| Treasures of Spain, Portugal & Morocco
- Itinerary |
DAY 1 – FRI – UK –
MADRID
Welcome to Madrid -
built by Philip II in the 16th century, the city is Europe's
highest capital! After your scheduled flight to Madrid airport
there are complimentary transfers to the tour hotel at 9.00,
11.00, 13.00 & 15.00 hours. The afternoon is yours to relax
with a selection of tapas at a sidewalk café. As evening falls,
get to know your fellow passengers over a Welcome Drink. Hotel:
NH Eurobuilding. |
DAY
10 – SUN - FEZ - MARRAKESH
The road passes through
the rugged Atlas Mountains, past mud-walled villages to Marrakesh,
your base for two nights. Hotel: Atlas Medina & Spa. (BB,D) |
DAY 2 – SAT – MADRID
- SALAMANCA
Visit Toledo, former capital
of Spain, to see the 13th century Cathedral and one of Europe’s
oldest synagogues, and admire El Greco’s masterpiece in the
chapel of Santo Tome. Continue on past the mighty walls of
St Theresa’s Avila en route to Salamanca. An orientation tour
goes via the Plaza Mayor, the New and Old Cathedrals and the
university buildings in the Plaza de Anaya. Hotel: Alameda
Palace. (BB,D) |
DAY
11 – MON – MARRAKESH SIGHTSEEING
On a guided tour, see
the Koutobia Minaret, visit the Saadi Tombs, and explore the
Medina with its many souks. The tour ends in Jemaa el Fna
Square where acrobats, dancers and fortune tellers entertain
you. When night falls, you may wish to enjoy dinner at one
of the local restaurants to try a traditional Tajine dish.
(BB) |
DAY
3 – SUN – SALAMANCA - LISBON
From Salamanca, drive
across the Portuguese frontier to Fatima to visit the great
white Basilica before continuing to the capital, Lisbon. Hotel:
Marriott. (BB) |
DAY
12 – TUE – MARRAKESH - RABAT
Leave Marrakesh and
head south to Casablanca. Did Humphrey Bogart really say ‘Play
it again Sam’? Find out on your orientation tour. Continue
to the modern capital of Rabat where you see the Royal Palace
and Hassan Tower. Hotel: Rabat. (BB,D) |
DAY
4 – MON –LISBON SIGHTSEEING
With a local guide,
visit the cobbled streets of the ‘Alfama’ quarter to see Sao
Jorge Castle before continuing on to the Monument to the Discoveries
and the Belem Tower, the starting point for Portugal’s great
navigators and explorers, and the famous Jeronimo’s Monastery.
This afternoon is at leisure. (BB) |
DAY
13 – WED – RABAT - COSTA DEL SOL
Sail back across the
Straits of Gibraltar to Spain. Disembark at the port of Algeciras
and travel along the sun drenched Costa del Sol past exclusive
resorts to your hotel. Hotel: Melia Costa del Sol. (BB) |
DAY 5 – TUE – LISBON
- SEVILLE
Leave Lisbon via the
Tagus Bridge and drive through the Alentejo region, across
the Sierra Morena into Andalucìa. Arrive in Seville and
join a local guide to visit the Cathedral to see Christopher
Columbus’ tomb. Continue to the Giralda Tower, Alcazar and
the Santa Cruz quarter. Enjoy a Highlight dinner and ‘Flamenco’
show. Hotel: Melia Lebreros. (BB,HD) |
DAY
14 – THUR – COSTA DEL SOL - GRANADA
Drive along the coast
and over the Sierra Nevada to hilltop Granada. A local guide
will take you on a tour of the fabulous Alhambra Palace
– a magnificent example of Moorish architecture. Also visit
the exotic water gardens of the Generalife, the royal summer
residence, where you can enjoy the fine views over the town
and its hills. Hotel: Saray. (BB,D) |
DAY
6 – WED – SEVILLE AT LEISURE
The day is free to take
in more sights of your choice. Don’t miss the chance to
take an optional excursion to Cordoba, or perhaps enjoy
a typical Sevilliano dinner at a local restaurant, followed
by a cruise on the Guadalquivir?(BB) |
DAY
15 – FRI – GRANADA - MADRID
Travel through La Mancha where Don Quixote tilted at windmills as his faithful Sancho Panza looked on, and pass through the wine centre of Valdepeñas, its roads lined with ‘bodegas’ (wine cellars). Upon reaching Madrid, why not try a restaurant on the Plaza Mayor? Hotel: NH Eurobuilding. (BB) |
DAY
7 – THUR – SEVILLE - TANGIER
Cross into Gibraltar,
a British territory since 1704. There is time to explore the
town and take a trip to the top of the Rock to see the fortifications,
St Michael’s Cave and the Barbary Apes. Then sail from Algeciras
to exotic Morocco. Hotel: El Minzah. (BB,D) |
DAY
16 – SAT – MADRID
Take a guided tour down the wide tree-lined avenues to see the Puerta del Sol, Gran Via, Paseo de la Castellana, Cibeles Fountain and the Cervantes Monument in the Plaza de España. Make a Highlight visit inside the state apartments of the Royal Palace. In the afternoon, consider a visit to the Prado museum. (BB) |
DAY
8 – FRI – TANGIER - FEZ
On a sightseeing tour
of Tangier, see the Medina and the Casbah before continuing
to Fez, the most ancient of Morocco’s cities. Enjoy a superb
Moroccan Dinner and a Folklore Show with drums and belly dancing.
Hotel: Crown Palace. (BB,HD) |
DAY
17 – SUN – MADRID - UK
The tour ends with transfers to Madrid Airport at 07.00, 09.00 & 11.00 hours. (BB) |
DAY
9 – SAT – FEZ SIGHTSEEING
During a guided tour of this ‘City of the Mind’, visit the Medina and the walled city of hidden courtyards, mosques and tiny workshops, the ancient bazaar and a carpet co-operative. Afterwards, consider visiting the fascinating Berber village of Meknes. (BB,D) |
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