Lisbon to Morocco, Madrid & Porto - 13 Days

Lisbon (Portugal) - Merida (Spain) - Seville. Once you have arrived in Lisbon, make your way to the meeting point, as we depart for Mérida at 7:30 am.

We travel across the Spanish border to reach this historic city, once an important centre of the Roman Empire in Iberia. On arrival, you’ll have free time to explore its outstanding archaeological complex, including the Roman Theatre and Amphitheatre, both recognised by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites.

After lunch at your leisure, we continue our journey along the scenic Autovía de la Plata, known as the Silver Route, towards Andalusia. By late afternoon, we arrive in Seville, the lively capital of the region. This evening, enjoy dinner with the group and settle in for the night.

Please note: This tour is bilingual and will be conducted in Spanish as well as in English.

Meeting Point: HOTEL LUTECIA SMART DESIGN, Av. Frei Miguel Contreiras 52, 1749-086 Lisboa, Portugal at 7:30 am.

This morning, we set out on a city sightseeing tour to discover the highlights of Seville. We begin with the elegant María Luisa Park and its magnificent Plaza de España, before viewing the impressive exterior of the city’s vast Cathedral and its famous bell tower, La Giralda.

We then wander through the charming Santa Cruz quarter, a maze of narrow lanes, pretty squares, and flower-filled courtyards that capture the essence of old Seville.

The afternoon is yours to explore further at your own pace. You may wish to take an optional cruise along the Guadalquivir River, offering fine views of the historic Gold Tower and the modern structures of Expo ’92, or perhaps visit the Maestranza Bullring, one of the most renowned in Spain.

This evening, you have the option to experience the passion of Andalusian culture at a traditional flamenco show.

Seville - Cordoba. Today, we depart for Córdoba, once the flourishing capital of Islamic Spain. On arrival, we begin our walking tour at the Almodóvar Gate and make our way through the atmospheric Jewish Quarter, a maze of narrow streets filled with whitewashed houses and flowered patios.

We then visit the magnificent Mosque–Cathedral, one of the greatest examples of Moorish architecture in Europe and a symbol of the city’s layered history.

The afternoon is yours to explore at leisure, perhaps wandering through Córdoba’s charming old town or relaxing at a local café.

Cordoba - Ronda - Costa del Sol. After breakfast, we set off along the scenic Route of the White Villages, a picturesque stretch of countryside dotted with charming whitewashed towns perched on rugged hillsides.

We continue to Ronda, one of Andalusia’s most striking towns, where you’ll have free time to explore its dramatic gorge, historic bullring, and cobbled streets at your own pace.

Later, we travel onwards to the Costa del Sol, the sun-drenched coastline of southern Spain. This evening, we enjoy dinner together before settling in for our overnight stay.

Costa del Sol (Spain) - Tangier (Morocco) - Asilah - Rabat. We depart from the Costa del Sol and embark on a ferry crossing of the Strait of Gibraltar, leaving Europe behind as we journey towards Tangier, the gateway to Morocco. Upon arrival, we continue south along the Atlantic coast towards Rabat, the nation’s elegant capital.

Along the way, we stop in the charming seaside town of Asilah, where you’ll have free time to enjoy lunch and perhaps stroll through its whitewashed medina adorned with colourful murals. In the afternoon, we arrive in Rabat and settle in for the evening.

Please note: Each traveller is permitted one piece of luggage. In Morocco, you must clear customs personally with your own baggage. The Moroccan portion of the tour may be adjusted without significant changes to the included services.

Rabat - Fes. Today, we explore Rabat, one of Morocco’s four Imperial Cities. Our visit includes the impressive Hassan Tower, the unfinished minaret that rises above a vast esplanade lined with more than two hundred columns, and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, built in honour of the sultan who led the country to independence. At its entrance, the Royal Guard stands proudly in full ceremonial dress on horseback, adding to the monument’s grandeur.

We then continue to Fes, Morocco’s intellectual and spiritual capital. On arrival, we take a panoramic tour to see the Royal Palace with its seven ornate gates of Dar al Makhzen before stepping into the ancient medina of Fes el Bali, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With its network of over two thousand narrow streets and hundreds of mosques, it feels like a journey through time.

From Bab Boujloud to Es Seffarine Square, we trace the city’s evolution from the ninth to the nineteenth century, discovering the intricate layout of the medina and its traditional craft quarters, where artisans such as tanners and metalworkers continue their centuries old practices. We visit a historic medersa and finish our walk to the rhythmic sound of coppersmiths at work, followed by lunch in a typical Moroccan restaurant.

Fes - Chefchaouen - Tangier. This morning, we depart for Chefchaouen, one of Morocco’s most picturesque mountain towns. Nestled in the Rif Mountains, this charming village is famous for its blue-painted streets and whitewashed buildings that create a serene, dreamlike atmosphere.

We take a leisurely walk through its narrow lanes to reach the lively Outa el Hammam Square, the heart of local life, surrounded by cafés and small shops.

You’ll have free time to explore, perhaps browsing the handicraft stalls or simply soaking up the peaceful setting before we continue our journey north to Tangier, where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean.

Tangier (Morocco) - Costa del Sol (Spain). After breakfast, you’ll have a free morning to relax or take a final stroll through Tangier before our departure.

Later, we board the ferry for our return crossing to Spain, enjoying the scenic views across the Strait of Gibraltar. Upon arrival, we continue to the Costa del Sol, where we share dinner together and settle in for the evening.

Costa del Sol - Granada. We depart this morning for Granada, one of Spain’s most captivating cities, framed by the snow-capped peaks of the Sierra Nevada. On arrival, we visit the magnificent Alhambra and the adjoining Generalife Gardens, once the summer palace of the Moorish kings. Together they form one of the most remarkable architectural ensembles in the world, with graceful courtyards, intricate arches, and tranquil fountains surrounded by lush greenery.

This evening, we will enjoy dinner and an overnight stay in Granada. If you wish, you may choose to visit the caves of Sacromonte for an optional evening of traditional gypsy flamenco, a lively celebration of Andalusian culture.

Please note: If tickets for the Alhambra and Generalife are unavailable, a city tour of Granada will be offered instead.

Granada - Toledo - Madrid. Today, we travel north towards Toledo, the Imperial City and former capital of Spain, renowned for its rich blend of Christian, Jewish, and Moorish heritage.

On arrival, we enjoy lunch before taking in the panoramic view from the Mirador del Valle, offering a breathtaking perspective of the city and the River Tagus below.

We then walk through Toledo’s historic old town, where centuries of art, culture and architecture come together in its winding streets and grand monuments. Later, we continue our journey to Madrid for the final part of our tour.

Madrid - Salamanca (Spain) - Porto (Portugal). This morning, we depart for Salamanca, one of Spain’s most historic and beautiful university cities. Famed for its golden sandstone architecture, Salamanca is home to one of the oldest universities in Europe.

You’ll have free time to wander through its charming historic centre and admire the magnificent Baroque Plaza Mayor, the city’s lively heart surrounded by elegant arcades and cafés.

We then continue our journey across the border into Portugal, arriving in Porto, a city celebrated for its riverside charm and world-famous port wine.

We begin the day with a panoramic tour of Porto, a city of remarkable charm and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Our sightseeing includes the imposing Cathedral, the elegant Stock Exchange Palace, and the beautifully ornate Church of Santa Clara. We end our morning with a visit to one of Porto’s famous wine cellars, where we sample the city’s signature Port wine and learn about its centuries-old tradition of winemaking.

The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure — perhaps take a stroll along the Douro River, explore the colourful Ribeira district, or relax at one of the city’s inviting cafés.

Porto - Coimbra - Fatima - Lisbon. After our final breakfast, we depart for Coimbra, a historic city renowned for its prestigious university, one of the oldest in Europe, and as the birthplace of Portugal’s traditional fado music. You’ll have free time to explore the charming old town, stroll through the university quarter, or simply enjoy the lively atmosphere of this academic city.

We then continue to Fátima, one of the world’s most important pilgrimage centres. Here, you’ll have time to visit the Basilica and Sanctuary, places of deep spiritual significance for millions of visitors each year.

Later, we travel onwards to Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, where our journey comes to an end.