17 or 18-Day Break

Day 1 – Local departure by coach, then onwards to the Paris area for overnight stay.
Day 2 – Continue south to our overnight hotel in the Bordeaux area. B,D
Day 3 – We drive into Spain breaking our journey with an overnight stay in Valdepenas. B,D
Day 4 – Continue into Andalucia, to the resort of Estepona or Benalmadena, where we stay for two nights. B,D
Day 5 – Gibraltar (optional). Enjoy a full day visit to the famous Rock of Gibraltar, where you’ll find a little bit of Britain on the Iberian Peninsula. The British territory of Gibraltar is located near the southern most tip of the Iberian Peninsula, overlooking the Strait of Gibraltar, and has historically been an important base for the British Armed Forces and Royal Navy. Today, Gibraltar is known colloquially as Gib or The Rock. B,D
Day 6 – Cross the Straits of Gibraltar to Morocco and Tangiers. An early start this morning, as we head to the port of Algeciras for the ferry across the Straits of Gibraltar to Morocco. We disembark in the port of Tangiers where we are met by our Moroccan guide. Enjoy a brief orientation of Tangiers and continue to the town of Chefchaouen. This insight into the lives of the people of the Rif is fascinating. Blue and whitewashed houses with red tiled sloping roofs nestle peacefully on the slopes of the Rif mountain range. We continue via Volubilis, a window into the Roman history of Morocco and then to Fez, where we stay for two nights. B,D
Day 7 – Fez (included). Our day in Fez begins in the old Medina with Fez El Bali – old Fez – the Andalusian and the Karaouine Quarter with its dyers and tanners and artisans working in the style of their forefathers. As the day progresses we take in the Mellah – the Jewish Quarter, with its old cemetery and the Royal Palace. A fascinating day!  B,LL,D
Day 8 – To Marrakech for two nights. B,D
Day 9 – To Marrakech (included). A full day today to explore perhaps the most famous of the Imperial cities with it’s incredible and turbulent past. Our English speaking guide will take you into the Medina, a labyrinth of small streets and alleyways, filled with shops and stalls selling everything imaginable, with an aroma of saffron and orange blossom among sacks of almonds piled high as mountains! The Menara, surrounded by magnificent gardens, is probably the most peaceful place in Marrakech. Its tranquil waters and the snow capped mountains in the background makes it a perfect setting for those holiday snapshots. We will also see the 19th century Bahia Palace (if the King is not in residence), which was built over a period of six years at public expense. Finally, your day is complete with a visit to the famous Djemaa El Fna Square with its fortune tellers, dancers, snake charmers and water sellers. We take dinner tonight at the fabulous Chez Ali Fantasia where troupes of folklore artists entertain you during dinner then the spectacle continues with charging horsemen firing their rifles into the air whilst pulling their horses to a halt - a tribal display of strength. B,LL,D
Day 10 – Casablanca, Rabat (included). Winding our way north, we head for Casablanca, to visit the magnificent Hassan II Mosque built on a promontory in Casablanca. It is second only in size to the famous Mosque in Mecca. Then on to Rabat, the Imperial Capital, where we visit the Mausoleum of Mohamed V. We also visit the Tour Hassan, sister to the Giralda in Spain, and the Oudayas. We continue to our hotel in Asilah for one night. B,D
Day 11 – By ferry back to Spain and onwards to Granada, where we stay for two nights. B,D
Day 12 – Granada (included). Granada Guided Tour and The Alhambra (included). The old city of Granada is a delight to explore, but the highlight of our included guided tour is the vast palace, the Alhambra which dominates the skyline with the Sierra Nevada mountains in the background. B,D
Day 13 – Head to Madrid for two nights.  B,D
Day 14 – Madrid (included); Madrid Guided Sightseeing (optional). Madrid is a truly cosmopolitan city and possesses a wealth of cultural attractions. Our optional guided tour will show you many of the highlights of the city including the splendid Plaza Mayor, the perfect starting point to explore old Madrid.  B, D
Day 15 – We leave Madrid for an overnight stay in the Bordeaux area. B,D
Day 16 – We stay overnight in the Paris area. B
Day 17 – We travel to Calais, then return home. B

On selected dates this tour will operate with an extra night stay and free day in Estepona and will therefore be an eighteen-day tour.

B=Breakfast LL=Light Lunch D=Dinner

Accommodation

You will stay overnight at the 3-star Hotel El Hidalgo in Valdepenas or the Hotel El Cruce in Manzaneres, followed by two nights the 3-star Hotel Diana Park in Estepona or the Hotel Vistamar or Playabonita in Benalmadena.

During your stay in Morocco, you will stay in 4-star hotels, such as the Hotel Menzah Zalagh in Fez for two nights, followed by two nights at the Hotel Tichka or similar in Marrakech.

In Asilah, you will stay overnight at the Hotel Al Khaima or similar.

In Granada you will stay for two nights at the 4-star Hotel Abades Nevada Palace or Senator Granada Spa and then two nights at the 4-star Hotel El Coloso or the Hotel Eurostars Zarzuela in Madrid.

Overnight stays in France will be in city-style hotels.

Extras
Optional Excursions.
Single Room Supplement: £399
Travel Insurance from £69

Prices are per person, based on two people sharing.