Itinerary
- Day 1
Casablanca
You'll arrive in Casablanca and head to your hotel to settle in. Later, there's a welcome reception where you'll meet your tour director and the other travelers. After that, dinner gets the trip started.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Mövenpick Hotel Casablanca)
- Day 2
Casablanca - Rabat - Fez
This morning starts with a guided tour covering Casablanca's key spots like Anfa Boulevard, United Nations Square, and the Hassan II Grand Mosque. From there, you'll travel to Rabat to see the Royal Palace, Mausoleum of Mohammed V, and Hassan Tower. By afternoon you're heading to Fez. Later, there's an insider experience walking through the souks followed by traditional tagine and couscous dinner with Moroccan entertainment.
- Meals
- Dinner (Traditional tagine and couscous dinner at a local restaurant with Moroccan entertainment including belly dancing)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Fez)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Casablanca including Anfa Boulevard, United Nations Square, and Hassan II Grand Mosque
- Visit Royal Palace in Rabat
- Visit Mausoleum of Mohammed V in Rabat
- Visit Hassan Tower in Rabat
- Explore Fez Souks
- Traditional tagine and couscous dinner with Moroccan entertainment in Fez
Landmarks Hassan II Grand Mosque Royal Palace of Rabat Mausoleum of Mohammed V Hassan Tower 
- Day 3
Fez
You'll take a guided tour through Fez, exploring this ninth-century imperial city and checking out the Royal Palace with its seven golden gates. The Jewish Quarter of Mellah and Bab Bou Jeloud gate are both on the agenda. After lunch, the afternoon is free time to wander on your own. Dinner happens back at your hotel.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Fez)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Fez including history and landmarks
- Visit Royal Palace of Fez
- Explore Jewish Quarter of Mellah
- Visit Bab Bou Jeloud gate
- Explore World Heritage-listed Medina of Fez
Landmarks Royal Palace of Fez Bab Bou Jeloud Medina of Fez - Day 4
Fez - Volubilis - Meknes
You start the day at the Roman ruins of Volubilis, a 40-hectare archaeological site on the Jebel Zerhoun plateau with some of the best preservation in Northern Africa. Then you'll head to Meknes to see Bab el Mansour and the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail. There's lunch at a local restaurant before returning to Fez for the evening.
- Meals
- Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Fez)
Included Activities
- Explore Roman ruins of Volubilis
- Visit Bab el Mansour in Meknes
- Visit Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail in Meknes
- Lunch at a local restaurant in Meknes
Landmarks Volubilis Bab el Mansour Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail - Day 5
Fez - Sahara Desert
You're traveling across the Middle Atlas range through forests and tall peaks toward the Sahara. By evening you'll be settling into a luxury camp in the desert. There's a traditional dinner and local music, then later you can spend time looking at the stars over the sands.
- Meals
- Dinner (Traditional flavors)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (DWO Golden Camp Merzouga or similar)
Included Activities
- Journey through Middle Atlas range
- Luxury overnight camp stay in Sahara Desert
- Traditional dinner in desert camp
- Local music and performances
Landmarks Sahara Desert - Day 6
Sahara Desert - Todra Gorge - Ouarzazate
Leaving the desert behind, you'll head to Todra Gorge where limestone walls rise about 400 metres above the River Todra. It's quite a sight. From there, you continue to Ouarzazate, check into your hotel, and have dinner.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Karam Palace or similar)
Included Activities
- Visit Todra Gorge
Landmarks Todra Gorge 
- Day 7
Ouarzazate - Ait Ben Haddou - Marrakesh
You're traveling to the Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with adobe buildings built into the hillside. It's been used as a filming location for movies like Gladiator. Then it's on to Marrakesh, nestled between the Atlas Mountains and the pre-desert. You'll visit Tawesna Salon de Thé, a cooperative café run by local women.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Marrakesh)
Included Activities
- Visit Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou
- Visit Tawesna Salon de Thé
Landmarks Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou - Day 8
Marrakesh
A guided city tour of Marrakesh takes you to Koutoubia Tower, the Saadian Tombs, and Bahia Palace. After that, you'll walk through the medina and souks where you can find Moroccan slippers, spices, and tagine pots. Jemaa el-Fna Square is packed with street performers and musicians, so that's worth spending time in.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Marrakesh)
Included Activities
- City tour of Marrakesh including Koutoubia Tower, Saadian Tombs, and Bahia Palace
- Explore medina and souks
- Visit Jemaa el-Fna Square
Landmarks Koutoubia Tower Saadian Tombs Bahia Palace Jemaa el-Fna Square - Day 9
Marrakesh to Madrid
You're heading to the airport this morning for your included flight to Madrid. After you arrive, you'll transfer to your hotel and have the rest of the day to explore the city however you like.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Madrid)
Included Activities
- Included flight from Marrakesh to Madrid
- Day 10
Madrid
A guided discovery of Madrid covers the Museo del Prado, Royal Palace, Plaza Mayor, and El Retiro Park. The afternoon is yours to wander around at your own pace. This evening there's a welcome dinner with your fellow travelers. If you're interested, there's an optional trip to Toledo available.
- Meals
- Dinner (Authentic Welcome Dinner)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Madrid)
Included Activities
- Guided discovery of Madrid
- Visit Museo del Prado
- Visit Royal Palace of Madrid
- Visit Plaza Mayor
- Visit El Retiro Park
- Authentic Welcome Dinner
Optional Activities
- Optional excursion to Toledo, an ancient city atop a gorge home to one of Spain's top 10 cathedrals (own expense)
Landmarks Museo del Prado Royal Palace of Madrid Plaza Mayor El Retiro Park - Day 11
Madrid - Úbeda - Granada
You're traveling toward Granada with a stop in Úbeda, a World Heritage town in an olive-growing area. You'll check out the Gothic and Renaissance architecture and try some local extra virgin olive oil. Then it's on to Granada where you'll check in and go to a behind-the-scenes flamenco performance followed by traditional dinner.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner at flamenco performance with local specialties)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Meliá Granada or similar)
Included Activities
- Explore Úbeda
- Taste locally grown and produced extra virgin olive oil in Úbeda
- Behind-the-Scenes Flamenco Performance with dinner in Granada
Landmarks Úbeda - Day 12
Granada
The Alhambra is today's main event. This Moorish palace and fortress was established in 1238 on a hilltop looking out over the city and River Darro. You'll take in the architecture and views. The rest of the day is free. There's an optional guided walk through the Albaicín neighbourhood if you want to join.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Meliá Granada or similar)
Included Activities
- Visit Alhambra palace and fortress complex
Optional Activities
- Optional guided walk through Albaicín neighbourhood, the oldest in Granada, featuring narrow streets with whitewashed buildings and one of the best-preserved public Arab hammams in Spain
Landmarks Alhambra - Day 13
Granada to Córdoba
You're heading to Córdoba, a city known for its distinctive Moorish architecture. You'll walk through the Jewish Quarter and Calleja de las Flores, a narrow lane that photographers really like. This evening you'll see the Mezquita again but with special lighting and sound effects that make it quite atmospheric.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel NH Collection Amistad Córdoba or similar)
Included Activities
- Explore Jewish Quarter in Córdoba
- Visit Calleja de las Flores (Flower Alley)
- Evening visit to Mezquita with atmospheric lighting and sound
Landmarks Mezquita Calleja de las Flores - Day 14
Córdoba to Seville
After breakfast, you're heading to Seville. Once you check in at your hotel, the afternoon is yours to explore. This evening, you'll head out to some old town tabernas for a tapas experience where you'll try traditional dishes and learn about hidden local gems.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Authentic Seville Tapas Experience with local specialties including solomillo al whisky (pork loin with whisky sauce), espinacas con garbanzos (spinach and chickpeas), and jamón ibérico de bellota (acorn-fed Iberian ham))
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Seville)
Included Activities
- Authentic Seville Tapas Experience exploring old town tabernas
- Day 15
Seville
You have the day to explore Seville at your own pace. The big sights are Plaza de España, the Royal Alcázar, and Parque de María Luisa. If you're interested in flamenco and wine, there's an optional trip to Jerez de la Frontera, which is famous for both.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Seville)
Optional Activities
- Optional tour to Jerez de la Frontera, considered the home of flamenco and renowned for world-famous Jerez wines
Landmarks Plaza de España Royal Alcázar of Seville Parque de María Luisa - Day 16
Seville - Monsaraz - Évora - Lisbon
You're crossing into Portugal starting with Monsaraz, a medieval village surrounded by ancient walls and olive groves. You'll walk the cobblestone streets before heading to Évora. There, you'll do a wine tasting at a historic 15th-century converted convent followed by lunch. Later you arrive in Lisbon and can explore the hilly capital on your own.
- Meals
- Lunch (Sumptuous lunch at Pousada Convento Évora following wine tasting)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Avani Avenida Liberdade Lisbon Hotel or similar)
Included Activities
- Explore Monsaraz medieval village
- Southern Portugal Wine Tasting at Pousada Convento Évora with lunch
Landmarks Monsaraz Pousada Convento Évora - Day 17
Lisbon
You're exploring Lisbon's hilly streets and riding an iconic tram to Belém Tower, a landmark from Portugal's Age of Discoveries. Belém is where Portuguese tarts started, and you can see the famous Pastéis de Belém bakery that's been making them since 1837. You'll take a hands-on Portuguese tart making class. Tonight there's a fado farewell dinner with traditional folk music performance.
- Meals
- Dinner (Fado Farewell Dinner with delicious meal paired with powerful performance of fado, traditional folk music born in Lisbon's historic neighbourhoods)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Avani Avenida Liberdade Lisbon Hotel or similar)
Included Activities
- Explore Lisbon's hilly streets
- Scenic tram ride
- Visit Belém Tower
- Portuguese Tart Making Class at local bakery
- Fado Farewell Dinner with traditional folk music performance
Landmarks Belém Tower Pastéis de Belém - Day 18
Lisbon - Sintra - Cascais - Lisbon
A full day takes you to Sintra and Cascais. Sintra is a World Heritage town in the Sintra Mountains that used to be a summer retreat for nobility. You'll see Pena Palace sitting on a hilltop with great views, colorful Romanticist architecture, and beautiful gardens. Then you're heading to coastal Cascais with beaches, a marina, and old buildings. You'll have free time to explore, swim, check out museums, or eat.
Included Activities
- Visit Pena Palace in Sintra
- Explore Pena Palace gardens
- Explore Sintra
- Explore Cascais
Landmarks Pena Palace Sintra - Day 19
Lisbon - Óbidos - Nazaré - Coimbra
You're visiting a few of Portugal's charming medieval towns. Óbidos is one of Europe's best-preserved villages where you can walk the medieval walls and castle. Next is Nazaré, known worldwide for big-wave surfing. You can walk through the cobblestone streets, grab coffee at a café, or relax on the beach. You'll finish in Coimbra, a historic riverside city with Portugal's oldest university from 1290. Check in to your hotel and the rest of the day is free.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (NH Coimbra Dona Inês or Tivoli Coimbra Hotel or similar)
Included Activities
- Explore Óbidos medieval village
- Explore Nazaré
- Explore Coimbra
Landmarks Óbidos Nazaré - Day 20
Coimbra - Aveiro - Porto
You're visiting Aveiro, sometimes called Portugal's Venice. You'll board a traditional Moliceiro boat and cruise the city's waterways. After exploring the Beira Mar neighbourhood with its colorful azulejo tile houses and the busy fish market, you'll continue to Porto, a riverside city.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Mercure Porto Centro Santa Catarina or similar), Hotel (Cénica Porto Hotel)
Included Activities
- Traditional Moliceiro boat canal cruise in Aveiro
- Explore Beira Mar neighbourhood in Aveiro
Landmarks Aveiro - Day 21
Porto - Embark River Ship
You're flying into Porto today and transferring to your river ship MS Estrela. At a welcome reception, you'll meet fellow travelers and the cruise director while enjoying a sunset cruise on the Douro River.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Mercure Porto Centro Santa Catarina or similar), Hotel (aboard your river ship the MS Estrela), Hotel (Cénica Porto Hotel)
Included Activities
- Welcome Reception
- Sunset cruise on Douro River
Landmarks Douro River - Day 22
Porto
A walking tour takes you through Porto's hilly streets as you learn about the city's history and architecture. Later, there's an exclusive wine tasting at a private quinta where you'll experience local food, wine, and culture. A farewell lunch hosted by the quinta owners wraps up the experience.
- Meals
- Lunch (Memorable Farewell Lunch at private quinta hosted by quinta owners)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (aboard your river ship the MS Estrela)
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Porto
- Exclusive wine tasting at private quinta with Farewell Lunch
- Day 23
Régua - Lamego - Pinhão
You're cruising the Douro River with vineyards on both sides. There's a Portuguese language lesson to learn useful phrases. In Lamego, you'll see the Baroque cathedral and Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies. You'll visit one of Portugal's best museums and try Bola de Lamego, the town's famous smoked ham roll. Dinner at a Pinhão quinta features traditional Portuguese food and dessert.
- Meals
- Dinner (Sumptuous dinner of traditional dishes and dessert at picturesque local quinta)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (aboard your river ship the MS Estrela)
Included Activities
- Cruise on Douro River
- Portuguese language lesson
- Visit Lamego
- Visit Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies in Lamego
- Visit museum in Lamego
- Portuguese Quinta Dinner at local quinta in Pinhão
Optional Activities
- Sample Bola de Lamego, a delicious smoked ham roll specialty
Landmarks Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies Douro River - Day 24
Vega de Terrón - Castelo Rodrigo
The ship crosses into Spain at Vega de Terrón. You'll have free time before heading on an excursion to Castelo Rodrigo, a small village on a hilltop with views of both Spain and Portugal. You can explore the ruins, castle, and a stone statue of Santiago Matamoros before returning to the ship.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (aboard your river ship the MS Estrela)
Included Activities
- Cruise to Vega de Terrón
- Excursion to Castelo Rodrigo
- Explore Castelo Rodrigo ruins and castle
Landmarks Castelo Rodrigo - Day 25
Salamanca - Barca d'Alva
You disembark and travel by coach to Salamanca, one of Spain's most beautiful cities with sunlit sandstone buildings, an impressive city square, and an old university. There's a flamenco show and lunch where you'll watch dancers perform. Then it's back across the border to Barca d'Alva, the last Portuguese village on the Douro. Your ship is waiting there. Back on board, enjoy a Portuguese barbecue dinner.
- Meals
- Lunch (Flamenco show and lunch in Salamanca), Dinner (Traditional Portuguese barbecue dinner)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (aboard your river ship the MS Estrela)
Included Activities
- Visit Salamanca
- Flamenco show and lunch in Salamanca
- Traditional Portuguese barbecue dinner on ship
Landmarks Salamanca - Day 26
Pinhão - Régua
An excursion takes you to Mateus Palace and its gardens. You'll tour this living museum and learn about how it connects to Mateus rosé wine. Then you rejoin your ship now docked in Régua.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (aboard your river ship the MS Estrela)
Included Activities
- Excursion to Mateus Palace and gardens
- Tour Mateus Palace
Landmarks Mateus Palace - Day 27
Régua - Entre-os-Rios
You start with an insider experience at a Portuguese quinta doing a port tasting with great views over the Douro Valley. After that, you'll head to Entre-os-Rios, a riverside town where you can spend free time exploring.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (aboard your river ship the MS Estrela)
Included Activities
- Portuguese Quinta Port Tasting with Douro Valley views
Landmarks Douro Valley - Day 28
Porto
After breakfast, you're back in Porto for a guided tour hitting the city's iconic sights. Then it's to a local port winery for a tour and tasting. The afternoon is free time to shop for souvenirs or visit the historic Bolhão food market. There's an optional trip to World Heritage Guimarães available. Back on the ship, there's a final farewell dinner with your new friends.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Final Farewell Dinner with newfound friends)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Porto
- Visit local port winery with tour and tasting
- Final Farewell Dinner on board
Optional Activities
- Optional excursion to World Heritage-listed Guimarães, known as 'the birthplace of the Portuguese nationality', to see Guimarães Castle and historic landmarks
Landmarks Bolhão Food Market Guimarães Castle - Day 29
Porto - Depart
You'll have a final breakfast on board and then transfer to Porto airport for your onward flight.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Final breakfast on board
