Spain, Portugal and Morocco Experience - 21 Days

On arrival at Madrid Airport, we transfer to the hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure for you to relax after your journey or begin exploring the Spanish capital at your own pace. Overnight at the hotel. Please Note: During your stay in Madrid, tour escort service is not available.

If the panoramic tour of Madrid cannot operate due to technical reasons, it will be replaced by either a one-day Madrid Hop-on Hop-off bus ticket or a guided walking tour of the Hapsburg Quarter, as determined by the operator.

Tour Style: Please note that this is a bi-lingual, large group coach tour, where a majority of travellers are Spanish, so English will be the second language. For groups of 12 or more the tour is escorted by a bilingual (Spanish & English speaking) tour leader/escort. They will provide explanations about the itinerary, coordinate accommodation services, and ensure the smooth running of the tour, making your trip an enjoyable experience. When the group size is less than 12, this service may be provided by the driver. There will be experienced bi-lingual local guides for city sightseeing.

After breakfast, we enjoy a panoramic sightseeing tour of Madrid. We explore the city’s medieval origins, including the former Arab fortress, as we walk through the Barrio de la Morería, known for its historic buildings and traditional taverns. We continue through Habsburg Madrid, shaped by Philip II, with Renaissance and Baroque landmarks such as Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor and Plaza de la Villa.

Our tour also introduces Bourbon Madrid, with the urban planning of Charles III, featuring the Royal Palace, the Cibeles and Neptune Fountains and the Puerta de Alcalá. We admire 19th-century landmarks such as Plaza de Oriente and the Prado Museum, before discovering modern Madrid along Gran Vía, Paseo de la Castellana, the Salamanca district, Parque del Oeste, the city’s commercial and financial areas and the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.

After free time, we meet at our office to depart for Toledo. We enjoy a guided walking tour of this UNESCO World Heritage city, renowned for the coexistence of Christian, Jewish and Arab cultures. We visit the Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes, commissioned by Queen Isabella of Castile, the Synagogue of Santa María la Blanca, now a fine example of Mudejar architecture, and the Church of Santo Tomé, home to El Greco’s masterpiece The Burial of the Count of Orgaz.

Our visit concludes outside Toledo Cathedral, considered the finest example of Gothic architecture in Spain. Free time follows before returning to Madrid, arriving at Plaza de Oriente. Overnight at the hotel.

Madrid - Salamanca - Porto. Breakfast at the hotel. We depart for Salamanca, a historic university city and UNESCO World Heritage Site, celebrated for its architectural and artistic heritage. You have free time to explore before we continue towards the Portuguese border and on to Porto. Overnight accommodation.

After breakfast, we enjoy a panoramic sightseeing tour of Porto, a UNESCO-listed city. We admire key landmarks including the Cathedral, the Stock Exchange building and Santa Clara Church. We then experience the city from a different perspective along the Douro River, followed by a visit to a renowned Port wine cellar, including a wine tasting. The remainder of the day is at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

Porto - Coimbra - Fatima. Breakfast at the hotel. We depart for Coimbra, home to one of the oldest universities in Europe and regarded as the birthplace of Fado music. You have free time to explore before continuing to Fátima, one of the most important Christian pilgrimage sites in the world.

We see the Basilica and the Cova da Iria, where the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared. We recommend visiting the Chapel of the Apparitions, which houses the tombs of the three shepherd children, Lucía, Francisco and Jacinta. In the evening, you may wish to attend the candlelight procession. Overnight at the hotel.

Fatima - Batalha - Nazare - Alcobaca - Lisbon. After breakfast, we travel to the Batalha Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a masterpiece of Gothic and Manueline architecture. We continue to the fishing town of Nazaré, with free time to enjoy the coastal setting, before visiting Alcobaça, another World Heritage Site, known for its 12th-century Cistercian monastery and Gothic church. We then proceed to Lisbon. Arrival and overnight accommodation.

Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, we enjoy a city tour of Lisbon, formerly known as Olissipo, taking in its main squares and avenues. Highlights include the Belém Tower, the exterior of the Jerónimos Monastery and the Monument to the Discoveries. The afternoon is at leisure to explore districts such as Alfama or, if you wish, to join the optional excursion to Sintra and Cascais, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Overnight at the hotel.

Lisbon - Cordoba. After breakfast, we depart for Mérida, capital of Extremadura and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city is renowned for its remarkably preserved Roman remains, including the theatre, amphitheatre and Roman bridge. After free time, we continue to Córdoba, once the capital of the Caliphate. Overnight at the hotel.

Cordoba - Seville. Breakfast at the hotel. We enjoy a guided visit to the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba, followed by a walk through the narrow streets of the Jewish Quarter. In the afternoon, we travel onwards to Seville. Arrival and overnight accommodation.

After breakfast, we enjoy a monumental and panoramic tour of Seville, including entrance to the Cathedral, the second largest Catholic cathedral in the world. We also explore the Barrio de Santa Cruz, associated with the legends of Carmen and Don Juan, as well as María Luisa Park and Plaza de España. The afternoon is free to further enjoy the atmosphere and cuisine of this vibrant Andalusian city. Overnight at the hotel.

Seville - Ronda - Costa del Sol. Breakfast at the hotel. We travel south through traditional villages to Ronda. You have free time to admire this historic town of Celtic origin and its dramatic views over the surrounding valley and mountains. We then continue to the Costa del Sol, one of Spain’s most important international tourist regions. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast and overnight at the hotel. The day is at leisure for you to enjoy the beaches and surroundings of the Costa del Sol, or to join an optional excursion.

Costa de Sol - Tarifia/Algeciras - Tangier - Fes. We depart along the Costa del Sol towards Tarifa or Algeciras, where we board the ferry for the crossing of the Strait of Gibraltar to Morocco. On arrival in Tangier, we complete customs formalities before continuing by coach to Fez.

Please Note:Passport details are required at least 45 days prior to departure in order to arrange border formalities for Morocco.

Breakfast at the hotel. We visit Fez, the oldest and most monumental of Morocco’s Imperial Cities. Our tour includes the seven gates of the Royal Palace, the Jewish Quarter or Mellah, Bab Bou Jeloud and a walk through the UNESCO-listed Medina. The afternoon is at leisure.

Fes - Rabat - Casablanca - Marrakech. After breakfast, we depart early for Rabat, the capital of Morocco. We visit the exterior of the Royal Palace, the Mausoleum of Mohamed V and the Hassan Tower.

We then continue to Casablanca to see United Nations Square, the Corniche Boulevard and the exterior of the Hassan II Mosque. After free time for lunch en route, we continue to Marrakech. You may choose to attend an optional traditional Fantasia dinner at Chez Ali. Overnight at the hotel.

Marrakech - Casablanca. Breakfast at the hotel. We enjoy a guided city tour of Marrakech, known as the Pearl of the South. Highlights include the Menara Gardens, the exterior of the Koutoubia Minaret and the Bahia Palace.

We conclude at Jemaa el-Fna Square, from where we explore the souks and medina, discovering artisan guilds specialising in woodwork, ceramics, leather and spices. Lunch at the hotel, followed by departure to Casablanca. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Tangier - Tarifia/Algeciras - Costa del Sol. After 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.

Breakfast and overnight at the hotel. The day is free for you to relax on the beach, explore the area or join an optional excursion.

Costa del Sol - Granada. After breakfast, we depart for Granada, the last stronghold of the Moorish kingdoms until 1492. We visit the Alhambra and Generalife Gardens, whose beauty inspired works such as Tales of the Alhambra by Washington Irving. Overnight at the hotel. In the evening, you may choose to attend an optional Flamenco Zambra show.

Please note: If tickets for the Alhambra and Generalife Gardens are not available for certain dates, alternative compensation will be offered at the operator’s discretion.

Granada - Madrid. Breakfast at the hotel. We travel north to Madrid. Arrival and overnight accommodation.

After breakfast, we transfer to the airport for your departure.