A Spanish history fact we cannot dispute: some of Spain’s best artwork is located outside of the famous Spanish museums and galleries. Just visit the Santo Tome church in Toledo and you’ll find El Greco’s renowned painting, “The Burial of Count Orgaz”.

But other iconic pieces by Picasso, Dali, and Velazquez? You can only gaze at them from the safe confines of Spanish museums. We always recommend that art lovers and casual admirers view a sampling of a country’s artwork in as many contexts as possible. You’ll no doubt be wowed at the sculptures on display in city squares, just as you’ll stare in awe at the priceless works that can only be found in Spanish museums. 

During your next luxury vacation in Spain, we recommend each of these Spanish Museums find a place on your itinerary. 

Learn more: Hiding in Plain Sight: Incredible Artworks You Can Discover at Luxury Gold Hotels

Museo Nacional del Prado | Madrid

The Prado Museum, as it’s more commonly known, rarely needs an introduction. Travelers from all corners of the world come to Madrid to see iconic works like “Las Meninas” by Diego Velazquez, “The Third of May 1808” by Francisco Goya, and “The Garden of Earthly Delights” by Hieronymus Bosch. Rembrandt, El Greco, Raphael, and Peter Paul Rubens are also showcased, making Prado an unmissable stop.

Museo del Greco | Toledo

Photo credit: @museo_del_greco on Instagram

Over a century old, the El Greco Museum celebrates one of the famous artists of the Spanish Golden Age. A 16th-century home houses an extensive collection of El Greco’s work, particularly his later works. You can also find art from other 17th-century painters at this museum in Toledo’s Jewish Quarter. Sadly, most of El Greco’s finest works are not on display here, though his “The Tears of Saint Peter” and the rest of El Greco’s Apostolate series make it well-worth the visit. 

Museu Frederic Marès | Barcelona

Paintings are splendid, but for those who prefer the intricate, unbelievable detail that only sculptures can showcase, the Museum Frederic Marès in Barcelona is one of the best Spanish museums dedicated entirely to sculptures. The uniqueness of this museum is that the beloved local sculptor’s work sits side-by-side pre-Roman and Spanish medieval works. He amassed this collection over the course of his lifetime, and in doing so, created a one-of-a-kind shrine to the history of sculpting unlike any other. 

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Picasso Museum | Malaga

Of the many iconic Spanish museums, the Picasso Museum in the painter’s hometown of Malaga is one of the best. Priceless paintings adorn this Spanish museum, including “Bust of a Woman with Arms Crossed behind Her Head”, “Portrait of a Bearded Man”, and “Still Life with Minotaur and Palette”. It goes without saying that the Picasso Museum in Malaga is often considered Malaga’s most important Spanish museum.

Guggenheim Museum | Bilbao

The Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao is an extraordinary sight, even before you step inside. The giant spider sculpture, “Maman” by Louise Bourgeois, hints at the larger-than-life quality of the artwork inside. Some of the masterpieces in this extensive collection include Mark Rothko’s “Untitled”, Willem de Kooning’s “Villa Borghese”, and Jean-Michel Basquiat’s “Man from Naples”.

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Museum of Fine Arts | Seville

Photo creditL: @museobellasartessevilla on Instagram

The Museum of Fine Arts in Seville was created by Royal Decree in the 1800s and it still remains a regal site for viewing masterful works of art. Stroll through the exhibition halls to view examples of Seville’s renowned Baroque artists, including the “The Crucifixion of the Scuola di San Rocco” by Juan de Roelas and Francisco de Zurbaran’s “Fuente de Cantos”.

Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía | Madrid

Photo credit: @museoreinasofia on Instagram

Madrid has so many wonderful Spanish museums that you can plan an entire vacation admiring the works throughout the city, including in the famous Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia. From “La Guernica” by Pablo Picasso to “Lola” by Antonio Saura, the Reina Sofia museum is one of the very best in Spain.

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Though Spanish museums are among the best in the world, there is far more art to appreciate outside of these galleries. We invite you to join the Luxury Gold Spain & Portugal in Style tour to see for yourself. 

This 13-day tour is primarily set in Spain and includes visits to Seville’s Fine Arts Museum and Madrid’s Prado Museum. Journey through Córdoba, Granada, and other Spanish cities, discovering paintings, sculptures, and exceptional artistry throughout.

There’s no better way to see Switzerland than by train.

From the shores of Lake Lucerne to the Top of Europe, the best train rides in Switzerland are innumerable. Even a simple commuter train from Interlaken to Grindelwald offers jaw-dropping views that are breathtaking. Luxury train rides in Switzerland only enhance the view with fine dining, a host of convenient in-carriage amenities, and the opportunity to see Switzerland’s mountain peaks, gorges, forests, and valleys in a way no other mode of transportation can.

From quick day trips to towns you’ve never heard of to day-long excursions that allow you to sit back and spend your vacation in a state of bliss, at least one of these luxury train rides in Switzerland should be on your bucket list.

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Transalpin Express

Route: Zurich, Switzerland to Graz Austria 

Europe’s extensive rail network means you can explore countless landscapes in a matter of hours. The Transalpin Express may not limit itself to Switzerland, but this nine-hour journey through three countries gives you a glimpse into how the Swiss Alps compare to the Austrian Alps. It has a panorama carriage for maximum views, and unlike some other luxury train rides in Switzerland, the Transalpin Express is all about the Alps. Plus, you’ll ride through Sargans, Buchs, and then over the River Rhine, granting even well-ridden Swiss travelers a view that they likely haven’t yet seen.

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The Vigezzina – Centovalli Railway

Route: Locarno, Switzerland, to Domodossola, Italy

Not all of the best train rides in Switzerland take you beyond the border, but the Vigezzina-Centovalli Railway does. Also known as the Centovalli Express, this route was designed for nature lovers. The narrow-gauge railroad powers along through thick forests, rugged cliffs, dark green slopes, and cascading waterfalls. Best of all, it’s only a two-hour adventure, making it an effortless day trip for those who want a spectacular train ride and to add a little Italian stopover to their Swiss vacation schedule. 

Gotthard Panorama Express

Photo credit: @gotthardpanoramaexpress on Instagram

Route: Lucerne to Lugano

Envision the Gotthard Panorama Express as an attempt to window-shop Switzerland. This popular rail line puts two of Switzerland’s prettiest places front and center: the Italian Ticino and Central Switzerland. It’s a route that operates daily, including with standard commuter trains, so it’s accessible even for those with tight itineraries. Traveling through the 19th century Gotthard Tunnel is especially exciting, but perhaps the element of this near-six-hour excursion that really pushes it into icon territory is the included boat ride between Lucerne and Flüelen. As you can imagine,theGotthard Panorama Express route would be quite chilly in the winter, so while it does cease operations when the temperatures drop, you can still tackle the Gotthard panorama route via the Treno Gottardo in the winter months.

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Jungfrau Railway 

Route: Kleine Scheidegg to the Top of Europe

When it comes to the best train rides in Switzerland, the Jungfrau Railway is never left out of the conversation. The completion of the railway itself was a remarkable feat; the fact that you can reach 3,454m above sea level in a matter of minutes is just as unbelievable. Riding through the Eiger and Monch mountains via tunnel is unforgettable, as are the views from the Top of Europe and Eismeer station. The Jungfrau Railway operates all year round, and with so much to experience including exhibits, restaurants, and shops, it’s worth devoting a full day to this excursion. 

The Glacier Express

Route: Zermatt to St. Mortiz

Switzerland knows how to do slow travel the right way and the Glacier Express proves it. This eight-hour journey may only traverse three cantons but this popular luxury train in Switzerland still delivers an equal measure of quality and quantity. From Zermatt to the holiday resorts of St. Moritz, you’ll leisurely look out of your carriage window and see sights like the Rhine Gorge, the Matterhorn, the Oberalp Pass, and the Landwasser and Solis spiral tunnels and viaducts. The Glacier Express shuts down between October and December, but since you get book tickets three-month in advance, it allows you to plan your Swiss vacation around this century-old railway experience. 

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The GoldenPass Express

Photo credit: @goldenpassexpress on Instagram

Route: Interlaken and Montreux

The GoldenPass between Central Switzerland and Lake Geneva has long been regarded as one of the best train rides in Switzerland, thanks in equal parts to its beauty and its inclusion in the Eurail Pass. In 2023, this luxury train through Switzerland got a lavish facelift via a new “Prestige” class. The panoramic views this route was known for can now be experienced from a more private carriage with elevated, heated leather seats that can rotate 180-degrees. Champagne and caviar are also exclusively served to Prestige class passengers, adding one more undeniable reason why this grand train tour of Switzerland is always one of the best. 

No visit to Switzerland is complete without a train ride through the country’s magical landscape. That’s why Luxury Gold delivers not one but two unique train journeys on Luxury Gold’s Majestic Switzerland tour. Over the course of 10 days, you’ll experience Swiss culture, history, and cuisine, including a ride across the country on the Glacier Express, snapping photos you’ll cherish for decades. You’ll also board Europe’s highest open-air cogwheel train to Gornergrat Summit where you’ll spy the Matterhorn and Monte Rosa in the distance. 

Lake Como holds celebrity status when it comes to Italy’s lakes. Famous folk have opulent villas along the lakeside, though Lake Como is far from an exclusive hangout. As one of the most popular destinations in Northern Italy, a visit to Lake Como’s towns top the list of countless tour itineraries. 

Varenna, Bellagio, and Como itself are among the well-trodden towns, though some of the best towns in Lake Como are the ones that have the smallest populations, narrowest streets, and dreamy vistas that you won’t see on a bus tour.  

From Lake Como hidden gems that are spoken with hushed breaths to the best towns around Lake Como that are hiding in plain sight, these charming towns deserve a closer look.

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Laglio

If Laglio’s name slightly rings a bell, you can thank George Clooney. The famous actor’s Villa Oleandra is in this postcard-like town. While the 18th century villa isn’t exactly Lake Como off the beaten path, the supporting cast of Laglio is. Hiking trails lead away from the paparazzi and into the hillside, granting you panoramic scenes of Lake Como that deserve their own feature on the silver screen. Add a little local flavor to your trek by picking up casoretto cheese to snack on while you watch hawks, falcons, and other local avians soar across Lake Como’s sky.

Lenno

Lenno gets plenty of attention for hosting the villas owned by Sir Richard Branson and George Lucas; Villa Balbianello is particularly notable, used as a filming location for Star Wars Episode II in 2002, and again for James Bond Casino Royale in 2006. However, don’t let that stop you from digging back further into the town’s traditions. Lenno’s origins date back to the first Roman Empire; the territory was colonized by Greek colonies, sent here by Julius Caesar at the time of the founding of Nuova Como, colonies which introduced the cultivation of vineyards and olive groves – there is a centuries-old mill, which can still be seen today, which was used for the production of a high-quality olive oil.

Read more: Luxury Gold’s guide to private wine tasting in Italy

Argegno

While other travelers have their sights set for the stars, Argegno, just ten minutes south of Lenno, is one of Lake Como’s hidden gems that deserves its own top-billing. Thin alleyways lead you through this quiet commune that’s slowly gaining popularity. You can gaze at Bellagio, one of the most beautiful towns in Lake Como, on a clear day, though even when the clouds roll in, Argegno delivers picturesque views of rolling hills and deep blue waters. Explore the 17th century mosaics in the Santissima Trinità church, admire the colorful houses, and take a steep cable car up to the calm, near-tourist-free village of Pigra.

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Brienno

Brienno is balanced on the water’s edge of Lake Como, offering a laid-back spot for wanderers since pre-Roman times. Those keen to collect random factoids from history will enjoy learning about Brienno’s long life from the Middle Age churches to the preserved fortification and bunkers from World War I. The thin streets make tightropes look wide, but if you have the footing, a walk around this labyrinth of a village is an ideal place to escape the hustle and bustle of the larger Lake Como towns for a spell.

Nesso

Directly across the lake from Brienno, Nesso is easily one of the most beautiful towns in Lake Como. Like many of these Lake Como towns, Nesso dates back to ancient Roman times. And though it features colorful homes throughout its old town, the Orrido di Nesso is its alluring attraction. This gorge brings two creeks together, joining them in harmony as a cascading waterfall that flows beneath the Ponte della Civera arched bridge. 

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Colico

Colico is one of the larger towns, though its northern location makes it a bit of an off the beaten path destination in Lake Como. However you like to vacation, Colico encourages you to do it all outdoors. The Forte Montecchio Nord open-air museum offers guided tours about Lake Como’s presence in the Great War while events like the Water Music Festival and the World Cup of Kitesurfing draw audiences looking for alternative experiences. There’s a sunny spot on the beach for you to relax, unless you’d like to join the fun topside and rent try your hand at paddle boarding, kitesurfing, or one of the other aquatic activities available from various Lake Como tour groups.

Lecco

Sharing the name of the province, Lecco is an affordable alternative to the more expensive Como on the opposite prong. Lake Como and Lake Garlate are joined by the Adda River, giving Lecco’s coastline three unique viewpoints. Stroll the Garlate for dramatic views of the surrounding mountains. Let a chef row you out to Isola Viscontea for a risotto dinner on the Adda. Or simply grab a gelato and take in the medieval ruins from the Lungolago di Lecco promenade. 

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Gittana

Gittana is such a small hamlet on the eastern shore of Lake Como that it often goes unnoticed, despite being a 10-minute drive from Varenna train station. Its few dozen sand-colored roofs act like cobblestones leading up the hill from the man-made pebble beach to the clock tower of the sole church. Gittana’s village is brushed modestly upon Lake Como’s canvas, which is why it’s worth the visit. Climb to the top of the village for undisturbed views of the lake, take your time munching and mingling with the owners of the Semi di Grano ristorante, then rent a bicycle for a smooth shoreline ride to Bellano or Varenna.

Varenna

Found on Lake Como’s eastern shore and previously a small fishing village, Varenna is still full of rich history and well worth a visit. Amble through the botanical gardens such as Villa Monastero and Villa Cipressi, or take a romantic stroll through Passeggiata degli Innamorati (Walk of Lovers), which begins at the pier of Varenna for a beautiful view of the lake. For an unparalleled view of the lake, visit the nearby Castello di Vezio. As with many Lake Como towns, you won’t want to skip visiting the church here in the central square, Piazza San Giorgio. The 14th century Church of San Giorgio is home to numerous paintings from the late 15th and 16th centuries. As you wander through this picturesque town, don’t forget to look down; the pavements are made from local black marble.

Gravedona ed Uniti

Located on the western shore of Lake Como, Gravedona ed Uniti is a calming, charming Lake Como town. History and art lovers will want to visit the Palazzo Gallio which sits high above the town, facing directly onto the lake; try and catch one of the concerts, exhibitions and workshops that take place here over the summer. On the water, soak up the town’s history in the marbled Romanesque Church of Santa Maria del Tiglio while taking in the view of the lake. Meanwhile, the narrow streets to the harbour are the perfect spot for a walk with a gelato, or take your pick of one of the many exceptional restaurants serving fresh seafood and some of the finest Italian produce.

Are you ready to discover the most beautiful towns in Lake Como? Join Luxury Gold’s Ultimate Italy trip. This 12-day journey ends in Venice, a short train ride away from Lario, making it effortless to schedule Lake Como tours or travel to the many towns and villages at your own pace. Join us for an adventure that delivers countless memories between Cinque Terre and Capri then complete your Italian itinerary with a relaxing weekend at one of Lake Como’s towns.