Spain, Portugal And Morocco With Barcelona Extension

2012 Season
Departs From: Lisbon

From 2,593EUR

Length:  19 days from Lisbon to Barcelona, or 20 days incl. travel

Overview

Spain, Portugal, and Morocco—three glorious countries rich in history and culture, and on this tour, you’ll experience them all! You’ll have overnights in Lisbon, Seville, Rabat, Marrakesh, Fez, Tangier, Granada, Costa del Sol, Madrid, and Barcelona. Tour highlights include the Jeronimos Monastery in Lisbon. A symbol of Portugal’s power during the Age of Discovery, King Manual I built it to thank the Virgin Mary for Portugal’s success in its voyages around the world. The Prado Museum in Madrid is sure to delight art lovers with its 8,000 pieces of Western painting. An architectural wonder is the Sagrada Familia Basilica in Barcelona, Gaudi’s magnificent church started in 1882 and still not completed today.

Step back in time in Marrakesh with sightseeing including Bahia Palace and the Saadian Tombs (if closed, visit Badia Palace instead). Wander through the Djemaa-el-Fna, a square and exotic bizarre offering some of the greatest open-air entertainment. Listen to the storytellers—an integral part of the culture—and browse for handicrafts. It’s not hard to imagine what it was like in the past, a time when caravans loaded their camels with food and goods to sell at the markets.

In Fez, a guide leads you through the labyrinthine Medina and Medersa Bou Inania. Continue via Meknes to Tangier, where guided sightseeing includes a visit of the Grand Socco square and a panoramic drive to Cap Spartel. Visit Gibraltar, in British hands since 1704, and learn about its turbulent history. Spend time on the Costa del Sol, where you can relax and soak up the sun on the beach.

These are just a few of the many highlights offered on this spectacular tour. You’ll be sure to arrive home with lots of photos and stories to treasure from this memorable vacation.

All services in Barcelona, including Local Host assistance, are provided by Monograms.

Duration:  19 Days

Schedule:

Start Date	End Date
02 June, 2012	20 June, 2012
09 June, 2012	27 June, 2012
16 June, 2012	04 July, 2012
30 June, 2012	18 July, 2012
21 July, 2012	08 August, 2012
04 August, 2012	22 August, 2012
01 September, 2012	19 September, 2012
08 September, 2012	26 September, 2012
15 September, 2012	03 October, 2012
15 September, 2012	03 October, 2012
29 September, 2012	17 October, 2012
06 October, 2012	24 October, 2012
13 October, 2012	31 October, 2012

City Highlights

Lisbon
Welcome dinner; guided sightseeing, visit the Alfama quarter and Jeronimos Monastery

Azeitao
Visit a tile workshop

Seville
Guided sightseeing, walk through the Santa Cruz quarter, and visit the Alcazar

Algeciras-Tangier
By ferry across the Strait of Gibraltar

Rabat
Guided sightseeing, visit Mohammed V Mausoleum and the Roman relics of Chellah

Casablanca
Guided panoramic drive; picture stop at Hassan II Mosque

Marrakesh
Guided sightseeing, visit Bahia Palace and the Saadian Tombs (if closed, visit Badia Palace instead)

Fez
Guided sightseeing, visit the Medina and Medersa Bou Inania

Meknes
Orientation

Tangier
Guided sightseeing, visit the Grand Socco square; panoramic drive up to Cap Spartel

Rock of Gibraltar
Guided sightseeing, visit St. Michael’s Caves

Granada
Guided walking tour, visit the Alhambra complex and the Water Gardens of the Generalife; dinner at a local restaurant

Toledo
Guided walking tour, visit an early synagogue, the gothic cathedral, and the Santo Tomé Church with one of El Greco’s masterpieces; visit a Damascene steel workshop

Madrid
Guided sightseeing, visit the Prado Museum

Madrid-Barcelona
By high-speed AVE train (first-class)

Barcelona
Guided sightseeing; visit Park Güell & Sagrada Familia

Headsets throughout the tour

Note:

Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler. For Gibraltar, a special visa is required; a UK or Schengen visa will not gain entrance.

In the rare event that the AVE train is unavailable, alternative services will be provided.

Day 1   Arrive in Lisbon, Portugal. Free time to rest or start exploring the Portuguese capital. At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)

Day 2   Lisbon. Lisbon was the center of Europe’s longest-lived overseas empire. Portugal’s imperial ambitions date back to Prince Henry the Navigator’s 15th-century discoveries in West Africa. Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide features a drive through the Baixa quarter’s main squares. Then, enjoy a walk through the cobblestone alleys of quaint ALFAMA, the popular quarter of the seamen and Fado singers. Drive along the grand Avenida da Liberdade up to Pombal Square. Stop for pictures of Belem Tower, guarding the mouth of the Tagus, and visit JERONIMOS MONASTERY with the tomb of Vasco da Gama. Optional excursions to Sintra and the royal palace of Queluz, and a dinner with Fado-style entertainment are available. (B)

Day 3   Lisbon–Azeitao–Seville, Spain. In Azeitao, visit a traditional TILE WORKSHOP. Next, enter Spain and reach the vibrant capital of Andalusia, Seville. (B,D)

Day 4   Seville. During your sightseeing tour with a Local Guide, hear about the city’s role in Roman times, its conquest by the Moors in 712 AD, and its contribution to the discovery of the New World. Admire Maria Luisa Park, the Golden Tower on the Guadalquivir River, and the university that used to be the tobacco factory of Carmen fame. Then, stroll through the narrow lanes of the charming SANTA CRUZ QUARTER. Highlight is a visit to the ALCAZAR, founded in the 11th century as a Moorish fortress, with its Palacio de Don Pedro. For those interested, an optional extended guided visit to the cathedral is available. Tonight, for a truly Andalusian night out, reserve a seat at our optional Flamenco show (B)

Day 5   Seville–Algeciras–Rabat, Morocco. Travel through the sherry wine region of Jerez to Algeciras and enjoy a FERRY RIDE across the Strait of Gibraltar to Morocco. Along North Africa’s infamous Barbary Coast to Rabat, once a lair of the corsairs and now the country’s capital. (B,D)

Day 6   Rabat–Casablanca–Marrakesh. 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 7   Marrakesh. 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 8   Marrakesh–Fez. 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 Berber King Idris in the 8th century. To this day, Fez has remained Morocco’s spiritual and artistic center. (B,D)

Day 9   Fez. 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 10   Fez–Meknes–Tangier. 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, where you will quench your thirst Bedouin-style with a glass of hot mint tea. (B,D)

Day 11   Tangier–Gibraltar–Costa del Sol. 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. (B)

Day 12   At Leisure on the Costa del Sol. Full day to relax or explore. Tonight, why not sample one of the seafood restaurants on the Carihuela? (B)

Day 13   Costa del Sol–Granada. Leave the Mediterranean coast and 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. This evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)

Day 14   Granada–Toledo–Madrid. Enjoy a scenic drive 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 before returning to Madrid. (B)

Day 15   Madrid. 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 16   Madrid–Barcelona. You will be transferred by high-speed AVE TRAIN to Barcelona, arriving in the late afternoon. The remainder of the day is at leisure. (B)

Day 17   Barcelona. Morning guided sightseeing includes visits to PARK GÜELL and the SAGRADA FAMILIA BASILICA. (B)

Day 18   At Leisure in Barcelona. Full day at leisure. Ask your Local Host for suggestions. (B)

Day 19   Barcelona. Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

Meals:  Full buffet breakfast daily (B); 7 three-course dinners (D), including a welcome dinner in Lisbon and a special dinner with wine in Granada

Hotel Information:  LISBON Mundial (F), SEVILLE Sevilla Center (SF), RABAT Rabat (F), MARRAKESH Es Saadi (SF), FEZ Zalagh Parc Palace (F), TANGIER El Minzah (F), TORREMOLINOS Melia Costa del Sol (SF), GRANADA Saray (SF), MADRID Gran Hotel Princesa (SF), BARCELONA Catalonia Ramblas (SF)


Terms and Conditions

Note: Flights are NOT included with the Tour and unless otherwise stated above transfers are also NOT included.

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