Enjoy a day discovering Barcelona. In the city centre, drive along Paseo de Gracia, one of Barcelona’s most significant avenues and home to some of famous architect Antoni Gaudi’s most recognisable works. Look up to the facades of Casa Batllo, with its skeletal balconies and colourful mosaics, as well as La Pedrera (Casa Mila), known for its stone facade and wrought-iron balconies.
Then, visit the Sagrada Familia, Gaudi’s most famous and ambitious work, under construction since 1882. Step inside to admire its intricate facades and towering spires and learn about Gaudi’s inspiration for the church’s design.
Choose to stay this afternoon to explore Las Ramblas or simply relax at your hotel.
This evening, come together as a group for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.
Sagrada Familia visit
Following breakfast at your hotel, bid farewell to Barcelona and set a course northwest for San Sebastian. Your first stop along the way is the Roman city of Zaragoza, situated on the banks of the Ebro River and known as the birthplace of the famous painter Francisco de Goya. Catch a glimpse of the riverside Nuestra Senora del Pilar and the 15th-century Stone Bridge – the oldest in the city.
Continue on to Pamplona, renowned as the stage of Spain’s annual ‘Running of the Bulls’ festival where thousands gather to watch brave runners lead bulls through the city streets. Wander the medieval streets and study the city’s Gothic architecture, including the Cathedral of Santa Maria la Real at its centre.
Arrive in San Sebastian, a coastal city between the Urgull and Igeldo mountains, where you’ll enjoy the rest of the evening at your leisure.
Travel time: Driving – approx. six hours
Set out for a day of adventure in San Sebastian, one of Europe’s premier Basque destinations known for its beach, La Concha, and culinary scene. Begin with a tour of the city, wandering down its waterfront promenade to the Old Town, full of Baroque and Gothic churches and plazas.
Then, embrace San Sebastian’s foodie reputation with a pintxo walk through the town’s many eateries. Similar to tapas, a pintxo is a small snack typically enjoyed with drinks.
Spend the rest of the evening as you wish. Perhaps you may like to continue your pintxo exploration and eat like a local with your fellow travellers.
Wave goodbye to La Concha bay of San Sebastian as you depart for Oviedo. En route, make a stop at Bilbao, the largest city in the Basque Country, famously home to the Guggenheim Museum.
As you leave Bilbao, the road takes you along the Basque Coast. Entering Covadonga, look for the village cathedral and stop by at the sanctuary and grotto, home to the patroness of Asturias, Our Lady of Covadonga.
Your day ends in Oviedo, the capital of Asturias, home to the Oviedo Cathedral, a Gothic masterpiece.
Travel time: Driving – approx. 5–5.5 hours
Begin your day with a city tour of Oviedo. See the Metropolitan Cathedral of San Salvador, housing the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Holy Chamber, then stroll through the Plaza del Fontan.
Depart from Oviedo and head towards A Coruna, driving through Asturias and Galicia. Along the way, see the Tower of Hercules, the oldest Roman lighthouse still in use.
Continue your journey to Santiago de Compostela, the final destination of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage.
This evening is at your leisure.
Travel time: Driving – approx. four hours
This morning, embark on a walking tour of Santiago de Compostela and learn about its significance in the famous Camino de Santiago pilgrimage, culminating at the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral, which houses the tomb of Saint James the Apostle inside. Wander through the Praza do Obradoiro, then continue through the medieval streets of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town. Visit the Monastery of San Martin Pinario, one of Spain’s largest religious complexes.
You may wish to join an optional Galician dinner this evening with a traditional queimada ritual believed to ward off evil spirits with a flame and incantation.
Depart Santiago de Compostela this morning and head south towards Portugal, with your first brief stop in the coastal city of Vigo on the precipice of the Atlantic Ocean.
Continue to Braga, one of Portugal’s oldest cities, where you’ll drive past landmarks like the Bom Jesus do Monte sanctuary and the ancient Se Cathedral.
This afternoon, arrive in Porto, and check in to your accommodation for the rest of the day at your leisure.
Travel time: Driving – approx. 3.5 hours. Please note, this is driving time only and does not include the time stopped in Vigo and Braga.
Wake for a day discovering Porto on a guided tour. Admire the Porto Cathedral, the Stock Exchange Palace and Igreja de Santa Clara church.
Later, board your cruise for an easy ride along the waters of the Douro River, the city’s central lifeline, accompanied by a port wine tasting.
Back on land, spend your evening freely.
Douro River cruise
Fuel up at breakfast before setting out for Coimbra, the birthplace of fado – a popular style of traditional Portuguese music. Explore the historic centre of town, including the University of Coimbra and its Joanina Library – a Baroque-style building home to a colony of bats that protect their collection of more than 40,000 books by eating harmful insects.
Continue to Lisbon, Portugal’s capital. Check in to your hotel for the evening.
Travel time: Driving – approx. 90 minutes
After breakfast, set out on a morning sightseeing tour of Lisbon, the ancient city of Olissipo. Drive through its main squares and avenues, passing Belém Tower, Jerónimos Monastery, the Monument to the Discoveries, Marquis of Pombal Square and Liberty Avenue.
Spend the afternoon at leisure. You might explore Alfama, Lisbon’s old quarter, with its narrow, winding streets, colourful buildings and traditional taverns. The day also includes a tasting of a traditional Portuguese tart.
This evening, enjoy a bonus Lisbon Fado Dinner, with a traditional Portuguese meal and live fado performance. Select the dinner during checkout; it’s included at no extra cost.
Please note: The Lisbon Fado Dinner must be selected during checkout; it will be added at no extra cost.
Lisbon Fado Dinner
After breakfast, enjoy a full day at leisure in Lisbon. You may want to browse the creative studios, boutiques and cafes of LX Factory, set inside a former industrial complex, or make your way to Cais do Sodré for a leisurely lunch of Portuguese petiscos. Prefer a slower day? Take your time over breakfast, linger over a coffee and enjoy a little unplanned wandering before returning to your hotel for the evening.
Wave goodbye to Portugal as you travel across the border to Merida. Capital of the western Spanish region of Extremadura, Merida’s famed Roman ruins date back to the 1st century BCE.
Spend time exploring the remains of this ancient colony on a walking tour of the city and stand at the centre of the well-preserved Roman Theatre.
Continue to Madrid and check in at your hotel for the evening at your leisure.
Travel time: Driving – approx. six hours
Set out for a morning tour of Madrid, from Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor and Plaza de la Villa to the streets of the Moreria and Habsburg neighbourhoods and the neoclassical Fountain of Neptune.
After the tour, spend the afternoon at leisure. You may like to join an optional tour of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed city of Toledo, a well-preserved medieval town with winding streets, a cathedral and a fortress at its centre.
In the evening, enjoy a dinner with your fellow travellers.
Rise and shine, ready to take your private transfer to Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD) for a flight to Casablanca, Morocco. Famed for its place in Hollywood movie history, Casablanca’s cultural influences span from traditional Moorish to French colonial, as seen in its intricate architecture.
Upon arrival in Casablanca, sit down to lunch at Rick’s Café, inspired by the classic film. Take in the city, then visit the exterior of Hassan II Mosque, a masterpiece of Islamic architecture.
Continuing your voyage, journey to Rabat, the political and cultural capital of Morocco. Once you’ve transferred to your hotel, meet up for dinner with your fellow travellers. Please note, the NJ Hotel does not serve alcohol.
Travel time: Flight – approx. two hours / Driving – approx. two hours
Following breakfast at your hotel, set out to explore Rabat. Admire the exterior of the Royal Palace before paying a visit to the Mohamed V Mausoleum and Hassan Tower.
Enjoy free time near the Oudayas ruins, where you can stop for a coffee, before continuing to Volubilis to visit its Roman ruins. Then travel to Fes for dinner and an overnight stay at your hotel.
Travel time: Driving – approx. four hours
Take a tour of Fes today, starting at the Royal Palace, then wander through the ancient Jewish Quarter before ascending to the hilltop fortress for panoramic views.
Step into the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Medina and stop for lunch at a local restaurant, then view the mosaics and minarets of Bou Inania Medersa. Continue your journey at the ancient tanneries to witness the age-old craft of leatherwork.
As the day draws to a close, dine at a local restaurant before retiring to your accommodation for the evening.
Today, travel beyond the walls of Fes and reach Meknes – known as the ‘Versailles of Morocco’. Visit the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail and the monumental gates of Bab Khemis and Bab el Mansour.
Continue to a countryside winery for a tasting and lunch amid the vineyards, then return to Fes for dinner and an overnight stay at your hotel.
Travel time: Driving – approx. two hours
Depart Fes and travel through the Middle Atlas mountains, passing through the town of Ifrane, known as the ‘Switzerland of Morocco’ thanks to its chalets and alpine scenery. Pause for a scenic photo stop amid the mountain scenery.
Continue your journey to the town of Midelt, the ‘Apple Capital’ of Morocco. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy a traditional lunch at a local restaurant.
As you journey further south, you will arrive in Merzouga, a village flanked by red dunes where you’ll embark on an off-road adventure through the desert landscape. Board your 4WD transport and scale the rose-gold dunes of the Sahara.
Then, join a sunset camel ride through the sands before checking into your desert glamping stay. Settle in for a traditional Berber meal by the campfire and look to the desert stars above.
Travel time: Driving – approx. eight hours. Please note this is a long travel day, and there are stops and lunch along the way.
Sahara Desert glamping
Enjoy breakfast at camp, then spend the day at leisure among the Sahara’s dunes. Optional experiences are available, including a 4WD desert adventure and a local cooking experience.
In the evening, enjoy dinner featuring typical desert dishes before spending another night in your glamping tent.
Sahara Desert glamping
Travel to Tinerhir to visit its oasis and the spectacular Todra Gorge, with time for a walk near the gorge. Continue through the Drâa Valley, passing Boulmane du Dadès and the palm groves of Skoura, before arriving in Ouarzazate to visit the Atlas Cinema Studios. Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay at your hotel.
Travel time: Driving – approx. 5–6 hours
After breakfast, head to Aït Benhaddou to visit its famous UNESCO-listed kasbah. Continue across the High Atlas Mountains via the Col du Tichka, arriving in Marrakech late this afternoon. Check in to your hotel and enjoy dinner there.
Travel time: Driving – approx. 4 hours
After breakfast at the hotel, discover Marrakech’s historic sights and lively atmosphere. Begin at the gardens of La Menara, where a vast 12th-century reflecting pond sits among olive groves. Then admire the soaring minaret of Koutoubia before continuing to Bahia Palace, known for its ornate rooms and striking inverted-boat-shaped ceiling.
Wander through the old medina and browse its souks, then pause at a traditional riad to learn the art of preparing Moroccan mint tea. Later, enjoy time at your own pace in Jemaa el-Fnaa, the city’s famous square.
This evening, transfer to Al Baraka, a palace in the medina, for dinner featuring traditional Moroccan dishes and live performances. Return to your hotel for the night.
After breakfast at the hotel, check out by 12pm and depart for Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK) for your onward flight.