Duration
17 Days
Physical rate
Moderate
Starting city
Madrid
Available
April 2023 / March 2024
Detailed day by day description
Introduction
Dear Traveler: thank you for choosing us to perform this Tour! We hope you enjoy your trip.
Here we give you a guidance on their tour with the information that we believe may be of your interest. The information is indicative, may exist variations on designated hours.
TRANSFER from the airport, if you have it included or purchasing. Our transfer will be waiting for you with a poster on behalf of Europamundo or its name to the output of the custom (after collecting your luggage)..
Remember to inform us by phone if you lost your connection flight or expected delay of their arrival, in your VOUCHER figure the phone of the transfer.
IMPORTANT: If you had additional nights upon arrival the hotel will have your reservation, but his travel guide normally will not be until the night before the start of the tour.
Paisajes: Las llanuras manchegas con la sombra de algún molino y las grandes extensiones de olivares en la provincia de Jaén.
07.45 hrs - Madrid -salida. (la hora puede variar ligeramente según los hoteles de recogida). Realizamos una parada en PUERTO LAPICE, un hermoso pueblo manchego con recuerdos de Don Quijote de la Mancha.
13:30 hrs - Granada - Llegada. Llegada al hotel y almuerzo incluido. Por la tarde, tiempo libre. Recomendamos visitar la Catedral que alberga la sepultura de los Reyes Católicos o pasear por el barrio del Albaicín y disfrutar de las bonitas vistas de la Alhambra desde el Mirador de San Nicolás.
Nota: Recordamos que el viaje que usted ha adquirido no incluye la entrada a la Alhambra de Granada. En caso de estar interesado en adquirir una entrada sugerimos que la soliciten a través de la página web del patronato: https://tickets.alhambra-patronato.es o bien a través de empresas que organizan visitas a la ciudad.
Landscapes: We follow the Costa del Sol with views over the Mediterranean Sea and cross the Straits of Gibraltar. Our journey continues along areas adjoining the Moroccan coast.
INSTRUCTIONS: Do not forget your passport, you will need it at the border. Depending on the time of year, the time in Morocco is 1 or 2 hours behind Spain. Your guide will tell you when to change the time, and will confirm the time difference.
Please note: During the crossing between Spain and Morocco, you must carry your own luggage.
07:30 hrs Granada. Departure. Stunning views over the Mediterranean.
11:45 hrs Algeciras-Tarifa -Arrival-. We board a ferry and cross the Straits of Gibraltar , crossing into Africa on a modern boat. The crossing takes approximately 1.5 hours (we suggest that you have lunch on board). Arrival in the port of Tangiers. Customs and border procedures (there are sometimes delays). We continue to Asilah, a small walled city facing the sea. Time for lunch and a stroll through its beautiful walled medina.
16:30 hrs -Departure- Asilah. Continue via the motorway to Rabat, the diplomatic capital of the city, with its special charm.
19:30 hrs - Rabat- Arrival, dinner and accommodation.
Landscapes: As we continue inland, the landscapes become progressively drier, and are almost desert upon reaching Marrakech.
08:00 hrs We start the sightseeing tour of the Kingdom´s capital. This city is one of the most beautiful in the country. We visit the imposing Oudaia Fort, the Hassan Tower where the mausoleum of King Mohammed V is located, the Andalusian walls, the outside of the Royal Palace and the modern neighborhoods where the embassies are situated. Following our tour, free time.
11:00 hrs - Rabat - Departure.
12.15 hrs - Casablanca - Arrival. Brief introductory tour of this modern city with a local guide. We visit the exterior of the immense Mosque of Hassan II; the second largest mosque in the Muslim world (after Mecca). Short stop at the Corniche for lunch.
14.30 hrs.- Casablanca, departure towards Marrakech.
17.45 hrs - Marrakech -Arrival. Upon arrival, we include a 40 minute tour in Kalesas (horse drawn carriages) to visit the famous Djemaa El Fna market square, which is brimming with activity at this time of the day. We continue to the hotel. Dinner and accommodation.
Landscapes: Incredibly beautiful. We cross the Atlas mountains and pass by beautiful villages perched on the mountainsides.
Please note: Do not forget to keep your camera handy. We also recommend warm clothes for the mountains.
08:00 hrs - Marrakech - Departure. We begin a beautiful part of the journey, crossing the high mountains of the Atlas, a natural barrier of the Sahara desert. En route, we stop at a high mountain village.
13:30 hrs - Ait Benhaddou - Arrival in this fortified adobe-built town, which is a World Heritage Site, where many films have been shot due to its incredible landscape backdrop. Time for lunch and a stroll among its mud houses.
15:00 hrs - Ait Benhadou -Departure
15:30 hrs - Ouarzazate A desert city with an imposing fortress, whose oldest part is also a World Heritage Site.
16:30 hrs - Ouarzazate- Departure. We continue through desert plains and valley oases.
18:00 hrs - Boulmane Dades . You can enjoy the facilities at our hotel. Dinner and accommodation.
Please note: In very exceptional cases, it may happen that, due to bad weather, the road through the Atlas is cut off (with snow or flash floods). In this is the case, Europamundo will arrange the following alternative route: FRIDAY: Marrakech-Essaouira / SATURDAY: Essaouira-Safi-El Jadida-Meknes / SUNDAY: Meknes-Fez.
Distance traveled: 280 km .
Landscapes: Extremely beautiful, following the so-called "Valley of the Kasbahs"; and an area with biblical landscapes.
Tip: Wear comfortable footwear. Are you carrying a book you have finished reading? Maybe you would consider donating it to the library that we are creating in Tinejad?
07.15 hrs - Boulmane Dades - Departure. We follow the Valley of the Kasbahs ; adobe fortresses that protected the crops and villages from attacks from other nomadic tribes. Breathtaking oases and palm groves, where we glimpse delightful adobe-built villages.
09.00 hrs - Todra Gorge. A deep canyon cuts through the Atlas Mountains amidst one of the most beautiful areas of Morocco. We include free time to enjoy this beautiful landscape (sometimes, following intense rain, we cannot access the gorges due to flooding of the rivers).
09.45 hrs Todra Gorge -Departure-. The predominance of the desert becomes ever more marked as we progress along this part of our journey.
10.45 hrs - Ksar el Khorbat -If time does not prevent it (access road), we stop at this adobe/oasis town with which the Europamundo Foundation is collaborating. You will be able to learn about the lives of the desert peoples in these impressive fortified villages.
11.45 hrs Ksar el Khorbat -Departure-.
14.00 hrs - Erfoud -Arrival-. Lunch at the hotel . Relax in the gardens and pool at this desert hotel. Our tour guide will propose an optional excursion in all-terrain vehicles across the Merzouga sand dunes, with dinner included on the dunes: an unforgettable landscape and experience.
Landscapes: Very beautiful scenery of the Atlas, passing into more verdant areas covered by forests.
Note: at this stage we will climb to high areas of the Atlas, which may be cold. Remember to bring some warm clothes.
08.00hrs- We will leave Erfoud early, we cross the Atlas between powerful gorges and stunning landscapes. We then cross a high and cold plateau area inhabited by nomadic pastoralists.
11.30 hrs- Stop in Midelt , in the center of this region, which lives mainly from agriculture, especially apples, and from stone, fossil and mineral crafts. Time for a stroll and lunch.
13.00 hrs.- Midelt- Departure. We continue our route to the Middle Atlas seeing how the landscape changes completely. We are in a region with abundant forests, and where it snows frequently in winter.
14.45 hrs- Azrú. Stop in this National Park to visit "the house of the cedars" , a small museum that illustrates us about the region. We will be amused by the colonies of monkeys that inhabit this area.
15.30hrs- Azrú departure.
16.45hrs- Bhalil , arrival in a small and quiet town inhabited by Berbers of the Middle Atlas with a very picturesque historic center of colorful streets. Traditionally the population in this city lived in caves, today these caves have been integrated into the houses.
17.45 hrs- Bhalil- departure.
18.15- Fez. Arrival in the spiritual heart city of Morocco, a labyrinth of alleys and souks, doors and smells. Before going to the hotel, we will admire the view of the city from the Saadian tombs. Dinner included.
TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS: Guided city tour of Fez. Admission prices included. Lunch and dinner included.
08.00hrs- We leave the hotel to discover Fez with an informative scenic tour with a local guide.
In the visit we will get to know the most interesting part of the city, with its emblematic architecture and its lively souks of ancient atmosphere that will not leave us indifferent. We will enter through the Bronze Gates of the Royal Palace and get to know the Jewish quarter, its lively souks, the tanners´ quarter... The cultural capital of the country is known for its impressive Medina that preserves the traditional Arabian atmosphere. After the visit we include a typical Moroccan lunch in a beautiful old Palace of the Medina.
15:00 hrs. –Departure from Fez. We take the modern highway to the north of Morocco through olive and wheat fields in the Rif valleys. Fertile areas of sugar cane and fruit trees.
20.00 hrs. - Tangier. Arrival. Dinner included.
Landscapes: Amazing views over the cliffs and Straits. Pleasant scenery of white villages in Andalusia.
WARNING: Remember to keep your passport handy.
PLEASE NOTE: The ferry departure time varies depending on the season. Border formalities may involve delays. Returning to Spain, you will have to put your clocks forward by 1 or 2 hours (depending on time of year). Your guide will advise you about the change.
At about 11:00 hrs (variable), we shall depart from the port of Tangier. Boarding formalities. Each traveller must carry their bags and hand luggage, as required by the Spanish national security authorities. Crossing of approximately one hour. We suggest having lunch on the ferry.
Arrival in Algeciras/Tarifa. Our journey continues through beautiful white villages.
20.30 hrs Seville. -Arrival.
After breakfast, a local expert guides you through a scenic visit of Sevilla (if the English-speaking group is fewer than fifteen people, the tour can be conducted in both English and Spanish). Lasting one hour and a half featuring the Cathedral and the Giralda, Plaza de España, the beautiful banks of the river Guadalquivir, the Golden Tower, the districts of Santa Cruz and Triana, the Maestranza Bullring, and Cartuja Island. After the tour, we will include a boat trip along the river Guadalquivir , enjoying the panoramic views from the boat. Enjoy leisure time straight afterwards or the tours to the Cathedral or the Flamenco Show that will be offered as optionals by your guide.
At the end of the afternoon, we will go to the historic city centre area ( calle Alfonso XII) where many different restaurants can be found. You can choose your favorite cuisine: Indian, Halal, Chinese, Spanish, International and so on. Return to the hotel.
HIGHLIGHTS: a beautiful scenery where we will visit walled villages. Evora Chapel of bones.
Scenery: Attractive landscapes of white-painted villages, mountain ranges and castles.
Note: In Portugal we must set our watches back one hour.
08.15 hrs.- We will leave Seville and journey toward western Andalusia. Eye-pleasing landscapes will greet us en route amidst the hills and olive groves as we enter Extremadura.
11.00 hrs.- JEREZ DE LOS CABALLEROS , we will make a stop in this town that once belonged to the Knights Templar and where Vasco Nuñez de Balboa was born.
13.00 hrs- Jerez de los Caballeros. We will continue our trip and enter Portugal.
13.30 (14.30 hrs in Spain) - MONSARAZ , one of the most picturesque villages in Portugal with fortified walls, a castle, great views and white-painted streets brimming with flowerpots. Time to have lunch.
15.00 hrs.- Monsaraz- Departure.
16.00 hrs.- EVORA, a city declared a World Heritage Site thanks to its white-painted streets, Renaissance palaces and cathedral. We will also visit the impressive Chapel of Bones (admission included), which was built using the bones from over 5000 skeletons!
18.00 hrs- Evora- Departure.
20.00 hrs.- LISBON - We will arrive toward the end of the day.
09:00h. - Start of our tour with a local guide . We visit traditional neighborhoods, which take in the Belem district, which is the birthplace of the great Portuguese navigators who sailed the oceans in the fifteen century. We shall look round the Monument to the Discoveries, Belem Tower and to the beautiful Jeronimos Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The afternoon is free so that you can explore this great city independently.
18:00h.- At the end of the afternoon, we include transportation to Restauradores Square , full of atmosphere with its bars and cafes from where you can take the "Elevador da Gloria" (not included) that brings you to the Upper district and its viewpoint of San Pedro with beautiful views over Lisbon and the Bairro Alto.
Return to hotel.
Countryside: Pleasant green scenery, hills, historic cities.
07:30 hrs - Lisbon - Departure.
09:15 hrs - Fatima -Arrival. Time to visit the Sanctuary.
11.00 hrs - Fatima - Departure.
13:30 hrs - Oporto. - Arrival. Time for lunch. In the afternoon, we will make a tour of the city of approximately two hours with a local guide: the river Duero, its historic centre declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Iron Bridge. At the end of the tour, we will also visit one of its centenary wineries where the famous "Vino de Oporto” is made. Free time.
Countryside: Beautiful green countryside and views over the Rías Bajas.
NB: Remember that we will be taking a boat trip. Have you got warm clothing for the crossing?
08.00hrs.- Oporto -departure.
09.00 hrs. - in the city of Braga is the sanctuary of Bom Jesus ; we include a trip on the oldest funicular in the world... Moved only with water, after a visit to the sanctuary, we suggest walking down the beautiful staircase admiring the views and the sanctuary gardens.
10:15 hrs Bom Jesus -departure. We go into to Galicia, with views over the Galician estuaries. We will see the Ría de Arosa.
13.00 hrs (12.00 hrs in Portugal) - Cambados - Arrival. A historic maritime town. We include a glass bottomed boat trip along the Ría de Arosa estuary. We will be told how mussels are grown. On the boat, we include wine tasting and mussels. Time afterwards to stroll in Cambados and have lunch.
16.00 hrs -Cambados. - Departure.
16.45 hrs -Santiago de Compostela. - Arrival. We include a panoramic tour of the city with a local guide. They will tell us how St James brought pilgrims over the centuries, we will stroll through the mediaeval streets in the centre and admire the cathedral.
NB: On some dates (particularly on the festivity of Santiago, or St James) our groups may be accommodated in a town near Santiago.
Countryside: Attractive green scenery, villages. Way of St. James. Spectacular mountain scenery crossing the Cordillera Cantábrica mountain range.
08.00 hrs. - Santiago -departure. Following the ancient way of St James amidst picturesque scenery, we travel to Lugo.
09:30 hrs.- Lugo - Free time, you can stroll around its walls built more than 2000 years ago by the Romans, declared UNESCO World Heritage.
11.00 hrs.- Lugo -departure. We travel to Castile, and on our way we make a stop at O Cebreiro, a small Galician stone village that shows us this region’s traditional way of life.
14:15 hrs. -Leon . - Time for lunch and stroll in this historic Leonese capital which stands on the Way of St James. Its Gothic cathedral stands out with magnificent stained glass windows.
16:45 hrs -Leon. - Departure.
18:30 hrs -Oviedo - Arrival. We include (sometimes on the following morning) a one and a half hour tour of the city with a local guide. We will see the ninth century cathedral, the Calatrava Palace, the Campoamor Theatre, and the Calle de la Rua. Night in the capital of the Principality of Asturias. A city with a great atmosphere.
Scenery: Very beautiful landscapes: mountains, views of the sea, small villages line the road.
08:30 hrs Oviedo-Departure of the Asturian capital.
09:45 hrs Covadonga. - We will visit Basílica which is surrounded by beautiful scenery.
10:45 hrs Covadonga -Departure. The green mountains blend with the sea. Beautiful scenery on the way.
12:30 hrs Santillana. -Arrival to one of Spain’s most beautiful towns. We will visit its well-preserved medieval quarter with its embalzoned houses, the Collegiate church, its cobbled streets. Time to walk and have lunch.. We visit the National Museum and Research Centre of ALTAMIRA (ticket included) located in the vicinity of this town where we can find reproduction of the fantastic rupestrian paintings of the cave.
16:00 hrs Santillana / Altamira-Departure.
16:30 hrs Santander - Arrival to the region’s capital city, a coastal city with amazing vistas and beaches. We will foloow the coast of the port to arrive to the beaches of Sardinero. We include a tourist train tour of the Magdalena Palace gardens , where we will enjoy their magnificent vistas.
Free time in Santander.
NOTE: On some high difficulty dates (especially in summer from July to mid September), some groups can be accommodated in Bilbao.
Countryside: Great views over the sea, mountains and green scenery before entering in the Castilian Plateau.
09.00 hrs.- Santander -departure. Magnificent scenery. Travel to the Basque Country.
10:30 hrs.- Bilbao. -Arrival, we are in the largest city of the Basque Country. On arrival, we include a funicular ride up to the Artxanda viewpoint for a great view of the whole city. After this, with a local guide, we will make a short tour of the city: the Guggenheim area, Old Quarter, Cathedral, etc. at the end of the tour there will also be time to try one of the famous “pintxos” and have lunch.
14:15 hrs – Bilbao. Departure- . We travel to Castile.
20.30 hrs.- Madrid- Arrival.
NB: If the number of travellers from Bilbao to Madrid is very small, the trip may be done by train or regular transport.
End of our services. Please, check the time of your flight in case you might need an additional night.
Important note: In case you have to book an external service (plane/train...) on the day of the end of
your tour with activities included, please remember that the schedules of the detailed itineraries are the "planned" ones but may be affected by different circumstances (traffic density, customer delays, breakdowns...). Do not book a flight/train with a tight schedule without taking this into account.
Always leave a margin in the schedule for unforeseen events.