Highlights of Spain, Morocco & Portugal
17 Days from $2,150 per person
Intoxicating scents of spice and the warm Mediterranean sun join your voyage through Spain, Portugal and Morocco. Wander down Madrid's Gran Via, learn the art of haggling in the labyrinthine Medina and travel to the seafaring Portuguese capital of Lisbon.
Overview
Intoxicating scents of spice and the warm Mediterranean sun join your voyage through Spain, Portugal and Morocco. Wander down Madrid's Gran Via, learn the art of haggling in the labyrinthine Medina and travel to the seafaring Portuguese capital of Lisbon.
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Day 1: USA - Europe
Board your overnight flight to Europe (not included). -
Day 2: Arrive Madrid (2 Nights)
Welcome to Madrid. After check-in there is time to unwind and relax. This evening, why not dine in one of the many restaurants lining the lively Plaza Mayor.
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Day 3: Madrid Sightseeing and Free Time
Your Local Specialist shows you the sights of Madrid including the Cibeles Fountain, the Gran Via, Paseo de la Castellana and Puerta del Sol. See the monument to Cervantes in Plaza de España. Afterwards, consider an Optional Experience to the medieval UNESCO World Heritage city of Segovia. -
Day 4: Madrid – Toledo – Granada
Today drive to ancient Toledo and see the cathedral and the ancient synagogue with your Local Specialist. Visit a steel workshop to see some fine examples of the famous Toledo steel-craft. Travel through Andalucia to the Moorish city of Granada. -
Day 5: Granada – Costa Del Sol
Enjoy free time this morning to explore or join an Optional Experience suggested by your Travel Director. Then travel towards Malaga, the birthplace of Pablo Picasso and the gateway to the Costa del Sol. -
Day 6: Costa Del Sol – Fez (2 Nights)
The day begins with a scenic coastal drive before boarding the ferry to Morocco, from the dramatic Rif Mountains to the imperial city of Fez, the culture of the land is as rich as it is diverse. -
Day 7: Fez Sightseeing and Free Time
This morning your guided sightseeing tour includes views of the Royal Palace. Admire traditional Moroccan handiwork during a visit to a carpet cooperative. Experience the atmosphere of this exotic city with time to relax. Tonight consider joining an Optional Experience to a traditional Arabian dinner, complete with belly dancing. -
Day 8: Fez – Marrakesh (2 Nights)
Today travel to the city of Marrakesh, Africa's most popular year-round sun resort, once the favorite vacation spot of Sir Winston Churchill. -
Day 9: Marrakesh Sightseeing and Free Time
This morning your guided sightseeing tour with a Local Specialist includes a visit to the ornate Bahia Palace and the vast Djemaa el-Fna Square with its palm readers and acrobats. Then there is time at leisure for bargain hunting in the many souks and bazaars or perhaps take an Optional Experience to a Berber village in the Ourika Valley. -
Day 10: Marrakesh – Casablanca – Rabat – Tangier
Today continue on to Casablanca. On arrival your orientation includes a panoramic drive of the Corniche, plus views of the Hassan II Mosque with the world's tallest minaret. Then continue to the capital city, Rabat, where you view the Mohammed V Mausoleum and Royal Palace. Arrive later in Tangier. -
Day 11: Tangier – Seville (2 Nights)
Board the ferry for the return journey back across the Straits of Gibraltar to the Spanish mainland. Continue your journey to the capital of Andalucia, Seville for a two-night stay. -
Day 12: Seville Sightseeing and Free Time
Admire the great monuments and sights of Seville with your Local Specialist. See the tiled fountains, pavilions and lush palms in the Maria Luisa Park, renowned for its landscape design and walk through the imposing Plaza de España. Marvel at the mighty Cathedral and La Giralda Bell Tower. This evening why not experience the fire and passion of a Spanish flamenco show? -
Day 13: Seville – Lisbon (2 Nights)
Drive to the Portuguese border then continue past the cork trees of the Alentejo region. From here travel to Lisbon, a great seafaring city. Tonight consider a traditional Portuguese dinner with entertainment. -
Day 14: Lisbon Sightseeing and Free Time
See the Hieronymite Monastery and the medieval quarter of the city before taking in views of the Belém Tower on an included sightseeing tour with your Local Specialist. Then time at leisure to maybe take an Optional Experience to discover Portugal's Golden Triangle of Queluz, Cascais and Estoril. -
Day 15: Lisbon – Fátima – Salamanca
A scenic drive north through the magnificent Serra d'Aire Mountains brings you to the Shrine at Fátima, site of celebrated religious miracles. Cross the border back into Spain and arrive later in Salamanca where you view Plaza Mayor during your orientation tour. -
Day 16: Salamanca – Madrid
Your journey continues through the Sierra de Guadarrama Mountains to Madrid, Europe's highest capital city. Tonight enjoy dinner with your fellow travelers on the final night of your vacation. -
Day 17: Depart Madrid
This morning it is time to bid farewell to your Travel Director and new-found friends as your memorable vacation comes to an end. Transfers are available to Madrid airport. Conditions apply.
Request a Quote
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30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
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Add air to your reservation
Let our Air Specialists handle your air reservations. We have direct access to the most current airfare routes and prices, so you’ll get the best value available when we book your flights. We never charge a booking fee and you’ll enjoy the flexibility to pay for air 60-90 days prior to departure.
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Definite Departure
| Depart Date | Return Date | Price | Discount | Availability | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 Sep 18 | 14 Oct 18 |
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$2,420pp | Request Quote Book Now | |||
| 5 Oct 18 | 21 Oct 18 |
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$2,150pp | Request Quote Book Now |
Price is per person and is based on two people sharing a twin bedded room. Single rooms are available at a supplement.
Single Room Supplement: from $580.
Gratuities: Option to pre-pay gratuities for Travel Director and Driver $156 per person.
Airport transfers: On arrival at Madrid Airport transfers will operate at 10:30 am, 1 pm and 3:30 pm. Guests arriving later should make their own way to the hotel. Return transfers on the last travel day will arrive at Madrid Airport at 8:30 am and 11 am.
Important Visa Information: Visas may be required for this trip.
AARP Members are entitled to an exclusive Member Benefit Discount on all Grand European Travel vacations. Plus receive a free travel gift! Call Toll Free: 1-866-847-3858 for details.
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Breakfast Daily
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Expertly Selected Hotels
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Hotel Tips
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Personal Flight Options
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Sightseeing with Local Experts
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Professional Travel Director
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WIFI on Coach and in Hotels
Meal Summary
15 Buffet breakfasts, 6 Three course dinners, .Sightseeing Highlights
- Sightseeing with your Local Specialist includes Puerta del Sol, The Cervantes Memorial and the Cibeles Fountain
- Sightseeing with your Local Specialist includes views of the synagogue and cathedral. Visit a steel workshop
- Enjoy a scenic drive to this Moorish city
- Sightseeing includes a walking tour of the Medina and views of the Royal Palace
- Visit Bahia Palace and Djemaa el-Fna Square during your sightseeing tour with a Local Specialist
- View the Corniche and see the Hassan II Mosque
- View the Mausoleum and Royal Palace during your orientation
- Sightseeing with your Local Specialist includes views of the Cathedral and Giralda Tower
- View Belém Tower and the Monument to the Discoveries on your sightseeing tour with your Local Specialist
- Visit the celebrated shrine
- Orientation of this university city includes views of the Plaza Mayor
Request a Quote
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30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
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Add air to your reservation
Let our Air Specialists handle your air reservations. We have direct access to the most current airfare routes and prices, so you’ll get the best value available when we book your flights. We never charge a booking fee and you’ll enjoy the flexibility to pay for air 60-90 days prior to departure.
Reviews
Request a Quote
-
30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
-
Add air to your reservation
Let our Air Specialists handle your air reservations. We have direct access to the most current airfare routes and prices, so you’ll get the best value available when we book your flights. We never charge a booking fee and you’ll enjoy the flexibility to pay for air 60-90 days prior to departure.
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Passports and Visas
U.S. citizens traveling to Spain, Portugal and Morocco must have a current passport valid for six months beyond the conclusion of their trip. You can find information on how to apply for a passport here, and how to renew a passport here. No visa is required for U.S. citizens visiting these countries.
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Currency
The currency in Spain and Portugal is the Euro (€) and in Morocco is the Dihram (.د.م). U.S. dollars and euros are also usually accepted in Morocco. While it’s a good idea to bring some money for when you first arrive, you’ll usually find a better exchange rate in your destination. The most convenient way to obtain cash is to use your ATM card at local banks in Spain, Portugal and Morocco. We recommend you also bring a valid credit card for purchases while you are traveling. It is important that you inform your financial institutions of your travel plans before you leave home so they don’t flag your purchases as potentially fraudulent charges.
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Cuisine
Spain offers a delicious selection of cured hams, chorizo sausage, seafood, cheeses, and more. Try traditional dishes such as tortilla española (Spanish omelet), paella, and desserts such as flan, churros, and Catalan cream. For a quick lunch at a reasonable price, stop by a café or food cart for a bocadillo, a traditional Spanish sandwich made with baguette-style bread, ham and cheese. In the evening, try a selection of tapas with a glass of the local wine.
With Portugal’s long coastline, seafood is featured prominently on their menus. Popular dishes include sopa de mariscos (a shellfish soup) and bacalhau (dried codfish), and Portuguese grilled chicken prepared with chili, garlic and olive oil. For dessert, don’t miss out on the famous pastéis de nata custard pastry or arroz dolce (rice pudding) and a glass of port wine.
Moroccan food is a flavorful mix of Mediterranean, Arabic, Andalusian and North African cuisines. A wide variety of spices including saffron, cinnamon, cumin, turmeric, and paprika are used in cooking. Try a variety of couscous with meat and vegetables and fresh baked Moroccan bread. Meals are generally concluded with fresh fruit and a glass of sweet mint tea.
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Packing
We suggest bringing a variety of lightweight clothing items that can be layered to save space in your suitcase. This will also give you many options for how to dress in varying climates. In Morocco, loose fitting clothes are always a respectful and comfortable option, especially during the hot and humid summer months. It’s a good idea to bring a lightweight scarf that can be worn at religious sites throughout your trip and at night when temperatures cool off. For more helpful information please refer to our Packing Tips & Packing List.
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Tipping
Tipping in Spain and Portugal is much less common than in the U.S. When dining out, it’s appreciated, although not required, to leave a few extra euros for your server, and up to 10 percent for particularly good service. Leave your tip on the table rather than adding it to your credit card slip to ensure that your waiter receives it. In Morocco, it’s appropriate to tip your waiter 1 dh per person at cafés and up to 10-15 percent at upmarket restaurants.
At the end of your guided vacation, it’s customary to offer your motor coach driver and Travel Director a gratuity. We recommend €3.00 per person/per day for your driver and €5.00 per person/per day for your Travel Director. Recommended gratuity for a Local Host and Local Specialist is 1-2 euros per person, paid at the conclusion of each guided visit. A convenient option is to prepay your tips before your departure.
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Baggage
Baggage on our trips is restricted to one large suitcase per person with dimensions not exceeding 30x19x10 inches and a maximum weight of 50 pounds. You are also permitted one piece of hand luggage, which should be small enough to fit under your coach seat or on the small overhead shelf compartment. Please note that luggage with an adjustable handle and wheels will not fit in the overhead compartment of the coach. Hotel porterage is included in your vacation.
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Health and Fitness
You will need to be comfortable on your feet, walking and standing for up to three hours in various weather conditions. All of our vacations involve walking, often on cobblestone and uneven surfaces in historic city centers. In order to get the most out of your vacation you need to be able to comfortably walk 1-3 miles unassisted in one day, be in good condition and be able to keep pace with the group.
If you need any medications, it is important that you bring enough to last you the whole trip and keep them in your carry-on bag while you travel.
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Insurance
We highly recommend our optional Travel Protection Plan, which allows you to cancel for any reason up to 24 hours before departure. The plan also includes trip interruption, baggage loss or delay, and medical and emergency assistance. Click here for a summary of coverage details, terms and conditions.
Request a Quote
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30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
-
Add air to your reservation
Let our Air Specialists handle your air reservations. We have direct access to the most current airfare routes and prices, so you’ll get the best value available when we book your flights. We never charge a booking fee and you’ll enjoy the flexibility to pay for air 60-90 days prior to departure.
Optional Experiences are subject to change. Your Travel Director will supply you with a final list of Optional Experiences available on your trip. Optional Experiences cannot be booked online; they can be purchased during your trip through your Travel Director.
Seville
Flamenco: Experience the Best Show in Town
Adult Price: €40.00
Discover the passion, rhythm and magic of an Andalusian flamenco show with us this evening. We've organised tickets to the best show in town, where you’ll experience 90 minutes of memorable entertainment with an included drink.
Marrakesh
Ourika Valley And Berber Village Home Visit
Adult Price: €30.00
You’ll enjoy a scenic drive into the Atlas Mountains where you’ll visit a typical home in a primitive Berber village in the Ourika Valley. You’ll also have the chance to bargain for beautiful, handcrafted jewellery made in the local style.
Seville
Flamenco, the best show in town with a three-course dinner
Adult Price: €69.00
After a three-course dinner of Andalusian specialties with drinks included, you’ll discover the passion, rhythm and magic of flamenco this evening. We've organised tickets to the best show in town, where you’ll experience 90 minutes of memorable entertainment.
Seville
The Moorish Alcazar And Plaza América
Adult Price: €40.00
We'll begin with a visit to the elegant 14th-century Moorish Alcazar, set in its own beautiful gardens. The gardens were recently used as the setting for the Water Gardens of Dorne in the Game Of Thrones series. Then, we'll journey to the famous exhibition site of Plaza América - a must for any visitor to Seville.
Lisbon
Portuguese Fado Evening Of Music & Song With Dinner
Adult Price: €66.00
An evening's entertainment Portuguese style. You’ll savour a typical meal with local aperitifs and wines and hear beautiful, traditional Fado singing.
Lisbon
Seafood Dinner By The Tagus River
Adult Price: €53.00
Take a ferry across the mighty Tagus River and enjoy typical Portuguese seafood and fish specialities at a local restaurant. After dinner, we’ll cross the impressive Suspension Bridge for a sweeping view over the Portuguese capital.
Madrid
Segovia World Heritage Site - Its Ancient Aqueduct & Fairy-tale Castle
Adult Price: €45.00
Enjoy a visit to Segovia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site which sits on a rocky outcrop between two rivers. With your Local Specialist, you’ll visit the 13th-century castle, reputed to have inspired Walt Disney, as well as seeing the best-preserved Roman aqueduct which has remained intact for 2,000 years.
Madrid
Old Madrid with a Taste of Tapas
Adult Price: €29.00
Join us for a walking tour through Old Madrid, taking in its monumental Plaza Mayor, atmospheric alleyways and emblematic squares. Your Local Specialist will accompany you for a drink and snack in one of its famous downtown 'tapas' bars. We’ll finish with a tour of the city.
Lisbon
The Golden Triangle: Queluz, Cascais & The Estoril Coast
Adult Price: €46.00
We'll visit the impressive Rococo Palace of Queluz, before passing through the fashionable resort of Estoril. Then, we'll explore the picturesque fishing village of Cascais, with its beautiful array of mansions and exclusive residences.
Lisbon
Gourmet Dinner, Parliament, Exclusive Estrela and Evening Orientation
Adult Price: €53.00
Your opportunity to enjoy the exclusive district of Estrela, its park, basilica and the Portuguese Parliament, on the way to a delicious gourmet dinner. You’ll finish the evening with a drive along the banks of the mighty River Tagus.
Madrid
Discover "El Escorial" Palace/Monastery & The 'Valley Of The Fallen'
Adult Price: €49.00
Come with us, along with a Local Specialist, to the royal city of El Escorial, where the great monastery palace was built in the foothills of the Guadarrama Mountains. We’ll also visit the incredible Spanish Civil War memorial , which is cut into the rock face.
Granada
Gypsy Night Out in Old Granada
Adult Price: €34.00
Enjoy an evening in Granada’s old quarter, which offers the finest views over the illuminated Alhambra Palace. We’ve organised tickets for you to see the Zambra dances by Sacromonte's famous gypsies – a fiery, emotive performance unique to this part of Spain. And we've also included a drink, too.
Granada
Albaicín And The Royal Chapel
Adult Price: €37.00
Enjoy a leisurely walking tour through the Albaicín World Heritage Site – a maze of narrow streets and Moorish splendour. You'll get to explore the Catholic Monarchs' tombs and some of their treasures at the Royal Chapel, and stop off at the picturesque Alcaicería quarter.
Costa Del Sol
Mijas Andalusian Hilltown & Mediterranean Dinner
Adult Price: €62.00
Visit this charming hilltop village, perched high up with splendid views of the coastline. While here, you’ll experience its narrow streets with white-washed houses, unusual donkey taxi service, oval bullring, and shoppers will find some hidden gems. Your evening will finish with a Mediterranean dinner at a coastal restaurant.
Fez
Meknes Imperial City Visit & Exploration
Adult Price: €32.00
We´ll drive to Morocco’s third Imperial city – World Heritage Meknes with its endless walls & ramparts, impressive Sultan Moulay Ismail’s 17th century granaries and stables that once housed over 12,000 horses. We'll see the magnificent Bab el-Mansour Gate and visit a medieval school or “madrasa”.
Fez
Arabian Dinner and Entertainment in a Riad
Adult Price: €51.00
Enjoy a feast of fine food, live bands and traditional entertainment including belly dancing, in a spectacular Moroccan setting.
Marrakesh
The Square at Night with Horse & Buggy and Traditional Dinner
Adult Price: €60.00
You’ll take a horse and carriage ride to the magical Jemaa el Fna Square to enjoy the exotic sights and sounds of Marrakesh by night. Then we’ll have dinner in a typical Moroccan restaurant, with music and entertainment.
Request a Quote
-
30 Day Refund Guarantee
We promise you’ll enjoy a stress-free travel experience from the minute you start your vacation planning or we’ll refund your deposit. Make your reservation with a $350 deposit. If you change your mind for any reason within 30 days of booking, we’ll offer you a full refund.
-
Add air to your reservation
Let our Air Specialists handle your air reservations. We have direct access to the most current airfare routes and prices, so you’ll get the best value available when we book your flights. We never charge a booking fee and you’ll enjoy the flexibility to pay for air 60-90 days prior to departure.
