London to Marrakech Train Adventure

Our trip begins this morning at London's St Pancras Station, the home of the Eurostar. Here you'll check-in for your Eurostar train and board your (unaccompanied) Eurostar train to Paris. You will have your tickets before you travel.



We meet our Tour Leader off the train at the Gare du Nord, and take the Paris metro together to the Gare Montparnasse. Here we board our train to Bordeaux, flying through the French countryside and saying 'bonjour' to the French coast after arriving in the late afternoon.

The small port city of Bordeaux is one of France's most renowned wine-making hubs. This morning, we take a tour with a local guide through the historic centre of Bordeaux, which is full of beautifully preserved 18th Century architecture and rambling pedestrian streets. A local guide will take us to some lesser known areas of the city to visit some local shops and try some of the many delicacies Bordeaux has to offer. The tour ends at the famous Marche des Capucins, one of the oldest markets in France. The impressive market is abundant with colorful stands of fruits, vegetables, meat, cheese, and other delicacies of the Southwest of France. The local guide will guide you around the market and give you some recommendations for lunch.

We cross the border into Spain today, taking first a French train to the frontier town of Hendaye, nestled between the Atlantic and the Pyrenees. From here, we switch to a local Spanish train which takes around 30 minutes to San Sebastian, calling at intermittent small villages en route.



We'll arrive into San Sebastian in the afternoon. Known locally as Donostia, this small town exudes Basque charm and a faded opulence. Once the go-to holiday spot for the Spanish monarchy, San Sebastian is dense with Belle-Epoque architecture, yet without being stuffy or grand. With a crescent-shaped beach and flanked by mountains, the setting is reminiscent of Rio de Janeiro.

The Camino de Santiago, or St James' Way, is one of the most famous medieval pilgrimage routes in the world, linking up religious pilgrims with the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia. However, this famous walk is not just one single route. While the 'Camino Frances' is the most well-known and popular route, hiked by around 60% of pilgrims, we are going to do a half-day hike on the Camino Norte today, starting in San Sebastian and ending in the small fishing village of Pasaia (walking in the opposite direction of the pilgrims).



We'll take a public bus to the eastern end of San Sebastian where our walk begins. The initial section out of San Sebastian is an uphill walk, with many steps to undertake before hitting a woodland section and continuing uphill on a forest path. This gets us up onto the headland, where the path levels out and hugs the coast with some fantastic views over the Atlantic. At the end of the walk we descend past the Silver Lighthouse (Faro de la Plata) into the charming little harbour village of Pasaia. We'll take a three-minute ferry boat across the harbour to Old Pasaia, where there are some excellent fish restaurants near the water. The walk today will take us approximately four hours, with around 450 metres of ascent. The first uphill section is strenuous, but after this it levels off along the coast. The path varies between stone steps, rocky sections and dirt trail.



After lunch we'll take the three-minute ferry back and catch a bus or train back to San Sebastian (approximately a 15-20 minute journey).



For those who don't want to do the walk, there is so much to enjoy in San Sebastian. The San Telmo Museum has some permanent collections that showcase Basque art and history, with frequent interesting temporary exhibitions. A stroll along the white sands of 'La Concha' is ideal for people watching and relaxing on a summer day, while the harbour and the old town are bustling with restaurants and cafes.

Today we take a morning train to the stunning UNESCO world heritage historic city of Segovia. The train takes around five hours, and we'll arrive in the early afternoon, leaving us plenty of time to explore the city on foot with our Tour Leader.



With its huge 1st century Roman Aqueduct, and Disney-like Alcazar Fortress, Segovia is an impressive city. The upper old town, encircled by ancient walls, is centred around the Plaza Major and 16th century Gothic cathedral, from where streets lead to the famed monuments. The magnificent Aqueduct is the defining feature of the city, spanning 17 kilometres and made up of 166 arches. During our walking tour we'll see this in all its glory, as well as walking on some of the old walls surrounding the city.

We have free time in Segovia this morning, which is time very well spent. Walking up to the hilltop Alcazar is worth it for the views over the city and rivers and to admire the slate turrets, the beautiful keep and square with four towers.



In the afternoon, we take a quick train to Madrid, and catch the Renfe (underground system) between Madrid Chamartin Station and Madrid Atocha, where we get transferred to our hotel for the night. After settling in our hotel, we take an orientation walk in the old town. Located on the tiny Manzanares River, Madrid has its share of historic sights, great architecture, nightlife, fine dining, culture and shopping.

We have free time in Segovia this morning, which is time very well spent. Walking up to the hilltop Alcazar is worth it for the views over the city and rivers and to admire the slate turrets, the beautiful keep and square with four towers.



In the afternoon, we take a quick train to Madrid, and catch the Renfe (underground system) between Madrid Chamartin Station and Madrid Atocha, where we get transferred to our hotel for the night. After settling in our hotel, we take an orientation walk in the old town. Located on the tiny Manzanares River, Madrid has its share of historic sights, great architecture, nightlife, fine dining, culture and shopping.

After breakfast, we return to the train station to catch an early train to Malaga. Malaga has an 'interesting' reputation among UK holiday-goers, who normally land there before journeying outside the city to stay at a beach resort. This is a shame, because the historic downtown area of the city is very attractive, and mainly pedestrianised.



The afternoon is free for you to explore, perhaps you might choose to stroll the cobbled streets of the old quarter, stopping to sample tapas washed down with a local sweet wine. The Picasso museum is a good place to spend the afternoon, the collection represents his entire life's work and is housed in the 16th-century Buenavista Palace.

Today, we transfer to Cordoba by train (or bus depending on availability). Standing on the banks of the Guadalquivir river, Cordoba was one of the most sophisticated Moorish cities and is for many, the most beautiful city in Spain. The Arabs established themselves in Cordoba as early as 719 AD, and before that the Romans had left their own mark here. Cordoba has a wealth of treasures locked away in its back streets with secluded patios tucked behind delicate iron grills. The medieval synagogues in Cordoba and are the only two which remain in Spain today and Cordoba synagogue dates back to the 14th century. This afternoon we visit the renowned Mosque (Mezquita), an extraordinary and unique building where history has superimposed two faiths and erected two oratories on the one site (local guide optional). The early massive structure dates back to the 8th century, its roof supported by a forest of 850 coloured columns. Its jewel is the gleaming and superbly decorated Mihrab, which has survived in its original state. In the evening, we suggest you take in some traditional flamenco music and dancing (optional).

Today we transfer to Granada by train and spend the afternoon exploring the city on foot, discovering the main points of interest including the Albaicin, the old Moorish quarter where many Islamic traditions are retained, giving the city its characteristic look of white walls and narrow streets. From the highest point are spectacular views across to the Alhambra and Generalife with the Sierra Nevada as a backdrop. When dusk falls, we suggest a stroll around the old Moorish Quarter to see its illuminated patios.

Most of the today has been left free for your own exploration of Granada or you have the option to visit the magnificent Alhambra Palace. In 1239 Muhammad al-Ahmar, founder of the Nasrid dynasty and Sultan of Granada, began work on this, the finest example of Moorish architecture outside the Arab world. The fabulous decoration in stucco, both inside and outside the buildings, reveals the purest expression of a sophisticated civilisation just before its decline. You might also choose to spend time in the Generalife, one of the most beautiful landscaped gardens in the world, surrounding the summer residence of the Caliphs.



Later this afternoon we travel by private bus to Ronda and have an orientation walk on arrival of the old Moorish part, Arabic Baths and Rey Moro house.

We spend the day exploring the beautiful rolling landscapes west of Ronda by bus. Arriving at the fortified Moorish hill village of Zahara is like stepping back in time. Its whitewashed terraces are dominated by an impressive Moorish tower and a Baroque church lies at the heart of the village. We also plan to visit Grazalema, nestled beneath the limestone peak of San Cristobal. We return to Ronda and spend an afternoon in one of southern Spain's most attractive towns. Ronda is one of the original pueblos blancos (white towns). There will be time to wander the streets and marvel at the El Tajo gorge and visit the oldest bullring in Spain.

We travel the attractive Andalucia Express route south from Ronda towards the coast through rolling countryside via the painted villages of San Roque, Castellar de la Frontera and Gaucin. On arrival at Algeciras, we transfer to the ferry port where we will say goodbye to our Spanish local leader and catch an early afternoon ferry across the Straits of Gibraltar to Tangier in Morocco.



On arrival in Tangier, we will be met by our local leader and taken to our hotel to check in. After a short break to drop our belongings off to our rooms and get some lunch, we'll head out with our leader to immerse ourselves in the vibrancy and heady atmosphere of a Moroccan medina. We'll be guided through the network of narrow streets that make up the medina on foot for a couple of hours before transferring back to our hotel. The evening will be free to relax or explore independently. The contrast between the calm streets and squares of Ronda and the more energetic atmosphere of Tangier is quite incredible.

After breakfast we will make our way to the train station to meet the train to Meknes, one of the four Imperial cities of Morocco. After a short visit, we take a bus and travel to the ancient Roman site of Volubilis. Perfectly located on a hilltop above fertile valleys, this site was once the capital of the Roman province Mauritania Tingitana and home to 20,000 residents. Despite being pillaged for materials, overthrown by newly-arriving Muslims and later crumbling with the effects of the 1755 Lisbon Earthquake, the site still features excellent examples of original mosaics and the Triumphal arch still stands.



We then continue to Fes, the cultural capital of Morocco. Fes' colourful history is full of wars, murders, intrigue and cloak-and-dagger politics. Fes also has quite an active nightlife, centred around Avenues Hassan ll and Mohammed V. We enjoy two nights here to take in all the city has to offer.

After breakfast at the hotel, we start the day with a drive to The Merinid Tombs. The Merenid Tombs are perched on a hill above Fes and although there is little known history about the tombs themselves it's believed they date back to the 14th century. While the ruins are a point of interest, the elevated viewpoint is the highlight, offering sweeping views to the city below, and with help of our tour leader we should be able to make out the different parts of the city.



We will then explore the souks' craft areas, spice stalls, brass and copperware areas and look in on the very smelly but iconic tanneries. Beautiful buildings include the Sanctuary of Moulay Idriss 2nd, the Kairaouine Mosque and the Al Andalus Mosque (viewed from the outside only). We'll be walking for approximately 3 hours before lunch, and our guide will give some recommendations of where to eat both inside and outside of the medina.



This afternoon will be free to relax

This morning we catch the morning train to the modern capital of Rabat, where we'll arrive in time for lunch. Although it was only established as the capital in 1912 by the French, Rabat's history stretches back to a settlement in the 8th century BC. On arrival we'll have some time for lunch before we spend a couple of hours on a guided tour with a mix of short bus transfers and walking.



We'll visit Rabat's iconic Hassan Tower which has been in the same state of construction since 1199 when Sultan Yaqoub al Mansour died. Despite the fact it's not yet finished it's still worth the visit; building commenced with the intention that it would be the tallest minaret in the world and inside there are ramps that were put in place so the muezzin (servant of the mosque) would be able to ride a horse up to call everyone for prayers. The tower is located at one end of a large esplanade that is filled with 200 marble columns and was built to be large enough for the Sultan's entire army to attend prayer, while the Mohammed V Mausoleum dominates the other end of this plaza.



Later, we will wander through the charming Kasbah des Oudaias; once a fortified town, the Kasbah now has a distinct Andalucian influence that can easily be seen as we make our way through the narrow, cobbled streets lined with white and blue houses.



This afternoon will be free to relax or explore further. There is an optional visit to the historical Chellah dating back to the 8th century BC. Once a prosperous Roman town and transformed by the Merinids into a cemetery, the Chellah is a fascinating and atmospheric place to visit.

This morning we will take a train to Casablanca to visit the famous King Hassan II Mosque (optional entry), possibly the biggest religious monument for Muslims after Mecca. Finished in 1993, this magnificent building is covered in decorative Zellige tiles and has intricate cedar wood carvings - proof that the ancient crafts are still very much alive. After visiting the mosque we will have some free time to get lunch, before returning to the train station for our next leg to Marrakech, the heart of Morocco. The train ride will take most of the afternoon, on arrival we'll check into our hotel and the evening will be free.

This morning we experience the heady delights of Marrakech on a guided tour of this iconic city. Renowned for its beautiful architecture, we pass the rose-coloured Koutoubia 'booksellers' Mosque and enter the Saadian tombs, a magnificent complex, showcasing intricate Moroccan design at its finest. Our next stop is the Bahia Palace, a fusion of Moroccan and Islamic styles that is an excellently preserved open-air museum, and is naturally cool, making it a pleasure to wander around!



Munching on fresh pastries from a traditional bakery, we'll continue into the Medina on foot. Being guided through the labyrinth of colourful spice-scented souks serves up a feast for the senses. Rugs, leather goods, silverware and crockery of all shapes and sizes are on offer, have a true Marrakech experience by getting stuck in, haggling with one of the local traders to come away with an authentic souvenir. We'll visit a spice shop and see the variety of mouth-watering food on offer, sampling ripe dates with almonds from the stall sellers. Navigating our way out of the souks we find ourselves in the midst of the frantic Djemma el-Fna Square. Watch the street performers up close or head to a rooftop cafe to sip freshly squeezed orange juice and marvel at the spectacle unfolding below. During a free afternoon it is worth visiting are the Saadian Tomb, the Dar Si Said Palace (now Museum of Moroccan Art), the Menara Gardens or the Majorelle Gardens including the Museum of Islamic Art a short taxi ride away.

Today is free to explore the city further at your own pace. Alternatively, for a complete change of scenery, you may choose to go on an optional visit to a nearby High Atlas village today. The High Atlas is North Africa's greatest mountain range. Populated by Berber tribesmen, it has always been an area culturally removed from the rest of Morocco, a barrier between the northern plains and the pre-Sahara.

The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Marrakech.



There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart from Marrakech at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you would like an airport transfer today, you need to depart from Marrakesh Menara Airport (RAK).



Depending on the schedule of your flights, you may have some additional time to wander in the souks of Marrakech or buy your last souvenirs before departure.