Welcome to Spain! You’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. 

You’ll meet your tour guide and fellow travellers tomorrow morning. The rest of the day is free for you to relax or explore this energetic city. Make like a Madrileño and take a paseo por la noche, a cherished evening stroll. Puerta del Sol, the heart of the city, is a busy plaza where you can find street performers, loads of restaurants and shops and the iconic statue ‘The Bear and the Strawberry Tree’. 

Gran Vía, also known as the street that never sleeps, is the main shopping and tourist artery in the centre of the capital. On this lively strip you’ll find great restaurants, theatre, shopping and more. Look up – the buildings are exquisite. Calle Cava Baja is the city’s famed tapas street. Patatas bravas, anyone?

Please note: Some flights may depart the day before.

Check in: Passengers will be arriving at various times throughout the day from as early as 6am through to late evening. If arriving prior to standard check-in time, which is generally 3pm local time, you are welcome to leave your luggage with hotel reception and explore your surroundings until check-in becomes available, as there are generally no scheduled activities on Day 1 of the itinerary. The hotel may grant early check-in, however this is strictly subject to availability and at the hotel’s discretion.  

This morning, meet your tour guide and the rest of your group. We’ll leave Madrid this morning and drive along La Mancha, land of Don Quixote. We’ll make a brief stop at a typical site in Puerto Lápice to admire these landscapes immortalised in the world’s first modern novel.

We’ll cross through the natural border of Despeñaperros and head into sunny, enchanting Andalusia. This is a region of enormous history and heritage, being occupied by the Romans, the Moors and finally Christians. It’s the home of passionate flamenco, not just a famous dance, but a genuine Spanish art form. It’s known for bullfighting, beautiful beaches, great food and dreamy landscapes, with charming whitewashed villages. Think Mediterranean coastline, bright sun and perfect blue skies. 

We’ll stop in Córdoba for a tour of its impressive mosque, the Mezquita, a magnificent piece of Islamic architecture. Over 850 columns with decorated arches crisscross the ceiling of this ancient structure. We’ll see other sites and stroll through the narrow winding streets of the Jewish Quarter.

In the afternoon, it’s about a two hour journey to reach dynamic, charming Seville. Enjoy dinner at your hotel.

After breakfast, we’ll enjoy a panoramic city tour this morning. You’ll see the exterior of the majestic Seville Cathedral, the largest Gothic building in Europe. See the Santa Cruz quarter – the perfect scene for the masterpiece Carmen, as well as precisely where the myth of libertine Don Juan developed. You’ll also see Maria Luisa Park and Plaza de España, on the edge of the park.

The afternoon is free for you to explore the sounds and flavours of this enigmatic city. The Giralda Tower stands 104 metres above the city – you can climb to the top for sweeping views over the red-tiled roofs of Seville. The Moorish influence here is undeniable, as you’ll see if you visit the Alcázar of Seville, an elaborate fortress and palace with beautiful formal gardens. It’s one of the oldest palaces still in use in the world.

The food of Seville won’t disappoint. All your favourites are here; paella, gazpacho, churros. Seville is home to traditional favourites like carrillada (pork cheek), cazón en adobo ( shark in a Moorish marinade) and espinacas con garbanzos (spinach and chickpeas) – the name might sound unimaginative but the dish is certainly not!

Enjoy dinner at your hotel.

After breakfast we’ll travel south, passing picturesque villages on the scenic drive to the mountaintop city of Ronda. This town is split in two on either side of a deep gorge, connected by its iconic 18th-century bridge. You’ll have free time to admire this town of Celtic origin and the dramatic views of the gorge and surrounding peaks of the Sierras. 

In the afternoon we’ll continue on to the Costa del Sol, a sparkling stretch of Mediterranean coastline. With more than 300 days of sunshine each year, it’s a renowned tourist destination for Spanish and international tourists alike. You’ll find loads of food and shopping options – and of course, those famed beaches. 

We’ll depart today for magical Morocco. A drive along the picturesque tourist route of Costa del Sol takes us to Algeciras or Tarifa to board a ferry to cross the Strait of Gibraltar towards Africa, a stone’s throw away.

On arrival in Morocco, we’ll disembark, clear customs and head to the living museum of Fes. Often referred to as the country’s cultural capital, or the spiritual heart of Morocco, Fes was once one of the world’s great centres of education and culture, both Islamic and Jewish.  

This morning, your guide will take you on a city tour.

We’ll see the grand seven golden gates of the impressive royal palace and the walled old Jewish Quarter. You’ll see the distinctive, ornate city gate, Bab Bou Jeloud. This iconic blue gate is the entrance to the old medina, where you’ll take a walking tour. Walk in the narrow maze-like streets of the city passing artisans at work, vendors selling leather and oils, and locals gathering to eat, shop and pray. The winding paths – no cars allowed, instead you’ll see donkeys – seem to go on forever in this 540-acre medina. 

You’ll have the afternoon free in this beautiful imperial city before dinner at the hotel. 

This morning we’ll head towards Meknes, the sixth largest city in the kingdom and former capital of Morocco. 

Take a panoramic tour to admire the great, imposing Bab al-Mansour Gate, surely Morocco’s most beautiful gate and the pride of Meknes.

We’ll then head south through the Mid-Atlas mountains to Marrakech. An ancient, exotic city wrapped in European modernity, Marrakech is a feast for the senses. Be enticed by the alluring scents and brilliant colours of the spice markets, the sounds of the musicians, the rich folds of carpets, delectable foods, acrobats and perfumed gardens. Marrakech won’t disappoint – it’s eclectic, beautiful and a modern fusion of Moroccan and international culture. 

A day of sightseeing starts with the Koutoubia Mosque; its famous minaret is the prototype for others of its kind around the world, including La Giralda in Seville. The mosque is surrounded by beautiful gardens. 

We’ll visit the Saadian tombs, the only remains of the Saadian dynasty (1549-1659). These exquisite tombs were abandoned for centuries before being rediscovered in 1917. 

We’ll stop by the 19th-century masterpiece of Moroccan architecture, Bahia Palace. This vast complex was intended to be the greatest palace of its time and there is much to admire, like incredibly detailed mosaics, ornately decorated arches, exquisite ceilings and lush gardens. 

In the afternoon, we’ll take a walk around the old medina, souks and through the bustling souks that are the lifeblood flowing through the city. This is the trading centre of the city and the sights, sounds and fragrant smells are almost overwhelming. The walls surrounding the medina, made of a distinct orange-red clay and chalk, were built in the 12th century. 

Famous Jemaa el-Fnaa is the main square of Marrakech in the heart of the medina. It’s big and frantic, with scores of people shopping, eating, getting henna tattoos and watching snake charmers. Packed with locals and tourists alike, it’s certainly memorable.

You’ll have free time before dinner at the hotel. Make like a local and sip sweet mint tea at a cafe as you watch the world go by. 

We’ll head north towards Casablanca, the commercial hub of Morocco. Modelled after the French city of Marseille, this busy port city is famous for its art deco buildings and the modern-day masterpiece, the Hassan II Mosque. 

Enjoy a panoramic tour of the city’s highlights, including Anfa Boulevard, local homes and United Nations Square, a busy city square. We’ll see the outside of the glorious Hassan II Mosque – the second largest mosque in the world, it took more than seven years to build.

In the afternoon we’ll depart for the historic town of Rabat, diplomatic and administrative capital. Rabat’s history is long, having been host to Roman settlements, pirates and more recently the Moroccan parliament. It contains numerous fine Arab monuments, some dating from the 10th to 15th century Almohad and Marinid dynasties, and others that are far older.

This morning we’ll see the sights of Rabat on a guided tour, starting with the royal palace – the official residence of the King of Morocco. We’ll see the unfinished Hassan Tower – once intended to be the world’s tallest minaret and largest mosque – and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, a striking masterpiece of modern Moroccan architecture. 

In the afternoon we’ll head for the coastal town of Tangier, Europe’s gateway to Africa. Being just a short boat ride from Spain, it boasts an interesting mix of African and European influences. 

After a short panoramic tour, you’ll have free time in this cosmopolitan city. Its medina, a star attraction, is everything you’d expect – lively, with the typical narrow, maze-like alleyways of shops, teahouses and homes. A great place to people watch is the Grand Socco, a large square at the main entrance of the medina and a popular meeting place. 

You might visit the ancient kasbah, located high on a hill with pretty ocean views. The old Sultan’s palace (built in the 17th century) lies within these high walls. The Kasbah Museum is a great place to learn about Morocco’s tumultuous, complicated history. 

After breakfast we’ll head to the pier and board the ferry to return across the Strait of Gibraltar. We’ll drive along the Costa del Sol to our hotel.

This morning we’ll leave for Granada, the last stronghold of the Moorish Kingdoms up to 1492. The scenery really is amazing – rolling hills and the peaks of the Sierra Nevada. 

We’ll visit the world-famous, opulent Alhambra complex and Generalife Gardens that have inspired several authors with their sights and moods, such as the Tales of the Alhambra by W. Irving. 

The Alhambra is the contemporary history of Granada’s Arab past. Its buildings, towers, palaces, patios and gardens make this palace and fortress complex one of the most visited monuments in Spain. It towers over Granada’s historic Arabic quarter. Within the fortress you’ll find exquisite palaces, serene pathways weaving through amazing gardens and courtyards. The detail is next level – sumptuous interiors, beautiful Islamic geometric patterns, exquisitely carved wood, incredible ornamental features. 

The afternoon is free for you. Granada is home to a huge number of tapas bars – what better way to pass the time?

We’ll drive north towards the ancient city of Toledo. 

We’ll take a short guided tour of this historic old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. These labryinth-like narrow streets boast a rich legacy and a glorious past, with the influence and culture of three major religions – Judaism, Christianity and Islam – evident in the architecture and landmarks here. Toledo survived countless violent invasions and its monuments still standing today make it a living museum. 

In this city known for its traditional handicrafts, we’ll visit a damascene workshop – the ancient art of inlaying different metals into one another.

We’ll then head for Madrid. Upon arrival to your hotel, you’ll farewell your tour guide and enjoy one last night in Madrid to yourself before returning home.

Enjoy one last delicious breakfast this morning, before your adventure through Spain and Morocco comes to an end. After checking out of your hotel, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight back home.

We hope you’ve enjoyed this extraordinary journey.

Check out: Passengers will be departing at various times throughout the day. Standard hotel check-out times will apply no matter what time your flight is scheduled to depart. Check-out time is generally anywhere from 10am-12pm. You are welcome to leave your luggage at hotel reception and spend your final moments of free time exploring the area or, alternatively, please speak with hotel staff if you would like to extend your check-out time. Please note this service is subject to availability and will likely come at an additional cost. Your tour guide (or hotel staff) will confirm the time of your airport transfer with you directly.  

Arrive home today. We hope you've been inspired.