Arrive in Spain’s vibrant capital, where elegant, expansive boulevards frame manicured parks and vibrant restaurants and bars. Your journey begins with a meet-and-greet at Madrid Airport (MAD) before you’re transferred to your stylish hotel. For the rest of the afternoon you will be free to explore the delights of Madrid, before meeting with your tour director and fellow travellers this evening.
Why not do as the Spanish do and head out to a bar for ‘pintxos’, a small tapas selection served with drinks?
Start your day with a delicious breakfast at the hotel before embarking on a guided city tour to visit the must-see sights: Barrio de la Morería, the Habsburg District, Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor and Plaza de la Villa, the Royal Palace, Plaza Cibeles, the Fountain of Neptune, Puerta de Alcalá and more.
Begin to get your bearings as you traverse areas including Gran Vía, Castellana, the district of Salamanca, Plaza Castilla and Parque del Oeste, as well as commercial and financial areas of modern Madrid, the emblematic Las Ventas Bullring and Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.
After a morning filled with history, cultural immersion and sightseeing, the afternoon is yours to enjoy at your own pace. This evening, meet your fellow travellers for an authentic welcome tapas dinner at a nearby restaurant.
Bid farewell to Madrid as you travel to the historical university town of Salamanca. Tucked away among rolling hills, the medieval town is filled with an abundance of sights. With free time to explore, you can immerse yourself in its architectural and artistic wealth.
Later, you will arrive in Porto, one of Portugal’s most romantic cities, stretching along the Douro River. Known for its picturesque bridges, cobbled streets, cosy cafés and lively bars, Porto is also well known for one more thing: port, the fortified wine.
This afternoon and evening enjoy free time to get acquainted with one of Europe’s oldest cities.
After breakfast at the hotel, a guided sightseeing tour awaits, with time to admire the cathedral, stock exchange building and Santa Clara church. Then, the highlight of your day – a serene cruise along the Douro River followed by a stop at a famous port wine cellar for an included tasting.
The rest of the day is yours to spend as you wish.
Be sure to fuel up at breakfast before embarking on the day’s adventure. Your first stop: Coimbra, the birthplace of Fado, a popular style of Portuguese music. With free time here, you can marvel at one of Portugal’s oldest universities, a collection of 12th-century buildings and fine Romanesque churches.
Travel onwards to Fatima, known as a centre of Christian faith and world pilgrimage sanctuary. Here, you will find the impressive Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary and the Cova da Iria, along with the Chapel of the Apparitions and the tombs of the three shepherds; Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta. At night, it may be possible to attend the procession of the candles.
The evening is free to explore at your leisure.
Enjoy a delicious breakfast at the hotel with your fellow travellers, then set your sights on the Batalha Monastery, a masterpiece of gothic and Manueline style. Next, a visit to the picturesque fishing town of Nazare awaits, before you continue onwards to the World Heritage-listed Alcobaca with its imposing monastery.
Later, you will reach the vibrant city of Lisbon, where you can get a taste of colourful architecture, delicious seafood and thriving nightlife.
After breakfast, it’s time to hit the streets of Lisbon on a morning sightseeing tour. Traverse the main squares and avenues, passing Belém Tower, Jerónimos Monastery, the National Coach Museum, Padrão dos Descobrimentos (Monument of the Discoverers), Marquis of Pombal Square and Liberty Avenue.
The rest of the afternoon will be free to wander through the city streets or perhaps visit the Alfama Quarter, the oldest and most historical part of Portugal’s capital. This evening, enjoy a traditional Portuguese dinner at one of the oldest Fado venues in the city.
Optional Activity: Visit the Monument of Cristo Rey, Cacilhas and enjoy a ferry ride along the Tagus (from EUR25 per person). Cross the emblematic April 25 Bridge over the Tagus to the National Sanctuary of Cristo Rey. Soaring to 113 metres above river level, this work of the sculptor Francisco Franco de Soussa offers fabulous views of the Portuguese capital. Continue along the river to visit Calcilhas, a picturesque residential village near Lisbon, which retains its fishing-port character. Hop aboard a ferry to return to Lisbon, discovering different and original perspectives of the city along the way.
Another day of exploration and new adventures awaits today. After breakfast, depart for Caceres, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site for its fascinating blend of Roman, Islamic, northern Gothic and Italian renaissance architecture.
Continue to Cordoba, where the rest of the afternoon and evening can be spent exploring independently or finding a local spot for dinner with your fellow travel companions.
Take it easy and enjoy breakfast at the hotel before heading out on a tour that unearths Cordoba’s charms. Your first stop will be the impressive and mesmerising Mezquita – one of the world’s greatest and most significant Islamic buildings – followed by a visit to nearby sights within the Jewish Quarter. In the afternoon, continue your journey towards the Andalusian capital, Seville, where the rest of the afternoon and evening is free to enjoy as you desire.
Prepare for a day strolling the streets of Seville, a city famous for its dazzling architecture, mouthwatering tapas, and dramatic flamenco. After breakfast, set off for a visit to the cathedral, one of the world’s largest, before you continue onwards to the Santa Cruz Quarter and Maria Luisa Park to see the impressive Plaza de Espana.
The rest of your afternoon is free to enjoy at your leisure.
Optional Activity: Guadalquivir River Cruise (from EUR19 per person). Sail along the Guadalquivir, on a one-hour river cruise. Marvel at the awe-inspiring architecture, elegant bridges such as San Telmo or Triana, the Giralda, the Bullring and more.
After breakfast at the hotel, journey south past charming whitewashed Andalusian villages to reach Ronda. Enjoy some free time to admire this town with Celtic origins, and soak up the marvellous views of the surrounding valley and mountain range.
Later, you will journey to a local almazara (oil mill), LA Organic, for a chance to learn about their organic olive oil production and wander through the olive tree fields, before sampling their products.
Continue onward to the glittering Spanish Mediterranean coast towards the Costa del Sol.
Take it easy today with a full day at leisure to enjoy the sapphire waters and sweeping shores of the Costa del Sol and surrounding areas. This is your chance to recharge, taste delicious local food and maybe even top up your tan.
Your morning starts with a drive along the picturesque tourist route of Costa del Sol to Tarifa, to board your ferry for a short crossing through the Strait of Gibraltar towards Africa. Once you arrive in Tangier, you will disembark and clear customs before driving south to Casablanca.
Enjoy the afternoon at leisure before coming together as a group for dinner.
A full day of wonderous sights awaits, starting with a guided city tour through the bustling streets of Casablanca. Visit Anfa boulevard, United Nations Square and the outside of Hassan II Mosque. Afterwards, you will travel onwards to Marrakech.
Your afternoon will be filled with a guided sightseeing tour that takes in Koutoubia Mosque and its minaret – considered one of the world’s greatest minarets and ‘sister’ to the Giralda in Seville. Explore the Saadian Tombs and Bay Palace, before arriving in the famed Jemaa el-Fna, Marrakech’s main square and marketplace that is constantly abuzz with activity. Keep your camera close by and take in the scene, as henna painters and performers share the space with street food stalls offering Moroccan delicacies.
To round out your day, enjoy a group dinner at the hotel.
Wave goodbye to Marrakech as the day takes you onwards to several stops and sights. The first is Rabat, the diplomatic and administrative capital of Morocco and official residence of King Mohammed VI. On a city tour, you will pass the Royal Palace, Mausoleum of Mohammed V and the Hassan Tower. Afterward, continue to Meknes, a medieval walled city in the heart of the Mid-Atlas. Admire the great Bab Al Mansour gate and more on a guided tour.
Later, you will arrive in Fez and settle into your hotel before dinner with the group.
Step back in time today as you explore the alluring smells, tastes and sounds of the medieval medina – vibrant, noisy and filled with character and charm. A glass of mint tea or a handful of sweet dates might be the fuel needed to energise you throughout the day. You will also visit other notable sights throughout the day, such as the Royal Palace, Jewish Quarters or Mellah, and the gate of Bab Bou Jelous, before meeting for dinner later in the evening.
After breakfast this morning, travel back to Tangier and cross the Strait of Gibraltar to Tarifa before driving to the Costa del Sol.
After your Moroccan travels, enjoy another day of leisure – stroll along the coast, enjoy a refreshing dip in the cool crystal waters, or simply laze on the sandy beaches.
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, then take a scenic drive through olive groves to one of the jewels of Spain, Granada. Visit the incredible Alhambra palace complex, one of the world’s great architectural masterpieces. Dating back to the 11th century and taking its name from the Arabic word for ‘red castle’, Alhambra represents Muslim art in its final European stages. After some time at leisure, join your fellow travellers to experience an authentic flamenco show with dinner.
Optional Activity: Tour Granada’s historic Islamic and Christian places of worship (from EUR45 per person). Immerse yourself in a journey from Islam to Christianity on this walking tour through the Albaicín. Marvel at old mosques converted into churches and historic palaces, as you bear witness to the conflicted city, built with composing viewpoints. Join an artisan workshop, where will have the opportunity to try a celebrated Moorish Arab pastry in a typical Granada teashop. Your tour of contrasts will end in the Royal Chapel, a jewel of the late Gothic, built by the Catholic Monarchs.
Today takes you to the impressive city of Toledo, a fascinating town that was once the capital of Spain. On a guided tour, you’ll have a chance to delve deeper into its historic past while exploring its many architectural treasures, with both Gothic and Baroque influences found within the narrow city streets. Afterwards, a special farewell dinner with the group beckons. Guests will go to San Miguel Market in Madrid for a walk with the Tour Director, who explains the history and culture of the Markets, followed by a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
After breakfast, it’s time to say farewell to your fellow travellers and head to the airport (MAD) with an included private transfer.
