Board your overnight flight to Europe (not included).

Transfers leave Madrid Airport for your hotel at 09:00, 11:00, 13:30 & 16:00. Later, join your Tour Director for a pleasant Welcome Dinner and the chance to get to know your fellow travelers.

Go with a Local Expert down the Gran Vía to the Cibeles Fountain on the wide Paseo de la Castellana. Cross the Puerta del Sol and see the Cervantes Monument in the Plaza de España. A highlight is a visit to the Prado Museum, a magnificent palace housing works by Velázquez, Goya, Rubens and others. Journey past the walls of Avila en route to Salamanca with its honey-colored cathedral and 16th century university buildings.

Cross the Portuguese border and skirt the Estrela Mountains en route to Fátima. Join the pilgrims flocking into the great Basilica commemorating the miraculous appearance of the Virgin Mary to three young shepherds in 1917. Your travels continue to Lisbon.

Exploration with a Local Expert takes you along the avenues of the Lower Town to the Terreiro do Paço with a visit to the Belém Quarter. See the traditional patisserie that has managed to hold on to the secret recipe of Portugal's finest pastry for almost 200 years and enjoy a taste of the famous Pastéis de Belém. View the Monument to the Discoveries and the more ancient Belém Tower, a fortress that was originally set in the middle of the river but with receding waters, now sits on the riverbank. Visit the 500-year-old Jerónimos Monastery with its Manueline architecture, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The afternoon is free for you to explore further as your wish.

Jounrey to Seville to join a Local Expert for a tour of the immense cathedral, burial place of Christopher Columbus. See the slender Giralda Tower, the former minaret of the Great Mosque and now the cathedral's bell tower. Explore the labyrinthine Santa Cruz Quarter, emerging beside the great walls of the Alcazar. Enjoy an evening of food and wine while you are entertained by throbbing guitars, lamenting solos, colorful dancers and the rhythmic stomp of flamenco. 

This day is yours to completely relax or continue exploring this fascinating city. Perhaps join an Optional Experience to Cordoba and visit the magnificent Mezquita, an 8th century mosque with a Christian cathedral built inside it?

Set sail across the Straits of Gibraltar to Morocco, a world of veils, musky spices, bazaars, souks and snake charmers. Continue to Fes, Morocco's most ancient imperial city.

Your Local Expert will guide you through the ancient Medina. Explore this walled city of hidden courtyards, mosques, workshops. Walk through the bazaar and pass one of the world's oldest universities. Learn about the ancient craft of carpet making and gain an insight into the motifs and colors used in the designs. Then you are at leisure to continue exploring as you wish, or perhaps cool-off with a dip in the pool at your hotel.

See the Middle Atlas Mountains and mud-walled villages as you journey to Marrakesh.

An exploration with your Local Expert will show you the Medina with its many souks and the Koutoubia Minaret dominating the skyline. Visit the intricately decorated Palais Bahia, intended to be the greatest palace of its time when it was built in the late 19th century. 

Journey to the west coast of Africa to reach Casablanca. Discover if Humphrey Bogart really did say 'Play it again Sam' during sightseeing with your Local Expert. You will also see Hassan II Mosque, the largest mosque in the country and the très chic seaside strip, known as the Corniche, lined with trendy restaurants and cafes.

Tangier, overlooking the Straits of Gibraltar. Here you will enjoy beautiful views where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean. After dinner, you are at leisure relax in the comfortable surroundings of your hotel or take a stroll along the Bay of Tangier.

Cross the water to Gibraltar, an overseas territory under British control since 1704. Meet your Local Expert for a guided tour of the Rock of Gibraltar, St. Michael's Cave and see the Barbary Apes, legendary guardians of the colony. Relax as you are driven along the scenic route of the Costa del Sol, Coast of the Sun, passing exclusive resorts where the rich and famous vacation.

Travel to the oldest olive grove in the region and stop at the rural mill-factory of Almazara to taste a selection of different oils with locally made farmer bread. Continue through the Provence of Malaga, where Picasso was born, to Alfarnatejo, a quiet town with a population of just 500 people and surrounded by stunning mountainous landscape. Walk the town center to see the 18th century Iglesia del Santo Cristo de Cabrilla.

In small groups, you are invited to into the home of a local family to join them for a delicious Highlight Lunch made of fresh, local produce with flavors typical of the region. Travel through the green hills to the north of Costa del Sol to the white-washed village of Mijas. Stroll through the old streets and gardens and take in the views of the coast. Continue to Granada, where overlooking the town stands one of the most remarkable fortresses ever built, the Alhambra. Led by your Local Expert, explore this exquisite palace built as a citadel by the Moors in the 13th century - a fantasy of arabesque gardens, fountains and stone cut like lace. Stroll through the elegant, exotic water gardens of the Generalife, the royal summer residence. 

Your journey continues to the north, through countryside immortalized by Cervantes fictional hero, Don Quixote. On return to Madrid, toast your travels with your newfound friends during a lively Celebration Dinner of good food and wine at a local restaurant.

Departure transfers arrive at Madrid Airport at 07:00, 09:00 & 11:00.