other trips included Toledo and El Escorial, which where both amazing. We spent several days in Seville and enjoyed a Flamenco Show, Evening Tapas Tour, and Market and Cooking Class. A day trip to Cordoba was very enjoyable. We then were driven to Granada and on the way visited Ronda and experienced a private visit with wine tasting and a traditional lunch in a local winery. Our final destination was Granada and the Alhambra. It was a wonderful visit and one which we will never forget. The trip was top notch and we would highly recommend it to anyone who would like to see these three areas in Spain.

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