Southern Spain & Morocco

Madrid - Cordoba - Seville. Depart from the bus terminal between 7:45 and 8:00, travelling through the region of La Mancha to reach Cordoba. Enjoy a sightseeing tour that includes the renowned Mosque-Cathedral and the Jewish Quarter before we continue on to Seville, where dinner is provided. Enjoy a free evening in Seville.

Please note: This tour is bi-lingual, and will be conducted in Spanish as well as in English.

Meeting Point: C. de Ferraz, 3, Moncloa - Aravaca, 28008 Madrid at 8:00.

In the morning, we enjoy a city sightseeing tour, taking in María Luisa Park, Plaza de España, and the exterior of the remarkable Cathedral and its bell tower, known as the Giralda. Explore the charming Santa Cruz neighborhood with its quaint streets, squares, and narrow alleys.

After the tour, you've got free time, or can join optional activities including a Guadalquivir river cruise, offering panoramic views of the Gold Tower and Expo 92, or a visit to the Maestranza bullring. In the evening, you have the option to attend a flamenco show.

Seville - Ronda - Costa del Sol. After breakfast, we'll depart for the Route of the White Villages and Ronda. You'll have some free time to take in sweeping views from the Puente Nuevo bridge, explore the historic bullring, or stroll through the charming old town with its whitewashed buildings and quiet plazas. Then, we'll continue on to the Costa del Sol for the night. On most departures, we stay in the town of Torremolinos, though this is subject to change.

Costa del Sol - Tangier (Morocco) - Casablanca. Say goodbye (for now!) to Spain as we take the ferry across the Strait of Gibraltar to Tangier. Arriving in Morocco, we drive to to Casablanca, the country's economic capital and a true coastal gem. Dinner is included, and your first evening in Morocco is at leisure.

Casablanca - Marrakech. After breakfast, we visit the impressive Hassan II Mosque, second in scale only to the one in Mecca (exterior only). You'll explore the exterior and have some free time before we depart for Marrakech.

Lunch is included before we begin our exploration of the city, favoured by British wartime Prime Minister, Winston Churchill. We take in the Koutoubia Mosque, once a library and now a symbol of the city. Next, we explore the opulent Bahia Palace, constructed in the 19th century by hundreds of artisans from Fes. Passing through the Jewish quarter or Mellah and the Kissaría Square, we'll reach Djemaa El Fna Square - a vibrant, living museum and UNESCO intangible cultural heritage site. This area buzzes with storytellers, snake charmers, jugglers, and dancers. The tour continues through the city souks, navigating its narrow streets brimming with shops, workshops, and terraces. The evening is at leisure in Marrakech.

Marrakech - Rabat - Fes. After breakfast, we depart for Rabat, the administrative capital of Morocco, known as one of the imperial cities and the official residence of the royal family. Our tour will include key landmarks such as the Hassan Tower, an incomplete mosque that overlooks an esplanade with over 200 columns, and the Mausoleum of Mohamed V, constructed in memory of the sultan who secured the country's independence. The entrance to this monument is guarded by the royal guard, dressed in colourful full dress uniforms, stationed on horseback. In the afternoon, we will arrive in Fes, ready to explore tomorrow.

We begin our sightseeing in Fes with a panoramic tour from the hotel to the royal palace, featuring its seven gates, known as Dar Al Makhzen. From here, we'll explore the captivating medina of Fez El Bali, recognized as the largest and oldest in Morocco and as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The medina boasts 785 mosques and over 2,000 squares, streets, and alleys, creating a labyrinthine journey back in time. Starting at Bab Boujloud and moving towards Es Seffarine Square, we will traverse history from the 9th to the 19th century, exploring the structure of these alleyways and the various constructions forming the medina walls. We'll learn about the artisan guilds and neighbourhoods, such as the leather tanners and seamstresses, to observe their traditional crafts. We'll also visit a Medersa and conclude our tour to the sound of potters working with copper, as they have done for centuries.

After the tour, we'll enjoy lunch at a typical restaurant, and the afternoon is free for you to continue exploring Fes at your own pace.

Fes - Tangier - Costa del Sol (Spain). We're heading back to Spain today. After breakfast, we depart for Tangier to board the ferry back across the Strait of Gibraltar. On arrival, we transfer back to the Costa del Sol, and the evening is at leisure.

Costa del Sol - Granada. We leave Seville after breakfast and make our way to Granada. Enjoy a sightseeing tour of the stunning Alhambra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, including access to the magnificent Generalife gardens.

You also have the option to visit the Sacromonte caves for a traditional flamenco show.

Please note: In the event that tickets to the Alhambra and Generalife are unavailable from the Patronato, an alternative tour of Granada will be arranged. This includes visits to the Palace of Carlos V, the Archaeological Museum, the Church of Santa María de la Alhambra, the Royal Chapel, and a stroll through the Alcaicería silk market and Cathedral Square.

Granada - Toledo - Madrid. Start the day with breakfast before we depart for the historic Imperial city of Toledo, known for its rich history and numerous monuments. Enjoy an included lunch and a guided tour of the city. Afterwards, we return to Madrid, marking the end of our services.