Day 1

Start your adventure by flying to Spain!

 

Day 2

Arrive in Spain, check-in to your hotel, and get some rest before your big tour!

 

Day 3

Enjoy a full day in Barcelona. Barcelona has many interesting places to visit, including the Gothic Quarter, which is the oldest part of the city and boasts ancient ruins and a stunning cathedral. Another must-visit location is Montjuic Hill and Castle, which offers breathtaking views of Barcelona. There are plenty of activities to do on the hill, including exploring the sites that were used during the 1992 Summer Olympics. If you're interested in learning about the different regions and cultures surrounding Spain, head to Poble Espanyol, a hands-on museum. 

 

Day 4

Today in Barcelona we will see Sagrada Familia, Gaudi's most famous structure and an iconic landmark of the city. Another interesting site to visit is the Recinte Modernista Sant Pau, a former hospital that was redesigned to promote peace and comfort for patients. The site has been recognized by UNESCO for its modernist architecture. Lastly, we will head to Park Guell, another one of Gaudi's creations, and take in the beautiful views of the city from the park's overlook. The park is also known for its stunning tile work, which is a hallmark of Barcelona's architecture.

 

Day 5

Enjoy a free morning! This afternoon we will visit Casa Batllo and Casa Mila today, both designed by Gaudi. Casa Batllo is a traditional Catalan home, while Casa Mila features impressive sculptures on its rooftop. We end the day in La Boqueria, the main market of Barcelona.

 

Day 6

Today we will embark on a flight to Madrid. Your first day in the Spanish capital will be filled with cultural exploration as you visit two significant landmarks. Your itinerary will begin with a tour of the majestic Royal Palace of Madrid, where you will be captivated by its grand architecture and rich history. Later in the day, you will immerse yourself in the contemporary arts scene at Matadero Madrid, experiencing its vibrant exhibitions and cultural offerings.

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Day 7

Today is an exciting day trip to the charming city of Toledo.  Your itinerary will be packed with iconic sights, including the awe-inspiring Toledo Cathedral, where you will marvel at its Gothic splendor. You will also visit the historic Santo Tome Church, the ancient Synagogue, and the magnificent San Juan de los Reyes Monastery, each offering unique insights into Toledo's rich heritage and cultural diversity.

 

Day 8

This morning we fly to Seville! We will visit the Plaza de Espana and the Maria Luisa Park next to the Guadalquivir River. This enormous plaza is surrounded by balconies of a Neo-Moorish building.Next, visit the Catedral de Sevilla, the world’s largest Gothic cathedral. Full of art treasures and beautiful interiors, this chapel will be a highlight of your trip. Stop for lunch in the Barrio de Santa Cruz and have some time to explore this most charming place to visit in Seville with its maze of cobblestone roads.Finally, visit Real Alcazar. This is a fortress built in the 10th century and is the oldest royal palace in Europe that is still in use. It has a beautiful courtyard and showcases Islamic architecture with large arches and marble columns. The Alcazar gardens were used to film a set for the Game of Thrones. Movie fans will also recognize the Palace of the Kingdom of Naboo from Star Wars as well as some scenes from Lawrence of Arabia that were filmed here. The Spanish royal family still occupies the Real Alcazar as a royal residence. 

 

Day 9

Today we are off to Ronda, known as the birthplace of modern bullfighting. Our tour will start at Plaza de Toros, home to Spain’s oldest bullring. The Plaza de Toros has displays of famous Matadors, historic stables, a museum, and more!

Travel to Puente Nuevo (New Bridge). Built in 1788, it is the most iconic monument of Ronda due to its feat of engineering of stone masonry. The bridge offers beautiful views of the gorge and Rio Guadelevin. You can also walk along the trails near the bridge for gorgeous views of Puente Nuevo and the waterfalls.

We will  travel to Banos Arabes which are the best preserved Moorish Baths in Spain. Built in the 13th to 15th century, these thermal baths are similar to the Roman baths having a complex for cold, warm and hot baths. The ceiling even has star-shaped skylights! Tonight transfer to Nerja to check-in to your resort. 
 

Day 10

The Rock of Gibraltar is a British Colony that has been around for over 300 years. It guards over the Strait of Gibraltar, which is where the Mediterranean Sea meets the Atlantic, and where Africa aligns with Europe. We will visit the popular St. Michael’s Cave which was created by rain water slowly dissolving limestone rock to create large tunnels. Next we will see the famous Barbary apes that have views of the Spanish and Moroccan coastline. The tour ends by spending some time on the main street of town. Enjoy the colonial buildings and the different shops.

 

Day 11
This morning we will sightsee throughout Moorish Granada, with a highlight being the Alhambra atop of Assabica Hill. The Alhambra is a famous Islamic monument and is one of the best preserved palaces in the world. You will see incredible views of the town below and the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Beautiful gardens surround the palace. Next eat lunch and explore the beautiful neighborhood of the Albaicin - a UnESCO-listed World Heritage site. The Albaicin, is part of the medieval Arabic quarter and has picturesque narrow streets.

We are off at the Capilla Real de Granada, which houses royal tombs. The interior features stained-glass windows and paintings by Alonso Cano. A highlight here is the treasure of artwork including Botticelli’s Christ on the mount of Olives painting and Rogier van der Weyden’s Pieta.

We will visit Granada’s Cathedral of Santa Maria which is the finest Renaissance church in Spain and was built by Queen Isabella as a monument and symbol of the victory of Chrsitian Spain over the Moors.

 

Day 12
Today is a free day at the resort. Enjoy the pool and beautiful beach on the resort property. Every breakfast and dinner is included at the resort. **If you are doing the Morocco only tour, you will depart Salt Lake City tonight.

 

Day 13

Fly back to the United States and arrive back home. If you are flying from the United States to do the Morocco only, you will arrive this afternoon. If you are flying from Spain, you will arrive in Casablanca at approximately the same time. Overnight in Casablanca.

 

Day 14

You will be picked up from your hotel in the morning by your English speaking driver and then welcomed by your English speaking guide to start your Casablanca City Tour. See all of the major sites in Casablanca in this full-day city tour. You will be able to admire the enchanting mixture of modern and traditional influences that shape the city while visiting the Central Market, the Habous District, the Royal Palace, the Aïn Diab Corniche, and visit to Hassan II Mosque. Overnight in a hotel in Casablanca.

 

Day 15

After breakfast in your hotel in Casablanca we drive to Rabat  "the capital of Morocco"you will see the Hassan Tower and the Oudaya Kasbah . Then we  will drive to Chefchaouen via the city of Asilah. Most of the drive will be by the coast. Our first stop will be in Asilah, where you will have the opportunity to explore the city. Asilah is known for its annual festival for the art - most of the walls of the Medina are painted by various famous artists from all over the world. Your visit includes the Skalla fortress, where you will experience a wonderful view of the Medina and the ocean. If time permits, you will have a drive through Tangier to get a feel of the city. Afterwards you will continue over the foothills of the Rif Mountains to Chefchaouen. Overnight in a traditional Moroccan riad.

 

Day 16

After breakfast in your riad, you will start exploring the Chefchaouen “The blue city of Morocco”. Situated at the footstep of 2 higher mountains, Chefchaouen is a beautiful unique city, with its white washed walls and blue doors and windows. Unlike many parts of Morocco, Chefchaouen was occupied by Spain; therefore there is much influence from Spanish civilisation and Moorish architecture. In the afternoon you will have your own time. This provides the opportunity to wander around unguided or just enjoy some time to yourselves.

 

Day 17

After breakfast in your riad, you will start travelling to Fes via Ouazzane and the Roman site of Volubilis. After a couple of hours drive, you will get to Volubilis, the well preserved Roman empire dating to 225 BC, where you will see the most beautiful Mosaics in Morocco dating back to 3rd century BC. Here you will have a guided tour of the site and learn a lot about the Roman Empire. After that we traveled to Meknes, the Ismaili capital of Morocco. In Meknes we see the fascinating gate Bab Mansour built by the sultan My Ismail; the granary and the Sahrij Souani, used for irrigation and plantation. Your visit also includes the Moulay Ismail Mausoleum. We then continue via the highway to Fes.

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Day 18

This trip begins in Fes, the oldest lively medina in the world that many refer to as an actively living museum embracing ancient and modern times. In the morning, we will be visiting the attractions of Fez as the medieval medina with its Attarine and Bou Anania Medersas, Nejjarine fountain, Moulay Idriss mausoleum, Mausoleum (Zaouia Sidi Ahmed Tijani), and the Karaouine mosque. We will also visit traditional cooperatives and then experience a wonderful panoramic view over the whole Medina of Fes from a Riad terrace. In the afternoon, we will head to see Fes el Jdid – new Fez where you can have some modern activities before you spend your night in a Riad in the old Medina.

 

Day 19

After breakfast, you will leave Fes travelling towards Merzouga to Midelt and the Ziz valley. Today you will travel via the Ifrane city, a beautiful mountain village, named the Switzerland of Morocco. Here you will also stop at the cedar forest on the middle Atlas Mountains. During this journey you’ll experience glimpses of the Middle Atlas and Higher Atlas mountains and stop at Azrou, a Berber village in the middle of the famous cedar forest – the largest one in Morocco – where you will have the opportunity to see the Barbary apes. After that, your journey continues to Midelt along the magnificent hills and mountains of the Atlas. After lunch in Midelt, you’ll be travelling through the fascinating Tiz Ntalghamt pass and the spectacular Ziz Gorge, taking in views of the High Atlas plateau, seeing how the scenery changes to reveal hints of the desert as you approach the province of the south-east Errachidia city. Afterwards, you’ll travel along the fantastic Ziz Valley, stopping for panoramic views along the way to Erfoud and Rissani. Arriving in Merzouga in the afternoon you’ll be welcomed with a glass of mint tea. Then take a camel ride in the dunes of the Sahara Desert of Merzouga to reach the camp where you will have the night.

 

Day 20

Your camel guide will wake you up early in the morning to watch what may be the best sunrise of your life. You’ll peacefully comel-trek back to the village of Merzouga. Enroute you couldn’t fail to appreciate the unique beauty of the spectacular Erg Chebbi sand dunes – changing with the light as the day progresses. After breakfast and a hot shower on the riad, you’ll leave for Rissani , Tinghir, and Todgha gorges – the highest, narrowest gorges in Morocco. After lunch in the heart of the gorge we’ll drive through the Dades Valley, where you’ll see the majestic sand castles and the amazing rock formations known as « monkey toes ''. Overnight accommodation will be in a beautiful place in ouarzazate city with dinner and breakfast.

 

Day 21

After breakfast in your accommodation, Continue to Marrakech via the Ait Benhaddou Kasbah. Built by Et Hami El Glaoui, one of the last Berber chieftains during the 19th century, now the Kasbah is a house of many Glaoui people. Your journey will continue through the majestic Tizi n’Tichka Pass (2260 m) over the High Atlas Mountains, where you will have the opportunity to explore the process of producing the Argan oil- existing only in morocco – by Berber women in their cooperative, before arriving at your overnight accommodation in Marrakech.

 

Day 22

After breakfast in the Riad, we will start exploring Marrakech “ the red city of Morocco”. We will visit the most imperial sites of historical and cultural interest, namely the Saadian tombs, the Bahia Palace, and the Koutoubia Minaret. In the afternoon we will visit the famous Djemaa El Fna square with its surrounding souks and handicraft quarters, as well as storytellers, musicians and snake-enchanters in public-circles. In the evening, it is optional to attend the Fantasia Show with dinner; then return to the Riad where you will spend a tranquil night.

 

Day 23

After breakfast , we will transfer you to Marrakech's airport for your flight back home. Thanks for traveling with us!