Itinerary
Inside visits and special features are shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description, including admission charges where applicable.
Day 1 ARRIVE IN MADRID, SPAIN
Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free to start exploring lively Madrid. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers.
Dinner
Day 2 MADRID
Spaniards say the Spanish capital, situated 2,180 feet above sea level, is the nearest thing to Heaven. It’s certainly worth making the most of today by joining the included guided sightseeing tour: a full panoramic drive by way of the Avenida Mayor, Puerta del Sol, Parliament Square, and a picture stop outside the Royal Palace. The optional trip to Toledo is most rewarding, too. The splendid setting of this old walled city above the Tagus was made famous in El Greco’s painting, and even now it’s like a great open-air museum of Spanish history and art.
Breakfast
Day 3 MADRID–ÁVILA–SALAMANCA–COIMBRA, PORTUGAL
Visit ancient fortified Ávila with its many towers, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Continue to Salamanca and make sure you spend some time wandering around PLAZA MAYOR, the grandest square in Spain. Cross the frontier to Guarda, the highest town in Portugal. From here, descend to the valleys of the Serra da Estrela to Coimbra.
Breakfast
Dinner
Day 4 COIMBRA–FÁTIMA–OBIDOS–LISBON
Enjoy an orientation tour of Coimbra, celebrated for its beauty and ancient university. Later, travel southwards to visit the SANCTUARY of Fátima, one of Europe’s most celebrated Marian shrines. Continue to fortified Obidos, one of the most picturesque towns in Portugal, before reaching Lisbon for two overnights.
Breakfast
Day 5 LISBON
Henry the Navigator made Lisbon the 15th-century “Mistress of the Seas.” On the included guided tour, see his monument, the Belem Tower, the Moorish Citadel, and the impressive Commerce Square, also known as Black Horse Square. Spend the afternoon at leisure—maybe in the Alfama’s tile-decorated streets, or take an optional excursion to coastal Estoril and Cascais.
Breakfast
Day 6 LISBON–SEVILLE, SPAIN
From the rolling plains of the Alentejo with its woodlands of cork and eucalyptus trees, head southwards all the way to the brilliant light of Andalusia. Admire its neat, white-painted villages and sun-drenched plantations of olives, figs, and almonds while traveling towards magnificent Seville.
Breakfast
Dinner
Day 7 SEVILLE
Enjoy an included sightseeing tour of this vibrant city’s main highlights, such as the cathedral, Alcázar, and Plaza d’España. Afternoon at leisure.
Breakfast
Day 8 SEVILLE–FERRY TO MOROCCO–RABAT
Drive through Spain’s pretty sherry wine region and head south to the coast. Here, you will embark the FERRY and cruise across the Strait of Gibraltar to Morocco on the African continent. Travel along what was once the infamous Barbary Coast, then continue the drive south to Rabat, one of Morocco’s imperial cities.
Breakfast
Dinner
Day 9 RABAT–CASABLANCA–MARRAKESH
Today starts with an included guided city sightseeing tour of the country’s lively capital, including a visit to CHELLAH GARDENS and CASBAH DES OUDAIAS. Later, reach Morocco’s westernmost city: Casablanca. Enjoy an orientation drive in this modern city and see the illustrious Hassan II Mosque. One of the largest mosques in the world, its minaret soars 689 feet into the sky and part of the mosque’s floor is made of glass so worshippers can kneel directly over the ocean’s waters. Continue on to the “red” oasis city of Marrakesh. An optional excursion this evening is the perfect end of the day.
Breakfast
Day 10 MARRAKESH
Today’s highlight is the included city sightseeing that will make you feel like you’ve been whisked back in time. Founded in the 9th century, Marrakesh remains a tapestry of ramparts, mosques, palaces, gardens, and vibrant public squares and souks (markets)—where buying and selling and a carnival of entertainment and fascinations occur daily.
Breakfast
Dinner
Day 11 MARRAKESH–FEZ
Today, travel through the fragrant cedar forests of the Middle Atlas mountains, where a number of peaks soar above 13,000 feet in elevation. This range is home to the endangered Barbary ape, as well as wild boar and polecats. On your way north to Fez, enjoy glimpses of North African village life reminiscent of Beau Geste.
Breakfast
Dinner
Day 12 FEZ
Ancient Fez is a city of outstanding scenic beauty. Visit the MEDINA during the included sightseeing tour this morning, and enjoy the maze of narrow streets through the colorful bazaars and exotic atmosphere. The madrasas, fondouks, palaces, residences, mosques, and fountains dating back to the 13th century are now UNESCO World Heritage Sites. In the afternoon, explore further on your own.
Breakfast
Day 13 FEZ–FERRY CROSSING TO SPAIN–COSTA DEL SOL
Today, an early departure takes you north for the FERRY back to mainland Spain to the Costa del Sol (Coast of the Sun).
Breakfast
Dinner
Day 14 COSTA DEL SOL–GRANADA
Travel along the Costa del Sol and head to Granada in the heart of Andalusia. On the agenda: an included guided visit of the ALHAMBRA COMPLEX, a lavish palace and fortress built by Moorish kings. With construction dating back to 889 AD, you’ll marvel at its architectural Moorish beauty and magnificent gardens.
Breakfast
Dinner
Day 15 GRANADA–MADRID
Travel through the very heart of Don Quixote’s La Mancha, famed for its castle and windmills. Before arriving in Madrid, visit a local WINE CELLAR and taste some of the locally produced wines.
Breakfast
Day 16 MADRID
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
Breakfast