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28 Days Portugal, Spain & Morocco Tour Package
Duration: 28 Days / 27 Nights Priced From: $7,163 pp dbl. occ. Dates: Sep, Apr, Sep

Now is the chance to see Portugal, Spain and Morocco in one solid 30-day adventure that will leave us with a stronger desire to expose ourselves to more worldly experiences. Once in Portugal, we will have the chance to see the country's collection of Gothic and Renaissance churches. They seem to coincide with the country's natural beauty so well that it seems as if the structures were extensions of the land itself. Glancing upon the antiquity in the halls of the Muse Archaelogique in Casablanca in Morocco can be compared to looking over a missing chapter in our history books. The most important lesson that this journey can impart is, "discovery does not end here." ?
Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in Lisbon
Today we arrive in Lisbon. The capital of Portugal since its conquest from the Moors in 1147, Lisbon is a legendary city with over 20 centuries of history. This was the centre of Europe's first and largest overseas empire and, as a result, the city still has a feeling of colonial elegance. Overnight in Lisbon. Dinner if required. Day 2 Lisbon: City Tour Lisbon is an enticing tangle of past and present -- funky and old-fashioned, unpretentious and quirky, restored and revitalised, booming with new confidence. With cultural diversity combined with a laid-back ambience and an architectural time-warp, this is one of Europe's most enjoyable cities. Today's half-day city tour takes us along the banks of the River Tagus and the Belem Tower guarding the mouth of the river. We visit Jeronimo's Monastery with the tomb of Vasco da Gamma. We continue on to see Alcantara, Praca do Comercio, and the House of Pointed Stones. We also drive along the Avenida da Liberdade, a fashionable tree-lined street through the centre of town. We continue on a walking tour through the oldest quarter Alfama, Baixa, Rossio, Restauradores, and Avenida da Liberdade. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight in Lisbon. Breakfast and dinner. Day 3 Lisbon - Obidos - Nazare - Fatima - Leiria Today we travel by road northward to Obidos, a medieval symbol of narrow streets surrounded by walls. Obidos is known for its typical white houses with blue trim, flowered windows, narrow streets and steps paved with beautiful stone. On arrival in Obidos we embark on a walking tour, passing through the 18th century entry arch covered in glazed tiles (azulejos). Small bright white houses lining narrow cobblestone streets, flower pots on window-sills, Gothic and Renaissance churches--especially the beautiful Church of Santa Maria -- reminds of the importance of Obidos's past. We continue to Nazare, the most famous fishing town in Portugal. Among the brightly coloured rowing-boats moored on the beach bathed by the Atlantic Ocean, one may watch the fisherfolk bring in the nets. A superb view is enjoyed from the "Sitio" for where you may observe women still wearing the traditional seven-skirted costumes. Our final stop is nearby Fatima, the well-known Roman Catholic Marian shrine. We visit the Basilica and the Chapel of Apparitions that marks the spot where the three shepherd children had visions in 1917. We continue to Leiria, a charming town with small homes over archways and behind graceful arcades. Overnight in Leiria. Breakfast and dinner. Day 4 Leiria - Coimbra - Bussaco - Urgeirica This morning we travel to the university town of Coimbra, known for its twisting streets and terraced houses. We visit the 12th century Se Velho Cathedral, and 13th-century university with its magnificent library, Manueline doors and chapel. We also visit the charming and elegant 16th century Museu Nacional Machado de Castro, formerly the Bishop's palace and now the depository of some of Portugal's finest sculpture. On display is a mixture of other items including ancient art up to the 20th century. We continue through the lovely Bussaco, a mountain forest located just northeast of Coimbra. Bussaco is a delightful refuge of cypress groves, ferns, statues, fountains, and formal gardens. Overnight in Urgerica. Breakfast and dinner. Day 5 Urgerica - Douro Valley - Porto We depart today for a picturesque drive through a landscape speckled with granite houses with wooden or wrought-iron balconies, before entering the Port Wine region, the Douro Valley, a UNESCO protected site. This is port country and was, in fact, the world's first demarcated wine region, established in 1756. Evidence of the port industry can be seen along the valley with all the famous company names -- Cockburns, Taylors, Sandeman and others -- appearing on large placards on the hillsides. En route we will stop for a cellar tour and tasting. We will also stop in Amarante to visit the local market and have a brief stop in Viseu to walk through the historical zone before continuing to Porto. Overnight in Porto. Breakfast and dinner. Day 6 Porto: City Tour - Braga - Guimaraes - Porto This morning we enjoy a tour of Porto, a World Heritage city. We will see the Church of Sao Francisco which dates to the 13th century. This was originally a Gothic church and has a fine rose window at its entrance. Walls, vaulting, and pillars are generously covered with carved and gilded wood vines, grapes, birds, angels, cherubs; a forest of carved, gilded wood covers the high altar. We will also see the Old Quarter, the modern section of the city, and the low section, fronting the River Douro. After lunch we will travel to Braga, a city famous for its churches, last count surpassing 300! As the religious centre of Portugal, Braga boasts the highest number of churches per capita in Christendom. The strategic location has always made it ripe for occupation and development. The Goidelic Celts, also known as the Bracari, are believed to have founded the city and given it a name several thousand years ago. The Romans occupied it in 250 BC and made it the hub of five major roads, all leading to Rome. Through them Christianity and the first Bishops of Braga eventually came. The Suevians over ran the city in AD 409, but were replaced in 485 by Visigoth invaders, who, in turn, were vanquished in 711 by a Moorish army. For more than three centuries, the Christians and the Moors jousted over Braga, until the Muslims were finally expelled at the end of the 11th century. In the old quarter of Braga, we will explore the ornate Renaissance and Manueline palaces, baroque churches, and narrow medieval streets. Later we will proceed to Guimaraes, birthplace of Portugal's first king. In this charming town (a UNESCO site) we offer a walking tour of the old mediaeval quarter. We begin in the Largo da Oliveira, with its varying styles of architecture. As we walk through the Old Quarter, notice the window boxes with fresh, colourful spring flowers. On our walk you will see workshops, bakeries, stores, and the like operating like time has never passed. Overnight in Porto. Breakfast and dinner. Day 7 Porto, Portugal - Santiago de Compostela, Spain Today we travel by road to Santiago de Compostela (approx 2 hours). Built of golden granite, Santiago is one of the most beautiful of all Spanish cities. The medieval city has been declared in its entirety a national monument, and remains remarkably integrated, all the better for being almost completely pedestrianized. The buildings and the squares, the long stone arcades and the statues, are hewn from the same granite blocks and blend imperceptibly one with the other, often making it impossible to distinguish ground level from raised terrace. This afternoon we embark upon a walking city tour of Santiago, a UNESCO World Heritage city. Our tour begins at Obradoiro Square where some of its more prominent monuments can be seen: Gelmirez Palace, the Archbishop's residence which preserves some 12th century lounges; the Town Hall, former Raxoy Palace, with its classical facade; the San Jeronimo College, whose facade shows Roman influences. Overnight in Santiago de Compostela. Breakfast and dinner. Day 8 Santiago: City Tour Today our tour continues to the Cathedral. Although it was built between the 11th and 12th centuries, its appearance is of a baroque building. The Obradoiro facade, built in 1750, is a Spanish Baroque masterpiece. Behind it we find the Portico de la Gloria, built by Mateo in 12th century and whose two hundred Romanesque sculptures represent a unique spectacle. The statue of Santiago's apostle is located on the altar. We also visit the museum, the Cloister and finally, the Platerias Gate, the only Romanesque one that is still preserved. This afternoon is free for independent exploration. Overnight in Santiago de Compostela. Breakfast and dinner. Day 9 Santiago - Leon: City Tour This morning we take the train (2nd class) to Leon. On arrival in Leon we visit the San Isidoro Collegiate Church, an important piece of western Romanesque, where 23 kings and queens are buried. The Cathedral was built in the middle of the 13th century in a gothic style similar to the French cathedrals and is famous for the beauty of more than 100 glazed windows. We also see the facade of the Old Covent of San Marcos, a Spanish Plateresque masterpiece. Time at leisure. Overnight in Leon. Breakfast and dinner. Day 10 Leon - Bilbao Our Leon sightseeing continues this morning with the old quarter of the city, which conserves a large part of the medieval wall and some remains of the original Roman wall. One can also find the Casa de Botines, a neo-gothic building and an excellent example of the architecture of Antoni Gaudi. Later today we travel by train (2nd class) to Bilbao,* tucked into the deep lush folds and clefts of Euskadi's coastal range. The name is "Bilbo" in Basque, but its inhabitants prefer to call it the "botxo," Basque for hole, or orifice. The orifice was originally a scattering of fish hamlets, huddled on the left bank of the rfa where the hills offered some protection from the Normans and other pirates. * NOTE: In the event that train schedules have us travelling over the dinner hour, we may include lunch today instead of dinner. Overnight in Bilbao. Breakfast and dinner. Day 11 Bilbao: The Guggenheim & Santander This morning we visit the newest and biggest attraction in Bilbao, the Guggenheim Museum. The 31 329 sq m (349,000 sq foot) colossus is one of the focal points of a $1.5 billion redevelopment plan for the city. The Frank Gehry design features a 50 m- (165 foot-) high atrium, more than one-and-a-half times the height of the rotunda of Frank Lloyd Wright's Guggenheim Museum in New York. The museum is devoted to American and European art of the 20th century, featuring the works of such renowned artists as Kandinsky, Mondrian, Picasso, Ernst, Pollock, Lichtenstein, Oldenburg, Serra, and others. This afternoon we drive along the scenic coast road past a series of small Cantabrian coastal towns to Cantabria's capital, Santander, a busy port on a splendid site near the mouth of the bay. The town centre is modern; after being ravaged by fire in 1941 it was completely reconstructed. The cathedral as rebuilt in Gothic style after the 1941 fire, but retains its 12th-century crypt. The town extends along the coast around the Peninsula de la Magdelena, a headland on which there is a park, a zoo and the Palacio de la Magdalena -- a summer palace built by Alfonso XIII in 1912, reflecting the resort's popularity at the time with the Royal Family. This afternoon, we visit the seaside suburb of El Sardinero, north of the headland. It is a smart resort with a graceful beach, backed by gardens, elegant cafes and a majestic white casino. Return to Bilbao. Overnight in Bilbao. Breakfast and dinner. Day 12 Bilbao - Madrid: Royal Palace & the Prado This morning we fly to Madrid. Our tour of Madrid includes a tour of the Royal Palace where we see, among other things, its principal staircase, throne, Gala dining room, museum of silver, and principal courtyard.* We then drive past Plaza Espana point, and out to Cervantes Monument. We drive down Gran Via to the Cybele fountain, then north to Plaza Colon and turn around to come back down towards the magnificent Prado Museum for a guided tour. Originally opened to the public in 1819, the Prado houses all of the finest works collected by Spanish Royalty as well as Spanish paintings gathered from other sources over the past two centuries. The Prado is one of the most important repositories of art in the world, including a vast collection of Italian paintings. Botticelli's dramatic wooden panels telling The Story of Nastagio degli Onesti, a vision of a knight forever condemned to hunt down and kill his own beloved, are a sinister high point. The balance of the day free to enjoy this beautiful city. * Periodically, without notice, the palace is closed for an official function. Overnight in Madrid. Breakfast and dinner. Day 13 Madrid: Royal Palace & the Prado Today's half-day guided tour includes a tour of the Royal Palace where we see, among other things, its principal staircase, throne, Gala dining room, museum of silver, and principal courtyard.* We then drive past Plaza Espana point, and out to Cervantes Monument. We drive down Gran Via to the Cybele fountain, then north to Plaza Colon and turn around to come back down towards the magnificent Prado Museum for a guided tour. Originally opened to the public in 1819, the Prado houses all of the finest works collected by Spanish Royalty as well as Spanish paintings gathered from other sources over the past two centuries. The Prado is one of the most important repositories of art in the world, including a vast collection of Italian paintings. Botticelli's dramatic wooden panels telling The Story of Nastagio degli Onesti, a vision of a knight forever condemned to hunt down and kill his own beloved, are a sinister high point. The balance of the day free to enjoy this beautiful city. * Periodically, without notice, the palace is closed for an official function. Overnight in Madrid. Breakfast and dinner. Day 14 Madrid - Toledo - Cordoba This morning we travel to Toledo, a city with a unique blend of Arab, Jewish, Christian, Roman, and Visigothic elements. Toledo sits on a rocky promontory isolated on three sides by a looping gorge of the Tagus River. The history of several different cultures is contained within this region, represented by the houses, synagogues, churches, and mosques. Our tour of Toledo (a World Heritage city) includes the Cathedral and the Santa Maria la Blanca Synagogue which shows the influence of the Granada Moors. It has an ornate ceiling and carved arabesques, not in Arabic, but in Hebrew. The most elaborate Mudejar interior in the city is hidden behind the deceptively humble facade of this former synagogue, built in the 14th century by Samuel Ha-Levi, the Jewish treasurer to Pedro the Cruel. The interlaced frieze of the lofty prayer hall harmoniously fuses Islamic, Gothic and Hebrew geometric motifs below a wonderful coffered ceiling. Adjoining the synagogue is an interesting museum dedicated to Jewish Sephardi culture. We continue to Cordoba. Before crossing the Despenaperros Mountains, the border pass between Castile and Andalucia, we will make a short stop to enjoy the breathtaking view. Overnight in Cordoba. Breakfast and dinner. Day 15 Cordoba: City Tour - Granada This morning we visit the magnificent and legendary city of Cordoba (a World Heritage City) where we observe the existence of multicultural and different religions. Our tour starts at the Roman Bridge and the Calahorra Tower, an Arab defensive tower. We continue to the Cathedral-Mosque, the only catholic cathedral built in the heart of a mosque. Next we arrive at the Alcazar a fortress, built by King Alfonso XI, and containing mosaics and sarcophagi. Finally we will have a stroll in the Jewish quarter where the Synagogue is located. Lunch and free time for shopping around the lively narrow streets of the Jewish Quarter. Later today we travel to Granada by fast train (+/- 2.5 hours). Overnight in Granada. Breakfast and dinner. Day 16 Granada: The Alhambra Today we tour Granada, set in the heart of Andalucia with the majestic Sierra Nevada mountains as a backdrop. Conquered by the Moors in AD 711, Granada blossomed into one of Europe's wealthiest and most refined cities. The legacy of Granada's rich history and heritage remain visible throughout the city centre with its cobblestone streets and lovely plazas. In 1992 Granada celebrated the 500th anniversary of the Christian re-conquest by the Catholic Monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella. The focus of our sightseeing today is Granada's main attraction, the Alhambra, a mighty fortress that houses an extraordinarily delicate and beautiful Moorish palace begun in the 13th century. This was the palace of the Nasrid Sultans, rulers of the last Spanish Moorish Kingdom. A fantasy of "lace in stone" surrounded by arabesque gardens and fountains, it affords superb views of the Old Quarter and Sacromonte, a mountain occupied by gypsy cave dwellers. In many ways, the Alhambra represents the Moorish concept of life itself -- something glorious to be ennobled by learning and enlivened by every kind of pleasure. We also visit the nearby Generalife Gardens as well as the old Moorish quarter of the Albaicin. Overnight in Granada. Breakfast and dinner. Day 17 Granada - Ronda: Town Tour We continue our tour to Ronda, a historic town located on a towering plateau in the mountains of Malaga Province. We will walk around the old town where you will learn the origins of this ancient town where Romans, Arabs, and Christians left their traces. We can see the Colegiata de Santa Maria, built on the same foundations of a Roman temple first and then a mosque. We continue to the Mondragon Palace, built in a Mudejar style and finally to the Bullring, the oldest in the country. Time at leisure to enjoy this charming town. Ronda is famous for its dramatic escarpments and views, and for the deep El Tajo gorge that carries the rio Guadalevin through its centre. We suggest a walk to the 18th century Puente Nuevo 'new' bridge, which straddles the 100m / 328 ft chasm below, for its unparalleled views out over the Serrania de Ronda mountains. Overnight in Ronda. Breakfast and dinner. Day 18 Ronda - Arcos de la Frontera - Sevilla Today we follow the route known as "the route of the white villages" for the singularity of the scenery through the Grazalema National Park. We make a stop at Arcos de la Frontera, one of the most beautiful old towns in Spain. After a lunch break we depart for Sevilla, the capital of Andalusia and a World Heritage city. We enter the city through one of the most beautiful avenues: the Palm Trees Road, which leads us to the Plaza de Espana, and the Parque de Maria Luisa, bequeathed to the city after the 1929 world exhibition. We will walk along the Guadalquivir riverbank and view historic monuments like the Maestranza Bullring, the Torre del Oro, and the Monument to the Tolerance by Eduardo Chillida. Overnight in Sevilla. Breakfast and dinner. Day 19 Sevilla: City Tour Sevilla, the fourth largest city in Spain, is the picture-perfect image of Andalucia, complete with restored Andalusian architecture, orange groves, flower-filled patios, and castanet-rattling Gypsies. While in Sevilla we visit the largest cathedral in Spain, built in a Gothic style with lovely stained glass windows, choir, and chapels. We visit the Giralda Tower, with its spectacular views of the city. We will also see the Moorish Alcazar Palace, a 14th century palace, the oldest royal residence in Europe and still in use. King Juan Carlos resides here while in Sevilla, as King Ferdinand II and Queen Isabella once did. We finish our tour with a walk through the Old Quarter. Balance of the day at leisure. Overnight in Sevilla. Breakfast and dinner. Day 20 Sevilla, Spain - Morocco Today we travel to Morocco. Our mode of transport and route can vary depending on ferry / flight schedules and availability, and the number of group participants. We may travel overland to Algeciras, Spain's main ferry port, overnight there, and then cross by ferry tomorrow. Or we may fly from Sevilla to Madrid or Barcelona, overnight there, and then fly to Morocco the following day. Overnight in Algeciras / Madrid, or Barcelona. Breakfast and dinner. Day 21 Spain - Casablanca, Morocco Today we travel by air or ferry (+/- 3 hours) to Morocco, finishing our day in Casablanca Overnight in Casablanca. Breakfast and dinner. Day 22 Casablanca: City Tour - Rabat - Meknes This morning we visit the Hassan II mosque, a glorious structure believed to be only second in size to Islam's most important site, Mecca in Saudi Arabia. The mosque was inaugurated in August 1993, the culmination of five years of intensive labour by over 30,000 workers and craftsmen. Non-Muslims may enter as part of a guided tour. From Casablanca we travel to Rabat, Morocco's third oldest Imperial City and modern capital. Among the sites in Rabat that we will visit are the Palais Royal, home of the royal family in Morocco; the Hassan Tower, the Mohammed V Mausoleum, and the small Musee Archaeologique (Museum of Antiquities) where some of the richest archaeological treasures in Morocco are housed. The city, located on the bank of the Oued Bou Regreg with the kasbah on a promontory overlooking both the Atlantic Ocean and the estuary, lies opposite its historic rival, Sale. Leaving Rabat we travel toward Meknes arriving in time for dinner. Overnight in Meknes. Breakfast and dinner. Day 23 Meknes: City Tour - Volubulis - Moulay Idriss - Fes This morning we have a city tour of Meknes, Morocco's youngest Imperial City. We feature the Bab El Mansour gate dating from 1752, complete with its Corinthian columns. We will also visit the Medersa Bou Inania, a theological college founded during the reign of the Merenid Sultan Abou El Hassan, circa 1340. The city was built by a massive army of slaves, both Moroccan and Christian, and the Sultan was in particular famed for his barbaric treatment of these people, supposedly interring them in the walls. The city contained within it all that was necessary for such a large population and military machine, with store houses, stables, armouries, exercise areas, gardens and ponds. Departing Meknes, we pass countryside dotted with koubbas, small whitewashed tombs, on our way to the impressive Roman site of Volubulis. Situated on the ledge of a long plateau, the dramatic site was once one of the Roman Empire's most remote outposts. Our local guide here will take you on tour of the site; we also allow free time for photographs and exploration. A short ride from Volubulis is the sacred town of Moulay Idriss. Coming round the last bend from Meknes, Moulay Idriss is a dramatic sight, houses and mosques piled up around two rock outcrops, with the 'zaouia,' or sanctuary, in between. The centre of the Jbel Zerhoun region, Moulay Idriss is a pilgrimage centre, including as it does the tomb of its namesake, the great-grandson of the prophet, the town a Mecca in Morocco for those unable to do the ultimate pilgrimage. The town of Moulay Idriss was mainly developed in the 18th century by Sultan Moulay Ismail, in part using materials lifted from nearby Volubilis which the Sultan plundered without restraint. Moulay Idriss was closed to non-Muslims until 1912, and even today is primarily a Muslim sanctuary. From here we continue through the olive and cactus groves to the Imperial City of Fes. Overnight in Fes. Breakfast and dinner. Day 24 Fes: City Tour The historic city of Fes lies in the Oued Sebou basin, astride the traditional trade route from the Sahara to the Mediterranean and the path from Algeria and the Islamic heartland beyond. For centuries the dominant axis within Morocco was of Fes and Marrakech, two cities linked by their immense power and rivalry. Fes is still seen as the spiritual and cultural capital and holds an enduring fascination for visitors with one of the largest historic medinas full of monuments reflecting the different periods of Morocco's imperial past. Today we will have a walking tour of Fes El Bali, the extraordinary medieval walled city. Once inside the gates of this great spectacle, you will see an entirely different view of life in Morocco. By contrast to the well-planned ville nouvelle, the old city is a labyrinth of alleys and lanes lined with shops, mosques, homes and schools. In 1980 UNESCO proclaimed the medina as a World Heritage Site. Our guide will take us to the medina to view the market shops, or suqs. Everything from food to clothing can be purchased. We will see the famous dying works with the brightly coloured cloth hanging to dry. A visit to the Royal Palace, several mosques, theological schools, and shops where we can see craftsmen tailoring their work will round out the day's tour. Today's walk is an amazing look into the life of the Moroccan city dweller where little has changed over the centuries. This afternoon is free for you to explore Fes on your own. You may choose to explore the ville nouvelle or perhaps remain in the medina for some shopping. Overnight in Fes. Breakfast and dinner. Day 25 Fes - Erfoud We have a morning departure for the Middle Atlas, a region of folded mountains and high, windswept plateaux, vast forests of cork oak and cedar, and lakes and streams full of trout. This is Berber country and sheep and goat-rearing is the main occupation of these resilient, friendly people. We drive via the Berber villages of Imouzzer du Kandar; Ifrane, a fairy-tale town unlike any other in Morocco with white-walled French-style villas with steep red roofs and gables; and Azrou where we make a brief stop. As the altitude increases, we come to a bare, arid, sandy plateau with another range of mountains in the distance. We continue to Erfoud, an attractive town -- red and sandy, exuding desert ambiance. Overnight in Erfoud. Breakfast and dinner. Day 26 Rissani & Merzouga Dunes This morning we journey to the historic 8th century caravan town of Rissani to visit the Tafilalt Oasis. The first capital of the Tafilalt and the last stop on the caravan routes south, Rissani has a special place in Moroccan lore. The ruling Alaouite dynasty (from whom Morocco's current ruler, Mohammed VI, is a descendant) launched its bid for power here before triumphing finally in Fes and Marrakech. Today, a quarter of Rissani's population still inhabits a large 17th-century ksar in the center of town. Later this afternoon we drive by 4WD vehicle to Merzouga to witness sunset over the dunes. We have time to explore the dunes on foot, or by camel! This is a magical landscape, with huge drifting expanses of sand dunes reaching heights of more than 45 metres (148 ft). Their colour shifts from pink to gold to red to white depending on the time of day. Overnight at Mezouga. Merzouga Inn. Breakfast and dinner. Day 27 Merzouga - Todra Gorge - Ouarzazate This morning we depart for the Todra Gorge, one of Morocco's most spectacular sights. It is a vast fault in the plateau separating the High Atlas from the Jbel Sarhro, two sheer cliffs over 300 metres (958 ft) high separated by a narrow corridor only 20 metres (66 ft) wide. Later we cross the southern slopes of the High Atlas before arriving at the captivating city of Ouarzazate. We stop en route in the heart of the Dades Valley at the oasis of Kelaa Mgouna. Overnight in Ouarzazate. Breakfast and dinner. Day 28 Ouarzazate - Casablanca - Depart Today we fly back to Casablanca and connect with flights that generally leave late in the evening. NOTE: Land only passengers need to take into account the timing of the flight from Ouarzazate before booking their air from Casa. Breakfast. BON VOYAGE!!
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