Treasures of Spain, Portugal & Morocco 17 Day tour from $2378     an Insight Vacations luxury tour

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Tour Highlights

Hotels

This tour stays in predominately modern hotels, many reflecting the local regional traditions. These range from the luxurious Lisbon Marriott to the brand new Crown Palace situated on the main avenue in Fez.

Fellow Passengers

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.

Highlights

The outstanding highlights are certainly the visit to the Palace & gardens of the Alhambra in Granada, the fiery Flamenco show in Seville and the whole Moroccan  experience including the folklore show with belly dancing!

Excursions & Sights

• See the Plaza Mayor, Cathedrals and University buildings in Salamanca
• Visit the Basilica in Fatima, one of the most important Catholic centres of faith
• View the modern Monument to the Discoveries and ancient Belem Tower in Lisbon
• Visit Christopher Columbus' tomb in the Cathedral of Seville
• View the Alcazar, Giralda Tower, and fashionable Santa Cruz quarter in Seville
• See the Rock of Gibraltar and go duty free shopping
• See the Medina and Casbah of Tangier
• Visit the Medina and shop for Moroccan carpets in Fez
• Visit the Saadi Tombs and see the Koutobia Minaret in Marrakesh
• View the Royal Palace and Hassan Tower in Rabat
• Pass through the famous wine centre of Valdepeñas
• See Madrid's Cibeles Fountain and drive the Gran Via and Puerta  del Sol
• See Don Quixote at the Cervantes Monument in the Plaza de Espana, Madrid

Scenic Drives - Atlas Mountains, Costa del Sol, Sierra  Nevada

Guided City Tours

In depth sightseeing tours in Lisbon, Seville, Fez, Marrakesh, Rabat, Toledo & Madrid Orientation tours in Avila, Salamanca, Fatima, Gibraltar, Tangier, Casablanca & Granada

Insight's First Class Services

• Escorted by a professional Tour Director
• Luxury air-conditioned coach with onboard toilet
• First Class hotels with all service charges, taxes and porterage
• Complimentary arrival transfer on Day 1 and departure transfer on Day 17

Quality Dining

Highlight Dinner featuring a Flamenco Show in Seville Highlight  Dinner and Folklore Show with belly dancing in Fez

16 buffet breakfasts and 8 three course table d'hote dinners, or buffets, plus tea or coffee

Tour Itinerary

Tour Pace

This tour moves at a comfortable, leisurely pace with two night stays in five  cities - Lisbon, Seville, Marrakesh, Fez & Madrid. The driving days are of a  reasonable length with frequent stops.

DAY 1 FRI - MADRID AT LEISURE

Welcome to Spain! There are complimentary transfers from Madrid airport to your  tour hotel. This afternoon is at leisure to relax with a selection of tapas at a sidewalk cafe. This evening, get to know your fellow passengers over a Welcome Drink. Hotel: NH Alcala.

DAY 2 SAT - MADRID - SALAMANCA

First we visit Toledo, former capital of Spain, where we see the 13th century  Cathedral and one of Europe's oldest synagogues. We also admire El Greco's masterpiece  in the chapel of Santo Tome. Continuing on, we pass the mighty walls of St Theresa's  Avila, on our way to Salamanca. Our orientation tour here shows us the Plaza Mayor,  the New and Old Cathedrals and the university buildings in the Plaza de Anaya. Hotel: Plaza (BB,D)

DAY 3 SUN - SALAMANCA - LISBON

From Salamanca, we drive across the Portuguese frontier to Fatima, where we visit  the great white Basilica. Now to the capital of Lisbon. Hotel: Marriott. (BB)

DAY 4 - MON - LISBON SIGHTSEEING

With our local guide, we visit the cobbled streets of the 'Alfama' quarter and see Sao Jorge Castle. Now on to the Monument to the Discoveries and the Belem Tower, the starting point for Portugal's great navigators and explorers. We also see the  famous Jeronimos Monastery. This afternoon is at leisure. (BB)

DAY 5 TUE - LISBON - SEVILLE

We leave Lisbon via the Tagus Bridge and drive through the Alentejo region, across the Sierra Morena into Andalucia. We arrive in Seville where our local guide takes us to the Cathedral to see Christopher Columbus' tomb. We continue to the  Giralda Tower, Alcazar and Santa Cruz quarter. Tonight we enjoy a highlight dinner  and 'Flamenco' show. Hotel: Melia Lebreros. (BB,HD)

DAY 6 WED - SEVILLE AT LEISURE

A day at leisure for further sightseeing of your choice. Don't miss the chance to take an optional excursion to Cordoba. Perhaps enjoy a typical Sevilliano dinner  at a local restaurant, followed by a horse and buggy ride? (BB)

DAY 7 THU - SEVILLE - TANGIER

We 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. Now we sail from Algeciras to exotic Morocco. Hotel:  Moevenpick. (BB,D)

DAY 8 FRI - TANGIER - FEZ

Today's sightseeing tour of Tangier shows us the Medina and the Casbah. We then  continue to Fez, the most ancient of Morocco's cities. Tonight we 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 our guided tour of this 'City of the Mind' we visit the Medina and the  walled city of hidden courtyards, mosques and tiny workshops, the ancient bazaar  and a carpet co-operative. This afternoon perhaps visit the fascinating Berber village of Meknes (BB,D)

DAY 10 SUN - FEZ - MARRAKESH

Our road takes us through the rugged Atlas Mountains, past mud-walled villages,  and on to Marrakesh, where we stay for two nights. Hotel: Pullman Mansour. (BB,D)

DAY 11 MON - MARRAKESH SIGHTSEEING

On our guided tour we see the Koutobia Minaret, visit the Saadi Tombs, and explore the Medina with its many souks. We end our tour in Jemaa el Fna Square where acrobats, dancers and fortune tellers entertain us! This evening, you may wish to enjoy dinner at one of the local restaurants to savour a traditional Tajine dish? (BB)

DAY 12 TUE - MARRAKESH - RABAT

Did Humphrey Bogart say 'Play it again Sam'? We find out as we tour Casablanca,  before continuing to the modern capital, Rabat. On our city tour we see the Royal  Palace and Hassan Tower. Hotel: Siaha Farah. (BB,D)

DAY 13 WED - RABAT - COSTA DEL SOL

We leave the African mainland this morning, to sail back across the Straits of Gibraltar to Spain. Disembarking at the picturesque port of Algeciras, we head along the coast to the sun drenched Costa del Sol. Hotel: Melia. (BB)

DAY 14 THU - COSTA DEL SOL - GRANADA

This morning we drive along the coast and over the Sierra Nevada to hilltop Granada. Our local guide will take you on a tour of the fabulous Alhambra Palace - a magnificent example of Moorish architecture. We 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

Our route today takes us through La Mancha, where Don Quixote tilted at windmills  as his faithful Sancho Panza looked on. We pass through the wine centre of Valdepenas,  its roads lined with 'bodegas' (wine cellars) to reach Madrid. Tonight, why not try a restaurant at the Plaza Mayor? Hotel: NH Eurobuilding. (BB)

DAY 16 SAT - MADRID

Our guided tour this morning, shows us the Puerta del Sol, Gran Via, Paseo de  la Castellana, Cibeles Fountain and the Cervantes Monument in the Plaza de Espana. We then make a highlight visit inside the state apartments of the Royal Palace.  This afternoon why not visit the Prado museum? (BB)

DAY 17 SUN - MADRID

Our tour ends with a transfer to Madrid Airport. (BB)