Premium Spain & Morocco

Bienvenido! Welcome to Spain. When you arrive in Madrid, you’ll be met by a local representative and transferred to your hotel. Your adventure then officially begins with a welcome meeting at 6.30 pm. If you arrive early, you might like to visit the Museo del Prado and then wander the works of Picasso and Dali in the Museo Reina Sofia. After your meeting, join your local leader and small group for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant that showcases Madrid’s famous tapas.

This morning, get an in-depth look at Madrid as you join your leader for a tour of the city centre. You’ll visit Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor and the Royal Palace on a walk that brings the city’s history to life. After stopping to refuel at a local cafe, enjoy a free afternoon to relax or continue your explorations. You could wander along the along the Paseo del Arte, or Art Walk, for an expansive history of Western art. Start with the Museo del Prado, then discover modern Spanish masters, including Picasso and Dali, in the Museo Reina Sofia. Finish at the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza, which displays eight centuries of European paintings.

This morning, travel from Madrid to Seville by train. The largest city in southern Spain, Seville is famous for its cultural vitality and architecture. When you arrive, check into your Feature Stay accommodation, Las Casas de la Juderia – a gorgeous, family-run boutique hotel housed in 27 Sevillian cottages connected by patios and corridors. The hotel celebrates its roots with its decor and antique furnishings and walking through the hotel's interior is like taking a stroll through centuries-old parts of the city. Its statues, columns and jugs all create the impression of a living museum. Look for personal touches throughout the hotel, like the hand-painted details in each room and the owner’s great-grandmother’s shawl hanging in reception. Tonight, join your group for a live flamenco show – a traditional Spanish style of dance with roots in Seville.

This morning, meet with a local expert on all things Seville and get to know the city during a walking tour. Explore narrow streets, hidden squares filled with orange trees and flower-adorned patios as your guide provides local insight into the history of the city. Visit the Alcazar of Seville – a grand royal palace. Known as one of the most beautiful in Europe, the Spanish royal family still use the Alcazar as their residence! The rest of the afternoon is yours to explore at your own pace. Maybe take an optional visit to the Giralda Tower and the famous Seville Cathedral – one of Europe’s largest cathedrals and home to Christopher Columbus’ elevated tomb.

Travel to Cordoba today, stopping in Ecija for a short tour and your Premium Experience, a private workshop visit. Step inside the studio of a master Andalusian sculptor – this studio is rarely open to the public! – and meet the artist as he shares insights into his career, creative philosophy and the meticulous techniques behind sacred sculpture. Observe a masterpiece in progress and learn the role religious imagery has in Andalusia’s Holy Week traditions. After, continue to Cordoba, where Muslim, Jewish and Christian influences are present in the architecture, culture and cuisine. Cordoba is also home to the Mezquita – a rare site that has served as both a mosque and a cathedral throughout the centuries. Discover this supreme example of Islamic architecture on a guided tour with your leader that continues outside the Mezquita and explores the charming quarters and hidden corners of Cordoba.

Depart Cordoba and travel to Granada. Along the way, you’ll visit an oil mill, where the passionate owner of this family-run business will walk you through the process of olive oil production. Taste some different variations of the result, along with a lunch that includes olives, olive marmalade, olive pate and wine. This evening, maybe head out to explore Granada’s drinking and dining scene with your group.

This morning, take an orientation walk of Granada with your leader. Learn the history of the city and discover Islamic architecture and Arab influences at every turn. Then, you’ll have some time for your own explorations – maybe head to a local teahouse to sample some Moorish pastries. In the afternoon, join an expert local guide for a tour of Alhambra and its perfectly manicured gardens. Dating back to the 11th century, Alhambra represents Muslim art in its final European stages. Tonight, join your group for dinner at a nearby restaurant. Return to the Alhambra after dark and explore the famed Nasrid Palaces with your local guide. By now, the crowds have dispersed and you’re free to explore the site in all its glory. Your guide will provide expert insight as you explore the dominating red fortress towers, opulent palace decor and multitude of architectural styles.

Depart Granada and travel to Valencia today. Along the way, you’ll visit Bodegas Carchelo winery in the Murcia region for a wine tasting and tapas. During your private guided visit, you’ll have the chance to try several carefully selected top-tier wines, complemented by artisanal cheeses, Iberian cured meats, handcrafted potato chips, traditional empanadillas and local Jumilla sweets. Then it’s on to Valencia, Spain’s third largest city. When you arrive, you’re free to explore the Old Town centre that dates back 2000 years. Discover the harmonious mix of Roman, Muslim and Christian influences in its buildings, monuments and gardens.

This morning, join a local guide for a tour of Valencia. Hear the stories behind historical sites like the Puertas de Serrano, town hall and cathedral, and visit the central market and Silk Exchange building. Along the way, stop to try horchata, an iconic drink from Valencia, and finish off with a lunch of the most famous Valencian dish – paella. The rest of the day is yours to explore Valencia at your own pace. You might like to visit the City of Arts and Science – a large and futuristic museum complex designed by Calatrava. Or, head out to a local cafe to enjoy the treats that Valencia has to offer.

After a leisurely breakfast, bid farewell to Valencia and hop on a train to Barcelona. The character and fabulous Catalan cuisine of this city mix seamlessly with a ground-breaking art scene, Gothic architecture, superb dining and non-stop nightlife, making it a city you won’t soon forget. Once you’ve checked into your accommodation, visit Antonio Gaudi’s incredible La Sagrada Familia Cathedral. The architect worked on this hugely ambitious project for decades until his death, and it remains in constant construction. Later, have dinner at a local restaurant with your group. Celebrate the final night of your trip as you dine on some of the region’s most delicious foods like olives, pickled garlic, lomo Iberico de Bellotta (pork loin), Catalan cheeses, olive oil and sweet desserts.

Wave goodbye to Spain today and catch a flight to Morocco to begin the second half of your adventure. When you arrive at Casablanca Airport, you’ll be met by a local representative and transferred to your hotel. You’ll have a second welcome meeting at 6 pm to meet your new group and leader. If you arrive with time to spare, maybe visit the Villa des Arts. This gorgeous Art Deco gallery holds numerous exhibitions of contemporary Moroccan and international art. If you’re looking for a different type of cultural experience, you can also visit the Museum of Judaism. Tonight, celebrate the beginning of a new adventure over dinner with your group, trying classic dishes like tagine and couscous.

This morning, you’ll visit one of the most impressive sites in Casablanca – the mighty Mosque of Hassan II. Second only in size to the great mosque at Mecca, the huge building sits partly on land and partly over sea and is one of the only religious sites open to non-Muslims. Later, leave Casablanca and drive to Meknes, where you’ll explore the charming streets of the medina – the old walled section of the city. Drive on to the mosaic-filled Roman ruins of Volubilis, where a local guide will show you around and help you imagine the bustling city that once was. Enjoy a picnic lunch of fresh bread, cheese, seasonal fruits and olives from the market. In the late afternoon, continue to Fes, your home for the next two nights.

Today, you’ll discover Fes’s huge, well-preserved, medieval Old City and medina on a morning walking tour with your leader. Wander through the twisting streets and alleyways and explore the speciality sections that divide the souq as your leader talks you through the local customs and traditions. Pass historic khans, dye pits and stalls, then take a break from the hustle and bustle at a family-owned tea house before a visit to the ornate inner courtyards of the Islamic school El-Attarine Madrasa and Funduq al-Najjarin – an 18th-century inn. You’ll then have a free afternoon before dinner tonight, where you’ll be warmly welcomed into the home-turned-restaurant of a local family for a pastilla dinner in an after-hours Premium Experience. Learn how the iconic Moroccan pie is made as you chat with your friendly hosts about life in Fes.

Travel from Fes to Bine el Ouidane, with plenty of breaks along the way to appreciate the ever-changing Moroccan landscape. Today is a bit of a long travel day, so it’s a good idea to get stuck into your book or favourite podcasts. Bine el Ouidane is a small settlement perfectly placed on the bank of the lake, surrounded by sheer rocks. Your Feature Stay accommodation for the night sits at the foot of the Atlas Mountains, on the edge of the huge lake. Maybe spend your afternoon soaking up the calm surroundings in the swimming pool or kick back with a drink on the terrace.

Today you’ll head out onto the water, hopping in a small boat to see more of the turquoise lake and surrounding rocky gorges. Float over the water and take in the views. Then, head to the house of a local farming family in the lakeside village. Have a cup of tea as the family shares their stories about farming in Morocco and what their life is like here. You’ll also be treated to a home-cooked lunch, before heading back to the hotel for a free evening. Maybe lounge by the infinity pool, hike the surrounding mountain trails or treat yourself to a rejuvenating massage or jacuzzi session at the health spa.

Today you’ll make your way to Agafay – a red-rock desert in the south of Marrakech. Along the way, stop at Ouzoud Falls – a collective name for several waterfalls in Azilal, which all flow into the El-Abid River’s gorge. Take in the immensity of the cascades, then continue to the rolling landscape of the desert. Arrive at your desert camp in the late afternoon, freshen up in your tents, then head out for your sunset Premium Experience. Settle into a secluded spot with Bedouin seating, carpets, poufs and low tables for a lantern-lit Moroccan tea ceremony. As the night sky descends, an English-speaking guide will point out the constellations and planets above. After, it’s back to camp for dinner.

Wake up early this morning to catch the sunrise over the desert. After breakfast, you’ll then travel to Marrakech. When you arrive, head out on an orientation walk with your leader to the great square of Djemaa el-Fna – one of the largest public spaces in the world and the city’s most iconic landmark. As day turns to night, the square transforms into a hive of activity. Once you’ve got your bearings, the rest of the evening is yours to explore at your own pace. Maybe have dinner on one of the restaurant balconies overlooking the humming square with views of the Koutoubia Mosque.