Your transfer will depart Madrid airport at 09:00, 11:30, 13:30 or 16:00.Join your Travel Director at 18:00 for a Welcome Dinner in a local restaurant and get to know your fellow travellers over an evening of delicious food and wine.
With your Local Expert, travel along the main historical areas of the capital of Spain, known as Madrid of the Bourbons. Your drive continues through the Old Quarter, to discover the origins of the city. A sure highlight is when you join an art historian to explore the Prado Museum, a magnificent palace housing works by Velazquez, Goya, Rubens and other masters. Journey past the walls of Ávila en route to Salamanca, with its honey-coloured cathedral and 16th century university buildings.
Cross the Portuguese frontier and skirt the Estrela Mountains en route to Fátima, Portugal’s most renowned religious site.Join the pilgrims flocking into the great basilica, commemorating the miraculous appearance of the Virgin Mary to three young shepherds in 1917. In the heart of the Shrine of Fatima is The Chapel of Apparitions, marking the exact location of her first appearance. Other sacred sites include the Museu de Arte Sacra e Etnologia, exhibiting religious artifacts and the modern church of the Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity. Your travels continue to Lisbon.
Your guided sightseeing with a Local Expert takes you along the spacious avenues of the Lower Town and across the tree-shaded squares. Pass beneath the hilltop Bairro Alto to the Terreiro do Paço, the finest square in the city, named after the palace that was destroyed in the terrible earthquake of 1755, along with much of the rest of the city. Visit the Belém Quarter from where sailing ships once set forth to discover unknown lands. Enjoy a taste of Pastéis de Belém from the patisserie that has been using the same secret recipe for almost 200 years. See the modern Monument to the Discoveries and the more ancient Belém Tower, erected to protect Jerónimos Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site which you visit. This afternoon is free to explore further as you wish or perhaps decide to visit the Portuguese Riviera?
Visit Seville's Cathedral, the final resting place of Christopher Colombus.Explore Seville with Insight Choice. Choose to walk through the old Jewish quarter and see La Giralda, the former minaret of the Great Mosque, which is now the bell tower of the cathedral. Alternatively, join a scenic drive around the city and enjoy panoramic views.
This morning is yours to completely relax or continue exploring this fascinating city. Perhaps join an Optional Experience to Córdoba and visit the magnificent Mezquita, an 8th century mosque with a Christian cathedral built inside it? Later this afternoon, join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience as you visit the Cristina Heeren Foundation, a flamenco dance school and beneficiary of a TreadRight Foundation grant. Their mission is to promote the teaching and conservation of flamenco. Feel the passion behind the choreography as you put your rhythm to the test during a dance lesson before witnessing emotions come to life in a flamenco performance. With some free time for dinner, wander the restaurants in Triana or try the local night market Lonja Del Barranco, selling tapas made from fresh, local produce. Why not grab yourself a refreshing sangria for a cheers to your new found dancing feet?
Continue on 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. Set sail across the Straits of Gibraltar to reach Morocco — a land of musky spices and colourful souks. Your travels continue to Tangier.
Your Local Expert will show you the sights of Tangier, Morocco's great port. See the Sultan's Palace and visit the Casbah.Journey to Rabat and see the Royal Palace and Hassan Tower with your Local Expert.Continue 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 the Hassan II Mosque, the largest mosque in the country. During your free time this evening, perhaps head to the Corniche, Casablanca's chic seaside strip, for your choice of trendy restaurants and cafés?
Journey to Marrakesh, the city of dancers, storytellers and acrobats. In the evening, perhaps dine at a vibrant restaurant to enjoy classic Moroccan dishes and a belly dancing performance?
Join a Local Expert to explore the Medina and see the Koutoubia Mosque, with its minaret dominating the Marrakesh 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. With time at leisure, you are free to continue exploring, try your hand at haggling in the souks on Jemaa-el-Fnaa Square or maybe visit a museum?
Journey to the vibrant city of Fes. Upon arrival, relax in your hotel and enjoy spectacular views from your room.
Your Local Expert will guide you through the ancient Medina. Explore this walled city of hidden courtyards, mosques and workshops. Walk through the souks 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 colours used in the designs.
Leave Morocco and cross back over to Spain. Your travels continue through Andalucia and on to the Costa del Sol, famous for its beaches.
Enjoy the day at leisure on the sun-drenched Costa del Sol. Relax by the blue Mediterranean waters, stroll along the promenade, savour the specialities in the local restaurants, or consider exploring Malaga, the birth city of Picasso.
Continue to Alfarnatejo, a quiet white washed village with a population of just 500 people, surrounded by stunning mountainous landscape.Walk the town centre to see the 18th century Iglesia del Santo Cristo de Cabrilla.Travel to the oldest olive grove in the region and stop at the rural mill-factory of Alfarnatejo to taste a selection of different oils with locally made farmer bread.In small groups, you are invited into the home of a local family to join them for a delicious Highlight Lunch made with fresh, local produce that showcases the flavours typical of the region.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 summer residence of the Spanish royals.
Your journey continues to the north, through countryside immortalised by Cervantes fictional hero, Don Quixote.On return to Madrid, toast your travels with your newfound friends during a lively Celebration Dinner of delicious food and wine at a local restaurant.
After breakfast, transfers arrive at Madrid airport at 07:00, 09:00 and 11:00.
Prices shown are per person based on two people sharing a twin room. To request a personalized travel quote, click "Request Quote" and a Travel Specialist will send your custom quote including airfare if requested.
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.
Available on Day 3
Across the mighty Tagus River await Lisbon's famous traditional restaurants and wonderful views of the city. Board your ferry to cross the wide blue waters for a delightful evening of Portuguese seafood and fish specialties. After dinner, encounter more sweeping views over the Portuguese capital, as you return to your hotel via the impressive suspension bridge.
Adult Price: € 55
Available on Day 4
Drive to the Bairro Alto, the old quarter of Lisbon, to admire the beautiful views over the city. Then take a funicular ride to the downtown Baixa area where cobblestones sparkle in the light of the shops, bars and cafes. Returning to your hotel, you'll pass monuments and buildings, lit up in all their glory.
Adult Price: € 19
Known as "the soul of the Portuguese identity," Fado is the emotive national song. Take in an unmissable performance of this UNESCO-recognized art in one of the country's famed fado houses. To complete the experience, savor a typical Portuguese dinner with drinks included.
Adult Price: € 67
Like the Kings of Portugal before you, travel along the Portuguese Riviera. With your Local Expert, see the glamorous resort of Cascais and the wealthy playground of Estoril, with its famous Casino and learn of the inspiring people who frequented Portugal's Golden Triangle. Finally, a visit to Queluz Palace – all veritable jewels in the crown of Portugal.
Adult Price: € 46
Available on Day 5
Enjoy a delicious array of alluring Andalusian specialties in a local restaurant with wine included. Perhaps round off the evening with a stroll through the atmospheric squares and lanes of Seville's old quarter, which has a magical charm by night.
Adult Price: € 53
Available on Day 6
Join your Local Expert for a walking tour of the perfectly preserved Moorish city of Cordoba. The highlight is undoubtedly the magnificent Mezquita, an 8th-century mosque with a Cathedral built inside. Walk through the forest of horseshoe-shaped arches to the Baroque choir stalls of the Cathedral and the richly ornamented Mihrab prayer niche, with free time to enjoy this amazing city.
Adult Price: € 47
Available on Day 8
Marrakesh comes alive when the sun goes down. Visit the magical Jemaa el Fna marketplace where an assortment of acrobats, snake charmers, trained monkeys, jugglers and conjurers congregate by night. After a walk in the square, dinner is served in a vibrant Moroccan restaurant. Enjoy classic tagine dishes and colorful salads amid a sultry ambiance of Arabic rhythms and twirling belly dancers balancing trays of lit candles.
Adult Price: € 64
Available on Day 10
A scenic drive south of Marrakesh brings you to the beautiful and fertile Ourika Valley. Enjoy spectacular views of the towering High Atlas Mountains which are snow-capped nine months of the year.
Adult Price: € 30
Available on Day 12
This afternoon we make our way to Bhalil, a remote troglodyte village at the foot of the middle Atlas where we'll visit the caves hewn out of the mountain where families have lived for many generations. This is your chance to meet and talk to local people. Then we make our way to the oldest and best known ceramic workshop to see how Fes style ceramics are made, starting from the soft clay to the finished product.
Adult Price: € 28
Available on Day 13
Join us for a delicious Mediterranean-style dinner in a delightful family restaurant on the Costa del Sol. We'll sample fresh Mediterranean fare, including some of the restaurant's signature dishes such as "fritura malagueña" or sea bass baked in sea salt, a traditional recipe since Roman times. Your meal will be accompanied by local wine.
Adult Price: € 53
Available on Day 14
A short drive brings us to Malaga, the thriving capital of the Costa del Sol. We'll enjoy sweeping vistas over this Mediterranean jewel from the Gibralfaro Castle perched above. Then, we'll see the old town with our Local Expert and visit the house in which Pablo Picasso spent his early years. The town is also famous for its sweet, full-bodied wines and our tour concludes with a taste of the recent vintage.
Adult Price: € 42