HIGHLIGHTS
- Enjoy a beautiful sunrise over the Sahara Desert
- Explore the buzzing medinas of Fez and Marrakesh
- Visit the Berber villages of the Atlas Mountains
- Relax on Spain’s famous Costa del Sol
- See the stunning Alhambra Palace and Generalife Gardens in Granada
- Tour majestic Madrid
SIGHTSEEING
Mesmerising Morocco
- Stroll through Casablanca's bustling Central Market.
- See the impressive Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, the second largest mosque in the world.
- Board the train to Marrakesh.
- Feel the buzz of Marrakesh's Jemaa-el-Fnaa Square walking through the stalls, snake-charmers and other entertainers on your way to dinner.
- Visit the 16th century monument site of the Saadian Tombs in Marrakesh.
- See Marrakesh's Koutoubia Mosque, considered a masterpiece of Islamic architecture.
- Take a Moroccan cooking lesson and enjoy the food you’ve prepared for lunch.
- Wander through the streets of Ait-Ben Haddou, a World Heritage-listed city made famous by the 1962 film 'Lawrence of Arabia.'
- Visit the majestic Kasbahs of Tifoultoute and Taoirt in Ouarzazate.
- Stay in a traditional Kasbah in Merzouga, the gateway to the endless dunes of the Sahara Desert.
- Watch as the dunes shimmer with the first rays of sunlight over the Sahara Desert - a truly magical experience!
- Experience the warm Moroccan hospitality with Moroccan Tea and spiritual Gnawa music in the small village of Khamlia.
- Enjoy lunch under the shade of palm trees in the Tissirdmine Oasis.
- Awaken the senses navigating your way through the Medina of Fez el Bali, bursting with aromatic food stands, local craftsmen, workshops, mosques, schools and friendly locals.
- Watch in awe as men standing in stone vessels filled with a range of colourful dyes, process the hides of sheep and goat in the ancient operation of tannery in Fez.
- Explore Meknes, one of the Kingdom’s Imperial Cities. See the massive Bab el Mansour Gate and the Old Medina.
- Visit the impressive archaeological site of Volubilis, once an important Roman city.
- Fall in love with Chefchaouen - Morocco's magical blue city.
Passionate Spain
- In Malaga visit the Picasso Museum in the Buenavista Palace, dedicated to the works of local artist, Pablo Ruiz Picasso.
- Explore the Nerja Caves, a series of huge caverns that stretch for almost 5km and home to the world's largest stalagmite.
- Located at the foot of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Granada will reward you with its rich history, mixture of cultures, Moorish Old Quarter and lively nightlife.
- Taste traditional Spanish Tapas in Granada.
- Admire the intricate detail of Granada's famous Alhambra Palace, a Moorish citadel and one of Spain's most famous attractions.
- Stroll through Generalife Gardens, the tranquil 14th century summer gardens of the Kings of Granada.
- Discover the small 'white village' of Ronda, one of the most historical towns in Andalusia, set spectacularly above a deep mountain gorge.
- In Seville visit the Cathedral of Santa Maria, the biggest in Spain and the site where Christopher Columbus is buried.
- Visit Seville's Royal Alcázar, a string of royal palaces built by the Catholic Kings during the 14th century which is today home to the Spanish Royal Family.
- Tour the incredible Mezquita Cathedral in Cordoba.
- Travel on the AVE High Speed Train from Madrid to Cordoba.
- Tour the well-known avenues of Gran Via and Castellana and famous squares such as Plaza de España, Oriente, Mayor, Puerta Del Sol, Atocha, Neptuno, Cibeles, Puerta de Alcala, Colon and Plaza de Castilla on a sightseeing tour of Madrid.
- Learn to cook specialties from different spanish regions at a cooking class in Madrid.
- Discover the magical city of Toledo, including a visit to the Cathedral and Santo Tome Church.
DAY 1 - TUESDAY 17 APRIL 2018
Depart Australia
DAY 2 – WEDNESDAY 18 APRIL 2018
Arrive Casablanca
Welcome to Morocco and its buzzing economical centre, Casablanca! Meet your fellow travellers and Tour Director this evening for a welcome drink.
Meals: not included
DAY 3 – THURSDAY 19 APRIL 2018
Casablanca – Marrakesh
Today we explore the buzzing streets of Casablanca and acquaint ourselves with its European-influenced architecture. We’ll visit the Hassan II Mosque - the largest in Morocco and second-largest in the world. Its minaret towers above the city at 210-metres-tall. We’ll travel to the magical ‘Rose City’ of Marrakesh by train this afternoon.
Special Experience: Tonight we’ll make our way through Marrakesh’s buzzing Jemaa-el-Fnaa Square to enjoy a traditional Moroccan dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 4 – FRIDAY 20 APRIL 2018
Marrakesh
Marrakesh is the real heartbeat of Morocco and we’ll enjoy a full day of sightseeing, including a visit to the Saadian Tombs, the Koutoubia Mosque, Bahia Palace and the Dar Si Said Museum of Moroccan Art.
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 5 – SATURDAY 21 APRIL 2018
Marrakesh
Enjoy a day at leisure to explore at your own pace. Why not shop for carpets and crafts in the city’s labyrinth of souks, or relax in the enchanting Jardin Marjorelle and wander through its fascinating museum?
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 6 – SUNDAY 22 APRIL 2018
Marrakesh – Boumalne
We travel through the High Atlas Mountains to the fortified city of Aït Ben Haddou. We’ll wander through the Ksar and make our way to the top for beautiful views over the desert. This afternoon we make the short trip to Ourzazate, where we visit the kasbahs of Tifoultoute and Taoirt. We continue to Boumalne this evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 7 – MONDAY 23 APRIL 2018
Boumalne – Merzouga
The morning is at leisure before we travel to Erfoud, on the edge of the Sahara. We’ll transfer to 4WDs and make our way across the vast desert to the town of Merzouga. Our accommodation for the next two nights is a traditional Moroccan kasbah!
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 8 – TUESDAY 24 APRIL 2018
Merzouga
After breakfast we travel to a nearby village to enjoy the local Gnaoua music over tea. We’ll then visit the traditional artists’ town of Tissardmine for lunch amongst the palms.
Special Experience: Witness an incredible sunrise over the endless dunes of the Sahara Desert.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 9 – WEDNESDAY 25 APRIL 2018
Merzouga – Fez
We cross over the Middle Atlas Mountains on our way to Fez. Along the way we’ll visit the market town of Midelt, nestled between the Middle and High Atlas Mountains.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 10 – THURSDAY 26 APRIL 2018
Fez
Considered the cultural and religious centre of Morocco, Fez is a window into the Middle Ages. We’ll explore the narrow, cobbled lanes and covered souks of the famous medina, visit the Madressa and see the Karaouine Mosque.
Special Experience: We’ll be treated to a cooking class of local cuisine and enjoy the delicious results for lunch.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 11 – FRIDAY 27 APRIL 2018
Meknes & Volubilis Excursion
Today we visit Morocco’s smallest imperial city, Meknes. We’ll see the beautifully preserved gates of Bab El-Mansour and the old medina. We’ll also see the ruins of Volubilis, once an important Roman city, dating back to the 3rd century BC.
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 12 – SATURDAY 28 APRIL 2018
Fez – Chefchaouen
This morning we travel to the town of Chefchaouen, one of the prettiest in Morocco, washed with hundreds of shades of blue. This afternoon we’ll explore the town’s picturesque streets on foot.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 13 – SUNDAY 29 APRIL 2018
Chefchaouen – Mijas
Today we cross over the Strait of Gibraltar to Spain. We’ll be staying in the hinterland of the sun-drenched Costa del Sol.
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 14 – MONDAY 30 APRIL 2018
Malaga Excursion
Located on Spain’s famous Costa del Sol, the city of Malaga is brimming with history and culture. It is also the birthplace of artist Pablo Picasso. This morning we’ll explore the town and visit the Picasso Museum. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 15 – TUESDAY 01 MAY 2018
Mijas – Granada
Enjoy the scenery as we travel inland to the Moorish city of Granada, set against the backdrop of the Sierra Nevada ranges. Along the way we’ll visit the famous Nerja Caves, home to the world’s largest stalagmite.
Special Experience: Tonight we’ll enjoy the colourful and elegant bites that make a traditional Spanish tapas dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 16 – WEDNESDAY 02 MAY 2018
Granada
We visit the famous Alhambra Palace and the beautifully manicured Generalife Gardens, former place of leisure for the kings of Granada.
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 17 – THURSDAY 03 MAY 2018
Granada – Ronda – Seville
Today we travel west to vibrant Seville. Legend has it that the city was founded by Hercules. Along the way we’ll stop in Ronda, one of Andalusia’s famous ‘white’ villages.
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 18 – FRIDAY 04 MAY 2018
Seville
Our morning sightseeing tour incudes the famous Royal Alcazar, the Cathedral of Santa Maria and the historic Jewish Quarter of Santa Cruz. The afternoon is at leisure for you to discover the delights of Seville.
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 19 – SATURDAY 05 MAY 2018
Seville – Cordoba – Madrid
After breakfast we depart for Cordoba. We’ll visit the incredible Mezquita Mosque. This afternoon we take the high-speed train north to the grand city of Madrid.
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 20 – SUNDAY 06 MAY 2018
Madrid
Overflowing with palaces, museums and grand squares, Madrid is a truly majestic city. Today we see the highlights on a city tour.
Special Experience: This evening we’ll take a cooking class and discover the delights of typical Spanish cuisine.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 21 – MONDAY 07 MAY 2018
Toledo Excursion
We take a day trip to the historic town of Toledo, which lies dramatically atop a hill overlooking the Rio Tajo. Our guided tour includes the incredible interior of the cathedral and the beautiful Santo Tome Church.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 22 – TUESDAY 08 MAY 2018
Depart Madrid
Today we begin our journey home.
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 23 – WEDNESDAY 09 MAY 2018
Arrive Australia
Itineraries are subject to change, due to circumstances outside of our control. IF there is any itinerary change prior to departure of significance we aim to inform you prior to travel. Itinerary changes while on tour will be informed by your tour leader/guide while on tour.
