Southern Spain & Morocco

October 8, 2023 thru October 23, 2023

​This fantastic Spain and Morocco  tour focuses on the southern part of the Iberian Peninsula. There is ample time for in-depth sightseeing, and for visiting many of the area’s historic sites, including the Casa de Pilatos in Seville, with its splendid collection of Roman sculptures, and the Alhambra Complex in Granada. We enjoy a full day on our own at the Costa del Sol and a day-long excursion to Malaga. We ‘ll spend meaningful time in Morocco, visiting Seville, Cordoba, Tangier, Chefchaouen.


Transportation

Roundtrip air transportation from TUS included

Transportation

Motorcoach

Transportation

Train

Duration

16 days/14 nights

Activity Level 4

Active

Meals

25 meals included

Meals

Pickup/Drop off

Roundtrip Door to Door Livery Service included

Availability

Available

Availability


Tour Highlights

  • Explore cities that have seen the rise and fall of empires, like Casablanca, Marrakesh, and Tangier
  • Try diverse and delicious foods in quaint fishing villages and thriving towns
  • Travel in confidence with multi-language guides and a Trip Director to help you navigate the peninsula
  • Visit sacred holy sites, towering peaks, and beaches alike along the coast
  • History lovers will recognize the homes of royalty, like King Ferdinand and Moulay Ismail
  • Transportation, most meals, lodging, and itineraries tested and true

Inclusions

  • Roundtrip air transportation Tucson to Madrid/Casablanca to Tucson (not including airline baggage or in-flight charges)
  • Transportation by deluxe motorcoach
  • Roundtrip door to door livery service
  • 14 nights’ lodging at excellent hotels
  • Baggage handling at hotels (for one piece)
  • 25 meals
  • Admission to all listed attractions
  • Your Professional English/Spanish-speaking Trip Director
  • All taxes and gratuities for included items (except hotel housekeeping)


Day 1-2: Tucson to Madrid

We depart from Tucson on our overnight flight to Madrid, where we transfer to our hotel of a short rest before our welcome dinner. D

Day 3: Madrid to Seville

We take the high-speed train to Seville. We enjoy a locally guided tour of Sevilla this morning. After strolling through María Luisa Park, we visit the nearby Plaza de España, and other pavilions built for the 1929 Ibero-American Exhibition. The city also boasts the Alcázar, the oldest royal palace in Europe that is still in use. The highlight of the tour is the Sevilla Cathedral, the third-largest church in Europe and the largest Gothic church anywhere. The immense cathedral took over a century to build and is the burial site for Christopher Columbus. The rest of the afternoon is free to explore the Barrio Santa Cruz, the former Jewish Quarter that is filled with narrow lanes, cafés, and small shops. This evening we experience a traditional Flamenco program with guitar playing, singing, and dancing. B,D

Day 4: Cordoba & Granada

After breakfast, we depart Sevilla. Our first stop is Córdoba where we tour the Mezquita, the great mosque that was begun in 785 and took two centuries to complete. With around 850 columns inside, it is considered one of the best examples of Muslim architecture in the West. The structure is also unique because set inside the labyrinth of horseshoe arches and beautiful mosaics is a cathedral that was added in the 16th century. Our guide also takes us through the Jewish quarter that is lined with towering walls, narrow streets, and buildings with ornate wrought ironwork. Afterwards, there is time to enjoy lunch and explore the cobbled alleyways before a short drive to Granada. Dinner tonight is at our hotel. B,D

Day 5: Granada

Our guided tour today focuses on the city’s other sights, including the Granada Cathedral, the second largest in Spain, the Royal Chapel, a lavish mausoleum with the tombs of Queen Isabel and King Ferdinand, the Alcaicería, a former Moorish silk market that is now filled with tiny shops and restaurants, and The Albayzín, Spain’s best-preserved Moorish quarter. Later, we tour an olive oil estate and have the chance to sample some of the world’s finest olive oil. This evening is a night out with Tapas! B,D

Day 6: Alhambra, Alcazaba, Generalife Gardens

This morning we tour the world-famous Alhambra, a magnificent Moorish fortress and palace that is one of Europe’s top tourist sights. Once the Moorish royal palace, the Palacios Nazaríes is filled with intricate patios, pools, arches, and extravagantly decorated ceilings. We also visit Charles V’s Palace and Alcazaba, the oldest part of the complex. Next, we walk to the nearby Generalife Gardens that were once used by the sultans as a summer palace retreat. B

Day 7: Torremolinos and Malaga

This morning we drive to Torremolinos, a small town located in Costa del Sol, a region in southern Spain that borders the Mediterranean Sea. En route we stop to explore Málaga, a port city on southern Spain’s Costa del Sol, known for its high-rise hotels and resorts jutting up from yellow-sand beaches. Looming over that modern skyline are the city’s massive hilltop citadels, the Alcazaba and ruined Gibralfaro, remnants of Moorish rule. B,D

Day 8: Southern Andalusia

Southern Andalusia is known for its White Hill Towns and today we visit its jewel, Ronda. The town’s iconic bridge spans the 200-foot-wide gorge that divides the Moorish Quarter from the New Town. Ronda is said to be the home of modern-day bullfighting and our guide introduces us to the Real Maestranza bullring, one of the oldest and most picturesque in Spain. Other sights include the Santa Maria del Mayor Church, which stands on a site of a temple dedicated to Julius Caesar, and Casa de San Juan Bosco, a former private home that is known for its 19th-century tapestries, intricate walnut furniture and a garden with spectacular views of the town and the surrounding area. We return to Torremolinos and have time to shop before dinner at our hotel. B

Day 9: Tarifa to Tangier

This morning, we transfer to Tarifa Port to take the ferry to Tangier. Upon arrival in Tangier, we meet our Moroccan guide and transfer to our hotel. Dinner is at our hotel. B,D

Day 10: Tangier

After breakfast we tour the city tour of Tangier. We stop first at the old town, known locally as “The medina.” We will visit the American legation, Dar El Oued Makhazen Kasbah, the Mendoubia Gardens, and the Grand and Petit Socco. Dinner tonight is at a local restaurant. B,D

Day 11: Chefchaouen and Volubilis

This morning we continue on to Chefchaouen, “the Blue City” with the most charming towns in Morocco. We tour the city of Chefchaouen starting with the kasbah of Chefchaouen. This kasbah dates to the early 18th century and was built by the legendary ruler Moulay Ismail (1645 – 1727). Next, we stop at Plaza Uta el-Hammam, the cobbled main square in town and where the striking 15th century Grand Mosque sits. In the afternoon we transfer to the UNESCO-sponsored Roman ruins in Volubilis, a Berber and Roman city partly excavated by the UNESCO.  Volubilis was the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Mauretania. The city was developed from the third century BC onward as an Amazigh, then proto-Carthaginian, and from the 1st century AD onward, the city grew rapidly under the Roman rule.  Afterwards, we end our day in Fes where we have dinner. B,D

Day 12: Fes and Medina

Today begins with a guided city tour of the spiritual capital of Morocco, Fes. Our first stop of the morning is a visit to the entrance of the largest royal palace in Morocco. This palatial complex rests in the center of the Fes El-Jedid area and is surrounded by high walls with an intricate and elaborately decorated gateway that is permanently closed. The doors are bronze, but they shine like gold. Our next stop will be the old Medina (Fes el Bali). This medieval center of Fez has not changed for centuries. Its narrow alleys house hundreds of merchants and craftsmen selling a range of products such as dates, fish, spices, copper urns, musical instruments, etc. One of the most interesting sites in Fes is the leather tannery, which is the oldest in the world. The tannery dates back at least nine centuries. We visit Jamaa Al-Karaouine and a Medersa (Koranic school) as part of our tour of the city. B,D

Day 13: Marrakech

After breakfast we transfer to Marrakech, Paris of the Sahara as Winston Churchill once described it. The journey takes us through the Middle Atlas Mountains. We stop first in Ifrane, a charming town and ski resort. Ifrane is famous for its Alpine climate, European-style houses and its 1665 metres (5,460 ft) in elevation. The town experiences snow during winter months and a cool climate during summer. Ifrane is also the place where the lowest temperature was ever recorded in Africa, -24 °C in 1935. While in Ifrane, expect to find animals like the threatened Barbary Macaque and local tree species such as the native Atlas cedar, Scrub oak and the introduced London plane. We arrive at Beni Mellal, which is an important economic center in Morocco in the areas of petrochemical production, textile manufacturing as well as agriculture. We have lunch at a local restaurant before we continue on to Marrakech our home for the next two nights. B,L

Day 14: Marrakech

We take a guided city tour of Marrakech. Our morning begins with a visit to the Kotoubia Mosque. The mosque is the largest in Marrakech and one of the oldest in the world. The minaret, 77 meters (253 ft) in height, includes a spire and orbs. It was completed under the reign of the Almohad Caliph Yaqub al-Mansur (1184 to 1199) and has inspired other buildings such as the Giralda of Seville and Hassan Tower of Rabat. Our next stop is the Bahia Palace, and the Saadian Tombs. The Saadian tombs date back from the time of the sultan Ahmad al-Mansur (1578-1603). The tombs were discovered in 1917 and were restored by the Beaux-arts service. The mausoleum comprises the interments of about sixty members of the Saadi Dynasty that originated in the valley of the Draa River.

Then we continue our tour with the world famous Jema El Fna Square where we will enjoy amazing performance of traditional activities by storytellers, snake charmers, peddlers of traditional medicines. Our last stop is the bustling souks in the old medina. B

Day 15: Casablanca

After breakfast we transfer to Casablanca, the economic capital of Morocco and its largest city. Our orientation tour of Casablanca begins with a visit of Hassan II Mosque, the largest mosque in the country and the seventh largest in the world. We enjoy an afternoon promenade at Ain Diab Corniche, which is one of the city’s most fashionable districts than have time to explore on our own and relax before farewell dinner. B,D

Day 16: Casablanca to Tucson

We transfer to the Casablanca airport for our flights home. B

Itinerary is subject to change.


Package Pricing

$8,275 per person

Double Occupancy

Deposit: $250

$9,275 per person

Single Occupancy

Deposit: $250

Final Payment Due:

June 6, 2023

Deposit: Final Balance Varies

Price Includes

• Roundtrip air transportation Tucson to Madrid/Casablanca to Tucson (not including airline baggage or in-flight charges)
• Transportation by deluxe motorcoach
• Roundtrip door to door livery service
• 14 nights’ lodging at excellent hotels
• Baggage handling at hotels (for one piece)
• 25 meals
• Admission to all listed attractions
• Your Professional Bilingual Tour Director
• Your Pleasurebent Tours Escort (with 15+ travelers)
• All taxes and gratuities for included items (except hotel housekeeping)


Booking Policy

**Passport Required**

CANCELLATION FEES:

  • None – Through June 6, 2023
  • $250 –  June 7 – June 26, 2023
  • $4800 – June 27 – August 24, 2023
  • 100% – after August 24, 2023

Final Payment Due: June 6, 2023

Travel Insurance

In today’s changing travel environment, it’s important to protect your travel investment so you can relax and enjoy your trip. Unforeseen events such as flight delays, baggage loss or even a sudden sickness or injury could impact your travel plans. For your convenience, we offer the following Travelex Insurance Services protection plan for this tour:

360° GROUP CHOICE

360° Adult Group Choice Flyer – Provides an overview of benefits and coverage limits

360° Adult Group Choice Policy – Provides the full coverage term details, including exclusions and limitations

$559 –covers trip costs up to $9,000 or $621 covers trip costs up to $10,000. Cost may be more or less depending on your total trip cost. If you do not wish to purchase at booking, the plan can be purchased any time prior to final payment. Contact us to purchase. For questions regarding benefits or coverages, please contact Travelex Insurance Services at 888-574-7026 and reference plan number GCB-0521.

The product descriptions provided here are only brief summaries. The full coverage terms and details, including limitations and exclusions, are contained in the insurance policy. Travelex Insurance Services, Inc. CA Agency License #0D10209. Travel Insurance is underwritten by Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Company; NAIC #22276. X41


ITINERARY

For your reference, we send to you a detailed itinerary approximately 3-4 weeks prior to the scheduled tour departure. This has day-by-day times and events, hotel information where you can be reached in case of an emergency, and airline information.

The times listed on the itinerary are all approximate. We cannot be held responsible for schedule changes due to unforeseen circumstances with the weather, transportation agents, highway conditions, hotels or contracting agents.

AIRLINE TICKETS

You will be issued your boarding pass the morning of our departure, after your arrival at the Tucson International Airport. If you have a frequent flyer number, or a TSA number, please call our office at least 3 days prior to the tour to ensure we can note these in your reservation. If you are joining the tour from locations other than Tucson, we make other arrangements for you to join the tour. Please call our office for more details.

AIRPORT SECURITY

Do not forget to bring your government issued picture ID to show at the airport. A passport is required for travel to Spain and Morocco. If you do not have the proper ID, the airline will turn you away.

BAGGAGE

We have arranged for handling for one piece of luggage per person regarding the skycaps (where available) and hotels. If you check through luggage note that the maximum weight for the checked piece of luggage is 50 pounds and maximum size is 62 inches (length + width + height). If your bag weighs over 50 pounds the airlines will levy an extra fee that you will be responsible to pay. If you feel the need to lock your checked through luggage and your bag is searched, your lock could be damaged in the process. You can purchase a TSA (Transportation Security Administration) accepted and recognized lock at any luggage store. Make sure you ask for a TSA approved lock. These locks are the kind that TSA screeners can open by using a special tool without breaking. Passengers can carry-on 1 bag (dimensions are limited to 10x16x24 inches), plus a personal type bag, like a purse. We advise that you pack your carry-on lightly. There are restrictions regarding your carryon baggage and contents due to enhanced security measures. Attached find a list regarding commonly asked about items as well as an update. If you have further concerns, please visit the TSA's Web-site at www.tsa.gov. There is room inside the motorcoach for your hand carried bag.

CHECKED BAGGAGE FEES

On our airline for this tour, passengers may be assessed a $TBD fee per checked in bag, by the Airlines, upon checking in for the flight.

EMERGENCY CONTACT

It is always a good idea to carry on your person a list of medications that you are taking and an emergency contact phone number while you are traveling. And we suggest making a copy of the itinerary and provide it to a friend or family member.

LIVERY

For your convenience, we have a (round-tour) door-to-door pickup service with each multi-day tour. (This service is not available to all clients depending on your location.) Approximately 2 to 3 days prior to the departure date you will receive a call from our office and we will tell you your assigned pickup time. (These times can vary up to 15 minutes depending on traffic.)

LODGING REQUESTS

If you would like to request special accommodations at the hotel(s) where we are lodging, please call us as soon as possible and we will forward these requests for you. The phone numbers of the hotel(s) where we are staying are listed on the itinerary.

TRAVEL REQUESTS

We pay close attention to your requests but please realize that these are merely requests and cannot be guaranteed.

RESPONSIBILITY

Pleasurebent Tours acts solely as an agent in arranging hotels, transportation, sightseeing, baggage-handling, and other services and does not assume any liability for injury, damage, loss or delay due to any act or default of any company or person. We, along with our subcontractors, reserve the right to make changes to an itinerary if it is necessary for the proper handling of a tour.

WEATHER AND CLOTHING/MISC. SUGGESTIONS

Please be sure to bring a cool/quick wicking clothes and a rain/winter jacket, along with good walking shoes and a hat. Proper and formal attire might be required at religious sites.

Temperatures can be quite cool at night in Morocco and Spain. A light jacket or sweater is recommended to keep warm during the evening.

Inquire About This Tour

Submit your inquiry for more information about a tour. We will get back to you with a (human) response as soon as possible. During the week that’s usually within a couple of hours. Evenings and weekends may take us a little bit longer. Please note that this is an inquiry for tour bookings only and does not constitute or confirm a reservation on a tour.

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