Madrid, Southern Spain & Morocco - 16 days

Welcome to Madrid, the Spanish capital! You will be collected at the airport and transferred to our hotel, where the evening is at leisure.

Today we take an all-encompassing coach tour of Madrid. Highlights of the excursion include the historic Barrio de la Morería region, Habsburgs District, Puerta del Sol central square, Plaza Mayor and the Neptuno Fountains. These are dedicated to Neptune, a Roman water god. In the more modern part of the city we see the Salamanca district, Plaza Castilla and Parque del Oeste. We also see the Santiago Bernabeu, the football stadium of Real Madrid, the most successful European club.





The rest of today is free for you to relax in the hotel or head out and explore further at your own pace. Tonight we enjoy a group Welcome Dinner at a local Tapas restaurant. Get to know your fellow travellers and enjoy some authentic Spanish cuisine.

Madrid - Merida - Cordoba. Departing Madrid, and bound for Andalusian soils, we make a stop in Mérida. Mérida is a historic city established by the Romans in 25 BC. It is famed for its remarkable archaeological ensemble, which has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Keep an eye out for its famous landmarks such as the Roman Theatre, the Amphitheatre, and the Guadiana River Roman Bridge. We finish the day with a final journey to Cordoba, the previous capital of the Caliphate.

Cordoba - Seville. This morning we tour Cordoba, an important Roman city that was also an Islamic centre during the Middle Ages. The most important landmark here is the sprawling La Mezquita mosque-cathedral, which dates back to 988 AD. Entrance to the mosque is included on our tour and we also take a stroll through the Jewish Quarter before departing the city and travelling south-west to Seville, capital of Andalusia.

Today we explore Seville on a guided tour. Entrance to the city's cathedral, the second largest in the Catholic world, is included. We also visit the Santa Cruz Quarter, where the famous opera 'Carmen' is largely set. Wander through Maria Luisa Park and the picturesque Plaza Espana. After our tour, the afternoon is free for you to further explore Seville at your own pace.

Seville - Jerez - Ronda. Leaving Seville after breakfast, we pass through quaint Andalusian villages and make a stop in the picturesque mountain-top town of Jerez, Jerez is celebrated for its sherry wine production, rich flamenco heritage, and renowned tradition of horse taming, highlighted by its world-famous annual horse fair. During our visit, we will explore a local winery where we will enjoy a Sherry wine tasting accompanied by a light lunch. In the afternoon we enjoy an authentic Olive Oil Experience at a local Almazara before travelling on to the picturesque mountain-top town of Ronda.





Continuing our journey, we stop at a local Almazara, olive oil mill. Here we can walk through the olive groves and taste some of the delicious organic olive oil produced here. We then continue to Ronda. The evening is at leisure.

Ronda - Gibraltar - Tarifa - Tetouan. Today we make our way to Morocco, starting with a drive through the picturesque Andalusian countryside and arriving in Gibraltar. Upon arrival, we have some free time to explore this fascinating British colony. The towering Rock of Gibraltar offers stunning views over both the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, immersing us in a unique blend of British and Spanish cultures, a rich military history, and the presence of the famous Barbary macaques.





Afterwards, we depart for Tarifa, where we take a short, but captivating ferry ride across the Strait of Gibraltar to Africa. Upon reaching Tangier, we disembark and pass through customs, driving southwards towards Tetouan. This charming town is located between the Rif Mountains and the Mediterranean Sea in northern Morocco. Tetouan is mesmerising for visitors due to the remarkably well-preserved medina, UNESCO World Heritage site, flamboyant Andalusian architecture, and profound cultural heritage.





We'll then have some leisure time to explore Tetouan at our own pace. Join the rest of the group for dinner at the hotel.

Tetouan - Chefchaouen - Fes. We'll begin our adventure today with a journey to Chefchaouen, where it's azure-hued streets await exploration. It's certainly easy to be immersed in the beauty of this blue city. After some free time, we carry on towards Fes, navigating through landscapes rich in history, leading us to the labyrinthine alleys of the ancient medina where stories of Morocco's vibrant history come alive.

This morning we enjoy a tour of ancient, UNESCO-listed Fes, one of the most important imperial cities in Morocco, and the oldest and largest medieval city in the world. On our tour we will wander down some of the old walled city's 9,400 alleyways and take in the heart of the medina. We also see the seven gates of the Royal Palace, explore the Jewish Quarter and admire the ornate gate of Bab Bou Jeloud, built by the colonial French administration in 1913. Tonight there is an optional show with dinner included - book and pay locally.

Fes - Middle Atlas - Marrakech. In the morning, we leave the lively streets of Fes behind and weave our way through the magnificent Middle Atlas Mountains. Along the route, we pass charming Berber villages and picturesque valleys dotted with olive groves and cedar forests. Heading further south, the scenery changes to the stunning arid landscapes of the High Atlas Mountains, where winding roads unveil breath-taking vistas at every turn. Finally, we reach our destination: Marrakech.

Marrakech. Our sightseeing tour of Marrakech today departs by bus and begins in the tranquil Menara Gardens which features a pavilion and an abundance of olive trees. Next, we admire the exterior of the Koutoubia Tower, reminiscent of Seville's Giralda. Moving into the historic heart of the city, see the Bahia Palace, once owned by a prominent local nobleman. Finally, we arrive at the vibrant Jmaa el Fnaa square, one of Morocco's most captivating spots, offering access to bustling souks and medina. Here, we'll visit workshops of artisans specializing in woodwork, ceramics, fur, and spices, elevating all five senses. Dinner tonight can be enjoyed at the "Fantasia Chez Ali" show.

Marrakech - Casablanca - Rabat. After our overnight stay in Marrakech, we continue our journey, setting off early in the morning for Casablanca. Explore the city's highlights on a panoramic tour, including United Nations Square, Boulevard de la Corniche, and the iconic Hassan II Mosque. We then continue our journey to Rabat, the capital of Morocco where we stop for the night.

Rabat - Tangier - Tarifa - Malaga / Costa Del Sol. Today concludes our time in Morocco, and we head down to the pier where we take a return ferry across the straight of Gibraltar back into Spain. Once we reach land, the final stretch will be a drive to either Costa del Sol or Malaga.

Costa del Sol / Malaga - Granada. We depart for one of the finest jewels of Spain -Granada. Take some time for leisure, before we enjoy an included group dinner and Flamenco show.

Granada - Madrid. In the morning we enjoy an included visit to the Alhambra complex. This famous 13th century palace and fortress is one of the best-preserved examples of early Islamic architecture anywhere in the world, as well as being home to important Spanish Renaissance architecture. We'll tour Alhambra and the adjacent Generalife Palace and Gardens. The gardens have historically inspired many authors, including Washington Irving. This American author wrote his Tales of the Alhambra in 1832 whilst visiting the area.





We then continue back to Madrid. Once we arrive, embrace your fellow travellers, reminisce on great memories and enjoy a farewell dinner party.

Madrid. Enjoy the final breakfast in the hotel before our tour comes to an end. There is an included transfer to the airport.