No. Totally Spain does not book flights, either international or domestic.

That said, we are very happy to advise on flight options, routes, and timings, particularly for domestic flights within Spain or Portugal, to ensure they fit smoothly with the overall itinerary we are designing for you. We will clearly advise which flights make the most sense in terms of timing, routing, and practicality.

For researching and booking flights independently, we generally recommend using Skyscanner, which is an excellent and easy-to-use tool for comparing schedules and fares across airlines.

Brittany Ferries sails to Santander and Bilbao from the UK.  They also sail from Rosslare in Ireland to Bilbao.

If you happen to be arriving in Spain from Morocco, there is also the option to take the ferry from Tangier to Tarifa, Spain.

Yes, but only as part of a complete custom trip that includes additional services such as accommodation, private tours, cultural activities, and more. We do not offer car rental as a standalone service.

Yes.   Our custom trips in Spain and Portugal often involve the client using a mixture of transport throughout their trip including trains, private transfers, car rental and sometimes motorcoaches.  We will advise you on the best transport methods for completing your custom itinerary.

Your rental car can be picked up or dropped off at any one of over 100 locations across mainland Spain and Portugal. The only requirement is that the car must be picked-up and returned within the same country.  No one way drop-off charges apply generally.

Yes, you can hire a car in Spain and drive it into Portugal and France. However, the car must always be returned to the country where the rental began. For example, if the car is picked up in Spain, it must be returned in Spain. Dropping off a car in another country requires special prior arrangements and usually incurs a significant additional fee. If this is done without prior authorization, an exorbitant penalty will be charged.

Please note that a fee is also charged to bring your car into another country, and you must inform the rental company of your travel plans when collecting the car to ensure proper documentation and permissions are in place.

No, in general there are no one-way drop-off charges. However, cars must be picked-up and dropped-off in the same country i.e. in Spain or in Portugal.

YES but only in conjunction with a complete custom package.  Totally Spain works with a whole team of english speaking private drivers and private guides in Spain & Portugal.  See this article on our blog about the Benefits of Hiring A Private Driver in Spain

First and foremost, clients should feel completely comfortable with their accommodation choices. Once a booking has been confirmed and a deposit paid, Totally Spain will always share the hotel names, and clients are free to request changes if, on reviewing them, they are not entirely happy. We are very flexible at this stage and will happily suggest alternatives where appropriate. In practice, such changes are rare, but the option is always there.

Every trip we design at Totally Spain is individually tailored and often involves many hours of careful planning, particularly for more complex itineraries. Over the years, we have found that not all enquiries are made with the intention of booking through a specialist travel company. Occasionally, proposals are requested simply to obtain a professionally designed itinerary that can then be booked independently.

For this reason, we do not usually provide specific hotel names or the contact details of private guides and drivers until a booking has been confirmed. This allows us to ensure that our time, expertise, and local knowledge are reserved for clients who genuinely wish to work with us.

We fully appreciate that accommodation plays an important role in choosing a trip. However, Totally Spain is not a hotel booking engine. Our value lies in our first-hand knowledge and our ability to select hotels that genuinely suit each itinerary. Every property we propose has been carefully handpicked by us, performs consistently well for our clients, and is highly rated on independent review platforms.

We are always happy to provide clear descriptions and comparisons between different hotel options to help clients choose with confidence. Please note that any change of hotel after confirmation may result in an adjustment to the overall trip cost if alternative accommodations are more expensive.

Many smaller boutique hotels and country homes require a minimum stay of two nights on weekends or during high season (Easter, summer, public holidays, Christmas, etc.). Mid-week stays, however, tend to be more flexible. Larger city hotels typically accept one-night bookings.

At Totally Spain, we take great care when planning a custom itinerary to ensure the pace is just right—not too rushed, but not too slow. We generally advise against one-night stays, as we believe that if a destination is worth visiting, it’s worth staying for more than just one night.

.

Totally Spain specializes in creating complete custom packages and typically manages all arrangements on the ground for our clients. That said, we understand that some clients prefer to use Loyalty Program points for certain hotel bookings, and we can often accommodate this. The best approach is to let us know when you first contact us so we can tailor the itinerary to suit your preferences.

No.  Totally Spain specialises in complete custom packages featuring accommodation, private transport, private tour guides, cultural visits, etcetera.  We do not book ad-hoc services such as accommodation-only.

YES. That's exactly the service we offer at Totally Spain and have done since we were established in 2000. Please complete our obligation free Quote Form to request a custom proposal for your trip.

Yes.  Always. We only work with quality accommodations where all bathroom facilities are private.

All of our clients’ hotel bookings are GUARANTEED BY PREPAYMENT. In the case of Spanish Paradores, bookings are guaranteed through our Paradores Bond, a requirement for official agencies working with the Paradores network.

This approach ensures that all reservations made through Totally Spain are secure and fully guaranteed. There is no risk—except in cases of force majeure—that you will be bumped to another hotel or have your room given to someone else, even if you arrive late.

Unfortunately, this is not always the case with some other travel companies that do not require clients to prepay for their hotels or Paradores. Travelling to Spain & Portugal without prepaying for your hotel reservation can be risky. You may find that your room has been sold to another guest, that you are relocated to a different hotel, or that you are given an inferior room.

At Totally Spain, we take pride in providing our clients with peace of mind. By ensuring that every trip booked with us is fully guaranteed, we eliminate these risks and uphold our commitment to delivering exceptional experiences for every client.

No.  Totally Spain does not work with AirBnB.

When we price a custom trip for a client—especially one that includes a combination of hotels and services across multiple locations—we utilize our confidential contract rates and a variety of travel agency resources to provide the most competitive price. Many of our providers offer us specially negotiated rates that are exclusively available when combined with a custom package involving multiple services. These rates cannot be disclosed individually, and if each service were booked separately, the overall cost would almost certainly be higher than when booked as part of a package.

This is standard practice in the travel industry, as our pricing reflects not just the cost of each service, but also the expertise, time, and resources that go into creating a seamless and well-organized itinerary. By bundling services, we are able to offer excellent value while maintaining the quality and reliability our clients expect.

At Totally Spain, our commitment is to deliver excellent service, value for money and a seamless, well-organized trip that runs smoothly from start to finish. Don’t just take our word for it—see our Past Client Reviews for feedback from those who’ve traveled with us.

At Totally Spain, we provide a single, fully inclusive price for your custom package. This price covers all the services included in your itinerary, the cost of arranging them, and applicable Spanish Government taxes.

As a Spain-based travel agency, we benefit from excellent contract rates with our trusted suppliers and have access to up-to-the-minute information on the best rates available. This allows us to create competitively priced packages without compromising on quality. Our clients enjoy not only great value but also the added benefit of working with a local company that brings in-depth knowledge and a personal touch to their trip planning and overall experience.

We do not provide a detailed breakdown of costs, as our pricing reflects the complete package of services and the expertise required to craft a seamless and personalized itinerary. This approach ensures you receive the best possible value while saving time and effort.

At Totally Spain, we do accept late booking requests, which we define as those made between one and six weeks prior to departure, depending on the time of year. However, fulfilling such requests is not always possible, as it depends on how busy we are assisting existing clients at the time.

To ensure we can handle your late request efficiently, we require the following information upfront:

• A realistic budget: Please provide a clear indication of your budget, ensuring it aligns with the type of trip you have in mind and the time of year you are travelling.
• Details of your trip: Share an accurate idea of what you want, including how flexible you are regarding locations and hotels.
• Prompt responses: When we contact you with options or questions, timely replies are essential to avoid unnecessary delays.
• Quick decision-making: Understand that availability and prices can change rapidly until bookings are confirmed. Being prepared to make swift decisions is crucial for securing your trip.

We will do our best to accommodate late requests, but please note that the earlier you reach out, the greater the chance we can organize a seamless and enjoyable trip for you.

All trip documentation is shipped via UPS to the address you provide on your Booking Confirmation form. For last-minute bookings, we will ship your documentation to your first hotel and email you copies of the most important trip documents to ensure you have everything you need before your departure.

At Totally Spain, we provide all our clients with comprehensive, personalised trip documentation designed to ensure a seamless and enjoyable experience. This includes:

• A detailed Trip Information Document with a clear day-by-day itinerary, including transport timings, meeting points, and contact details for private drivers, guides, and other services
• Vouchers for all pre-booked visits and services
• Hotel contact details
• Car rental vouchers and rental information, where applicable
• Train and coach tickets
• Hand-marked maps showing your hotel and key locations related to your itinerary
• Individual City Packs, neatly organised for each destination, including maps and carefully selected tourist literature
• Totally Spain’s City Highlights – our own guide with suggested walking routes, sightseeing ideas, and recommendations for bars, cafés, and restaurants
• Provincial information for driving holidays, including suggested day trips and points of interest
• Restaurant Dictionary – a practical translation guide to typical Spanish and Portuguese dishes, along with useful phrases for dining out

In addition, we source a wide selection of high-quality literature from regional tourist offices throughout Spain and Portugal. If you have any particular interests, please let us know at the time of booking and we will include relevant materials in your travel pack to further enrich your trip.

We strongly recommend arranging comprehensive travel insurance for your trip, as it provides valuable peace of mind in the event of unexpected situations, including medical emergencies.

Totally Spain does not sell travel insurance and we do not have any partnership or commercial relationship with insurance providers. However, many of our clients choose well-established companies such as Allianz, and you may also wish to compare alternatives and check any existing cover you already have. Always read the policy wording carefully to ensure it fits your personal circumstances and the type of trip you are taking.

Please note that travel insurance is not included in our trips and it is the client’s responsibility to arrange suitable cover. For further guidance, please see our dedicated Travel Insurance page. Travel Insurance information

Yes, it can be quite easy once you know where to go and what to eat. Spain is a family-friendly country, and many restaurants welcome children with open arms. To help you make the most of your dining experiences, check out our blog posts:

• Eating Out with Your Family in Spain
• Spanish Mealtimes - When to Eat in Spain

These articles provide tips on family-friendly dining spots, meal recommendations, and understanding Spain’s unique dining culture.

Most properties in Spain and Portugal can supply a cot either free or at a nominal charge.  Please inform your Totally Spain advisor and they will take this into account when preparing your custom itinerary.

Not if you don't want to.  Child Car Seats can be hired locally from Spanish & Portuguese car rental companies and Totally Spain can request this for you at time of booking.

YES. Not all accommodations have them but we can let you know at time of booking.  We can also advise about securing adjacent and inter-connecting rooms. Family rooms in Spain and Portugal are generally for a maximum of 4 people - 2 adults and 2 children.

Yes, absolutely! Totally Spain specializes in organizing trips for large family and mixed-generational groups traveling together in Spain and Portugal. We understand the unique requirements that such groups often have, including:

• Requests for special room configurations or meeting spaces.
• Arranging special group meals.
• Private tours tailored to varying interests and ages.
• Balancing activities to accommodate both younger and older travelers.
• Managing arrivals and departures at different times or even on different days.

With our expertise, you can trust Totally Spain to design a seamless and memorable trip that perfectly suits your family group’s needs.

Most of the properties we work with, including many smaller country homes and inns, offer meal services. For those that do not provide meals beyond breakfast, they are typically located near one or more restaurants.

If you prefer to stay exclusively in properties that provide meal services, please inform your Totally Spain advisor during the trip planning process, and we’ll ensure your preferences are accommodated.

While Spain and Portugal may not have an abundance of dedicated vegetarian or vegan restaurants, the number is steadily growing. In major cities, vegans and vegetarians will generally find plenty of options and can dine comfortably.

For tips and recommendations, see our blog post: Eating Out as a Vegetarian in Spain.

If you have allergies to certain ingredients, please inform us at the time of booking, especially if you are arranging Food Tours with us. We can notify your accommodations to ensure they provide an appropriate breakfast and assist you with your dietary needs.

Additionally, we can provide you with a translation in Spanish or Portuguese listing the items you are allergic to, making dining out easier. For more tips, see our blog post: Gluten-Free Spain: How to Order and What to Enjoy.

While learning a few basic words of Spanish or Portuguese is always helpful, it’s not essential for enjoying your trip. Many of our accommodation providers, especially larger hotels, have English-speaking staff and are accustomed to hosting international clients. Additionally, most of our private drivers and all of our private guides speak good to excellent English.

Totally Spain ensures that you’re well-prepared by providing comprehensive travel documentation, including maps and guides in English. We also include a handy restaurant translation dictionary to make dining out easier. And remember, if you need assistance at any point during your trip, we’re just a phone call away.

Totally Spain does collaborate with travel agents, tour companies, and group travel organizers. If you’re planning a trip to Spain or Portugal for your clients, we’d be happy to assist.

Simply send us an email with the following details:

• Information about your company
• Contact name and email address
• Website address
• The specific services you require for your clients

We’ll review your request promptly and get back to you to explore how we can work together.

We organise travel within Spain & Portugal for all varieties of FITs and Groups.

We take care of all types of land arrangements including transport by Motorcoach, Train Travel, Hotels, Local Guides and Tour Directors, Entrance to Museums & Monuments, Booking Restaurants, Guest Speakers and much more. With our deep knowledge of Spain & Portugal Travel and our large network of contacts, no itinerary is too simple or too complex for us to handle.

Apart from Cultural tours for Groups and Individuals we´ve handled specialist tours for Jewish clients, Wine & Gastronomy themed tours, tours dealing with Muslim culture right through to tours focused on Modern Urban Architecture, and even Agriculture.  We have also handled numerous honeymoons ( and several weddings ) and other celebratory events.

If you would like us to prepare a quote for a Group or FIT then please do not hesitate to contact us by completing our online form for a quote.

Contact us to discuss this and any other questions you might have.