MOROCCO SPAIN PORTUGAL. of a lifetime

Transcription

1 MOROCCO 2020 SPAIN PORTUGAL of a lifetime

2 Morocco, Spain and Portugal Place name, etc Moroccan musician, Marrakech

3 Fully escorted, 23 days Departs 02 June 2020 Marrakech (3) Fes (2) Chefchaouen (1) Tarifa (2) Arcos de la Frontera (2) Seville (3) Obidos (2) Lisbon (2) Monsanto (1) Douro Valley (1) Porto (3) Overnight stays ( ) Pre-tour Spend time in Madrid before the tour begins! Accommodation can be arranged at our recommended hotel prior to the tour starting in Madrid on Tuesday 2nd June. This allows you the opportunity to spend time in the Spanish capital before meeting your tour leader and fellow travellers for a welcome drink on the eve of the tour. Tue 02 Jun - Madrid - Marrakech Hola! This morning we meet and transfer to Madrid airport then fly to Marrakech in Morocco. On arrival in the Red City, we head to our Riad (hotel) located in the hidden alleyways inside the walls of the ancient Medina. Marrakech lies at the crossroads of the Sahara Desert and the Atlas Mountains, and as the sun sets our local guide takes us on a walking tour of the old city and night markets. Later, get to know your travelling companions over an included meal. Wed 03 Jun - Marrakech Free day. The best way to discover the souks and the maze of market streets in the Medina is by foot. As you enter Jemaa el-fnaa Square a new world of tastes and smells greets you while strolling past palm-readers, acrobats, musicians and snake charmers. Perhaps visit a traditional Moroccan pharmacy for a cultural insight into the blending of creams and cosmetics sourced from local ingredients. And of course there s the exquisite food and shopping! Fri 05 Jun - Casablanca & Fes Today we transfer to the impressive Gare Railway Station for our train journey from Marrakech to Casablanca. By 2020 it is expected that the fast TGV trains will be operating, reducing this journey to just over 1 hour. On arrival at Casa Voyageurs station we travel by coach (or train depending on schedules) to Fes, the cultural capital of Morocco. Our stay for the next 2 nights is in a charming Riad owned by a respected Moroccan family and tonight we dine in their restaurant. Sat 06 Jun - Fes A half day tour like no other, as we wander with our guide through the winding streets of the historic Medina visiting artisans workshops, a local school, as well as the famous tannery known for the colouring of hides for leather goods. Fes has one of the world s largest vehicle free zones, where mules, donkeys and pedestrians intertwine with vendors and traders to make the Medina an exciting and adventurous place to visit. Sun 07 Jun - Chefchaouen Our drive today by charter coach, takes us through the Rif mountain range to Chefchaouen known for its striking blue washed buildings and often referred to as the blue pearl of Morocco. Your afternoon is free to amble around the quiet cobble streets in one of North Africa s prettiest villages, giving you the chance to step back in time and enjoy a more gentle pace in this delightful rural setting. Wander through the shady squares, past elaborately decorated houses and see the locals washing their colourful garments and carpets down by the river. An evening meal is included tonight. Mon 08 Jun - Strait of Gibraltar and Tarifa Today our coach continues to the Port of Tangiers where a hydrofoil takes us on a 1 hour journey across the Strait of Gibraltar to Tarifa, the southernmost point in Europe. This is a delightful Spanish port town where the Mediterranean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean and tonight you can soak up the atmosphere of the many tapas bars and restaurants. Our 2 night stay is in a hotel ideally situated in Old Town. Tue 09 Jun - Tarifa Free day to relax and soak up Mediterranean Spain. Thu 04 Jun - Atlas Mountains (Kasbah du Toubkal) A spectacular day tour awaits as we depart on a visit to the snow capped peaks and lush valleys of the Atlas Mountains. This morning we drive 80 kms to a local village, walk to a traditional Berber mountain retreat and enjoy the tastes of regional cuisine over lunch. Take time to relax and admire the breathtaking views from the roof top terrace or spend a few hours hiking the many trails that cater for all fitness levels. Spice market, Fes

4 Wed 10 Jun - Ronda and The White Villages After breakfast, we travel by coach along the coast with views out to Gibraltar before reaching Ronda, perched high above a steep gorge in the Sierra Mountains. On arrival our guide takes us on a short walking tour of this spectacular town, including a visit to the famous Plaza de Toros, Spain s first bullring. Constructed in the late 18th century, the bullring is rarely used nowadays, but does hold a special place in Spanish history. Free time is available to explore Ronda before our coach departs around siesta time to the mountain village of Grazalema and onto our home for the next 2 nights, Arcos de la Frontera. Tonight an evening meal is included at our hotel. Thu 11 Jun - Arcos de la Frontera Free day for you to absorb the serenity and beauty of Andalucia s most stunning white village. Fri 12 Jun - Jerez Today we drive 30 kms by coach to Jerez, famous for its sherry and Andalucian dancing horses. We enjoy a performance of these world renowned Spanish horses before continuing to Seville, the birthplace of Flamenco. Sat 13 Jun - Seville A flamboyant and atmospheric metropolis, Seville was recently crowned Europe s best city. After breakfast our local guide takes us on a walking tour that includes many of the main city sights. We visit the iconic Giralda Tower, the imposing Plaza de Espana and the largest Gothic Cathedral in the world, Seville Cathedral. The afternoon is free to explore at your own pace, either on foot, by bicycle or by using the city s very efficient tram network. Tonight is a fun night out where we are entertained by a Flamenco performance. Experience the passion of guitar and song, the clapping of castanets and the twirling of colourful skirts! Sun 14 Jun - Seville Free day to discover this wonderful city. Mon 15 Jun - Obidos This morning we transfer to San Pablo Airport Spanish horses, Jerez and fly to Lisbon in Portugal. On arrival, our coach takes us on a short journey to the picturesque village of Obidos where we stay for 2 nights. Meander through the narrow cobbled streets and soak up the charm of this Portuguese gem that is encircled by a rustic, medieval wall. Tonight we dine in a very special setting, savouring the delights of local cuisine, before enjoying a musical Fado performance. Tue 16 Jun - Obidos Free day to walk the fortified walls, spend time shopping or roam around the streets of this quaint village. Wed 17 Jun - Lisbon After breakfast we head to Lisbon, known as one of the most charismatic and vibrant cities in Europe. On arrival our guide takes us on a unique orientation tour by tuk tuk exploring some of Lisbon s most well known and colourful neighbourhoods. Our tour takes us through the ancient and adorable district of Alfama and the famous food quarter of Mouraria. Other areas include Graca, the highest of the city s seven hills, as well as Baixa, named according to the shopkeepers and craftsmen who traded in the area. Afterwards we check-in to our hotel and time is then free to explore, take a ride on the legendary Tram 28 or shop in the pedestrian zones of Baixa. Thu 18 Jun - Lisbon Free day. Lisbon s love affair with pastries has continued for over 500 years so allow time to sample one of the many delicious pastry shops! Ronda

5 Fri 19 Jun - Monsanto Farewell to the city and welcome to the country! Today we commence a two day coach tour from Lisbon to the Douro Valley staying overnight in a village voted the most Portuguese in Portugal. Monsanto is a hilltop village built around towering granite boulders that dominate the landscape and is one of the most unique places that the Journeys team has ever discovered. On arrival enjoy a late lunch and the rest of the afternoon and evening are free to experience this remote location. As accommodation choices are limited, the group may be split between lodgings. Sat 20 Jun - Douro Valley Our adventure continues north to Portugal s most scenic wine region in the heart of the Douro Valley. As part of the day the drive takes us along the famous highway N222, often described as the most picturesque road in southern Europe. View the beautifully terraced vineyards overlooking the river as we travel from Peso da Regua to our overnight stop at the riverside village of Pinhao. An evening meal is included at a local restaurant. Sun 21 Jun - River Cruise & Porto After breakfast we board our own solar powered Rabelo boat and take a 90 minute cruise along the most scenic section of the Douro River. Our early afternoon train to Porto heralds the final stop on our magical journey. For many, Porto is the most romantic place in Portugal and the longer you stay, the more you will embrace this beautiful city. Tonight amble down towards the river and dine at one of the many local al fresco restaurants and cafes along the way. Mon 22 Jun - Porto Our morning walking tour takes us to the World Heritage UNESCO riverside district of Ribeira. With our guide we wander the winding medieval streets and small cobblestone alleyways to view the colourful merchants houses, cafes and hidden gems that only the locals know. Porto is the home of the port wine industry and our tour concludes with a tasting of the famous ruby fortified wine at a local port house. Your afternoon and evening are free to enjoy this amazing city. Tue 23 Jun - Festa de São João do Porto Free Day. Tonight a final dinner is included as we reminisce on the wonders of your magical 23 day journey. Later, join the locals as they celebrate Porto s biggest annual street festival and pay tribute to St John the Baptist. Wed 24 Jun - Farewell Porto Time to say farewell to your travelling companions as they depart for the airport or railway station to continue their holiday or return home. Post-tour Spend time in Coimbra or Barcelona after the tour ends! You may choose to take an optional extension from Porto to either Coimbra in Portugal or Barcelona in Spain. Journeys of a Lifetime can arrange travel to either of these destinations should you wish to extend your holiday. If arranging your own bookings, Porto is well served with a modern airport that has flights to most major cities in Europe and the United Kingdom. NZD 10,400 Cost based on share twin accommodation & excludes international airfares to and from the tour Porto

6 Tour Inclusions Arrangements as per itinerary unless specified as a free day Economy class flights as specified in the brochure Accommodation featuring share twin/double rooms with private facilities Rail in economy class Tours, sightseeing & entrance fees, unless specified as a free day Airport transfers where specified Port charges and airline taxes Daily breakfast Meals as specified Qualified local guides as specified Tips are included for hotel staff, coach drivers & local guides Services of a tour escort Ticket wallet & full pre-departure information including hotel details Welcome to our World Steve Caunter, owner of Journeys of a Lifetime, has been in the travel and airline industry for over 35 years, allowing him to regularly explore all corners of the world and follow his passion to travel. For more than 15 years he has been designing and escorting small group tours through different parts of Europe, Indochina and the Indian sub-continent. Travelling on one of our small group holidays is a wonderful compromise between doing your own thing and joining a 50-seater coach tour. Just 16 travellers will be taken on a journey of discovery to our favourite places in the Steve world. Caunter We limit our city stays to include the must see sights, however our main focus is visiting those special villages that we know so well. Our 3 night stays give you the opportunity to live like a local, allowing ample time to explore at your own pace. We offer a variety of transport on our holidays, ranging from trains, charter coaches, boat trips and local buses. generally smaller in size, family-run and either traditional or unique to the region that we are visiting. The selection of accommodation around the world is important to us and hotel requirements change from country to country. When inspecting our hotels we select where you stay based on 6 key components: safety, value, character, cleanliness, location and ambiance. Daily breakfast is included and every room has its own private facilities. You will be safely looked after by an experienced tour leader, who will have been to the places you visit first and will share local knowledge on the best walks, inexpensive family-run restaurants and sightseeing. We use qualified local guides for our walking tours on most occasions. We like our holidays to be relaxed, so where possible, early morning departures are avoided. On a Journeys of a Lifetime holiday, where we stay is every bit as important as the places we visit. Our hotels are Our Eastern Europe & Russia Tour 2018 Our Customers The average age on each holiday will vary, however we do expect the majority of your travelling companions to be in their 60 s. Some tours may appeal to a younger age bracket, whilst others will attract active seniors. Most importantly, you need to be fit enough to enjoy your holiday, fully mobile and able to walk comfortably for at least an hour each day. Our small family-run hotels often have no lifts, so being able to walk up and down stairs is essential. Generally, you will be responsible for your own bags and this does take a little effort. Our Endorsements A huge thank you for your kindness and care way beyond the call of duty. The organisation was superb, the accommodation was magical, the travelling was easy, the recommendations for food, shopping and money so helpful. I would do it all again tomorrow if I could. Fran, Auckland. We had an amazing time and loved the choice of cities, villages and hotels. Lesley & Alistair, Wellington. On behalf of the group a big thank you for a brilliant experience. Brian & Nicola, Hastings Thank you for a well organised, stress free tour. We loved the places we went to and have fantastic memories of the various experiences. Neil & Sheryl, Auckland I can t thank you enough for what was really a journey of a lifetime! Your organisation and attention to detail was faultless. Penny, Taupo

7 ! How to Book Booking with Journeys of a Lifetime is simple and easy. Our booking form is provided below, so please take the time to carefully complete each section and or post this to us. Your deposit of $950 per person ($1,900 per couple) must be paid to us either by internet banking or through any branch of the ANZ Bank into our Journeys of a Lifetime Customer Funds Account. Please ask for details. Your place on the tour can not be allocated or confirmed until the booking form and deposit have been received by Journeys of a Lifetime. Remember, book early to avoid disappointment. Details entered must be EXACTLY as shown on your passport. Booking Form

8 Booking Conditions Brochure obtained from: Please read these booking conditions carefully as they form an important part of the contract for your holiday How to Book We have taken great care to ensure booking with Journeys of a Lifetime is simple and easy. A booking form is provided in the brochure and we ask that you carefully complete each section of the registration form and or post this to us. Your place on the tour can not be allocated until this has been completed. On receipt of your deposit & completed registration form you will be advised in writing that your booking has been confirmed. Deposits & Final Payment A deposit of $950 per person is required at the time of booking. Final payment is due 75 days prior to the departure of your tour. Please note we do not accept payment by credit cards. Group Numbers & Guaranteed Departure Group departures are restricted to 16 passengers and subject to a minimum of 14 people travelling. Once 14 deposits have been received, you will be advised that the tour is a guaranteed departure and the tour will proceed on an escorted basis. We will accept early bookings for 18 passengers to cover any late cancellations. Only an unforeseeable event would alter our guaranteed departure commitment. Any directive or recommendation from the Government not to travel could negate this guarantee and/or change the itinerary accordingly. Costing & Price Guarantee All prices are based on rates & conditions as at 1 November 2018 and are subject to change that could alter the final price of your holiday. Payment of half of your holiday cost to Journeys of a Lifetime would guarantee the cost as published in the brochure. Responsibility Journeys of a Lifetime are responsible for making arrangements specified in this brochure, including transportation, sightseeing and accommodation. We include the services of independent contractors such as airlines, hotels, shipping & coach companies, local rail and bus services, plus other operators whose staff are not agents, employees or servants of Journeys of a Lifetime. Although we make every effort to ensure that your tour is a holiday of a lifetime, we can not take responsibility for the conduct, nor be held responsible for the actions of people or agents that are not employees of Journeys of a Lifetime. The international carriage of passengers is subject to international conventions and treaties, where applicable. If after your departure, the services included in the tour cannot be supplied, or there are changes in an itinerary for reasons beyond our control, Journeys of a Lifetime will arrange for the provision of comparable services. Any resulting additional expense will be payable by travellers and any resultant savings will be refunded to holiday participants on their return home. Itineraries may be subject to alteration due to hotel availability, timetable adjustments, operational requirements, weather, strikes, or other reasons beyond our control. We reserve the right to amend any holiday where we feel the change will be beneficial to our customers. Every effort however, will be made to provide arrangements as per the brochure. By signing the booking form and paying the $950 deposit, customers agree to all booking conditions and accept arrangements as per the brochure. Accommodation All of our hotels have rooms with ensuite facilities (your own shower & toilet). Due to the boutique nature of our family-run hotels, room size & room styles can vary greatly, however we do our best to ensure that guests receive a variety of rooms throughout their holiday. In smaller villages such as Monsanto, accommodation is limited and it is sometimes necessary for the group to stay in separate lodgings. Helpful Hints Prior to departure we will you a series of Tips & Hints that will prepare you well for your holiday. Tipping & Meals Journeys of a Lifetime take care of tips for hotel staff, drivers and local guides, so for the arranged part of your holiday you will not be required to tip. Tipping however, is an accepted practice in much of the world for taxis & restaurants etc and our series of tips and hints will brief you fully on this prior to departure. Where meals are provided as part of the tour, drinks are not included, except on the last night at our final dinner. Participation For the benefit of all parties, we reserve the right to accept or reject any person as a tour participant and to remove any person from the tour whose conduct is deemed disruptive or incompatible with the interests of the other tour participants. We will not refund, nor cover any costs or expenses you incur if we have to terminate your holiday due to unacceptable behaviour. Special Requests It is essential that any specific requirements such as dietary or health needs be included on your booking form. Where possible, we will do our best to assist with individual requests but there can be no guarantee of this service. In the case of our prepaid meals, it is not possible to adjust the menu around the needs of any one individual as often a local chef will simply prepare his or her speciality of the day. Your dietary request will be passed on to the appropriate staff. Baggage Allowance Our baggage allowance is one medium size bag with wheels and pull handle plus one piece of hand luggage. On confirmation of your booking we will send our requirements and recommendations for the best type of suitcase for your holiday, as well as our tips on what to pack. On a Journeys of a Lifetime holiday you are responsible for your own luggage and we recommend that you take note of our tips. Let our experience be your guide when it comes to travelling light! Passports & Visas A valid passport is required for your holiday and your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after your last flight home from this tour. Should any visa be necessary, we will advise you of the requirements. Visa fees are not included in the cost of your holiday. Travel Documents We will keep you updated with our regular tips and hints once your reservation has been confirmed. Tickets, travel documents, pre-departure information, hotel details & travel vouchers will be forwarded to you approximately 21 days before departure. Travel Insurance & Cancellation Fees Cancelled bookings will incur charges and it is important that you take out appropriate travel insurance to cover such fees. Most travel policies will cover cancellation fees if you are forced to cancel your holiday due to circumstances beyond your control. Please check with your insurance provider for full details. We recommend cancellation insurance be taken out at the same time you pay your deposit. You will not be able to participate on a Journeys of a Lifetime holiday unless you have suitable travel insurance. Journeys of a Lifetime Cancellation Fees are: Your deposit of $950 is fully refundable up to 15 months prior to departure. After this time it is non-refundable. 75 days prior to departure a 100% cancellation fee applies. After departure no refund is available on any unused portion of your holiday. Contact: New Zealand PO Box 38 Albert Town, 9344 Wanaka, New Zealand Telephone: of a lifetime Contact: Australia PO Box 2170 Howrah, TAS 7018 Hobart, Australia Telephone: info@journeysofalifetime.org Website: