Your itinerary
Day 1: UK - Madrid.
Fly to Madrid where you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel for two nights.
(D)
Day 2: Madrid. Included sightseeing.
Spain's regal capital, the highest in Europe, offers a wonderful mix of ancient and modern attractions, colourful fiestas, world renowned works of art and fascinating history. Our included sightseeing tour with a local guide will give you a real insight into the city's history and culture.
(B)
Day 3: Madrid - Avila - Salamanca - Coimbra.
We travel west to the ancient fortified town of Avila, one of Spain's best preserved medieval heritage sites, before continuing on to Salamanca, a beautiful city packed with architectural and historical landmarks. There's time for a stroll in one of Europe's most splendid squares, the 'Plaza Mayor', before we head over the Portuguese border to the ancient university town of Coimbra for an overnight stay.
(B)
(D)
Day 4: Coimbra - Fatima - Lisbon.
Coimbra was the capital of Portugal in the 13th century and has many interesting historical sights, including the university and the Romanesque cathedral. We'll take an orientation drive and then on to Batalha to visit the Monastery, before setting off for Fatima to visit its world famous sanctuary. Then it's on to a wine bodega, where you'll have time to sample some of Portugal's fine wines before we arrive in the charming Portuguese capital, Lisbon, for a two-night stay.
(B)
Day 5: Lisbon. Included sightseeing.
Elegant, old buildings and red-roofed houses line the maze of streets of Lisbon, which contain a wealth of museums, galleries and monuments. Your included city tour with a local guide will include visits to the monument to Henry the Navigator, the Belem Tower, the Moorish Citadel and the impressive Black Horse Square.
(B)
Day 6: Lisbon - Seville.
From the rolling plains of the Alentejo with its woodlands of cork and eucalyptus trees, we drive to the glorious Spanish region of Andalucia, with its white-washed villages and sun-drenched plantations of olives, figs and almonds. Travelling via Beja we arrive in the elegant capital of Andalucia, Seville, for a two-night stay.
(B)
(D)
Day 7: Seville. At leisure
Seville is the epitome of Spain: fiery flamenco, Moorish splendour, fragrant gardens, elegant plazas and more. You can get a real insight into the city on our optional sightseeing tour, which includes many of the city's highlights.
(B)
Day 8: Seville - Ferry To Morocco - Fez.
An interesting drive today which starts with views of the sherry wine region before reaching the coast for embarkation on the ferry to Morocco. Next motor south along what was once north Africa's infamous Barbary coast. Join the new motorway for the drive southwards then west bypassing Meknes for overnight in Fez.
(B)
(D)
Day 9: Fez.
Ancient Fez occupies a position of outstanding scenic beauty and is blessed with an ample supply of water. Visit the Medina on the included sightseeing tour and watch the crowds of Berbers in their flowing robes as they buy and sell their goods accompanied by veiled women.
(B)
Day 10: Fez - Middle Atlas - Marrakech.
Enjoy glimpses of North African village life reminiscent of Beau Geste while motoring through the Middle Atlas on your way to Marrakech.
(B)
(D)
Day 11: Marrakech. Included sightseeing.
The colourful city of Marrakech really awakens the senses and you will feel that you have stopped the march of time and stepped into another world. Marrakech has always been a meeting place, first just a group of nomad tents, now a bustling city. Jala'a el-Fnaa square, the tanneries of the Souk, the city's enthralling marketplace, have not changed for hundreds of years and are home to singers, jugglers, snake charmers and some exquisite local crafts. In the morning you will enjoy guided city sightseeing in this magnificent city and an optional evening excursion will be a fitting choice to end the day.
(B)
Day 12: Marrakech - Casablanca - Rabat.
This morning drive north-west from the heartland of Morocco by way of Settat, to reach the most western of all Moroccan cities Casablanca. The city is bustling yet elegant, where modern and traditional Moorish Architecture combine to create a fascinatingly unique city. Later in the afternoon continue by way of the motorway northwards to Rabat, Morocco's capital for city sightseeing and overnight.
(B)
(D)
Day 13: Rabat - Ferry Crossing to Spain - Granada.
Today retrace your steps northwards for the ferry across the Straits of Gibraltar to mainland Spain and carry on to the heart of Andalucia to reach Granada for overnight.
(B)
(D)
Day 14: Granada (included guided tour of the Alhambra) - Madrid.
Located at the foot of the snow-capped Sierra Nevada Mountains the ancient city of Granada offers the finest examples of Islamic architecture outside the Arab world. The Ancient Moorish Quarter is a delightful labyrinth of narrow streets and the Generalife gardens are an oasis of peace and calm. The highlight however, of this town is the Alhambra, a summer complex built by Moorish Kings, the wonders of which you will discover on an included visit. This afternoon drive into the very heart of La Mancha, famed for its castle and windmills. Overnight in Madrid.
(B)
Day 15: Madrid - UK.
Transfer to Madrid airport for your flight to the UK.
(B)
Hotels On Tour
Madrid: Praga or Abba Madrid (4*); Coimbra: Dom Luis (3*); Lisbon: Roma (3*); Seville: Don Paco (3*); Fez: Menzeh Zalagh (4*); Marrakech: El Andalous (4*); Rabat: Helnan Chellah (4*); Granada: Don Juan (3*).
get more info » book online »
