Southern Spain & Morocco Grand Tour

Welcome to Spain! Your tour begins upon your arrival into the airport in Seville. The capital of Andalusia, this southern Spanish city is known for its Moorish architecture, Flamenco dancing, and bullfighting, as well as being home to the world’s largest Gothic cathedral, Santa Maria de la Sede. You’ll be welcomed by our drive for a private transfer to your hotel in the city.

Today our local guide will meet you for a memorable private walking tour that uncovers the history of Seville. You’ll stroll the cobblestone streets in the old Jewish Quarter that was separated and walled from the rest of the city during medieval times. Marvel at the Cathedral of Seville, the world’s largest gothic-style cathedral and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was constructed to showcase the victory of Christianity over Moorish kings and to show off the great wealth the city had at the time of its completion in the early 16th-century. You’ll also visit the magnificent Royal Alcazar that boasts over a millennium of history as the oldest royal residence in Europe that’s still in use. The oldest remaining traces of the original 10th-century structure are the Patio del Yeso and the Justice Room. Some of the most impressive features include the colorful hand-painted tiles, carved doors and ceilings.

You will have the day at leisure to continue exploring Sevilla on your own today. You might take a stroll to Plaza de España, climb the modern Metropol Parasol or visit its market, or cross the river to the eclectic Triana neighborhood. If you’d like to get out of the city, you could also take the high-speed train to Cordoba, about 40 minutes away. Tonight, set off for a night you´ll never forget. With roots tracing from Andalusian, Islamic and Gypsy origins, flamenco is a combination of intricate guitar playing, powerful singing ranging from the exuberant to the sorrowful, and passionate yet graceful dancing. A visit to Spain without a flamenco experience is not complete and your host for the evening will provide a deeper understanding of its origins, its meaning, and its place in modern-day Spain.  Enjoy an excellent performance before combining the evening with another of Sevilla’s defining art forms, tapas! Seville is possibly the best city in Spain for tapas. It is after all, the home of the tapas and has the largest number of bars per inhabitant anywhere, offering an amazing range of food. There’s something for everybody. The variety is extensive, encompassing seafood, salads, cured hams, cheeses, red pepper dishes, the obligatory Spanish potato omelet, and so on. Tapear’ in Sevilla is a fun and recommendable alternative to the full-blown sit-down meal. And who could be better than a local resident to show you the ropes into the world of Spanish food, introducing you to the intricacies and/or delightful simplicity of Spanish cuisine amidst informal, authentic settings

Check out of your Seville hotel, meeting your driver for the transfer to your hotel in Granada. Along the way you will stop for a guided tour of Cordoba, roughly equidistant between the two cities. Upon arrival, meet your expert local guide for a private guided tour of Cordoba focused on two of its UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Jewish Quarter and the Mezquita. The uniquely charming Jewish quarter is famous for its patios, or flower-filled courtyards. You’ll pass along the cobbled streets and notice the synagogue. Filled with winding narrow streets, whitewashed façades, flower pots, quaint squares you’ll notice highlights such as the Maimonides Monument, Judios Street, the Zoco, and the synagogue. Your will also visit the famed Mosque-Cathedral known as the Mezquita. This spectacular building is one of the jewels of Muslim architecture in Spain and a stunning blend of two religions and cultures which have shaped Andalucia: Islam and Christianity. A magnificent awe-inspiring architectural masterpiece that amazes all travelers it is essentially a mosque that contains a cathedral inside. Its main hall with over 850 double-arched columns is one of the best and most impressive features of this architectural gem.

This private guided tour will bring you to explore the most popular attraction in Granada, the Alhambra Palace and Generalife Gardens. Sitting high atop a strategic hill that dominates the city, the citadel is made up of a complex of spectacular palaces and colorful gardens that were built under the Nazari Dynasty, primarily over the 13th and 14th centuries. The royal residences are the only one from an Islamic dynasty still standing today as they have since the Middle Ages. The courtyards look as if they’re an image of the Garden of Eden with their walls covered in floral and geometric motifs. These are the only royal residences from an Islamic dynasty that still stand today as they have since the Middle Ages. Your tour will be led by an Islamic art expert who will reveal the secrets and symbols in the palaces along with the philosophical concepts and mathematical achievements that reflect an entire civilization.

Your journey continues to Morocco today, starting with a private transfer to Algeciras where you’ll hop on a 35-minute ferry ride to Tangier on the northwestern Maghreb coast of the African continent. Upon your arrival to the ferry terminal you’ll be met by our local driver for a private transfer to your comfortable hotel in Tangier. The city is known for its sense of exotic mystery, rich history, lively markets, and idyllic beaches.

Your guide will meet you this morning for your day of exploring Tangiers. Your touring is private and bespoke, this is a suggestion for what you may like to do. For centuries Tangiers has been the gateway to Africa from Europe, the city has a vibrant culture, a mix of European and Moroccan. The medina (old town) is a maze of alleys and your guide will help you explore the ancient streets and souks. A nearby walk takes you through the diplomatic neighborhood -The Pasteur Boulevard and the Plaza of France. This area still retains the 1930s glamour that Tangiers was famous for. Return to your hotel late afternoon to relax. This evening we suggest you take a walk through the medina as the old town comes alive at night

While your final destination today is Fes, private transfer from your hotel in Tangier will take you to tour the famous “Blue City” of Chefchaouen along the way. Located in the mountains it’s splashed with all shades of blue and dates back to the 15th century. You’ll feel like you’re swimming as you meander through narrow alleyways, and down blue painted steps while surrounded by blue walls and ceilings in the heart of the medina. Afterwards, continue to your Fes hotel.

Today you’ll meet a local guide for a fascinating tour of this ancient city, considered to be the cultural capital of the country. Walk through the bustling streets, just a few of some 9,000 different passageways, taking in the atmospheric souks and medina. Look out for colorful spices and skilled artisans, and visit Nejjarine Square with its famous fountain. You’ll also visit alluring madrasa Bouanania Medersa, the mausoleum of Mouley Driss, Karaouiyine Mosque, and the oldest university in the world, founded in 859AD. This evening you will join a local family for dinner in the Medina, to learn about authentic recipes, ingredients, and gastronomy, which will provide you with a firsthand understanding of Moroccan culture, and hospitality

After checking out of your Fes hotel, a private transfer will bring you to Marrakech. This scenic drive travels through the Atlas Mountains bringing breathtaking views of the soaring cliff faces and stunning passes. You’ll see picturesque Berber villages and get a glimpse of Moroccan rural life in the university town of Irfrane. Visit the Kasbah of Ras El Ain and check out the merchants offering gifts and souvenirs before checking into your Marrakech hotel. Marrakech is known for its colorful chaos, where you can leave your cares behind and go with the flow, exploring the labyrinth of twisting alleyways, with spice sellers, fortune tellers, snake charmers, and monkey handlers. Your driver will provide you with a brief orientation before you check-in and enjoy dinner at your hotel this evening. This evening you will visit one of Marrakech’s vibrant restaurants for dinner and a show including acrobats, musicians and a Berber parade

Today you’ll enjoy a full day guided tour of Marrakech, the second oldest imperial city in Morocco (after Fes). Also known as the Red City, it is home to numerous prestigious monuments which bear witness to the colorful history of North Africa. This morning you’ll take in key sites such as the Bahia Palace, the UNESCO Heritage Agdal Gardens, Koutoubia Mosque, and the majestic Marjorelle Gardens. Break for lunch in a local restaurant, and the afternoon will then be dedicated to local life, taking in the mesmerizing souks and famous Djemaa el Fna square, the epicenter of Marrakech in the medina (old town). The lively atmosphere that never slows down generates an exciting buzz accommodating a variety of tastes with everything from monkey tamers to musicians, tattoo artists, and merchants with fascinating shops.

Today you’re in for a desert adventure. Your driver will take you into the Agafay Desert, around an hour south of Marrakech, known for its rocky hills, sand dunes, and dry riverbeds. The perfect respite from the bustling city centers, you’ll enjoy exploring and learning about the unique ecosystem, with a variety of flora & fauna that is adapted to the harsh desert environment. If you wish you can also enjoy a camel ride, horseback ride or quad bike ride through the dunes.

Sadly your adventures in Morocco have come to an end. At the appropriate time you will be transferred privately from Agafay back out of the desert and down to Marrakech International Airport, arriving in plenty of time to check in for your onward flight. This will be a road transfer of just under an hour.