| Purpose: | Discovery, Culture, History, Fun |
| No. of days: | 16 days – 15 nights |
| First & Last Cities: | Madrid |
| Other cities: | Caceres, Cordoba, Seville, Ronda, Costa del Sol, Tarifa, Tangier, Casablanca, Marrakech, Rabat, Meknes, Fez, Granada, Toledo |
| Starting cost: | $2,449 Land only |
Discover the impressive Muslim artistic heritage through this trip, which takes us partly to Andalusia, to the ancient Muslim Al-Andalus and partly to Morocco to get to know the Imperial Cities. Almost eight centuries of Muslim presence in the Iberian Peninsula have formed an Andalusian heritage, which forms part of the identity of Spanish and Mediterranean culture. The thousand-year-old history of Andalusia has left behind an immense artistic heritage. The Alhambra in Granada, the Mezquita in Cordoba, or the Giralda and the old town of Seville are monumental works of humanity. Morocco, this Muslim land full of mysticisms that seems like a trip on a magic carpet to go to a place between myth and reality. Tangier, Fez, Casablanca, Marrakech… names of cities to evoke the aroma of spices among the most experienced travelers.
Day 1, Fri: Madrid
Meet and greet at the airport. Take a transfer to your hotel. Rest of the day is at leisure. Accommodation at the hotel
Day 2, Sat: Madrid
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning Madrid guided city tour; find the medieval origins of the city, like the Arabic fortress, at the Barrio de la Morería, famous for its historical buildings. Drive through the courtesan district of the Hapsburgs characterized by Phillip II and its Renaissance and Baroque style buildings, Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor and Plaza de la Villa; the Madrid of the Bourbons and the complex town planning schemes of Charles III, the Royal Palace, Cibeles and Neptuno Fountains and the Puerta de Alcalá. Admire the 19 c. works such as Prado Museum. The contemporary Madrid with areas such as Gran Vía, Castellana, the district of Salamanca, Plaza Castilla and Parque del Oeste, as well as commercial and financial areas of Modern Madrid, the emblematic Las Ventas Bullring and the Santiago Bernabéu Football Stadium. Afternoon free to explore the wonders that the city has to offer. Accommodation at the hotel. [B]
Day 3, Sun: Madrid, Caceres, Cordoba
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Caceres declared UNESCO World Heritage site because of the city’s blend of Roman, Islamic, Northern Gothic and Italian Renaissance architecture. Walk through its Plaza Mayor and the Old Town with its famous Medieval Quarter. Afterwards, continue on towards Cordoba, once the capital of the Caliphate. Accommodation at the hotel. [B]
Day 4, Mon: Cordoba, Seville
Breakfast at the hotel. Impressive tour of its Mosque and other sites that will ease our mind and spirit strolling through its narrow winding streets of the Jewish Quarter. In the afternoon, after a short two hours ride reach Seville. Accommodation at the hotel. [B]
Day 5, Tue: Seville
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning panoramic city tour visiting the Cathedral (the second largest in the Catholic world after St. Peters in Rome), Santa Cruz quarter (a natural scenario of “Carmen” as well as a precisely where the myth of “Don Juan” developed), Maria Luisa Park and Plaza de España. Afternoon at leisure for you to discover exclusive views, specific flavors of this active full of light city. Accommodation at the hotel. [B]
Day 6, Wed: Seville, Ronda, Costa del Sol
After breakfast at the hotel drive south passing typical villages. Reach Ronda; free time to admire this town of Celtic origin and the marvelous view of the valley and mountain range. In the afternoon continue on to the Costa del Sol, one of the most modern and important international tourist areas. Accommodation at the hotel. [B/T]
Day 7, Thu: Costa del Sol
Breakfast, dinner and accommodation at the hotel. Day at leisure for you to enjoy the wonderful beaches of the Costa del Sol and surrounding areas. Accommodation at the hotel. [B/D]
Day 8, Fri: Costa del Sol, Tarifa, Tangier, Casablanca
After breakfast at the hotel drive along the picturesque tourist route of Costa del Sol, arrive to Tarifa 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 drive southwards to Casablanca, current industrial and economic capital and the most populated city housing a 10% of the country population. Time at leisure. Dinner and accommodation at the hotel. [B/D]
Day 9, Sat: Casablanca, Marrakech
Breakfast at the hotel. Guided city tour through the most interesting sections of the city, Anfa Boulevard, Nations square, residential areas and visit from the outside of the Hassan II grand mosque. Departure towards Marrakech. Marrakech capital of the South, which is located within an extensive oasis between the Atlas Mountains and the pre-desert area. City sightseeing, including the Koutoubia Tower, twin tower of the Giralda in Seville, Saadinian Tombs and Bay Palace, walk around the medina, souks and the magic Jma El Fna Square, which is packed with fortune tellers, snake tamers, acrobats, dancers, all making the center of the city an open-air theatre that requires the participation of the audience. Don’t forget your camera. Dinner and accommodation at hotel. [B/D]
Day 10, Sun: Marrakech, Rabat, Meknes, Fez
Breakfast and early departure to Rabat. Visit the capital of the country, Rabat. Visit the exterior of the Royal Palace, the Mohamed V Mausoleum and the Hassan Tower. Continue to the Imperial City of Meknes, where you will visit the Walls of Bab el Mansour and the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, the only mosque in all of Morocco where non-Muslims are allowed. Arrive in Fez. Dinner and accommodation. [B/D]
Day 11, Mon: Fez
Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a morning city tour of the most ancient and monumental of the Imperial Cities visiting the most interesting points: the 7 gates of the Royal Palace, Jewish Quarters or Mellah, gate of Bab Bou Jelous and walking tour of the “Medina” (Old City), declared World Heritage Site. Afternoon free. Dinner and accommodation at hotel. Optional dinner with show. [B/D]
Day 12, Tue: Fez, Tangier, Tarifa, Costa del Sol
After breakfast at the hotel departure to Tangier. Transfer to the pier to board the ferry to return across the strait of Gibraltar back to Spain. Drive towards the Costa del Sol. Accommodation at the hotel. [B]
Day 13, Wed: Costa del Sol
Breakfast and accommodation at the hotel. Day at leisure for you to enjoy the wonderful beaches of the Costa del Sol and surrounding areas. [B]
Day 14, Thu: Costa del Sol, Granada
After breakfast at the hotel departure towards the city of Granada and its incredible and amazing monumental environment, last stronghold of the Moorish Kingdoms up to 1492. Visit the world-famous Alhambra complex and Generalife Gardens that have inspired several authors with its sound and sights, such as the “Tales of the Alhambra” by W. Irving. Afternoon at leisure. Accommodation at the hotel. [B]
Day 15, Fri: Granada, Toledo, Madrid
Breakfast at the hotel. Drive northward where it emerges, toward the sky of Castilla and surrounded by the Tagus River, the impressive Imperial city of Toledo –World Heritage City- where the three cultures Christians, Moorish and Jewish, have lived together. Resume of the Spanish art, history and spirituality the whole town is a National Monument. Short guided tour of this historical old town through its narrow streets. Then proceed with a visit to a famous “Damasquinado” (gold and silver inlaying in iron) factory. Continue to Madrid. Accommodation. [B]
Day 16, Sat: Madrid, USA
After breakfast at the hotel transfer to the airport to board your flight back home. [B]
[B] = Breakfast | [B/D] = Breakfast and Dinner
TOUR INCLUDES
· Private transfers
· 13 nights’ accommodation:
o Madrid 3 nights
o Cordoba 1 night
o Seville 2 nights
o Costa del Sol 4 nights
o Casablanca 1 night
o Marrakech 1 night
o Fez 2 nights
· Granada 1 night
· Meals
o Daily breakfast
o 4 dinners
· Sightseeing of:
o Madrid
o Cordoba (Mosque entrance included)
o Seville (Cathedral entrance included)
o Casablanca
o Marrakech
o Rabat
o Fez
o Granada (Alhambra entrance included)
o Toledo
· Private English-speaking driver-guide
· Deluxe A/C vehicle
· Entrance fees for sites visited
· Spanish insurance
· All local taxes
NOT INCLUDED IN TOUR
· Airfares and related taxes and fees (Special airfares available from all USA gateways)
· Travel insurance
· Meals and beverages not mentioned under inclusions
· Porterage service
· Expenses of a personal nature
· Any item not mentioned as “Included”
· Tips to guides or drivers
· Other services not mentioned in the program
Hotels in your Tour
| City | Hotel Name | Tripadvisor |
|---|---|---|
| SUperior Tourist Class | ||
| Madrid | Princesa Plaza | 4 |
| Seville | Catalonia Santa Justa | 4 |
| Costa del Sol | Sol Don Pablo | 4 |
| Don Marco | 4 | |
| Sol Príncipe | 4 | |
| Fez | Menzeh Zalagh | 3 |
| Volubilis | 3 | |
| Marrakech | Labranda Rose | 3.5 |
| Zalagh Kasbah | 3 | |
| Casablanca | Kenzi Basma | 3.5 |
| Mogador Marina | 3.5 | |
| Oum Palace | 3 | |
| Granada | Alixares | 3.5 |
| First Class | ||
| Madrid | Princesa Plaza | 4 |
| Seville | Melia Lebreros | 4 |
| Costa del Sol | Sol Don Pablo | 4 |
| Don Marco | 4 | |
| Sol Príncipe | 4 | |
| Fez | Royal Mirage | 3.5 |
| Zalagh Parc Palace | 3 | |
| Marrakech | Kenzi Farah | 4.5 |
| Palm Plaza | 3.5 | |
| Adam Park | 3.5 | |
| Casablanca | Grand Mogador | 4 |
| Farah | 3 | |
| Le Palace a’Anfa | 3 | |
| Granada | Melia Granada | 4 |
Hotels will be confirmed at time of booking.
Tour Pricing
| Hotel Category | Tourist Class | First Class | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Departure Dates | Double | Single | Double | Single |
| April 7, 14, 21, 28 | $2,375 | $3,275 | $2,785 | $3,795 |
| April 28 | $2,269 | $3,139 | $2,605 | $3,615 |
| May 5, 12,19, 26 | $2,375 | $3,239 | $2,745 | $3,749 |
| June 2, 9, 16, 23 | ||||
| July 14 | $2,269 | $3,139 | $2,605 | $3,615 |
| August 11 | ||||
| September 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 | $2,375 | $3,239 | $2,745 | $3,749 |
| October 6, 13, 20 |
Prices are per person, are valid through October ‘23 and may change without notice.
Special airfares available from all USA gateways
Changes to this program may be requested by phone (1855-55-TOURS) or using the web FIT Quote Request
· Airfare
We also be glad to adjust the airfare from your gateway so you take advantage of our special discounted leisure fares
· Program
You may add or remove;
o Trip days
o Cities and sites
o Meals
· Other options
o The program was designed with private services, however, we may substitute shared sightseeing where available
o If you prefer deluxe services we may operate this program including private driver, private guide and concierge service.
· Quotation
Once we have designed the program the way you want we’ll give you a quote within 2 business days.
Tour Code: SP04MAD23JT
Options
· Lunches and dinners can be arranged for individuals, families and groups at top restaurants or any restaurant requested by you.
· We can revise the itinerary to spend more time and provide more depth in those areas that you are interested on.
· Any other changes to the itinerary will be accommodated depending on the facilities available in the area.
· Private arrival and/or departure transfer
Group Quotations
· The options suggested in the itinerary will be quoted at time of booking
· If you wish to use these programs for your group or as the basis for a customized journey please either call us (1-855-55-TOURS or use the web Group Quote Request.
· In either case our specialists will work with to refine all the details and they will get you a quote with 2 business days. Quotes may be obtained for the air and land portions of just for the lad journey.
· Booking both air and land with us will represent savings for you because of our buying power and longtime relationship with the airlines.
· We will also may have the choice between regular fares and special leisure fares not available to the public.