Day 1. Arrival and Overnight in Madrid

After your Madrid arrival, there is a brief introduction of the city, covering the capital's main monuments, famous mudejar bull ring, and Plaza de Todos de Las Ventas. On Castellana Main Avenue, you'll see Madrid's main parks, buildings, museums and football stadium, amongst other things. Driving past the Presidential Residence in La Moncloa, we will stop at the city's historical center to visit the Royal Palace, Catedral de la Almudena, Plaza de España, Plaza Mayor, Gran Vía, and Puerta del Sol.

Day 2. Visit Toledo and transfer to Cordoba; overnight in Cordoba

Toledo, 70 km from Madrid, was Spain's former capital before and after Muslim Rule. We will explore the city's historical center for about 2 to 4 hours. This will offer us an opportunity to see some of its monuments, the Alkasr Royal Palaces and the Cathedral. After a good meal and break, you will have free time to explore and shop. Afterwards, it's back on the bus. We travel to Cordoba through La Mancha, the lands of the famous literary figure, Don Quijote (350 km). We reach Cordoba by the evening. After a brief presentation of the city, we check-in at the hotel and take a night walk around the Cordoba's mosque/cathedral. During your free evening in Cordoba, you may choose to explore a traditional tea shop, flamenco performance, or even go horseback riding!

Day 3. Tour of Cordoba

We enjoy a guided visit to the Cordoba Mosque/Cathedral, Alkasr Royal Palaces, Jewish quarters, old city walls, and the Live Museum of Al-Andalus. You'll have a chance to see traditional, Andalusi courtyard homes and walk the city's beautiful streets and alleys. After lunch, we depart for Medinat Al-Zahra. There we see the Caliph's court city and palace ruins, and the local exhibitions and museum.

Day 4. Seville with an overnight stay

We continue down the Guadalquivir river toward Almodovar del Río, as we make our way toward Seville (150 km). Enjoy a guided visits in Seville's historical center, which include the Alkasr Royal palaces & gardens, Cathedral of Seville, modern Giralda, Torre del Oro, Jewish quarters, and what remains of the Almohad courtyard and minaret. After lunch, enjoy a stroll along the river to the Parque de Maria Luisa and Plaza de España, where we will be picked up and taken to our hotel. During your free evening in Seville, you may wish to enjoy a flamenco performance or go horseback riding.

Day 5. Transfer to Granada; visit Alhambra

In the morning, we move out to Granada, arriving there midday (260 km). Upon arrival, we will have snacks and take a guided tour of the Alhambra palatial town, including the Nashrid Palaces, Alkasba fortress, Generalife summer palace, gardens and the old medina of the Alhambra. After this we pass on to the opposite hill to visit the old medina of Garnata and it’s main areas, divisions, city walls. We will visit the Mosque of the Albayzin at the Mirador de San Nicolás, most famous viewing point to the Alhambra and Granada city. From there, we walk down to the town center and visit the souq streets, where we will have dinner and enjoy a free evening.

Day 6. Tour of Granada; special dinner

Next morning, we visit the modern capital of Granada and its most important, historical areas. We will also visit the old medina, after which Granada is named. On your last afternoon in Spain, you'll have free time for shopping, leisurely walks and activities.

Morocco: Al-Maghreb

Day 7. Bus tour along Costa del Sol; Tangier

We depart early along Costa del Sol, driving past Spain's fortress towns on the southern coastline. Once we reach Malaga, we briefly visit its historical quarters before heading up to the Alkasr fortress. After a midday break, we move on to Algeciras. While on the ferry crossing the channel to Tangier, we will see the rock of Gibraltar. Upon arrival in Tangier, we introduce the city and its souq areas. We conclude our day with a pleasant Moroccan dinner.

Day 8. Continue to Rabat; transfer to and overnight at Fez

During our morning in Morocco's present-day capital, Rabat, we will visit the Palace of Hassan II, King’s Mausoleum, and the old fortress towns, Udaya and Chella. After tours, walks and snacks we move to Fez, spending the night there.

Day 9. Tour of Fez

We start out tour in Fez's Andalusi quarters. We will walk the city's narrow streets and alleyways, visit the Qarawiyanne mosque, Mausoleum of Idris II, and the main souqs and babs. Enjoy your free time in Fez bargain shopping then relax for a pleasant dinner. Overnight stay in Fez.

Day 10. Casablanca and Marrakech

With an early start, our journey to Marrakech will be at an easy pace, stopping at Casablanca along the way to enjoy a good roast and visit the mosque of Hassan II (490 km). Once we arrive in Marrakech, we will be introduced to the Qutubiya mosque and the main square of Fna, where the labyrinth of souq streets starts. Afterward, enjoy a welcoming dinner in Morocco's most exotic city. This concludes the day's program.

Day 11. Tour of Marrakech

We tour the area and souqs around Jam'a Fna. We will hear the story of the city's Seven Saints then visit some of their Mausoleums. After a midday snack, we visit Menara gardens, one of Morocc's most exotic and famous Islamic gardens. During our last night in Marrakech, we will enjoy a farewell dinner in Jam'a Fna's central square.

Day 12. Departure from Marrakech

Our Moroccan experience comes to an end. A hotel pickup for the airport will be arranged three hours before your departing flight. Time available before departure is yours to use freely.

*Optional tour extension to Ouarzazate and Merzouga. This includes a night sleeping beneath the desert stars. Afterward, we return to Marrakech for departure.