£2,995
Bustling markets, tantalising mosques and mystical snake charmers - just part of the adventure on this incredible rail journey through captivating Andalucia to Morocco, where a blend of Mediterranean, African Berber and Arab heritage combine to delight the senses.
- Madrid
- Ronda in Andalucia
- Historic Rabat
- Casablanca
- King Hassan II Mosque
- Magical Marrakech
- The Atlas Mountains
- Fez’s ancient medina (Rail return only)
- Ancient Roman Volubilis (Rail return only)
- Seville
We depart St Pancras International by Eurostar for Paris, travelling in Standard Premier Class, with light meal and drinks served on board. After crossing Paris by coach, we join the overnight Francisco de Goya sleeper train for the journey to Madrid, in two-berth compartments.
On arrival in Madrid we transfer to the Hotel Catalonia Las Cortes for a two-night stay. Sightseeing on Day 2 includes the Plaza Mayor, the Prado Museum and the magnificent Royal Palace (entry fee not included). Day 3 is free for you to explore the vibrant Spanish capital and discover its superb selection of truly great art museums, stunning architecture, lively plazas and mighty boulevards.
We travel south by train to the beautiful town of Ronda, set in the heart of Andalucía, for a two-night stay at the Husa Reina Victoria Hotel. On Day 5 we take a sightseeing tour which includes a visit to the oldest bullring in Spain, the Mondragon Palace and Puente Nuevo, the bridge over Ronda's famous gorge. The afternoon is free to explore. On Day 6 our journey continues to Tarifa, where we take the ferry across the Straits of Gibraltar to Tangier. We enjoy lunch here at a restaurant overlooking the beach before going to the station to join the train to Rabat. We arrive in the evening after a scenic journey along the wild coastline, past primitive settlements set amongst rich farmland. We stay in Rabat for two nights at the Hotel Farah.
We travel to Casablanca by coach this morning to enjoy a fascinating tour of the sights, including the League of Arab States Park, a green oasis opened in 1925 which contrasts with the bustle of the rest of the city. We also see the immense Hassam II mosque, which is the second largest mosque in the world. After lunch overlooking the Atlantic we return to explore Rabat and visit the old medina, the Royal Palace of Hassan II and the Kasbah des Oudaïa.
This morning we depart Rabat by train and travel inland towards the Atlas Mountains and the captivating city of Marrakech for our three night stay at the fabulous Es Saadi Hotel. Here we visit the magical Djemaa El Fna Square, an ancient meeting point for entertainers, dancers, acrobats, snake charmers and traders.
Today we take a sightseeing tour of Marrakech, viewing the city's ramparts, minarets and tranquil gardens and visiting the vibrant souks of the medina, where the wide array of spices will arouse your senses. This evening we dine in a local restaurant and enjoy some traditional entertainment.
We journey into the lush, green Ourika Valley, nestled between the majestic Atlas Mountains, and discover typical Berber hamlets of baked clay and stone houses. The day includes a visit to a typical Berber home where we enjoy a cup of traditional mint tea, and a tour of the local market where you have the opportunity to buy Berber handicrafts.
Today we travel through remote regions, major cities and rural
landscapes to Morocco's oldest city, Fez. On arrival, we transfer
to the Sofitel Fès Palais Jamaï, located adjacent to the walls of
the Medina, for a three-night stay.
If you have chosen to return by air, you will transfer to
Marrakech airport on Day 11 for the flight
home.
Immerse yourself in the alleys and minarets of Fez, beguile at the traders plying their wares in the souks, and unravel the story of this ancient city on a full-day sightseeing including the old guilds and fortifications.
Our full day excursion on Day 13 takes us first to the imperial city of Meknes, built as a 'Moroccan Versailles', before moving on to Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage site and Morocco's most impressive Roman ruins.
We leave Fez by train and travel north to Tangier on Day 14 where we board the ferry for Tarifa. On arrival in Spain, we transfer by coach to the Hotel Inglaterra in Seville for a two-night stay. Our morning sightseeing tour on Day 15 includes Seville's Royal Palace, the delightful Plaza de España, created for the 1929 Fair of the Americas, and the narrow, winding streets of the pretty Santa Cruz area. We finish our tour by the spectacular cathedral, whose bell tower, La Giralda, dominates the skyline. The afternoon is free to explore.
We leave Seville by train for Madrid. Here we join the Francisco de Goya overnight sleeper service for the journey to Paris, in two-berth compartments. There is a restaurant car on board. In Paris we transfer on Day 17 to the Eurostar for St Pancras International.
We also offer the option to return to the UK by air, rather than by train. This version of our Marrakech Express tour is six days shorter and on Day 11 when the group leaves Marrakech for Fez, those selecting the return by air option will transfer to Marrakech Airport for the return flight to London.
The return by air option is not available to book online, so if you are interested in flying back to London, please call one of our Tour Advisors who will be happy to help you.
01904 521 936
The thing that makes this tour special is that customers get a frisson of excitement of being in an exotic location where everything is so different to what they are used to and yet knowing that they are in the safe hands of a company that cares for its customers.
One shouldn't forget that this is still a third world country. But this isn't reflected in the luxurious hotels that we stay in) all with swimming pools and sun terraces in Morocco - so the contrasts are immense. But things are changing fast so the best time to come is now before things change too much.
Everyone is amazed at the vividness of the colours, the aromas of the spice and perfume markets and the friendliness of the people. The return by rail is so much more than just that. For many the highlight was the real, authentic Moroccan city of Fez and the beautiful Seville.
Ian Boyle, Tour Manager