Highlights of Iberia & Morocco

We will be collected at the airport and transferred to our hotel. Join our tour leader for an included Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant across the Tagus River and take the chance to get to know our fellow travellers.

After breakfast, we embark on a morning city tour of ancient Olissipo (Lisbon). Drive through its main squares and avenues, taking in sights such as the Belem Tower, Jeronimo's Monastery, the Monument to the Discoverers, the Marquis of Pombal Square, and Liberty Avenue.

Spend the afternoon at leisure exploring the nostalgic corners of the Alfama Quarter. This historic area, nestled beside the Castle, features old buildings lining narrow, winding streets, vibrant with colour and home to authentic tavernas. Enjoy the rest of the day at your own pace, savouring the charm and splendour of this magnificent city.

Lisbon - Montemor - Evora. Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before departing Lisbon for Montemor-o-Novo, a charming town celebrated for its rich history and stunning natural surroundings. Known for its vineyards and wineries, Montemor-o-Novo offers a delightful visit to a local winery, where you can taste the region's exquisite wines at an included tasting.

Following this, we continue our journey to Evora, a UNESCO World Heritage site famed for its well-preserved medieval architecture and historical importance. Accompanied by a local guide, we will explore several notable landmarks, including the impressive Roman Temple, the hauntingly beautiful Chapel of Bones (with entrance included), and the grand Evora Cathedral.

As we stroll through the picturesque streets, lined with whitewashed houses and vibrant squares, take in the unique atmosphere of this enchanting city.

Evora - Tomar - Coimbra. After breakfast at the hotel we head for Tomar, a city steeped in history and mystery. Here, we will uncover its rich heritage as a former stronghold of the Knights Templar. See the Convent of Christ, a UNESCO World Heritage site famed for its stunning Manueline architecture and intricate details. Enjoy some free time to meander through the ancient streets, visit historic churches, and immerse in the captivating tales of this enchanting town.

Next, we journey to Coimbra, where we will meet our local guide for a tour of this historic city. Known for its prestigious university, one of the oldest in Europe, Coimbra boasts charming medieval streets and a beautiful riverfront. As we explore, take in the vibrant atmosphere and appreciate the city's significant cultural and academic heritage.

Coimbra - Aveiro - Porto. After breakfast at the hotel, we depart for Aveiro, known for its picturesque canals, earning it the nickname "The Venice of Portugal." Enjoy a ride on a moliceiro, a traditional colourful boat, as it navigates Aveiro's charming waterways.

We then proceed to Porto, where our first stop is the "Porto Across the Ages" museum. Here, we will embark on a captivating journey through Porto's rich history, from its medieval origins to its contemporary splendour. Interactive exhibits and multimedia displays vividly bring the past to life, offering a deep insight into the city's evolution and cultural heritage.

Following the museum visit, we will tour one of Porto's renowned wine cellars. Learn about the intricate process of port wine production and discover the unique characteristics that make these wines world-famous. The tour culminates in a tasting session, where we can savour a selection of fine port wines, appreciating their complex flavours and aromas.

After breakfast at the hotel, we embark on a guided sightseeing tour of Porto. Marvel at the Cathedral, the Stock Exchange building, and the Santa Clara Church. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure.

This evening, we enjoy a traditional Fado show with dinner, offering a perfect opportunity to share this cultural experience with your fellow travellers.

Porto - Batalha - Obidos - Lisbon. After breakfast at the hotel, we depart for the Batalha Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a stunning example of Gothic and Manueline architecture. After some leisure time, continue to Obidos, a charming medieval town known for its well-preserved castle, narrow cobblestone streets, whitewashed houses adorned with colourful flowers, and traditional tile work. The town is encircled by 14th-century walls, offering panoramic views of the countryside. Finally, head to Lisbon, where we enjoy a typical dinner at a local restaurant.

Lisbon - Merida - Cordoba. After breakfast at the hotel, we depart for Merida, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its well-preserved Roman ruins, including the Roman Theatre and Amphitheatre. Explore its rich historical heritage before continuing to Cordoba, the former capital of the Caliphate.

Cordoba - Seville. After breakfast at the hotel, we embark on a guided tour of Cordoba's magnificent Mosque (entrance included) and other significant sites. Wander through the narrow, winding streets of the Jewish Quarter with an expert local guide. In the afternoon, we journey onward to Seville. This evening, we experience authentic Andalusian cuisine at a local restaurant, enjoying dinner with your fellow travellers.

After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a morning city tour of Seville with a local guide. We visit the Cathedral, the second largest in the Catholic world after St. Peter's in Rome. Explore the Santa Cruz quarter, known for its connection to Carmen and the myth of Don Juan. Continue to Maria Luisa Park and Plaza de Espana. Spend the afternoon at your leisure, soaking in the vibrant atmosphere of Seville.

Seville - Jerez - Ronda. After breakfast, we travel south through Andalusian villages to Jerez, where we will experience two key aspects of the Andalusian soul: wine and horses. We will visit the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art and enjoy a wine tasting at a renowned local winery. Next, we head to Ronda, where we will tour an olive oil production facility at LA Organic and sample their organic olive oil. The rest of the day is ours to explore the hidden gems of Ronda.

Ronda - Gibraltar (UK) - Algeciras - Tangier (Morocco) - Tetouan. After breakfast at the hotel, we depart from Ronda for Gibraltar, with free time to explore the British territory. We continue to Algeciras to catch the ferry to Tangier. Upon reaching Tangier, our first contact with Morocco, we transfer to Tetouan, known as "The White Dove," where we will explore the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Medina. Dinner is included tonight.

Tetouan - Chefchaouen - Fes. After breakfast, we enjoy a panoramic tour of Tetouan’s key sights before heading to Chefchaouen, renowned as the Blue City for its distinctive blue-painted houses and streets. On arrival, we explore the city, including the Uta El Hammam square, with free time for shopping and lunch. We then depart for Fes, crossing the Rif Mountain range, and arrive in the late afternoon. Dinner will be served at the hotel.

After breakfast, we embark on a comprehensive tour of Fes, Morocco's spiritual capital and one of the Four Imperial Capitals, founded in the 8th century by Idriss II. Our exploration includes the grand gates of the Royal Palace, the historic Jewish quarter, and a fortress that provides panoramic views of Fes el Bali, the ancient medina.

Our walking tour will take us to the famed Bab Bou Jeloud gate and we’ll traverse a maze of narrow, winding alleys, where the rich aromas and vibrant flavours of the bustling souks offer a sensory journey through this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Our next stop is a local palace where we’ll participate in a hands-on cooking class, learning how to prepare traditional Moroccan couscous. We’ll assist the chefs in crafting this quintessential dish and then savour our efforts over lunch at the palace.

In the afternoon, we visit nearby vineyards for a wine tasting session, where we can sample and appreciate the region’s finest wines. Enjoy dinner at the hotel

Fes - Casablanca - Marrakech. After breakfast, we set off for Marrakech, stopping enroute in Casablanca for a leisurely lunch (not included) and a chance to explore the city. Our tour includes the bustling United Nations Square, the charming Habous Quarter with its traditional architecture, and a view of the grand Hassan II Mosque, one of the largest mosques in the world. We continue our journey and arrive in Marrakech in the late afternoon. Dinner is included at the hotel.

After breakfast, we embark on a city tour of Marrakech. We start at the grand Menara Gardens, renowned for its picturesque pavilion and extensive olive groves. Next, we visit the exterior of the Koutoubia Minaret, which mirrors Seville's Giralda.

We then explore the historic Dar el Bacha Museum, noted for its stunning architecture. Our tour continues to Djemaa el Fnaa square, the city's pulsating heart, from where we can access the bustling souks and medina.

In the afternoon, we visit various artisan guilds, including woodworkers, potters, tanners, and spice merchants. We also experience a traditional tea ceremony at a riad in the medina, where we’ll learn to prepare this essential Moroccan beverage, deeply embedded in the country's culture.

Marrakech - Rabat. After breakfast, we depart early for Rabat, capital of Morocco. During our sightseeing, we take in the Royal Palace gates, the Mohamed V Mausoleum, and the Hassan Tower, as well as other key sights of Morocco's capital.

Rabat - Tangier - Tarifa (Spain) - Malaga. After breakfast, we depart for Tangier. Upon arrival, we enjoy a panoramic tour of Cape Spartel, the palace route, and the historic Kasbah, which once defended the city from pirate attacks. We then transfer to Tangier port for a fast catamaran back to the Spanish town of Tarifa. Our journey then continues to the coastal city of Malaga.

Malaga - Granada. After breakfast, we explore Malaga, delving into its rich history from Roman times, with its impressive theatre, to the Arab era, including the Alcazaba and the Gibralfaro Castle. We then travel to Granada, nestled at the foot of the Sierra Nevada between the Darro and Genil rivers, a gem of Andalusia.

In Granada, we’ll have the opportunity to learn flamenco dancing before enjoying a dinner with a flamenco show at one of the city's traditional venues. After dinner, you can take in the stunning views of Granada from one of its scenic viewpoints.

Granada - Madrid. After breakfast at the hotel, we visit the renowned Alhambra complex and Generalife Gardens with a local guide (entrance included). We then travel to Madrid, where we will gather with our fellow travellers for dinner.

After breakfast at the hotel, we embark on a guided city tour with a local guide. We take in the historic Barrio de la Moreria, the Habsburg District, Plaza Mayor, and Plaza de la Villa, as well as the Madrid of the Bourbons, including the Royal Palace, and the iconic Cibeles and Neptuno Fountains. We also see the Puerta de Alcala and the modern areas of Gran Via, Castellana, and Salamanca, along with the Santiago Bernabeu Football Stadium. During our tour, we’ll also get to sample traditional chocolate with churros. The afternoon is free for you to continue discovering the city's many attractions.

Tuck into a final breakfast in the hotel before our tour comes to an end. There is an included transfer to the airport.