Portugal, Spain & Morocco 16 days
About This Experience
Journey across the Straits of Gibraltar to discover the alluring countries where Europe meets Africa. Relive the Age of Discovery, when explorers brought treasures from around the world—now on glorious display in Portuguese palaces and Spanish cathedrals. See the Moorish influences in exotic Andalusia, then travel into the heart of Morocco to hear the haunting call to prayer and explore the mazelike medinas of the imperial cities.
Your Tour Includes
Round-trip airfare & transfers
14 nights in handpicked hotels
Breakfast daily, 7 three-course dinners with beer or wine in Spain & Portugal
Multilingual Tour Director
Private deluxe motor coach
Select entrance fees
Why You'll Love It
Port, sherry & other sweet treats
Remembering the Age of Exploration in Lisbon
Roman ruins & Moorish castles
The architectural magnificence of Alhambra
The sights, sounds and smells of Djemma al Fna market in Marrakesh
Shopping the souks
Overnight Flight1 night
Lisbon2 nights - hotel info
Day2
Land in Lisbon—Queen of the Sea
Breakfast (in flight), Dinner
Welcome to Lisbon! A Go Ahead representative greets you at the airport after you clear customs and then escorts you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to relax or begin acquainting yourself with Lisbon. At an included dinner this evening, meet your fellow travelers.
Day3
Ramble around Lisbon from Torre de Belém to Baixa Pombalina
Breakfast
Jerónimos Monastery
This morning, a local guide leads your comprehensive tour of Lisbon. You’ll see Padrão dos Descobrimentos and the Torre de Belém. It was from here that many navigators set sail during the Age of Discovery—including Bartolomeu Dias, who sailed around the southern tip of Africa. Then experience an Old World atmosphere as you journey through the labyrinthine streets of the age-old Moorish Alfama district and past the Castelo de São Jorge. Visit the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, built by King Manoel to honor the country’s great voyagers. After your tour, join an optional excursion to Sintra, once the playground of Portuguese royalty. Tonight, opt for a dinner excursion that will feature a live performance of fado, a beloved Portuguese musical style.
Optional Excursions
Sintra $59* pp
The poet Lord Byron called Sintra the most beautiful town in the world. Decide for yourself on an excursion to this small city at the base of the Sintra Mountains. Today, Sintra is a popular weekend escape for Lisboetas, but it was once the playground of Portuguese royalty. Get a glimpse into the life of Portugal's kings and queens during a tour of Sintra National Palace. As the only surviving royal palace from the Middle Ages, Sintra National Palace has been named a UNESCO World Heritage site. On your way back to Lisbon, you'll stop in the beautiful town of Cascais, which boasts charming streets and picturesque seascapes.
Optional Excursions
Fado Dinner & Show $75* pp
Spend your evening at Lisbon tavern listening to fado. Derived from the Latin word fatum—meaning "prophecy" or "fate"—fado is Portugal’s national musical treasure. Fado's traditional theme is “saudade,” a word that doesn't quite translate to English but conveys an overwhelming sense of longing for something lost. Dinner is included during this memorable musical evening.
Seville2 nights - hotel info
Day4
Day5
Call on Christopher Columbus and his royal patrons
Breakfast
Alcazar, Seville cathedral
This morning, enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of beautiful Seville, capital of Spain’s Andalusian region. Behold the intricately tiled pavilion of the Plaza de España before entering the opulent Alcazar, once home to King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella. Also visit Seville’s impressive Gothic cathedral, one of the world’s largest cathedrals as well as burial place of Columbus. Tonight, opt to enjoy a Flamenco show, with a carriage ride before dinner.
Optional Excursions
Flamenco Show & Carriage Ride $75* pp
Savor a taste of old Seville tonight with a horse-drawn carriage ride and a flamenco show. Flamenco is a unique and colorful Andalusian art form, combining guitar playing, singing, clapping and dancing, and this excursion is sure to be one of the highlights of your Spanish journey. Please note: The carriage ride will run as weather permits.
Granada2 nights - hotel info
Day6
Get a piece of the rock in the British outpost of Gibraltar
Breakfast, Dinner
Pillars of Hercules, St. Michael’s Caves, Apes Den
En route to Granada, travel to the colony of Gibraltar. Under British rule since the War of the Spanish Succession, Gibraltar is today a pocket of British culture on the Mediterranean, complete with pubs and fish-and-chip stands. On a guided tour, you’ll travel up the Rock of Gibraltar to reach St. Michael’s Cave and the Apes Den, home to 160 semi-wild Barbary apes that call Gibraltar home. As you travel up the Rock, you’ll be treated to panoramic views stretching all the way to Morocco. Then travel through the landscapes of southern Spain to Granada, which was the last bastion of Moorish rule in Spain. Dinner is included tonight.
Day7
Marvel at the Moorish extravagance at Alhambra
Breakfast
Alhambra
Explore Granada, where your guided tour highlights the 14th-century Alhambra, the country’s most widely recognized landmark. Stroll amid the Alhambra’s richly ornamented courtyards and colorful mosaics, reminiscent of Arabian Nights. The Moorish sultans’ last Spanish stronghold, the Alhambra fell to the Christians just months before Columbus discovered the New World.
Madrid3 nights - hotel info
Day8
Examine the intricate mosaics and artistic masterpieces at Córdoba
Breakfast, Dinner
Mezquita
En route to Madrid, stop in the ancient Moorish town of Córdoba. Your guided sightseeing features a visit to the Mezquita. Once the seat of the Caliphs, the Mezquita was built in the 8th century as a mosque and then converted into a cathedral during the Christian Conquest of 1236. At one time, the city of Córdoba was home to 700 mosques, 900 public baths and 70 libraries. Arrive later in Madrid, Spain’s capital, where dinner is included.
Day9
Ogle the riches of the Royal Palace and the Prado Museum
Breakfast
Prado, Royal Palace
A professional local guide leads today’s tour through Madrid to the Prado, an extensive art museum that began as the private collection of the Spanish monarchy. Masterpieces you’ll see here include Velázquez’s Las Meninas and Goya’s La maja desnuda. Next stop is the Palacio Real (Royal Palace), built by the Bourbon King Philip V. Once the seat of the most powerful court in the world, it was here that Spain officially joined the European Community in 1986. This castle boasts more than 2,500 extravagant rooms, along with a marble staircase and the swords of El Cid. Your afternoon is free to sample the cafes of Plaza Mayor or stroll past the boutiques lining the fashionable Gran Via.
Day10
Stroll Toledo’s narrow winding streets and grand Gothic cathedral
Breakfast
Today is free at leisure. Consider joining our optional excursion to Toledo. You’ll enjoy a guided sightseeing tour through Spain’s first capital, with a stop at the city’s Gothic cathedral. This evening, join our optional Traditional Spanish Evening excursion.
Optional Excursions
Traditional Spanish Evening $99* pp
On your way to dinner, walk through the illuminated streets of Madrid, taking in the local neighborhood ambiance in the evening light. After your walk, enjoy conversation, camaraderie and live music at one of the oldest restaurants in the city. Between traditional Castilian courses, you'll be entertained by tuna music, an artistic tradition with its roots in Spain's universities.
Optional Excursions
Toledo $79* pp
Discover Toledo, the clifftop city often referred to as La Ciudad Imperial (Imperial City). Upon arrival, you'll have some free time to explore. Later in the afternoon, your guided tour begins at the city's massive Gothic cathedral, which houses 750 medieval stained glass windows and a treasure trove of golden artifacts. Gaze upon the cathedral's sacristy, containing masterpieces by the likes of van Dyck, El Greco, Rubens and Titian. After exploring the labyrinth of medieval alleyways at the heart of the city, you'll visit the Santo Tome Church and one of Europe’s oldest synagogues, Santa Maria la Blanca. Please note: This tour involves some moderate walking over uneven terrain. Also, depending on the day of the week, the sites visited are subject to change. If the Synagogue of Santa Maria la Blanca is closed, you'll visit the Synagogue of El Tránsito instead.
Marrakesh2 nights - hotel info
Day11
Day12
Get lost in the souks and squares of old Marrakesh
Breakfast
Saadian Tombs, Badi Palace
Today’s sightseeing tour of Marrakesh begins at Djemma el Fna. Become acquainted with this festive open-air market where, during the evenings, musicians, snake charmers and clowns perform. Marvel at the massive Koutoubia Minaret, which reaches nearly 200 feet high and dominates the city’s skyline. Later, view the Souk Smarine, famed for the sale of precious textiles. In the southern section of the city, visit the awe-inspiring Saadian Tombs of the 16th-century ruling princes and the ruins of the Bahia Palace, once home to King Ahmed el Mansour.
Fes2 nights - hotel info
Day13
Crane your neck to see Morocco’s highest minaret
Breakfast, Dinner
Hassan II Mosque
Say goodbye to Marrakesh this morning and drive along the Atlas Mountains toward Fes. Along the way, make a stop in Casablanca for a guided sightseeing of this famous city and a visit to the Hassan II Mosque. After hotel check-in in Fes this evening, savor an included dinner.
Day14
Explore the medersas and medinas of ancient Fes
Breakfast
Spend the day in the beguiling city of Fes, the spiritual and cultural center of Moroccan life. On your sightseeing tour, see Kairaouine University, dating back to the 9th century, and the wonderful Souk el Attarin. Then learn about the characteristic medersas (ancient Islamic schools) around which the city’s intellectual life revolves. Explore the labyrinthine passages of the medina (old town), and finally reach the colorful bazaars to barter with potters, weavers and carpenters for their wares.
Casablanca1 night - hotel info
Day15
Respect the moulay in Meknes and rock the kasbah in Rabat
Breakfast, Dinner
Royal Stables, Moulay Ismail's Mausoleum, Chellah, Mohammad V's Mausoleum
Cross the desert landscapes of central Morocco this morning to reach Meknes. On your guided tour of this imperial city, you will visit the Royal Stables, Moulay Ismail’s Mausoleum and Meknes Mosque. Then continue on toward the coast and Morocco’s capital city of Rabat. A local expert leads the way as you traverse the winding streets of the Kasbah des Oudaias. Visit the imposing yet unfinished Hassan Mosque. If completed, it would be the largest mosque in the world—but construction last took place here in 1199. Then, make your way to the white-and-green Mausoleum of Mohammed V, which houses the tombs of the 20th century king and his two sons. Later wander through the impressive Roman ruins at the Citadel of Chellah. Continue on to Casablanca and check into your hotel for the evening. Tonight, gather with your fellow travelers for an included Farewell Dinner.
Extend Your Stay
Add Barcelona $489*
From the twisting Gothic quarter to the whimsical creations of Antoni Gaudí and the Modernist, egalitarian beauty of the Eixample district, Barcelona's architectural eye candy has no equal. Its music, theater, art, gastronomy, fashion, and architecture set the pace for European chic, and its nightlife will have you dancing 'til dawn.
Barcelona3 nights - hotel info
Day1
Day2
Gaudi’s creations will daze and delight
Breakfast
Enjoy the day at your leisure or opt for a sightseeing tour of Barcelona highlighting the work of resident architect Antoní Gaudí. View the imaginative La Sagrada Família, an icon of Barcelona, and pass the Parc Güell and other Modernist attractions.
Optional Excursions
Barcelona Sightseeing $59* pp
Today's excursion begins with a scenic walk through Parc Güell, masterpiece of architect Antoní Gaudí. At the top of the Parc, look out and see your next destination—the hill of Montjuïc. At Montjuïc, you'll stop at Mirador del Alcalde Park before enjoying a drive along Paseo De Gracia, one of the major avenues in Barcelona. Along the way, you'll have a chance for a photo stop at Casa Batlló, another famous work of Gaudí, known to the locals as the "House of Bones." End your outing with a viewing of La Sagrada Família, one of Gaudí's most celebrated works.
Day3
Take a pilgrimage to Montserrat
Breakfast
Explore the treasures of Barcelona on your own today or opt for an excursion to the 1,000-year-old monastery of Montserrat. Behold the revered 9th-century Black Madonna before returning to Barcelona.
Optional Excursions
Montserrat $65* pp
Journey to the ninth-century monastery of Montserrat, which inspired the composer Richard Wagner as he wrote Parsifal. Ride a high-flying cable car up the mountain and enjoy magnificent views of the Llobregat River Valley and – if skies are clear – the Pyrenees. A local guide leads the way to the secluded monastery, where you will see the iconic Black Virgin of Montserrat, Catalonia’s beloved and miraculous Madonna statue. Take some time to explore the monastery before driving back to Barcelona.
About This Experience
Journey across the Straits of Gibraltar to discover the alluring countries where Europe meets Africa. Relive the Age of Discovery, when explorers brought treasures from around the world—now on glorious display in Portuguese palaces and Spanish cathedrals. See the Moorish influences in exotic Andalusia, then travel into the heart of Morocco to hear the haunting call to prayer and explore the mazelike medinas of the imperial cities.
Your Tour Includes
Round-trip airfare & transfers
14 nights in handpicked hotels
Breakfast daily, 7 three-course dinners with beer or wine in Spain & Portugal
Multilingual Tour Director
Private deluxe motor coach
Select entrance fees
Why You'll Love It
Port, sherry & other sweet treats
Remembering the Age of Exploration in Lisbon
Roman ruins & Moorish castles
The architectural magnificence of Alhambra
The sights, sounds and smells of Djemma al Fna market in Marrakesh
Shopping the souks
Overnight Flight1 night
Lisbon2 nights - hotel info
Day2
Land in Lisbon—Queen of the Sea
Breakfast (in flight), Dinner
Welcome to Lisbon! A Go Ahead representative greets you at the airport after you clear customs and then escorts you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to relax or begin acquainting yourself with Lisbon. At an included dinner this evening, meet your fellow travelers.
Day3
Ramble around Lisbon from Torre de Belém to Baixa Pombalina
Breakfast
Jerónimos Monastery
This morning, a local guide leads your comprehensive tour of Lisbon. You’ll see Padrão dos Descobrimentos and the Torre de Belém. It was from here that many navigators set sail during the Age of Discovery—including Bartolomeu Dias, who sailed around the southern tip of Africa. Then experience an Old World atmosphere as you journey through the labyrinthine streets of the age-old Moorish Alfama district and past the Castelo de São Jorge. Visit the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, built by King Manuel to honor the country’s great voyagers. After your tour, join an optional excursion to Sintra, once the playground of Portuguese royalty. Tonight, opt for a dinner excursion featuring a live performance of fado, a beloved Portuguese musical style that traces its roots to Lisbon’s docks.
Optional Excursions
Sintra $59* pp
The poet Lord Byron called Sintra the most beautiful town in the world. Decide for yourself on an excursion to this small city at the base of the Sintra Mountains. Today, Sintra is a popular weekend escape for Lisboetas, but it was once the playground of Portuguese royalty. Get a glimpse into the life of Portugal's kings and queens during a tour of Sintra National Palace. As the only surviving royal palace from the Middle Ages, Sintra National Palace has been named a UNESCO World Heritage site. On your way back to Lisbon, you'll stop in the beautiful town of Cascais, which boasts charming streets and picturesque seascapes.
Optional Excursions
Fado Dinner & Show $75* pp
Spend your evening at Lisbon tavern listening to fado. Derived from the Latin word fatum—meaning "prophecy" or "fate"—fado is Portugal’s national musical treasure. Fado's traditional theme is “saudade,” a word that doesn't quite translate to English but conveys an overwhelming sense of longing for something lost. Dinner is included during this memorable musical evening.
Seville2 nights - hotel info
Day4
Wander the Roman ruins and gothic churches of Évora
Breakfast, Dinner
St. Francis Church
Travel through the unspoiled countryside of Portugal en route to Spain. Along the way, you’ll stop in Evora, where your Tour Director will introduce you to the town’s Roman temple and the Church of St. Francis. Arrive later today in Seville, a city brimming with traditional Spanish charm. Dinner is included tonight.
Day5
Seville sparkles with architectural extravagances
Breakfast
Seville cathedral
This morning, a local guide will introduce you to beautiful Seville, showing off the intricately tiled pavilion of the Plaza de España, the Gothic grandiosity of Seville Cathedral (where Columbus is buried) and the whitewashed homes of Barrio de Santa Cruz. Tonight, join our optional Flamenco show, with a carriage ride before dinner.
Optional Excursions
Flamenco Show & Carriage Ride $75* pp
Savor a taste of old Seville tonight with a horse-drawn carriage ride and a flamenco show. Flamenco is a unique and colorful Andalusian art form, combining guitar playing, singing, clapping and dancing, and this excursion is sure to be one of the highlights of your Spanish journey. Please note: The carriage ride will run as weather permits.
Granada2 nights - hotel info
Day6
Get a piece of the rock in the British outpost of Gibraltar
Breakfast, Dinner
Pillars of Hercules, St. Michael’s Caves, Apes Den
En route to Granada, travel to the colony of Gibraltar. Under British rule since the War of the Spanish Succession, Gibraltar is today a pocket of British culture on the Mediterranean, complete with pubs and fish-and-chip stands. On a guided tour, you’ll travel up the Rock of Gibraltar to reach St. Michael’s Cave and the Apes Den, home to 160 semi-wild Barbary apes that call Gibraltar home. As you travel up the Rock, you’ll be treated to panoramic views stretching all the way to Morocco. Then travel through the landscapes of southern Spain to Granada, which was the last bastion of Moorish rule in Spain. Dinner is included tonight.
Day7
Marvel at the Moorish extravagance at Alhambra
Breakfast
Alhambra
Explore Granada, where your guided tour highlights the 14th-century Alhambra, the country’s most widely recognized landmark. Stroll amid the Alhambra’s richly ornamented courtyards and colorful mosaics, reminiscent of Arabian Nights. The Moorish sultans’ last Spanish stronghold, the Alhambra fell to the Christians just months before Columbus discovered the New World.
Madrid3 nights - hotel info
Day8
Examine the intricate mosaics and artistic masterpieces at Córdoba
Breakfast, Dinner
Mezquita
En route to Madrid, stop in the ancient Moorish town of Córdoba. At one time, the city of Córdoba was home to 700 mosques, 900 public baths and 70 libraries. Your guided sightseeing tour features a visit to the Mezquita. Once the seat of the Caliphs, the Mezquita was built in the eighth century as a mosque and subsequently converted into a cathedral during the Christian Reconquista of 1236. Arrive later in Madrid, Spain’s capital, where dinner is included.
Day9
Ogle the riches of the Royal Palace and the Prado Museum
Breakfast
Prado, Royal Palace
A professional local guide leads today’s tour through Madrid to the Prado, an extensive art museum that began as the private collection of the Spanish monarchy. Masterpieces you’ll see here include Velázquez’s Las Meninas and Goya’s La maja desnuda. Next stop is the Palacio Real (Royal Palace), built by the Bourbon King Philip V. Once the seat of the most powerful court in the world, it was here that Spain officially joined the European Community in 1986. This castle boasts more than 2,500 extravagant rooms, along with a marble staircase and the swords of El Cid. Your afternoon is free to sample the cafes of Plaza Mayor or stroll past the boutiques lining the fashionable Gran Via.
Day10
Stroll Toledo’s narrow winding streets and grand Gothic cathedral
Breakfast, Dinner
Today is free at leisure. Consider joining our optional excursion to Toledo. You’ll enjoy a guided sightseeing tour through Spain’s first capital, with a stop at the city’s Gothic cathedral. This evening, join our optional Traditional Spanish Evening excursion.
Optional Excursions
Traditional Spanish Evening $99* pp
On your way to dinner, walk through the illuminated streets of Madrid, taking in the local neighborhood ambiance in the evening light. After your walk, enjoy conversation, camaraderie and live music at one of the oldest restaurants in the city. Between traditional Castilian courses, you'll be entertained by tuna music, an artistic tradition with its roots in Spain's universities.
Optional Excursions
Toledo $79* pp
Discover Toledo, the clifftop city often referred to as La Ciudad Imperial (Imperial City). Upon arrival, you'll have some free time to explore. Later in the afternoon, your guided tour begins at the city's massive Gothic cathedral, which houses 750 medieval stained glass windows and a treasure trove of golden artifacts. Gaze upon the cathedral's sacristy, containing masterpieces by the likes of van Dyck, El Greco, Rubens and Titian. After exploring the labyrinth of medieval alleyways at the heart of the city, you'll visit the Santo Tome Church and one of Europe’s oldest synagogues, Santa Maria la Blanca. Please note: This tour involves some moderate walking over uneven terrain. Also, depending on the day of the week, the sites visited are subject to change. If the Synagogue of Santa Maria la Blanca is closed, you'll visit the Synagogue of El Tránsito instead.
Marrakesh2 nights - hotel info
Day11
Day12
Get lost in the souks and squares of old Marrakesh
Breakfast
Saadian Tombs, Badi Palace
Today’s sightseeing tour of Marrakesh begins at Djemma el Fna. Become acquainted with this festive open-air market where, during the evenings, musicians, snake charmers and clowns perform. Marvel at the massive Koutoubia Minaret, which reaches nearly 200 feet high and dominates the city’s skyline. Later, view the Souk Smarine, famed for the sale of precious textiles. In the southern section of the city, visit the awe-inspiring Saadian Tombs of the 16th-century ruling princes and the ruins of the Bahia Palace, once home to King Ahmed el Mansour.
Fes2 nights - hotel info
Day13
Crane your neck to see Morocco’s highest minaret
Breakfast, Dinner
Hassan II Mosque
Say goodbye to Marrakesh this morning and drive toward Casablanca, a city whose modern-day legend was established by Hollywood. On a guided tour, view the interior of the spectacular Hassan II Mosque, one of the world’s largest mosques. Later, continue on to Fes. After hotel check-in, savor an included dinner.
Day14
Explore the medersas and medinas of ancient Fes
Breakfast
Spend the day in the beguiling city of Fes, the spiritual and cultural center of Moroccan life. On your sightseeing tour, see Kairaouine University, dating back to the 9th century, and the wonderful Souk el Attarin. Then learn about the characteristic medersas (ancient Islamic schools) around which the city’s intellectual life revolves. Explore the labyrinthine passages of the medina (old town), and finally reach the colorful bazaars to barter with potters, weavers and carpenters for their wares.
Casablanca1 night - hotel info
Day15
Rock the kasbah in Rabat
Breakfast, Dinner
Chellah, Mohammad V's Mausoleum
This morning, cross the desert landscapes of central Morocco toward the coast to reach Morocco’s capital city of Rabat. A local expert leads the way as you traverse the winding streets of the Kasbah des Oudaias. Visit the imposing yet unfinished Hassan Mosque. If completed, it would be the largest mosque in the world—but construction last took place here in 1199. Then, make your way to the white-and-green Mausoleum of Mohammed V, which houses the tombs of the 20th century king and his two sons. Later wander through the impressive Roman ruins at the Citadel of Chellah. Continue on to Casablanca and check into your hotel for the evening. Tonight, gather with your fellow travelers for an included farewell dinner.
Extend Your Stay
Add Barcelona $529*
From the twisting Gothic quarter to the whimsical creations of Antoni Gaudí and the Modernist, egalitarian beauty of the Eixample district, Barcelona's architectural eye candy has no equal. Its music, theater, art, gastronomy, fashion, and architecture set the pace for European chic, and its nightlife will have you dancing 'til dawn.
Barcelona3 nights - hotel info
Day1
Day2
Gaudi’s creations will daze and delight
Breakfast
La Sagrada Familia
A professional local guide leads a sightseeing tour of Barcelona, featuring a visit inside La Sagrada Familia (Church of the Holy Family), Gaudí’s famous landmark. Drive along Paseo de Gracia, with a photo stop at Casa Batllo, also known as the “house of the bones”. Stop at Montjuïc Hill, where much of the 1992 summer Olympic Games took place, and end in the 14th century Barri Gótic. In the afternoon, join an optional tour to see two more Gaudí creations: La Pedrera, a residential building with the architect’s trademark flare, and Park Güell, a garden village nestled in the heart of the city.
Optional Excursions
Parc Guell and Pedrera $79* pp
On today’s excursion, discover the magnificent works of Antoni Gaudí, the famed Spanish architect known for his bold, distinct designs. Casa Milà is the first stop. Take a guided tour of this building, popularly known as La Pedrera, built by Gaudí between 1905 and 1910. Everything about the building is visually unique, from the wave-like stone structure and grandly designed roof to the apartment that reflects the style of the 20th century bourgeois. Next, you’ll head to Parc Güell, also designed by Gaudí. Your guide will lead you through the park, which contains stunning buildings, intricate stonework and colorful mosaics. At the top of the park, marvel at the brilliant views of Barcelona.
Day3
Take a pilgrimage to Montserrat
Breakfast
Explore the treasures of Barcelona on your own today or opt for an excursion to the 1,000-year-old monastery of Montserrat to behold the revered 9th-century Black Madonna.
Optional Excursions
Montserrat $65* pp
Journey to the ninth-century monastery of Montserrat, which inspired the composer Richard Wagner as he wrote Parsifal. Ride a high-flying cable car up the mountain and enjoy magnificent views of the Llobregat River Valley and – if skies are clear – the Pyrenees. A local guide leads the way to the secluded monastery, where you will see the iconic Black Virgin of Montserrat, Catalonia’s beloved and miraculous Madonna statue. Take some time to explore the monastery before driving back to Barcelona.
Passport & Visa
In order to enter Portugal, Spain, Morocco and Gibraltar (a British colony), U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport. The expiration date must extend at least six months beyond the date of your return home. No visa is required for U.S. or Canadian citizens. If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.
Health
There are no major health risks when traveling to Portugal, Spain and Morocco. In fact, Morocco is one of the healthiest African countries, although some traces of malaria exist in rural northern regions. During the summer months, travelers should take extra care for sun exposure. It is advisable to check with your doctor or health-care provider for the latest updates and requirements at least eight weeks before you travel.
Cuisine
One of the pleasures of traveling is experiencing the delightful variety of local cuisine. Portuguese cooking relies heavily on seafood. Dishes made with shrimp, octopus, lobster and cod are especially delicious. Portugal is also well-known for its breads and other baked goods as well as savory sausages. You might wish to sample local vintages of port wine, one of the nation’s most popular exports. Spain boasts a wide array of local specialties such as the typical dish of chicken, seafood and saffron rice known as paella. Dinner is less hearty than lunch and is served quite late—from 9 p.m. until midnight. North African cuisine consists of a unique blend of tastes, such as delicately spiced meat cooked with fruit. These dishes are often added to couscous.
Transportation / Walking on tour
Round-trip flights arrive in Lisbon and depart from Casablanca (or Barcelona on tour extension). Included transportation on this tour is by plane (from Spain to Morocco) and private motor coach. In your free time, you may wish to explore the major cities by public transportation. Many destinations (including the city centers of Seville, Granada and Córdoba) are easily accessed on foot. Take local buses and taxis to reach outlying areas.
Baggage Allowance
Airlines have varying weight restrictions on luggage. Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage. Please contact your airline or refer to its website for detailed information regarding your airline’s checked baggage policies. Bear in mind that your luggage will probably weigh more on your return trip due to souvenir shopping. We allow only one suitcase per person. One carry-on bag is also permitted, provided that it does not exceed 45 inches (length + width + height). There may be times when you will have to handle your own bags, and you’ll find that lightweight luggage provides a distinct advantage. Make sure you label your baggage and carry valuables, medication and documents in your carry-on luggage.
Clothing and Packing Tips
Light, loose-fitting clothing that provides comfort when exploring the sights is essential for your tour. A sun hat, sunglasses and a sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers are recommended for sightseeing. It’s always a good idea to be prepared for any eventuality—a lightweight sports jacket and emergency rainwear are advised. If you plan to visit an especially elegant restaurant or attend the opera or theater, you will probably feel more comfortable with something more formal to wear. Also, remember that it is preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (entrance may be denied on this basis).
Currency
The euro (in Spain and Portugal) and the Moroccan dirham are the currencies you will be using on your tour. Better rates of exchange are usually available in your destination countries, although it is worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive. Dirhams are usually only available in Morocco, however, so it is advisable to wait until arrival to exchange for them and to re-exchange them when leaving the country. We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks, as needed. You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees. We suggest informing your bank and credit card company of your travel plans, so they don’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
Tipping
At the conclusion of your tour, it is customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity. We recommend tipping in your tour country’s currency, the equivalency of $3USD/CAD per person per day for your driver and $6USD/CAD to $9USD/CAD per person per day for your Tour Director. If applicable, we also recommend the equivalency of $2USD/CAD per local guide. Tips can only be paid in cash. Please keep current local currency exchange rates in mind when tipping.
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My first trip
It was the most awesome trip ever! I enjoyed how everything went as planned. Our tour guide, Roberta, was wonderful. She handled all situations very well.
Wondrous sights, A magical experience
This was my third tour with Go Ahead Tours and it was a winner. I was so amazed daily by the different sights on the tour. All three countries were wonderful and I especially liked Toledo, Cordoba and Seville. I took the extension to Barcelona and this was a highlight of the tour, I highly recommend taking this extension. I found Morocco to be another world altogether different from Portugal and Spain, Fez in particular was amazing with the donkey caravans in the winding alleyways. I truly enjoyed this tour.
Portugal, Spain, Morocco
Overall, this was an exceptional tour. The trip began with excellent connecting flights on United, including no terminal change at Newark, and a less-than-full overnight flight to Lisbon, alloying us each to spread out on 3-seat rows. Good work, Reilly and crew! Not the private jet, but good enough for us. More time in Madrid would have been appreciated, as we had to rush through the Prado where another hour or two would have been well-spent. Scheduling the trip to Toledo on the following day would be an improvement. Sacrificing 1/2 day in Morocco for more time in Madrid would be a good trade-off. Morocco was well-worth the effort, but one or two palaces and mosques would be enough since they all pretty well look alike. We spent plenty of time in Morocco to experience the local color and exotic nature of the ancient culture and were ready to return to Madrid. The highlight of Morocco was the old medina in Fes, and the ancient tannery was particularly memorable. Hotels in Morocco are not up to Go Ahead's usual high standards. Service in hotels and restaurants is less than stellar. Iberian Airlines has the irritating if not outright dangerous policy of offering no complimentary drinks onboard, charging a couple of Euros even for a drink of water. Consequently, some passengers became sick due to dehydration. We would never fly Iberian Air again of our own free will. Travel on the fast train from Madrid to Barcelona was clean, smooth and fast. Great way to travel. Barcelona is a most beautiful city. Artistic influences are evident throughout, showcased in exceptional architecture, and making for a very pleasurable metropolis for pedestrians.
Emerging economies
First of all, I am grateful to Go Ahead for not cancelling this tour, as there were only 14 of us travellers. I must say I really enjoyed being part of such a congenial and interesting group, and the fact that there were not so many made it easier to get to know our traveling companions. The tour director (Fernando, who was excellent) said that this tour was designed to emphasize the Moorish influence in Portugal, Spain and Morocco, which was why the particular cities were selected. This wasn't stated in the literature, but it makes the trip more interesting. It was fast-paced, moving to a new locale every other day--but I don't know what part of Spain could be omitted. The cathedral at Cordoba was something to behold, bearing traces going back to the Visigoths. I didn't much care for our local guide in Morocco, who smoked and coughed and was generally pompous and boring. I would have liked more time in Casablanca and could have skipped Rabat entirely. Also, about five of our group got sick in Morocco, which I blame on the poor sanitation in "comfort stop" restrooms, although it could have come from food handling. I suggest that the Moroccan bus have a hand sanitizer dispenser to be used by all riders BEFORE boarding the bus!
RESPONSE TO DELAY
OVERALL, I WAS VERY PLEASED WITH THIS TRIP. OUR GUIDE,ROBERTA WAS SUPERB AND THE LOCAL GUIDES WERE VERY GOOD.ACCOMODATIONS WERE GENERALLY GOOD. I WAS MOST APPRECIATIVE OF YOUR RESPONSE TO OUR DELAY IN BARCELONA DUE TO HURRICANE SANDY. YOUR LOCAL REPRESENTATIVE,LOUIS,WAS EXCEPTONALLY HELPFUL. HE WALKED US TO THE PICASSO MUSEUM AND STOOD IN LINE IN THE RAIN WITH US UNTIL WE GOT IN. HE RECOMMENDED SITES AN PLACES TO EAT AND GUIDED US ALONG THE WAY. HE PROMISED TO BE AT OUR HOTEL EVERY MORNING AND EVENING AND HE WAS THERE PRONTO. HE ARRANGED FOR CABS TO THE AIRPORT,ETC. WE WERE THANKFUL THAT OUR ROOM AND BOARD WERE PROVIDED UNTIL WE COULD LEAVE. IT WAS ALSO GREAT TO HAVE Jillian CLANCY THERE TO ASSIST. WE LOVED THE SITES AND SIGHTS,BUT WISH WE HAD HAD MORE DOWN TIME! WE THANK YOU FOR A GREAT EXPERIENCE.
Two Tours
I enjoyed this tour but not as much as others I've taken with Go Ahead. It should really be two separate tours as it wasn't long enough in either country but too long overall. Our tour guide Jesus was one of the top 3 guides we've had so far; he was extremely knowledgeable, helpful, personable, and had many good suggestions for activities to enhance our tour and I would love to travel with him again. I enjoyed every city on the itinerary but the hectic pace of the trip meant that there was not enough free time to enjoy our surroundings. There were too many long bus trips, late arrivals, and not enough time in several of the cities. It would have been nice to have a couple of 3 night stays in Spain, to have added one night in Casablanca, and an extra night in Fes. Also, the afternoon flight back to Madrid meant we had a completely wasted day.
Portugal, Spain, & Morocco
What I loved about this tour: 1. The tour guides were so informative and helpful. I felt they cared about us, encouraged questions, and did all they could to guarantee we had a wonderful time. 2. The people on our tour with us. It was a small group of 16 but everyone was kind, courteous, and fun to be with. 3. The sights were spectacular from the palaces, cathedrals, plazas, museums, etc. We booked this tour to see the Alhambra and Morocco. I didn't realize that there were many other palaces comparable to the beauty of the Alhambra from Alcazar to many in Morocco. 4. The dinners and local shows were fun and showed us the local cuisine folk culture of each country. 5. The fascinating medieval cities and towns from Sintra, Mansaraz, Toledo, and the many in Morocco were so different. Especially enjoyed going through the ancient medina in Fes as was so different with all the shops, narrow passages with the mules delivering supplies, etc. A highlight of our tour was visiting Gaudi's Sagrada Familia Cathedral in Barcelona. Astounding!! The line was long it moved quickly.
Portugal Spain Morocco
.Just returned and trip was wonderful. Our tour guide Jesus was amazing; in fact, all the guides in each city were wonderful. There was a lot of traveling involved and taking a plane from Madrid to Morocco and back took a full day each way so I wish there was a better way to get to Morocco--perhaps a ferry ride since we were in Gibraltar.
trip
Morocco could have been shortened. Guide good but not very approachable: i.e. In Casablanco where we could have had lunch in a cafe on the ocean(same prices) directed us to a cafe not on the water "that catered to large groups". Not good and no atmosphere and when approached said"you could have gone anywhere you wanted". Then give us choices; it's your country. He most likely received a portion of total sales which he said was true and "that they do that all over the world"!!!!! Very little of Portugal for inclusion in a trip Title. I should have only done Spain. Only big cities with good guides informing us of history of the countries and city. Guess I'm getting tired of only large cities.
An Adventure!
Overall I believe the tour was a success, but definately has areas needing of improvement. Francisco was an amazing tour director and very helpful. We visited many unique sites and learned alot. However, a few of the hotel choices were quite awful. The Hotel Rabat was the worse establishment I've ever stayed in, the neighborhood was not tourist friendly, the linens were dingy and stained, and the food was bad. The Grand Tulip in Morocco had beautiful grounds but the rooms were mediocre at best. The sheets were also dingy and the walls had many stains on them. I also didn't think it was necessary to spend an evening in Rabat, there really wasn't anything so special about that place that it could not have been missed or perhaps just a day tour (but I would prefer to eliminate it and the extra driving time). I would have much rather spent more time in Fes, which had a beautiful hotel and located in a nice area or an evening in Casablanca. I also was not pleased with the food options at most of the hotels. The food at the hotel in Lisbon and Seville were the best. The others, not at all memorable. Morocco was good in itself but could have been helped with better hotel options. As the trip is not inexpensive and comfort should be a huge consideration. The hotel in Madrid also had several issues in the bathrooms: mold, loose ceiling tile, and noisy water drippings from a pipe. If the hotel and food options would be improved this trip would be amazing. There was also a lot of time spent traveling to new cities via bus, having an approximate driving time between each city posted before-hand would have been helpful for travelers to decide if that is something they want to do before booking the trip. This should probably be reworked so that travelers can spend more time enjoying the cities rather than driving. I also felt like I was tipping all day long; I understand that people need to make a living but there were too many people with their hands out and not enough time spent together. Nevertheless, my favorite parts of the trip were the Flamenco show in Granada at the Gypsy Cave and visiting Seville. The Alhambra was definately my favorite site and Lisbon was a wonderful surprise with great pastries. We also had a small group of 21 which was the perfect size. Would I recommend the trip? Yes, but with conditions.
