17 Day Highlights of Spain, Portugal & Morocco
Unique Experiences:
Madrid Prado Museum Visit with an Art Historian.
Witness the world's finest collection of Spanish paintings, plus an impressive international collection, as you tour the Prado Museum with an art historian.
Alhambra Palace in Granada
Visit the famous Alhambra Palace and Generalife Gardens. While others wait in line, you'll be exploring accompanied by a Local Expert, keen to share insights into this Moorish landmark.
Tour Highlights
Madrid City Tour - See the highlights of the city with your Local Expert. Visit the Old Town, traveling along the elegant Paseo de la Castellana, past the fountain in the Plaza de Cibeles, the Cervantes Monument and Royal Palace, before crossing the Puerta del Sol.
See the golden stone buildings and handsome arcades of Plaza Mayor for which this city is famous for.
Lisbon City tour - Explore with your Local Expert, from the Lower Town, beneath the hilltop Bairro Alto to the Terreiro do Paco. Visit the Belém Quarter to see the modern Monument to the Discoveries and the medieval Belém Tower.
Visit the Seville Cathedral with your Local Expert. Pass the altarpiece dripping with gold and see the Tomb of Columbus, held aloft by four kings.
Visit the Chapel of Apparatopms om Fatima. - Join the faithful at one of the world's holiest sites and pay homage at the Chapel of the Apparitions or see the basilica.
Visit Jerónimos Monastery with its beautiful Manueline architecture, reflecting Portugal's trade over the centuries and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Stroll through Barrio de Santa Cruz with your Local Expert to hear how the Jewish community has shaped the history of Seville.
Your Local Expert guides you past Jemaa el-Fnaa Square with its intriguing characters and through the seemingly entangled streets of the Medina with its many souks.
Your tour includes:
- Our highly-skilled Travel Director will ensure your journey is seamless, serving as your expert guide, consummate organiser, and friend overseas.
- Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxury, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom.
- Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
- We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
- Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
- Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
- From time to time, your Travel Director will enchant you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
- If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.
Day 1 - Welcome to Madrid
Your transfer will depart Madrid airport at 09:00, 11:30, 13:30 or 16:00.
Join your Travel Director at 18:00 for a Welcome Dinner in a local restaurant and get to know your fellow travellers over an evening of delicious food and wine.
Day 2 - Prado Museum and on to Golden Salamanca
With your Local Expert, travel along the main historical areas of the capital of Spain, known as Madrid of the Bourbons. Your drive continues through the Old Quarter, to discover the origins of the city. A sure highlight is when you join an art historian to explore the Prado Museum, a magnificent palace housing works by Velázquez, Goya, Rubens and other masters. Journey past the walls of Ávila en route to Salamanca, with its honey-coloured cathedral and 16th-century university buildings.
Day 3 - Holy Fátima and Lisbon
Cross the Portuguese frontier and skirt the Estrela Mountains en route to Fátima, Portugal’s most renowned religious site.
Join the pilgrims flocking into the great basilica, commemorating the miraculous appearance of the Virgin Mary to three young shepherds in 1917.
In the heart of the Shrine of Fatima is The Chapel of Apparitions, marking the exact location of her first appearance. Other sacred sites include the Museu de Arte Sacra e Etnologia, exhibiting religious artifacts and the modern church of the Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity.
Your travels continue to Lisbon.
Day 4 - Lisbon and the Age of the Great Discoveries
Your guided sightseeing with a Local Expert takes you along the spacious avenues of the Lower Town and across the tree-shaded squares. Pass beneath the hilltop Bairro Alto to the Terreiro do Paço, the finest square in the city, named after the palace that was destroyed in the terrible earthquake of 1755, along with much of the rest of the city. Visit the Belém Quarter from where sailing ships once set forth to discover unknown lands.
Enjoy a taste of Pastéis de Belém from the patisserie that has been using the same secret recipe for almost 200 years. See the modern Monument to the Discoveries and the more ancient Belém Tower, erected to protect Jerónimos Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site which you visit. This afternoon is free to explore further as you wish or perhaps decide to visit the Portuguese Riviera?
Day 5 - To Seville, the City of Carmen
Journey to Seville to join your Local Expert for a tour of the immense Seville Cathedral, burial place of Christopher Columbus. See the slender Giralda Tower, the former minaret of the Great Mosque and now the cathedral's belltower. Continue your exploration through the labyrinthine narrow streets and squares of the Santa Cruz Quarter, emerging beside the great walls of the Alcazar.
Day 6 - Free Time and Flamenco in Seville
This morning is yours to completely relax or continue exploring this fascinating city. Perhaps join an Optional Experience to Córdoba and visit the magnificent Mezquita, an 8th century mosque with a Christian cathedral built inside it? Later this afternoon, join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience as you visit the Cristina Heeren Foundation, a flamenco dance school and beneficiary of a TreadRight Foundation grant. Their mission is to promote the teaching and conservation of flamenco. Feel the passion behind the choreography as you put your rhythm to the test during a dance lesson before witnessing emotions come to life in a flamenco performance.
Day 7 - The Straits of Gibraltar to Fes
Set sail across the Straits of Gibraltar to reach Morocco — a land of musky spices and colourful souks. Your travels continue to Fes, Morocco’s most ancient imperial city.
Day 8 - Explore Fes
Your Local Expert will guide you through the ancient Medina, teeming with hidden courtyards, beautiful mosques and local workshops. Sensorial delights await around every corner as you take in the historic grandeur of this walled city. Walk through the souks and pass one of the world’s oldest universities. Learn about the ancient craft of handwoven carpets, a tradition developed in this region over thousands of years. Gain insight into the exceptional skill and artistic symbolism applied to make each carpet unique.
Day 9 - On the Road to Marrakesh
During today's journey, see traditional mud-walled villages set against the vast arid plains. Glimpse the Atlas Mountains as you approach Marrakesh, a bustling hub of culture and trade.
Day 10 - Explore Marrakesh
Join a Local Expert to explore the Medina, the historic heart of the city. See the Koutoubia Mosque, its minaret dominating the Marrakesh skyline with golden brickwork. Visit the intricately-decorated Palais Bahia, a 19th-century mosaic-laden masterpiece built to be the greatest palace of its day. Experience the city's captivating charm during time at leisure. Perhaps try your hand at haggling in the souks on Jemaa-el-Fnaa Square or visit one of the acclaimed museums.
Day 11 - Play It Again Sam in Casablanca
Journey to the west coast of Africa to reach Casablanca. Did Humphrey Bogart really did say ''Play it again, Sam''? Your Local Expert will reveal the truth to this and other fascinating elements of this storied city. See the impressive Hassan II Mosque, the largest in the country. For those who came to Casablanca for the waters, the Corniche, a chic seaside strip, welcomes you with its trendy restaurants and cafes.
Day 12 - Rabat and Tangier
Travel north to Rabat to see the intricately-decorated Royal Palace and Hassan Tower with your Local Expert.
Your journey continues to Morocco’s port of Tangier, overlooking the Strait of Gibraltar where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean. After dinner, enjoy an evening at leisure to relax in the comfortable surroundings of your hotel as the sun sets or take a stroll along Avenue d'Espagne on the Bay of Tangier.
Day 13 - On to the Costa del Sol
Cross the water to Spain and continue on to Gibraltar, an overseas territory under British control since 1704.
Meet your Local Expert for a guided tour of the Rock of Gibraltar, St. Michael’s Cave and see the Barbary Apes, legendary guardians of the colony.
Your travels continue through Andalucía and on to the Costa del Sol, famous for its beaches.
Day 14 - At Leisure on the Costa del Sol
Enjoy the day at leisure on the sun-drenched Costa del Sol. Relax by the blue Mediterranean waters, stroll along the promenade, savor the specialties in the local restaurants, or consider exploring Malaga, the birth city of Picasso.
Day 15 - Dining with Locals and the Alhambra Palace
Continue to Alfarnatejo, a quiet white washed village with a population of just 500 people, surrounded by stunning mountainous landscape.
Walk the town center to see the 18th century Iglesia del Santo Cristo de Cabrilla.
Travel to the oldest olive grove in the region and stop at the rural mill-factory of Alfarnatejo to taste a selection of different oils with locally made farmer bread.
In small groups, you are invited into the home of a local family to join them for a delicious Highlight Lunch made with fresh, local produce that showcases the flavors typical of the region.
Continue to Granada, where overlooking the town stands one of the most remarkable fortresses ever built, the Alhambra. Led by your Local Expert, explore this exquisite palace built as a citadel by the Moors in the 13th century - a fantasy of arabesque gardens, fountains and stone cut like lace. Stroll through the elegant, exotic water gardens of the Generalife, the summer residence of the Spanish royals.
Day 16 - To Madrid in search of Don Quixote
Your journey continues to the north, through countryside immortalized by Cervantes fictional hero, Don Quixote.
On return to Madrid, toast your travels with your newfound friends during a lively Celebration Dinner of delicious food and wine at a local restaurant.
Day 17 - Farewell Madrid
After breakfast, transfers arrive at Madrid airport at 07:00, 09:00 and 11:00.
Please note itinerary may change without prior notice.
Multiple departure dates between May 2024 and November 2025
Below price based on 5 October 2024 departure:
- from
$8450$7,650 per person twin share - from
$11000$10,200 per person single room
Prices fluctuate between departures, call today on 1300 414 198 and speak with one of our local travel team for price of your preferred travel dates.
Your accommodation includes:
- Canopy by Hilton Madrid Castellana
- Hotel Alameda Palace
- Dom Pedro Lisboa
- Catalonia Giralda Hotel Seville or Ayre Hotel Sevilla
- Marriott Jnan Palace Fes
- Mövenpick Mansour Eddahbi Marrakech
- Grand Mogador City Center
- Grand Hotel Villa de France
- Meliá Costa del Sol
- Gran Hotel Luna de Granada
- Hotel Riu Plaza España