27 Day Ultimate Spain, Portugal & Morocco Premium Small Group Tour

Bienvenido! Welcome to Madrid! You will be collected from the airport and transferred to your hotel, where this evening you will meet your tour leader and fellow travellers. The rest of the evening will be spent at your leisure. Special InformationArrival airport transfers are included as part of your package. You will be met upon arrival at the airport and transferred to your hotel. If Inspiring Vacations has not provided your international airfares, please ensure you provide your flight details via your Traveller Hub portal no later than 90 days prior to travel so that your transfers can be confirmed. If you are arriving early and have made your own arrangements prior to your tour commencing, airport transfers will not be included. However, if you are purchasing pre-nights accommodation as part of your Inspiring Vacations package, airport transfers will still be provided to the starting hotel. Passengers will be arriving at various times throughout the day. If arriving prior to standard check-in time, which is generally 3pm local time, you are welcome to leave your luggage with hotel reception and explore your surroundings until check-in becomes available, as there are generally no scheduled activities on Day 1 of the itinerary. The hotel may grant early check-in, however this is strictly subject to availability and at the hotel's discretion.

This morning, meet your tour guide and the rest of your group. Enjoy breakfast before heading out to explore Madrid on a guided city tour. Explore Barrio de la Morería, the Habsburgs District, Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor and Plaza de la Villa; the Madrid of the Bourbons and the complex town planning schemes of Charles III, the Royal Palace, Cibeles and Neptuno Fountains and the Puerta de Alcalá. We continue on to contemporary Madrid with areas such as Gran Vía, Castellana, the district of Salamanca, Plaza Castilla and Parque del Oeste, as well as commercial and financial areas of Modern Madrid, the emblematic Las Ventas Bullring and the Santiago Bernabéu Football Stadium. Tonight, join your fellow travellers for an authentic Tapas dinner at a local restaurant. Inspiring Highlights Barrio de la Morería Puerta del Sol Plaza Mayor Plaza de la Villa Gran Vía Castellana Plaza Castilla Parque del Oeste Las Ventas Bullring Tapas Dinner

Your Iberian adventure commences today after breakfast, as we drive into the Castilla region towards Salamanca. En route, the first stop will be the city of Segovia, known for its UNESCO World Heritage Site – the Aqueduct of Segovia, which dates back to Roman times. Whilst here, you will have time to explore at your own pace before we continue west towards Avila. One of the most well-preserved fortifications in Spain, the UNESCO-listed town of Avila has a fully fortified town centre, parts of which can be walked atop. Here you will have enough time to enjoy lunch and explore the fortifications at your leisure. This afternoon, we will arrive in Salamanca – renowned for its architectural heritage, historical University of Salamanca and a popular stop on the Vía de la Plata path of the Camino de Santiago. The night will be spent at your leisure to enjoy this wonderful city. Inspiring Highlights Aqueduct of Segovia Avila Special InformationYour travel time today will be approximately 3.5 hours.

Today, Portugal beckons. Departing after breakfast, our first stop in Portugal is the quaint town of Pinhão. Nestled on a bend of the Duoro River, surrounded by terraced hillsides, the regions around Pinhão are known as being the centre of port production and home to some of the best wines in the world. It is worth mentioning the beautiful train station ornate with vintage harvest images. Heading west, we will arrive in Porto, one of the oldest European cities. Be in awe of the beautiful buildings that line the Duoro River, the iconic Portuguese trams and the double-deck metal arch Luís I Bridge. Enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure. Inspiring Highlights Pinhão Special InformationYour travel time today will be approximately 5.5 hours.

Today after breakfast, enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of Porto. Admire the Cathedral of Porto, the British Classical-styled old Stock Exchange building and seemingly austere Santa Clara Church, a masterpiece of gilded woodwork. The remainder of the day will be free to further explore this beautiful city, and enjoy all that it has to offer.Inspiring Highlights Porto City Tour - Admire the Cathedral of Porto, Stock Exchange and Santa Clara Church

Departing Porto after breakfast, we head south en route to Lisbon via Coimbra – birthplace of the folk music genre, fado. Whilst in Coimbra, embrace the historic centre, the cathedral and famous University of Coimbra, all whilst hearing the traditional music through the city. In Coimbra you will witness how student traditions and symbolic practices are preserved. Students in their long black coats enter monumental buildings that still serve as study houses. Walk through the narrow beautiful streets and admire the Roman ruins, the city walls and the special nooks and crannies of the typical neighbourhoods of the historical centre. Continue onto Lisbon. Spread across seven hills and known for its decorative arts, Lisbon is one of Europe's most interesting capital cities. This afternoon is at your leisure, however we recommend venturing to the Alfama Quarter, the old city, and marvelling at the Arco da Rua Augusta. Inspiring Highlights Coimbra University of Coimbra Lisbon Special InformationYour travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.

After breakfast, join a city sightseeing tour of the ancient Olissipo. Drive through Lisbon's main squares and avenues, visiting Belem Tower, Jeronimos Monastery, the Coach Museum, Monument to the Discoverers, Marquis of Pombal Square and Liberty Avenue. Spend the afternoon at your leisure. Inspiring Highlights Belem Tower Jeronimos Monastery Coach Museum Monument to the Discoverers Marquis of Pombal Square Liberty Avenue

Today after breakfast, we bid farewell to Portugal as we make our way to Seville via Merida. Enjoy the heritage bequeathed by the city's inhabitants over the centuries. Its streets and buildings reflect the passage of Roman, Visigoth, Arab and Christian culture, transporting us to the past. Augusta Emerita archaeological site stands a symbol of great Roman city features, including the amphitheatre, the circus and the theatre. In the afternoon, our journey continues towards Seville, capital of Andalucía, and the essence of Spanish tradition. On arrival (approx. 5:30pm), you will have the remainder of the day at your leisure to explore this wonderful city. Inspiring Highlights Merida Special InformationYour travel time today will be approximately 5.5 hours.

Explore the city on a morning tour of the Andalusian capital, Seville. Today you'll explore romantic Seville on a city tour, including the largest Gothic cathedral in the world (please note, the visit will be limited to the exterior unless an optional interior tour is booked). It is a testament to the historic health and importance of Seville. Continue to the barrio de Santa Cruz, the former Jewish quarter of Seville. From here, we continue to Maria Luisa Park and Plaza de España. This afternoon is at leisure for you to enjoy the city of light. Inspiring Highlights Sevilla Cathedral (outside) Barrio de Santa Cruz Maria Luisa Park Plaza de España

We will leave Seville after breakfast, with a stop at Cordoba to explore its Jewish Quarter, narrow winding streets and also Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba. Afterwards, we continue onto Granada at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains. On arrival (approx. 5pm) the remainder of the day will be yours to explore. Inspiring Highlights Cordoba Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba Special InformationYour travel time today will be approximately 4.5 hours.

The time has come to explore the famous Alhambra and Generalife Gardens. Given the vastness of this sprawling complex, this involves approximately three hours on foot – don't forget your walking shoes! The Alhambra is the contemporary history of Granada's Arab past. Its buildings, towers, palaces, patios and gardens make this palace and fortress complex one of the most visited monuments in Spain. It towers over Granada's historic Arabic quarter. Within the fortress you'll find exquisite palaces and serene pathways weaving through amazing gardens and courtyards. The detail is next level – sumptuous interiors, beautiful Islamic geometric patterns, exquisitely carved wood, incredible ornamental features. First built by the Moors as a fortress during the Muslim rule of Spain, the complex is testament to their decadent lifestyle. The rest of the day is free for you to see more of Granada at your own pace. The city is home to a huge number of tapas bars – what better way to pass the time? Inspiring Highlights Alhambra

Today after breakfast, we bid farewell to Granada, and set our sights on Madrid, but not before stopping in Toledo en-route. The Imperial City of Toledo, where the Moors, Christians and Jews have lived together for centuries, invites you to a guided city tour, including its iconic Old Town. Inspiring Highlights Toledo Special InformationYour travel time today will be approximately 5 hours. Today will be the last full day as a group, as some travellers will complete their journey with Inspiring Vacations tomorrow, while others will continue onwards to Morocco. Tonight you will enjoy a farewell group dinner to bid farewell to Spain and to the group members who will be departing.

This morning, we will head to Madrid Airport for our flight to Casablanca, Morocco. You will be collected from your hotel at the appropriate time and transferred to the airport to meet your flight. On arrival into Casablanca airport, you will be collected and transferred to the hotel. Your new Tour Leader will welcome you during a welcome meeting in the evening. You will then spend the rest of the evening at your leisure. Special InformationYour travel time today will be approximately 6 hours. On your departure from Spain you will say goodbye to your tour guide, and your group will be met by a new tour leader in Morocco, who will meet and greet you, coordinate your activities in town and be reachable to assist you as needed. Your included flight allows one checked bag up to 23kg (51lbs), and one 7kg (15 lbs) carry-on, with options to increase your luggage allowance at the airport if needed. Your flight will be unescorted, however your tour guide will assist you on either end to ensure that your journey is trouble free.

Fes is the spiritual and cultural heart of Morocco; vibrant, noisy, fascinating and overwhelming – a true feast for the senses. It is made up of three distinct ‘cities', or quarters, and we will stay on the edge of the huge, well-preserved medieval old city in elegant, riad-style accommodation (a riad is a large traditional Moroccan house built around a central courtyard). This morning we'll head into the old city, known locally as Fes el-Bali, arguably the world's most fascinating and confounding old city. Medieval Fes was one of the world's great centres for education and culture, both Islamic and Jewish. Its religious institutions and libraries are legendary, its mosques of great renown. Walk through the twisting streets and alleyways, passing donkeys piled high with goods, and explore the speciality sections that divide the souk. Stalls loaded with fruits, herbs and soups line the passageways; the fragrant smell of spices floods the air; and the sound of metalsmiths hammering at copper can be heard echoing throughout the labyrinthine streets. This afternoon is free to continue exploring this ancient city before a Moroccan dinner tonight with your group. Inspiring Highlights Fes el-Bali Dar Nejjarine Arrarine Tannery

The Erg Chebbi is one of the world's most iconic landscapes, with towering dunes up to 150 metres high. Located at the end of a sealed road, and just 20 kilometres from the Algerian border, this wild stretch of land truly feels like frontier country. Leave your large bags at the riad, ready to ride camels into the edge of the Sahara Desert, and enjoy a spectacular sunset along the way. The dunes are stunning, especially as the evening light plays across them and sets the landscape ablaze with colour. Tonight we'll enjoy an Inspiring Stay, taking cues from the Berbers and bedding down in a desert camp, with the chance to try some fantastic local cuisine while we sit around an open-air fire. Enjoy dinner, lively music, drumming, Berber stories and dancing under the stars. Inspiring Highlights Sahara Desert Camp Special InformationIn the camp you will sleep in a raised bed, and each tent have a private bathroom.If you do not wish to ride a camel, there is the option to travel to and from the camp by 4WD (The cost is approx. 110EUR for a group of 5 people - to be organised and paid locally).

Enjoy a real Lawrence of Arabia moment this morning, with a sunrise camel ride across the desert on the return journey to the riad. From here we'll continue on to the Todra Gorge, a canyon, or wadi, that rises for more than 250 metres to form one of the most dramatic and spectacular natural sights in Morocco. We'll enjoy a short, yet exhilarating, walk through the narrow orange limestone walls. Later we'll drive on to the beautiful Dadès Valley, where we'll spend the night. The valley is a popular spot for tourists and spans several kilometres, offering a wide variety of activities for adventurous types. Tonight's accommodation is a traditional, locally owned, Moroccan kasbah with spectacular views over the Dadès Valley. In the evening, enjoy a Moroccan dinner with your group. Inspiring Highlights Sunrise Camel ride Todra Gorge Special InformationYour travel time today will be approximately 5 hours.

This artists' town was once home to sizable British and Jewish populations, and its charm has seduced the likes of Orson Welles and Jimi Hendrix, who (according to local legend) spent much of his time here in the 1960s. Enjoy a morning city tour with your guide who will then take you to the fish souk. Here you'll choose your own freshly caught fish before taking it to a restaurant packed with locals – following your guides lead, hand over your market purchase for it to be grilled. Your guide will also take you to the fruit and vegetable market, where you'll choose the salads and veggies to accompany your seafood lunch. Enjoy this delicious meal together with the rest of your group. Take the rest of the day to explore the medina; discover the Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdallah Museum and its collection of artefacts, woodwork, carpets and stringed instruments; enjoy café life on the main square; or sit back and watch the kite surfers ride the crashing waves. Inspiring Highlights Essaouira city tour Fish Souk

Today marks the end of your incredible tour through Morocco. Thank you for travelling with Inspiring Vacations. We hope you had a memorable experience. Special InformationAirport transfers are not included. Our transfer portal offers the option to book your airport transfers for an easier arrival experience (additional charges apply). Access to this portal will be available through your Traveller Hub once your booking is confirmed.