Day 1. (Saturday) MADRID

Hola! Welcome to Europe! Welcome to Spain! Arrival at the International Airport of Madrid – Barajas. Assistance and transfer to your hotel in Madrid. You’ll enjoy some free time at your disposal to get acquainted with this cosmopolitan city, capital of Spain. Please check the informative panels in the hotel reception area for the welcome meeting with your guide and fellow travellers, and to receive information about the circuit. Towards the end of the day, we’ll do a transfer to the Egyptian Debod temple, Plaza de Es­paña and Gran Via, a vibrant district where you’ll find a great variety of restaurants for dinner. Accommodation in hotel.

Day 2. (Sunday) MADRID

Breakfast at the hotel. Escorted by a local guide, we’ll start a guided tour of Madrid discovering Paseo del Prado, one of the main boulevards in Madrid, Cibeles Square, the most emblematic square in Madrid with the fountain of the Greek goddess Cibeles, place where Real Madrid and Spain national team fans celebrate their victories, the Neptuno Square, the Gate of Alcala, one of the old royal gates that gave access to the city, Cristofor Columbus Square and the Plaza Mayor, once the centre of Old Madrid, is one of the prettiest open spaces in Spain. Our city tour of Madrid continues with the visit to Retiro Park, an oasis in the city centre, where we will see its lake and the Glass Palace. You’ll have the chance then to visit Las Ventas Bullring, one of the most famous bullrings in the world where we will learn about the tradition of “corridas” in the Bullfighting Museum. The afternoon will be at your disposal to enjoy the beautiful atmosphere of Spain Capital. At sunset we’ll take you to Plaza de Oriente, opposite the Royal Palace, an elegant and bustling area with many restaurants serving different exquisite cuisines (Indian, Middle Eastern, Muslim, Spanish, International) in which to enjoy a pleasant dinner. Return to hotel and accommodation.

Day 3. (Monday) MADRID – GRANADA

After breakfast, we’ll leave Madrid heading south to discover the impressive Andalusia, a historical region of Spain, where we’ll discover from outstanding monuments to a wide variety of different natural landscapes. We’ll drive southward along the land of Don Quixote, “The Man from La Mancha”, along the way observing vast vineyards. We’ll be stopping in Puerto Lapice, a ‘manchego’ village evoking the figure of Don Quixote. Later we’ll cross the natural border of “Despeñaperros” and get into Andalusia, a region with a huge heritage from a splendorous past. Arrival to Granada, an incredible and amazing monumental environment, the last stronghold of the Moorish Kingdom up to 1492. After the lunch (included), we’ll visit the the world-famous Alhambra Palace and Generalife Gardens (entrance ticket and local guide included). Its fountains, gardens and patios (courtyards) have inspired several authors with their sounds and sights, such as the “Tales of the Alhambra” by Washington Irving. We recommend you in the afternoon to take a walk through the Monumental area of ​​Granada, strolling through the origins of this city that still retains all the magic of its Arab past. There are some must-see places: the Royal Chapel of Granada, the place chosen by the Catholic Monarchs for their last rest, the Cathedral, with its impressive facade of Spanish Baroque style and also the Alcaiceria, the old Silk Market in the Nasrid era, a network of narrow streets filled with shops selling handicrafts from Granada. Later, enjoy an evening transfer to Albaicín Quarter, a World Heritage Site along with the Alhambra, where you can enjoy dinner in a restaurant and take a stroll in the narrow winding streets of this captivating Medieval Moorish quarter. Optionally you can see a Gipsy Flamenco Show held in a cave-house at Sacromonte Quarter. Accommodation at the hotel. Note: Within the Alhambra, the Nasrid Palaces allow the entry of a limited number of people. In case of not being able to visit this area of the Alhambra, a visit with a local guide of the city of Granada would be included and also the Real Alcazar of Seville with similar characteristics will be visited.

Day 4. (Tuesday) GRANADA – TANGIER – ASILAH – RABAT

After breakfast we leave Granada heading south towards the Mediterranean. Drive along the picturesque tourist route of Costa del Sol via internationally renowned places as Marbella and Puerto Banus, arrive to Tarifa or Algeciras where a ferry boat will be used for a short and interesting crossing of the Strait of Gibraltar towards Africa. Arrival to Tangier, disembark, clear customs and continue on by coach through beautiful landscapes to reach Asilah, a picturesque small walled city facing the Atlantic. Asilah was an old pirate port, nowadays, being a bit off the tourist track, is a quiet and peaceful place. Its artistic murals, beaches, walls overlooking the Atlantic and marine gastronomy stand out. You’ll enjoy some free time for lunch or to grab a sandwich and wander to explore the medina. We continue our journey along the Atlantic Coast to Rabat, diplomatic and administrative capital of Morocco, official residence of the King Mohamed VI. Arrival at the hotel, dinner and accommodation.

Day 5. (Wednesday) RABAT – CASABLANCA – MARRAKECH

Breakfast at the hotel. Morning guided tour of Rabat where we will visit from outside the Royal Palace of Rabat (Dar al-Makhzen), the official residence of the king of Morocco, we’ll head then to the Yacoub al-Mansour esplanade to discover the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, a masterpiece of modern Alaouite dynasty architecture, with its white silhouette, topped by a typical green tiled roof. Opposite the Mausoleum we will discover the Hassan Tower, a minaret of an incomplete mosque which has converted in the symbol of the city. Our next destination will be Casablanca, the largest city that represents the modern face of today’s Morocco. Upon arrival, we will do a sightseeing tour of Casablanca, to discover Casablanca’s highlights such as the Anfa boulevard, the Nations Square, we’ll visit from the outside the impressive Hassan II Mosque (interior visit offered as optional activity), a showcase of the finest Moroccan artisanship, Casablanca’s city landmark, only surpassed by Mecca in importance and size. After the visit we will continue to Marrakech, a fascinating and mysterious city where Europe, Africa and the Middle East mingle and merge. After arriving at the hotel, you will be able to experience a traditional Kalesa ride up to the famous ‎Jemaa el Fnaa Square. Free time at your disposal to explore the mystical atmosphere of this charming city. Dinner and accommodation at the hotel.

Day 6. (Thursday) MARRAKECH

Breakfast at the hotel. We will start the day with an amazing sightseeing tour of Marrakech. We will see from outside the Koutobia Minaret, twin sister of the Giralda in Seville (Spain), the Bahia Palace, one of the city’s most eye-popping sights, we’ll walk around its Medina and souks and will end at the great Djemaa El Fna Square, a symbol of Morocco and meeting point for different kind of personalities of the city: storytellers, snake charmers, musicians and dancers. After the guided visit of Marrakech, you’ll experience the exquisite Moroccan cuisine as we’ll include a lunch in a local restaurant. The afternoon is at your disposal. We recommend you visiting the impressive Saadian Tombs, or the Musée de Marrakech which exhibits a collection of beautiful Moroccan art, or just walk around the Medina Maze and haggling in Marrakech souks. Your guide may offer you an optional excursion to Marrakech Palm Grove where you can enjoy a camel ride. Accommodation at the hotel. Optionally you can enjoy a traditional Moroccan dinner and an equestrian show that includes odalisque, flying carpets and fireworks in an atmosphere that recreates the Thousand and One Nights.

Day 7. (Friday) MARRAKECH – AÏT BEN HADOU – OUARZAZATE – BOULMANE DE DADES

After breakfast we’ll head towards the desert. We leave the city behind us and enter the nature… tranquility and silence floods the soul of peace and tranquility. We cross the winding road that crosses the Tizi n’Tichka, the highest road crossing in North Africa (7,415 ft) that connects Marrakech with the pre-Saharan oases and where we will have several stops to enjoy the wonderful panoramic views. We continue towards Ouarzazate. First stop to visit the Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, a fortress considered the most beautiful in the country and a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and where famous films such as Lawrence of Arabia, Jesus of Nazareth, The Jewel of the Nile or Gladiator have been shot, between others. Our route continues along spectacular landscape in which the desert and the mountain meet, combining all the shades of ocher and red, the rivers create gorges that transform into fertile valleys or oases with green palm groves. Here you can find from the most arid and rocky places to the greenest oasis. We will go through the Roses Valley where you can find Kelaa M’Gouna, a fortified village famous for its distillery of roses water and then we’ll cross the Gorge of Dades, an impressive defile that takes us to Boumalne du Dades, in the Berber land. Arrival at the hotel, free time at your disposal, dinner and accommodation.

Day 8. (Saturday) BOULMANE DE DADES – TODGHA – KHORBAT – ERFOUD

Breakfast at the hotel. Today we propose you a stage full of emotion in the Sahara Desert. We will see the Kasbahs Valley, river valleys with miles of palm trees, stone plains followed by oases and adobe villages, powerful fortresses defending the way. We visit the Gorges of Todra, an impressive gorge. On our route we stop in a small adobe town near Khorbat to visit a desert town (sometimes access is not possible due to weather conditions and the river is rising). We continue to Erfoud, land of fossils and juicy dates. Lunch included. Passengers who wish can take an excursion to the dunes of the Sahara in all road 4*4 vehicles (we recommend witnessing the beautiful spectacle of the sunset between the dunes with a mint tea).

Day 9. (Sunday) ERFOUD – FEZ

We will have our breakfast between dunes enjoying our last moment in the desert before leaving for the Middle Atlas. Today we will cross the Middle Atlas and experience a new landscape change along the way. We leave the Sahara Desert and ripping the mountains, we’ll travel along nomadic areas sheltered in high and cold landscapes. After experiencing the desert heat we’ll travel along forest regions that sometimes might be snowy before reaching Fez, the most monumental of the Moroccan Imperial Cities, its University of “Karaouyne” is the largest Islamic sanctuary in Morocco and the oldest religious education center. Free time to enjoy calmly the great and labyrinth Medina of Fes el-Bali, composed by more than 9.000 streets, it’s the best-preserved Medina of the Arab world and the largest monument of Morocco. Distribution of rooms upon arrival, dinner and accommodation at the hotel.

Day 10. (Monday) FEZ – TANGIER

Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning we’ll do a monumental and panoramic city tour of Fez. We will see the 7 gates of the Royal Palace, the Jewish neighbourhood also known as Mellah, the Gate of Bab Bou Jeloud, which gives access to the Medina or the old city, one of the most impressive of Morocco. We will walk along its streets and souks. We will get to know the tanner neighbourhood and the Medersa, the oldest university of the world and its Karaouyne Mosque. We conclude the visit by including lunch in an ancient palace in the Medina district. At the beginning of the afternoon, we depart towards the north of Morocco, heading to Tangier, the Moroccan capital of the Strait of Gibraltar, a cosmopolitan city that has always been pretended for many civilizations due to its strategic location, at the main gate of Europe and Africa. Arrival, distribution of rooms, dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 11. (Tuesday) TANGIER – SEVILLE

Breakfast and free time to make the last shopping or to visit the charming corners of Tangier, its beautiful medina and its souks. Here our senses are sharpened: sounds, smells and alleyways that move us in time. At the indicated time we’ll leave for the harbour and board the ferry to return across the Strait of Gibraltar back to Spain. Drive inland heading back to Sevilla, capital city of Andalusia. Arrival at the hotel, free time at your disposal and accommodation. At night we recommend you to go out for Tapa-hopping, an unbeatable way to experience Andalusian culture and savour the charms of its bars and taverns. Tapas are an exquisite, varied and choice example of popular gastronomy which allows you to share a variety of dishes and try a wide range of different products for reasonable prices. Hotel accommodation.

Day 12. (Wednesday) SEVILLE

After breakfast we’ll do a monumental and panoramic visit of Seville. Lead by an expert guide you will discover the Cathedral of Seville, the second largest in the Catholic world after San Pedro in Rome and its famous Giralda Tower, the old seminar of the Arab mosque, also the popular neighborhoods of Santa Cruz, the natural setting of “Carmen” as well as the place where the myth of “Don Juan” developed and Triana, of deep popular flavor and cradle of bullfighters and artists. After the visit we will include a boat trip on the Guadalquivir River to enjoy the panoramic views that exist from the boat. We recommend you to take a nice walk along the banks of the Guadalquivir River, the “great king of Andalusia”, as the poet Luis de Góngora y Argote called it. Afternoon free to discover different perspectives and specific flavors of this active city full of lights. At night, optionally you may enjoy an exquisite flamenco show.

Day 13. (Thursday) SEVILLE – JEREZ DE LOS CABALLEROS – MONSARAZ – EVORA – LISBOA

Breakfast at the hotel. We leave for Portugal, crossing the Region of Extremadura, land of the best cured ham, good wines and tasty cheeses. Travelling along large meadows of evergreen oaks and cork oaks groves where the Iberian pig roams freely, we arrive to Jerez de los Caballeros, a magnificent city dotted with historical and monumental buildings. We continue to Monsaraz, one of the most picturesque towns in Portugal, with its walls, castle, white streets full of flowers and beautiful views. Latern on, between white whashed villages we arrive at Evora, a city declared a World Heritage Site with its white streets, its Renaissance palaces and its cathedral. We will visit the impressive Bone Chapel (ticket included), built using 5,000 skeletons. Traveling among beautiful landscapes of Alentejo Region, we’ll arrive to Lisbon, the capital and largest city of Portugal. Arrival at the hotel and accommodation.

Day 14. (Friday) LISBON

Breakfast at the hotel. We’ll have a full day to explore each corner of Lisbon. We’ll start the day with an in-depth sightseeing tour of Lisbon. We’ll visit Lisbon’s traditional neighbourhoods, which take us into the Belem district, on the northern bank of the Tagus River estuary, the birthplace of many great Portuguese navigators who sailed the oceans in the Fifteenth Century to explore and trade with India and the Orient. We will walk around the Monument of the Discoveries (Padrão dos Descobrimentos), a monument that celebrates the Portuguese Age of Discovery, we’ll see the Belem Tower, a medieval defensive fortification and a prominent example of the Portuguese Manueline style. We will finally see the beautiful gothic style Jeronimos Monastery, Vasco da Gama’s resting place, classified a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with the nearby Tower of Belen. Enjoy some free time at leisure to explore Lisbon at your own pace, to discover the nostalgic corners of the Barrio de Alfama, the old city grouped next to its Castle with its old buildings in narrow and twisted “ruas” full of color and housing the genuine “taverns” where Fado music sounds like a lost past. Late in the afternoon, we’ll include a transfer to the Restauradores Square, a public square with lots of restaurants. We suggest you to take the Elevador Da Gloria, a cable-car that climb the steep hill into the Bairro Alto district, from the viewpoint of San Pedro you can enjoy the best views over Lisbon. Return to the hotel.

Day 15. (Saturday) LISBON – FATIMA – MADRID

Our last breakfast in Portugal. Departure northbound to Fatima. We will visit this important sacred center of the Christendom, known worldwide for its sanctuary, a place of Christian pilgrimage since the beginning of the 20^th century. We continue our route through the green lands of the center regions of Portugal. Departure towards Spain travelling along beautiful green plains that extend as far as the eye can see dotted with cork oaks and olive trees that withstand time. Back in Spain, we enjoy the beautiful landscape of Region of Extremadura, the typical wooded pasture known as the “dehesa” where the iberian pigs forage freely for acorns. Stop for a lunch of regional food (included)on our route. Continuation to Madrid. Arrival and of our services.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: All the departures from April 1, 2024 include 1 additional night in Madrid, at the end of this tour. The services end the next day, after breakfast.