Day 1. (Saturday) BARCELONA – MALAGA

Call on at Sants train station in Barcelona and departure by high-speed train southbound heading to Andalusia. Pleasant journey with the comfort and speed of this fast train. Arrival in Malaga, one of Spain’s foremost holiday destinations. Transfer on your own from the station to the hotel. Free time to discover at your leisure the capital of the Costa del Sol, hometown of the famous painter Pablo Picasso and the Hollywood star Antonio Banderas, among its most famous citizens. We recommend you to leave your luggages in the hotel and take a stroll into the historic quarter of the city to visit the Alcazaba, one of the symbols of the city, and one of the largest Arab fortresses in Andalusia, the Gibralfaro Castle, that offers outstanding views over the city, the Picasso Museum or the beautiful Renaissance Cathedral of Malaga known as La Manquita (the one-armed) thanks to its unfinished right tower. Hotel accommodation.

Day 2. (Sunday) MALAGA – TANGIER

Departure from Malaga. 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 in Tangier and panoramic visit of the city, continuing the route to Cape Spartel and the Caves of Hercules. Accompanied by an expert English-speaking guide, we will learn about the legend of the Grotto of Hercules, but also historical notes on its use during antiquity, while we photograph the famous crack that resembles the map of Africa, with the blue background of the Mediterranean, offering a spectacular image. Continuation to Cape Spartel, the north-westernmost geographical point of Africa and which offers spectacular views over the sea, where the waters of the Mediterranean and the Atlantic Ocean converge. Free time to admire this enclave of great beauty and photograph the imposing lighthouse, built in the mid-19th century (October 1864), the first of the maritime signalling network of the Moroccan coasts. After this short excursion, we return to Tangier and accommodation at the hotel. Free afternoon at your disposal to explore this jewel of North Africa at your leisure. We recommend you to visit the Kasbah of Tangier, its Medina and its souks. Here our senses are sharpened: sounds, smells and alleyways that take us back in time. For those who want to know more about the North of Morocco, we recommend booking an optional excursion to Assilah to visit one of the cleanest and whitest medinas in Morocco. We will discover the tranquillity of its streets, as well as its characteristic artistic murals and the beautiful sunset from the Krikia Viewpoint. Return to Tangier, dinner at the hotel and accommodation.

Day 3. (Monday) TANGIER – VOLUBILIS – MEKNES – FEZ

After a good Moroccan breakfast, we start our journey south, travelling through the lands of the ancient Mauritania Tingitana, one of the most exotic provinces of the Roman Empire. Our first stop will be in Walili, the ancient Roman Volubilis, one of the most important Roman cities of the time. We will visit the archaeological site, walking along the Decumanus Maximus, the main road that crossed Volubilis and admiring the Tangier Gate, the floors of the houses of the nobles, adorned with impressive mosaics, or the Arc de Triomphe, ordered to be built by the emperor Marcus Aurelius. Continuation to the ancient city of 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 will enjoy a panoramic tour of the city of Meknes. We will visit the Bab Al Mansour Gate, the entrance to the old town and without a doubt the most beautiful gate in Morocco. We continue the trip to Fez, the oldest of the imperial cities of Morocco and famous for its ancient walled city, which many compare with that of Jerusalem. Arrival at the hotel, dinner and accommodation.

Day 4. (Tuesday) FEZ

Breakfast. In the morning, we will visit Fez, the oldest and most monumental of the Imperial Cities, to discover the most interesting places in this wonderful city: the 7 gates of the Royal Palace, the Jewish Quarter or Mellah, the Bab Bou Jeloud gate that gives access to the Medina. We continue with a walk through its great Medina or ancient city, declared a World Heritage Site, we will visit the Medersa, one of the main schools of the Koranic religion in Morocco, its Al Karaouine Mosque, one of the largest architectural complexes in Fez known for housing the oldest university in the world, and later we will discover the famous tanners’ quarter, with its countless pits full of natural dyes that make up a colourful landscape. Return to the hotel for lunch and free afternoon to quietly enjoy the extensive and labyrinthine Medina of Fes el-Bali, made up of more than 9,000 alleyways, the best preserved Medina in the Arab world and the largest living monument in all of Morocco. At night, possibility of dinner-show in a typical restaurant of the Medina. Accommodation at the hotel.

Day 5. (Wednesday) FEZ – CASABLANCA – MARRAKECH

After breakfast we’ll drive west towards the Atlantic Coast. Our first stop will be in 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 Corniche Ain Diab, a famous sea resort where we’ll enjoy some free time for lunch. Our journey continues to Marrakech, a fascinating and mysterious city where Europe, Africa and the Middle East mingle and merge. Arrival and free time at your disposal to explore the mystical atmosphere of this charming city. Dinner and accommodation at the hotel.

Day 6. (Thursday) MARRAKECH

Breakfast at the hotel. We will start the day with an amazing guided visit 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. 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 7. (Friday) MARRAKECH – RABAT

After breakfast we’ll drive west towards the Atlantic Coast. Arrival al Rabat, diplomatic and administrative capital of Morocco, official residence of the King Mohamed VI. We’ll do a comprehensive 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. You will have free time for lunch and to explore the Kasbah of the Udayas, an impressive military fortress perched at the mouth of the Bou Regreg, the river that separates the city of Rabat from neighboring Salé. Dinner and accommodation at the hotel.

Day 8. (Saturday) RABAT – TANGIER – MALAGA

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to board the ferry to return across the Strait of Gibraltar back to Spain. Drive along the Mediterranean Coast towards Malaga. Arrival at the hotel, free time at your disposal and accommodation. We recommend you 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 9. (Sunday) MALAGA – BARCELONA

Last day in Andalusia. According to the timetable of your train to Barcelona, you may spend the morning visiting Malaga or buying your last souvenirs. Transfer on your own to the Maria Zambrano Train Station to take the high-speed train to Barcelona. Arrival and end of services.