Highlights of Southern Spain & Morocco

15 days - from $3795

From Moors to minarets and from Seville to souqs, this adventure showcases two very different worlds only miles apart. With its strong Moorish history, Andalucia is one of Spain's most picturesque regions. Hilly landscape and fertile valleys dotted with charming villages are best explored on foot. The provincial capital, Seville, is home to a magnificent cathedral and many other grand structures from its long history. Ronda and Granada also bask in former glories, with the latter's magnificent Alhambra Palace being the ultimate 'jewel in the crown'. Just across the Straits of Gibraltar is another continent. Morocco beckons us with old medinas full of labyrinth streets, grand mosques and colourful bazaars. Fez and Marrakech have changed little since medieval times and still offer many surprises at each and every turn. Ruined citadels, ancient Roman remains, spa villages and majestic minarets all combine to make up the fabric of the intricate Moroccan landscape.

Highlights

• Seville
• Zahara de la Sierra
• Ronda
• Granada
• Alhambra Palace
• Casablanca
• Fes (Medieval City)
• Rabat
• Meknes
• Moulay Yacoub
• Marrakech Museum
• Marrakech

Itinerary:

Day 1 (Sun) Arrive in Seville.2 Walking tour of Seville (3 hours) including Alcazar Palace and climb up Giralda Mosque tower.3 Drive to Grazalema. Guided walk around Zahara de la Sierra and Grazalema National Park (3 hours).4 Walking tour of Ronda and surrounds (3 hours).5 Free day in Grazalema. Optional walks in national park.6 Drive to Granada. Walking tour around Moorish Quarter (2 hours).7 Visit Alhambra Palace. Optional afternoon walk in surrounding countryside.8 Transfer to Madrid Airport and fly to Casablanca.9 Visit Hassan II Mosque. Drive to Rabat and visit Chellah, Kasbah des Oudayas and Hassan Minaret.10 Visit Volubilis. Continue to Meknes to explore medina and bazaars. Arrive in Fes.11-12 Explore the old city of Fes, including Musee Belghazi and Funduk Nejjarine. 13 Travel to Marrakech. 14 City tour including Bahia Palace and Marrakech Museum. 15 Trip ends in Marrakech this morning (Sun).
Included: Local tour leader, transport and sightseeing.
Not Included: Departure taxes, airport transfers, visas, insurance, other meals, drinks, optional additional tours or activities during free time, tips and items of a personal nature.
Meals: 14 breakfasts4 dinners
Notes: Tipping It is customary to leave a tip when you are in a restaurant, and it is also a general practice to give someone a tip for good service, particularly to your driver and any guides who provide services along the way. For local guides in Morocco, we recommend EUR2 per person per service and for drivers we suggest EUR1.5 per day. Tipping Your Tour Leader It is customary to tip your tour leader, at the end of the trip, if you are happy with his service. He will be with you for the first five day, until you leave Fes. A minimum tip of EUR7 per day in Spain and EUR2 per day in Morocco, from each member of the group, is the standard expectation. Ramadan Ramadan occurs in the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is an exciting (and at times, frustrating) time to travel in the Middle East. In the evening there is a celebratory atmosphere as people break their fast, and to witness all this is a real highlight. However, during the day, people must refrain from eating, drinking, smoking and sexual activity, so if you encounter someone who is a bit grumpy, be sympathetic! Tourists sites are generally unaffected although some places may close early, but your leader will plan around this. Most hotels bars and tourist restaurants will remain open. Overall, Ramadan is a really interesting time to visit the Middle East, although you do need to be flexible, sympathetic and sensitive. In 2009, Ramadan starts on August 21st and finishes on September 19th, with the Eid el Fitr feast commencing on September 20th. The feast of Eid el Fitr can last between three and seven days, depending on the region. Important baggage information Due the baggage restrictions on the flight between Spain and Morocco, you baggage cannot exceed 20kgs. If your baggage exceeds 20kgs in weight, you will be required to pay an excess baggage charge per kg up to a passenger maximum of 50kg, when at the airline check-in counter. Please be warned that excess baggage charges are very expensive.
Starts/Ends: Seville to Marrakech
Trip Reference: PESM