Day 1. (Thursday) BARCELONA

Hola! Welcome to Europe! Benvinguts to Barcelona! Upon arrival at the airport, our staff will be waiting for you to take you to your hotel in Barcelona. We recommend you to leave your luggages in the hotel and take advantage of this free day in the City of Gaudí. Below we give you several ideas to organize your time: visit the famous Park Güell: a park full of sculptures, structures and mosaics designed by the great Gaudí (at certain times the visit is free), visit Casa Batlló built by the same architect, you may visit the Ciudadela Park with its museums, its navigable lake and its zoo. For football lovers, we suggest you visit the Camp Nou Stadium, home of the Barcelona Football Club. If you prefer to enjoy one of the best views of Barcelona, ​​it is highly recommended to go up to the Tibidabo Mountain, full of modernist buildings and with a small vintage-style amusement park that is also the oldest amusement park in Spain and the third one in Europe. Crowning the park is the Expiatory Temple of the Sacred Heart, which reminds us of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, located in Paris. Other options are visiting the Fundació Joan Miró, with multiple works by the artist, strolling through the romantic labyrinth park in Horta, or taking advantage of the day with one of our excursion to Monserrat Monastery, excursion to Girona and Figueres, or spending an unforgettable day touring the rugged Costa Brava, activities that you can book on our website. In the afternoon you will receive information for the start of your circuit or you can consult it on the information boards located in the hotel reception area. Accommodation at the hotel.

Day 2. (Friday) BARCELONA

We wake up in Barcelona. After breakfast, we get on the bus to visit Barcelona with a local guide, discovering its main avenues decorated with impressive modernist buildings of Antoni Gaudí. We’ll make a short stop to see the impotent Gaudí’s Great Basilica of Sagrada Familia (Holy Family) from outside, a unique creation that has become Barcelona’s most universal symbol. We’ll take a walk into the city’s historic central area with its Gothic neighbourhood dating back to the Middle Ages. Next destination is Montjuic and the Olympic Ring, a legacy of the 1992 Olympics Games that took place in Barcelona. From this moment you’ll have free time to explore in depth what you couldn’t see before. We recommend you to book in advance your tickets to see the Sagrada Familia from inside if it is of your interest, or if you prefer, you may explore other parts of the Gothic Quarter… there are many options: visit the Cathedral of Barcelona, Plaça del Pi, the Plaza Real or take a walk on the famous Rambla de los Capuchinos, an emblematic street and a must-see for any visitor to Barcelona. In the evening we provide transfers to Las Ramblas and Plaza Catalunya area for dinner, where you can select from a great variety of restaurants. Return to the hotel and accommodation.

Day 3. (Saturday) BARCELONA – PEÑISCOLA – VALENCIA

Breakfast. We leave behind us the capital of Catalonia and travel south along the Mediterranean Coast. Our first stop will be at Peñiscola, a medieval walled town that stands as a delightful balcony over the Mediterranean. You’ll enjoy some free time to have a walk through its old town, which enters the Mediterranean Sea forming a small peninsula, crowned by the imperial Castle of Papa Luna.The route along the Mediterranean continues to reach Valencia, a vibrant and cosmopolitan city on the Mediterranean coast, that harmoniously combine the remnants of its farthest past, with the most innovative and avant-garde buildings from the new millennium. Free time for lunch, we recommend you to taste the paella, Valencia’s most well-known dish world-wide. Return to hotel and overnight in Valencia. In the afternoon we’ll enjoy a guided tour of Valencia to explore the breath-taking avant-garde architecture of the City of Arts and Sciences, one of the largest scientific and cultural complexes in Europe, then we’ll make a time jump and discover the old town of Valencia strolling through its historic center, full of fascinating monuments, as the Valencia’s Gothic Cathedral, the World Heritage Silk Exchange Building, its beautiful Central Market, Serranos and Quart Towers… At night we’ll include the dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight in Valencia.

Day 4. (Sunday) VALENCIA – ALICANTE – CARAVACA DE LA CRUZ – GRANADA

After breakfast, we continue exploring the highlights of the Region of Valencia. Arrival to Alicante, located in the middle of the Costa Blanca, a beautiful harbour city, which sits at the foot of the Castle of Santa Barbara, a silent witness to the numerous civilisations to have settled here. We’ll have some time to stroll in this active and very pleasant city to discover its religious and civil architectural legacy and to enjoy its exquisite gastronomy. We continue our route southward to reach the Region of Murcia, home of the fertile garden of the Segura River. Our next destination will be Caravaca de la Cruz, a town considered by the Catholic Church as one of the 5 holy cities, its church holds a Relic of Christ’s Cross. We include a ride up to the historic area on the tourist train. After this we will carry on along an attractive scenic road to Andalusia, a region with a huge heritage from a splendorous past. Arrival in Granada, an incredible and amazing monumental environment, the last stronghold of the Moorish Kingdom up to 1492. Transfer to the hotel, dinner included and accommodation.

Day 5. (Monday) GRANADA

Breakfast. We’ll start our full day in Granada with a guided tour of the world-famous Alhambra Palace and Generalife Gardens (entrance ticket and local guide included). Its fountains, gardens and patios (courtyards) have inspired several authors with their sounds and sights, such as the “Tales of the Alhambra” by W. Irving. After knowing this architectural wonder, you will enjoy free time for lunch. We recommend you in the afternoon to take a walk through the Monumental area of ​​Granada, strolling through the origins of this city that still retains all the magic of its Arab past. There are some must-see places: the Royal Chapel of Granada, the place chosen by the Catholic Monarchs for their last rest, the Cathedral, with its impressive facade of Spanish Baroque style and also the Alcaiceria, the old Silk Market in the Nasrid era, a network of narrow streets filled with shops selling handicrafts from Granada. Optionally you can see a Gipsy Flamenco Show held in a cave-house at Sacromonte Quarter. Accommodation at the hotel. Note: Within the Alhambra, the Nasrid Palaces allow the entry of a limited number of people. In case of not being able to visit this area of the Alhambra, a visit with a local guide of the city of Granada would be included and also the Real Alcazar of Seville with similar characteristics will be visited.

Day 6. (Tuesday) GRANADA – TANGIER – ASILAH – RABAT

After breakfast we leave Granada heading south towards the Mediterranean. Drive along the picturesque tourist route of Costa del Sol via internationally renowned places as Marbella and Puerto Banus, 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 through beautiful landscapes to reach Asilah, a picturesque small walled city facing the Atlantic. Asilah was an old pirate port, nowadays, being a bit off the tourist track, is a quiet and peaceful place. Its artistic murals, beaches, walls overlooking the Atlantic and marine gastronomy stand out. You’ll enjoy some free time for lunch or to grab a sandwich and wander to explore the medina. We continue our journey along the Atlantic Coast to Rabat, diplomatic and administrative capital of Morocco, official residence of the King Mohamed VI. Arrival at the hotel, dinner and accommodation.

Day 7. (Wednesday) RABAT – CASABLANCA – MARRAKECH

Breakfast at the hotel. Morning guided tour of Rabat where 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. Our next destination will be Casablanca, the largest city that represents the modern face of today’s Morocco. Upon arrival, we will do a sightseeing tour of Casablanca, to discover Casablanca’s highlights such as the Anfa boulevard, the Nations Square, we’ll visit from the outside the impressive Hassan II Mosque (interior visit offered as optional activity), a showcase of the finest Moroccan artisanship, Casablanca’s city landmark, only surpassed by Mecca in importance and size. After the visit we will continue to Marrakech, a fascinating and mysterious city where Europe, Africa and the Middle East mingle and merge. After arriving at the hotel, you will be able to experience a traditional Kalesa ride up to the famous ‎Jemaa el Fnaa Square. Free time at your disposal to explore the mystical atmosphere of this charming city. Dinner and accommodation at the hotel.

Day 8. (Thursday) MARRAKECH

Breakfast at the hotel. We will start the day with an amazing sightseeing tour of Marrakech. We will see from outside the Koutobia Minaret, twin sister of the Giralda in Seville (Spain), the Bahia Palace, one of the city’s most eye-popping sights, we’ll walk around its Medina and souks and will end at the great Djemaa El Fna Square, a symbol of Morocco and meeting point for different kind of personalities of the city: storytellers, snake charmers, musicians and dancers. After the guided visit of Marrakech, you’ll experience the exquisite Moroccan cuisine as we’ll include a lunch in a local restaurant. The afternoon is at your disposal. We recommend you visiting the impressive Saadian Tombs, or the Musée de Marrakech which exhibits a collection of beautiful Moroccan art, or just walk around the Medina Maze and haggling in Marrakech souks. Your guide may offer you an optional excursion to Marrakech Palm Grove where you can enjoy a camel ride. Accommodation at the hotel. Optionally you can enjoy a traditional Moroccan dinner and an equestrian show that includes odalisque, flying carpets and fireworks in an atmosphere that recreates the Thousand and One Nights.

Day 9. (Friday) MARRAKECH – AÏT BEN HADOU – OUARZAZATE – BOULMANE DE DADES

After breakfast we’ll head towards the desert. We leave the city behind us and enter the nature… tranquility and silence floods the soul of peace and tranquility. We cross the winding road that crosses the Tizi n’Tichka, the highest road crossing in North Africa (7,415 ft) that connects Marrakech with the pre-Saharan oases and where we will have several stops to enjoy the wonderful panoramic views. We continue towards Ouarzazate. First stop to visit the Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, a fortress considered the most beautiful in the country and a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and where famous films such as Lawrence of Arabia, Jesus of Nazareth, The Jewel of the Nile or Gladiator have been shot, between others. Our route continues along spectacular landscape in which the desert and the mountain meet, combining all the shades of ocher and red, the rivers create gorges that transform into fertile valleys or oases with green palm groves. Here you can find from the most arid and rocky places to the greenest oasis. We will go through the Roses Valley where you can find Kelaa M’Gouna, a fortified village famous for its distillery of roses water and then we’ll cross the Gorge of Dades, an impressive defile that takes us to Boumalne du Dades, in the Berber land. Arrival at the hotel, free time at your disposal, dinner and accommodation.

Day 10. (Saturday) BOULMANE DE DADES – TODGHA – KHORBAT – ERFOUD

Breakfast at the hotel. Today we propose you a stage full of emotion in the Sahara Desert. We will see the Kasbahs Valley, river valleys with miles of palm trees, stone plains followed by oases and adobe villages, powerful fortresses defending the way. We visit the Gorges of Todra, an impressive gorge. On our route we stop in a small adobe town near Khorbat to visit a desert town (sometimes access is not possible due to weather conditions and the river is rising). We continue to Erfoud, land of fossils and juicy dates. Lunch included. Passengers who wish can take an excursion to the dunes of the Sahara in all road 4*4 vehicles (we recommend witnessing the beautiful spectacle of the sunset between the dunes with a mint tea).

Day 11. (Sunday) ERFOUD – FEZ

We will have our breakfast between dunes enjoying our last moment in the desert before leaving for the Middle Atlas. Today we will cross the Middle Atlas and experience a new landscape change along the way. We leave the Sahara Desert and ripping the mountains, we’ll travel along nomadic areas sheltered in high and cold landscapes. We travel through the Cedars of Azrou Nature Reserve, with its impressive cedar forest and the funny Beberia monkeys, a species almost extinct and that survives thanks to the tourist attraction that they are. Arrival to Fez, the most monumental of the Moroccan Imperial Cities, its University of “Karaouyne” is the largest Islamic sanctuary in Morocco and the oldest religious education center. Free time to enjoy calmly the great and labyrinth Medina of Fes el-Bali, composed by more than 9.000 streets, it’s the best-preserved Medina of the Arab world and the largest monument of Morocco. Distribution of rooms upon arrival, dinner and accommodation at the hotel.

Day 12. (Monday) FEZ – TANGIER

Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning we’ll do a monumental and panoramic city tour of Fez. We will see the 7 gates of the Royal Palace, the Jewish neighbourhood 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 neighbourhood and the Medersa, the oldest university of the world and its Karaouyne Mosque. We conclude the visit by including lunch in an ancient palace in the Medina district. At the beginning of the afternoon, we depart towards the north of Morocco, heading to Tangier, the Moroccan capital of the Strait of Gibraltar, a cosmopolitan city that has always been pretended for many civilizations due to its strategic location, at the main gate of Europe and Africa. Arrival, distribution of rooms, dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 13. (Tuesday) TANGIER – SEVILLE

Breakfast and free time to make the last shopping or to visit the charming corners of Tangier, its beautiful medina and its souks. Here our senses are sharpened: sounds, smells and alleyways that move us in time. At the indicated time we’ll leave for the harbour and board the ferry to return across the Strait of Gibraltar back to Spain. Drive inland heading back to Sevilla, capital city of Andalusia. Arrival at the hotel, dinner included and accommodation.

Day 14. (Wednesday) SEVILLE

After breakfast, we’ll do a monumental and panoramic visit of Seville. Lead by an expert guide you will discover the Cathedral of Seville, the second largest in the Catholic world after San Pedro in Rome and its famous Giralda Tower, the old seminar of the Arab mosque, also 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. After the visit, we will include a boat trip on the Guadalquivir River to enjoy the panoramic views that exist from the boat. We recommend you to take a nice walk along the banks of the Guadalquivir River, the “great king of Andalusia”, as the poet Luis de Góngora y Argote called it. Afternoon free to discover different perspectives and specific flavours of this active city full of lights. At night, we recommend you to 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. Optionally, you may also enjoy an exquisite flamenco show.

Day 15. (Thursday) SEVILLE – CORDOBA – CONSUEGRA – MADRID

After breakfast at the hotel we leave Seville following the valley of the Guadalquivir River to Cordoba, once the capital of the Moorish Caliphate. Lead by a local guide, you’ll visit Cordoba’s fabulous Cathedral-Mosque, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and also the ancient Synagogue (entrances included). Later you’ll do a stroll in the old district, the Jewish Quarter of Cordoba, with its famous “patios” of flowers and its narrow winding streets. Free time to enjoy the last moments in Andalusia and if you prefer, to buy some souvenirs in one of many shops that can be found in Cordoba. After lunch, we continue towards the Castilian lands, where Miguel de Cervantes imagined the most famous knight of Spanish literature, Don Quixote de la Mancha and stop at Consuegra, where 12 giant windmills together with an impressive castle, contemplate the plain fields of La Mancha. We’ll visit Venta Rucio windmill. Continuation to Madrid, arrival and transfer to hotel. Accommodation.

Day 16. (Friday) MADRID – BARCELONA

Breakfast at the hotel. At the agreed time, presentation on your own at the Puerta de Atocha – Almudena Grandes Train Station to take the high-speed train included to Barcelona. Pleasant and short journey with the comfort and speed of this AVE train. Arrival and end of our services.