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Spain, Portugal and Morocco

 

Enjoy 16 days touring romantic Spain and Portugal that will include the opportunity to experience exciting and colourful Morocco.

 

 

Day 1

Madrid
Arrive at Madrid Airport. Transfer to your hotel and accommodation.

 

Day 2

Madrid
Start with a half-day guided tour of Madrid and see the highlights of the city. Visit the Royal Palace, official residence of King Carlos and his family, see Plaza Mayor, the main square, the Cibeles Fountain, the luxury boulevard Gran Vía and Puerta del Sol Square, which is officially the exact centre of the country, and Plaza España with the famous monument to Cervantes. In the afternoon free time to further explore  the city or an optional visit to the Prado Museum. In the evening enjoy a traditional tapas dinner.

 

Day 3

Madrid - Ávila (120 km/2h) - Salamanca (110 km/1,30h) - Ciudad Rodrigo (90 km/1,30h)
Drive west for a visit to fortified Ávila with its 90 towers dating back to the 11th century. Next stop is Salamanca, considered as one of the most spectacular Renaissance cities in Europe and home of the oldest university in Spain. Discover the Old City, part of UNESCO World Heritage, the University of Salamanca, where Cervantes was a student, the Old Cathedral of Santa María de la Sede, founded in the 12th century. Enjoy free time and sit at one of the many cafés at Plaza Mayor, one of the most magnificent squares in Spain. Later, proceed to Ciudad Rodrigo, a small charming walled city, for overnight.

 

Day 4

Ciudad Rodrigo - Porto (260 km/41h)
Today cross the frontier and proceed the journey through the green valleys of Portugal until you reach Porto, the northern capital of Portugal and one of the most desirable European destinations. Built on the hillsides on the Douro river, the city is world renowned for the sweet wine Porto and is a UNESCO Heritage Site with its riverfront Bairro of Ribeira.  Enjoy a half-day guided tour, starting at the monumental central avenue Avenida dos Aliados to the riverfront with its colorful painted houses. See the amazing Palacio da Bolsa, with its Arab room, and St. Francisco Church. In the afternoon have a free time to explore the city more. Overnight in Porto.

 

Day 5

Porto - Vila Nova de Gaia
Today visit the city of Vila Nova de Gaia, on the left bank of the Douro River, where most of the world’s supply of Port wine is located. Before getting there you will cross the Dom Luis Bridge, an iron masterpiece, designed by Eiffel, the famous architect of the Paris Tower. In Vila Nova de Gaia visit one of the many Porto Wine Cellars and enjoy tasting the famous drink, while admiring Porto’s stunning skyline. Return to Porto and have afternoon at leisure. In the evening enjoy a traditional fado show and dinner in one of Porto’s restaurants with a spectacular night view of Douro River.

 

Day 6

Porto - Coimbra (120 km/2h) -Tomar (90 km/2h)- Lisbon (140 km/2,30h)
Travel through central Portugal and reach Coimbra, famous for  one of the oldest universities in the world with a beautiful, Baroque-style library. Visit the Church of Santa Clara and wander around Coimbra's town center, full of shops with local ceramic works. Later, continue to Tomar, where a worthwhile site is the 12th century Templar Castle with the Convent of Christ, declared a World Heritage Site. Proceed south and arrive at one of the most ancient European capital - Lisbon.

 

Day 7

Lisbon
Highlights tour of Lisbon, starting at the historic quarter and Torre de Belém, the symbol of the capital, dedicated to the rich age of the great maritime discoveries, and a visit of the Jerónimos Monastery, a World Heritage Site, the best example of Portuguese Manueline style ornamentation and Vasco da Gama’s resting place. Continue to the Avenue of Liberdade and reach the Baixa district to admire the Sé Cathedral, Rossio square and the monumental Comercio Square. Spend the afternoon in the Alfama’s tile-decorated streets, or take an optional excursion to Sintra - the famous royal residence village.

 

Day 8

Lisbon - Seville (400 km/7h)
Drive through the landscape of cork oak forest and eucalyptus trees of Alentejo and reach the most sunny and cheerful part of Spain - Andalucia. Our destination is the heart and the capital of the region - lively Seville.

 

Day 9

Seville
Have a guided visit of the largest gothic cathedral in the world, also the burial site of Christopher Columbus, and the famous bell tower - Giralda Tower. Walk through the green park of Maria Luisa with its fountains and pools until reach the magnificent Plaza España with its 48 tiled benches. Enjoy afternoon at leisure and a traditional dinner with flamenco show in the birthplace of this passionate dance.

 

Day 9

Seville- Tarifa (210km/3h) - Tangier (ferry) - Fez (310 km/5,30h)
Today we drive south in Andalucia and reach Tarifa, a small andalucian town on the Costa de la Luz, which faces Morocco. Take the ferry, cross the strait of Gibraltar and arrive in Tangier. Free time for a lunch and then, proceed to Fez, the second largest city in Morocco and the medieval capital, called also the ‘Mecca of the West’.

 

Day 10

Fez
This morning start with the old Medina, Fes el Bali, a World Heritage Site and a car-free urban area. See the the colorful leather-dying pits and the old madersa -  a breathtaking 14th-century religious college. Enjoy a great city views from one of the surrounding hills with their fortresses - Borj Sud and Borj Nord. In the evening you will have the chance to try a typical Moroccan dinner and a folklore dancing-show at a restaurant in the old Medina.

 

Day 11

Fez - Marrakech (540 km/8h)
Today prepare for a long trip to Marrakech and travel via the Atlas Mountains. On the way we will make a stop for a lunch in Beni Mellal. Arrive in Marrakesh in the afternoon and free time in the evening.

 

Day 12 

Marrakesh
Enjoy a city guided tour to explore Marrakech - the red city. Walk through the Old Medina and see the Koutobia Mosque, feel the atmosphere of Jemaa el Fna Square, full of acrobats and dancers. Visit the Palais de la Bahia, built in the late 19th century, intended to be the greatest palace of its time. In the afternoon have a free time for shopping at the colourful bazaars. 

 

Day 13

Marrakesh - Casablanca (250 km/4h) - Rabat (100 km/2h)
Leave Marrakech and proceed to Casablanca, located on the coast and today’s heart of Morocco. This is the largest city and the economic hub of the country. See the city’s highlights - the Hasan II Mosque, the third largest mosque in the world with the tallest minaret and the Old Medina of Casablanca. Later, continue to Rabat for a sightseeing tour of the capital of Morocco, located on the Atlantic ocean. Visit the Royal Palace, Hassan Tower and the Royal Mausoleum of Mohammed 5. Wonder around the fabulous medina of the city and the fortress quarter. Overnight in Rabat.

 

Day 14

Rabat - Tanger (250 km/3,30h) -Tarifa (ferry) - Granada (280 km/4,30h)
Today an early departure from Rabat for the ferry back to Spain. Drive directly to the heart of Andalucia and reach Granada, one of the most interesting Spanish cities, located at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains.

 

Day 15

Granada - Toledo (370 km/5h)
In the morning enjoy a guided visit of the Alhambra Palace and Generalife Gardens, a summer complex built by the Moorish Kings and today’s highlight of Granada. This World Heritage Site offers to the visitors breathtaking views of the city and the surrounding mountains. Later, drive through La Mancha region, known for its castles and windmills, and arrive in Toledo. Once being the Spain’s medieval capital, this city is a real open-air museum with a great wealth of monuments. Overnight in Toledo. 

 

Day 16

Toledo - Madrid (80 km/1,30h)
Departure from Toledo and transfer to Madrid Airport.