Spain, Morocco & Portugal

Colour outside the lines on this unforgettable encounter with the intoxicating lands of Spain, Morocco and Portugal. Kick off your unforgettable journey in the fiery Spanish capital of Madrid. This evening, explore the city's vibrant streets, before joining your fellow travellers and Travel Director for a Welcome Dinner and orientation drive.

Join your Local Specialist on this day of discovery, which includes views of the iconic Cibeles fountain and Paseo de la Castellana. Admire the Royal Palace and Retiro Park, originally created as a retreat for the royal family, before spending the rest of the day at leisure indulging in la buena vida. Consider an Optional Experience to the medieval UNESCO-listed city of Segovia or encounter the greatest collection of Spanish art in the world at El Prado.

Witness the influence of Christians, Muslims and Jews that has spanned centuries in the imperial city of Toledo. Join your Local Specialist for a walking tour, during which you’ll visit the Church of Santo Tomé, home to El Greco's most famous painting - 'The Burial of the Count of Orgaz'. Then, visit the synagogue of Santa Maria La Blanca, believed to be the oldest one still standing in Europe. Celebrate the tradition of steel and Damascene manufacturing and moulding as you Dive Into Culture at a local workshop, before your journey continues through the soul-stirring Andalusian landscape to Granada, where we'll spend the night.

Tread in the footsteps of Spain's last emirs and admire the impressive Alhambra - a collection of palaces and fortresses dating from the 12 century. We join a Local Specialist to explore its intricate designs, tranquil gardens and colossal walls, believed to have been inspired by poetry and reflecting the description of paradise found in Islamic verse. Later, we leave this 'paradise on earth' behind and continue to the Costa del Sol.

We travel along the sun-kissed shores of the Mediterranean and cross to North Africa by ferry. A memorable drive past the Rif Mountains brings us to Fes, a storied hub of traditional craftsmanship and our home for the next two nights.

Join a Local Specialist for a sightseeing tour through the cultural and spiritual centre of Morocco. Stroll through the Medina of Fes, view its fortifications and Royal Palace, and admire traditional Moroccan handiwork during a visit to a carpet cooperative. Spend the rest of your afternoon at leisure. Tonight, maybe join an Optional Experience Arabian dinner in a traditional riad – a night of heartfelt local entertainment, including belly dancing, awaits.

Departing Fes, we journey west through the golden landscape which turns to rusty red, bound for vibrant Marrakesh. Past and present collide in the world-famous Jemaa el-Fnaa Square. Embrace the unrivalled energy of this cultural and economic hub. 

Visit the elegant Dar El Basha Palace during your walking tour with a Local Specialist. See Jemaa el-Fnaa Square in the Old Quarter with its palm-readers, storytellers and snake charmers. Visit a traditional Moroccan pharmacy and Dive Into Culture, gaining insights into the blending of creams and cosmetics using regional ingredients. The rest of the day is yours to explore. Don't miss the chance to shop for bargains in the souks (markets) and bazaars, or perhaps visit a local Berber village.

We journey north to Casablanca and enjoy views of the Hassan II Mosque, with the world's second tallest minaret, before arriving in the country's capital city - Rabat. Stop at the opulent Mohammed V Mausoleum and admire Rabat's cityscape, its historic and modern centres traversed by the Bou Regreg River below. Continue to Tangier, a gateway between Africa and Europe as prominent today as in Phoenician times. Our unique Stays With Stories this evening is the sumptuous El Minzah, an icon of the city overlooking the Bay of Tangiers and the sparkling Mediterranean beyond. The grand property, built in the Spanish-Moorish style in 1930, has welcomed the rich and famous over the past century. You’ll get to experience its warm hospitality for yourself as you contemplate the building's colourful history.

Crossing the Strait of Gibraltar by ferry, we return to Spain and journey past the region of Jerez, renowned as the origin of Spanish sherry. We drive through Andalucía and arrive in Seville. What better way to experience this lively city than witnessing the passion of flamenco? Immerse yourself in the spectacle of colourful swirling skirts and fervent rhythm of castanets during an unforgettable optional Flamenco performance this evening.

Day 11| Explore Spectacular Seville

Join your Local Specialist for a sightseeing tour which will take you past the iconic Giralda Bell Tower. Admire the tiled fountains and pavilions in the Maria Luisa Park, the showcase for the Ibero-American Exhibition in 1929, and see the imposing Plaza de España. Visit the ornate tomb of Christopher Columbus in the largest Gothic Cathedral in the world, then enjoy a walk through the lovely historic Jewish Quarter. 
 

Join your Local Specialist for a sightseeing tour which will take you past the iconic Giralda Bell Tower. Admire the tiled fountains and pavilions in the Maria Luisa Park, the showcase for the Ibero-American Exhibition in 1929, and see the imposing Plaza de España. Visit the ornate tomb of Christopher Columbus in the largest Gothic Cathedral in the world, then enjoy a walk through the lovely historic Jewish Quarter. 

Your panoramic journey continues through the province of Huelva, famous for Jabugo jamón and the Rio Tinto mines. Cross the golden fields of the Alentejo on your way and meet Tiago, Vera and their horses as our Be My Guest experience. Continue on to your hotel in the waterfront city of Lisbon and opt to enjoy a seafood dinner by the Tagus River. 

We Dive Into Culture at the UNESCO-listed Hieronymite Monastery built in the 16 century. This afternoon, consider an Optional Experience to discover Portugal's 'Golden Triangle' of Sintra, Cascais and the Estoril coast. 

We trace the path of pilgrims, who for decades have ventured north to the shrine at Fátima to pray to the Virgin Mary, and see the site of a celebrated religious miracle. Departing Portugal, we arrive in the historic university city of Salamanca – La Dorada, so named for its golden, orange and pink façades, which we will have an opportunity to see in the magnificent Plaza Mayor - voted by the locals as the most beautiful of all squares in Spain.

Traversing the dramatic Sierra de Guadarrama Mountains, we arrive in Madrid, Europe's highest capital. Indulge in some last-minute shopping on the Gran Vía, or join our Local Specialist to uncover Spain's recent history, the Civil War and the Royal Family. This evening we join our travel companions and Travel Director for a memorable Farewell Dinner.

Our epic journey through Spain, Morocco and Portugal comes to an end this morning. All that's left is to say a fond farewell to your newfound friends and an unforgettable experience shared.