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Magnificent Morocco and Moorish Spain

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4.6 stars(16 reviews)
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Discover the charms of these two nations

You are viewing the 2023 itinerary. Select your departure year
20232024
13 days Sold out

2023 Tour code: MAG23

About the tour

Take a magnificent adventure along the path of the ancient Moors, from the shores of seductive Spain to magical Morocco. Discover the architecture of Barcelona and the golden city of Seville before crossing the Strait of Gibraltar for a taste of Marrakech with an authentic cooking class and a riad experience.

Highlights

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 - London and Barcelona

At London St Pancras, we board the Eurostar to Paris, continuing by rail to Barcelona for two nights.

Includes
  • Eurostar Meal
Day 2 – Barcelona

Today we get to know Barcelona, on a guided tour of the exciting capital of Catalonia. Situated on the Mediterranean coast, we soak up the unique culture of the city, visiting the extraordinary Sagrada Familia, Antoni Gaudí's unfinished masterpiece - inspired by his deep faith and natural forms - a fantastic creation, featuring intricately carved towers. We stroll down Las Ramblas, one of the city's main thoroughfares, known for its lively street performers, pavement cafés and market stalls. Your afternoon is free to continue exploring and you may like to stop by the remarkable Picasso Museum in Barri Gòtic,, the Gothic Quarter, or sample some Catalonian tapas at one of the many al fresco eateries.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 - Seville

We catch the train to Seville for a two-night stay and, on arrival, you have a free afternoon. You may wish to visit the Triana Quarter, on the banks of the Guadalquivir River, with its exciting Flamenco heritage and characterful market. Seville also reputedly has the largest number of tapas bars in the world - over 1,000 at the last count - so after exploring you may like to take a well-earned rest with a few sharing plates of local specialities and a glass of sangria.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4 – City tour of Seville

We embark on a city tour, seeing the UNESCO-listed Alcázar Palace and the magnificent Gothic cathedral, the final resting place of Christopher Columbus. The cathedral's Renaissance-style bell tower, La Giralda, was repurposed from the original minaret of the mosque that once stood here and offers panoramic views across the city. The Alcázar Palace is a superb complex of patios and halls and combines several architectural styles, from Mudéjar to Gothic. The gardens here are a lovely sanctuary from the lively city centre, with fountains and pools interspersed with formal lawns and flowerbeds.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch
Day 5 – Casablanca

Heading to Algeciras by coach, we travel by ferry across the Strait of Gibraltar to the port city of Tangiers, where we continue on the sleek Al Boraq - Africa's first and fastest high-speed train - to Casablanca for the night. This impressive rail line opened in 2018 and follows the coast from Tangiers down to Casablanca. It is our first introduction to the Moroccan landscape, a comfortable journey with wonderful scenic views of the Mediterranean Sea and the Rif mountains.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6 – Discovering Casablanca and Rabat

We tour Casablanca with a local guide who reveals to us the modern face of Morocco, a glittering mass of pale towers which stretch out across the 'White City'. We also explore the city's ancient past, admiring the Hassan II Mosque and the Palace Mohamed V before enjoying a traditional lunch at a nearby restaurant. Our afternoon takes us to Rabat for a guided tour, where we wander the impressive boulevards and dazzling, palm-tree lined seafront before seeing the Medina, full of atmospheric sights, tastes and smells as well as important religious buildings. Later, we catch the train to Fez, our base for the next three nights.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 – Fez

Fez, with its thriving Medina and ancient city walls, is a delight to discover on our guided tour today. Visiting some of the local markets, we encounter thriving spice and gift stalls and mint tea cafés, with a dazzling selection of wares including intricate jewellery, silk djellabas and clay tagines. One of the oldest cities in Morocco, founded in the 10th Century BC by Berber fishermen, Fez is a historic treasure trove. Our discovery of this fascinating city includes stops at the Great Gateway of the Royal Palace, the Kasbah Cherarda fortifications and a local establishment for lunch. This evening, dinner is served at Le Palais Medina where we also enjoy a traditional dance performance.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 – Meknes and Volubilis

We make our way to the nearby city of Meknes, one of Morocco's four Imperial cities. The high city walls here hide an intricate tapestry of striking architecture, inspired by both Islamic traditions and European fashions, and our tour reveals many fine examples of both, such as the Palace of Moulay Ismael and the Bab El Mansour gateway. After lunch, we visit the ruins of Volubilis. Originally a Berber city taken over by Roman invaders, Volubilis swiftly grew under their rule to become one of Morocco's proto-capitals before being abandoned for the new city of Fez. These days, the spectacle of ancient Roman arches, ionic columns and swirling mosaics are a haunting spectacle set against the dusty plains

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch
Day 9 – Marrakech

Travelling through the mountains by rail, we disembark in Marrakech, transferring to our hotel for four nights. Known as the Ochre City, stepping out into the labyrinthine streets of Marrakech reveals a city drenched in colour, from the pale peach of the townhouses to the reds, golds, blues and greens of the spice stalls. The enchanting sounds of city life constantly hover above the rooftops, seeping down into the enormous market squares which are particularly evocative at night, lit up against the darkness that casts a glow on the performers, merchants and citizens who earn their living here.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 10 – Exploring Marrakech

The intricate beauty of Marrakech is revealed to us on a sightseeing tour. We see the commanding presence of the Koutoubia Minaret gazing down over verdant gardens, the 19th Century Bahia Palace and the magnificent Djemaa el Fna market place. Along the way, our senses are flooded by the clamour of the souks and enticing smells of delicious street food. This evening, dinner is served at a local restaurant and accompanied by a folklore show.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 11 – The Atlas Mountains and a riad experience

We head into the awe-inspiring Atlas Mountains to discover Berber country, an area still occupied by tribes who have lived here for thousands of years. Here we see the old stone and mud houses which still populate the valleys, and, high above, the caps of the Atlas Mountains dusted with snow. We journey past the Gorge of Oued Ourika, following the path of the Atlas' rivers, to visit a traditional Berber home and share some mint tea.

Afterwards we head back to Marrekech, where we visit a traditional riad, a Moroccan house built around a lush courtyard. Some of the most opulent and lavish properties in the city, we learn about what life would have been like here for inhabitants over the centuries, while marvelling at the extravagant tiling, water features and luscious plant life that characterise these buildings. We also sample some local pastries and enjoy an expert talk about the history of the house.

Includes
  • Breakfast
Day 12 - The Atlas Mountains

Today, you are at leisure to explore more that Marrakech has to offer.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 13 - Marrakech and London

Checking out of our hotel, we transfer to the airport for a direct flight to London Gatwick. On arrival, your tour comes to an end.

Please note: you will need to take your luggage back to the UK with you on your flight, as opposed to it travelling via our luggage transfer service.

Includes
  • Breakfast

Additional information

Departure times

Provisional departure and return times, where available, can be found together with our dates and prices by clicking on the 'Prices & Availability' button. We write to all booked customers approximately 10 weeks prior to the start of their tour to advise the exact departure and return time for their particular group.

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. If you’d like to discuss any particular holiday with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

Hotels

Hotel Catalonia Gracia

Hotel Catalonia Gracia, Barcelona

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Radisson Blu Hotel

Radisson Blu Hotel, Casablanca

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Marriott Jnan Palace Hotel, Fez

Marriott Jnan Palace Hotel, Fez

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Es Saadi Gardens & Resort, Marrakech

Es Saadi Gardens & Resort, Marrakech

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Casa Romana Hotel Boutique

Casa Romana Hotel Boutique, Seville

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Trains

AVE
Eurostar
TGV
TGV Morocco

Enhance your holiday

Upgrades

Inclusive Luggage Upgrade
Flight upgrades
London Hotels
UK rail connections

Reviews

4.6 stars4.6 / 5 · 16 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (9)
  2. 4 stars
    (7)
  3. 3 stars
    (0)
  4. 2 stars
    (0)
  5. 1 star
    (0)

Angela Bettridge

4 stars

Submitted 27/May

I would have given you 5 stars if the final hotel in Marrakesh hadn’t been double booked for the last 2 nights resulting in another move and to an inferior hotel. The organisation was good, the local guides in Seville and Morocco excellent and all the tours, trips and activities very enjoyable and varied. It was helpful to have the same coach throughout from Tangiers onwards so we didn’t worry about suitcases every time. Restaurants were great and the hotel in Fes delightful. Good to know you listen to customer feedback which meant we got free time at the end of the trip. Thanks for a great holiday!

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I Grimble

5 stars

Submitted 03 Nov 2022

We loved the train journeys, and the fantastic breadth of experience. The guides were excellent and the tour manager was brilliant. We can't fault the organisation. It would have been better to have taken the ferry to Tangiers and not Tangiers Port.

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Anne

5 stars

Submitted 03 Nov 2022

Wonderful tour of vibrant Morocco with local guides staying in very good hotels and with the benefit of an experienced, knowledgable tour director. Busy but great fun.

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SS Durham UK

4 stars

Submitted 03 Nov 2022

very enjoyable with great rail journeys. Need to stay overnight in London both directions a real pain.

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JAROSLAV

5 stars

Submitted 10 Oct 2022

Following a great rail trip through Spain and enjoying both Barcelona and Seville the smack in the face culture change as we entered Morocco was fantastic. So much content, it was almost overwhelming. Fantastic.

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Chapman Sheila

5 stars

Submitted 07 Oct 2022

Enjoyably Interesting, informing, involving and very busy. Not for those who want a relaxing time. Casablanca should only be a day visit to the Great Mosque (magnificent workmanship) and maybe a fun visit to the pseudo “Rick’s Bar” SheilaC

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