Castles and Casbahs

Tour Andalucia and Morocco
All in 11 Day

Weekly : On Wednesdays : Apr - Oct

Add Ronda in Costa del Sol . Add Egypt . Tour Code 05/248

Madrid, Cordoba, Seville, Jerez, Cadiz, Algeciras, Tangier, Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakech, Meknes, Fez, Costa Del Sol, Granada. Fantasy and fable . . . castles and romance . . . beaches, desert sands and oases . . . stark, stunning beauty and sun. On this 11-day, 10-night excursion through the best of Andalusia and Morocco, you’ll retrace the routes of conquerors, sample wine right where it matures, cross between continents, wander through the casbahs, and delight in oriental treasures. Let your senses go and leave nothing to the imagination, because, incredibly, it’s all real!

Tour Code : Class " T" : T-05/248 or Clase / Class" A " : A - 05 / 248
Please note that from April 2011- this tour becomes a 12 Day tour. Please check update below later in the year

DAY 1—MADRID, CORDOBA, SEVILLE - Wednesday - Weekly - Year Round
We meet up this morning at the coach terminal in Oriente Square in Madrid and set out by 9 a.m., making the most of our time en route to introduce ourselves to each other and learn more about what lies ahead. Within a couple of hours, we’ll be in Córdoba, where we’ll visit the Mosque that held a central role when caliphs ruled this land. Then it’s southwestward, over the stark plains of Andalusia, to dinner and an overnight stop in Seville. Prefer to add one night in Madrid ? Please click here .

DAY 2—SEVILLE - Thursday (B)
We’ll linger today in Seville, where the Moors have left their mark in whitewashed houses, tile roofs, graceful archways, and a warren of intimate lanes with surprises at every turn. Our visit will take us to the monumental and stunning tower of La Giralda, the Cathedral that once echoed with daily calls to prayer, and the Palace of the Alcazar, with its delicately carved stonework and pleasure gardens that still delight. Your afternoon is free to wander the alleyways of Seville on your own, and perhaps to stop in and sample the tapas at an inviting establishment.

DAY 3—SEVILLE, El Puerto De Santa Maria , CADIZ, ALGECIRAS - Friday (B)
After breakfast, we’ll motor southward through the famous grape-growing region around Puerto de Santa Maria , and even have a chance to stop at a winery where world-famous Xeres wine—sherry to the rest of the world—is matured. Samples will be available, of course. After the tasting, we’ll reach the port of Cadiz, almost surrounded by water and long Spain’s window on the world that it ruled. We’ll tarry a while appreciate the old walled city and its cobbled streets, then continue to our overnight stop in Algeciras, near the very southern tip of Spain.

DAY 4—ALGECIRAS, TANGIER, RABAT - Saturday (B, D)
After breakfast, we’ll board the ferry to North Africa, and the mysterious city of Tangier, where Spaniards in suits and Moroccans in burnooses intermingle with souls from every continent. We’ll look around the old city and its treasures, before we board the coach for seaside Rabat, the capital of the nation. We’ll look around at monumental sights that include the Royal Palace, and have dinner and stay the night.

DAY 5—RABAT, CASABLANCA, MARRAKECH - Sunday (B, D)
It’s on the road again after breakfast, to fabled Casablanca, where a great modern city with wide streets and fine shops and restaurants stretches from the old quarter. We’ll sample both parts, of course, and then continue our route through rolling terrain, into lush valleys of fruit orchards and over mountain passes, until we reach the desert city of Marrakech, where dinner and our overnight accommodations await.

DAY 6—MARRAKECH - Monday (B, L)
There’s too much to see in Marrakech and too much excitement to simply move on. We’ll take a tour in the morning, concentrating on the walled city that has been a mecca of desert caravans for centuries. We won’t miss the Koutoubia, with its tower that recalls the Giralda in Seville. The Menara gardens and the souks along winding alleys will also have our attention. After lunch, you’re on your own for shopping, or to watch the daily excitement in Jemaaa el-Fna square, where water-sellers, jugglers and magicians never allow a forgettable moment.

DAY 7—MARRAKECH, MEKNES, FEZ Tuesday (B, D)
After breakfast, we depart Marrakech and roll out toward the Meknes, site of imperial palaces, the impressive Sidi Said mosque, and the Moulay Ismail mausoleum. And there are also stunning views of the green Agdal valley. After a tour, we’ll continue to Fez for dinner and our overnight stop.

DAY 8—FEZ - Wednesday (B, L)
We’ll spend a full day in Fez, and with good reason, for this is the spiritual and cultural capital of Morocco, with its largest old city, declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco. We’ll stroll the winding lanes and alleys to the venerable Attarin Medersa where theology has been taught over the centuries, and see impressive city gates and traditional mansions with archways of carved cedar and shady courtyards. After lunch, you’re free to wander on your own, to see tanners at work over great vats, and to negotiate for carpets and brassware.

DAY 9—FEZ, TANGIER, ALGECIRAS, COSTA DEL SOL - Thursday (B, D)
We head northward in the morning, back to Tangier to board the ferry that crosses to Spain, with a new appreciation of the currents that connect two continents and two cultures. Past Algeciras, we’ll follow the dramatic Mediterranean coast of Spain, rimmed with spectacular beaches. We’ll stop for the night and appreciate the fine resort life of Spain: sand, a dinner in good company, and the sound of waves gently breaking on shore.

DAY 10—COSTA DEL SOL, GRANADA - Friday (B, D)
There will be time after breakfast to continue the Costa del Sol experience: sun, sand, and perhaps shopping. Then it’s back onto the coach for our trip inland and over gentle mountains to the heritage city of Granada.

DAY 11—GRANADA, MADRID - Saturday (B)
Have we saved the best for last? The Palace of the Alhambra inspired caliphs, conquerors, and writers as noted as Washington Irving, and you’ll understand why as you walk through its magnificent rooms and along its intricately decorated Moorish archways. We’ll include its fabled Generalife gardens in our visit, of course, before heading back to Madrid, with a break for lunch en route ( not included) . Tour ends at the terminal in Madrid , or add an extra night in Madrid . Extend to Egypt and a Nile Cruise , or extend to Ronda .

Price includes:

• Guided tours as per itinerary including all entrance fees .
• English speaking Tour Escort throughout the trip.
• Hotel accommodation as per itinerary , including tax
• Travel bag presented in Spain.
  • Travel on deluxe air-conditioned motor coach.
  • Breakfast daily and specific number of pre-set menu lunches (L) and dinners (D) as indicated.
  • Baggage service.

Add Madrid Hotel Stay ? Compare with the 12 days , 13-Day , 14 days  
or The  17 day version. Add Ronda in Costa del Sol

Not included:

• International air transport (please consult us about our special fares).
• Expenses of a personal nature, such as Beverages or tips.
• Travel Insurance, Trip cancellation insurance
• Meals other than those specifically mentioned.

Tour Code 05/248

• 5% Discount to the third person sharing double room.
• Supplement : Easter week , and Apr Seville's Fair : 10 % Supplement will be added to the rate.
• Dec 20 - Jan 1 Christmas and New Year’s season : Please add : $177 USD per person

Add a Hamam / Spa Experience to your tour in Morocco

• Compare with : Andalusia - Costa del Sol- Toledo : Seven Day Version
  Start on Tuesdays in Madrid . Weekly . Year Round
  Cordoba - Seville - Jerez - Cadiz - Vejer - Costa Del Sol - Granada

• Compare with the 4 day Andalusia Toledo version
  
• Five Days Ronda Andaluza : Andalusia and Costa Del Sol
  
• Morocco: by Coach & by air
  
• Madrid & Morocco: 11 days
  
• Andalucia & Morocco: 11 Day
  
• Andalusia - Morocco - Costa del Sol - Levante: 17 days
  
• Andalucia - Costa del Sol- Morocco: 12 days
  
• Portugal & Andalusia: 8 days
  
• Madrid , Portugal & Andalusia: 11 days
  
• Portugal - Andalusia - Morocco: 14 days & 17 days
  
• Portugal-Andalucia-Morocco-Costa del Sol - Levante: 20 days
  
• Portugal - Andalucia - Levante: 13 days
  
• Portugal - Morocco: 12 days & 14 days
  
• The green Spain - Portugal- Andalusia: 17 days
  
• Northern Spain & Portugal: 12 days
  
• Spain & Portugal: 18 days & 20 days & 21 days