Iberian & Moroccan Grand Discovery - 17 Days

From Lisbon airport, we transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to relax or begin exploring the Portuguese capital at your own pace.

After breakfast, we explore Lisbon, once known as Olissipo. Our city tour takes in the main squares and grand avenues, the Belem Tower and the exterior of the Jeronimos Monastery - both symbols of Portugal’s Age of Discovery - as well as the Monument to the Discoveries. The afternoon is free for you to wander through the atmospheric Alfama district or join an optional excursion to Sintra and Cascais, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Lisbon - Merida - Cordoba. Following breakfast, we travel to Merida, capital of Extremadura. The city is known for its remarkably preserved Roman remains, including the theatre, amphitheatre and Roman bridge. After free time to explore, we continue to Cordoba, once the capital of the Umayyad Caliphate in Al-Andalus.

Cordoba - Seville. After breakfast, we visit the magnificent Mosque, now a Cathedral - one of Spain’s most extraordinary monuments. We stroll through the narrow lanes of the former Jewish Quarter, rich in history and character. In the afternoon, we travel on to Seville, arriving after a short journey of approximately two hours.

This morning we enjoy a panoramic and walking tour of Seville, including entrance to its Cathedral - the second largest in the Catholic world after St Peter’s in Rome. We explore the Barrio de Santa Cruz, setting of the opera Carmen and linked to the legend of Don Juan, and continue to Maria Luisa Park and the impressive Plaza de Espana. The afternoon is free for you to discover more of this vibrant Andalusian city at your own pace.

Seville - Ronda - Costa del Sol. After breakfast, we drive south through typical white villages to Ronda. You have free time to admire this historic town, dramatically set above a deep gorge, and enjoy views across the surrounding mountains. We then continue to the Costa del Sol, one of Spain’s leading resort areas. The afternoon is at leisure.

Today is free for you to relax on the beaches of the Costa del Sol, explore nearby towns or join one of our optional excursions.

Costa del Sol - Tarifa or Algeciras - Tangier - Fes. We depart along the coastal route to Tarifa or Algeciras and board the ferry for a short crossing of the Strait of Gibraltar to North Africa. After arrival in Morocco, we complete customs formalities and continue by coach to Fes.

After breakfast, we explore Fes, the oldest and most monumental of Morocco’s Imperial Cities. We see the seven gates of the Royal Palace, the historic Jewish Quarter, and Bab Bou Jeloud. We then walk through the medina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the largest living medieval cities in the world. The afternoon is free.

Fes - Rabat - Casablanca - Marrakech. Breakfast and early departure for Rabat, Morocco’s capital. We visit key sights including the exterior of the Royal Palace, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V and the Hassan Tower. We continue to Casablanca to see United Nations Square, the Corniche and the exterior of the Hassan II Mosque, one of the largest mosques in the world. There is free time for lunch at own cost en route before we continue to Marrakech. In the evening, you may choose to attend an optional Fantasia dinner under traditional caidal tents.

Marrakech - Casablanca. After breakfast, we tour Marrakech, known as the Pearl of the South. We begin at the Menara Gardens, with their olive groves and pavilion, and view the Koutoubia Minaret, sister tower to Seville’s Giralda. We visit the Bahia Palace and continue to Jemaa el-Fna Square, the vibrant heart of the city, before exploring the souks and medina, where traditional crafts such as woodwork, ceramics and leather are still practised. Lunch at the hotel is included before we return to Casablanca.

Casablanca - Tangier - Tarifa or Algeciras - Costa del Sol. Following breakfast, we travel to Tangier and transfer to the port for the ferry crossing back to Spain. On arrival, we continue to the Costa del Sol.

A full day at leisure for you to enjoy the coast or join an optional excursion.

Costa del Sol - Granada. After breakfast, we travel to Granada, the last stronghold of the Moorish Kingdoms until 1492. We visit the magnificent Alhambra and the Generalife Gardens, whose beauty has inspired writers including Washington Irving. In the evening, you may choose to attend an optional Flamenco Zambra performance.

Granada - Madrid. We travel north to Madrid. On arrival, transfer to the hotel.

Madrid - Toledo - Madrid. After breakfast, we meet at our office (C/ San Nicolas 15) for a panoramic tour of Madrid. On a guided walk through the historic centre, we see Plaza Mayor, Puerta del Sol and Plaza de la Villa. We then continue by coach past key landmarks, including the Royal Palace, Gran Via, Las Ventas Bullring, the Cibeles Fountain, Puerta de Alcala and the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. The tour concludes at Plaza de Oriente.

You have free time before we meet again at our office to travel to Toledo. This UNESCO World Heritage Site reflects centuries of Christian, Jewish and Muslim heritage. We visit the Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes, the Synagogue of Santa Maria la Blanca and the Church of Santo Tome, home to El Greco’s "The Burial of the Count of Orgaz". We end outside Toledo Cathedral, a masterpiece of Spanish Gothic architecture. After free time, we return to Madrid.

After breakfast, we transfer to Madrid airport.