Treasures of Spain, Portugal & Morocco – 18 days land only

 {tab Description}

- Return airport/hotel transfers
- 17 nights hotel accommodation
- Breakfast daily
- Welcome dinner, , a Dine-Around dinner, 4 three-course table d'hote dinners with tea or coffee, a Signature evening & a Celebration dinner
- Touring by luxury coach
- Services of a Tour Director
- Sightseeing & Priority Admissions in all towns and cities
- Highlights: Madrid, Toledo, Fatima, Lisbon, Seville, Marrakesh, Gibraltar, Granada & Valderperlas

{tab Day 1}

Welcome to Madrid

Transfers leave Madrid Airport for your hotel at 09:00, 11:00, 13:30 & 16:00. Later, join your Tour Director for a Welcome Reception & a pleasant evening of dinner & wine.

Madrid of the Bourbons

After a restful night's sleep, drive with a Local Expert down the Gran Via to the Cibeles Fountain on the wide Paseo de la Castellana. Cross the Puerta del Sol & see the Cervantes Monument in the Plaza de España. A highlight is a visit to the Prado Museum, a magnificent palace housing works by Velázquez, Goya, Rubens & others. The afternoon is at leisure.

{tab Day 3}

Drive to the Old Capital of Toledo & on to Golden Salamanca

Set off for the city of Toledo. Join a master craftsman in a Damascene workshop for a personal insight into this ancient craft. Walk through the cobbled streets to visit the Church of Santo Tomé, housing El Greco's famous painting. Later, pass the walls of Avila en route to Salamanca with its honey-coloured cathedral.

Pass the Estela Mountains to reach Holy Fatima & Lisbon

Cross the Portuguese frontier & skirt the Estrela Mountains en route to Fatima. Join the pilgrims flocking into the great Basilica commemorating the miraculous appearance of the Virgin Mary to three young shepherds in 1917. Then continue to Lisbon.

{tab Day 5}

Lisbon & the Age of the Great Discoveries

Sightseeing with a Local Expert takes you along the avenues of the Lower Town to the Terreiro do Paço, finest square in the city. Visit the Belem Quarter where sailing ships set forth to discover unknown lands. Visit an old patisserie that has managed to hold on to the secret recipe of Portugal's finest pastry for over 100 years & enjoy a demonstration & tasting of the famous ‘Pasteis de Belem'. See the Monument to the Discoveries & the more ancient Belem Tower - a fortress originally set in the middle of the river, but now left high & dry on the riverbank. Next, visit Jeronimo's church with its Manueline Architecture. Enjoy free time in the afternoon.

To Seville, the City of Carmen

On arrival in Seville, join a Local Expert for a tour of the immense Cathedral, burial place of Christopher Columbus & the slender Giralda Tower. Explore the labyrinthine Santa Cruz Quarter & see the Alcazar. In the evening, sit back & enjoy a fiery Flamenco show with dinner.

{tab Day 7}

Free Time in Seville

This day is yours to completely relax, explore, or continue sightseeing in this fascinating city. One suggestion is an optional trip to Cordoba to visit the magnificent Mezquita.

Across the Straits of Gibraltar to Fes

Set sail across the Straits of Gibraltar to Morocco, a world of veils, musky spices, bazaars, souks & snake charmers. Continue to Fes, Morocco's most ancient imperial city.

{tab Day 9}

The Ancient Imperial City of Fes

Sightseeing with a Local Expert shows you the Medina – the walled city of hidden courtyards, mosques & workshops, the bazaar & one of the world's oldest universities. Learn about the ancient craft of carpet making, see artisans at work & gain an insight into the motifs & colours used in the designs. Then you are at leisure.

On the Road to Marrakesh

Travel via the Atlas Mountains, past mud-walled villages to Marrakesh.

{tab Day 11}

Marrakesh, Pearl of the South

Enjoy the atmosphere in Djemaa el Fna Square where acrobats, dancers & fortune tellers entertain you. A guided tour shows you the Medina with its many souks & the Koutoubia Minaret dominating the skyline. Also included is a visit to the Palais de la Bahia, built in the late 19th century, intended to be the greatest palace of its time.

Play It Again Sam in Casablanca

Say goodbye to the snake charmers of Marrakesh & head for Casablanca on the coast. Did Humphrey Bogart really say ‘Play it again Sam'? Find out during orientation sightseeing & see the largest mosque in the country.

{tab Day 13}

Head to Rabat & the White City of Tangier

Drive northwards to Rabat to see the Royal Palace & Hassan Tower. Continue to Tangier, Morocco's great port, overlooking the Straits of Gibraltar. Sights include the Sultan's Palace & the famous Casbah, with its variety of Moroccan wares. In the evening, relax in the comfortable surroundings of your hotel or take a stroll along the Bay of Tangier.

Across to Gibraltar & on to the Costa del Sol

Cross back over to Spain & visit Gibraltar, an independent colony under British control since 1704. Visit the Rock of Gibraltar, St. Michael's Cave & see the Barbary Apes, legendary guardians of the colony. Later, take the scenic route along the Costa del Sol through exclusive resorts where the Mediterranean's most expensive yachts are moored.

{tab Day 15}

Free Time on the Costa del Sol

Enjoy a free day on the Costa del Sol. Relax by the blue Mediterranean waters, stroll along the promenade or savour the specialities in the local restaurants.

Drive to Mijas & on to Granada & the Alhambra Palace

Drive through the green hills above the Costa del Sol to the white-washed village of Mijas. Stroll through the old streets & gardens & take in the views of the coast. Continue to Granada to visit the magnificent Alhambra Palace. See the Lion Court as well as the water gardens of the royal summer residence. In the evening, choose your own personal ambience & cuisine from our Dine-Around selection of restaurants.

{tab Day 17}

Back to Madrid in search of Don Quixote.

Journey northwards through countryside immortalised by Don Quixote. In the wine centre of Valdepeñas, visit one of the ‘bodegas' for a taste. Drive up to the windmills on the ridge above Consuegra for views over the plains of La Mancha. Back in Madrid this evening, bid farewell to your newfound friends with a lively Celebration Dinner at a local restaurant.

Depart Madrid

Departure transfers arrive at Madrid Airport at 07:00, 09:00 & 11:00.

{/tabs}