Itinerary

Tour Pace:
This tour moves at a comfortable, pace with two-night stays in five cities: Lisbon, Seville, Marrakesh, Fez and Madrid. The driving days are of a reasonable length with frequent stops. Enjoy a free day in Seville entirely at your leisure.

Fellow Passengers:
There is the comfort of knowing you'll be sharing the tour with other like-minded singles as within this tour departure we have a special group booking ‘for singles'.*  Plus, when you book with our special group we go the extra mile and offer a pre-departure contact service to our group of guests.  This tour appeals to the more adventurous traveller - often those who have visited Iberia before and now wish to explore the origins of the Moorish connections, which are so evident throughout southern Spain.

Pre-Departure Contact Service: 
As a friendly gesture to everyone in our special group, we offer a pre-departure contact service. With your permission, we share your first name, state and email (or other preferred contact method) to the rest of our guests prior to departure. It's a popular choice with many travellers especially as the majority of our guests book solo. It provides the opportunity to get in touch with others prior to departure and especially from your city of departure in Australia. This list is provided after bookings close, about eight weeks prior to departure.

Day 1 - FRI - MADRID AT LEISURE

Welcome to Madrid - built by Philip II in the 16th century, the city is Europe's highest capital! On arrival at Madrid Airport, your airport shuttle service leaves for the tour hotel at 09:30, 12:30, 15:00 & 17:30. The afternoon is yours to relax with a selection of tapas at a sidewalk café. As evening falls, get to know your fellow passengers over a Welcome Drink.
Hotel: NH Eurobuilding.

Day 2 - SAT - MADRID - SALAMANCA

Visit Toledo, former capital of Spain, to see the 13th century Cathedral and one of Europe's oldest synagogues, and admire El Greco's masterpiece in the chapel of Santo Tomé. Continue on past the mighty walls of St Theresa's Avila en route to Salamanca. An orientation tour goes via the Plaza Mayor, the New and Old Cathedrals and the university buildings in the Plaza de Anaya.
Hotel: Gran Hotel Spa Salamanca. (BB,D)

Day 3 - SUN - SALAMANCA - LISBON

From Salamanca, drive across the Portuguese frontier to Fatima to visit the great white Basilica before continuing to the capital, Lisbon.
Hotel: Marriott. (BB)

Day 4 - MON - LISBON SIGHTSEEING

Sightseeing with your local guide, shows you Sao Jorge Castle, the Monument to the Discoveries and the Belem Tower, starting point for Portugal's great navigators and explorers, and the famous Jeronimo's Monastery. This afternoon is at leisure. (BB)

Day 5 - TUE - LISBON - SEVILLE

Leave Lisbon via the Tagus Bridge and drive through the Alentejo region, across the Sierra Morena into Andalucía. Arrive in Seville and join a local guide to visit the Cathedral to see Christopher Columbus' tomb. Continue to the Giralda Tower, Alcazar and the Santa Cruz quarter. Enjoy a Highlight dinner and ‘Flamenco' show. During the evening, enjoy a short informative presentation on the regional wines that compliment your meal.
Hotel: Melia Lebreros. (BB,HD)

Day 6 - WED - SEVILLE AT LEISURE

The day is free to take in more sights of your choice. Don't miss the chance to take an optional excursion to Cordoba, or perhaps enjoy a typical Sevilliano dinner at a local restaurant, followed by a cruise on the Guadalquivir? (BB)

Day 7 - THU - SEVILLE - TANGIER

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. Then sail from Algeciras to exotic Morocco.
Hotel: El Minzah. (BB,D)

Day 8 - FRI - TANGIER - FEZ

On a sightseeing tour of Tangier, see the Medina and the Casbah before continuing to Fez, the most ancient of Morocco's cities. Enjoy a superb Moroccan Dinner and a Folklore Show with drums and belly dancing.
Hotel: Crown Palace. (BB,HD)

Day 9 - SAT - FEZ SIGHTSEEING

During a guided tour of this ‘City of the Mind', visit the Medina and the walled city of hidden courtyards, mosques and tiny workshops, the ancient bazaar and a carpet co-operative. Afterwards, consider visiting the fascinating Berber village of Meknes. (BB,D)

Day 10 - SUN - FEZ - MARRAKESH

The road passes through the rugged Atlas Mountains, past mud-walled villages to Marrakesh, your base for two nights.
Hotel: Atlas Medina & Spa. (BB,D)

Day 11 - MON - MARRAKESH SIGHTSEEING

On a guided tour, see the Koutobia Minaret, visit the Saadi Tombs, and explore the Medina with its many souks. The tour ends in Jemaa el Fna Square where acrobats, dancers and fortune tellers entertain you. When night falls, you may wish to enjoy dinner at one of the local restaurants to try a traditional Tajine dish. (BB)

Day 12 - TUE - MARRAKESH - RABAT

Head south to Casablanca. Did Humphrey Bogart really say ‘Play it again Sam'? Find out on your orientation tour. Continue to the modern capital Rabat where you see the Royal Palace and Hassan Tower.
Hotel: Golden Tulip Farah. (BB,D)

Day 13 - WED - RABAT - COSTA DEL SOL

Sail back across the Straits of Gibraltar to Spain. Disembark at the port of Algeciras and travel along the sun drenched Costa del Sol past exclusive resorts to your hotel.
Hotel: Melia Costa del Sol. (BB)

Day 14 - THU - COSTA DEL SOL - GRANADA

Drive along the coast and over the Sierra Nevada to hilltop Granada. A local guide will take you on a tour of the fabulous Alhambra Palace - a magnificent example of Moorish architecture. 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. (BB,D)

Day 15 - FRI - GRANADA - MADRID

Travel through La Mancha where Don Quixote tilted at windmills as his faithful Sancho Panza looked on, and pass through the wine centre of Valdepeñas, its roads lined with ‘bodegas' (wine cellars). Upon reaching Madrid, why not try a restaurant on the Plaza Mayor?
Hotel: NH Eurobuilding. (BB)

Day 16 - SAT - MADRID

Take a guided tour down the wide tree-lined avenues to see the Puerta del Sol, Gran Via, Paseo de la Castellana, Cibeles Fountain and the Cervantes Monument in the Plaza de España. Make a Highlight visit inside the state apartments of the Royal Palace. In the afternoon, consider a visit to the Prado museum. (BB)

Day 17 - SUN - MADRID

It's time to bid farwell to your new found friends as your tour draws to a close today. Departure transfers arrive at Madrid Airport at 07:00, 09:00 & 11:00. (BB)