Magnificent Morocco & Moorish Spain

Your discovery of Spain and Morocco begins as you arrive in Barcelona. This cultural city is the capital of Catalonia and boasts exquisite architecture with a coastal flair.

After checking in to our stylish four-star hotel, you are free to explore at leisure. The nearby Passeig de Gràcia boasts an array of eye-catching buildings, many designed by renowned architect Antoni Gaudí. On the streets off this tree-lined boulevard, you can find many stylish bars and eateries for you to dine at independently this evening.

Alternatively, head to the beating heart of the city, Las Ramblas, to soak in the lively atmosphere of street performers and Catalonian restaurants.

Our first day in Barcelona begins with a buffet breakfast and a panoramic sightseeing tour by coach and foot. The city has a fascinating mix of architecture and a laid-back coastal ambience, and we absorb its culture with commentary from our local guide as we explore. Our first stop is La Sagrada Família, Antoni Gaudí's unfinished masterpiece. This basilica was inspired by natural forms and features intricate towers carved from Montjuïc stone, similar to sandstone. From the church, we stroll down Las Ramblas, before a free afternoon to continue exploring.

You may like to visit the Picasso Museum in the Gothic Quarter or enjoy Catalan tapas at an al fresco eatery or beachside café. It is impossible to visit Barcelona and not fall under the spell of Gaudí. Not far from our hotel are two of his distinctive buildings, Casa Milà and Casa Batlló, while another of his creations, Park Güell, boasts colorful mosaic sculptures and fabulous views.

This evening, we reconvene for dinner at a local restaurant.

• Breakfast, Dinner

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

You are then free to explore Seville at your own pace this afternoon, and our central location means that 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, which 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 Andalucían flavors.

• Breakfast, Dinner

This morning, we are taken on 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 said 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 delightful, with ancient water features, shaded seating areas and peacocks wandering among the 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 continue exploring at your own pace - 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 excellent restaurants near our hotel.

• Breakfast, Lunch

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 motorcoach awaits our arrival in Tangiers and takes us to the train station for our onwards journey to Casablanca. We board the sleek 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 in to our elegant five-star hotel for the night, situated close to the old medina.

Our day concludes with a three-course dinner at our hotel. Afterward, you might like to head up to the hotel's rooftop terrace, which offers excellent views across the city skyline.

*Please note: Our luggage travels with us on the coach and is transferred for us onto the ferry. However, due to customs procedures, we may need to take charge of our bags during the ferry journey.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Look upon the '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. We pass the Hassan II Mosque and the Palace Mohammed V before visiting United Nations Square and the League of Arab Emirates Park. Our excursion ends with a traditional lunch at a nearby restaurant.

After dining, we continue by coach to the capital, Rabat, for a guided tour. Here, 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 continue 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 and check in for the next three nights.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today, we join a local guide on a coach tour of the fascinating city of Fes. Known for its thriving medina and ancient city walls, Fes is one of Morocco's oldest cities, founded in the 10th-century BC 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 Karaouyine Mosque and University, the beautifully tiled Nejjarine Fountain, and the ancient gateway of Bab Boujloud. We stop for lunch at a local restaurant before continuing to the aromatic spice market and buzzing souks of the medina, home to a maze of gift stalls and mint tea cafés.

Returning to our hotel this afternoon, we have time to freshen up before a coach transfer takes us the short distance to Le Palais Medina for dinner and a traditional folk-dance performance.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Setting out by coach with our local guide, today we travel to the nearby city of Meknes. The high city walls hide a tapestry of architecture inspired by Islamic traditions and European styles. Our 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 Busin, including the Royal Gardens and the Royal Stables.

After lunch in Meknes, our tour continues to one of Morocco's most important and best-preserved archaeological sites - the remains of 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 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 or find dinner locally in Fes.

• Breakfast, Lunch

A morning transfer takes us to Fes's 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 townhouses to the dazzling reds, golds, blues and greens of the souks - all with a backdrop of the Atlas Mountains - each bustling street reveals the city's beauty.

On arrival, a coach transfer takes 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 perhaps stroll to one of the nearby gardens or parks, such as the Arts Garden, before a three-course dinner at the hotel.

• Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast, a local guide takes us on a sightseeing tour of Marrakech on foot and by coach. We drive past the red sandstone ramparts of the city on wide roads used by everything from luxury 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.

Afterward, we visit the secret tombs of the Saadian Dynasty's mausoleum, ornamental Menara Gardens, the 19th-century Bahia Palace and the Ben Youssef Madrasa - an Islamic college. Our tour ends after exploring the souks and stalls of Djemaa El Fna Square. The rest of the afternoon is free to soak in the atmosphere of this square, the heartbeat of the city filled with street-food vendors, snake charmers, nomadic musicians and storytellers.

This evening, we enjoy a traditional Moroccan dinner at a local restaurant accompanied by a folklore show.

• Breakfast, Dinner

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 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.

• Breakfast

Today is our last day in Marrakech, and it is yours to spend as you please, making the most of this enchanting city. There are more interesting sights you may like to experience, including 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. You might also like to visit the Musee de la Musique in the Saadian Quarter, to view instruments and displays about the history of music in Marrakech. The reception of the museum is a lovely example of Arab-Andalucían architecture.

However you spend your day, we enjoy a final dinner together at our beautiful hotel this evening.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Your magnificent Spanish and Moroccan vacation draws to a close today as you head to the airport for your flight home.

If yours is a later flight, savor the offerings of our hotel's breakfast buffet, and then head out into the city to wrap up any sightseeing you may wish to accomplish or revisit favorite sights from our tour. This free time is a wonderful opportunity to revisit Menara Gardens to get another look at the mountains or shop for souvenirs in the stalls at Djemaa El Fna Square. You might like to find lunch in one of the city's restaurants as you explore.

• Breakfast