If you want to see it all, this vacation is unforgettable. Begin in Lisbon with guided sightseeing that visits the Alfama and Jeronimos Monastery. Head south for a wine tasting in Setubal, then to Seville, with guided sightseeing and a visit to the cathedral with Columbus’ tomb. Ferry across the Strait of Gibraltar and overnight in Rabat. Time to admire the Royal Palace and to visit the Mohammed V Mausoleum and Chellah’s Roman Relics before continuing to Casablanca and Marrakesh. Sightseeing includes Bahia Palace and the Saadian Tombs (if closed, visit Badia Palace instead). In Fez you will be guided through the labyrinthine Medina and Medersa Bou Inania. On through Meknes to Tangier, with guided sightseeing that visits the Grand Socco square and a panoramic drive to Cap Spartel. Sail to Algeciras, with time to visit the Rock of Gibraltar and St. Michael’s Caves. Free time at Costa del Sol, then to Granada’s Alhambra and Water Gardens of the Generalife; to Toledo to see one of El Greco’s masterpieces in the Santo Tomé Church; and to Madrid to visit the Prado Museum. Extend your vacation to Barcelona for two nights by AVE train. Guided sightseeing includes a visit to the gothic quarter.

Day 1 (Fri.)
Board your overnight transatlantic flight.

Day 2 Arrive in Lisbon, Portugal (Sat.)
Free time to rest or start exploring the Portuguese capital. At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions and have a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)

Day 3 Lisbon (Sun.)
Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide features a drive through the Baxia quarter’s main squares, a walk through quaint ALFAMA, the seamen’s quarter. Drive past the Bull Ring to Pombal Statue and along the grand Avenida da Liberdade. Stop at Belem Tower and visit JERONIMOS MONASTERY. An optional excursion to Sintra and a dinner with Fado-style entertainment are available. (B)

Day 4 Lisbon–Setubal–Seville, Spain (Mon.)
In Setubal, enjoy a WINE TASTING. Next, enter Spain and reach the vibrant capital of Andalusia, Seville. (B,D)

Day 5 Seville (Tue.)
During your sightseeing tour with a Local Guide admire Maria Luisa Park, the Golden Tower on the Guadalquivir River, and the university that used to be the tobacco factory of Carmen fame. Stroll through the charming SANTA CRUZ QUARTER, and visit the CATHEDRAL with Columbus’ tomb. Tonight, maybe join an optional flamenco show? (B)

Day 6 Seville–Rabat, Morocco (Wed.)
Travel through the sherry wine region of Jerez to Algeciras and enjoy a FERRY RIDE across the Strait of Gibraltar to Africa. Along North Africa’s infamous Barbary Coast to Rabat, once a lair of the corsairs and now the country’s capital. (B,D)

Day 7 Rabat–Casablanca–Marrakesh (Thu.)
Sightseeing with a Local Guide focuses on the massive medieval battlements, the Royal Palace, MOHAMMED V MAUSOLEUM, Hassan Tower, and the Kasbah of Oudaias. Visit the fine ROMAN RELICS OF CHELLAH. Then, continue to Casablanca, Morocco’s modern seaport. During your guided panoramic drive, see the Hassan II Mosque, a splendid monument designed to mark the end of the century. Evening arrival in Marrakesh, situated in an oasis. (B,D)

Day 8 Marrakesh (Fri.)
Follow your Local Guide to visit BAHIA PALACE, the 16th-century SAADIAN TOMBS (if closed, visit the BADIA PALACE instead), and to Djemaa El-Fna, the vibrant town center dominated by the 222-foot-high Koutoubia Minaret. Afternoon at leisure. An exciting optional evening excursion is available. (B)

Day 9 Marrakesh–Fez (Sat.)
Journey to Fez today. Blessed with an ample supply of water and strategically situated, Fez became the capital of Morocco when the country shook off foreign rule under the Berber King Idris in the 8th century. To this day, Fez has remained Morocco’s spiritual and artistic center. (B,D)

Day 10 Fez (Sun.)
See the magnificient entrance to the Royal Palace, drive through the Mellah, the old Jewish quarter, and travel on to Bab Bou Jeloud, the traditional entrance to old Fez. Your Local Guide also leads you through labyrinthine MEDINA and MEDERSA BOU INANIA. Why not sign up for an optional folklore dinner? (B)

Day 11 Fez–Meknes–Tangier (Mon.)
Stop at imperial Meknes with its monumental gates and city walls, then, continue to Tangier, jumping-off point for the Moorish conquest of Spain. Sightseeing with a Local Guide includes the GRAND SOCCO square and a panoramic drive to CAP SPARTEL. (B,D)

Day 12 Tangier–Gibraltar–Costa del Sol (Tue.)
Board your FERRY for the trip back across the Strait to Europe. Visit the strategic ROCK OF GIBRALTAR, in British hands since 1704, hear about its turbulent history, see the Moorish Castle, ST. MICHAEL’S CAVES, and the colony of Barbary apes. Then, drive to your hotel at the elegant Costa del Sol. Tonight, why not sample one of the seafood restaurants? (B)

Day 13 At Leisure on the Costa del Sol (Wed.)
Full day to relax or explore. (B)

Day 14 Costa del Sol–Granada (Thu.)
Arrive in Granada. A guided walking tour features a visit to the ALHAMBRA COMPLEX, a fantasy of “lace in stone” surrounded by arabesque gardens and fountains, with superb views of the Old Quarter and Sacromonte. Also visit the WATER GARDENS OF THE GENERALIFE. (B,D)

Day 15 Granada–Toledo–Madrid (Fri.)
Via Don Quixote’s La Mancha to Toledo. A Local Guide takes you to the Moorish bridge, an early SYNAGOGUE, the CATHEDRAL, and the CHURCH OF SANTO TOMÉ with one of El Greco’s most famous paintings. Visit a DAMASCENE STEEL WORKSHOP. (B)

Day 16 Madrid (Sat.)
Morning guided sightseeing features the Puerta del Sol, Plaza de España with its monument to Cervantes, the Parliament, and more. Highlight is a visit to the PRADO MUSEUM. Maybe join an optional excursion to El Escorial and a dinner outing in one of Madrid’s famous restaurants tonight? (B)

Day 17 Madrid–Barcelona (Sun.)
Board the AVE TRAIN to Barcelona, arriving in the late afternoon. (B)

Day 18 Barcelona (Mon.)
Morning guided sightseeing features a drive along elegant Passeig de Gracia to see the Stock Exchange, and visits to PARK GÜELL, to see Gaudi’s amazing experiment in residential planning, and to his SAGRADA FAMILIA. (B)

Day 19 At Leisure in Barcelona (Tue.)
Full day at leisure. (B)

Day 20 (Wed.)
Your homebound flight from Barcelona arrives the same day. (B)

PRICES
From approx $3,529 US per person double occupancy