Highlights of Spain, Portugal & Morocco

Our trip begins in Lisbon, founded on seven hills overlooking the estuary of the River Tagus, the city became the capital of Portugal after its conquest from the Moors in 1147. As Portugal built a global empire from the 15th century onwards, Lisbon became the hub of international trade and the heart of this maritime Golden Age of discovery, reflected in the monumental architecture. A devastating earthquake and resulting tsunami almost totally destroyed the capital in 1755 and therefore Lisbon appears as a carefully planned 18th century city.



The tour leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 6pm for the welcome meeting and, slightly later, our first group dinner to get to know your fellow travellers.



If you would like to receive a complimentary airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Lisbon Portela Airport (LIS). If you are booking your own flights, we recommend giving yourself at least one hour to clear the airport. From the airport to the hotel is around a 20 minute drive, so therefore the latest your flight can arrive is 4.30pm.



There are no included excursions today and if you miss the welcome meeting, your tour leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up.

Our morning walking tour takes us through some of the different bairros (neighbourhoods) of Lisbon as an introduction to this great city. Built on seven hills, you can see the typical trams negotiate the undulations of Lisbon's cobbled streets, and the varied and interesting buildings while intricately painted Portuguese tiles throughout the city never fail to impress. We walk up Alfama Hill and enjoy the views across the River Tagus from the Miradouro de Graca viewpoint before continuing our walk, passing under the Arco da Ragusta to the Mercado da Ribeira (Time Out market). Jumping on a local ferry we head across the Tagus to Cacilhas. As a working port Cacilhas has many restaurants serving a fish or seafood lunch, and offers excellent views back across to Lisbon proper.



The afternoon has been left free for further exploration of Lisbon. If you want to head out of the city, you may choose to take a metro to Lisbon's Rossio Station for the short train ride to the hills and palaces of Sintra - inspiration to poets, artists and travellers alike. Originally started as a summer escape from the heat of Lisbon, royalty built palaces and gardens in the lush hills of Sintra and the aristocracy followed. Highlights include King Ferdinand II's Pena Palace or the Quinta Regaleira with its ornate Gothic facade and enchanting gardens.



In the evening there is the option to see a live performance of traditional 'Fado' music for those interested. Stemming from the word 'fate', the music of Fado can be deeply personal in its expression. Said to have been born from the songs of African slaves, the sentiments behind this soulful music are deeply linked to the heritage and hearts of the people, and as such is quintessentially Portuguese. Enjoying this performance after dinner we come a little closer to feeling a sense of 'saudade', a sentiment of nostalgia which, it is said, only the Portuguese truly understand.

Toady we head north along the Atlantic coast to Porto, making several stops along the way.



Obidos is considered to be one of the most picturesque and well preserved medieval towns in Portugal. The town prospered after becoming part of the royal estate from the 13th century and within the walls you can visit the castle and lose yourself in the maze of narrow streets and little squares with fine examples of religious and civil architecture from the town's golden days. In the course of the morning we will try Ginjinha, a local liqueur made from sour cherries, which is an acquired taste.



Heading to the coast, the seaside town of Nazare has become famous among surfers for its monster waves, some of the biggest in Europe. Created by a trench close to shore, that can reach over 20 metres in height in the winter months when conditions are right. There will be time to have lunch here and walk to the Fort of Sao Miguel Arcanjo to watch the waves roll in.



We reach Porto later this afternoon. Portugal's second largest city after Lisbon, Porto offers visitors a range of architectural and cultural attractions. This evening you might like to visit the nearby city of Matosinhos where you can sample a barbequed fish dinner on the seafront.

This morning our tour leader will take us on a two hour walking tour of colourful Porto. We'll stroll down the cobbled streets to Cais da Ribeira - undoubtedly the most picturesque spot. This characterful quayside is dominated by the tall outline of the two tiered Dom Luis I Bridge, built in 1886 by an assistant of Gustave Eiffel. Here, ancient houses with laundry-draped balconies stand high above the waterfront looking out over the river, where several old boats lie moored at the water's edge. Despite the decline in the use of this harbour, with its fish market and restaurants, it continues to have character and bustle reminiscent of its lively past. Following our tour we include a visit to a port lodge. The history and processes involved in making these white, ruby and tawny delicacies are most interesting, and we'll get to enjoy a port tasting.



After lunch we board the local train for the scenic two hour journey snaking along the Douro Valley to Peso da Regua where we spend the night. The Douro Valley is the oldest demarcated wine region in the world, a UNESCO protected site. Later this afternoon there will also be the opportunity to join a boat trip from Regua or nearby Pinhao for around one hour along the Douro River to take in the views along the valley with its vineyards set on terraced hillsides.

Today we drive for around three hours across the border into Spain and the beautiful, ancient university town of Salamanca.



After checking in to the hotel our tour leader will take us on a two hour walking tour of the old town to take in this remarkable collection of honey-hued sandstone buildings including the beautiful main square, Plaza Mayor, the Casa de las Conchas (House of Shells) and the Old and New Cathedrals, showcasing a mixture of architectural styles from Romanesque to Gothic and Baroque.



The rest of the day is left free for further exploration at your own pace, to enjoy a stroll through the narrow streets of the old town perhaps, or to relax outside one of the cafes in the main square. Tonight's 4-star hotel is situated on the banks of the Tormes river, next to the Roman Bridge and within easy walking distance of Salamanca's historical centre, restaurants and bars. The beautiful building offers a comfortable base with well equipped and sized rooms and breakfast can be taken in the courtyard (weather allowing).

Today we drive to Madrid, along the way we stop at Avila to view the spectacular, intact, medieval city walls and visit the stunning UNESCO World Heritage historic city of Segovia, with its huge 1st century Roman Aqueduct and Disney-like Alcazar Fortress.



We'll have an orientation walk with our tour leader followed by free time for lunch. The upper old town stands on a hill protected by ancient walls, all centred around the Plaza Mayor and 16th century Gothic cathedral. The magnificent and perfectly intact Roman aqueduct is the defining feature of the city, spanning 17 kilometres, made up of 166 arches and reaching a height of 28 metres as it meets the old citadel. The Alcazar stands proudly at far end of the old town and its fairy-tale like design apparently inspired Disney.



Later this afternoon we drive on to Madrid and our hotel where we spend the next two nights.

This morning we head out for a walking tour (approx. 5 kilometres) of Spain's busy capital city and the third largest city in the European Union after London and Berlin. Located on the tiny Manzanares River, Madrid has its share of historic sights, great architecture, nightlife, fine dining, culture and shopping.



We begin walking to Plaza Espana, the heart of the city featuring a monument to Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, continuing to the striking Templo Debod, an ancient Egyptian temple which was dismantled and rebuilt block by block here. We walk through Madrid's most historic neighbourhood, Barrio de los Austrias, making a stop for coffee near the impressive Palacio Real and find out about the art of churro making. These fried dough sticks are deliciously crispy yet soft on the inside, they are normally eaten for breakfast dipped in hot chocolate or coffee.



Our next stop is the Mercado de San Miguel, Madrid's gourmet market bursting with stalls. After sampling some regional specialities we head just next door to the beautiful Plaza Mayor, a large square framed by slate roofed red-brick buildings. The morning finishes with one of the best views over Madrid from the terrace at the Circulo de Bellas Artes.



The afternoon is left free, with the option to extend the walking tour with the tour leader to discover Madrid's art neighbourhoods and visit the vast 19th century El Retiro Park.

Today we travel to Cordoba by train. Standing on the banks of the Guadalquivir river, Cordoba was one of the most sophisticated Moorish cities and is for many, the most beautiful city in Spain. The Moors established themselves in Cordoba as early as 719 AD, and before that the Romans had left their own mark here. Cordoba has a wealth of treasures locked away in its back streets with secluded patios tucked behind delicate iron grills. The medieval synagogues in Cordoba and Toledo are the only two which remain in Spain today and Cordoba synagogue dates back to the 14th century.



This afternoon we visit the renowned Mosque (Mezquita), an extraordinary and unique building where history has superimposed two faiths and erected two oratories on the one site (local guide optional). The early massive structure dates back to the 8th century, its roof supported by a forest of 850 coloured columns. Its jewel is the gleaming and superbly decorated Mihrab, which has survived in its original state. After reconquista the Catholic king was so impressed, instead of ordering its destruction he ordered a church to be built inside instead.



Continuing our journey by bus we make a stop at the pretty white-washed town of Carmona. We will take a short orientation walk, admiring the Moorish buildings and the Alcázar del Rey Don Pedro, it is possible to go up the tower for views over the town. Drive onto Seville to arrive in the late afternoon. The capital of Andalucia is one of Spain's finest and most beautiful cities, built on the wealth of New World trade and plunder. This evening we take a stroll across the Guadalquivir River to Triana, the centre of Seville's ceramic production and home to some of the best tapas bars, our tour leader will guide us to small eateries for delicious dinner options.

The capital of Andalucia is one of Spain's finest and most beautiful cities, built on the wealth of New World trade and plunder.



We'll spend the morning walking through the city, exploring the former Jewish Quarter, and following winding narrow backstreets leading to Mudejar palaces (a blend of Christian and Moorish styles) and baroque churches.



The afternoon is left free to explore Seville at your own pace. You might like to visit the stunning Alcázar Palace and the city's Gothic Cathedral, one of the largest in the world. Its bell tower was once the minaret of the Almohad great mosque, so impressive that the Christians incorporated it into their building. Other attractions include the General Archive of the Indias, Plaza de San Francisco, Casa Pilatos or Maria Luisa park. In the evening we suggest you take in some traditional flamenco music and dancing (optional).

This morning we drive to Jerez de la Frontera, home to some of the world's finest sherry producers. Our tour leader will guide us to a traditional bodega to sample some of the famous fortified wine. The popular local way to drink sherry is in a cocktail called 'rebujito' mixing dry Fino sherry with lemonade.



Our final stop in Spain is Tarifa on the southernmost point, a laid-back historic seafront town and the kitesurfing capital of Europe. The afternoon is free for you to enjoy the beautiful sandy beaches of Playa de Los and Playa de Lances and wander the pretty streets of the old town.

This morning we transfer to the ferry port where we will say goodbye to our Spanish local leader and catch the morning ferry across the Straits of Gibraltar to Tangier in Morocco.



On arrival in Tangier, we will head out with our leader to immerse ourselves in the vibrancy and heady atmosphere of a Moroccan medina. We'll be guided through the network of narrow streets that make up the medina on foot before driving up into the Rif Mountains, arriving in Chefchaouen.



Chefchaouen is one of the most charming towns in Morocco; an engaging mix of blue painted houses, bazaars and red tiled rooftops. We will take a short orientation walk from the hotel through the car-free lanes of the medina to Outa Lahmam square where there are local restaurants. This afternoon we will take a walk, passing locals and their livestock, up to the ruined Spanish mosque set on a hill overlooking Chefchaouen. The four kilometre walk is expected to take around one-and-a-half hours.

Today we take the public bus, a four-and-a-half hour journey, crossing the Rif Mountains to Fes. Fes is the cultural capital and the oldest of Morocco's imperial cities, home to the world's oldest university and certainly boasts the most well-preserved medieval quarter in the Arab world.



As with many Moroccan cities, Fes is divided into old and new. This evening we take a short food tour in Fes el Bali (Old Fes). We'll wander through the market lanes to Bab Boujloud, the ornate city gate. The smells of freshly cooked baghrir, or Berber pancakes will tempt and there will be a chance to try Harira soup, a tasty broth made from chickpeas, tomatoes and Moroccan spices.

This morning we explore the bustling souks and tanneries of Old Fes and see the Royal Palace and Merenid Tombs of New Fes by bus and on foot. Entrance inside the Royal Palace is not allowed, however, the seven grand golden gates make the visit worthwhile. Beautifully intricate and framed by traditional Zellige tiles, the gates give a hint to how ornate the inside of the palace must be and are a great place to take a photo that captures the essence of Fes. The Merenid Tombs are perched on a hill above Fes and although there is little known history about the tombs themselves it's believed they date back to the 14th century. While the ruins are a point of interest, the elevated viewpoint is the highlight, offering sweeping views to the city below, and with help of our tour leader we should be able to make out the different parts of the city.



After lunch we board the train to Marrakech, a seven-and-a-half hour journey through the heart of Morocco. Arriving around 8pm there will be the opportunity this evening to visit Jamaa El Fna Square. By night Marrakech comes alive and no trip to the city is complete without a visit to the celebrated Djemma el Fna Square, a spectacle not to be missed with many street performers it's reminiscent of a scene straight out of the pages of Arabian Nights.

Marrakech is a feast for the senses. Like many North African towns, Marrakech is divided into two distinct parts; Gueliz, the more modern French-influenced area and the Medina, the old city. It has always been a meeting place for the mountain Berbers and the desert peoples of the South and the colourful souks perfectly illustrate this fact.



This morning a local guide will take us for a walking tour of the old city. Taking a closer look at the maze of narrow streets filled with the sounds, colours and smells of the exotic and an opportunity to visit the iconic Koutoubia Tower.



After a morning of sightseeing, we'll stop in time for lunch and the rest of the day will be free. This afternoon you could visit the Majorelle Gardens including the Museum of Islamic Art a short taxi ride away.



Tonight we enjoy dinner in a rooftop Moroccan restaurant to celebrate the end of our journey.

The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Marrakech.



There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart from Marrakech at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you would like to receive a complimentary airport transfer today, you need to depart from Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK).



Depending on the schedule of your flights, you may have some additional time to wander in the souks of Marrakech or buy your last souvenirs before departure.