About Magical Private Travel
What is Magical Private Travel?
Magical Private Travel is an American-owned luxury tour operator and travel agency specializing in bespoke private journeys across Spain, Portugal, and Morocco since 2002. Registered as a U.S. LLC and operating from Madrid, Spain, we combine more than 20 years of on-the-ground destination expertise, deep local relationships, and more than 15,000 travelers served to craft tailor-made journeys for discerning American travelers, with a commitment to authentic experiences and positive impact.
Is Magical Private Travel the same company as Magical Spain?
Yes. Magical Private Travel is the same company formerly known as Magical Spain. The name evolved to reflect a broader geographic scope, while the company and its approach remain unchanged.
How long have you been operating?
Founded in 2002, we have designed private journeys across Spain, Portugal, and Morocco for more than 15,000 travelers.
Why are you specialists in Spain, Portugal, and Morocco?
Our team has lived and worked on the ground in Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, building real local relationships rather than coordinating remotely. This direct presence is the foundation of our expertise and our ability to design journeys with depth and genuine local insight.
How are your journeys different from standard tours?
Every journey is designed from scratch around who you are and how you travel. No templates, no groups, no pre-set programs. Because our team lives and works on the ground, we can offer access that no catalog can replicate: private experiences, trusted local partners, and itineraries built entirely around you.
What kind of travelers do you work with?
We work with travelers who value privacy, expert planning, and a truly bespoke approach. Our clients are couples, families, and multi-generational travelers who prefer destination specialists over global agencies coordinating from a distance.
Planning Your Journey & On the Ground
How does the planning process work?
The process is conversational. We listen carefully to understand how you like to travel and what interests you, then design and refine the journey through focused dialogue.
How far in advance should we contact you?
The earlier you contact us, the better. We work with the best local guides and partners, and early planning helps secure availability and design the journey properly. That said, we can also accommodate shorter-notice requests when possible.
What kind of support do you provide during the journey?
We provide 24/7 support throughout the journey. Our team remains available to coordinate details, handle any adjustments if needed, and ensure everything runs smoothly from start to finish.
Who will guide us during the journey?
We work exclusively with official, expert local guides in each destination. However, we don’t work with just any “certified guide”. We look for A-team talent. We look for personality and communication skills, passion for their areas, deep knowledge, language skills, and desire to be a great host so your tours and visits are remarkable and you feel well taken care of. For any questions or special requests, let us know.
Pricing, Inclusions & Payments
What budget range do your journeys typically fall into?
Prices shown on our website are indicative and based on sample journeys. Every journey is fully bespoke, and the final cost depends on travel dates, number of travelers, accommodation choices, and selected experiences. Following an initial conversation, we prepare a detailed proposal tailored to your preferences.
What is included in your service?
Every journey is different, and the confirmed itinerary is the definitive reference for exactly what is included in your trip. As a general guide, our service typically includes the following:
Full journey design and personalized itinerary planning; hotel bookings with accommodation taxes and service charges; private tours and experiences with official, English-speaking local guides; admission fees during private guided tours; train tickets and domestic flights within the countries visited when required and specified in your itinerary; private airport, train station, and port transfers as specified; private ground transportation throughout; coordination handled directly by our team before and during the journey; and 24/7 support for the duration of your trip.
Itemized cost breakdowns are not available. Your confirmed itinerary is the authoritative reference for all inclusions specific to your journey.
What is not included in your service?
Unless explicitly stated in your confirmed itinerary, the following are not included: international flights to and from the destination; airport departure taxes; travel insurance; gratuities for guides, drivers, hotel staff, and porters; laundry; alcoholic beverages and minibar charges; excess baggage charges; visa fees for visas obtained on arrival; meals not specified in the itinerary; optional experiences not listed in the itinerary; items of a personal nature; and any service not specifically confirmed as included.
Any additional services outside the agreed itinerary are discussed and confirmed separately before being arranged.
When are payments made and how is payment data handled securely?
Your journey is confirmed with a deposit of 25% of the total trip cost. A second payment of 50% is due 60 days before your first service date, and a final payment of 25% is due 30 days before your first service date. If you are booking within 30 days of your first service date, the full cost is due at confirmation.
All payments are processed securely through our U.S.-based merchant account via an encrypted payment link. We accept all major American credit cards and bank wire transfers in USD or euro. We never ask clients to send card details directly by email.
For full payment and cancellation terms, see our Booking Terms.
Before You Travel
What is your cancellation policy?
Magical Private Travel has never canceled a journey. In the rare event we ever did, clients would receive a refund of amounts paid for undelivered services, less any non-recoverable costs already committed to suppliers.
If you need to cancel, terms are based on how far in advance we receive your written notice — ranging from deposit only for cancellations well in advance, to the full trip cost inside 30 days. Cancellation must always be made in writing by email. Verbal requests cannot be honored.
For the complete cancellation schedule, deposit credit option, and special circumstances, see our Booking Terms.
What happens if someone in our group drops out?
Journey pricing is calculated based on the number of travelers. Fixed costs — private drivers, guide fees, reserved experiences — are divided across the group, and variable costs such as hotel rooms, train tickets, and entrance fees are adjusted per person.
If a traveler withdraws before any deposit has been paid, we will recalculate the proposal for the remaining group at no penalty. If a deposit is already in place, our standard cancellation terms apply to the withdrawing traveler’s share. The journey continues as planned for the remaining group. In the rare case where a specific experience is tied to group size, we will work with you to find an equivalent alternative.
Please note that the remaining travelers may be responsible for any repricing resulting from the reduced group size, including changes to rooming arrangements, transport configurations, or loss of group rates.
Full details are in our Booking Terms.
Do you recommend travel insurance?
For all trips with a total cost of $5,000 or more, comprehensive travel insurance — including trip cancellation, trip interruption, medical expenses, and emergency evacuation — is required. For trips below $5,000, we strongly recommend equivalent coverage.
A private journey involves dozens of supplier commitments made on your behalf well in advance — guides, hotels, transfers, and experiences that cannot always be unwound. Insurance protects your investment if something changes on your end.
For established, well-regarded providers, we suggest researching Allianz Travel, Travelex Insurance, and Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection. Each has a long track record with international travel. The right policy depends on your specific trip, travel dates, and personal circumstances, so we encourage you to compare carefully and consult the insurer directly before purchasing.
What travel documents do we need?
A valid U.S. or Canadian passport with at least six months of validity beyond your travel dates is standard. Traveler names on all bookings must match passports exactly — please double-check spelling when providing your details. We recommend carrying a photocopy of your passport separately from the original, and keeping the original in your hotel safe when possible.
An important update for travel from late 2026 onward: The European Union is in the process of launching ETIAS — the European Travel Information and Authorisation System — a pre-travel online authorization required for American travelers entering Spain, Portugal, and other Schengen Area countries. It is similar in concept to the U.S. ESTA system used for visitors entering the United States.
ETIAS has been delayed multiple times since it was first announced, and details including the launch date, fee, and transitional grace period have changed along the way. For that reason, we recommend checking the official EU ETIAS page directly for the most current information: travel-europe.europa.eu/en/etias
As of now, no action is required. The EU has stated it will give travelers several months’ notice before the system goes live. We monitor this closely and will flag any updates to clients with upcoming travel.
Morocco operates under a separate system. A valid U.S. passport currently grants visa-free entry for stays of up to 90 days.
For the legal implications of travel authorization and document requirements, see our Booking Terms.
When is the best time to travel?
Spain is a year-round destination with considerable regional variation. Spring — mid-March through May — offers mild temperatures, almond and orange blossom, and manageable crowds. September and October bring the wine harvest in Rioja and Ribera del Duero and are among the best months for Andalusia. July and August are busy and hot in the interior; the Atlantic coast and northern Spain remain comfortable. For those who prefer fewer visitors, February, March, and November are worth considering.
Portugal follows a similar rhythm. The Douro Valley in September and October — terraced vineyards turning gold, harvest activity in the quintas — is one of the most rewarding times to visit. Lisbon and the Alentejo are pleasant from March through June and again in the fall. The Algarve peaks in summer; shoulder season offers the same coastline with a fraction of the visitors.
Morocco is best visited between October and April. Summer temperatures in Marrakech and the pre-Sahara regularly exceed 40°C (104°F) and are difficult in the interior. The Sahara desert camps are at their finest from November through February — cold nights, extraordinary star visibility, and comfortable daytime temperatures.
Do we need to speak Spanish or Portuguese?
No. All communication — planning, on-the-ground coordination, and 24/7 support throughout your journey — is handled in clear English by our team.
That said, it is worth knowing that English is not widely spoken in Spain beyond luxury hotels and the major cities. Outside Madrid, Barcelona, and Seville, language barriers are a real feature of daily life. In Portugal the situation is somewhat better; in Morocco it varies considerably by region. This is one of the practical reasons our clients find genuine value in having a local team managing every interaction on their behalf.
What types of hotels do you work with?
We select hotels for location, quality, and character — with a strong preference for properties within or adjacent to the historic center, so that your private touring and free time are on foot rather than by transfer.
Depending on your preferences, we can recommend contemporary five-star hotels in the major cities, Spain’s Paradores — a celebrated collection of castles, monasteries, and historic properties managed as hotels by the Spanish government — and Portugal’s equivalent Pousadas, boutique properties in restored palaces, and ultra-luxury options including the Four Seasons in Madrid, the Royal Mansour in Marrakech, and the Six Senses in the Douro Valley. We know these properties and their teams personally, which matters when it comes to room selection, special requests, and handling anything that needs attention during your stay.
Please note that hotel classifications and room standards vary by country and may differ from U.S. expectations, particularly in historic properties and more remote areas.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept all major American credit cards, processed through our U.S.-based merchant account, and bank wire transfers in USD or euro. We do not currently accept cryptocurrency.
For details on deposit and final payment timing, see our Booking Terms.
What level of mobility is required?
Private touring is designed around your pace, not ours. Most itineraries involve some walking on uneven or cobblestone surfaces — the historic centers of cities like Toledo, Fez, and Lisbon are not fully flat — but the pace is yours to set, and guide commentary is built into the rhythm of the walk rather than rushed.
If you or a member of your group has specific mobility considerations, let us know in writing as early as possible — ideally at the time of booking. We will make every reasonable effort to restructure routing, increase motorized transport, and select hotels with appropriate access, though not all requests can be guaranteed. Please raise this early — it affects logistics across the entire journey.
Ready to start planning?
For more details on payment and cancellation terms, see our Booking Terms.
