Magnificent Morocco & Moorish Spain

 Your journey of ancient sights, timeless traditions and distinctive flavors begins today in Barcelona on Spain's Mediterranean Coast. This city is known as the capital of Catalonia and boasts a range of appeals, from stunning architecture to beautiful beaches. As you arrive, make your own way to our stylish four-star hotel, where you meet the Tour Manager.

Our hotel is set in a fantastic location within walking distance of several of Barcelona's significant buildings and attractions. If time allows after getting settled, you could head out and begin getting your bearings in your new surroundings. The city comes to life in the evenings as locals head out to dinner under the cooler temperatures, and you are free to do the same and dine independently in one of the city's enticing restaurants. Overnight Barcelona.

 Our first day in Barcelona begins with a buffet breakfast and a panoramic sightseeing tour by coach and on foot, with commentary from our local guide. Our first stop is to view the exterior of La Sagrada Família, Antoni Gaudí's unfinished masterpiece, set to be completed in 2026*. This unique basilica was inspired by natural forms and features intricate towers carved from Montjuïc stone, similar to sandstone. From the church, we stroll down the city's famous La Rambla Boulevard, known for its street performers, musicians, cafés and market stalls.   

With a free afternoon, you may like to visit the Picasso Museum in the Gothic Quarter or enjoy Catalan tapas. It is impossible to visit Barcelona and not fall under the spell of Gaudí, and not far from our hotel are two of his distinctive buildings: Casa Milà and Casa Batlló. Another of his creations, Park Güell, boasts colorful mosaic sculptures and fabulous views.     

We reconvene this evening for dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight Barcelona.  

  *Please note: If you wish to enter La Sagrada Família, you may do so during your free afternoon, but it is necessary to pre-book. 

• Breakfast, Dinner

 Departing Barcelona, our coach takes us to the station, where we travel by high-speed rail in Comfort Class (the local equivalent of First Class) to Seville, a destination filled with culture. Arriving this afternoon, a coach transfer takes us to our hotel in the Old Town, where we check in for two nights.   

You then have a free afternoon to explore Seville at your own pace, and our central location means many of the city's landmarks are within easy reach. You could wander into the historic Santa Cruz district for a late lunch in one of the tapas restaurants or seek out the city's landmarks. Perhaps visit Torre del Oro, a striking golden tower next to the Guadalquivir River, or visit Seville's fine art museum, El Museo de Bellas Artes. Housed in a palace that was also a convent, its walls feature Spanish artists from Spain's "Golden Age" in the 17th century.     

Alternatively, you could relax at the hotel's swimming pool or rooftop terrace before we dine locally this evening at a restaurant serving traditional flavors from Andalucía. Overnight Seville.

• Breakfast, Dinner

 Our day starts with a guided walking tour of Seville. Strolling through the historic Santa Cruz district, we see Seville's Gothic cathedral, where the remains of Christopher Columbus are believed to be interred. The cathedral's Renaissance-style bell tower, La Giralda, offers panoramic views across the city. Our tour continues to the Real Alcázar, or Royal Palace, whose interiors feature Moorish, Mudéjar and Christian influences, with elaborate patios, decorative windows and geometric tiles. The palace gardens are a peaceful haven, with ancient water features, shaded seating areas and peacocks wandering among fragrant orange trees.   

After our tour, we enjoy an "introduction to tapas" experience with a local guide, which includes a tapa and drink at two local restaurants. The rest of your afternoon is free to look around independently - perhaps by crossing the wrought-iron Triana Bridge, also called Isabel II Bridge, to the district of Triana, known for its gypsy community and flamenco tradition.     

With no group dinner, tonight is a chance to dine independently in one of the many inviting restaurants near our hotel. Overnight Seville.

• Breakfast

 New cultures and destinations beckon as we depart Seville by coach after breakfast and travel to the port of Algeciras. Here, we board a ferry for a short ride across the Strait of Gibraltar to the city of Tangiers in Morocco.   

A coach awaits our arrival in Tangiers and takes us to the railway station for our onward journey to Casablanca. We board the Al Boraq - Africa's first high-speed train - and follow the Atlantic coast from Tangiers down to Casablanca. On arrival in Morocco's most modern city, we check into our elegant five-star hotel for the night, situated close to the old medina.   

Our day concludes with dinner at our hotel, after which you might like to head up to the hotel's rooftop terrace, which offers excellent views across the city skyline. Overnight Casablanca.

• Breakfast, Dinner

 Explore Morocco's "White City" and its many attractions this morning as we take a coach tour of Casablanca with a local guide. We see the modern face of Morocco, a glittering mass of pale towers stretching as far as the eye can see, and the city's ancient past. Our tour starts with a visit to the city's most iconic building, the Hassan II Mosque, where entry is included. We then continue to the Palace Mohammed V before visiting United Nations Square and the League of Arab Emirates Park.    

Afterward, we continue by coach to Rabat for a guided tour. In Morocco's capital, we wander the impressive boulevards and palm tree-lined seafront before seeing the old medina and kasbah, the monumental Oudaya Gate and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V.     

We enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before continuing our journey in First Class seats on the regular rail service to Fes, our next Moroccan destination. On arrival this evening, a short coach transfer takes us to our five-star hotel, where we have dinner after checking in for three nights. Overnight Fes.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 Today, we join a local guide on a coach tour of Fes. Known for its thriving medina and ancient city walls, Fes is one of Morocco's oldest cities, founded in the 10th century B.C. by Berber fishermen. 

  We discover architectural and cultural landmarks of this historic treasure trove, including the Great Gateway of the Royal Palace, the 17th-century fortifications at Kasbah Cherarda, the Kairaouine Mosque and University, the beautifully tiled Nejjarine Fountain, and the ancient gateway of Bab Boujloud. We have time to find lunch independently before continuing to the aromatic spice market and buzzing souks of the medina, home to a maze of stalls and mint tea cafés. 

  Returning to our hotel later in the afternoon, you are at leisure to enjoy exploring the ancient streets of Fes this evening, possibly sampling local fare at a restaurant of your own choice for dinner. Alternatively, you could opt to eat at the hotel, which has a variety of restaurants. Overnight Fes.

• Breakfast

 Setting out by coach with our local guide, today we visit one of Morocco's most important and best-preserved archaeological sites - the ancient city of Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Volubilis was originally a Berber city taken over by Roman invaders, eventually growing into a proto-capital before being abandoned for the new center of Fes. As we walk through the impressive site, we see Roman ruins featuring beautiful mosaics, an olive press, basilica, baths, temples and arches. 

  We then travel to Meknes, where we have lunch at a local restaurant. The high walls of the city hide a tapestry of architecture inspired by Islamic traditions and European styles, and a guided tour reveals many examples, such as the Palace of Moulay Ismael and the Bab El Mansour gateway. We also see the ruins of Agoudal, including the Royal Gardens and the Royal Stables.   

We return to our hotel in Fes, where the rest of your day and evening is free. You may like to spend time relaxing by the pool and find dinner locally in Fes. Overnight Fes.

• Breakfast, Lunch

 A morning transfer takes us to Fes' train station to join the local rail service to Marrakech, traveling in First Class. After journeying through the foothills of the Atlas Mountains by rail, we arrive in Marrakech later this afternoon.   

Known as the Red City due to its red-pink-hued buildings and the ten miles of red sandstone walls surrounding the city, Marrakech is drenched in color. From the pale peach, soft orange and ochres of the townhouses to the reds, golds, blues and greens of the souks - all set off against the Atlas Mountains - every angle offers a kaleidoscope of hues.    

After leaving the train, a coach transfers us to our five-star hotel, whose grounds offer a tranquil retreat from the city. We check in for the next four nights with time to settle in or stroll to one of the nearby gardens or parks, such as the Arts Garden, before dinner at our hotel. Overnight Marrakech. 

• Breakfast, Dinner

 After breakfast, a local guide takes us on a sightseeing tour of Marrakech, by coach and on foot. We drive past the red sandstone ramparts of the city on wide roads used by everything from limousines to mopeds, bicycles and donkey carts. We visit the 12th-century Koutoubia Mosque, with its prominent minaret visible from every corner of Marrakech. Here, we may be lucky enough to hear the muezzin's "call to prayer" - a hypnotic sound that floats over the entire medina.   

Later, we visit the 16th-century Ben Youssef Madrasa - an Islamic college, before exploring the winding alleys of the souks and stalls of Djemaa El Fna Square. The rest of the afternoon is free to soak up the atmosphere of this square, the heartbeat of the city filled with street-food vendors, snake charmers, nomadic musicians and storytellers.   

This evening, you are free to dine independently. You may like to venture back into the medina to find an authentic restaurant, or enjoy a relaxing evening with dinner at the hotel. Overnight Marrakech.

• Breakfast

 Discover Berber country, an ancient semi-desert landscape still occupied by the same tribes who have lived here for thousands of years, as we journey by coach into the foothills of the Atlas Mountains today.   

Making occasional photo stops, we see the old stone and mud houses of the valleys and, above us, the snow-dusted caps of the Atlas. We pass the Gorge of Oued Ourika, which follows the path of the Atlas' rivers. Here, we visit a traditional Berber house for a refreshing glass of Moroccan mint tea and traditional flatbread, known as tannour. Our excursion continues to a riad, where we enjoy an authentic cooking class amid stunning scenery. Guided by a chef, we create one of Morocco's best-loved dishes, a sweet and spicy tagine, and then we enjoy a delicious al fresco lunch of traditional foods.     

After lunch, we return to our luxurious hotel with the rest of the afternoon and evening to spend as you wish. You can dine in our hotel's restaurant this evening or head into the medina to explore its culinary options. Overnight Marrakech.

• Breakfast, Lunch

 Today is our last day in Marrakech, and it is yours to spend as you please, making the most of this enchanting city. Among other interesting sights you may like to experience are the Majorelle Gardens. Once the home of fashion designer Yves St. Laurent, this is a fantasy world of cobalt blue and terracotta buildings, palm trees, and water features.   

In the medina, Musee Tiskiwin is a small, private museum housed in a traditional riad, which tells the stories of the culture and life of indigenous Berber people. The museum also covers the history of Marrakech itself. In the Musée de la Musique in the Saadian Quarter, you can view instruments and displays about the history of music in Marrakech. The reception of the music museum is a lovely example of Arab-Andalucían architecture.   

This evening, we mark the final night of our vacation with a traditional Moroccan dinner at a local restaurant accompanied by a folklore show. Overnight Marrakech.

• Breakfast, Dinner

 The sights, scents and flavors of Moorish Spain and Morrocco have added unforgettable touches to a truly memorable vacation. Our route has shown us the Mediterranean and Atlantic Coastlines, the Atlas Mountains, and a range of destinations where time-honored traditions and ancient architecture are part of modern life. Connecting each location by rail has allowed us to soak up hidden views of the cities and landscapes in between, offering a comprehensive journey through a mystical part of the world.

With a final breakfast at the hotel this morning, your journey comes to a close. You are free to check out of the hotel at your leisure and begin making your own way home.

• Breakfast