Mediterranean Spain & Morocco
From the Gothic grandeur of Toledo to the exotic charms of Marrakech, discover the intertwining threads of art, culture, history and traditions that weave through Spain and Morocco on this 13-day Smithsonian Journeys Travel Adventures tour. Visit the world-famous Prado Museum. Tour the exotic Alhambra palace in Granada. Visit the picturesque Moroccan town, Chefchaouen, nestled in the mountains. Walk through the amazing labyrinthine Fez-el-Bali medina. Linger for three nights in the oasis city at the foot of the Atlas Mountains - Marrakech.
Your journey to Spain and Morocco is enhanced by local guest speakers who will discuss topics ranging from Spanish art history to Islamic influence in the region.
?Enjoy a lecture by an art historian on the achievements of the Spanish masters, which prepares you for your visit to the Prado Museum.
?Discover the impact Islam has had on the art and architecture of Morocco.
?Learn how Moroccan society has for centuries been home to Muslims, Jews and Christians.
HighlightsMadrid, Prado Museum, Toledo, Granada, Costa Del Sol, Tangier, Fez, Marrakech, Casablanca
Collette Experience
?Enjoy a lecture by an art historian on the achievements of the Spanish masters, which prepares you for your visit to the Prado Museum.
?Discover the impact Islam has had on the art and architecture of Morocco.
?Learn how Moroccan society has for centuries been home to Muslims, Jews and Christians.
Details
- Tour Operator
- Collette Vacations
- Offer
- Offer valid through 12/31/2009
- Duration
- 13 Days
| Day | Destination | Description |
| Air 1 | Overnight Flight | Overnight Flight : From the Gothic grandeur of Toledo to the exotic charms of Marrakech, discover the art, culture, history and traditions that characterize Spain and Morocco. Enjoy special excursions to Christian cathedrals, Moorish palaces, mosques and Jewish neighborhoods. Tour the Prado, discover the Moroccan countryside, and immerse yourself in a wonderfully revealing and truly fascinating vacation. |
| Day 2 | Madrid | Arrive Madrid, Spain : Begin your adventure in Spain's capital city, Madrid. This evening, join fellow travelers for a welcome reception and dinner. |
| Day 3 | Madrid | Madrid - Prado Museum - Madrid : During a walking tour of Madrid's historic center, see the Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor. Spend time at the world-renowned Prado, which houses treasures by Spanish masters including Velazquez, El Greco and Goya. |
| Day 4 | Granada | Madrid - Toledo - Granada : En route to Granada, stop in Toledo, the capital of medieval Spain until 1560. A tour of this hilltop city highlights the Gothic cathedral and the 13th-century synagogue of El Transito. Explore the Church of Santo Tome to view El Greco's masterpiece, The Burial of Count Orgaz. Later, continue south through the peaceful Sierra Nevada to Granada. |
| Day 5 | Marbella | Granada - Marbella : This morning, join a local expert for a tour of the Alhambra, the extraordinary hilltop palace complex of Spain's last Moorish rulers. Discover the magnificent Casas Reales, where rooms are decorated with domed ceilings and colorful tiles. Also tour the Generalife, where the grounds are beautifully designed with fountains, courtyards and secret gardens. Behold the stunning Mediterranean coast during the scenic drive to your hotel in Costa del Sol. |
| Day 6 | Tangier | Marbella - Algeciras - Tangier, Morocco : Board a ferry to cross the Strait of Gibraltar and, weather permitting, witness the silhouette of the Rock of Gibraltar, a monolithic limestone promontory set on the Iberian Peninsula. Later, arrive in Morocco - a gem of North Africa. |
| Day 7 | Fez | Tangier - Chefchaouen - Volubilis - Fez : Today, journey south to visit Chefchaouen, a picturesque Moroccan village. Travel to Volubilis, the extensive ruins of an important Roman city and a UNESCO World Heritage site. View intricate and amazingly preserved mosaics from the 2nd and 3rd centuries. Continue your adventure in the Imperial city of Fez. |
| Day 8 | Fez | Fez : A morning sightseeing tour of Fez features the Bab Bou Jeloud, the entry gate to this fascinating ancient city. See the 14th-century Bouanania Medersa; the picturesque Route de Fez; the Medersa Attarine; and the Fez-el-Bali, the oldest walled part of Fez and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The afternoon is free to explore Fez on your own. |
| Day 9 | Marrakech | Fez - Marrakech : Experience the stunning vistas of the Moroccan countryside as you wind past villages, olive groves and cedar forests into the Marrakech valley. |
| Day 10 | Marrakech | Marrakech : Explore the colorful city of Marrakech on a tour that includes a visit to the 16th-century Ben Youssef Medersa. Visit Qoubba Almoravides, where fountains once supplied water to the people of Marrakech. Continue to the Souk and discover merchants selling textiles, clothing and handcrafts. Visit Jamaa el Fna Square, bustling with street performers, snake charmers and artisans. See the Koutoubia mosque, an emblem of the city, and the sandstone ruins of the 19th-century Badii Palace, once an opulent residence of the Grand Vizier. |
| Day 11 | Marrakech | Marrakech : This morning, meander Marrakech's lush gardens. Begin with the famous Menara Gardens and then step aboard a horse-drawn carriage for a tour around the city to reach the Majorelle Gardens and Museum of Islamic Art. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure to explore Marrakech. Delight in a spectacular Moroccan feast this evening. |
| Day 12 | Casablanca | Marrakech - Casablanca : Set off today for the world-famous city of Casablanca. A panoramic tour highlights its bustling central market, the Place Mohammed V, the city's art deco center with its futuristic fountain, the Habbous Quarter, and the Hassan II Mosque - the second largest mosque in the world. |
| Day 13 | Tour Concludes | Casablanca - Tour Concludes : Your tour concludes today in the city of Casablanca. |
- Dates/Pricing
- Lodging
Husa Moncloa Hotel Tryp Albayzin Granada Intercontinental The Jnan Palace Hotel Hotel Kenzi Farah Hotel Kenzi Basma
- Disclaimer
- Note
Tour prices are Land Only rates based on per person double occupancy. Please call your Travel Agent for triple or child occupancy rates. Taxes and fees are additional for tours that feature a cruise; port taxes are not included in the prices shown. Some dates may feature various changes in hotels, sightseeing and inclusions. Please confirm your specific itinerary at the time of booking.
