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Worldwide Escorted Bus Tours & River Cruises
Spain, Portugal & Morocco
Spain, Portugal, and Morocco—three glorious countries rich in history and culture, and on this tour, you’ll experience them all! You’ll have overnights in Lisbon, Seville, Rabat, Marrakesh, Fez, Granada, and Madrid. Tour highlights include the Jeronimos Monastery in Lisbon. A symbol of Portugal’s power during the Age of Discovery, King Manual I built it to thank the Virgin Mary for Portugal’s success in its voyages around the world. Step back in time in Marrakesh as you wander through the Djemaa-el-Fna, a square and exotic bizarre offering some of the greatest open-air entertainment. Listen to the storytellers—an integral part of the culture—and browse for handicrafts. It’s not hard to imagine what it was like in the past, a time when caravans loaded their camels with food and goods to sell at the markets. Visit Gibraltar, in British hands since 1704, and learn about its turbulent history. Spend time on the Costa del Sol, where you can relax and soak up the sun on the beach. Sample tapas and paella in Spain, and enjoy a wine tasting in Setubal, Portugal. These are just a few of the many highlights offered on this spectacular vacation. You’ll be sure to arrive home with lots of photos and stories to treasure from this memorable vacation.No one brings the world’s stories to life like we do. What story will you discover next?
Highlights:
Itinerary:
| Day #1 |
Arrive in Lisbon, Portugal. Free time to rest or start exploring the Portuguese capital. At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D) |
| Day #2 |
Lisbon. Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide features a drive through the Baixa quarter’s main squares, a walk through quaint ALFAMA, the seamen’s quarter. Drive past the Bull Ring to Pombal Statue and along the grand Avenida da Liberdade. Stop at Belem Tower and visit JERONIMOS MONASTERY. An optional excursion to Sintra and a dinner with Fado-style entertainment are available. (B) |
| Day #3 |
Lisbon–Setubal–Seville, Spain. In Setubal, enjoy a WINE TASTING. Next, enter Spain and reach the vibrant capital of Andalusia, Seville. (B,D) |
| Day #4 |
Seville. During your sightseeing tour with a Local Guide admire Maria Luisa Park, the Golden Tower on the Guadalquivir River, and the university that used to be the tobacco factory of Carmen fame. Stroll through the charming SANTA CRUZ QUARTER, and see the cathedral. Highlight is a visit to the ALCAZAR, founded in the 11th century as a Moorish fortress, with its Palacio de Don Pedro. Tonight, maybe join an optional flamenco show? (B) |
| Day #5 |
Seville–Algeciras–Rabat, Morocco. Travel through the sherry wine region of Jerez to Algeciras and enjoy a FERRY RIDE across the Strait of Gibraltar to Africa. Along North Africa’s infamous Barbary Coast to Rabat, once a lair of the corsairs and now the country’s capital. (B,D) |
| Day #6 |
Rabat–Casablanca–Marrakesh. Sightseeing with a Local Guide focuses on the massive medieval battlements, the Royal Palace, MOHAMMED V MAUSOLEUM, Hassan Tower, and the Kasbah of Oudaias. Visit the fine ROMAN RELICS OF CHELLAH. Then, continue to Casablanca, Morocco’s modern seaport. During your guided panoramic drive, see the Hassan II Mosque, a splendid monument designed to mark the end of the century. Evening arrival in Marrakesh, situated in an oasis. (B,D) |
| Day #7 |
Marrakesh. Follow your Local Guide to visit BAHIA PALACE, the 16th-century SAADIAN TOMBS (if closed, visit the BADIA PALACE instead), and to Djemaa El-Fna, the vibrant town center dominated by the 222-foot-high Koutoubia Minaret. Afternoon at leisure. An exciting optional evening excursion is available. (B) |
| Day #8 |
Marrakesh–Fez. Journey to Fez today. Blessed with an ample supply of water and strategically situated, Fez became the capital of Morocco when the country shook off foreign rule under the Berber King Idris in the 8th century. To this day, Fez has remained Morocco’s spiritual and artistic center. (B,D) |
| Day #9 |
Fez. See the magnificient entrance to the Royal Palace, drive through the Mellah, the old Jewish quarter, and travel on to Bab Bou Jeloud, the traditional entrance to old Fez. Your Local Guide also leads you through labyrinthine MEDINA and MEDERSA BOU INANIA. Why not sign up for an optional folklore dinner? (B) |
| Day #10 |
Fez–Meknes–Tangier. Stop at imperial Meknes with its monumental gates and city walls, then, continue to Tangier, jumping-off point for the Moorish conquest of Spain. Sightseeing with a Local Guide includes the GRAND SOCCO square and a panoramic drive to CAP SPARTEL, where you will quench your thirst Bedouin-style with a glass of hot mint tea . (B,D) |
| Day #11 |
Tangier–Gibraltar–Costa del Sol. Board your FERRY for the trip back across the Strait to Europe. Visit the strategic ROCK OF GIBRALTAR, in British hands since 1704, hear about its turbulent history, see the Moorish Castle, ST. MICHAEL’S CAVES, and the colony of Barbary apes. Then, drive to your hotel at the elegant Costa del Sol. Tonight, why not sample one of the seafood restaurants? (B) |
| Day #12 |
At Leisure on the Costa del Sol. Full day to relax or explore. (B) |
| Day #13 |
Costa del Sol–Granada. Arrive in Granada. A guided walking tour features a visit to the ALHAMBRA COMPLEX, a fantasy of “lace in stone” surrounded by arabesque gardens and fountains, with superb views of the Old Quarter and Sacromonte. Also visit the WATER GARDENS OF THE GENERALIFE. (B,D) |
| Day #14 |
Granada–Toledo–Madrid. Via Don Quixote’s La Mancha to Toledo. A Local Guide takes you to the Moorish bridge, an early SYNAGOGUE, the CATHEDRAL, and the CHURCH OF SANTO TOMÉ with one of El Greco’s most famous paintings. Visit a DAMASCENE STEEL WORKSHOP. (B) |
| Day #15 |
Madrid. Morning guided sightseeing features the Puerta del Sol, Plaza de España with its monument to Cervantes, the Parliament, and more. Highlight is a visit to the PRADO MUSEUM. Maybe join an optional excursion to El Escorial and a dinner outing in one of Madrid’s famous restaurants tonight? (B) |
| Day #16 |
Madrid. Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B) |
Hotels:
Lisbon Mundial (F), Seville Sevilla Center (SF), Rabat Rabat (F), Marrakesh Es Saadi (SF), Fez Zalagh Parc Palace (F), Tangier El Minzah (F), Torremolinos Melia Costa del Sol (SF), Granada Saray (SF), Madrid Husa Moncloa (F)
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Pricing Options:
| Depart US | Land-Only |
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| 04/15/2011 | $2,489.00 | | 04/29/2011 | $2,499.00 | | 05/13/2011 | $2,499.00 | | 05/27/2011 | $2,499.00 | | 06/10/2011 | $2,519.00 | | 06/24/2011 | $2,519.00 | | 07/08/2011 | $2,499.00 | | 07/22/2011 | $2,479.00 | | 08/05/2011 | $2,479.00 | | 08/19/2011 | $2,499.00 | | 09/02/2011 | $2,519.00 | | 09/16/2011 | $2,519.00 | | 09/30/2011 | $2,499.00 | | 10/14/2011 | $2,489.00 |
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©2005 Flamingo Travel Group
All Rights Reserved
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