Cultural Treasures, Bazaars & Kasbahs

Touch down in Lisbon*, the capital of Portugal, known for its dramatic coastline and pastel-colored buildings. Transfer to the hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure. Why not explore the oldest parts of the city to admire the ornate architecture or simply enjoy the views of the River Tagus from one of the many riverside cafes and bars. Overnight stay in Lisbon.

*You will have the option to add early check-in on arrival in the next step of the booking process. To guarantee optional services, we recommend that you add them to your current booking, as they are subject to availability.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, set off on a tour of Lisbon for an eye-opening overview of this incredible city. Begin your day contemplating the incredible Belem Tower and the “Padrão dos Descobrimentos” before heading to the church of the Jerónimos Monastery, home to the tomb of Vasco de Gama and the famous poet Camões. Next, try the Pasteis de Belem during a mouth-watering pastry tasting, this typical, delicious Portuguese Tart is perhaps the most famous pastry in the country. Your tour will end with a fascinating stroll around Alfama quarter, one of the oldest areas in the city, perched upon the hillside with spectacular views across the sprawling cityscape. The rest of the day is free to continue discovering the city at your own pace. Why not explore the Praça do Comercio and Rossio Square area, always a hive of activity perfect for sightseeing or grabbing a bite in a local café! This evening we recommend a fun optional dinner with fado show* to fully immerse yourself in Portuguese culture. Overnight stay in Lisbon.

*Optional Dinner & Fado Show: Head to the historic neighborhood of Alfama to indulge in an evening of traditional Portuguese cuisine accompanied by the melancholic sounds of Fado music. Soak up the warm atmosphere and listen to the soft melodies of the Portuguese guitar as you experience the authentic musical heritage of Lisbon for yourself!

Why not upgrade your trip with our Portugal Highlights package of 2 excursions, available in the next step of the booking process!

Breakfast at the hotel. Set off on an excursion to Sintra, an unforgettable town and UNESCO World Heritage Site, filled with 19th-century Romanticist architecture, fairytale castles and exquisite gardens. Here you'll visit the Quinta da Regaleira Gardens and Palace considered the most enigmatic of all the estates in Sintra. The palace is a fusion of ornate and colorful architectural styles but the main attraction is the extensive gardens, filled with symbolism and intriguing constructions. After the tour, enjoy free time in Sintra to explore at your own pace. In the afternoon head to Cape Roca, the most westerly point of the European continent. Here you can soak up the views of the Atlantic Ocean and explore the village of Cascais, once the chosen beach destination of the aristocracy. Return to Lisbon and enjoy the remainder of the day exploring the delights of this cosmopolitan city at your leisure. Overnight stay in Lisbon.

Breakfastat the hotel. Head to Obidos today, one of the best-known villages in Portugal thanks to its magical cobblestone streets and charming architecture, enclosed within medieval city walls. Next, visit Nazare, a surfers paradise, home to some of the largest waves in the world and the most popular beach destination on the Silver Coast. Finish the day in the historic and fascinating city of Fatima, one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Catholics. Sacred sights here include the Capelinha das Aparições, where the Virgin Mary is believed to have appeared to local children in 1917, the Basílica de Nossa Senhora do Rosário, with its golden angels, and the modern church of Igreja da Santíssima Trindade. Spend the evening at your leisure, discovering the sights and sounds of this beautiful city at your own pace. Overnight stay in Fatima.

Breakfast at the hotel. Bid farewell to Fatima today as you set for Tomar to visit the famous Convent of Christ complex, once a stronghold of the Templars in the 12th-century. Uncover the history of the Templars in Portugal, including the beautiful medieval chapel and the ornate cloister, a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture. Explore this fascinating UNESCO World Heritage site before continuing to the city of Coimbra, once the capital of Portugal and today a student city, home to the oldest university in the country. As the day draws to a close, travel to Porto, in northern Portugal on the banks of the Douro River. With its stunning Old Town, Porto is one of the highlights of any trip to Portugal. Spend the evening at your leisure, exploring the city's atmospheric streets or enjoy an optional dinner with live music*. Overnight stay in Porto.

*Optional Dinner with Live Music: Embark on a unique gastronomic journey, where you'll savor a delicious traditional dinner paired with the finest wines from Portugal, while being captivated by a vibrant Fado performance. Sing, dance, and let yourself be carried away by a night full of emotion in an authentic and unforgettable experience.

Breakfast at the hotel. Begin the day with a panoramic tour of Porto to see the main attractions of the city such as the exterior of Clérigos Tower, Aliados Avenue, the impressive Sao Bento train station and the iconic bridge of Luis I. In the afternoon, soak up the delights of Porto at your own pace, admiring the famous tiled facades or sampling the authentic local port in a cosy cafe. Alternatively, we recommend an unforgettable boat tour on the River Douro.* Overnight stay in Porto.

*Optional River Douro Boat Tour: set off on an unforgettable boat tour on the Douro River to enjoy spectacular views of the city. After cruising on the river, visit a local port wine cellar and enjoy a tasting session of this typical Portuguese drink.

Please note: Entrance to the Bolsa Palace (15 euros per person) and Church of Saint Francis (12 euros per person) is optional and is not included. 

Why not upgrade your trip with our Portugal Highlights package of 2 excursions, available in the next step of the booking process!

Breakfast at the hotel. Leave Porto this morning, headed for the charming coastal city of Aveiro where you can enjoy some free time to explore its picturesque canals and colorful architecture. In the afternoon, return to the capital of Lisbon and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure to soak up the ambience of this lively city or do some last-minute shopping. Overnight stay in Lisbon.

Breakfast at the hotel.* At the indicated time, transfer to the airport for your flight to Casablanca, Morocco. Arrive in Casablanca and transfer ** to the hotel. Casablanca, immortalized in the famous movie, is a port city and commercial hub in western Morocco, located on the Atlantic Coast. Dinner and overnight stay in Casablanca.***

* Depending on the flight schedule and the hotel breakfast service, you may not be able to enjoy the included breakfast on the last day.

** The transfer to the hotel upon arriving at the airport may be shared with other travelers in your tour group. A guide will be there to meet you just outside of the airport but you may be required to wait before leaving for the hotel, depending on the flight arrival times.

For your convenience, you can choose to book a private airport transfer at a time that suits you best, which you can add to your reservation during the next step of the booking process.

*** Dinner is not included if you arrive after 8:00 p.m

You will have the option to add early check-in on arrival in the next step of the booking process. To guarantee optional services, we recommend that you add them to your current booking, as they are subject to availability.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, get to know iconic Casablanca and enjoy a city tour where you can marvel at the Art Deco buildings and the Dar El Baida White House before visiting the Mohammed V Square and the upmarket Anfa district. Leave in the direction of Rabat to visit the Kasbah of the Oudayas, a citadel that is located to the north of the city. This fortress retains its Arab character of narrow alleys with white and blue façades that lead to viewpoints from which there are incredible views of the Atlantic coast Visit the astounding Hassan Tower and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V. After the visit, travel to Asilah, founded in Phonecian times, before finally arriving in the bustling port-city of Tangier. Check-in to the hotel, dinner, and overnight stay in Tangier.  

Estimated transfer time and distance 5h, 340Km.

Breakfast at the hotel. Begin the day with a panoramic tour of the city, before heading to the Rif Mountains and to the blue city of Chefchaouen, one of Morocco's most photographed cities. Continue to Ouazzane, a city best known for its spiritual significance to Sufism. Afterwards, continue to Fez to check-in to your hotel in time for dinner. Overnight stay in Fez.

Estimated transfer time and distance 6h, 330Km.

Breakfast at the riad. Enjoy a full day tour of Fez, considered the centre of Islam in Morocco. It is the intellectual and religious capital of the country. Begin with a panoramic view from one of the hills surrounding the city, then visit the bronze doors of the Royal Palace and walk into the medina to visit Medersas, the centre of Koranic studies. Explore the workshops in the artisan neighbourhoods. Walk along the broad Boulevard of Mohamed V and stroll through the endless streets of the world's largest medina. After the visit, return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay in Fez.

Breakfast at the hotel. Depart through the gentle mountains of the Middle Atlas, until you reach the city of Midelt, known for its apple cultivation. Continue along a beautiful route and view Berber life first hand. Arrive in Erfoud, at the edge of the great Sahara desert. Tonight, you have the opportunity to spend the night in a Berber Jaima Camp of your choice in the dunes of the Sahara.* Dinner and overnight stay in Erfoud.

Estimated transfer time and distance 8h, 422Km.

* Optional Night in the Sahara Dunes. Take a 4x4 all-terrain vehicle to reach the high dunes of Merzouga. Admire the magical sunset and spend the night in a typical Berber Jaima Camp, with a traditional dinner included. 

Please note: If you would like to book this experience you must reserve it in advance, up to 30 days before departure, as places are limited. You will not be able to sleep in the hotel if you choose this optional night at the camp.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, visit the captivating Gorges of Todgha, and the Dades Valley, to experience the natural wonders of this unique landscape. Pass by ancient fortresses of red abode and lush oases before arriving at the small Berber town of Kalaat M'Gouna, famous for its roses and perfumes. Continue to Ouarzazate, a desert city and enjoy dinner and an overnight stay at the hotel.

Estimated transfer time and distance 6h, 340Km.

Breakfast at the hotel. Embark on a visit to the Kasbah of Taourirt, the former residence of the Pacha Glaoui called the Lord of the Atlas Region. Continue to the majestic Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. This Kasbah, dotted with crenellated towers, is considered one of the most beautiful in the country and has often been a filming location for movies. In the afternoon, depart across the High Atlas mountains en route to Marrakesh. Arrive in Marrakesh, and spend the rest of the day exploring at your leisure. Overnight stay in Marrakesh.

Estimated transfer time and distance 5h, 200Km.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, embark on an eye-opening tour of the wonders of Marrakech. Begin with the Koutoubia Mosque, built in 13th century and the spiritual center of Marrakech. Visit the stunning Menara Gardens and the Palace of the Bahia, the residence of the old vizir, known for its intricate tiling and wood carving decoration.

Discover how spices and argan oil are made in a local school before you head to the Jemaa el Fna square. Home to the bustling souks, traditional to the city, which are brimming with fruit vendors and wicker stalls. Go deeper into the Moroccan experience with an optional dinner and live show in the Medina.* Overnight stay in Marrakech.

*Optional Dinner in Medina With Live Show: Enjoy dinner at the stunning Dar Essalam restaurant where not only the food is to be admired but also the architecture and decoration of the eatery. Moorish music will enliven the atmosphere for a belly dancer to entrance you with her sways.

Menu: variety of Moroccan salads, chicken tagine with lemon, orange with cinnamon and tea.

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a day at your leisure, explore the abundance sights, sounds and aromas of sensational Marrkech. We recommend haggling for authentic souvenirs in the souk, explore the Kasbah and Mellah neighbourhoods or heading to the new town to discover the oasis of the Jardin Majorelle.  For a truly special experience, reserve an optional dinner at Chez Ali.* Overnight stay in Marrackech.

*Optional dinner at Chez Ali: This is the great spectacle of Africa. The impressive venue, with capacity for 6,000 people, resembles a setting from the tales of Arabian Nights. The abundant and splendid dinner is enlivened by traditional groups that will pass through our tent to showcase various dances of their country. After dinner, head to the large esplanade where you can enjoy the great show of “The Gunpowder Run.”

Menu: Harira, Mechoui, 7 vegetable couscous, Jouara, Fruit Basket, tea and Moroccan sweets. Overnight stay in Marrakech. 

Breakfast at the hotel.* At the indicated time, transfer **to the airport in Casablanca to board a flight back to the US. Arrive in US and end your trip.

* Depending on the return flight schedule and the hotel breakfast service, you may not be able to enjoy the included breakfast on the last day.

** The airport transfer will be shared with other travelers in your tour group. There are two transfers organized per day, and the timings of these will depend on the whole group's flight times. There will be one transfer during the morning and another one in the afternoon. For your convenience, you can choose to book a private airport transfer at the time of your choice, which you can add to your reservation during the next step of the booking process.

Please note: Depending on the time of your return flight home, you might not be able to enjoy a full night of accommodation at the hotel as you must arrive at the airport 3 hours in advance. Additionally, the transfer time to get to the airport is another 3 hours.