17 Days Spain, Portugal & Morocco

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1 Travel Directions Pty. Ltd. ABN , 86 Brookes Street, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006, Australia Freecall Ph: +61 (0) Fax: +61 (0) Days Spain, Portugal & Morocco Code: sp When it comes to culture, cuisine, music, dance and a thirst for life, there s nothing like the region encompassing Spain, Portugal and Morocco. During this 17-day, self-guided tour you will revel in every aspect of these stunning countries and their ancient cultures. From the bustling Catalonian city of Barcelona in the north to Valencia and on to Andalucia and the historic cities of Seville, Cordoba and Granada in the south, you ll experience a unique mix of everything Spain has to offer. In the style of many Global Escapes Travel itineraries, this is a perfect blend of self-guided adventure and forward-planning to ensure that the main elements are organised in advance allowing for plenty of time to relax and take in each place you visit. Reservation enquiries: Click here to request pricing or to check availability for this package 10-day, 6-city highlights of Spain package 3 nights Casablanca, Morocco, with trips to Marrakech & Fez 3 nights Lisbon, Portugal, with trip to Berlenga Island Start in Spain then cross the Strait of Gibraltar to Morocco and the entrancing sights, sounds and exotic scents of Casablanca, Marrakech and Fez an absolute feast for the senses. Turn northwards again as Portugal awaits. Wander and enjoy the distinctive city of Lisbon and legendary Portuguese hospitality and explore the beautiful island of Berlenga before returning to the frenetic Spanish capital of Madrid. And these are just the bare highlights of 17 days of experiences that will leave you with a lifetime of memories. WHAT YOU LL SEE AND DO A FEW OF THE HIGHLIGHTS

2 Itinerary Day 1: Arrive in Barcelona, Spain (3 nights) Welcome to Spain! Your private car and driver will be waiting at the airport to greet you and take you to your hotel in downtown Barcelona. //..// Learn to cook Paella Experience real flamenco Lonely Planet is renowned for its first-hand approach, up-to-date maps and commitment to providing the best information for travelers. Lonely Planet authors are experienced, insightful travel experts. They personally research the places they write about both in the first and in subsequent editions and provide essential travel details along with a wealth of insider information and first-hand tips. Recommendation: Take the time to read suggestions for things to see and do before you leave Australia. Take your Lonely Planet guides with you in your luggage. Enjoy authentic tapas Take a camel ride in Morocco //..// Wander and explore, or just relax: 2 P a g e

3 Your first day is all about relaxing after your flight and getting into the rhythm of the country. Wander and explore at your own pace (refer to your Lonely Planet guide for ideas), or simply relax and enjoy the hotel facilities. Meet a Macaque in Gibraltar An evening of flamenco and gourmet cuisine: The colours of Lisbon In the evening, you ll get your first taste of authentic spanish cuisine and the captivating feast of music and dance that is flamenco at the famous flamenco theatre, Los Trarantos Barcelona. Traditional warm hospitality (Your package includes many more highlights.) Flamenco club Los Trarantos Barcelona Day 2: Sightseeing in Barcelona Today you ll explore the highlights of Barcelona on the city s popular Hop On Hop Off bus tour. The beauty of this tour is that you can choose where and when you want to start and finish, and which parts of the city, monuments and attractions you want to see along the way. With a city so filled with great sights, the hardest part is choosing from the 44 amazing stops you have on offer. Authentic Paella Workshop & Wine and Cheese Tasting: You ll also have the opportunity to indulge in more of Barcelona s worldrenowned cuisine. Learn how the locals make Spain s most famous dish Paella and taste typical Spanish tapas, wines and cheeses. What a way to say goodbye to Barcelona before heading south. Gauidi s Sagrada Familia Basilica Royal Basilica and Monastery of Montserrat 3 P a g e

4 Park Güell World Heritage Site Passeig de Gracia Basilica de Santa Maria del Mar Day 3: Costa Brava Day Trip Salvador Dali Theatre-Museum After breakfast, meet your guide for a day trip to the world-famous Catalonian coastal region of Costa Brava. Along the way you ll visit four of the regions most picturesque villages Figueres, Cadaques, Pubol and Cap de Creus. First up, you ll visit the village of Figueres and Salvador Dali s birthplace. Art lover or not, a visit to the Dali Theatre-Museum is an experience you won t soon forget. Breathe in the fresh Mediterranean air as you drift down the coast visiting stunning beaches and the idyllic coastal village of Cadaques, then onto Pubol, Port Lligat where Dali created most of his works and Cap de Creus, the easternmost point of the Spanish mainland, before returning to Barcelona. Figueres Salvador Dali Theatre-Museum Cadaques Port Lligat Cap de Creus Day 4: Barcelona Valencia From Barcelona you ll head to Valencia, Spain s third largest city. A private shuttle will pick you up from your hotel in the morning and take you to Barcelona Sants train station. Here you ll board a super-fast train. Travelling down the Mediterranean coast at speeds of up to 220mph, you ll be in Valencia in just over three hours. A private shuttle will be waiting for you at 4 P a g e

5 Valencia Sorolla station to take you to your hotel. After you ve settled in, you might like to spend the afternoon getting a feel for the city with a stroll around Valencia s Old Town, before an evening tour of the spectacular City of Arts & Sciences complex. Optional: City of Arts & Sciences Tour: On this tour you will discover the modern masterpiece at the centre of Valencia s arts and culture scene and an icon of the city. Designed by celebrated Spanish architect, Santiago Calatrava, this futuristic complex houses a dizzying array of museums, exhibitions and attractions, including the Príncipe Felipe Science Museum and Europe s largest aquarium, the Oceanogràfic. Valencia s Old Town City of Arts & Sciences Day 5: Discover Valencia and its many tastes After a lie-in and a leisurely breakfast, spend a few hours getting acquainted with the city s rich history and distinctive tastes. Take a walk with your guide through the city, visiting popular historical sites, such as the Torres de Serrano, Llotja de la Seda and Palacio Borja, before lunch. Afterwards sit down and sample Valencia s famous paella and wines. You can t leave Valencia without tasting the popular local drink called horchata. Originating in the nearby town of Alboraya, this drink made from tiger nuts is often accompanied by a much-loved pastry called fartons (and, yes, it s a real name). Optional: Valencia Sunset Cruise with dinner at the beach: 5 P a g e

6 Tonight feel free to relax and do your own thing, or join a Valencia Sunset Cruise. Watch the sunset over Valencia s beautiful beaches with cocktail in hand. And then enjoy dinner at the beach Playa de las Arenas with breathtaking views over the Mediterranean sea. Visiting Attractions (optional tour): Torres de Serrano Llotja de la Seda Palacio Borja Valencia beaches Day 6: Valencia Seville It s time to return to Europe with a flight to the intoxicating southern Spanish city of Seville. Friendly, smiling people, exuberant nightlife and an amazing history. This is Seville. Enjoy a free afternoon to take in the sites and sounds as you choose. In the evening, why not join a local family for a typical Spanish meal. Optional: Dinner Experience Hosted by a Local Spanish Family Take this unique opportunity to experience how the locals live and get a real feel for Seville s culture and gastronomy. Enjoy the warm Andalusian hospitality, not to mention a glass or two of the local vino. Visiting Attractions (self-guided): Seville city Day 7: Seville Sightseeing Join your experienced local guide for a jam-packed tour of this mesmerising city. Just some of the highlights include the world's largest Gothic cathedral and the imposing Giralda Tower, as well as the city s many charming plazas and colourful, multicultural districts, such as Triana and La Macarena. Round out the evening with a traditional flamenco performance, or try your hand at flamenco or making traditional tapas yourself. Seville Cathedral (Columbus tomb) Torre del Oro (Tower of Gold) Plaza de España Isla Mágica (Magic Island) Maria Luisa Park 6 P a g e

7 Day 8: Day Trip to Granada When visiting Spain a trip to Granada is not to be missed. Your included tour introduces you to this beautiful and culturally-rich city which is home to one of Europe s great treasures Alhambra Palace. You ll explore the art and intricacy of this magnificent structure, it s Eden-like gardens, and the breathtaking views from the fortress watchtower. And that s just the start of what Granada has to offer. All set against the snow-capped peaks of the Sierra Nevada. Alhambra Palace Generalife gardens Alcazaba fortress Sierra Nevada mountains Optional: Cordoba / Sierra Nevada Excursions A visit to the historic city of Cordoba or a trip up into the Sierra Nevada mountains with tours available by foot, bike or 4WD are some of the other popular options available to you. Day 9: Seville Gibraltar This morning you ll travel by bus to the intriguing British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar on Spain s south coast. Dominated by the imposing Rock of Gibraltar this tiny territory is a fascinating mix of English, Spanish and North African cultures. If you re into shopping you won t be disappointed. But for something a bit more adventurous, take a cable car up to the top of The Rock and a get a close-up snap with a Barbary macaque, the only wild monkey population in Europe. Visiting Attractions (self-guided): Rock of Gibraltar Barbary Macaques Great Siege Tunnel St Micheal s Cave Moorish Castle Day 10: Gibraltar Casablanca (Morocco) 7 P a g e

8 Today you ll leave Europe for Africa, crossing the Straits of Gibraltar early by ferry and arriving in Tangier later in the morning. Then it s time to relax and immerse yourself in the atmosphere of one of Africa s most intriguing cities. Take an afternoon stroll and lose yourself in the ancient, labyrinthine streets there really is a surprise around every corner. Then you will head to the airport for your evening flight to Casablanca. Day 11: Casablanca Marrakech Full Day Private Tour to Marrakech from Casablanca: Get set for a real African adventure. After being picked up from your hotel in the morning, you ll head to one of Morocco s famous imperial cities Marrakech. During full day of amazing sites and experiences, you ll visit the UNESCO-listed Bahia Palace and the market square of Jemaa el Fnaa (replete with snake charmers), as well as the magnificent Moorish architecture of the Medersa ben Youssef and the Saadian Tombs. And enjoy delicious local delicacies at lunch. Medersa ben Youssef Saadian Tombs Visit Ait Ben Haddou: Included is a special side-trip to this famous, World Heritage-listed fortified village in the middle of the desert. Wander and explore the distinctive clay buildings that have featured in dozens of movies and TV series and learn about its fascinating history. 8 P a g e

9 Bahia Palace Jemaa el-fna market square Day 12: Casablanca or Marrakech Fez Fez from Casablanca / Marrakech Private Tour Today you ll journey to the Imperial city of Fez the cultural and spiritual centre of Morocco. Walk among the ancient fortifications, World Heritagelisted Old Medina and the Royal Palace. Watch local craftspeople at work on the region s famous jewelry, embroidery and natural cosmetics. Return to Casablanca in time for dinner. World Heritage-listed Old Medina Dar Bouanania & Al-Attarine Madrasa Kairaouine Mosque Local crafts including jewelry, embroidery and natural cosmetics Nejjarine fountain Day 13: Casablanca Lisbon Today you ll catch a flight to the seafaring capital of Portugal, Lisbon. Take the afternoon to relax and find your feet in one of Europe s often overlooked gems. Perhaps spend a couple of hours exploring the city centre and sampling some delectable Portuguese aperitivos (starters) featuring only Portuguese produce and, of course, the drink for which the country is known, Port wine. At night take in a live fado show a traditional style of Portuguese guitar music and folk dancing. 9 P a g e

10 Visiting Attractions (self-guided): Lisbon s historic city centre Bustling Baixa district Chiado cultural square The eclectic Bairro Alto area Live Fado show Day 14: Lisbon Sightseeing For a small city Lisbon has a lot to see and do. Spend the morning on a private and leisurely tour of the city s major monuments and attractions, including the Tower of Belém, the Monument to the Discoveries, World Heritage-listed Jerónimos Monastery, and walk the cobblestone streets of the old-world Alfama neighborhood. Belém Tower Monument to the Discoveries Jerónimos Monastery Alfama neighborhood Optional: Fátima Tour If you choose, spend the morning seeing the sights of Lisbon and the afternoon at the celebrated shrine of Fátima one of the world s most important Catholic pilgrimage sites. Enjoy the wonderful countryside scenery on route. Visiting Attractions (optional tour): Our Lady of Fátima Sanctuary & Chapel of Apparitions Day 15: Berlenga Grande Island Day Trip 10 P a g e

11 Today leave the city behind for a trip to the surprising natural paradise of Berlenga Grande Island. Travel to the picturesque fishing village of Peniche where you ll board your boat for the 40-minute crossing. Then the choice is yours: Visit St. John the Baptist Fort, take a walk in the UNESCO-listed Biosphere Reserve, explore the island s caves on a kayak or glass-bottom boat excursion, swim, snorkel or simply relax on the beach. Berlenga Grande Island Fishing village of Peniche St. John the Baptist Fort Berlengas Nature Reserve Day 16: Lisbon Madrid Today you ll head overland by train from Lisbon to Europe s highest capital city Madrid. This fiery and frenetic city is the perfect place to spend the last days of your trip. But before a busy day of seeing what this incredible city has to offer, spend the afternoon and evening relaxing and taking in the city at your own pace, perhaps a wander down the Gran Via. (Optional) Dinner and a show at Corral de la Moreria considered the cathedral of flamenco is highly recommended. 11 P a g e

12 Madrid Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour With so many sites and attractions to see, a Madrid Hop-On Hop-Off Bus is a great option. Offering two routes and more than 30 stops and buses every 8-15 minutes, you choose where and when you want to visit. Madrid mustsees include: the world-famous Prado Museum; Plaza de España; the Royal Palace; and, for the soccer lovers, Real Madrid s Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. There are also plenty of private, guided tour options, if you prefer. Museo del Prado Plaza de España Plaza Mayor The Royal Palace Santiago Bernabeu Stadium Day 17: Departure to Australia flight from Madrid Say adios to beautiful Spain and join your return flight to Australia with a fond farewell and a suitcase full of memories. //..// PACKAGE INCLUDES: Return flights from Australia 16 nights, 4-star accommodation Guided day tours as per itinerary Multiple activities as per itinerary High speed train Barcelona to Valencia Airport and train transfers as specified Ferry to Morocco 12 P a g e

13 Inter-Europe flights as specified Lonely Planet guides for Spain, Portugal & Morocco Package customisation service to suit your wants and needs Personal travel consultant Flights: Australia to Spain and return Tangier to Casablanca Casablanca to Lisbon Lisbon to Madrid Valencia to Seville Private car airport & train transfers: Barcelona airport to hotel Valencia hotel to airport Gibraltar hotel to airport Lisbon hotel to airport Madrid hotel to airport Tours & activities: Barcelona Evening Flamenco Show and Gourmet Dinner with Premium Small Group City Sightseeing in Barcelona Hop-On Hop-Off Authentic Paella Workshop & Wine and Cheese Tasting Wines & Cheeses Tasting Costa Brava Day Trip with Salvador Dali Theatre-Museum Valencia s City of Arts and Sciences Tour Full- Day Private Tour to Marrakech from Casablanca Full-Day Trip from Marrakech to Atlas Mountains and The Ancient Ait Ben Haddou Fez from Casablanca Private Tour Seville Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour Granada Day Trip including Alhambra and Generalife gardens from Sevile Private Sintra Sightseeing Tour 1 Day Madrid City Hop-On Hop Off-Bus Optionals: Dinner Experience Hosted by a Local Spanish Family in Seville Valencia Sunset Cruise with Dinner at the Beach Cordoba City Tour from Seville 13 P a g e

14 Fatima Tour in Lisbon This itinerary is fully customisable to suit your requirements. PRICE: Normal price from: $8,650 Less Getaway Cash travel credits: $2,551 Less Free Flights Vouchers: $200 You pay: $5,899 per person Deposit calculated according to travel dates, balance 90 days prior to departure. BONUS: Add comprehensive, best-in-class, travel insurance for just $299 per person* valued at over $800 per couple. * All prices are per-person on a twin-share basis and all bookings are subject to availability. Price and deposit amount varies according to travel date. A flight cost provision (allowance) applies. Total price after Getaway Cash credits is payable as follows: Deposit on booking, balance 90 days prior to departure. Package prices are correct as at 12/04/2018. Packages can be priced for families and groups on request. All prices are estimates only. A firm quote will be submitted for consideration prior to booking. Standard prices are for non-members for the same or similar package. Flight pricing included in packages or other estimates is based on travel from Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane. Travel can be arranged from any other major centre and for any number of people. Travel insurance pricing is based on two travellers aged 69 years or less as at the date of departure from Australia. Surcharge applies for travellers aged 70 years and over. Full terms and conditions are available here. 14 P a g e