Day 1. (Thursday) LISBON – SEVILLE
Call on at Estação do Oriente in Lisbon and departure by bus southbound heading to the Atlantic Coast. Pleasant journey, enjoying the stunning natural beauty of Alentejo & Algarve regions in southern Portugal. Crossing the Guadiana International Bridge you’ll enter Spain and the beautiful Andalusia, a region with a huge heritage from a splendorous past. Arrival to Seville, the capital of Andalusia. Transfer on your own from the station to the hotel. Free time to discover at your leisure this magnificent city situated on the banks of the Guadalquivir River. We recommend you to leave your luggages in the hotel and take a stroll into the historic quarter of Seville, that treasures many constructions that have the World Heritage designation, or discover the popular neighbourhoods of Santa Cruz, the natural setting of “Carmen” as well as the place where the myth of “Don Juan” developed and Triana, of deep popular flavour and cradle of bullfighters and artists. Hotel accommodation.
Day 2. (Friday) SEVILLE – TANGIER – RABAT
Today we’ll have to get up early, as a long but exciting day awaits us. Transfer on your own to the departure terminal to begin our journey to Morocco. We’ll travel southbound, heading to the Mediterranean Coast. Arrive to Tarifa or Algeciras where a ferry boat will be used for a short and interesting crossing of the Strait of Gibraltar towards Africa. Arrival to Tangier, disembark, clear customs and continue on by coach to Larache, a picturesque fishing town located on the Atlantic coast, on the left bank of the Lucus River estuary, with white-walled houses and light blue carpentry. You’ll enjoy some free time for lunch. We continue the trip to Rabat, diplomatic and administrative capital of Morocco, official residence of the King Mohamed VI. During the guided tour we will visit from outside the Royal Palace of Rabat (Dar al-Makhzen), the official residence of the king of Morocco, we’ll head then to the Yacoub al-Mansour esplanade to discover the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, a masterpiece of modern Alaouite dynasty architecture, with its white silhouette, topped by a typical green tiled roof. Opposite the Mausoleum we will discover the Hassan Tower, a minaret of an incomplete mosque which has converted in the symbol of the city. Arrival at the hotel, dinner and accommodation.
Day 3. (Saturday) RABAT – MEKNES – FEZ
After our breakfast we’ll leave behind us the coast and drive to inland regions of Morocco. Our first stop will be in Meknes, one of the Imperial Cities of the s. XVII located in the heart of the Middle Atlas and surrounded by 40 km of walls. Upon arrival we’ll enjoy a panoramic city tour on Meknes. We will get to know the Bab Al Mansour Gate, which gives entrance to the old town and, without a doubt, the most beautiful gate in Morocco. Free time to enjoy a local meal and continue the route till Fez, the most monumental of the Moroccan Imperial Cities. Upon arrival we’ll do a monumental and panoramic city tour of Fez. We will see the 7 gates of the Royal Palace, the Jewish neighborhood also known as Mellah, the Gate of Bab Bou Jeloud, which gives access to the Medina or the old city, one of the most impressive of Morocco. We will walk along its streets and souks. We will get to know the tanner neighborhood and the Medersa, the oldest university of the world and its Karaouyne Mosque, the largest Islamic sanctuary in Morocco. Dinner and accommodation at the hotel. Optionally, at night, you’ll have the possibility to enjoy a show-dinner in a local restaurant.
Day 4. (Sunday) FEZ – TANGIER – TARIFA – SEVILLE
Breakfast at the hotel. We head north to the Mediterranean Coast. Arrival at Tangier harbour and board the ferry to return across the Strait of Gibraltar back to Spain. Drive inland heading back to Seville. Arrival at the bus terminal and transfer on your own to your hotel. Free time at your disposal and accommodation. May we recommend you an optional boat trip on the Guadalquivir River to enjoy the panoramic views that exist from the boat? Then you can walk along the banks of the Guadalquivir River, the “great king of Andalusia” as the local poet Luis de Góngora y Argote called it. And at night you should go out for Tapa-hopping, an unbeatable way to experience Andalusian culture and savour the charms of its bars and taverns. Tapas are an exquisite, varied and choice example of popular gastronomy which allows you to share a variety of dishes and try a wide range of different products for reasonable prices. Hotel accommodation.
Day 5. (Monday) SEVILLE – LISBON
Last day in Andalusia. According to the timetable of your bus to Lisbon, you may spend the morning visiting the Cathedral of Seville, the second largest in the Catholic world after San Pedro in Rome and its famous Giralda or buying your last souvenirs. Transfer on your own to the Santa Justa Station to start the bus journey to Libon. Arrival and end of services.
