Majestic Madrid Meets Zaragoza, Seat of the Aragon Kings, November 2026
Join founder Marie Betteley and renowned jewelry historian Carolina Beatriz Naya on a dazzling tour of the splendours of Royal Madrid and Sacred Zaragoza. Designed by Marie and her amazing partners in Spain, this intimate experience unlocks a world of glittering jeweled treasures, awe-inspiring artistic and sacred masterpieces, and magnificent royal architecture—granting rare, privileged access to the most radiant and closely guarded cultural riches of Spain. Sign up now to Enjoy our Early Bird rate until April 30th, 2026.
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- When: November 16-20, 2026, 5 days/5 nights
- Price: $2250
- Early Bird Sale: $2100 until April 30, 2026
- Meals: Welcome reception and meal on Monday, all breakfasts and dinners per itinerary
- Group Size: From 6 to 10 guests. Sign up soon
- Activity: Moderate walking, sometimes on uneven surfaces
- Registration Closing Date: August 16, 2026 or when the tour is complete
- Free Cancellation until October 1st
- *Price does not include airfare, airport transfers, hotel accommodations and lunches. Details on suggested hotels to be sent once guest registers. Itinerary is subject to change at discretion of organizers without notice. Your dietary restrictions will be requested in advance of tour. Payment in full due August 16, 2026.
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Tour Highlights
SPANISH TREASURES TOUR-Welcome reception including meal, followed by 4 FULL DAYS, from November 16th to the 20th, 2026.
Background: Founded as a Muslim military outpost in the 9th century, Madrid remained a modest town until 1561, when Philip II of Spain made it the capital of Spain, transforming it into political and cultural center, especially during the Spanish Golden Age. Zaragoza, founded in the 1st century BCE came under Visigothic and then Muslim control, becoming an important cultural hub in Al-Andalus. In 1118, it was reconquered by Christian forces led by Alfonso I of Aragon.
On this bespoke art tour designed for beauty lovers like you, you’ll enjoy:
- The Grand Dauphin’s magnificent collection of 16th and 17th-century opulent treasures in the Prado.
- Ancient Iberian and Roman gold work and jewelry at the Museum of Archeology.
- Special visit to a newly opened museum jewelry exhibition in Madrid.
- The lavish interiors and architectural grandeur of Madrid’s Royal Palace.
- Optional visits to jewelry shops and auctions in the Salamanca district
- The Treasure Chamber at the Lázaro Galdiano Foundation.
- Private tour of the Treasury of the Virgin of Pilar Cathedral led by its curator Carolina Naya Campo.
- Palacio del Aljafería, gem of 11th century Hispanic Islamic architecture.
- Tapas crawl and dinners featuring culinary delights of Iberian cuisine.
- Direct high speed train from Madrid to Zaragoza
- And more
Specifically designed for jewelry and art aficionados, this private tour is open to only 10 guests, and will only be offered once in 2026. Sign up today to avoid disappointment and take advantage of our Early Bird Sale until April 30.
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Your Team
Profesora Carolina Naya Franco
Marie Betteley GG, GIA
Esmée Schimmelpenninck
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Art & Treasures Tours special?
Our tours are personal reflections of our quest for beauty in jewelry and art. We travel to Europe to explore historic treasures, often in private settings in current and former jewelry capitals such as Paris and St. Petersburg, Russia, or UNESCO Heritage sites such as Vicenza, Italy. Our recent tour to Amsterdam and Haarlem (2025) explored the riches of Dutch art from the 17th century to the present. Our philosophy is to keep it small and create carefully curated itineraries for individuals who love discovering rare jewels and treasures in historic settings.
How do you plan or design each tour?
We travel to each destination beforehand, choosing selected artistic sites, as well as visiting jewelry designers, dealers, curators, connoisseurs and other experts, art auctions, and handpicking restaurants and charming boutique hotels to accommodate a small group of art lovers. We avoid the tourist traps, unless if for example we go to a famous museum, we’ll visit specific rooms only, such as the Louvre for the French Crown Jewels (before the heist), the Gold and Diamond Treasury rooms in the Hermitage, the 18th century art rooms in the Rijksmuseum. That said tours would not be possible without the expertise and knowledge of local art and cultural historians, guides and curators who help us create unique and fabulous tour experiences.
What time of year do you schedule tours?
Our tours occur in the Fall and in the Spring, typically, from March to May and from September or October to the end of November. We avoid the high tourist seasons to bring down the cost of both travel and hotel stays.
Who joins these tours?
How do I book a tour?
You may book a tour on our website by clicking on the tour of your choice and following the prompts. Early Bird rates are usually available when the tour is first posted. To receive notification of when tours are posted, sign up for our newsletter or follow @mariebetteley.
How large is the group?
To ensure the utmost in personal attention our tours are limited to 8 to 10 guests. We match the services and curation of luxury travel companies at much more favorable prices. Potential guests are encouraged to register early as spots fill up quickly.
How many events are planned per day?
We plan up to two events a day, with the occasional addition of an evening performance. For more information see our tours page. We also factor in free time to explore on your own as well as coffee or tea breaks.
What is the activity level of each tour?
Guests may be expected to walk at a moderate pace for some distance during guided tours, to climb some stairs without handrails, and to stand for extended periods of time. Many ATT programs involve extensive walking over uneven surfaces, climbing stairs at monuments and other locations and climbing in and out of various conveyances.
Does the price include meals?
The price usually includes breakfast and dinner each full day, a welcome reception and a farewell meal as indicated. Restaurants range from those with Michelin stars to brasseries or excellent family or eateries many with locally sourced, seasonal food.
What’s included in the price of the tour?
- A comprehensive educational and cultural program with ATT and local experts.
- Venue tours, events as listed in final itineraries.
- Transfers to and from venues during the tour days.
- All meals per itinerary.
- Entry fees to all museums, venues, performances and parks per itinerary.
- Services of experienced tour directors and local guides, speakers and translators if necessary per itinerary.
- Pre-trip information.
How long do tours usually last?
The duration of tours are 3 or 4 full days to 6 full days. They usually begin on a Monday with a welcome reception and dinner and end with a farewell feast either on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday late afternoon or evening. We choose weekday travel to avoid weekend crowds of tourists, and to enjoy the expertise of jewelry professionals, curators and jewelry designers, art historians and other specialists who may only work during the week. Also this encourages some guests who have more time to add their own travel to nearby destinations either before or after one of our tours.
What is the deadline for booking tours?
Registration for tours usually ends 3 months before scheduled departure date. However, it’s always good to contact us afterwards as single spots may become available. We encourage potential guests to register early to secure a space as spots are limited and we have a generous cancellation policy.
What is your cancellation policy?
Tours are fully refundable up to 45 days before departure. Cancellation from 44-20 days prior to departure will result in forfeiture of 25% of the entire cost of the trip per person; 19 to 10 days prior to departure, 50% of the trip cost per person; cancellation from 9 days up to the time of departure will result in 100% forfeiture of the entire cost of the trip.
