Best of Portugal, Spain & Morocco 

**Fully escorted from arrival in Lisbon
** Our Australian escort will be in Europe and will meet you in Lisbon when you arrive at the hotel.

Guaranteed SINGLE room throughout
Commencing 17 May, 2011

Lisbon 3 nights,  Seville 2 nights, Algeciras 2 nights,  Rabat 2 nights, Essaouira 2 nights, Marrakech 2 nights, Fez 2 nights,  Marbella 2 nights, Madrid 3 nights

Colourful, lively, dramatic and ultimately beyond description. Mere words simply fail to adequately and elegantly paint the picture of our exhilarating tour through  Portugal, Spain and Morocco. These countries and people have been moulded by lengthy histories and tumultuous struggles. The resulting cityscapes, iconic landmarks, and overall cultural experience will leave indelible marks on your memory forever.

Our tour offers a variety of sights, magnificent vistas and exotic architecture, seasoned with the flavours and music of three captivating cultures!  Not only will you experience the gentle beauty  and  elegance of Portugal and the seduction, sounds and colours of Spain,  but a trip across the Strait of Gibraltar will carry you to the exotic and mysterious world of Morocco’s Casbah.

 

Book your own flights with your frequent flyer points or we can find the cheapest airfare for you.

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Day 1   17 May, 2011   Lisbon, Portugal.   (D)  Arrive to Lisbon, the capital of Portugal.   Lisbon is a legendary city with over 20 centuries of  history set on the banks of the river Tagus and the Atlantic ocean.  A wonderful city to stroll around, you'll find wide esplanades paved with black and white mosaics, open squares where you can buy freshly roasted chestnuts in paper cones, mazes of cobbled alleys, and steeply winding streets.  There are even the quaint old trams for the tourist routes, along with the more modern ones too !  Welcome dinner in the hotel this evening and chance to meet up with the other tour members.  Accommodation:  Lisboa Plaza Hotel  (or similar)  3 nights   Hotel Lisboa Plaza is a charming Boutique hotel in the historic centre of Lisbon.  Located close to Avenida da Liberdade, the Plaza is a charmer. Family owned and operated since its construction, the hotel's atmosphere is one of informal good taste.    Opened at the beginning of the 1950's, this hotel is one in which the architect developed a concept of modernity through, as he himself said, "practical solutions, which promote a sense of well-being".   The beauty of the décor created by Graça Viterbo, one of the most famous Portuguese interior designers, the constant updating of services provided and the attention paid to even the smallest detail make this a truly charming hotel.

Day 2   18 May, 2011   Lisbon, Portugal  (B)   Morning city tour of the beautiful city of Lisbon,  passing by Liberty Avenue,  Restauradores,  Rossio Square,  St.  Jorge’s Castle, stop for a spectacular view, the  Alfama (walking tour),  Terreiro do Paco,  Alcantara,  crossing the Bridge over the Tagus,  passing the Royal Coaches Museum and the Greenhouse in the Eduardo VII park,  the magnificent Manueline styled Jeronimos Monastery (visit included),  the Belem Tower and the Monument to the Discoveries,  Restelo,  Amoreiras and Marques de Pombal.   Afternoon is at leisure.  

Day 3  19 May, 2011   Lisbon - Obidos  -  Lisbon  (B)    After breakfast we enjoy a full day tour to Obidos,  a medieval village surrounded by the old city walls.  Stop in Nazare, a typical fishing village – a great place to take lunch (not included).   Wonderful panoramic views from high point of Sitio.  On to Fatima to visit the Sanctuary, the site where Our Lady of Fatima appeared in 1917. Since then, millions of pilgrims have visited to pray or to just take in the feeling of the place.   The Sanctuary Square can hold 300,000 visitors and it is  twice the size of St. Peter's Square in the Vatican.  Stops on the return to Lisbon in the small village of Aljustrel to view the Shepherd children's homes and village.  

Day 4  20 May, 2011  Lisbon  -  Aracena   -  Seville, Spain  (B,D)    Today we depart Lisbon and Portugal, first crossing the Tagus river on the splendid 25^th April bridge and then inland.  Look out for the cork oak forests on the way.  Past the many small farms and then up into the hills and higher still until we cross into Spain.  The scenery becomes greener as we pass through the hills and down to Aracena.  A small attractive town that is a pleasant spot to stop for lunch.  Do not miss the minaret next to the church – a reminder of the times when the Iberian peninsula was ruled by the Moors.    Continue down to the drier plains, passing cork trees and eucalyptus and on to Seville, the capital of the province of Andalucia and fourth largest city in Spain.   Seville prospered from Roman times through the Goths and Moors to being the chief trade port with the Americas until the Guadalquivir river silted up and this honour passed to Cadiz on the coast.

Dinner in the hotel tonight.   Accommodation:   Fernando III Hotel (or similar)  -  2 nights     The Hotel Fernando III is located right in the centre of Seville, in the Santa Cruz neighbourhood, near the old Jewish quarter, the Giralda, the Cathedral, the Alcázar, the Archive of the Indies and the Bullring. It is located next to the oldest synagogue in Seville, the Santa Mª la Blanca church. From the swimming pool of the hotel, located on the 4th floor, you can almost touch the magnificent figure of the Giralda, as well as Seville’s splendid belfries and towers.   The hotel has an ideal location, near the sights, monuments and Seville’s city centre.
                                                                                                            

Day 5  21 May, 2011    Seville (B)   Half day tour of the old town and the 1992 World Expo site.  See the Giralda Bell Tower (once a minaret) and the cathedral, the third largest in Europe – the interior really has to be seen to be believed, it is immense.  See the fabulous monumental tomb of Christopher Columbus,  see also the treasury complete with plate and silver, plus a few skulls !    Continue through the gardens and pavilions of Maria Luisa Park and a stroll through the Jewish District of Santa Cruz.  Afternoon at leisure

Day 6  22 May, 2011  Seville - Puerto De Santa Maria  -  Cadiz -  Algeciras  (B)   Depart Seville and head south towards the coast and stop in Puerto De Santa Maria to visit a sherry bodega.  Vino de Jerez, or Sherry is a wine fortified with brandy from this area of Spain.  See the process of production and also a tasting at the end of the tour !  Continue around the bay, across the causeway and into Cadiz.  Its perfect location has allowed this small city to be a port for more than three centuries.  It was from here that the ill fated Spanish fleet set sail to fight Admiral Nelson and be defeated at the battle of Trafalgar – off Cape Trafalgar, just to the south of Cadiz.    Continue south to the most southerly point of Spain, Tarifa.  Here you can see the continent of Africa just across the Straits of Gibraltar, only 16 kms away where we will be tomorrow !  Tarifa itself is pretty, yet sleepy little town, once a hippy ‘colony’, now home to wind water sports and quite charming for a short stop.   Accommodation:  Reina Cristina Hotel (or similar)   The Reina Cristina hotel is located  near the the Strait of Gibraltar, that constitutes a gateway to Morocco.   The property is housed in a building dating back to 1902 and offers an array of services to guarantee an agreeable stay. You will feel at home in this property that, without any doubt, is a historic and elegant landmark that, along the years, has accommodated distinguished personalities such as Churchill and Roosevelt.

 Day 7  23 May, 2011  Algeciras  -  Tangier  -  Rabat, Morocco (B,D)    This morning we are transferred to the port to take the ferry across the Straits to Morocco and the start of our North African adventure – a change of culture awaits !!     Arrive to Tangier and set to the tour of the city – immediately notice the different sights, sounds and smells of the city compared to Europe.  See the Place de France right in the middle of the city, the Grand Socco market square, Mendoubia gardens, the old Medina and the Ville Nouvelle.  Then we head south to Rabat along the coast road, passing the small villages and towns along the way. 

Accommodation:  Golden Tulip Farah Hotel (or similar)  -  2 nights      Golden Tulip Farah Rabat is   is well known for the quality of its service and the high level of comfort. Situated on the sea front overlooking the Atlantic ocean and the famous Bouregreg Mouth next to the Hassan tower and the Mohamed V Mausoleum , five minutes from the city centre and nearby the commercial, embassies and tourist area.

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Day 8  24 May, 2011  Rabat (B,D)    Rabat is the capital of Morocco and the seat of government, it is also the second biggest city, again split in to the French style Ville Nouvelle and the old Medina.   The guided tour will dive into the maze of the Medina, enjoy the beautiful domes and minarets, then wide avenues and green spaces of Ville Nouvelle. Pass the picturesque Almohad northern walls of the Kasbah, built by Moulay Ismail in the 17^th century to protect the city. See the Bab Oudaia, a monumental gate and example of Almohad military architecture. For relief from the medina time to relax in the Moorish style Andalusian garden.  Time to see the Hassan tower (unusual in having ramps not stairs inside) and unfinished mosque dating from the 12^th century.  Afternoon free to explore the city or shopping in the souk.   Tonight we enjoy dinner in the hotel.

Day 9  25 May, 2011   Rabat -  Casablanca -  Essaouira, Morocco  (B,D)     This morning depart Rabat and head along the coast to the largest city in Morocco, Casablanca.    This is the economic and business capital of the country and is very different to Rabat.    Take in the city tour of Casablanca passing Place Mohammed V and the Place des Nations Uniones, the main focal points of Ville Nouvelle. See French architecture complemented with Moorish design in Place Mohammed V, pass through the Art Nouveau district to finish at the Hassan II mosque.   This is the second largest religious building in the world, designed by French architects and built between 1980 and 1993, the vast complex can hold 25000 worshippers and another 80000 in the courtyard.

Then we head south to Essaouira, the road is mainly inland passing through intensively farmed areas, odd parts are newly planted woodlands.  Essaouira is set on a large bay overlooking the beach, but it is more of a working harbour then beach resort.  It is now a UNESCO World Heritage listed site too with its fortress and old medina.  Dinner is included tonight.  Accommodation:   Sofitel  Mogador (or similar)  - 2 nights   Reminiscent of a sumptuous Moroccan riad, the façade of the Sofitel Essaouira Medina & Spa is decorated in the traditional red of Mogador.  Luxurious rooms and facilities are trademarks of the Sofitel brand, but the thalassotherapy centre makes this hotel unique and offers visitors the opportunity to find a new level of relaxation and health.

Day 10  26 May, 2011   Essaouira  (B,D)  Morning city tour of Essaouira with local guide taking in the main sights from the fishing harbour, fish market, the old city walls and then the medina. Afternoon free to relax, walk on the beach or visit the medina.  Dinner is included tonight

Day 11  27 May, 2011   Essaouira - Marrakech  (B,D)   Today we leave the coast and head almost directly inland to the fabled city of Marrakech.  Up into the hills, past dry river valleys and continue inland.  The terrain becomes even more hilly around Chicaoula, but we skirt the high mountains to our south, but they provide a wonderful back drop to the scenery we pass.     As we get closer to Marrakech, the area becomes more intensively farmed until we arrive at the city proper, and what a city this is – Morocco in a nutshell – a fascinating 1000 year old !  Everything from the large numbers of people, the noise, the smells and sights all mingle to make truly exciting experience.    Afternoon city tour with local guide to see some of the city sights, the Djemaa el Fna – the huge square in the city centre (return at night when it is truly spectacular experience), see the story tellers, snake charmers, orange sellers and stalls selling all kinds of foodstuffs – everything from a complete sheep to parts of unknown animals – only for the brave to eat !!  See the Yves St.Laurent gardens, the old Jewish quarter, the ruins of the El Badi palace built in the 16^th century. We also visit the Saadian tombs some also dating from the 16^th century – beautifully ornate carving work is on display here.    Dinner is included tonight.  Accommodation:  Tichka Salam (or similar)   2 nights     A dramatic hotel with traditional Moroccan interior, Tichka Salam Marrakech with its elegant facilities and hospitality ensures every guest a memorable stay.   The hotel is located on the entrance to Marrakech, just a few minutes' drive from the city centre, the tourist attractions and the Congress Palace.    A must for architecture lovers, the bedrooms are decorated and furnished in a traditional style.   The hotel's recreation facilities include a heated outdoor pool, sauna, solarium, golf and much more.

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Day 12  28 May, 2011   Marrakech  (B,D)  Free day to explore the huge medina and souks of Marrakech   Dinner is included tonight.  

Day 13  29 May, 2011  Marrakech  -  Meknes  -  Fes  (B,D)  A long drive today heading north through Morocco.  The route takes us along the north western edge of the Atlas mountains which we will see on our right as we travel through the day.  We pass into the lush valley leading to Beni Mellal that is the market garden of Morocco producing oranges, figs, olives and fruits.  Continue northwards and stop in Meknes, one time capital of the country.  City tour with local guide taking in such sights as the Bab Mansour, some of the most beautiful Islamic art in the form of the city gates, plus the mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, the sultan who made Meknes his capital city.   Dinner is included tonight.    Accommodation:   Riad Fes (or similar)  2 nights     Wonderful combination of Moroccan architecture and contemporary style, Riad Fes is located in the most popular part of the medina, a few minutes away from the Blue Gate.  Riad Fes is renowned for its luxury, impeccable service and fine restaurant.   Its new Andalous pavilion and lounge have brought an even more vibrant edge to Fez’s most stylish Riad. With spectacular views of the Medina and the Atlas Mountains, Riad Fez is ideal for those travelling for business or pleasure.

Day 14  30 May, 2011   Fes  (B,D)    Fes is such a wonderful place, dating back to the 9^th century, another once imperial city, it has many facets to see and absorb.  This morning we take a guided city tour including a visit to view the very smelly, but intriguing tanneries, to see medieval methods still at work and the wonderful Dar Bartha museum with its collection of Moroccan arts and crafts, everything from pottery to carpets,  set in a 19^th century palace.   Afternoon free to explore on own and last chance to haggle in the souk for those Moroccan art works.  Dinner is included tonight.

Day 15  31 May, 2011   Fes   -  Tangier  -  Algeciras  -  Malaga, Spain  (B,D)   Our last day in north Africa !!  Depart Fes today and head north to Tangier.  Take the ferry back to Europe and arrive in Algeciras in time for the transfer along the Spanish coast, past Gibraltar to the Costa del Sol.   Dinner and accommodation in the delightful Marbella, a small town that has a great combination of old Spanish style and also the benefits of the modern.   Accommodation:  Incosol (or similar)  2 nights   Incosol Hotel Medical Spa is a 5-star hotel surrounded by beautiful gardens and is situated in a peaceful setting on the border of Marbella. This deluxe spa hotel is an ideal base for a relaxing getaway.   Guests can relax beside the swimming pools and grab a sun lounger to sunbathe or stroll about the gardens during the evening and admire the magnificent sunset.    With the numerous spa treatments available, guests of Incosol Hotel Medical Spa can spend the day benefiting from a massage, the Jacuzzi, Turkish bath and sauna, among many other great facilities.
 

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Day 16  01 June, 2011  Marbella  (B)  Free day to relax and enjoy the beach, the hotel facilities of the small shops and cafes of old Marbella.  Situated along the Costa del Sol, Marbella is Spain's answer to St Tropez. This chic holiday resort is a favoured get-away among the rich and famous and it’s not hard to see why. There’s an endless supply of world-class restaurants,  spectacular golf courses, fashionable shops, lovely marina and a vast number of lively bars and clubs to keep you entertained till sunrise.

Day 17  02 June, 2011   Marbella  -  Malaga  -  Madrid  (B,D)   Early departure today to make the short journey along the Costa del Sol, with a brief stop in Mijas to view the pretty whitewashed traditional cottages and houses and on to Malaga.   Here we board the new high speed AVE train to Madrid.  These ultra modern trains travel at speeds up to 300 km/h so enjoy the trip – it does not take long !    Arrive in Madrid and met by a local coach and guide who will take us on a short tour of this lovely city with its many fountains, old and new sights including the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum.  A private collection of more than 800 masterpieces housed in the neo-classical Palace of Villahermosa.  Being a personal collection gives a cross section of styles and artists which makes this collection truly attention grabbing.    Check in at the hotel and get ready for that completely Spanish tradition, the evening stroll and visits to the local Tapas bars.

This evening, our tour guide will walk with us to four nearby tapas bars where we will all be able to take a soft drink or local beer and eat that bar’s special tapas in each one.    Accommodation:  Intur Palacio San Martin (or similar)  3 nights    Hotel Intur Palacio San Martin was once the United States Embassy in Madrid and has been remodelled in 2001 to host this marvellous boutique hotel. The Hotel Intur Palacio San Martin has 94 elegantly appointed guestrooms with WIFI connectivity and ADSL. Every room is carefully decorated in a classical style making excellent use of the high ceilings, large windows and light.  There is a Restaurant, a Bar, a Gymnasium and a Sauna in the premises. Hotel Intur Palacio San Martin position is an enviable one as guests may enjoy the historic majesty of the Spanish capital at their doorsteps. It is located in the heart of the city, close to Madrid's most famous monuments, such as the Plaza Mayor, Palacio Real, Teatro de la Opera, Puerta del Sol, and the Prado Museum.

Day 18  03 June, 2011   Madrid  -  Toledo  -  Madrid  (B)   Morning free to explore Madrid or take it easy.   Afternoon excursion with local coach and guide to Toledo.  Toledo is like an immense museum that keeps some of the best Spanish artistic treasures.  Its old Gothic and renaissance buildings,  its narrow streets and alleys testify to past days of magnificence.  The whole city has been declared a National Monument and shows a remarkable mix of Christian, Jewish and Moorish cultures in its buildings and heritage.  Furthermore its site in a bend of the river Tajo, high up on the hill is tremendous.  Take the walking tour in Toledo with visits to El Greco’s house to see his paintings and the Synagogue de Santa Maria la Blanca that has seen use as a synagogue, a Christian church and a mosque. 

Day 19  04 June, 2011   Madrid  (B,D)   Free day in Madrid to catch the last Iberian pleasures.   Evening local coach transfer to a flamenco show with dinner for the farewell event.  Flamenco has its roots in gypsy and Arab sources and is a wonderful spectacle of rhythm using hand claps, heel clicks and the castanets.  A fabulous way to end a very special tour.

Day 20  05 June, 2011 Madrid - Home  (B)   Tour ends this morning with a transfer to Madrid airport for your onward flight.

Tour price $AU10950**  includes:

• **Services of a tour escort from Australia from arrival day in Lisbon until departure in Madrid

• Services of a professional English speaking tour guide from arrival day in Lisbon until departure in Madrid

• Services of local regional guides for some sightseeing

•  SINGLE rooms with private facilities in first class or luxury hotels

• Continental buffet style breakfast daily

• Dinners or lunches as per itinerary  (B = breakfast  L = lunch  D = dinner)

• Transportation and transfers by modern air-conditioned coach

• Half day sightseeing city tour Lisbon

• Full day sightseeing to Obidos

• Half day sightseeing tour Seville

• Sherry tasting Puerto De Santa Maria

• Ferry Algeciras  -  Tangier

• Sightseeing Tangier

• Half day sightseeing Rabat

• City sightseeing Casablanca

• Half day sightseeing city tour Essaouira

• Half day sightseeing city tour Marrakech

• City sightseeing tour Meknes

• Half day city sightseeing Fes

• Ferry Tangier - Algeciras

• AVE train Malaga - Madrid

• Half day city sightseeing Madrid

• Evening Tapas Bar tour

• Half day Toledo sightseeing tour

• Flamenco show with farewell dinner

• Price does NOT include:

• International airfare  (we can book this for you or you can use your frequent flyer miles)

•  Air ticket taxes and fuel surcharges

•  Meals other than specified and beverages during meals

•  Sightseeing tours and entrance fees other than specified

•  Porterage at the airports, gratuities and extras 

• Travel insurance

• Passports, visas (if required) or items of a personal nature

•  Anything not mentioned in the “tour price includes”

**  Please note:   This tour involves services which are settled in a number of currencies and the exchange rate has been calculated on

rates current at the time of uploading this tour onto our website.  

Should there be a fluctuation of exchange rates of more than 3% from this time to the time we receive payment, we reserve the right to pass on an exchange rate surcharge.

These prices are based on 2011 estimates and are subject to increase and/or currency surcharge