17 days Treasures of Spain, Portugal & Morocco
A kaleidoscopic adventure that takes you from some of Europe’s most cosmopolitan cities, in autumn, winter or spring, to an exotic and vivid land of medinas and minarets.
| Day | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Welcome to Madrid | Transfers leave Madrid Airport for your hotel at 09:00, 11:00, 13:30 and 16:00. Later, join your Tour Director for a pleasant Welcome Dinner and the chance to get to know your fellow travellers. Hotel:Hotel Miguel Angel by BlueBay, Madrid Meals: Dinner with wine |
| 2 | Prado Museum and Golden Salamanca | With your Local Expert travel down the beautiful boulevards to the Cibeles Fountain and cross the Puerta del Sol to see the monument to Cervantes in the Plaza de España. Hotel: Hotel Alameda Palace, Salamanca Meals: Buffet Breakfast |
| 3 | Relaxed Start - Holy Fátima and Lisbon | (Relaxed Start) Cross the Portuguese frontier and skirt the Estrela Mountains, en route to Fátima. Join the pilgrims flocking into the great basilica commemorating the miraculous appearance of the Virgin Mary to three young shepherds in 1917. Then continue to Lisbon, the Portuguese capital. Hotel: Turim Saldanha Hotel Lisbon. Meals: Buffet Breakfast |
| 4 | Lisbon and the age of the great Discoveries. | Exploration with a Local Expert takes you along the avenues of the Lower Town to the Terreiro do Paço with a visit to the Belém Quarter. See the traditional patisserie that has managed to hold on to the secret recipe of Portugal's finest pastry for almost 200 years and enjoy a taste of the famous Pastéis de Belém. View the Monument to the Discoveries and the more ancient Belém Tower, a fortress that was originally set in the middle of the river but with receding waters, now sits on the riverbank. Visit the 500-year-old Jerónimos Monastery with its Manueline architecture, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The afternoon is free for you to explore further as your wish. Hotel:Turim Saldanha Hotel Lisbon. Meals: Buffet Breakfast |
| 5 | To Seville, the City of Carmen | Continue your exploration through the labyrinthine narrow streets and shady squares of the Santa Cruz Quarter, emerging beside the great walls of the Alcazar. Hotel: Ayre Sevilla, Seville Meals: Buffet Breakfast. |
| 6 | Relaxed Start Free Time and Flamenco in Seville | This day is yours to completely relax or continue exploring this fascinating city. Perhaps join an Optional Experience to Cordoba and visit the magnificent Mezquita, an 8th century mosque with a Christian cathedral built inside it? Enjoy an evening of food and wine while you are entertained by throbbing guitars, lamenting solos, colourful dancers and the rhythmic stomp of flamenco. Hotel: Ayre Sevilla (Executive Rooms), Seville. Meals: Buffet Breakfast, Dinner with Wine |
| 7 | The Straits of Gibraltar to Fes | Set sail across the Straits of Gibraltar to Morocco – a land of veils, musky spices, bazaars, souks and snake charmers. Continue to Fes, Morocco's most ancient imperial city. Hotel: Palais Medina & Spa, Fes Meals: Buffet Breakfast, Dinner |
| 8 | Relaxed Start The Ancient Imperial City of Fes | (Relaxed Start) Sightseeing with a Local Expert shows you the Medina – the walled city of hidden courtyards, mosques and workshops. See the bazaar and one of the world’s oldest universities. Learn about the ancient craft of carpet making and gain an insight into the motifs and colours used in the designs. Then you are at leisure to continue exploring as you wish, or perhaps cool-off with a dip in the pool at your hotel. Hotel: Palais Medina & Spa, Fes Meals: Buffet Breakfast |
| 9 | On the Road to Marrakesh | See the Middle Atlas Mountains and mud-walled villages as you journey to Marrakesh. Hotel: Atlas Medina & Spa, Marrakesh Meals: Buffet Breakfast |
| 10 | Relaxed Start Marrakesh, Pearl of the South | (Relaxed Start) An exploration with your Local Expert will show you the Medina with its many souks and the Koutoubia Minaret dominating the skyline. Visit the intricately decorated Palais Bahia, intended to be the greatest palace of its time when it was built in the late 19th century. Hotel: Atlas Medina & Spa, Marrakesh Meals: Buffet Breakfast, Dinner |
| 11 | Relaxed Start 'Play It Again Sam', in Casablanca | (Relaxed Start) Journey to the west coast of Africa to reach Casablanca. Discover if Humphrey Bogart really did say 'Play it again Sam' during sightseeing with your Local Expert. You will also see Hassan II Mosque, the largest mosque in the country and the tres chic seaside strip, known as the Corniche, lined with trendy restaurants and cafes. Hotel: Grand Mogador City Centre, Casablanca. Meals: Buffet Breakfast, Dinner |
| 12 | Relaxed Start Rabat and Tangier | (Relaxed Start) Travel north to Rabat, to see the Royal Palace and Hassan Tower with your Local Expert. Your journey continues to Morocco's great port of Tangier, overlooking the Straits of Gibraltar. Here you will enjoy beautiful views where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean. After dinner, you are at leisure relax in the comfortable surroundings of your hotel or take a stroll along the Bay of Tangier. Hotel: Grand Hotel Villa de France by BlueBay, Tangier. Meals: Buffet Breakfast, Dinner |
| 13 | On to the Costa del Sol | Cross the water to Spain and continue on to Gibraltar, an overseas territory under British control since 1704. Meet your Local Expert for a guided tour of the Rock of Gibraltar, St. Michael’s Cave and see the Barbary Apes, legendary guardians of the colony. Travel to the white-washed village of Mijas and stroll the old streets, then relax and take in the views as you are driven along the scenic route of the Costa del Sol. Hotel: Melia, Costa Del Sol, Torremolinos Meals: Buffet Breakfast |
| 14 | Relaxed Start Free Time on the Costa del Sol | Enjoy the following day at leisure on the sun-drenched Costa del Sol. Relax by the blue Mediterranean waters, stroll along the promenade, savour the specialities in the local restaurants or consider exploring Malaga, the birth city of Picasso. Hotel: Melia, Costa Del Sol Meals: Buffet Breakfast |
| 15 | Dining with locals and the Alhambra | Travel to the oldest olive grove in the region and stop at the rural mill-factory of Almazara to taste a selection of different oils with locally made farmer bread. Continue to Alfarnatejo, a quiet town with a population of just 500 people and surrounded by stunning mountainous landscape. Walk the town centre to see the 18th century Iglesia del Santo Cristo de Cabrilla. In small groups, you are invited to into the home of a local family to join them for a delicious Highlight Lunch made of fresh, local produce with flavours typical of the region. Continue to Granada to visit the magnificent Alhambra Palace with your Local Expert. Built as a citadel by the Moors in the 13th century, it is a wonder of beautiful gardens, fountains and stone cut like lace.Stroll through the elegant, exotic water gardens of the Generalife, the royal summer residence. Hotel: Saray Hotel, Meals: Buffet Breakfast, Lunch with Wine |
| 16 | To Madrid in search of Don Quixote | Your journey continues to the north, through countryside immortalised by Cervantes fictional hero, Don Quixote. On return to Madrid, toast your travels with your newfound friends during a lively Celebration Dinner of good food and wine at a local restaurant. Hotel: Hotel Miguel Angel by BlueBay, Madrid Meals: Buffet Breakfast, Dinner with wine |
| 17 | Depart Madrid | Departure transfers arrive at Madrid Airport at 07:00, 09:00 and 11:00. Meals: Buffet Breakfast |