Spain, Portugal & Morocco

Bienvenidos! Welcome to Spain. Your adventure begins in Madrid, the central capital known for its boulevards and expansive, manicured parks. You’ll have a welcome meeting at 6 pm to meet your group and local leader. After the meeting, head out for an optional group dinner where you can get to know your fellow travellers. As there's limited time for sightseeing in Madrid, consider flying in a few days early to explore and maybe while away the hours along the Paseo del Arte (Art Walk) or discover more about the modern Spanish masters like Picasso and Dali in the Museo Reina Sofia.

Say farewell to Madrid this morning and head north-west by public transport to the university town of Salamanca. Sitting among pastures and rolling green hills on Spain's northern plateau, the medieval town of Salamanca is great to explore on foot. Your leader will take you on an orientation walk when you arrive, where you can explore the central Plaza Mayor and the Renaissance and Baroque architecture. The rest of your afternoon and evening is free. You could explore the Casa de Las Conchas (House of the Shells), named for the 300 shells decorating its facade, or see the contrasting Old and New Cathedrals, where you can climb to the top to get a view across the terracotta-coloured rooftops. Thanks to the large student population, this town has a vibrant nightlife, so maybe soak up the vibe tonight, go dancing or grab a couple of drinks.

Head further west on your private bus today and cross the border into Portugal, headed to the laidback city of Coimbra – your base for the next two nights. Sitting on the banks of the River Mondego, Coimbra was once the capital of the country, and its royal heritage can be felt in its ancient streets. When you arrive, your leader will take you on an orientation walk through the maze of alleyways. Half the fun of Coimbra is wandering and exploring, so maybe spend your free time getting to know the city on foot. Coimbra features many white stone buildings with excellent examples of the colourful azulejos tiling. This evening, you’ll watch a traditional Fado performance. Fado songs must follow a particular structure, and though this traditional music can really be about anything, it popularly features mournful tunes with lyrics about the sea or the life of the poor. In Coimbra, university students would often serenade their sweethearts with this music!

This morning is free for you to explore Coimbra. Some of the city’s historical structures were originally built in the 12th century (like the Cathedral Se Velha), and you can find some of Portugal's best examples of Romanesque churches and elegant museums here. The University of Coimbra – the oldest in Portugal – and the famous baroque library, the Biblioteca Joanina are great places to start. Or maybe head into the countryside in search of ancient Roman ruins – the ruins of Conimbriga are rich in well-preserved mosaics and offer a great insight into Roman life. You could also take a short boat tour to see Coimbra from a different angle or head out to Porto for the day. Stretching along the banks of the River Douro, Porto is one of Portugal's most romantic cities, known for its medieval riverside district with its cobbled streets, merchants’ houses and cafes. This afternoon, take a train to Lisbon, where you’ll have a free evening. One of Europe's most affordable capital cities, Lisbon offers delicious seafood and non-stop nightlife. If you want to jump into the local nightlife, head to Barrio Alto.

This morning, set out on a leader-led walk through Belem, one of Lisbon’s most historic and enchanting districts. Wander past grand riverside monuments and ornate Manueline architecture that speaks to Portugal’s Age of Discovery. Don’t miss the chance to indulge in the city’s most famous treat – the warm and flaky pasteis de nata, fresh from a centuries-old bakery. From early afternoon, your day is free. Explore more of Lisbon or take a 45-minute train ride out to the mountainous region of Sintra – a jewel of Portugal where you’ll see the Pena Palace. This area offers great walking opportunities, cliff-top palaces and unique Moorish architecture. The 8th-century Castle of the Moors looks down on the Old Town, and the views from the battlements across the Serra de Sintra Mountain Range make it well worth the trip.

Take a train to the southern coastline of Portugal – the Algarve, known for fertile plains rich with orange and olive groves, fig trees, almonds and maize fields. Your base will be in Faro – the capital of the region known for its Old Town, which you enter through the neoclassical Arco da Vila. When you arrive, check into your home for the next two nights and use the rest of the day to explore. Maybe wander the cobbled streets, see the 13th-century Faro Cathedral or head to the Municipal Museum set in a 16th-century convent, which displays prehistoric and medieval artifacts as well as religious art.

Faro is separated from the Atlantic Ocean by a series of barrier islands, creating a beautiful landscape of canals, salt pans, lagoons and sandbanks. Today, you’ll board a local passenger boat and head out to one of these islands where you can wander along a series of boardwalks leading away from the fishermen’s settlements. You'll cross over dunes and lagoons to beaches that are so long that they disappear into the horizon. Return to Faro in the afternoon and enjoy the rest of your day at leisure. Maybe use the area's great walking paths to access some of the Algarve's lesser-known spots or find a good place to watch the sunset.

Leave Portugal behind and return to Spain, travelling by private vehicle to the city of Seville. If the legends are to be believed, Seville was founded by Hercules, and its origins are linked with the Tartessian civilisation. To the Romans it was Hispalis, and to the Moors it was Isbiliya. After the Christian reconquest, it became thought of as the portal to the 'New World' and today it's the largest city in southern Spain, well-known for its oranges, tapas and flamenco. When you arrive, head out for a short orientation walk around the main sites, including Alcazar. Then enjoy some free time in the late afternoon and evening to explore at your own pace.

Spend a full day exploring Seville your way. A flamenco performance is a must-see while you’re in town – this traditional Spanish style of dance originated here in the Andalusia region sometime between the 9th and 14th centuries and is still thriving today. Recognised by UNESCO for its Intangible Cultural Heritage, this art form incorporates poetry, cante (song), baile (dance), guitar, finger snapping and polyrhythmic handclapping to create a truly captivating performance. It’s highly recommended you visit La Giralda (a 12th-century bell tower with 24 bells) or the Seville Cathedral – the largest Gothic cathedral in the world, with its impressive gilded wood altarpiece. The Plaza de Espana is a great spot to see azulejos (decorative ceramic tiles typical of this region) and the 48-tile mosaic representing each of Spain’s provinces. This evening, why not seek out some typical local fare like salmorejo (cold tomato soup), pescaito frito (fried fish) or berenjenas con miel (fried eggplant drizzled with honey). Ask your leader about the best spots to eat.

This morning, rise early to start your long journey to Chefchaouen. You'll head toward Tarifa, then leave Europe behind as you make your way to Africa. After leaving the ferry, you'll be picked up by the Moroccan crew and make your way to a mountain town peppered with blue-washed buildings and ambient restaurants – Chefchaouen, the centre of an agricultural region. There may not be much time to explore this rural retreat by the time you arrive today, but you might just have time to look over the 15th-century Grand Mosque and the medina. Tonight, maybe tuck into some popular local goat cheese or a tajine before settling into your hotel.

Meet your local guide early in the day to explore the maze of streets in Chefchaouen. The ‘blue city’ is arguably one of the prettiest places in Morocco. Set against a wide valley and nestled between two peaks in the Rif Mountains, Chefchaouen’s medina has been well-preserved, with striking blue and white-washed houses, red-tiled roofs and artistic doorways. The medina is filled with handicrafts, while the main square has shops selling woven goods and sweets. Learn about general life in a small Moroccan community, visit a communal bakery and walk up to a former mosque for a great view over the town. As a popular shopping destination for handicrafts, carpets, blankets or woollen garments, you may also see the local artisans at work. After your walking tour, maybe head to a traditional Moroccan hammam to relax.

Say farewell to Chefchaouen today and travel by private minibus to the spiritual and cultural heart of Morocco. Arrive in the city of Fes and step back in time in the medieval medina, thick with tantalising smells, tastes and sounds. Vibrant, noisy and fascinating, the medina is a feast for the senses. With your free afternoon, maybe have a glass of mint tea and some sweet Moroccan dates to refuel, then continue exploring. Tonight, you might like to try some local specialities like harira (chickpea soup) or chicken-stuffed pastilla. Watch the sunset over the medina, then head back to your accommodation for a night’s rest.

Take a guided walking tour of the Old City, known locally as Fes el Bali, and step back in time to the labyrinth of the medina. Alive with craftsmen, markets, tanneries and mosques, you’ll pass donkeys piled high with goods (this is one of the largest car-free urban zones in the world) and explore the specialty sections that divide the souks. Medieval Fes was one of the world's great centres of education and culture, both Islamic and Jewish. Its religious institutions, libraries and mosques are of great renown. Look out for the Medersa Bou Inania, one of the city's most beautiful buildings, and pass the Belghazi Museum, Medresse el Attarine and the splendid Funduk Nejjarine – a beautifully restored 18th-century inn. You'll also see the famous tannery, known for the iconic view overlooking its dye pits, and a ceramics factory where you can see potters using traditional techniques. After the tour, the afternoon is free for you to enjoy as you please.

Travel by train this morning to Marrakech. When you arrive, head out with the group for a quick visit to the main square – Djemaa el-Fna. The square is filled with a hive of activity. Henna painters, performers and storytellers share the square with a street food bazaar packed with stalls loaded with Moroccan delicacies. From a distance, you'll see the Koutoubia Mosque and its minaret – famous throughout the world as one of the greatest minarets and the 'sister' to the Giralda in Seville. You can have dinner here or ask your local leader for a great restaurant recommendation and celebrate a trip well-travelled with your group.

Enjoy a free day in the bustling Marrakech. You can explore at your own pace until your next welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight, where you’ll meet your new leader and travel companions. Maybe tour the lively square at daylight, go shopping for souvenirs in the souqs or just relax in your riad.

This morning, take a short drive into the High Atlas Mountains to the village of Imlil. When you arrive, store your main luggage and load your overnight bags onto pack mules. Make the 1-hour trek to the peaceful village of Aroumd. Perched on a rocky outcrop, the remote village offers stunning views across the High Atlas Mountains and a unique opportunity to experience traditional Amazigh culture. Spend the night in a family-run mountain gite where, surrounded by the smell of woodstoves and bread, you’ll enjoy traditional hospitality and homecooked food. Use the rest of the day to explore the village and the surrounding farmlands. If the group is up for it and weather permits, there will be a chance to hike to the pilgrimage shrine of Sidi Chamharouch (approximately 4 hours return). Regardless of your fitness levels, the gentle pace of Aroumd makes it a special place to explore beyond the reach of the modern world.