Itinerary
- Day 1
Madrid to Córdoba
You'll meet your group and head to Córdoba, a UNESCO World Heritage city where flowers hang from balconies and narrow streets wind through the old town. The Mezquita, that famous Great Mosque, is on your list, and dinner with the group is included so you can start getting to know everyone.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel el Monasterio de San Francisco (or similar)), Hotel (Crisol Jardines De Cordoba (or similar))
Included Activities
- Visit Mezquita (The Great Mosque of Córdoba)
Landmarks Mezquita (The Great Mosque of Córdoba) 
- Day 2
Córdoba to Seville
After leaving Córdoba, you're heading to Seville, the capital of Southern Spain. A guided walk takes you through the city where you'll see the Guadalquivir River, Mudéjar palaces, and grand aristocratic mansions. If you want something more interactive, there's an optional EatWith dining experience available this evening for a meal with local hosts.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (YIT Via Sevilla Mairena (or similar))
Included Activities
- Guided stroll of Seville city, admiring the river, Mudéjar palaces & aristocratic mansions
Optional Activities
- EatWith dining experience - authentic feast
Landmarks Guadalquivir River 
- Day 3
Seville
This day is all yours in Seville. You can wander through Barrio Santa Cruz at your own pace, check out the Alcázar palace which you might recognize from Game of Thrones, and get lost in the medieval lanes. There's no structured activities, so you'll do whatever interests you most.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (YIT Via Sevilla Mairena (or similar))
Optional Activities
- Visit Barrio Santa Cruz
- Visit Alcázar palace (Game of Thrones location)
Landmarks Barrio Santa Cruz Alcázar of Seville - Day 4
Seville to The Algarve
You're crossing from Spain into Portugal now, heading west to the Algarve's beaches. Drop your bags at the hotel, then join the group to scout out the best dinner spots. The streets here have pastel colors and the Atlantic breeze makes for a nice change of pace.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Vila Galé Tavira (or similar))
Optional Activities
- Search for best dinner spots in The Algarve
- Day 5
The Algarve
After breakfast, the whole day is beach time in the Algarve. Swim, sunbathe, read, or try some fresh seafood at a beachside restaurant if you feel like it. Later on you'll walk through the colorful streets and pick wherever you want for dinner, which you'll arrange yourself.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (A conveniently located hotel), Hotel (Hotel Vila Galé Tavira (or similar))
Optional Activities
- Take a buggy adventure
- Day 6
The Algarve to Lisbon via Sintra and Cascais
Following breakfast, you'll hop on the coach heading north. There's a stop in Sintra at Quinta da Regaleira manor house, then you continue to the coastal town of Cascais for beaches and seafood. An optional street art tour is available if you want to learn about the neighborhood's culture. You'll end up in Lisbon with free time to explore cafes down side streets and find your own dinner spot.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Roma (or similar))
Included Activities
- Stop-off at Quinta da Regaleira in Sintra
Optional Activities
- Street art tour in Cascais - MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience hosted by local residents
Landmarks Quinta da Regaleira Cascais 
- Day 7
Lisbon
You have a free day to explore Lisbon however you'd like. There's Cristo Rei up on the hill with views across the city, Rossio Square in the center, the Belém District with its famous tower, and a monastery where Vasco de Gama's tomb is located. It's a lot to fit in, so pick what calls to you.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Roma (or similar))
Optional Activities
- Visit Cristo Rei (Christ the King)
- Visit Rossio Square
- Visit Belém District and Belém Tower
- Visit monastery with Vasco de Gama's tomb
Landmarks Cristo Rei (Christ the King) Rossio Square Belém Tower Jerónimos Monastery - Day 8
Lisbon to Porto via Quinta do Sanguinhal Vineyard
The coach heads north along Portugal's coastline today. You'll stop at Quinta do Sanguinhal Vineyard, a 19th century property where you can taste local wine. Then you arrive in Porto, a city that's great for art lovers and food enthusiasts with galleries, coffee shops, and a strong food culture. Your evening is free to check out the city on your own terms.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ibis Porto Gaia (or similar))
Included Activities
- Visit 19th century vineyard - see, swirl, sniff, sip, and savour wine
Landmarks Quinta do Sanguinhal Vineyard - Day 9
Porto
Another free day, this time in Porto. Ride the old wooden tram through Riberia to see the heritage side of things, walk along the coastline, and visit main sites like São Francisco Church with its lavish interior, Porto Cathedral, and the 19th century Palácio da Bolsa. There's an optional foodie tour or traditional Portuguese singing show if you want something more structured.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Ibis Porto Gaia (or similar))
Optional Activities
- Tour of local foodie hotspots
- Traditional Portuguese singing show
Landmarks Riberia São Francisco Church Porto Cathedral Palácio da Bolsa - Day 10
Porto to Salamanca via Ciudad Rodrigo
Leaving Porto, you'll stop for about an hour in Ciudad Rodrigo, a fortified town right on the Spain/Portugal border with roots going back to Roman times. Then you'll settle in Salamanca for the night. The city has a 13th century University, some mysteriously futuristic sculptures, an indoor sky fresco, and a house decorated with carved stone shells. An optional city orientation is available, and your evening is free to walk around and find dinner among the local cheeses, cured meats, wines, and sweet almond cookies.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Bardo Recoletos Coco (or similar))
Optional Activities
- City orientation learning about the women who shaped Salamanca's history
Landmarks Ciudad Rodrigo Salamanca University 
- Day 11
Salamanca to Madrid via Ávila
You're heading back to Madrid today with a stop in Ávila to see its perfectly preserved 11th century medieval walls, which are a UNESCO World Heritage site. Then it's on to Madrid where you started this whole journey. There's an optional traditional Spanish dinner at an iconic restaurant near Plaza Mayor available this evening if you want something special.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Crowne Plaza Madrid Airport (or similar))
Optional Activities
- Traditional Spanish dinner at iconic restaurant near Plaza Mayor
Landmarks Ávila medieval walls Plaza Mayor - Day 12
Madrid to Marrakesh
You're flying to Morocco and landing in Marrakesh, a colorful city full of North African aromas and spices. You'll settle in this evening and get ready for a full day of exploring tomorrow.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel El Andalous (or similar))
- Day 13
Marrakesh to Casablanca
A sightseeing tour takes you through Marrakesh where you'll see the Koutoubia Mosque, Jemaa El-Fna square, and Bahia Palace (though palace tickets cost extra). Then you move on to Casablanca, that famous city from old Hollywood films, and walk along the cornice to take in coastal views.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Diwan (or similar))
Included Activities
- Sightseeing tour of Marrakesh including Koutoubia Mosque and Jemaa El-Fna
Optional Activities
- Bahia Palace entry (tickets available at extra cost)
Landmarks Koutoubia Mosque Jemaa El-Fna Bahia Palace - Day 14
Casablanca - Rabat - Chefchaouen
You'll explore Casablanca and visit Hassan II Mosque, the largest functioning mosque in Africa. From there it's on to Rabat to see the Mohammed V Mausoleum, Hassan Tower, and the gilded royal palace. Later you head to Chefchaouen, and as you arrive you'll start spotting the iconic blue buildings everywhere. You'll check out Place Outa Hamam, the Kasbah, and local markets.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Madrid (or similar))
Included Activities
- Visit Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca
- Visit Mohammed V Mausoleum in Rabat
- Tour Hassan Tower in Rabat
- Explore Chefchaouen 'Blue City', Place Outa Hamam, Kasbah, and local markets
Landmarks Hassan II Mosque Mohammed V Mausoleum Hassan Tower Chefchaouen Medina Place Outa Hamam Chefchaouen Kasbah 
- Day 15
Chefchaouen to Fes via Volubilis
After breakfast you're traveling to Fes with a stop at Volubilis, an ancient Roman settlement and Morocco's largest archaeological site, also a UNESCO World Heritage property. A local guide takes you through the ruins on foot. Then you drive through the Rif Mountains to Fes, Morocco's cultural capital, and check in for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Arena (or similar))
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Volubilis with local guide
Landmarks Volubilis 
- Day 16
Fes
Fes is known as the cultural capital with medieval architecture and an old-world feel throughout. You'll see the main sights while learning about carpet-making and handicrafts, and get a sense of how shopping works in the medina. An optional Moroccan feast with live entertainment is available this evening.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Arena (or similar))
Included Activities
- See the Medina
- Learn about art of making carpets and handicrafts
- Learn about shopping medina style
Optional Activities
- Moroccan feast with live entertainment
Landmarks Fes Medina - Day 17
Fes to Erfoud
You're driving into the High Atlas Mountains, North Africa's highest range, on your way to Erfoud. The scenery is dramatic with high peaks everywhere, and you'll make stops in the towns of Ifrane and Midelt which sit between the Middle and High Atlas ranges. You'll settle in Erfud, an oasis town in the Sahara Desert, where dinner is waiting.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Kasbah Tizimi Hotel Erfoud (or similar))
Landmarks High Atlas Mountains Ifrane Midelt - Day 18
Erfoud to Merzouga
Leaving Erfoud, you'll stop at a local home for Berber hospitality and Moroccan mint tea. Then it's on to Rissani for a relaxed lunch and an optional swim. When you reach Merzouga, there's an optional visit to the Barber Music Center for some cultural exposure. In the evening, you'll trade the coach for camels and trek into the Sahara for sunset, then enjoy a traditional Berber feast in a tent before sleeping under the stars.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lazy lunch in Rissani), Dinner (Traditional Berber feast in traditional Berber tent)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Auberge La Caravane (or similar))
Included Activities
- Home visit with local Berber hospitality and Moroccan mint tea
- Camel trek into the Sahara Desert for sunset views
- Traditional Berber feast in traditional Berber tent
Optional Activities
- Visit to Barber Music Center
Landmarks Rissani Sahara Desert 
- Day 19
Merzouga to Ouarzazate via Todra Gorge
Back on the road toward Ouarzazate, a famous film location. You'll drive through the valley of 1000 kasbahs and eat lunch at the oasis town of Tinghir, then head to Todra Gorge where you can hike, visit a Date Palmerie, or try rock climbing depending on the season. There's a stop at Tatefy, a local women's cooperative for tea and baked goods. Later you explore Ouarzazate, known from films like Kingdom of Heaven and Gladiator.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at the beautiful oasis of Tinghir)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Les Jardin De Ouarzazate (Or similar))
Included Activities
- Visit Date Palmerie at Todra Gorge
- Visit Tatefy women's cooperative - tea and baked goods (MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® experience)
Optional Activities
- Hiking at Todra Gorge
- Rock climbing at Todra Gorge (depending on time of year)
Landmarks Todra Gorge Tinghir Dades Valley 
- Day 20
Ouarzazate to Marrakesh
Your final full day heads back toward Marrakesh. You'll visit a local argan oil cooperative to learn different production techniques and see how the work supports local women and families. If you want something hands-on, there's an optional cooking class with a local family to learn Moroccan hospitality, and you can also book a traditional Hammam spa treatment if relaxation sounds good.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Traditional treats including stop at local traditional argan oil cooperative)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel El Andalous (or similar))
Optional Activities
- Cooking class with a local family learning about Moroccan hospitality
- Traditional Hammam Spa treatment
- Day 21
Marrakesh
This is your last day in Marrakesh. You've seen the sights and tasted the food, so now it's time to say goodbye to your travel group and start thinking about planning that reunion.
