Spain Morocco & Portugal
Day 1 - Depart USA Overnight flight to Madrid.
Day 2 - Arrive Madrid You are met at Madrid airport and transferred to your hotel. Time to relax or explore this lively Spanish capital. Later, enjoy a Welcome Dinner including tapas and drink with your Tour Director and fellow travellers in a local restaurant. (Welcome Dinner)
Day 3 - Madrid - Toledo - Granada This morning after breakfast we travel to Toledo, capital of Castile. On our arrival a guided walking tour highlights the Jewish Synagogue and more. Next into Andalusia to hilltop Granada with its views of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. This evening dinner is included at our hotel. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 4 - Granada — Costa del Sol (Marbella) Our morning sightseeing tour visits the exquisite Alhambra Palace, Spain's most beautiful Moorish building and former residence of the Moorish Kings. Then on to the centre of the Costa del Sol where tonight, you may wish to sample the nightlife of this lively beach resort area. (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 5 - Costa del Sol (Marbella) — Fez (2 nights) We begin with a Mediterranean coastal drive to Algeciras for the crossing to North Africa. We continue into a different world as we enter Morocco, driving past the Rif Mountains to the Imperial city of Fez and the first of our six-night stay in Africa! (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 6 - Fez sightseeing & at leisure Today's morning sightseeing tour with audio system shows us the fascinating labrynthine Medina plus the Royal Palace. Later, enjoy the atmosphere of this exotic city with time to haggle over beautiful Moroccan carpets - an everlasting souvenir! This afternoon time is your own to do as you please. Tonight, why not enjoy some typical Moroccan cuisine and watch some expert belly dancing" (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 7 - Fez - Marrakesh (2 nights) Today we drive through the foothills of the Atlas Mountains to Marrakesh for two nights, Africa's most popular year-round sun resort. It was once the favourite holiday spot of Sir Winston Churchill. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 8 - Marrakesh sightseeing & at leisure Our sightseeing with local guide visits the Bahia Palace and stops at the vast Djemma Square with its palm-readers, acrobats, camels, markets and more. Here we stop for some mint tea in a typical Moroccan tea - house before bargain hunting in the souks and bazaars or maybe take an excursion to a Berber village. Tonight, why not enjoy an outdoor Moroccan show" (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 9 - Marrakesh - Casablanca Today we drive to Casablanca, scene of Bogart's most magical moments and some of North Africa's best beaches. Here our sightseeing shows us the panoramas to be enjoyed from the Corniche, views the Mosque and the modern section of the city. Then we visit the Casbah, to explore its maze of twisted streets. Later time to explore this romantic city and its associations with Humphrey Bogart. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 10 - Casablanca — Rabat — Tangier We drive along the Atlantic Coast to Rabat, capital of this fascinating country. Here we enjoy an orientation featuring the Royal Mosque, Mausoleum and Royal Palace. Then on to Tangier, where an orientation shows us the city's highlights and the area where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean Sea. (Buffet Breeakfast / Dinner)
Day 11 - Tangier - Seville (2 nights) A morning ferry cruise across the Straits of Gibraltar, with views of the famous Rock. We disembark and join our coach for our journey through Jerez vineyards to beautiful Seville. Tonight, after dinner, why not experience a fiery Flamenco show" (Buffet Breakfast / Highlight Dinner)
Day 12 - Seville sightseeing & at leisure Our morning sightseeing with audio system in this romantic city highlights the Giralda Tower along with the pools and fountains of the Maria Luisa Park, the Cathedral and Columbus' tomb. We will also enjoy a walking tour of the Jewish quarter including the Casa de Pilatos. (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 13 - Seville - Lisbon (2 nights) Today's drive takes us through the 'Jabugo' producing region of Spain and past the mighty castle at Aracena to the Alentejo region in Portugal, with its many cork forests. Soon we arrive in Lisbon, the capital for our two-nights stay. This evening, you may wish to listen to the haunting 'Fado' melodies along the Bairro Alto" (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 14 - Lisbon sightseeing & at leisure Morning sightseeing with audio system highlights the medieval quarter, Vasco da Gama's Tomb inside the Hieronymite Monastery, plus views of Belem Tower and includes a walking tour of the colourful Alfama district. The rest of your day is at leisure, perhaps to shop for pottery and fishermen's sweaters in Cascais. Tonight a Portuguese seafood dinner by the Tagus River is our suggestion. (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 15 - Lisbon — Fatima — Salamanca Today we enjoy a scenic drive through the Serra d'Aire Mountains, arriving at the Shrine at Fatima, scene of celebrated religious miracles. Then we cross the border back into Spain to Salamanca where an orientation shows us the Plaza Mayor. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 16 - Salamanca — Avila — Madrid After breakfast our first stop is at Avila, birthplace of St. Theresa, to see its mighty fortifications. From here we continue past the Sierra de Guadarrama back to Madrid for the final night of our tour. Here our sightseeing tour using our audio system features views of the Royal Palace, Puerta del Sol and Cervantes Memorial as well as a walking tour of the old quarter. This evening, perhaps enjoy a farewell dinner in one of the many restaurants. (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 17 - Madrid - USA Time to bid farewell to new-found friends as we transfer you to the airport for your return flight to America. (Buffet Breakfast)
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