Treasures of Morocco & Highlights of Spain & Gibraltar

Regional departure by coach or Door-to-Door service, then to Portsmouth/Plymouth for the overnight crossing to Santander.

Please note: When you board the ferry at Portsmouth/Plymouth you will require a small overnight bag containing any essential items such as medication. Please note that this small bag (no larger than a small rucksack) is counted as part of your overall luggage allowance.

Evening arrival in Santander, then onwards to Salamanca for an overnight stay.

We head first to Seville, the capital of Spain’s Andalucia region. The city is a historical marvel, with its Baroque churches, quaint medieval streets and the breathtaking Plaza de España, built in 1929 for the Ibero-American exposition of Seville.

After a brief visit to Seville we continue to the Costa del Sol for a two-night stay.

Today, why not enjoy our optional excursion to Gibraltar, located near the southernmost tip of the Iberian Peninsula overlooking the Strait of Gibraltar.

Quintessentially British, with red post boxes, pubs and fish and chip shops, Gibraltar is like a little piece of home, with the benefits of the southern European climate. Affectionately known as ‘The Rock’, Gibraltar doesn’t just boast some fantastic views, especially from the highest point on Rock of Gibraltar, but it also offers some fantastic shopping opportunities taking advantage of the tax-free status.

Why not take a cable car up to Gibraltar’s Nature Reserve, visit the Moorish castle or take time to meet the local Barbary macaques, Gibraltar’s famous apes.

An early start this morning, as we head to the port of Algeciras or Tarifa for the ferry across the Straits of Gibraltar to Morocco.

We disembark in the port of Tangiers where we are met by our Moroccan guide. We continue through the Rif Mountains for an insight into the lives of the Rif people, whose blue-and-white-washed houses with red tiled sloping roofs, nestle peacefully on the slopes of the Rif mountain range.

We call briefly at Meknes, one of Morocco’s most beautiful imperial cities, before continuing to Fez for two nights.

Please note: Due to local border control restrictions, all luggage will be removed from the vehicle prior to boarding. Please note that the port/border authorities will require you to be able to lift your luggage onto an x-ray machine, and carry your own luggage through the border and onto the ferry. It is imperative that you are able to lift, and also carry/wheel your own luggage, as trolleys are not widely available.

Today is dedicated to exploring the city of Fez, also known as ‘The Athens of Africa’, a charming city, bursting with history and culture.

We begin our look at this fascinating city in the Old Medina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was founded in the 9th century before moving on to the Andalusian and the Karaouine Quarter, with its dyers, tanners and artisans working in the style of their forefathers.

Later we also take in the Mellah, or Jewish Quarter, with its old cemetery and the Royal Palace. The Mellah is a fascinating, and moving insight into historical Fez.

Fez was once the thriving capital of Morocco, and whilst the power and significance may have slipped away from the city, life has almost stayed the same for centuries in this medieval city, making it a truly fascinating day.

We start our journey south today and head for the best known of the Imperial cities, Marrakech, for a two-night stay.

A full day today to explore Marrakech, nicknamed the ‘Red City’, due to the colour of its rammed earth ramparts and of its monuments and houses.

This morning, our included tour of the city takes in some of the sights and monuments that make Marrakech so famous – a reminder of its incredible and turbulent past. Our English-speaking guide will take you into the Medina, a labyrinth of small streets and alleyways. The air is filled with shops and stalls selling everything imaginable, with an aroma of saffron and orange blossom among sacks of almonds piled high as mountains!

The Menara, surrounded by magnificent gardens, is probably the most peaceful place in Marrakech, its tranquil waters and the snow-capped mountains in the background make it a perfect setting for those holiday snapshots.

We will also see the 19th century Bahia Palace (if the King is not in residence), which was built over a period of six years at public expense. The palace belonged to Bou Ahmed, chamberlain to Sultan Abdelaziz. It was here in the palace that Bou Ahmed resided with his four wives. The palace is named in honour of his favourite!

Your day is complete with a visit to the famous Djemma El Fna square, with its fortune tellers, dancers, snake charmers and water sellers. This square really is the heart of Marrakech. You will have time to wander around or just sit in one of the roof-top cafés surrounding the square.

Enjoy this incredible picture-postcard setting – a living theatre with the Atlas Mountains as a backdrop, before returning to our hotel. We take dinner tonight at the fabulous Chez Ali Fantasia where troupes of folklore artists entertain you during dinner then the spectacle continues with charging horsemen firing their rifles into the air whilst pulling their horses to a halt – a tribal display of strength.

We leave Marrakech and head to Casablanca for one night.

Today, we will spend the morning in Casablanca, oozing with fascinating architecture, this is a capital city with real substance.

A perfect mix between old-world charm and the 21st century, it’s the cosmopolitan and economic heart of Morocco. We will spend time exploring the charms this grand city has to offer, with time to visit the magnificent Hassan II Mosque.

We later head to Rabat, the Imperial Capital, where we visit the Mausoleum of Mohamed V, Tour Hassan and the Oudayas.

Following our time in Rabat, we continue on to Tangier for a brief orientation tour and overnight stay.

We head to the port this morning for the ferry to Spain, as we bid farewell to Morocco. Our journey continues by coach to Granada, Spain, where we stay for two nights.

Please note: Due to local border control restrictions, all luggage will be removed from the vehicle prior to boarding. Please note that the port/border authorities will require you to be able to lift your luggage onto an x-ray machine, and carry your own luggage through the border and onto the ferry. It is imperative that you are able to lift, and also carry/wheel your own luggage, as trolleys are not widely available.

Today we visit the old city of Granada, a true delight to explore.

The peaks of the Sierra Nevada are dusted with snow most of the year round. The world-famous *Alhambra Palace with its grand red walls, started in the 11th century, is the ‘must-see’ in Andalucia.

A visit to the Alhambra Palace and its gardens is highly recommended and extremely popular and must be booked in advance. The cost is from £55pp and includes a fully guided tour. Please ask for details when booking this holiday.

We leave Granada and travel north through the heart of Spain to later reach our hotel in the Madrid area for two nights.

Today we have time to enjoy the Spanish capital, Madrid, a truly cosmopolitan city with a wealth of cultural attractions. Madrid lies in the heart of the country, 646 metres above sea level, making it the highest elevated capital city in Europe.

To enhance your time in the city, why not join our optional guided walking tour? Our tour will allow you to discover many highlights of the city, including the famous Salamanca quarter, with its exclusive boutiques and embassies.

We also discover the Borbones Quarter, with its many museums, Jardin del Retiro, the House of Parliament, and the Asturias Quarter, which is home to the superb Royal Palace of Madrid (Palacio Real de Madrid), the official residence of the King and Queen of Spain.

Our guide will also help us discover 21st century Madrid with the New Parliament, 4 towers, and Stadium Santiago Bernabeu.

We leave Madrid this morning and head in a north easterly direction and later cross the French border. We stay overnight in the Biarritz/Ciboure area.

We head north through France to reach our overnight hotel in the Paris area.

We leave our hotel this morning and commence our return journey home.