Itinerary
- Day 1
Madrid
You'll touch down at Madrid Airport and connect with your tour leader after clearing customs. The group gets introduced and then takes a guided walk through Madrid's elegant boulevards and parks. By evening around 7:00 pm, you'll head to the hotel for a group orientation meeting. There's an optional group dinner afterward if you want to join fellow travelers for tapas and local wine while experiencing Spanish nightlife.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Madrid
- Group orientation meeting
Optional Activities
- Group dinner with fellow travelers
- Exploration of Madrid landmarks
- Additional accommodation for early arrival (subject to availability)
- Day 2
Madrid to Salamanca
After breakfast, you'll travel by overland vehicle to Salamanca, about 3 hours away. When you arrive, your leader guides you through the central Plaza Mayor and surrounding Renaissance and Baroque architecture. The rest of your afternoon and evening opens up for exploring on your own at whatever pace suits you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Orientation walk of Salamanca
- Access to Plaza Mayor and city center
Optional Activities
- Visit Casa de Las Conchas (House of the Shells)
- Explore Old and New Cathedrals
- Climb cathedral to view terracotta rooftops
- Experience local nightlife
Landmarks/POIs Plaza Mayor Casa de Las Conchas Old Cathedral (Cathedral Vieja) New Cathedral (Cathedral Nueva) - Day 3
Salamanca to Coimbra
Following breakfast, you'll head west by overland truck on a scenic route to Coimbra, roughly 4 hours away. This riverside city becomes your base for the next two nights. Your leader takes you on a walking tour through the alleyways to get your bearings, then you have free time to wander through white stone buildings, colorful azulejo tilework, and historic structures.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Walking tour orientation of Coimbra
Optional Activities
- Explore Cathedral Se Velha (12th-century)
- Visit University of Coimbra
- Tour Biblioteca Joanina baroque library with 18th-century bell tower
- Wander historic alleyways and discover azulejo tilework
- Explore Romanesque architecture throughout the city
Landmarks/POIs Cathedral Se Velha University of Coimbra Biblioteca Joanina - Day 4
Coimbra
Coimbra is entirely yours today to check out the historical and artistic sites at your own pace. This evening brings a traditional Fado performance where you'll hear the mournful, literary music often performed by male university students. If you're interested, optional activities include visiting Roman ruins in the countryside or catching a boat tour for views of the city from the water.
Included Activities
- Traditional Fado performance
Optional Activities
- Afternoon excursion to Roman ruins of Conimbriga (30-minute bus ride)
- 3-kilometer countryside walk to Condeixa village
- Boat tour on River Mondego
- Further exploration of historical sites
Landmarks/POIs Roman Ruins of Conimbriga - Day 5
Coimbra to Lisbon
After breakfast, you'll travel through central Portugal's countryside by 4x4 truck to Lisbon, taking about 3.5 hours. Your local guide meets you for a historical tour of Portugal's elegant capital, including São Jorge Castle where you'll see the city's white houses and red terracotta rooftops spread below. Your afternoon and evening are free to explore museums, wander neighborhoods, or experience Barrio Alto's nightlife.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Historical tour of Lisbon with local guide
- Visit to São Jorge Castle
Optional Activities
- Grand Naval Museum
- Explore local neighborhoods and Portuguese daily life
- Visit Barrio Alto for nightlife
- Wander charming narrow streets
Landmarks/POIs São Jorge Castle Barrio Alto - Day 6
Lisbon
This day in Lisbon is completely unscheduled and yours to use however you'd like. Many travelers take the 45-minute train ride to Sintra, a mountainous region with cliff-top palaces and Moorish architecture. You could also spend more time exploring Lisbon's neighborhoods at your own pace if you prefer staying put.
Optional Activities
- Train trip to Sintra (45 minutes)
- Visit Pena Palace
- Explore Castle of the Moors (8th-century)
- Enjoy walking in the Serra de Sintra mountains
- Continue exploring Lisbon
Landmarks/POIs Pena Palace Castle of the Moors - Day 7
Lisbon to Olhao
After breakfast, you'll head south by overland truck to the Algarve region, known for orange and olive groves, fig trees, almonds, and cornfields. You'll settle in Olhao, the Algarve's largest fishing port with a bustling waterfront, Moorish buildings, and historic quarters with a Northern African feel. Spend the rest of the day discovering the city and trying out its famous fish restaurants.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Wander historic downtown
- Visit rooftop terrace café with town views
- Explore fish restaurants along Rua 5 de Outubro coastal road
- Day 8
Olhao
The Algarve is yours to explore as you like today. You can relax on white beaches, trek through the landscape, or take a local ferry to nearby islands. If nature interests you, the Ria Formosa Nature Reserve offers canals, salt pans, lagoons, and sandbanks to discover. Ilha de Culatra lets you walk boardwalks through fishermen's settlements and across dunes to long stretches of beach. End your evening watching sunsets in Olhao's Old Town.
Optional Activities
- Beach relaxation at white sand beaches
- Trekking in the Algarve
- Ferry to nearby islands
- Ria Formosa Nature Reserve exploration
- Ilha de Culatra boardwalks and beaches
- Sunset viewing in Old Town
Landmarks/POIs Ria Formosa Nature Reserve Ilha de Culatra - Day 9
Olhao to Seville
You'll travel south to Seville, the largest city in southern Andalusia with deep historical roots and vibrant character. Known for Carmen, Don Juan, and Figaro, this city thrives on energy with its famous oranges, tapas, flamenco music, and proud Andalusian culture. A short orientation walk covers main sights followed by free time to explore. This evening you'll experience the lively atmospheric nightlife.
Included Activities
- Orientation walk of Seville
Optional Activities
- Explore main sights at leisure
- Experience Seville's flamenco and nightlife
- Sample local tapas and oranges
- Day 10
Seville to Chefchaouen
You'll head to Tarifa to catch an afternoon ferry to Tangier, Morocco. Your overland truck crosses the Strait with you to save time. From there, you'll go south to Chefchaouen, arriving late afternoon. An optional walking tour of Tarifa Castle is available before the ferry departs. You'll check in at Akchour Lodge for the night and have dinner at your guesthouse.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner at guesthouse)
Included Activities
- Ferry crossing to Tangier
- Evening arrival in Chefchaouen
- Dinner at guesthouse
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Tarifa Castle
Landmarks/POIs Tarifa Castle - Day 11
Chefchaouen to Fez
Starting early, your local guide takes you through the maze of streets in Chefchaouen, the blue city and one of Morocco's most beautiful towns. Situated between peaks in the Rif Mountains, it features striking blue-and-white houses, red-tiled roofs, and artistic doorways. You'll visit a communal bakery, watch local laundry practices, and climb to a former mosque for panoramic views. Later, you travel to Fez, visiting Roman ruins at Volubilis and the Islamic city of Moulay Idris along the way. Dinner and accommodation happen at your Fez hotel.
- Meals
- Dinner (Hotel dinner in Fez)
Included Activities
- Guided exploration of Chefchaouen medina
- Visit to communal bakery
- Walk to former mosque with town views
- Visit Roman ruins of Volubilis
- Visit Moulay Idris
- Dinner at hotel in Fez
Optional Activities
- Experience daily life in small Moroccan community
Landmarks/POIs Chefchaouen Medina Roman Ruins of Volubilis Moulay Idris - Day 12
Fez
Your guide takes you through ancient Fez for a full day exploring the heartbeat of Moroccan culture. The medieval medina surrounds you with exotic smells, tastes, and sounds in what is the largest and liveliest medina around. You'll enjoy traditional lunch in the heart of the old city at a typical Moroccan restaurant. Afternoon time focuses on bargaining and shopping in medieval souks for handcrafted goods. The day ends watching sunset over the medina while prayer calls echo across the city.
- Meals
- Lunch (Traditional lunch in heart of old city at typical Moroccan restaurant)
Included Activities
- Full-day guided tour of Fez medina
- Traditional lunch at Moroccan restaurant in old city
- Souk shopping and bargaining experience
Landmarks/POIs Fez Medina - Day 13
Fez to Marrakech
After breakfast, you'll travel to Ifrane to visit the Atlas Mountains and Berber villages. Then you head directly to Marrakech. Upon arrival, you'll check out the main square Djema El Fna with its henna painters, performers, storytellers, and street-food bazaar. You'll explore the Minaret of Al Koutoubia on the square's edge, then return to your hotel near the square for dinner and accommodation.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Hotel dinner near Djema El Fna square)
Included Activities
- Visit to Atlas Mountains and Berber villages
- Quick visit to Djema El Fna square
- Dinner at hotel
Optional Activities
- Explore henna painters and performers
- Sample street-food bazaar
- Admire Minaret of Al Koutoubia
Landmarks/POIs Djema El Fna Minaret of Al Koutoubia - Day 14
Marrakech
Your morning explores Marrakech's historical sites with your guide. You'll start at the Menara, a magnificent pool reflecting Moorish architecture with the Atlas Mountains behind it. From there you tour the Koutoubia Minaret, the Saadian Necropolis with 16th-century mausoleums, the gardens of Agdal, and finally the Marjorelle gardens. You'll return to your hotel for dinner and accommodation.
- Meals
- Dinner (Hotel dinner)
Included Activities
- Menara pool and gardens visit
- Koutoubia Minaret tour
- Saadian Necropolis tour
- Agdal gardens exploration
- Marjorelle gardens visit
- Dinner at hotel
Landmarks/POIs Menara Gardens Koutoubia Minaret Saadian Necropolis Agdal Gardens Marjorelle Gardens - Day 15
Marrakech
Your Madrid to Marrakech adventure concludes this morning with no scheduled activities. You'll depart your accommodation anytime, following standard hotel check-out procedures. Airport transfer to Marrakech Airport is arranged for those catching morning flights.
Included Activities
- Airport transfer to Marrakech Airport
Optional Activities
- Extend stay in Marrakech (subject to availability)
