Madrid and Magical Morocco

Welcome to Madrid! Upon arrival at the airport, we’ll be ready to transfer you to your hotel. You’ll have some free time until the tour begins. Please check the information signs in the hotel reception area for details about the welcome meeting with your guide and fellow travelers.In the evening, we’ll provide a transfer to Plaza Mayor and La Latina, Madrid’s most famous neighborhood for nightlife and tapas restaurants. You can choose to dine at a restaurant of your preference—options include Indian, Chinese, Spanish, and Middle Eastern cuisines.

The morning will begin with a comprehensive tour of central Madrid, featuring highlights like Paseo del Prado, Cibeles, Neptuno, Puerta de Alcalá, Plaza de Colón, and Plaza Mayor. We’ll then visit Retiro Park, a beautiful oasis in the city center, where we’ll see the lake and the Palacio de Cristal. Admission is included to the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, the home of Real Madrid—considered by many to be the best football club in the world. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon at your leisure. In the evening, we’ll provide a return transfer to the hotel.

We will depart from Madrid early in the morning, heading south through La Mancha. Our first stop will be in Puerto Lápice, a charming Manchego village evocative of Don Quixote. We will then continue into Andalusia via Despeñaperros, arriving in Granada, where lunch will be included. In the afternoon, if you have chosen the option that includes a visit to the Alhambra, we will explore the magnificent Alhambra Palace and its beautiful Generalife Gardens, both built during the Arab period, with a local guide.VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: The number of visitors allowed into the Alhambra is strictly regulated by law. To ensure your admission, tickets will be issued upon confirming your tour reservation. It´s essential to provide accurate personal details (full name and passport/ID number) at the time of booking. Please be aware that ticket costs are non-refundable in case of cancellation. In rare cases where the Alhambra visit is not possible, we will instead tour the Royal Alcázar of Seville, which offers similar historical and architectural significance.

Departing from Granada, we´ll traverse the Costa del Sol. Upon reaching Algeciras or Tarifa, we´ll board a modern ferry to cross the Strait of Gibraltar (tickets included). Passengers will need to carry their own luggage as the bus typically does not make the crossing. Upon arrival in Morocco, we´ll journey through breathtaking landscapes. Our first stop will be Asilah, a charming walled city nestled on the Atlantic coast, once a historic port and pirate stronghold, now bustling with vibrant life. There will be time for lunch before we head to Rabat. Upon arrival in Rabat, dinner will be included.

We’ll go on a panoramic tour of Rabat to visit the immense Royal Palace, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V and the mighty Kasbah of the Udayas. At midday, we’ll head to Casablanca, where we’ll go on a short city tour with a local guide. The tour will include a visit to the exterior of one of the most important mosques in the Arab world, the magnificent Hassan II Mosque. Later, we’ll go to Marrakech. After arriving at the hotel, you will be able to experience a traditional horse-drawn carriage ride up to the famous Jemaa el-Fnaa square. Dinner will be included.

Today, we´ll explore one of the most fascinating places in the world, the city that gave Morocco its name. Our city tour will take us through its strong walls, the bustling Jemaa el-Fnaa square, the Medina, the Koutoubia Mosque, and the Bahia Palace (tickets included). Afterward, you´ll have free time for lunch (included) and to relax by the pool or in the hotel garden, or to shop in the souks. In the evening, you can join the Fantasy Party, an optional excursion offered by Europamundo.

We’ll set out to cross the Atlas Mountains, where lofty peaks often covered in snow bid us farewell as we leave the palm groves of Marrakech. You’ll see small Berber villages clinging to the edges of deep gorges. Our journey includes a stop at the fortified village of Ait Benhaddou, renowned for its appearances in numerous movies. As we travel through landscapes reminiscent of biblical scenes, we´ll pause in Ouarzazate, known for its impressive Kasbah. Continuing through the Valley of Roses, we´ll reach Boumalne Dades where dinner will be included. Note: Occasionally in winter, roads may close due to snowdrifts. If necessary, this part of the itinerary will be rescheduled according to our alternative plan. (Access to the Sahara Desert depends on road conditions).

Embark on an exhilarating journey through the Sahara Desert: traverse the Valley of the Kasbahs, river valleys surrounded by thousands of palm trees, rocky plains merging into lush oases and adobe villages, and formidable fortresses guarding ancient thoroughfares. Our visit includes the awe-inspiring Todgha Gorge, a majestic canyon with towering walls rising more than 100 meters on both sides. En route, we´ll stop at a small adobe town near Khorbat, where you can learn about the desert community supported by the Europamundo Foundation (access may be affected by weather conditions such as river flooding). We’ll proceed towards Erfoud. For those interested, an off-road excursion to the Sahara Desert sand dunes offers a breathtaking sunset experience. Lunch will be included.

We’ll depart early from Erfoud, crossing the Atlas Mountains amidst impressive gorges and stunning landscapes. We´ll traverse a high, cold plateau inhabited by nomadic shepherds. Our first stop will be in Midelt, located at the heart of this region. After lunch, we´ll continue our journey towards the Middle Atlas, where the scenery changes dramatically to a region characterized by forests and frequent winter snowfall. Near Azrou, in the National Park, we´ll visit "The House of Cedars", a small museum providing insights into the region. Here, we´ll also see the colonies of monkeys that inhabit the area. We’ll continue to Bahlil, a small and quiet village home to Berbers of the Middle Atlas. Its old center is very picturesque, with colorful streets. Traditionally, the population lived in caves, which have now been integrated into the houses. Continuing onward, we´ll head to Fez. Before reaching our hotel, we´ll take in the panoramic view of the city from the Marinid Tombs. Dinner will be provided.

We’ll go on a tour of Fez, entering through the Bronze Gates of the Royal Palace and exploring the Jewish quarter, its lively souks, and the Tanners´ Quarter. The cultural capital of the country is renowned for its impressive Medina, which preserves the traditional Arab atmosphere like no other. We’ll conclude our visit with an included lunch at a historic palace in the Medina. In the afternoon, we’ll journey north through Morocco on a modern highway, reaching Tangier by evening. Dinner will be included.

Free time in Tangier – do you feel like doing some last-minute shopping? We’ll take a ferry back to Spain. The bus will not be on board, so each passenger must take their luggage on the ferry. We’ll arrive in Algeciras or Tarifa and continue to Seville. Arrival will be in the evening.

In the morning, we´ll embark on a city tour of Seville, where you´ll visit the cathedral with its famous Giralda, explore the banks of the Guadalquivir River, and wander through the popular neighborhoods of Santa Cruz and Triana. After the tour, enjoy a relaxing boat ride on the Guadalquivir River offering stunning panoramic views (included). In the evening, you´ll have the option to attend a popular flamenco tablao.

We’ll leave Seville, following the Guadalquivir Valley to Córdoba. We’ll visit its great Mosque-Cathedral with a local guide (tickets included), walk through the old neighborhood with its famous patios full of flowers, and enter the Old Synagogue (tickets included). After lunch, we’ll leave for Castilian lands. We’ll make a stop in Consuegra, where 12 giant windmills next to the castle overlook the La Mancha plain. We’ll visit the Rucio Mill (tickets included) and head to Madrid at the end of the day.

After breakfast, our journey will come to an end, leaving you with wonderful lasting memories.