This 16-day Spanish and Moroccan vacation traces the intertwined history of these two countries as it ventures to Madrid, Seville, and the Costa del Sol in Spain before exploring Casablanca, Marrakech, and Fez in Morocco. It features first-class accommodations and shared tours.
Your journey begins in Madrid, the Spanish capital defined by its historical buildings and rich history of art. A panoramic tour will take you to historic landmarks, including the Hapsburg mansions of the Barrio del Moreria, the royal palaces of Plaza de la Villa, the Prado Museum, and the district of Salamanca. End your day with a double-dose of Spanish sport icons at Las Ventas Bullring and the Santiago Bernabeu Football Stadium. From Madrid, hit the road and journey to Caceras, defined by its architectural blend of Roman, Islamic, Gothic, and Italian influences. Reach Cordoba, where you’ll tour the Jewish Quarter, before heading to Seville, the capital of Andalusia. Admire the exterior of the second-largest Catholic cathedral in the world and stroll alongside the massive palace of Plaza de Espana before enjoying a Flamenco tour in the evening.
Enjoy a break from history as you head to the Costa del Sol, the sunny stretch of resort towns and beaches in the south of Spain. Spend a day at leisure in this famous tourist area, suntanning on the warm beach and refreshing with a dip in the waters of the Mediterranean. After recharging in the Costa del Sol, head to Tarifa to rid the ferry across the Strait of Gibraltar and arrive in Tangier, Morocco. Connect south to Casablanca, where you’ll have some leisure time to acclimate to this North African nation.
A city tour of Casablanca will showcase the best of this European-influenced city. You’ll head down Anfa Boulevard and admire the grand exterior of Hassan II Grand Mosque, the largest mosque in Africa. Continue to Marrakech, an oasis in the Atlas Mountains. A sightseeing tour will take you along Koutoubia Tower to the Saadines Tombs and into the souks surrounding Jma El Fna Square, where you can barter for spices and jewelry and watch snake charmers and musicians ply their trades. Hit the road again and reach the capital of Rabat, where you’ll see the exterior of the Royal Palace before heading to Mohamed V Mausoleum and Hassan Tower. Complete the day with a visit to the former imperial city of Meknes, where you’ll visit the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, the only mosque in the nation that allows non-Muslims to enter.
End your time in Morocco in Fez, another former imperial centre, where you’ll pass the Seven Gates of the Royal Palace, see the Jewish Quarter, and tour the medina, the walled old town that has preserved life as it was 500 years ago. Return to Tangier on the coast and ride the ferry back to Tarifa, Spain, before connecting back to the Costa del Sol for another day of leisure on the sunny beaches.
On the final leg of your journey through Spain, you’ll head to Granada to learn about the last stronghold of the Moors before they were expelled from the country in 1492. Explore the Alhambra complex, arguably the greatest Moorish accomplishment in the country, and the Generalife Gardens. The next day, head to Toledo to explore a city that personifies the blend of the three religions that define Spain: Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. Learn about the town’s spiritual history and visit a Damasquinado factory before returning to Madrid, where your tour ends.
