Day 1 - Arrival in Madrid
Your unforgettable journey through the vibrant lands of Spain, Morocco, and Portugal begins in the fiery Spanish capital of Madrid. This evening, explore the city’s vibrant streets before joining your fellow travelers and Travel Director for dinner and an orientation drive.
- Accommodation: AC by Marriott Cuzco (or similar)
- Meals: Dinner
Day 2 - Exploring Madrid's Highlights
Join your Local Specialist for a day of discovery in Madrid, which includes views of the iconic Cibeles fountain and Paseo de la Castellana. Admire the Royal Palace and El Retiro Park, originally a royal retreat. Spend the rest of the day at leisure indulging in la buena vida. Consider an Optional Experience to the medieval UNESCO-listed city of Segovia or explore the world’s greatest collection of Spanish art at El Prado Museum.
- Accommodation: AC by Marriott Cuzco (or similar)
- Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 - To Toledo and Granada's Charms
Witness centuries of Christian, Muslim, and Jewish influence in the imperial city of Toledo. Join your Local Specialist for a walking tour, visiting the Church of Santo Tomé, home to El Greco’s famous painting ‘The Burial of the Count of Orgaz’, and the Synagogue of Santa Maria La Blanca, believed to be Europe’s oldest standing synagogue. Experience the tradition of steel and Damascene manufacturing at a local workshop, before continuing through the soulful Andalusian landscape to Granada.
- Accommodation: Occidental (or similar)
- Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4 - Journey to the Sunny Costa del Sol
Tread in the footsteps of Spain’s last emirs and admire the impressive Alhambra – a collection of palaces and fortresses dating from the 12th century. Join a Local Specialist to explore its intricate designs, tranquil gardens, and colossal walls, believed to be inspired by poetry. Later, we leave this ‘paradise on earth’ behind and continue to the Costa del Sol.
- Accommodation: Meliá (or similar)
- Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 - Cross the Strait to Fes
Travel along the sun-kissed shores of the Mediterranean and cross to North Africa by ferry. A memorable drive past the Rif Mountains brings us to Fes, a storied hub of traditional craftsmanship and your home for the next two nights.
- Accommodation: Marriott Jnan Palace (or similar)
- Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6 - Fes: Medina and Moroccan Crafts
Join a Local Specialist for a sightseeing tour through the cultural and spiritual center of Morocco. First, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience to the non-profit American Fondouk, where you’ll speak with volunteer veterinarians caring for animal welfare. Stroll through the Medina of Fes, view its fortifications and Royal Palace, and admire traditional Moroccan handiwork during a visit to a carpet cooperative. Spend the rest of your afternoon at leisure. Tonight, consider an Optional Experience Arabian dinner in a traditional riad, featuring heartfelt local entertainment.
- Accommodation: Marriott Jnan Palace (or similar)
- Meals: Breakfast
Day 7 - Off to Vibrant Marrakesh
Departing Fes, journey west through a landscape that turns from golden to rusty red, bound for vibrant Marrakesh. Past and present collide in the world-famous Jemaa el-Fnaa Square. Embrace the unrivaled energy of this cultural and economic hub.
- Accommodation: Grand Mogador Menara (or similar)
- Meals: Breakfast
Day 8 - Discover Marrakesh's Secrets
Visit the elegant Dar El Bacha Palace during your walking tour with a Local Specialist. See Jemaa el-Fnaa Square in the Old Quarter with its palm-readers, storytellers, and snake charmers. Visit a traditional Moroccan pharmacy and learn about the art of blending creams and cosmetics with regional ingredients. The rest of the day is yours to explore. Don’t miss the chance to shop for bargains in the souks (markets) and bazaars, or perhaps visit a local Berber village.
- Accommodation: Grand Mogador Menara (or similar)
- Meals: Breakfast
Day 9 - Journey to Casablanca and Rabat
Journey north to Casablanca and enjoy a visit to the Hassan II Mosque with your Local Specialist, before arriving in the country’s capital city.
- Accommodation: Impérial Boutique Rabat (or similar)
- Meals: Breakfast
Day 10 - Exploring Rabat and On to Tangier
Today, explore Rabat with your local specialist, stopping at the opulent Mohammed V Mausoleum and admiring Rabat’s cityscape. Later, continue to Tangier, a gateway between Africa and Europe. Your unique accommodation this evening is the sumptuous El Minzah (or similar), an icon of the city overlooking the Bay of Tangiers and the sparkling Mediterranean beyond. This grand property, built in the Spanish-Moorish style in 1930, has welcomed the rich and famous for nearly a century, and you’ll experience its warm hospitality while contemplating its colorful history.
- Accommodation: El Minzah (or similar)
- Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 11 - Sail the Strait to Seville
Crossing the Strait of Gibraltar by ferry, we return to Spain and journey past the region of Jerez, renowned for its Spanish sherry. Drive through Andalucía and arrive in Seville. What better way to experience this lively city than by witnessing the passion of flamenco? Immerse yourself in the spectacle of colorful swirling skirts and fervent rhythm of castanets during an unforgettable optional Flamenco performance this evening.
- Accommodation: Meliá Lebreros (or similar)
- Meals: Breakfast
Day 12 - Explore Spectacular Seville
Join your Local Specialist for a sightseeing tour of Seville, taking you past the iconic Giralda Bell Tower. Admire the tiled fountains and pavilions in the María Luisa Park, the showcase for the Ibero-American Exhibition in 1929, and see the imposing Plaza de España. Visit the ornate tomb of Christopher Columbus in the largest Gothic Cathedral in the world, then enjoy a walk through the lovely historic Jewish Quarter.
- Accommodation: Meliá Lebreros (or similar)
- Meals: Breakfast
Day 13 - Venture to Évora
Leaving the zesty scents of Seville behind, journey through the golden landscapes of the Alentejo, where the Brito Paes family awaits your arrival for a special lunch on their traditional stud ranch. This Be My Guest experience takes place in the ancestral home of the family, offering a unique glimpse into their heritage of rearing Lusitano horses since the 18th century. Later, continue to Évora for a guided sightseeing tour with a Local Specialist, including visits to the city’s cathedral, Roman temple, and the haunting Chapel of Bones. This evening, relax with dinner at your hotel.
- Accommodation: M’ar de Ar Muralhas (or similar)
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 14 - On to Lively Lisbon
You can start your day exploring Évora’s maze of cobblestone streets or with an Optional Experience visit to Monsaraz, a fortified hilltop town set deep in the Alentejo. In the afternoon, say farewell to the cork trees of the Alentejo region and hello to the pastels of the Portuguese capital, Lisbon. Here, you’ll join a Local Specialist for a sightseeing tour and have an opportunity to visit the Belém Quarter and taste traditional Pastéis de Belém.
- Accommodation: VIP Grand Lisboa (or similar)
- Meals: Breakfast
Day 15 - Lisbon at Your Pace
Enjoy the day sauntering along Lisbon’s grand shopping boulevards and the narrow lanes of Bairro Alto, or consider joining an Optional Experience to the historic towns of Cascais and Sintra. This evening, enjoy dinner with newfound friends and your Travel Director, toasting to an epic Iberian holiday.
- Accommodation: VIP Grand Lisboa (or similar)
- Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 16 - Journey Home
Your epic journey through Spain, Morocco, and Portugal comes to an end this morning. All that’s left is to say a fond farewell to your newfound friends and an unforgettable experience shared. Your coach transfer will return to Madrid.