19-Day Spain, Morocco and Portugal Tour: Valencia | Lisbon | Madrid | Casablanca | Seville

Welcome to Europe!!!

Upon arriving at the airport we will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel. You can enjoy free time until your tour starts. Please, check the informative posters placed at the hotel reception area which have all the information about your upcoming services such as meeting place, time and the guide's name.

TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS: Barcelona city tour. "Spanish Village" visit and evening transfer to Las Ramblas district.

Today we will explore Barcelona, an impressive city right on the Medi­terranean Sea. Starting by an informative city tour with a local expert (Note: If the group has fewer than fifteen people, explanations can be given by our guide.) We will also visit the city's historic central area with its Gothic neighborhood dating back to the Middle Ages. We will visit the area where the Olympic Games took place. We will also get the chance to see La Sagrada Fa­milia Basilica, the masterpiece designed by the architect Gaudí.Following this, we include the entry ticket to visit 'Poble Espanyol' (meaning 'Spanish Village'). This open-air architectural museum is situated in one of the most emblematic areas of Barcelona. Enjoy the Spanish craftsmanship and discover the architectural styles, traditions and folklore of the different regions that make up Spain. You will then have some free time to explore the city at your own leisure.

In the evening we provide a transfer to Las Ramblas and the Plaza Cata­lunya area for dinner, where you can choose from a wide variety of restaurants. We will return to the hotel in the late evening.

TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS: visit Peniscola, a beautiful walled town and its castle by the sea. Sightseeing in Valencia. Evening transfer.

We will journey south along the Mediterranean, making a special stop in PENISCOLA, a small walled town on the shores of the sea. After a short introduction by our guide, you can make your own way through town, discovering its fishing port, the castle and beach at your own leisure. We will then travel to VALENCIA, where we will have time to have lunch. A local guide will take you on a tour of the city in the afternoon. Valencia is the third largest city in Spain where the modern blends with the historical. In the tour we will learn about its historic city centre, the fish market, the cathedral and the avant-garde City of Arts and Sciences. In the evening we will have a transfer to the Plaza de Toros (bullring) area where you will have time to have dinner. Return to the hotel in the late evening.

TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS: Touristic train in Caravaca.

Today we will continue our trip and head to ALICANTE. We will have time to take a walk in this charming, coastal city and, after lunch, we will make our way to the Murcia region, where we will visit CARAVACA DE LA CRUZ, a town considered by the Catholic Church as one of the five holy cities. Its church holds a relic of Christ's Cross. We will also take a train ride up to its historic area, which we can explore, before we continue our trip along scenic roads on our way to Andalusia. We will end the day in GRANADA.

TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS: Visit the Alhambra. Night transfer.

We will have a full day in GRANADA. In the afternoon we will visit with a local guide the immense Alhambra Palace and its beautiful Generalife gardens, built in Arabian times.

In the evening we will visit the Albaicin district a World Heritage site as is the Alhambra, where you can have dinner in the narrow winding streets of this captivating Medieval Moorish quarter. At night, you will have the option to attend a flamenco dance show in the traditional neighborhood of Sac­romonte.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The maximum number of people allowed to visit the Alhambra is limited by the local government. Given that the number of tickets assigned to tour operators is small, and we are only given the confirmed number one month before your arrival, even if you buy the trip with the ticket included we cannot guarantee entrance to the Alhambra. In such event, we would offer entry to the Reales Alcázares in Seville, which is similar. As with the Alhambra visit, the group would be led by a local guide of the city of Granada.

TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS: Step aboard a boat to Africa. Stop in the pictur­esque ocean front town of Asilah. Dinner included.

Departure from Granada. We cross the Costa del Sol. In Algeciras or Tarifa we board a modern ferry to cross the Strait of Gibraltar. The coach does not normally make the crossing, so passengers must carry their lug­gage. Arrival in Morocco. We will journey through beautiful landscapes. ASILAH this small and picturesque walled city on the shores of the Atlantic was an ancient port and a base for pirates. Today the city is full of life. Time for lunch before we will resume our trip.

Arrival in RABAT. Buffet Dinner and accommodation included.

TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS: Guided visit in Rabat (admission fees included). Dis­cover Casablanca. Kalesa ride and dinner in Marrakech.

We will go on a scenic tour of Rabat in which we will visit the immense Royal Palace, the Mohamed V Mausoleum and the mighty Kasbah of the Udayas. At midday, we will travel to CASABLANCA, where we will have a short but informative tour of the city. The tour includes a visit to the outside of what is considered one of the most important mosques in the Arab world, the great Hassan II mosque. Then, we will head to MARRAKECH.

After arriving at the hotel, you will be able to experience a traditional Kalesa ride up to the famous Djema square. Dinner buffet included.

TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS: Guided city tour. Admission fees and lunch included.

We will start the day with a guided tour of the city which gave the country its name. We will get to know the great walls of the city, the bustling Jemaa square, walk through the colorful Medina and see the Kutubia tower. We will visit to the Bahia Palace (ticket included). Lunch included. We sill have some free time to relax at the pool or discover a famous Mar­rakech Souk (local market).

In the evening, you can experience a Fantasia dinner and cultural show (optional).

TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS: Scenic landscapes. Visit a village built with adobe. Buffet dinner included.

We will journey across the Atlas Mountains as their, usually snow-capped, high peaks will greet us as we say goodbye to Marrakech. Small Berber villages perch on the side of chasms. We will interrupt our journey to stop at the fortified village of AIT BENHADDOU, a place where several films have been filmed. At this point in our trip, our route will be going through the so-called biblical landscapes. We will spend some time in OUARZAZATE city with its impressive Kasbah. We will continue toward the valley of Roses. BOULMANE DADES. Dinner and accommodation.

NOTE: On very rare occasions (during winter), the roads may be closed due to snowdrifts. If necessary, this section of the itinerary will be resched­uled according to our alternative itinerary. (Whether we can visit the Sahara or not will depends on road access).

TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS: Beautiful scenery. Canyon in the eastern part of the High Atlas Mountains. Visit a village built with adobe. Buf­fet lunch included.

Feel the adrenaline on an off-road excursion of the de­sert sand dunes. A journey full of excitement in the Sahara Desert: the Valley of the Kas­bahs; river valleys containing thousands of palm trees; Stone plains fol­lowed by oasis and adobe villages, powerful fortresses defending the thoroughfares. We will visit the stunningly magnificent TODGHA GORGE. On the way there, we shall stop at a small town built with adobe next to KHORBAT, visitors will be able to learn about this desert community, which is supported by the Europamundo Foundation. (Note: due to weather conditions, such as river flooding, access might not possible at times).We will continue toward ERFOUD. Lunch included. Anyone who wishes to, can go on a field trip to visit the sand dunes of the Sahara Desert (and experience dusk among the dunes).

TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS: Breathtaking landscapes. Discover the medi­eval city of Fes. Dinner included.

In the early morning, we will leave the Sahara through the mountains and cross the no­madic areas situated in the elevated and cold landscapes. In the afternoon, FES awaits us. Leisure time. Dinner and hotel accommodation included.

TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS: Guided City Tour of Fes. Admission included. Lunch and dinner included.

We will discover Fes with an informative scenic tour. We will conclude the visit with an included lunch at an ancient palace of the Medina district. At the beginning of the afternoon, we will travel towards the north of Morocco. Arriving in TANGIER in the mid-afternoon. Dinner and hotel accommodation included.

TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS: Travel via ferry from Africa to Europe.

We will have some free time in Tangier, a good chance for some last-minute shopping, perhaps? We will return to Spain by ferry. The coach will not travel on board the ferry, therefore, each passenger will be required to carry their own piece of luggage with them. We will arrive in Algeciras or Tarifa and continue on to SEVILLE. Evening arrival.

TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS: Guided visit with local expert in Seville. Boat trip along the river Guadalquivir. Night transfer to the historic center.

After breakfast, a local expert will guide you on a scenic visit of Seville featuring the Cathedral and its famous Giralda (bell tower), the banks of the Guadalquivir River, popu­lar neighborhoods of Santa Cruz and Triana and the beautiful Plaza de España. After the visit, we will include a boat trip along the river Guadalquivir, enjoying the panoramic views from the boat. Afterwards, you will have free time to explore at your own leisure. At the end of the afternoon, we will go to the historic city center area (Calle Alfonso XII) where there are many different types of restaurants for you to choose from.

TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS: a beautiful scenery where we will visit walled villages. Evora Chapel of bones.

We will leave Seville and set out on a stage of scenic beauty. Through hills and olive tree groves we will enter Extremadura. We will stop in JEREZ DE LOS CABALLEROS, this town once belonged to the Knights Templar and is where Vasco Nuñez de Balboa was born. We will then enter Portugal. MONSARAZ, is one of the most picturesque villages in Portugal with old fortified walls, a castle, great views and white-painted streets brimming with flowerpots. We will then travel to the city of EVORA, declared a World Heritage Site thanks to its white-painted streets, Renaissance palaces and cathedral. Time for lunch. We will also visit the impressive Chapel of Bones (admission included), which was built using the bones from over 5000 skeletons!

We will arrive in LISBON toward the end of the day.

TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS: City Tour of Lisbon. Evening transfer.

In the morning we will have a sightseeing tour with a local guide. We will visit the tra­ditional neighborhoods including the Belem district, which is the birthplace of the great Portuguese navigators who sailed the oceans in the Fifteenth Century. We will have a look around the Monument of the Discoveries, Belem Tower, and the beautiful Jeronimos Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy the free afternoon when you are free to explore the city at your own leisure.

In the late afternoon, we will have a transfer to the Restauradores Square, a public square with plenty of restaurants and cafes. We suggest you ride the Elevador Da Gloria funicular that takes you to the viewpoint of San Pedro with beautiful views over Lisbon and the Bairro Alto. Return to the hotel.

TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS: Fatima Shrine. Lunch included.

Today we will travel to the north of Portugal and visit FATIMA, an important sanctuary (a pilgrimage site). We will continue on through the green lands of the centre, passing into Spain and then, over grasslands, we will cross the North of Extremadura. Lunch included en route at a regional cuisine restaurant. We will travel on to MADRID where we will be arriving towards the end of the day. Then we include transfer to Plaza Mayor where you can enjoy at some typical taverns.

TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS: Madrid city tour. Stroll through the Retiro Park. Visit to the Las Ventas bullring. Evening transfer.

The morning starts with a comprehensive tour through the center of Madrid including the Paseo del Prado, Cibeles, Neptuno, the Gate of Alcalá, Plaza de Colón and Plaza Mayor. We then will visit Retiro Park, an oasis in the city center, where we will see the lake and the Glass Palace. A visit to Las Ventas Bullring (admission included) is next. This is one of the most famous bullrings in the world where we will learn about the tradition of the "corridas" at the Bullfighting Museum. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon at your own leisure.

At sunset we will provide a transfer to Plaza de Oriente, opposite the Royal Palace, an elegant and bustling area with many restaurants serving different cuisines, such as local Spanish food, international and Chinese. Enjoy a pleasant dinner of your choice. At the end of the evening we will return to the hotel.

After breakfast, end of our services.