Travel photography of a rural landscape featuring a river, vineyards, and fields, with houses in the foreground and mountains under a cloudy sky in the distance in Briones, Spain.

Travel Diary, Marketing and Branding Photography, Photography Assignments

Travel Photography: Capturing Spain From Castles to Cellars

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As a pro photographer, my job is to capture moments that tell a story. But every so often, I get to document a journey so rich and flawlessly crafted that the story tells itself. My recent trip to Spain with Luxe Adventure Tours wasn’t just a travel photography assignment, it was an immersion into the very definition of luxury adventure. And now, I’m thrilled to share a glimpse of the magic we experienced.

The Luxe Difference: Adventure, Elevated

Luxe Adventure Tours isn’t about rushing through a checklist of sights. It’s about an elevated, unhurried exploration where every detail is handled, allowing guests to fully soak in the experience. As a photographer, this made my work infinitely easier and inspiring! The curated itinerary meant every backdrop, every meal, and every moment was a piece of art waiting to be captured.

Owner and friend Leslie Christin hired me to come along so we could create marketing and brand materials for her luxury travel company. The core of the Luxe experience focuses on VIP access, premium travel, unique wine & food experiences, and 5-star accommodations. All of this is ultimately part of an intimate journey into the Spanish culture. This is an ideal destination for a unique tour of this kind.

My 9 Day Travel Photography Spanish Adventure

Our journey took us deep into the celebrated food, wine, art, and culture of Spain. This tour offered a space where history and modern luxury coexisted beautifully.

Discovering Segovia

Our journey began in Segovia, blending cultural immersion with luxury. While the specific routes are tailored to the group, every Luxe trip includes exclusive cultural sessions and time for personal discovery.

The exterior entrance of the Alcazar of Segovia medieval castle in Spain

We were guided on a walking tour of the city, visited the Alcazar Castle, and admired the beautiful art of the cathedral.

A red tapestry bedroom in the Alcazar of Segovia medieval castle in Spain

Jesus on the cross in a gold and red decor tapestry room at the Toledo Cathedral in Spain.

We had lunch near the ancient aqueducts and enjoyed a wonderful Spanish Segovian lunch.

The columns of the medieval aqueduct in Segovia, Spain.

A window display of Spanish pastries and treats in Segovia, Spain.

For dinner, we went to the Restaurant Duque. There, we experienced the ceremonial plate-throwing around a roasted suckling pig. To demonstrate its tenderness, one of our travelers was invited to slice through an entire pig using a ceramic plate. After cutting through it, he was then instructed to throw the plate onto the floor, a symbolic act of good luck.

A roasted suckling pig on a table in a copper platter at the Duque Restaurant in Segovia, Spain.

Our evening ended in the comfort of the Hotel Áurea Convento Capuchinos.

Exploring Medieval Burgos

The large medieval stone gate with intricate carvings and statues stands in a public square, surrounded by historic buildings and people walking nearby in Burgos, Spain.

The following day, we traveled on our private coach to Burgos and checked into the Hotel Landa. This unique hotel, with its 14th-century tower, resembles a castle.

The exterior walls of the Hotel Landa in Burgos, Spain.

A table set for breakfast with omelets, sliced ham, cheese, assorted breads and pastries, cups of coffee, and small jars of jam at the Hotel Landa restaurant in Burgos, Spain.

It has a beautiful Gothic swimming pool and decorative rooms with cloth wall decor and marble baths. There are also two restaurants and a bar on-site.

A bicycle with a wooden cargo box is parked on a tree-lined street in front of shops with stone facades in Burgos, Spain.

We spent two days in Burgos enjoying the accommodations, food, and history.

Shoppers walking in the rain along the wet streets of Burgos, Spain.

We toured the Cathedral and the nearby Huegas Monastery Abbey of SantaMaría and had an enjoyable dinner at the hotel restaurant.

Stained glass window with three arched panels depicting religious scenes, set in a stone wall inside the Burgos Cathedral in Spain.

The exterior of the Burgos Cathedral entrance in Spain.

The ornate, golden-domed ceiling of the Burgos Cathedral features detailed frescoes and symmetrical architectural designs in Spain.

Ornate wood-paneled choir stalls line both sides of the historic Burgos cathedral interior, with a glass-topped table in the center and a chandelier hanging above in Spain.

A stone wall and a stone altar in the Burgos Cathedral in Spain.

A stone medieval gate with pointed arches and battlements, set within a high wall. A person sits on the left side near a doorway under a partly cloudy sky at the Huegas Monastery in Burgos, Spain.

A stone crypt with intricate carvings stands in a vaulted corridor lined with paintings, wooden floors, and benches under arched ceilings in the Huegas Monastery in Burgos, Spain.

Stone building with arched windows and a gabled roof, surrounded by gardens and an iron gate under a partly cloudy sky at the Huegas Monastery in Burgos, Spain.

The next day, Luxe host Leslie Christin offered makeup sessions, and we did a personal photoshoot at the hotel for each guest. This was a special part of the experience, making it a one-of-a-kind experience.

The Wine And Food of Rioja

Next, we journeyed into the celebrated Rioja wine country. This was a highlight for me as a photographer. From the sprawling vineyards bathed in golden light to the hidden, centuries-old wineries, the scenery was spectacular. We enjoyed private tastings and learned about the region’s rich history of winemaking. I focused on capturing the experience of the guests, the tastings, the vineyards, the towns, and the food.

A quiet, cobblestone town square bordered by historic stone buildings with wooden balconies and flower boxes, under a cloudy sky in Briones, Spain.

We checked into the beautiful Santa Maria Briones Hotel and admired a local festival in the streets. We enjoyed a special Michelin Star lunch at the hotel restaurant Allegar that lasted two hours.

A group of travelers having a 5-star Michelin lunch with the Luxe Adventure Tours in Briones, Spain, at the Allegar Restaurant.

Later, we traveled a few miles away to explore the small town of Sajazarra, admiring the beautiful window and door decor along its quaint cobblestone streets.

A stone building facade with a closed wooden window shutter, a flower box with green plants, and a wooden double door with lace curtains. Driftwood decor is mounted on the wall in Sajazarra, Spain

Next, we were off to the small town of San Asensio for a private 16th-century winery tour of the cellar at the Bodega Lecea. There we walked along the tunnels of the cellar, sampled an array of wines, stomped grapes at sunset, and enjoyed plates of specialty meats and cheeses.

People doing a cellar tour and tasting at the Lecea Bodega vineyard in Spain's La Rioja region.

A bottle of Lecea wine with tapas at the Lecea vineyard tasting in Spain.

Before leaving, we walked under the stars under the moonlight, high on the hill with an astrologer as he shared his knowledge of the stars. Exhausted from our long, adventurous day, we headed back to our hotel in Briones for the night.

The bodegas Sierra Cantabria entrance sign in Spain

The next day, our last stop in the La Rioja region was a tour of the Bodegas Sierra Cantabria vineyard in the nearby town of San Vicente de la Sonsierra. We sampled their white and red wines, explored the vineyard and cellars, and learned about the history of their wines.

The bodegas Sierra Cantabria in Spain, gin and tonic desert

Then we enjoyed another Michelin-star lunch at the vineyards restaurant, El Puntido, paired with wine. On our way to our last destination, we stopped in the small town of Lerma for a coffee and a snack.

A small cafe in Lerma, Spain, with men playing cards while watching soccer.

Toledo, The City of Three Cultures and Mystery

We ended our tour in Toledo, known as the “City of Magic.” The city provided a breathtaking mosaic of art and history. We checked into the Aurea Hotel, a block away from the Cathedral, later in the evening after a long day of travel. The next morning, we had some downtime, and as many of the guests relaxed, I took the opportunity to walk around the town and explore. Around 2 PM, we all met at the Michelin-starred Aldofo Restaurant for an 8-course meal with drink pairings. It was an incredible experience.

A table with empty and half-full glasses, plates with food remnants, cutlery, and napkins during an 8-course lunch at the Aldofo Restaurant in Toledo, Spain.

In the evening, we did a night tour of the city with a renowned archaeologist. He walked us through the city, sharing the history of three great religions that have marked its ancient streets, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The tour uncovered the city’s legendary underground tunnels dating back to Roman and Arab times.

Toledo Spain underground water system with caves.

We stopped at Circulo de Arts for a drink and enjoyed some of the local art.

Tables and bar area of Circulo De Arts in Toledo, Spain.

We were invited into the Convent of the Comendadoras de Santiago, where we had the opportunity to purchase marzipan and other delicious treats in support of the convent before turning in for the night.

A nun at the Convent of the Comendadoras de Santiago, with marzipan and other delicious treats in Toledo, Spain.

On our last day in Spain, we walked a block away from our hotel and spent a few hours exploring the Toledo Cathedral.

The Toledo Cathedral main entrance in Spain with tourists awaiting for it to open.

Inside the Toledo cathedral in Spain, with arched ceilings, stone columns, ornate carvings, and a checkered black-and-white tile floor.

From there, we stopped in at the Burial of the Count of Orgaz, an exhibit of painter El Greco’s most famous paintings.

The Burial of the Count of Orgaz exhibit by painter El Greco's most famous paintings in Toledo, Spain.

Later we visited the Synagogue of St. Mary, before going our own way for lunch.

Inside the Santa Maria Blanca in Toledo, Spain, showcasing the white and gold columns.

Leslie gave us a perfect farewell on our final evening in Toledo, arranging an exclusive Flamenco concert at Casa Entre Dos Aguas. The ambiance was electric. A master Spanish guitarist filled the room with passionate music while his wife commanded the floor with a vibrant, rhythmic Flamingo dance. We savored the venue’s specialty sangria and tapas, fully immersed in the show.

A Spanish flamenco guitarist playing for the guests' dining at the Casa Entre Dos Aguas in Toledo, Spain.

As the last notes faded with the setting sun, we were pleasantly exhausted and deeply content. Our journey was ending, but the incredible experience had already created amazing memories and forged new, lasting friendships.

Sheri Oneal and Leslie Christin at lunch in Toledo Spain

Why This Trip Was a Dream to Shoot

As the professional photographer for this tour, the single greatest benefit was that I was able to focus on the experience of our guests while documenting the beauty, culture, and history of Spain. These kinds of assignments are dream jobs for me! As a storyteller, it’s a reminder of how lucky I am to be able to do what I love for a living.

Watch the travel trailer!

As part of the assignment outside of my travel photography, I developed a promotional video trailer for Leslie. This video is intended to be a central marketing piece, highlighting the breathtaking beauty of the tour for prospective guests. I’ve compiled a brief video below, featuring a few behind-the-scenes (BTS) glimpses and concluding with the final teaser presented to Luxe Adventure Tours. You can watch the short video below!

What’s Next?

If you loved this overview, get ready for more! I will soon be releasing a series of independent video guides dedicated not only to the incredible locations featured in this trip, but also to many other remarkable towns and cities I’ve explored across Spain and Portugal.

Be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel and join the tribe so you don’t miss any future updates.

My upcoming series will delve into the rich history and culture of Spain and Portugal, offering in-depth stories behind the stunning castles, cathedrals, and culture. I’ll also be including exclusive travel photography tips, sharing my professional advice on how to master the light, composition, and essence of these stunning destinations.

Follow along to experience Spain and Portugal from the unique perspective of a traveler and a photographer. I can’t wait to share more of the world with you! I hope this post and video inspire your next adventure. If you’re seeking an unforgettable journey where luxury meets authentic discovery, your search ends here.

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If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to drop me a message and ask me anything. Happy travels and happy shooting!