Discover more than twelve fascinating days the cultural riches of Andalusia, from the Phoenician era to the Roman, Muslim, Jewish and Christian times with this guaranteed departures tour. Visit a large number of fascinating World Heritage sites, such as the Alcazar and Seville Cathedral, the Great Mosque of Cordoba and a view of the Alhambra in Granada. Also, delve into the magic and mysticism of Morocco for eight of the twelve days. Explore the impressive imperial cities of the last kingdom of North Africa and visit the impressive cities of Marrakech, Fes, Rabat and Casablanca.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:
Seville: Discover the charming capital of Andalusia, admire its interesting architecture and learn about its glorious past while visiting the world-famous Plaza de España, the former royal palace, the imposing cathedral, and the lively old Jewish quarter.
Cordoba: Visit a real Spanish treasure with an enchanting past and an inspiring present. Wander around the former Jewish district, explore the old town, and get closer to the spirit of this mediaeval marvel.
Granada: Enjoy a fascinating tour of the historical city of Granada. Admire its architecture, learn about its rich history, and let its mesmerising beauty dazzle you.
Casablanca: Enjoy a tour of this cosmopolitan city and admire the magnificent Hassan II Mosque.
Rabat: Discover the capital’s many attractions, including the Royal Palace, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, the Hassan Tower and the Oudayas Gardens.
Marrakech: Admire the famous Koutoubia Mosque, the beautiful Bahia Palace, the Saadian Tombs and Agdal Garden, and wander through the bustling Jemaa el-Fnaa market.
Day 1: MADRID – CORDOBA – SEVILLE (540 km – 6 Hrs)
Join the group at the meeting point at 8:30 in the morning (Departure from established hotels in Madrid. Please refer to your documentation for detailed departure information). From there, drive southward through the fields of La Mancha, literary antihero Don Quixote’s homeland. After a brief stop at Puerto Lapice, cross through the natural border of Despeñaperros and delve into Andalusia, a region filled with an enormous heritage from a splendorous past. Once in Cordoba, go on an impressive tour that will take you to its mosque and many other sites. Ease your mind and spirit by strolling through the narrow winding streets of the Jewish Quarter. In the afternoon, after a short two-hour ride, reach Seville.
Overnight in Seville
Day 2: SEVILLE
After breakfast at the hotel, head out on a morning panoramic tour of the city. Marvel at the exterior of the second largest cathedral in the Catholic world after St. Peters in Rome, before continuing to explore the Santa Cruz quarter. This charming neighbourhood is a natural setting for “Carmen” and where the myth of “Don Juan” developed. Later visit Maria Luisa Park and Plaza de España. The afternoon is free for you to spend at leisure discovering exclusive views or specific flavours of this lively city. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 3: SEVILLE – RONDA – COSTA DEL SOL (235 Km – 3,5 Hrs)
Recharge your batteries with breakfast at the hotel and then drive south passing by a number of charming typical villages. Reach Ronda and enjoy some free time admiring this town of Celtic origin and the marvelous view it offers of the valley and surrounding mountain range. In the afternoon, continue to the Costa del Sol, one of the most modern and important international tourist areas in this part of Spain.
- Overnight in Costa del Sol.
Day 4: COSTA DEL SOL – FEZ (580 Km – 7,5 Hrs)
Breakfast in the hotel is followed by a delightful drive along the picturesque Costa del Sol until you arrive at Algeciras or Tarifa. There a ferry boat awaits to take you across the waters of the strait of Gibraltar to North Africa. Disembark in Morocco, clear customs and continue by bus via Larache to Fez, the most monumental of all the Imperial Cities. Its University of al-Karaouine, the oldest existing, continually operating university in the world, as well as the largest Islamic sanctuary in Morocco and one of the world’s most important ancient theological schools. Wrap the day up with dinner at the hotel.
Day 5: FEZ
After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a morning city tour of the most ancient and monumental of all the Imperial Cities. Visit some of its most interesting locations, including the seven gates of the Royal Palace, the Jewish Quarter or Mellah, the gate of Bab Bou Jelous and wander through the winding bustling streets of the Medina (‘Old City’), declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The afternoon is free for you to keep exploring this fascinating gem of a city at your leisure. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 6: FEZ – RABAT – MARRAKECH (535 Km – 6,5 Hrs)
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and then drive towards Rabat, the diplomatic and administrative capital of Morocco. Visit the exterior of the Royal Palace, the Mausoleum of Mohamed V and the Hassan Tower. Continue to Marrakech. The drive south through the country takes you through the Atlas Mountains to the capital of the South, located in an extensive oasis between the Atlas Mountains and the pre-desert area. Upon arrival at your hotel in Marrakech, check in and enjoy dinner.
Day 7: MARRAKECH
After breakfast at the hotel, step out into the hustle and bustle of Marrakech to join a city sightseeing tour. Admire the Koutoubia Tower, which twins the famous Giralda tower in Seville. Visit also the Saadines Tombs and the Bay Palace. In the afternoon, enjoy a stroll around the medina, lose yourself in the many souks to be found in the area and feel the magic of Jma El Fna Square, which is packed with fortune tellers, snake tamers, acrobats, dancers… in short, a city centre akin to an open-air theatre that requires the participation of the audience. Make sure to not forget your camera! Then head back to the hotel and enjoy some free time in the afternoon.
Day 8: MARRAKECH
Start the day with breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a day at your leisure to continue enjoying the city. Dinner at the hotel.
Day 9: MARRAKECH – CASABLANCA (245 Km – 3 hrs)
Breakfast at the hotel is followed by a transfer to Casablanca, the cosmopolitan, industrial and economic heart of Morocco. Upon arrival in Casablanca, enjoy a panoramic tour of the largest city in Morocco, taking in some of its most interesting sites, including the exterior of the Hassan II Mosque, Boulevard de la Corniche, United Nations Square and the Habbous and Anfa neighbourhoods, before ending the day with dinner at the hotel.
Day 10: CASABLANCA – COSTA DEL SOL (490 Km – 6 hrs by land / 1 hr by ferry)
After one last breakfast in a Moroccan hotel, the transfer will take you to the pier, where you’ll soon board the ferry to return across the strait of Gibraltar back to Spain. Retrace your steps and drive back up the wonderful Costa del Sol towards the hotel.
- Overnight in Costa del Sol
Day 11: COSTA DEL SOL – GRANADA (140 Km – 2 hrs)
Wake up to breakfast in the hotel before departing towards Granada and its incredible monumental environment, last stronghold of the Moorish Kingdoms up to 1492. Once you set foot in this historical city, visit the world-famous Generalife Gardens that have inspired several authors with its sound and sights, such as the well-known “Tales of the Alhambra” by W. Irving.
Day 12: GRANADA – TOLEDO – MADRID (440 Km – 4,5 Hrs)
Enjoy one last breakfast at the hotel and then drive northward to the impressive Imperial city of Toledo. See it emerge from the horizon and reach for the sky of Castille. Enveloped in the embrace of the Tagus River, this UNESCO-listed World Heritage City was once the home of members of the three Abrahamic religions: Christians, Muslims and Jews. A mélange of Spanish art, history and spirituality, the whole town is a National Monument. Join a guided tour of this historical town and lose yourself in the beauty of its narrow streets. Then wrap up the tour with a visit to a famous factory of “Damasquinado” (gold and silver inlaying in iron). Continue then to Madrid, where the tour reaches its conclusion.
Comfortable and light clothing is the most suitable for travelling in Spain. Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or skimpy clothing when visiting temples, religious or official buildings. Sun protection, sunglasses, a hat and mosquito repellent in summer can be very useful during your stay.
