The Strait of Gibraltar separates and connects the unique cultures and intertwined histories of Spain and Morocco. Moorish palaces continue to guard grand Cathedrals as spice shops fill the air of antique cities with intoxicating aromas. Tavernas serve tapas near blossoming orange trees, and zellige tiles glisten with bright colors. Roads connect Imperial cities that date back to Roman times and the Spanish royal palace features elements of Baroque mastery. Discover, experience, and luxuriate...
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Madrid – Arrive in Madrid for a Half-Day Tour of Spain’s Capital City
The splendor of Madrid shines around the clock from the grandeur of the Royal Palace to the charm of the cosmopolitan boutique shops that line the Grand Via within the elegant frame of Beaux-Arts buildings. Cafes fill the Plaza Mayor and decorate the arched colonnades that lead to the main street of Calle Toledo. The façade of the Prado Museum promises collections along the interior galleries as majestic as the marvels of the exterior architecture. Your flight will land at Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport, and your private transfer will greet you upon your arrival and escort you to your gorgeous hotel at the heart of the bustling capital city.
Settle in and then meet your guide in the lobby of your hotel to venture out into the streets of the fascinating city to view the blend of historical grace and contemporary culture. The Basilica de San Francisco El Grande was erected in La Latina neighborhood in the 18th century, and the neoclassical design accentuates the beautiful dome that reaches a height of nearly 200 feet above the city streets. The nave has a circular shape with chapels that guard 12 marble statues of the apostles, and frescoes crafted with different artistic styles decorate the chapels, with the most well-known filling Capilla de San Bernardino. The renowned Spanish master Goya painted the central fresco as a young artist, inserting himself into the scene.
What's Included:
Day 2
Madrid – Enjoy the Bustling Streets and Regal Monuments of Madrid
Day 3
Seville – Explore the Historical Architecture of Cordoba en route to Seville
Day 4
Seville – Traverse the Lanes and Marvels of Seville on a Full Day Tour
Day 5
Granada – Transfer to Labyrinthine Granada to Visit the Stunning Alhambra
Day 6
Marbella – Enjoy a Half-Day Tour of Ronda and the Beaches of Marbella
Day 7
Chefchaouen – Delight in a Half-Day Visit to Gibraltar and Ferry to Morocco
Day 8
Fes – Discover the Beauty of the Blue City before Transferring to Fes
Day 9
Fes – Relish the History and Culture of Imperial Fes on a Full Day Tour
Day 10
Marrakech – Revel in a Full Day Tour of Meknes, Volubilis, and Rabat
Day 11
Marrakech – Tour Marrakech’s Captivating Culture and Past in the Medina
Day 12
Marrakech – Depart for Home
Trip Highlights
- Stroll through the grounds of the Alhambra Palace in Granada on a private tour that highlights the grace, grandeur, and artistry found in the historical architecture
- Wander through the quintessential Moorish Medina in Marrakech to experience the vivacious spices and vibrant daily life enriched with history
- Discover the stunning architectural techniques that captivate visitors at the Mezquita in Cordoba, Spain
- Traverse the Imperial past along the winding and narrow lanes of the city of Meknes during a private guided tour
- Sample the stunning and traditional flavors of a paella beside the 16th-century walls of the city castle at Marbella
- Let the splendor of Madrid’s Royal Palace inspire you as you explore the frescoes and galleries crafted by 18th-century Western European Masters
- Delight in the blue and white colors and relaxed ambiance of Chefchaouen for a unique and welcoming perspective of Morocco
- Enjoy the enchanting rhythms and rapid movements of flamenco during a dinner performance in Seville
- Relish the charming historical ambiance and dramatic panoramas of Ronda
- Visit the stunning Rock of Gibraltar on a half-day tour of the edges of the Iberian Peninsula, home to St. Michael’s Cave and Europe’s only native monkey
Detailed Description
From the capital grandeur of Madrid to the whitewashed walls of Andalusia, the labyrinthine lanes of Marrakech’s Medina to the blue painted house of Chefchaouen, your 12-day itinerary to Spain and Morocco features the unique cultures of individual cities and the charms of preserved history. Your flight will land in Madrid, where your private transfer will greet you upon arrival at Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport. Once inside the city center, you can settle into the comforts of your hotel with the remainder of the day at your leisure. Wake the next morning, and your private guide will greet you at your hotel and lead you through the Royal Palace and Imperial monuments of the bustling city.
Make your way by private transfer to Seville the following day with a stop in Cordoba to tour the Mezquita and the historic quarter. In the evening, enjoy dinner at a flamenco show for an introduction to Andalusian refinement. The next day, enjoy a guided tour of Seville and through the famous Cathedral and along the narrow lanes that lead to the open air of Plaza de España. Travel to Granada the following day to tour the Alhambra palace before indulging in the flavors of the city with a tapas tour. Next, traverse the streets and panoramas of Ronda that overlook the El Tajo Gorge, and then arrive on the magnificent coast of Marbella with a superb paella dinner in view of the 16th-century castle.
The next day, you will visit the fascinating Rock of Gibraltar to explore the caves, mountain summit, and British town before crossing by ferry into Morocco. Your private transfer will meet you in Tangiers and escort you to Chefchaouen for the evening. Wake the next morning for a half-day tour of the blue city of Chefchaouen before traveling to the Imperial city of Fes. Relish a full day tour of the Medina, royal palace, and madrasas of Fes the next day, and see the contemporary life of the city in a historical context.
Travel next to Marrakech along the Imperial road that connects the Roman ruins of Volubilis, the former capital of Meknes, and the contemporary capital of Rabat. You can also stop in Casablanca to visit the Hassan II Mosque before reaching Marrakech. The next morning, your guide will greet you at your hotel and lead you on an in-depth tour of the city’s majesty, from the Saadian tombs to the Bahia Palace, and the endless life that bursts from Jamaa el Fna Square in the form of music, storytellers, and snake charmers. Conclude as your private transfer will meet you at your hotel and escort you to Marrakesh Menara Airport with plenty of time to check in for your flight home.
Starting Price
$4,600 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
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