Day 1: Welcome to Madrid
Kick off your adventure in Madrid with a delightful dinner at a local restaurant, joining your Travel Director and fellow travellers for an evening filled with great food and wine.
Day 2: Prado Museum and Golden Salamanca
Accompanied by your Local Expert, explore Madrid’s historical areas, known as the Madrid of the Bourbons. Discover the city’s origins as you drive through the Old Quarter. A highlight is your visit to the Prado Museum, a stunning palace showcasing masterpieces by Velázquez, Goya, and Rubens. On your way to Salamanca, admire the ancient walls of Ávila and the beautiful honey-coloured cathedral and 16th-century university buildings of your destination.
Day 3: Holy Fátima and Lisbon
Cross into Portugal and navigate around the Estrela Mountains to reach Fátima, the country’s most famous religious site. Join the pilgrims visiting the grand basilica that commemorates the Virgin Mary's miraculous appearance in 1917. The Chapel of Apparitions marks the exact spot of her first appearance. Your journey continues to Lisbon.
Day 4: Lisbon and the Age of Great Discoveries
With a Local Expert, discover Lisbon’s spacious avenues and shaded squares. Pass beneath the Bairro Alto hills to the Terreiro do Paço, the city's grandest square, named for the palace that was lost in the devastating 1755 earthquake. Visit the Belém Quarter, where explorers once set sail for new lands. Savour a Pastéis de Belém from the historic patisserie with a 200-year-old secret recipe. Tour the National Coach Museum, home to one of the world’s most significant collections of horse-drawn carriages. The afternoon is yours to explore further or consider visiting the Portuguese Riviera.
Day 5: To Seville, the City of Carmen
Explore Seville’s Cathedral, the final resting place of Christopher Columbus. Choose how to explore the city with Insight Choice: stroll through the historic Jewish quarter to see La Giralda, the former minaret of the Great Mosque, or opt for a scenic drive with panoramic views.
Day 6: Free Time and Flamenco in Seville
Enjoy a morning at your leisure to relax or further explore this captivating city. Consider an Optional Experience to Córdoba to visit the stunning Mezquita, an 8th-century mosque with a Christian cathedral inside. In the afternoon, participate in a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at the Cristina Heeren Foundation, a flamenco dance school supported by the TreadRight Foundation. Feel the rhythm during a dance lesson, then witness the passion of a flamenco performance.
Day 7: The Straits of Gibraltar to Fes
Set sail across the Strait of Gibraltar to Morocco, a land rich in history and culture.
Day 8: Explore Fes
With your Local Expert, delve into the ancient Medina, filled with hidden courtyards, stunning mosques, and local workshops. Discover the historic charm of this walled city as you wander through the souks and visit one of the world’s oldest universities. Learn about the traditional craft of handwoven carpets, a skill honed over centuries in this region, and appreciate the artistry that makes each piece unique.
Day 9: On the Road to Marrakesh
As you travel today, take in the sight of traditional mud-walled villages against the expansive arid plains. Catch glimpses of the Atlas Mountains as you near Marrakesh, a vibrant center of culture and trade.
Day 10: Explore Marrakesh
Join a Local Expert for a guided tour of the Medina, the city’s historic core. Visit the Koutoubia Mosque, whose minaret dominates the skyline, and the intricately-decorated Palais Bahia, a stunning 19th-century palace. Enjoy free time to experience the city’s charm; perhaps try your hand at haggling in the souks of Jemaa-el-Fnaa Square or visit one of the city’s renowned museums.
Day 11: Play It Again, Sam in Casablanca
Travel to the west coast of Africa and arrive in Casablanca. Discover the truth behind Humphrey Bogart's famous line with your Local Expert and visit the impressive Hassan II Mosque, the largest in Morocco. If you're drawn to the coast, explore the chic Corniche area, lined with trendy restaurants and cafes.
Day 12: Rabat and Tangier
Head north to Rabat to see the Royal Palace and Hassan Tower with your Local Expert. Your journey continues to Tangier, Morocco’s port city overlooking the Strait of Gibraltar. Enjoy a guided sightseeing tour and then relax at your hotel or take a stroll along Avenue d'Espagne on the Bay of Tangier.
Day 13: On to the Costa del Sol
Cross back into Spain, making your way to Gibraltar, a British territory since 1704. With your Local Expert, explore the Rock of Gibraltar, visit St. Michael’s Cave, and meet the famous Barbary Apes. Continue your journey through Andalucía to the sun-soaked Costa del Sol, renowned for its stunning beaches.
Day 14: At Leisure on the Costa del Sol
Spend a relaxing day on the sunny Costa del Sol. Lounge by the Mediterranean, stroll along the waterfront, enjoy local delicacies, or explore Málaga, the birthplace of Picasso.
Day 15: Dining with Locals and the Alhambra Palace
Travel to Alfarnatejo, a quaint village surrounded by breathtaking mountains. Visit the oldest olive grove in the region and sample local oils with freshly baked farmer bread at a rural mill. In small groups, enjoy a delicious Highlight Lunch in a local family’s home, featuring fresh, regional ingredients. Later, arrive in Granada and explore the magnificent Alhambra, a 13th-century Moorish citadel adorned with exquisite gardens, fountains, and intricate stonework. Stroll through the enchanting Generalife gardens, once a summer retreat for Spanish royalty.
Day 16: To Madrid in Search of Don Quixote
Continue north through the landscapes that inspired Cervantes' Don Quixote. Upon returning to Madrid, celebrate your journey with a lively dinner alongside your newfound friends.
Day 17: Depart Madrid
As your memorable journey through Spain concludes, bid farewell and transfer to the airport, reflecting on the incredible experiences and adventures you've shared.
