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ITINERARY
Tour Pace
This tour moves at a comfortable, leisurely pace with two night stays in five cities - Lisbon, Seville, Marrakesh, Fez & Madrid. The driving days are of a reasonable length with frequent stops.
DAY 1 – FRI – MADRID AT LEISURE
Welcome to Spain! There are complimentary transfers from Madrid airport to your tour hotel. This afternoon is at leisure to relax with a selection of tapas at a sidewalk café. This evening, get to know your fellow passengers over a Welcome Drink. Hotel: NH Eurobuilding.
DAY 2 – SAT – MADRID – SALAMANCA
First we visit Toledo, former capital of Spain, where we see the 13th century Cathedral and one of Europe's oldest synagogues. We also admire El Greco's masterpiece in the chapel of Santo Tome. Continuing on, we pass the mighty walls of St Theresa's Avila, on our way to Salamanca. Our orientation tour here shows us the Plaza Mayor, the New and Old Cathedrals and the university buildings in the Plaza de Anaya. Hotel: Alameda Palace. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 3 – SUN – SALAMANCA – LISBON
From Salamanca, we drive across the Portuguese frontier to Fatima, where we visit the great white Basilica. Now to the capital of Lisbon. Hotel: Marriott. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 4 – MON – LISBON SIGHTSEEING
With our local guide, we visit the cobbled streets of the 'Alfama' quarter and see Sao Jorge Castle. Now on to the Monument to the Discoveries and the Belem Tower, the starting point for Portugal's great navigators and explorers. We also see the famous Jeronimos Monastery. This afternoon is at leisure. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 5 – TUE – LISBON – SEVILLE
We leave Lisbon via the Tagus Bridge and drive through the Alentejo region, across the Sierra Morena into Andalucía. We arrive in Seville where our local guide takes us to the Cathedral to see Christopher Columbus' tomb. We continue to the Giralda Tower, Alcazar and Santa Cruz quarter. Tonight we enjoy a highlight dinner and 'Flamenco' show. Hotel: Melia Lebreros. (Buffet breakfast, Speciality Highlight Dinner)
DAY 6 – WED – SEVILLE AT LEISURE
A day at leisure for further sightseeing of your choice. Don't miss the chance to take an optional excursion to Cordoba. Perhaps enjoy a typical Sevilliano dinner at a local restaurant, followed by a horse and buggy ride? (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 7 – THU – SEVILLE – TANGIER
We cross into Gibraltar, a British territory since 1704. There is time to explore the town and take a trip to the top of the Rock to see the fortifications, St Michael's Cave, and the Barbary Apes. Now we sail from Algeciras to exotic Morocco. Hotel: El Minzah. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 8 – FRI – TANGIER – FEZ
Today's sightseeing tour of Tangier shows us the Medina and the Casbah. We then continue to Fez, the most ancient of Morocco's cities. Tonight we enjoy a superb Moroccan Dinner and a Folklore Show with drums and belly dancing! Hotel: Crown Palace. (Buffet breakfast, Speciality Highlight Dinner)
DAY 9 – SAT – FEZ SIGHTSEEING
During our guided tour of this 'City of the Mind' we visit the Medina and the walled city of hidden courtyards, mosques andtiny workshops, the ancient bazaar and a carpet co-operative. This afternoon perhaps visit the fascinating Berber village of Meknes? (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 10 – SUN – FEZ – MARRAKESH
Our road takes us through the rugged Atlas Mountains, past mud-walled villages, and on to Marrakesh, where we stay for two nights. Hotel: Kempinsky Mansour. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 11 – MON – MARRAKESH SIGHTSEEING
On our guided tour we see the Koutobia Minaret, visitthe Saadi Tombs, and explore the Medina with its many souks. We end our tour in Jemaa el Fna Square where acrobats, dancers and fortune tellers entertain us!
This evening, you may wish to enjoy dinner at one of the local restaurants to savour a traditional Tajine dish? (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 12 – TUE – MARRAKESH – RABAT
Did Humphrey Bogart say 'Play it again Sam'? We find out as we tour Casablanca, before continuing to the modern capital, Rabat. On our city tour we see the Royal Palace and Hassan Tower. Hotel: Farah Rabat. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 13 – WED – RABAT – COSTA DEL SOL
We leave the African mainland this morning, to sail back across the Straits of Gibraltar to Spain. Disembarking at the picturesque port of Algeciras, we head along the coast to the Costa del Sol. Hotel: Melia Costa Del Sol. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 14 – THU – COSTA DEL SOL – GRANADA
This morning we drive along the coast and over the Sierra Nevada to hilltop Granada. Our local guide will take you on a tour of the fabulous Alhambra Palace - a magnificent example of Moorish architecture. We also visit the exotic water gardens of the Generalife, the royal summer residence, where you can enjoy the fine views over the town and its hills. Hotel: Saray. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 15 – FRI – GRANADA – MADRID
Our route today takes us through La Mancha, where Don Quixote tilted at windmills as his faithful Sancho Panza looked on. We pass through the wine centre of Valdepeñas, its roads lined with 'bodegas' (wine cellars) to reach Madrid. Tonight, why not try a restaurant at the Plaza Mayor? Hotel: NH Eurobuilding. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 16 – SAT – MADRID
Our guided tour this morning, shows us the Puerta del Sol, Gran Via, Paseo de la Castellana, Cibeles Fountain and the Cervantes Monument in the Plaza de España. We then make a highlight visit inside the state apartments of the Royal Palace. This afternoon why not visit the Prado museum? (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 17 – SUN – MADRID
Our tour ends with a transfer to Madrid Airport. (Buffet breakfast)
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