Day 1. (Saturday) MADRID

Hola! Welcome to Europe! Welcome to Spain! Arrival at the International Airport of Madrid – Barajas. Assistance and transfer to your hotel in Madrid. You’ll enjoy some free time at your disposal to get acquainted with this cosmopolitan city, capital of Spain. Please check the informative panels in the hotel reception area for the welcome meeting with your guide and fellow travellers, and to receive information about the circuit. Towards the end of the day, we’ll do a transfer to Plaza Mayor, the heart of Madrid, a vibrant district where you’ll find a great variety of restaurants for dinner. Accommodation in hotel.

Day 2. (Sunday) MADRID

Breakfast at the hotel. Escorted by a local guide, we’ll start a guided tour of Madrid discovering Paseo del Prado, one of the main boulevards in Madrid, Cibeles Square, the most emblematic square in Madrid with the fountain of the Greek goddess Cibeles, place where Real Madrid and Spain national team fans celebrate their victories, the Neptuno Square, the Gate of Alcala, one of the old royal gates that gave access to the city, Cristofor Columbus Square and the Plaza Mayor, once the centre of Old Madrid, is one of the prettiest open spaces in Spain. Our city tour of Madrid continues with the visit to Retiro Park, an oasis in the city centre, where we will see its lake and the Glass Palace. You’ll have the chance then to visit Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, the football stadium of Real Madrid, for many, world’s best football club. The afternoon will be at your disposal to enjoy the beautiful atmosphere of Spain Capital. Return to hotel and accommodation.

Day 3. (Monday) MADRID – GRANADA

After breakfast, we’ll leave Madrid heading south to discover the impressive Andalusia, a historical region of Spain, where we’ll discover from outstanding monuments to a wide variety of different natural landscapes. We’ll drive southward along the land of Don Quixote, “The Man from La Mancha”, along the way observing vast vineyards. We’ll be stopping in Puerto Lapice, a ‘manchego’ village evoking the figure of Don Quixote. Later we’ll cross the natural border of “Despeñaperros” and get into Andalusia, a region with a huge heritage from a splendorous past. Arrival to Granada, an incredible and amazing monumental environment, the last stronghold of the Moorish Kingdom up to 1492. After the lunch (included), we’ll visit the 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 Washington Irving. 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 4. (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 5. (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 6. (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 7. (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 8. (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 9. (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 10. (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 11. (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 12. (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 13. (Thursday) SEVILLE – MERIDA – EVORA – LISBON

Breakfast at the hotel. We leave for Portugal, crossing the Region of Extremadura, land of the best cured ham, good wines and tasty cheeses. Travelling along large meadows of evergreen oaks and cork oaks groves where the Iberian pig roams freely, we arrive at the ancient Augusta Emerita, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Admission included to the archaeological site to visit at your leisure the imposing Roman Theater of Mérida, a symbol of the city, which continues to function after 2,000 years of history and which hosts the International Classical Theater Festival on summer nights. After that, among beautiful landscapes of the Alentejo Region we arrive at Évora, capital of the region, a city declared a World Heritage Site with its important historical heritage evoking times past: the ruins of the Roman Temple of Diana, its impressive Gothic cathedral, its palaces Renaissance and also the Church of San Francisco with its adjacent Chapel of Bones (Capela dos Ossos), where all its walls are covered with skulls and human bones, symbolizing how ephemeral human existence is. We’ll continue to Lisbon, the capital and largest city of Portugal. Arrival at the hotel and accommodation.

Day 14. (Friday) LISBON

Breakfast at the hotel. We’ll have a full day to explore each corner of Lisbon. We’ll start the day with an in-depth sightseeing tour of Lisbon. We’ll visit Lisbon’s traditional neighbourhoods, which take us into the Belem district, on the northern bank of the Tagus River estuary, the birthplace of many great Portuguese navigators who sailed the oceans in the Fifteenth Century to explore and trade with India and the Orient. We will walk around the Monument of the Discoveries (Padrão dos Descobrimentos), a monument that celebrates the Portuguese Age of Discovery, we’ll see the Belem Tower, a medieval defensive fortification and a prominent example of the Portuguese Manueline style. We will finally see the beautiful gothic style Jeronimos Monastery, Vasco da Gama’s resting place, classified a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with the nearby Tower of Belen. Enjoy some free time at leisure to explore Lisbon at your own pace, to discover the nostalgic corners of the Barrio de Alfama, the old city grouped next to its Castle with its old buildings in narrow and twisted “ruas” full of color and housing the genuine “taverns” where Fado music sounds like a lost past. Late in the afternoon, we’ll include a transfer to the Restauradores Square, a public square with lots of restaurants. We suggest you to take the Elevador Da Gloria, a cable-car that climb the steep hill into the Bairro Alto district, from the viewpoint of San Pedro you can enjoy the best views over Lisbon. Return to the hotel.

Day 15. (Saturday) LISBON – FATIMA – PORTO

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure northbound to Fatima. We will visit this important sacred center of the Christendom, known worldwide for its sanctuary, a place of Christian pilgrimage since the beginning of the 20^th century. We continue our route through the green lands of the center regions of Portugal. Arrival in Porto, the second-largest city of Portugal. You’ll enjoy some free time for lunch and then we’ll board a rabelo boat, a typical Portuguese vessel on the Douro River, which traditionally transported barrels of port wine from the vineyards in the Alto Douro to the port wine cellars. We’ll enjoy a unique experience, a boat trip along the Douro River, viewing the city at sunset from the river. The rest of the afternoon is at your leisure, exploring the historical and nostalgic atmosphere of this port city, with its elegant neighborhoods and stately villas contrasting with the narrow streets and old alleys. You can visit the Sé Cathedral, Porto’s most important religious monument, as well as the Stock Exchange Palace, one of Porto’s most beautiful buildings. Stroll along the Ribeira de Porto on the banks of the Douro River and admire the Dom Luis I Bridge, Porto’s most famous bridge. Climb the Clérigos Tower, the best viewpoint in Porto, from where you’ll have fabulous panoramic views of the city’s historic center. Hotel accommodation.

Day 16. (Sunday) PORTO – BOM JESUS SANCTUARY – CAMBADOS – SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA

After breakfast, we start our trip to the northern Portugal. We travel among beautiful landscapes. At Braga, we go up in the oldest funicular in the world, an impressive piece of 19^th century engineering, to discover the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, from where we will appreciate beautiful views of the city of Braga. We suggest walking down to admire its beautiful Stairway of the Five Senses, a monumental Baroque stairway of 381 feet. We continue our trip to Galicia, with its landscapes of lush valleys and stunning beaches, spectacular cliffs, charming fishing villages and incredible cities. At Rias Bajas (Lower Estuaries of Galicia) we will stop in the historic city of Cambados, and we will board for a glass bottom boat trip in which we will explain how mussels and oysters are produced, with a wine and mussels tasting included. After lunch time we arrive at Santiago de Compostela, whose old town is a World Heritage Site, one of the most important monumental centers of Spain, one of the sacred cities of Christendom and end of the Way of Saint James pilgrimage route. Upon arrival we’ll enjoy a city tour visiting amongst others, the Plaza del Obradoiro, the point at which all roads into the city converge, where we can find Santiago’s Highlight, the Cathedral dedicated to the Apostle James the Elder, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ and brother of John, the Evangelist. Arrival at the hotel and accommodation. We recommend you to take a night walk to discover at your pace this historic city, its university atmosphere of joy and vitality, try the delicious cuisine that Galician tradition has preserved and its regional products, especially seafood, fish and beef.

Day 17. (Monday) SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA – LUGO – O CEBREIRO – LEON – OVIEDO

Breakfast. We travel along the Saint James Route towards Castilla. We stop in Lugo (Lucus Augusti during the Roman Period) to get to know its historic center, an urban network of quiet pedestrian streets and the grand Roman walls encircling old Lugo, considered the best preserved of their kind in the world, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We continue our route in Galicia travelling through O Cebreiro, a small Galician stone village and Leon, a historic enclave on the Pilgrim’s Road to Santiago de Compostela. Free time to visit some of the most emblematic buildings such as the Gothic cathedral, with the most beautiful stained-glass windows in Europe, the Collegiate Church of San Isidoro and the facade of the San Marcos Hostel in Plateresque style. Later we will cross the Cantabrian Mountains traveling to Asturias. Arrival in Oviedo, a city of an unquestionable medieval flavour. Lead by a licensed local guide, we’ll do an in-depth city tour of Oviedo to discover its beautiful 9^th century cathedral, the Calatrava Palace, the Campoamor theater, the Rua street. After the visit, we’ll enjoy a traditional dinner, where we can taste the authentic Asturian cider. Arrival at the hotel and accommodation.

Day 18. (Tuesday) OVIEDO – COVADONGA – SANTILLANA – SANTANDER

After breakfast we travel to the Picos de Europa National Park & UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Driving a twisty road that will slowly reveal a beautiful countryside made up of calm waters, unimaginable green carpets and mountain peaks which all seem to be almost within reach, we will arrive to Covadonga, where you will have free time to visit the Shrine, a place of worship and pilgrimage for the people of Asturias, where you will see the Patroness of Asturias our Lady of Covadonga. We continue the route towards Santillana del Mar, one of the most important historical artistic towns in Spain. It contains architectural treasures such as the Collegiate Church of Santa Juliana, a Jewel of the Romanesque Architecture in Cantabria. We will visit the Museum of the Caves of Altamira, that will give us a closer look at the prehistoric era of the Iberian Peninsula. Later we travel to Santander, capital of Cantabria Region, one of the most elegant and beautiful cities of the North Coast of Spain. Santander is a port city located between the sea and the mountains, well known for its Sardinero Beach, one of the best-known beaches in Spain. With a local guide we’ll do a sightseeing tour of Santander to discover the highlights of this elegant coastal city and its beautiful bay. Arrival at the hotel and accommodation. Note: From July to mid-October, due to high occupancy some groups will be accommodated in Bilbao.

Day 19. (Wednesday) SANTANDER – BILBAO – MADRID

Breakfast. Following the highway along the Cantabrian Coast, with beautiful landscapes between the mountains and the sea we arrive to Bilbao, capital of the province of Vizcaya, and the largest city of the Basque Country. Accompanied by an expert local guide, we will visit Bilbao, where design and architecture permeate this entire city: the avant-garde building of the Guggenheim Museum, the old town of Bilbao, the Cathedral … Then you will have free time to take some “pintxos” – bite-sized pieces, miniature culinary works of art. In the afternoon we continue to Madrid, arrival at the hotel and accommodation. Note: Depending on the number of passengers, the Bilbao / Madrid route may be made by regular-line coach or by train.

Day 20. (Thursday) MADRID

Breakfast at the hotel and end of our services. We recommend you to keep exploring Madrid, diplomatic capital, economic centre and most populous city in Spain, headquarters of the Spanish government and city where the Spanish monarchy resides. You can take a walk through the courtly Madrid de los Austrias Neighborhood with its Renaissance and Baroque buildings in Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor and Plaza de la Villa, continue to the Royal Palace located in the elegant Plaza de Oriente, get to know the Cibeles Fountain, Fountain of Neptune, Puerta de Alcala, Gran Vía or Paseo de la Castellana. You can also, optionally, visit the nearby imperial city of Toledo, declared a World Heritage Site, make a daytrip to Avila and Segovia, the jewels of Castilla y León, cities declared World Heritage Cities, tours that you may book on our website.