Vacation Overview
On our Spain, Portugal, and Morocco tour, experience the rich history and distinct cultures of these three glorious countries. You’ll overnight in Madrid, Seville, Granada, and the Costa del Sol in Spain; Coimbra and Lisbon in Portugal; and Rabat, Marrakesh, and Fez in Morocco. The tour starts in Madrid, where you’ll discover the main sights with a local guide. On the way to Portugal, visit Avila, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its ancient, fortified towers and walls, and beautiful Salamanca. The Portuguese pearls you’ll discover on this affordable tour are Coimbra, Obidos, Fatima with its famous Sanctuary, and the capital, Lisbon. Cross the Strait of Gibraltar to Morocco on the African continent by ferry to step back in time in Rabat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Morocco’s capital. Fez is still the cultural and spiritual hub, and its centerpiece is the Medina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its exotic palaces, madrasas, fondouks, residences, mosques, and fountains date back to the 13th-14th centuries. The red city of Marrakesh remains a tapestry of ramparts, mosques, palaces, gardens, vibrant public squares, and souks (markets). You’ll get to know this fascinating city with a local expert on the included sightseeing tour. Stop in Casablanca, Morocco’s westernmost city. Its name still resonates because of the 1942 classic film with Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman. Once back on the European continent, you will love the included guided visit to Granada’s legendary Alhambra complex*, a lavish palace and fortress built by Moorish kings in 889 AD, and you will appreciate it even more after having visited Morocco. These are just some of the many highlights on this comprehensive and affordable Spain, Portugal, and Morocco tour. It’s a memorable budget vacation for value-minded travel lovers.
Tour Spain, Portugal & Morocco, 16 days vacation in three different countries!
ITINERARY:
Day 1 ARRIVE IN MADRID, SPAIN
Check into your hotel. Take advantage of any free time to explore lively Madrid with the help of the CosmosGO app. Dinner
Day 2 MADRID
Spaniards say the Spanish capital, situated 2,180 feet above sea level, is the nearest thing to Heaven. It’s certainly worth making the most of today by joining the included guided sightseeing tour: a full panoramic drive by way of the Calle Alcalà, Parliament Square, and a picture stop outside the Royal Palace. The optional trip to Toledo is most rewarding, too. The splendid setting of this old walled city above the Tagus was made famous in El Greco’s painting, and even now it’s like a great open-air museum of Spanish history and art.
Breakfast
Day 3 MADRID–ÁVILA–SALAMANCA–COIMBRA, PORTUGAL
Visit ancient, fortified Ávila with its many towers, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Continue to Salamanca and make sure you spend some time wandering around Plaza Mayor, the grandest square in Spain. Cross the frontier to Guarda, the highest town in Portugal. From here, descend to the valleys of the Serra da Estrela to Coimbra.
Today’s Distance: 329 mi/ 530 km
Breakfast /Dinner
Day 4 COIMBRA–FÁTIMA–OBIDOS–LISBON
Enjoy an orientation tour of Coimbra, celebrated for its beauty and ancient university. Later, travel southward to visit the Sanctuary of Fátima, one of Europe’s most visited Marian shrines. Continue to picturesque fortified Obidos, before reaching Lisbon for two overnights.
Today’s Distance: 168 mi/ 270 km / Breakfast
Day 5 LISBON
Henry the Navigator made Lisbon the 15th-century “Mistress of the Seas.” On the included guided tour, see his monument, the Belem Tower, the Moorish Citadel, and the impressive Commerce Square, also known as Black Horse Square. Spend the afternoon at leisure—maybe in the Alfama’s tile-decorated streets, or take an optional excursion to the Portuguese Riviera. Breakfast
Day 6 LISBON–SEVILLE, SPAIN
From the rolling plains of the Alentejo with its woodlands of cork and eucalyptus trees, head south to the brilliant light of Andalusia. Admire its neat, white-painted villages and sun-drenched plantations of olives, figs, and almonds while traveling towards magnificent Seville.
Today’s Distance: 261 mi/ 420 km / Breakfast/Dinner
Day 7 SEVILLE
Enjoy an included sightseeing tour of this vibrant city. Walk in the city centre, see some of the main highlights and spend time to admire the impressive Plaza d’España. Admire the banks of tiles representing the provinces of Spain. A frequent ritual for Spanish visitors is to look for the space dedicated to their province to take photographs. You may want to do the same with the one you enjoyed the most so far. Afternoon at leisure.
Breakfast
Day 8 SEVILLE–FERRY TO MOROCCO–RABAT
Drive through Spain’s pretty sherry wine region and head south to the coast. Here, embark the ferry and cruise across the Strait of Gibraltar to Morocco on the African continent. Travel along what was once the infamous Barbary Coast, then continue the drive south to Rabat, one of Morocco’s imperial cities.
Today’s Distance: 311 mi/ 500 km. Breakfast/Dinner
Day 9 RABAT–CASABLANCA–MARRAKESH
Today starts with an included guided city sightseeing tour of the country’s lively capital, Rabat, with a visit to Chellah Gardens and Kasbah des Oudaias. Later, reach Morocco’s westernmost city: Casablanca. Enjoy an orientation drive in this modern city and see the illustrious Hassan II Mosque. One of the largest mosques in the world, its minaret soars 689 feet into the sky. Continue on to the “red” oasis city of Marrakesh. An optional excursion this evening is the perfect ending of the day.
Today’s Distance: 227 mi/ 365 km. Breakfast
Day 10 MARRAKESH
Today’s included city sightseeing with a Local Guide will make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. Founded in the 9th century, Marrakesh remains a tapestry of ramparts, mosques, palaces, gardens, and vibrant public squares and souks (markets)—where buying and selling and a fascinating carnival of entertainment occurs daily. Also visit the Bahia Palace and Majorelle Gardens. Breakfast/Dinner
Day 11 MARRAKESH–FEZ
Today, travel through the fragrant cedar forests of the Middle Atlas Mountains, where a number of peaks soar above 13,000 feet in elevation. This range is home to the endangered Barbary apes, wild boars, and polecats. On your way north to Fez, enjoy glimpses of North African village life.
Today’s Distance: 311 mi/ 500 km. Breakfast/Dinner
Day 12 FEZ
Ancient Fez is a city of outstanding scenic beauty. Visit the Medina during the included sightseeing tour this morning and enjoy the maze of narrow streets through the brilliant bazaars and exotic atmosphere. The madrasas, fondouks, palaces, residences, mosques, and fountains dating back to the 13th century are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the afternoon, explore further on your own.
Breakfast Breakfast
Day 13 FEZ–FERRY CROSSING TO SPAIN–MIJAS
Today, an early departure takes you north for the ferry crossing back to mainland Spain to the Costa del Sol. Overnight in Mijas.
Today’s Distance: 323 mi/ 520 km. Breakfast/Dinner
Day 14 MIJAS–GRANADA
Travel along the Costa del Sol to Granada in the heart of Andalusia. Enjoy an included guided visit of the Alhambra Complex*, a lavish palace and fortress built by Moorish kings. Marvel at its architectural Moorish beauty and magnificent gardens, with construction dating back to 889 AD. Today’s Distance: 162 mi/ 260 km
NOTE:
*Alhambra complex: Entrance to Nasrid Palace is not guaranteed.
Breakfast /Dinner
Day 15 GRANADA–MADRID
Travel through the very heart of Don Quixote’s La Mancha, famed for its castle and windmills, on your way to Madrid. Breakfast .
Today’s Distance: 267 mi/ 430 km
Day 16 MADRID
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
Vacation Highlights
Adventure is knocking with everything you need for perfectly affordable touring. Cosmos includes hand-selected accommodations, guided sightseeing, and seamless transportation between destinations—with value-minded travel lovers in mind. Explore with expert Cosmos Tour Directors and Local Guides, complimentary headsets, private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi, and a ferry across the Straits of Gibraltar. Enhance your free time to explore like a local with your CosmosGO mobile app!
Special departures:
April 13 Departure – Feria in Seville
December 22 Departure – New Year’s Departure including special dinner in Marrakech
*Entrance to the Nasrid Palace is not guaranteed
Hotels
Madrid
Superior Tourist-Class or similar
The Hotel Praga, situated in Madrid was the first hotel of the Santos Hotels chain. It has a total of 420 rooms and is equipped with the best facilities to make your stay unforgettable.
Coimbra
Moderate First-Class or similar
Located in the center of Portugal, this hotel unit that has presented itself in the market with an exceptional localization being it in Portugal, in the Iberian Peninsula, or in Coimbra.
Lisbon
Superior Tourist-Class or similar
Hotel Roma. Located on one of Lisbon’s main avenues, Avenida de Roma, which is an important residential and shopping area, Hotel Roma provides a range of exclusive, high-quality services that are unique in a unit of this category.
Seville
Don Paco Hotel or similar
Superior Tourist-Class
Hotel Don Paco 200 rooms, is set in central Seville, 10 minutes’ walk from the cathedral and Giralda Tower. It features a rooftop swimming pool and sun terrace with excellent city views. Convenient Hotel located 1/2 km from train station & 12 km from San Pablo Airport.
Rabat
Mercure Sheherazade Rabat . Hotel as shown or similar
Superior Tourist-Class
A mid-scale 77-room hotel located in the city center, in the residential area of Hassan with an International menu on offer in its restaurant, a cocktail / tapas bar and free wi-Fi access throughout.
Marrakesh
Zalagh Kasbah Hotel & Spa /Hotel as shown or similar
Superior Tourist-Class
The Zalagh Kasbah Hotel & Spa is conveniently situated near the Agdal gardens and the ramparts of the old city “Medina,” only 10 minutes from the famous square Jemaa-el-Fna, the international Airport Menara and the Railway station, far from the bustle and traffic, with great views of the Atlas Mountains.
Fez
Menzeh Zalagh / Hotel as shown or similar
Superior Tourist-Class
Set in an oasis-like garden setting in the center of Fez with a seasonal outdoor swimming pool this hotel offers Free Wi-Fi and air-conditioned rooms with modern facilities. Amenities include two restaurants, two bars and a fitness center.
Mijas
Hotel Ilunion Mijas / Hotel as shown or similar
First-Class
Situated in a hill overlooking the sea, at only 3 km. From the village of Mijas.
Granada
Gran Hotel Luna de Granada / Hotel as shown or similar
First-Class
This Contemporary 367-room hotel features a soaring atrium lobby with a fountain and palm trees and offers extensive leisure facilities including an indoor and an outdoor seasonal swimming pool,a spa, paddle tennis courts and sundeck. The restaurant serves traditional Granadan and Andalusian cuisine with modern influences and there is a stylish cafeteria and bar.
Madrid
Melia Barajas. Hotel as shown or similar
First-Class
The 229 soundproof rooms are elegantly decorated and equipped with polished wooden furniture. They all come with flat-screen TV, complimentary toiletries, a hairdryer and air conditioning. A fitness room, a garden with a seasonal pool and sun loungers, a café-bar and an on-site restaurant serving Spanish specialties are at Guests’ disposal. A Metro station providing easy access to the city center is just a 10 minute walk away from the Hotel.night, meet your Tour Director and travel companions.
