Itinerary
- Day 1
Madrid
You'll arrive in Madrid and start getting oriented to the city right away. After you settle in, take some time to walk around the vibrant streets at your own pace this evening. Later, you'll join the group for a Welcome Dinner and an orientation drive through the capital to get your bearings and meet your fellow travelers.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome Dinner)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Meliá Castilla)
Included Activities
- Welcome Dinner
- Orientation drive through central Madrid
- Day 2
Madrid
A Local Specialist leads you through Madrid's main sights this morning, including the Cibeles fountain, Paseo de la Castellana, the Royal Palace, and El Retiro Park. The afternoon and evening are yours to do what you want. If you're interested, you can take an optional trip to the medieval city of Segovia or check out the El Prado museum on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Meliá Castilla)
Included Activities
- Sightseeing tour with Local Specialist
- View Cibeles fountain
- Visit Royal Palace
- Visit El Retiro Park
Optional Activities
- Optional Experience to medieval UNESCO-listed city of Segovia
- Optional Experience to El Prado museum
Landmarks Cibeles Fountain Royal Palace El Retiro Park El Prado Segovia 
- Day 3
Toledo to Granada
You'll head to Toledo early in the day for a walking tour with a Local Specialist. Along the way you'll visit the Church of Santo Tomé to see El Greco's famous painting and the Synagogue of Santa Maria La Blanca, one of Europe's oldest still standing. Later, stop at a local steel and Damascene workshop to see traditional crafts. From there, you'll drive through the Andalusian landscape and arrive in Granada for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Occidental)
Included Activities
- Walking tour with Local Specialist
- Visit Church of Santo Tomé
- Visit Synagogue of Santa Maria La Blanca
- Dive Into Culture at local steel and Damascene workshop
Landmarks Church of Santo Tomé Synagogue of Santa Maria La Blanca 
- Day 4
Granada to Costa del Sol
This morning you'll explore the Alhambra with a Local Specialist, walking through the intricate designs, quiet gardens and massive walls. After you finish there, you'll travel on to the Costa del Sol for the next part of your journey.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (NH Marbella)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Alhambra with Local Specialist
Landmarks Alhambra - Day 5
Costa del Sol to Fes
You'll drive along the Mediterranean coast this morning and then take a ferry across to North Africa. After you arrive, the route takes you past the Rif Mountains. By evening you'll reach Fes, where you'll stay for two nights.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Marriott Jnan Palace)
Included Activities
- Ferry crossing to North Africa
Landmarks Rif Mountains 
- Day 6
Fes
A Local Specialist takes you through Fes's cultural and spiritual areas today. You'll visit the American Fondouk to talk with volunteer veterinarians, walk through the old Medina, see the fortifications and Royal Palace, and check out a carpet cooperative. During the afternoon you have free time to relax. If you're interested, there's an optional Arabian dinner experience at a traditional riad available this evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Marriott Jnan Palace)
Included Activities
- Sightseeing tour with Local Specialist
- Visit American Fondouk (MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience)
- Stroll through Medina of Fes
- View fortifications and Royal Palace
- Visit carpet cooperative
Optional Activities
- Optional Experience Arabian dinner in traditional riad with belly dancing
Landmarks American Fondouk Medina of Fes - Day 7
Fes to Marrakesh
You'll leave Fes and travel west through changing landscape, starting with golden fields that gradually turn rusty red. By evening you arrive in Marrakesh, where old and new mix together, especially in the lively Jemaa el-Fnaa Square.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Grand Mogador Menara)
Landmarks Jemaa el-Fnaa Square 
- Day 8
Marrakesh
Your Local Specialist takes you to the elegant Dar El Bacha Palace this morning. After that, you'll head to Jemaa el-Fnaa Square where you'll see palm-readers, storytellers and snake charmers. Later you stop at a traditional Moroccan pharmacy to learn about healing creams and cosmetics made from local ingredients. The rest of the day is open for exploring the souks and bazaars or visiting a local Berber village.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Grand Mogador Menara)
Included Activities
- Walking tour with Local Specialist
- Visit Dar El Bacha Palace
- View Jemaa el-Fnaa Square in Old Quarter
- Dive Into Culture at traditional Moroccan pharmacy
Optional Activities
- Shop for bargains in souks and bazaars
- Visit local Berber village
Landmarks Dar El Bacha Palace Jemaa el-Fnaa Square - Day 9
Marrakesh to Casablanca to Rabat to Tangier
You'll travel north to Casablanca this morning to see the Hassan II Mosque with its striking minaret. From there, continue to Rabat to visit the Mohammed V Mausoleum and take in the cityscape. Later you head to Tangier, which sits between Africa and Europe. You'll stay at the El Minzah hotel, a Spanish-Moorish building from 1930 that overlooks the Bay of Tangiers.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (El Minzah)
Included Activities
- View Hassan II Mosque
- Visit Mohammed V Mausoleum
- Stay at Stays With Stories - El Minzah Hotel
Landmarks Hassan II Mosque Mohammed V Mausoleum 
- Day 10
Tangier to Seville
After crossing the Strait of Gibraltar by ferry, you'll head back to Spain. The route goes past the Jerez region, known for Spanish sherry production. You'll drive through Andalucia and arrive in Seville by evening. If you'd like, there's an optional flamenco performance tonight featuring dancers in colorful skirts and the rhythmic sound of castanets.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Meliá Lebreros)
Included Activities
- Ferry crossing across Strait of Gibraltar
Optional Activities
- Optional Flamenco performance
Landmarks Jerez 
- Day 11
Seville
A Local Specialist guides you past the iconic Giralda Bell Tower this morning and through Maria Luisa Park with its tiled fountains and pavilions. You'll also see the impressive Plaza de Espana. Later you visit the ornate tomb of Christopher Columbus inside the world's largest Gothic Cathedral, then walk through the historic Jewish Quarter.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Meliá Lebreros)
Included Activities
- Sightseeing tour with Local Specialist
- View Giralda Bell Tower
- Visit Maria Luisa Park
- View Plaza de España
- Visit Gothic Cathedral
Landmarks Giralda Bell Tower Maria Luisa Park Plaza de España 
- Day 12
Seville to Lisbon
You'll drive through Huelva province, famous for Jabugo jamón and Rio Tinto mines, then cross into the golden fields of Alentejo. During lunch, you'll have a Be My Guest experience at a stud farm where Tiago and Vera will host you for a traditional home-cooked meal with their horses. After lunch, continue to Lisbon. There's an optional seafood dinner by the Tagus River available this evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Traditional home-cooked lunch with Tiago and Vera in Portugal's beautiful Alentejo)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Olissippo Oriente, Neya Lisboa)
Included Activities
- Be My Guest experience at Panoias-Ourique stud farm with Tiago and Vera
- Traditional home-cooked lunch in Alentejo
Optional Activities
- Seafood dinner by Tagus River
Landmarks Rio Tinto mines 
- Day 13
Lisbon
You'll visit the UNESCO-listed Hieronymite Monastery this morning, a beautiful example of Manueline architecture built in the 16th century. This afternoon, if you're interested, there's an optional trip to discover Portugal's 'Golden Triangle' of Sintra, Cascais and the Estoril coast.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Olissippo Marquês de Sá, Olissippo Oriente)
Included Activities
- Visit UNESCO-listed Hieronymite Monastery
Optional Activities
- Optional Experience to discover Portugal's 'Golden Triangle' - Sintra, Cascais and Estoril coast
Landmarks Hieronymite Monastery - Day 14
Lisbon to Fátima to Salamanca
You'll travel the pilgrimage route to Fátima and see the shrine where people come to pray to the Virgin Mary at the site of a famous religious miracle. After that, you'll leave Portugal and head to Salamanca, a historic university city. It's called La Dorada for its golden, orange and pink building facades. There's a chance to see the magnificent Plaza Mayor.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Gran Corona Sol)
Included Activities
- Visit shrine at Fátima
- See basilica or Chapel of the Apparitions
Landmarks Shrine at Fátima Plaza Mayor 
- Day 15
Salamanca to Madrid
You'll cross the dramatic Sierra de Guadarrama Mountains to reach Madrid, Europe's highest capital. Before the day ends, you can browse shops on Gran Vía or join a Local Specialist to learn about Spain's recent history, including the Civil War and the Royal Family. This evening you'll gather with fellow travelers for a Farewell Dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Farewell Dinner)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (NH Collection Eurobuilding)
Included Activities
- Farewell Dinner
Optional Activities
- Last-minute shopping on Gran Vía
- Optional tour with Local Specialist on Spain's recent history, Civil War and Royal Family
Landmarks Sierra de Guadarrama Mountains Gran Vía - Day 16
Madrid
Your 16-day journey through Spain, Morocco and Portugal comes to an end this morning. You'll say goodbye to the friends you've made and take home all the memories from this trip.
- Meals
- Breakfast
