¡Bienvenidos a Espana! A cosmopolitan city, Madrid is the gateway to Spain’s arts, cuisine and architecture.
Upon arrival at Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD), meet your transfer and make your way to the hotel for check-in, then spend the rest of the day at your leisure.
At 7pm, meet your tour director and fellow travellers at your hotel for a briefing on the adventure to come.
Enjoy a buffet breakfast at your hotel, then set out for a morning tour. From the busy squares of Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor and Plaza de la Villa to the storied streets of Barrio de la Moreria, the Habsburg neighbourhood and the neoclassical Fountain of Neptune, discover Madrid with the direction of your local guide.
This afternoon is yours to enjoy at your own pace. You may like to join an optional half-day tour of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed city of Toledo, a well-preserved medieval town with winding streets, an ornate cathedral and a fortress at its centre.
This evening, come together as a group for a welcome dinner at a local tapas restaurant.
Following breakfast at your hotel, bid farewell to Madrid and set off for Avila in the Spanish countryside. This UNESCO World Heritage-listed city is known for its intact medieval fortress walls around the perimeter. Take the time to explore this city at your leisure.
Later, reach Salamanca in the late afternoon and enjoy some free time to explore the town, home to one of the oldest operating universities in the world.
Travel time: Driving – approx. two hours
Rise, shine and board your private coach as you cross the border to Portugal. Stop first at Pinhao on the banks of the Douro River, known for its local vineyards and centenary cellars. Explore the small town, making sure not to miss its historic train station.
Continue to Porto, one of Europe’s oldest towns, and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Travel time: Driving – approx. five hours
Wake for a day discovering Porto on a guided tour. Admire the Porto Cathedral, the Stock Exchange Palace and Igreja de Santa Clara church.
Later, board your cruise for an easy ride along the waters of the Douro River, the city’s central lifeline.
Back on land, spend your evening freely.
Douro River cruise
Fuel up at breakfast before setting out for Coimbra, the birthplace of fado – a popular style of traditional Portuguese music. Explore the heritage centre of town, including the University of Coimbra and its Joanina Library – a Baroque-style building home to a colony of bats that protect their collection of more than 40,000 books by eating harmful insects.
Later, arrive in the city of Lisbon and check in for the evening at leisure at your five-star accommodation.
Travel time: Driving – approx. four hours
EPIC SANA Marquês Hotel five-star stay
After breakfast, it’s time to hit the streets of Lisbon on a morning sightseeing tour. Wander the main squares and avenues, passing Belem Tower and Jeronimos Monastery, a masterpiece of Manueline architecture where Vasco da Gama is entombed. See the Padrao dos Descobrimentos, or ‘Monument of the Discoverers’, on the northern bank of the Tagus River and the Marquis of Pombal Square.
Drive through central Lisbon, including Rossio Square and Liberty Avenue. In the evening, consider an optional traditional Portuguese dinner at one of Lisbon’s oldest Fado venues (surcharges apply).
EPIC SANA Marquês Hotel five-star stay
Spend the day exploring the town of Sintra, a UNESCO World Heritage site. See popular Pena Palace, one of the most recognisable landmarks in Portugal. Explore the gardens of the 16th-century Quinta da Regaleira and make your way down the winding steps of the Initiation Well, a circular staircase of ancient stone now decorated by moss.
Continue to Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of mainland Europe, and end the day in Cascais, a coastal town known for its sandy beaches, before returning to Lisbon for the evening.
EPIC SANA Marquês Hotel five-star stay
Tuck into breakfast before saying goodbye to Portugal as you travel to Merida. Capital of the western Spanish region of Extremadura, Merida’s famed Roman ruins date back to the 1st century BCE.
Spend time exploring the historic remains of this ancient colony, then continue onward to the Andalusian capital of Seville for the evening at your leisure.
Travel time: Driving – approx. five hours
Today, follow your guide on a tour of Seville. Stop outside the Seville Cathedral, the largest Gothic cathedral in the world, and navigate the maze of Santa Cruz, the city’s Jewish Quarter. You may wish to participate in a guided tour of the cathedral (surcharges apply).
Spend your afternoon meandering through the barrio at your own pace, or opt to join a walking tour of the city’s old town tabernas, a collection of small local tapas bars for an authentic taste of the city’s cuisine (surcharges apply).
Fill up with a buffet breakfast at your hotel, then hit the road on your way to Cordoba. Founded in the 2nd century BCE, this historically Roman city is home to the Mezquita – a mosque-turned-cathedral dating back to the 8th century. The enormous mosque is an intricately constructed masterpiece of striped arches and wide halls, while the 16th-century cathedral at its heart tells the story of a changing Spain.
Continue on to Granada and check in at your hotel, then enjoy an evening spent at your leisure.
Travel time: Driving – approx. four hours
Prepare for the day over breakfast, then make your way to Alhambra. This expansive hilltop fortress complex remains one of the most renowned examples of Islamic architecture in the world.
Spend your afternoon at leisure. In the evening, you may like to convene with your fellow adventurers for a traditional flamenco show over a Spanish dinner (surcharges apply).
Depart Granada and travel back to Madrid, stopping along the way at Ubeda. Take a leisurely stroll past the Renaissance palaces and squares of this Andalusian town, then join a tasting of the region’s prized extra virgin olive oil and a light lunch.
Continue to Madrid, check in at your hotel and enjoy one final dinner in Spain with your fellow travellers.
Travel time: Driving – approx. five hours
Rise and shine, ready to take your private transfer to Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD) for a flight to Casablanca, Morocco. Famed for its place in Hollywood movie history, Casablanca’s cultural influences span from traditional Moorish to French colonial, as seen in its intricate architecture.
Upon arrival in Casablanca, sit down to lunch at Rick’s Café, inspired by the classic film. Take in the city before venturing to the Hassan II Mosque, a masterpiece of Islamic architecture.
Continuing your voyage, journey to Rabat, the political and cultural capital of Morocco. Once you’ve transferred to your hotel, meet up for dinner with your fellow travellers.
Travel time: Flight – approx. two hours / Driving – approx. one hour
Following breakfast at your hotel, set out to explore Rabat. Explore the exterior of the Royal Palace before paying a visit to the Mohammed V Mausoleum and Hassan Tower.
Delve into the Roman ruins of Volubilis, then continue on your way to Fes. Once you’ve checked in, it’s time for dinner at the hotel.
Travel time: Driving – approx. four hours
Take a tour of Fes today, starting at the Royal Palace, then wander through the ancient Jewish Quarter before ascending to the hilltop fortress for panoramic views.
Step into the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Medina and stop for lunch at a local restaurant, then view the mosaics and minarets of Bou Inania Medersa. Continue your journey at the ancient tanneries to witness the age-old craft of leatherwork.
As the day draws to a close, dine at a local restaurant before retiring to your accommodation for the evening.
Today, travel beyond the walls of Fes and reach Meknes – known as the ‘Versailles of Morocco’. Witness the gate of Bab al Mansour and gaze upon the colourful tiles and minarets of the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail.
After exploring the city, journey out to Morocco’s wine country. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to visit a local winery and take part in a wine-tasting. Afterwards, enjoy a leisurely lunch.
Return to Fes for a well-earned dinner at your hotel.
Travel time: Driving – approx. two hours
Depart Fes and travel through the Middle Atlas mountains, passing through the town of Ifrane, known as the ‘Switzerland of Morocco’ thanks to its chalets and alpine scenery. Pause for a scenic photo stop amid the snowy peaks.
Continue your journey to the town of Midelt, the ‘Apple Capital’ of Morocco. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy a traditional lunch at a local restaurant.
As you journey further south, you will arrive in Merzouga, a village flanked by red dunes where you’ll embark on an off-road adventure through the desert landscape. Board your 4WD transport and scale the rose-gold dunes of the Sahara.
Then, join a sunset camel ride through the sands before checking into your desert glamping stay. Settle in for a traditional Berber meal by the campfire and look to the desert stars above.
Travel time: Driving – approx. eight hours
Sahara Desert glamping
Watch the desert sunrise over breakfast, then set off for Todra Gorge. Winding along the river, this road carves a path through a 300-metre-deep break in the limestone cliff walls.
Traverse the Draa Valley, passing through the gorge and the palm groves of Skoura. Arrive in Ouarzazate, where you’ll have the opportunity to visit the Atlas Cinema Studios. Explore the sets of famous films such as ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ and ‘Gladiator’ and hear about Morocco’s film-making history.
As the day draws to a close, settle into your hotel in Ouarzazate and sit down to dinner.
Travel time: Driving – approx. 5.5 hours
Wake up and seize the day with a visit to the Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou. This town built into a hill is a favourite location for Hollywood filmmakers, playing host to epic productions such as Game of Thrones and The Mummy.
Continuing your journey, traverse the High Atlas Mountains via the rugged Tizi n’Tichka Pass. Arrive in Marrakech, known as the ‘Red City’, and check into your hotel late this afternoon. Spend your time at leisure before dinner at your hotel.
Travel time: Driving – approx. three hours
Your day begins with a guided tour of Marrakech, starting with the gardens of La Menara. Stroll through the palms and pools of this 12th-century oasis, then continue to Koutoubia Mosque for a look at the towering minaret.
Next, visit Bahia Palace, wandering the courtyards and decorated rooms once home to the sultans.
As the day unfolds, lose yourself in the bustling souks and Jemaa el Fnaa square, before visiting an authentic riad to enjoy traditional mint tea.
As night falls, mark your last Moroccan night with a farewell dinner at Al Baraka, featuring typical Moroccan dishes and live performances.
Enjoy one last breakfast at your hotel, then check out of your hotel. With your journey at an end, meet your transfer and make your way to Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK) for your onward travel.
