Spanish Riviera, Portugal & Morroco

Barcelona, Malaga, Madrid, Marrakesh, Fez, Lisbon, Porto16 days

About

An 16-day extravaganza of travelling back through time to witness the Moorish influence on the culture of Spain, Portugal and Morocco. And yet the differences that make each country so distinctive are wonderful to see too. See some fascinating ancient landmarks along the way and enjoy wandering through some of the oldest ‘old towns’ in the world.

You should experience it because...

Mosques, markets, bars and beaches – it’s all here in this captivating tour that explores Moorish delights and relics in ten cities, with the headline attraction of the Alhambra Palace that is often dubbed the ‘eighth wonder of the world’

Art, architecture and Moorish delights

See the world’s tallest minaret at the Hassan II mosque in Casablanca

Visit a traditional Moorish pharmacy in Marrakesh for a unique insight in to the blending of creams and cosmetics from regional ingredients.

Drive through the foothills of the Atlas Mountains – it was once the favourite holiday spot of Sir Winston Churchill.

Places covered 16 Days

Day 1 Barcelona, sightseeing and attractions
Day 2 Barcelona, sightseeing and attractions
Day 3 Madrid, sightseeing and attractions
Day 4 Madrid – Toledo
Day 5 Malaga, sightseeing and attractions
Day 6 Malaga – Granada – Malaga
Day 7 Malaga – Seville – Malaga
Day 8 Malaga – Fez
Day 9 Fez, sightseeing and attractions
Day 10 Marrakesh, sightseeing and attractions
Day 11 Marrakesh, sightseeing and attractions
Day 12 Marrakesh – Casablanca
Day 13 Casablanca – Lisbon – Alfama – Baixa – Chiado
Day 14 Lisbon – Cascais – Sintra – Estoril
Day 15 Porto, sightseeing and walking tour
Day 16 Porto, sightseeing and walking tour and wine tour
Day 17 Depart

Days Details
1 Barcelona, sightseeing and attractions Time to check-in to your accommodation and familiarise yourself with this vibrant and cosmopolitan city that’s full of festivals, cuisine, art, culture, and architecture. Barcelona is the perfect size to discover on foot, so spend time this first day wandering through the Parc de la Ciutadella or the Parc de Joan Miro, or get off the beaten track and head up to Horta. Fill up on tapas in the evening plates of bite-sized goodies served with bread they are a culinary trend in Barcelona. Or, if you’re up for it, immerse yourself in the world of flamenco at Tablao Flamenco in La Rambla.
2 Barcelona, sightseeing and attractions Barcelona is full of diverse cultures and heritages, and every step you take, you will stumble upon some of its history. Get an idea of the city’s historical wealth at the Museu d’Historia de Barcelona, and see the awe-inspiring medieval cathedral of La Sagrada Familia. Visit the Museo Picasso that focuses on the artist’s formative years, and feast your eyes on La Pedrera – a Gaudi masterpiece that was built in 1905-§0 as a combined apartment and office block. End the day with a tasty dinner at the tiny restaurant of La Vinateria del Call that serves delicious Iberian dishes including Galician octopus, and cider-cooked chorizo.
3 Madrid, sightseeing and attractions Madrid never sleeps. There are world-class museums and palaces here as well, although the nightlife takes over and you’ll be temptedto nibble tapas, sip wine, and stay up all night. Take a Madrid City Tour. Along the way see the Plaza de Espana, the Royal Palace, Plaza de Oriente, Plaza de la Cibelus, Puerta de Alcala and Gran Via. The highlight of the tour is a visit to Prado Museum, the best collection in the world of Spanish paintings. See masterpieces by El Greco, Velazquez and Goya as well as the gold century great artists including Ribera, Zurbaran and Murillo. See the artwork and treasures at the sprawling 18th century Palacio Real, and then get in to the Madrileno way of life and eat tapas and ‘burn the midnight oil’.
4 Madrid – Toledo Toledo perches on top of a rocky mount. Set out on the El Greco trail and simply enjoy the experience – his paintings can be found in many churches here. Toledo’s streets are like a labyrinth, and getting lost is all part of the fun. See El Greco’s most famous painting ‘The Burial of Count Orgaz’, it’s inside the Santo Tome chapel. And visit Toledo’s cathedral, an incredible Gothic masterpiece that also houses more of El Greco’s beautiful frescoes.
5 Malaga, sightseeing and attractions Malaga is a world apart from the adjoining Costa del Sol and retains the charm of a historic Mediterranean port. The historic city centre is charming with its majestic Gothic cathedral, surrounded by traditional balconied buildings, its narrow pedestrian streets, and some of the best tapas bars in the province. Visit Malaga’s Alcazaba that has been extensively restored. This palace-fortress dates from the 11th century Moorish period and is surrounded by lush greenery, lofty palms and fragrant jasmine bushes. The Museo Picasso Malaga has an enviable collection of 204works, and includes some wonderful paintings of the family. Another remnant of Malaga’s Moorish past is the craggy ramparts of the Castillo de Gibralfaro, spectacularly located high on the hill overlooking the city. It dates back to the 8thcentury when Malaga was the main port for the emirate of Granada.
6 Malaga – Granada – Malaga A day trip to Granada is a Moorish delight. Soak in the history and drama of the Alhambra Palace, and weave your way through its alluring mix of tangled streets, Moorish architecture and sprawling medieval Moorish quarter. And the Capilla Real is a masterpiece of ornate Gothic style. The city rises majestically from a plain on to three hills that are dwarfed, on a clear day, by the Sierra Nevada. Atop one of these hills perches the reddish-gold Alhambra palace.
7 Malaga – Seville – Malaga Head off into real Andalucia to Seville, and experience that special Andalucian way of life. There are more narrow, winding, and medieval lanes and squares to explore, more hidden plazas soaked in the scent of orange blossom, and so much Spanish tradition to enjoy including flamenco and bullfighting, and some incredible ancient architecture to see. If there’s one sight you must see it’s Seville’s immense cathedral, officially the biggest in the world, that stands on the site of the great 12thcentury Almohad mosque with the mosque’s minaret still towering beside it.
8 Malaga – Fez Fly to Fez, it’s the new Marrakesh, with it’s wonderful Fes el-Bali (Old Fez) – an assault on the senses, a warren of narrow lanes and covered bazaars fit to bursting with aromatic food stands, craft workshops, mosques and an endless parade of people. Dive straight in to Fez’s charm – blind alleys lead to squares with exquisite fountains. The smells, the chaos and the colours will be enough to lead you to exploring this unique Old Town and to simply ‘get lost’ amongst the chickens, spices, cats, carrots, pots, carpenters, donkeys and carts. The Old Town is now a Unesco World Heritage Site and is thought to be the largest car free urban. See the beautiful Islamic gates on the main entrances. Dine at one of the rooftop cafes in the middle of the Old Medina. Climb the stairs and be amazed at the fancy interiors with their Islamic tiling, art and furniture all around.
9 Fez, sightseeing and attractions Visit the Tanneries where hard manual labour turns leather different colours. Get a vantage point and look down on the huge stone pots that contain the dyes and leather skins left drying on the roof. Gaze around at the old low rise buildings where very little has changed since the 11thcentury. Take a short walk to Borj Nord and the Merenid Tombs, restored forts on the outskirts of the city. Dating back to the 16thcentury, both offer fantastic views of the city day and night. See the Royal Palace from the outside with its impressive 7 gates, mighty walls, and huge brass knockers. And the Bath a Museum houses an excellent collection of traditional Moroccan arts and crafts.
10 Marrakesh, sightseeing and attractions Drive through the rugged Atlas Mountains to Marrakesh, once the favourite holiday spot of Sir Winston Churchill. Get lost in the Old Town’s tiny streets and alleyways and take in the charm of snake charmers, donkey carts, leather poufs and handwoven carpets, and try your hand at bartering. Visit the Musee de Marrakesh and learn all about the history and traditional arts, and wander through the Jardin Majorelle, a botanicalgarden once owned by Yves Saint Laurent. Feast your senses on a Food and Market Tour that includes a traditional dinner. Learn about spices, witness the art of haggling at a local meat market, and sample delicacies such as cow’s hoof, sheep’s head, and ghoulal, a snail soup.
11 Marrakesh, sightseeing and attractions Hire a local guide for a half-day and see the grand Bahia Palace, be guided through the Old Town, admire photographs of Marrakesh from a century ago, and learn more about the city’s rich culture at the Photography Museum of Marrakesh. Relax at the city’s largest traditional Hammam (spa), with star –shaped vents in the vast domed ceiling, or try the Sultana Spa – an opulent, all-marble spa near the Saadian Tombs. These majestic tombs are splendidly built and are decorated with marble and pure gold in places. Head down again to the Djemaa el Fna square for a final taste of the latest superior street food from grills and steaming cauldrons.
12 Marrakesh – Casablanca A 3-hour train journey takes you to Casablanca, the scene of Humphrey Bogart’s most magical moments. Take a guided tour that includes a panoramic drive of the Corniche, plus views of the Hassan II Mosque with the world’s tallest minaret. Continue to the capital city, Rabat, and do the ‘must-sees’ of the Mausoleum and the Royal Palace. Eat the best Moroccan food at Restaurant du Port de Peche, located in the middle of the fishing harbour, or step back in to the movies and eat at Rick’s Café that’s taken directly from the setting in Casablanca.
13 Casablanca – Lisbon – Alfama – Baixa – Chiado Fly from Casablanca to Lisbon, the city with seven hills. After a traditional Portuguese lunch of Caldo Verde – a delicious soup of onions, potatoes and kale, set off for the Baixa district that is laid out ina neoclassical grid. Explore the shops and cafes and main square of Bairro Alto and Chiado and brose boutiques and art galleries. Belem is home to some of the city’s greatest museums, including the Museu de Art Antiga and Mosteirodos Jeronimos. And the Alfama district is full of medieval alleys and outstanding views.
14 Lisbon – Cascais – Sintra – Estoril A day spent experiencing Portugal’s golden triangle ofSintra, Cascais and Estoril. See the mysterious caves of Sintra and visit Sintra’s National Palace. Enjoy the Roca Cape Cliffs, the westernmost point of continental Europe. And take a walk along the bay in the glamorous town of Cascais.
15 Porto, sightseeing and night walking tour Final destination is Porto, Portugal’s second-largest city that boasts a tangle of streets and buildings with aging facades. Wander through the narrow streets of Ribeira, Porto’s most interesting area. Learn all about port at the Port Wine Institute Take a guided drive through Porto at night and then enjoy dinner and a Fado show – an emotionally charged music evening that captures the spirit of Portugal - in a traditional Porto restaurant. See Porto’s avenues, churches and Douro River floodlit under the stars, and drive along famous Avenida dos Aliados with its monumental architecture and grand open plazas.
16 Porto, sightseeing and attractions See the city’s rich mix of architectural history today including monuments in the Romanesque, gothic, baroque and neo-classical style. Major sights include the Cathedral, Real Companhia Velha Port Wine Cellars, Clerigos, Foz and Boavista. Or spend a day in Douro Valley, visiting two beautiful winderies to sample sparkling wine, port, local wine and ‘vinho-verde’ a young or green wine.
17 Depart

€ 3,500 per person	(Prices are in Euros and exclude international flights)
Price Per Person in Twin Sharing Accomodation
(Prices are in Euros and exclude international flights)
All rates mentioned are an approximate price per person on a twin-sharing basis, and are based on a minimum of 6-9 adults travelling together. Rates are subject to change based on the number of passengers and the time of year. (Flights, visas, travel insurance, lunches & dinners, personal expenses not included. There may be some itinerary activities not included also – please ask). Inclusions : - Traditional ,Boutique or Heritage accommodation where possible or Quality accommodation (on a twin-sharing basis) in centrally located 4*Hotels . -Meals – breakfast in all destinations - Internal Travel by rail - ferries - coach as applicable -Guided sightseeing excursions as per the itinerary as applicable -All arrival and departure transfers -Entrance and excursion costs as indicated Travel is based on private coaches with Local guides . You do have the option of Independent travel .Get in Touch to discuss on how we could tailor the trip to suit you .

Low Season
Shoulder Season
High Season

Summer is the high travel season in the Mediterranean. The weather is hot and sunny, the water is warm, and millions of people flock to the coast to soak up the sun and take a break from routine.. During the spring months, the flowers are blooming and the landscape is verdant, while autumn days are mild and clear before the winter rains.

Those wanting to travel earlier in the season can visit some of the more southern destinations as well as the larger Mediterranean islands. Cyprus and Malta are lovely in April, with warm days and pleasant nights. Late March through April is also an ideal time to visit Morocco, Greece, Italy, Slovenia, and Turkey.

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About Us

Freedom Holidays is passionate about creating inspirational tailor-made travel to Europe and beyond. Our business is your pleasure and our expert and dedicated team is here to listen to your travel needs down to the ‘nth’ degree, leaving you ‘free’ to enjoy your holiday of a lifetime with no gimmicks, no hassle, and no stress. What makes us different? With 14 years experience of providing quality tailor-made customised holidays with an ‘off-the beaten-track’ themed approach, we take you to well-known destinations as well as far flung locations (or a mixture of both), leaving you safe in the knowledge that you will be looked after every step of the way.

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