Hidden Gems of Spain and Morocco Itinerary

Ruins of Roman amphitheater in Tarragona, Spain

What to expect on this itinerary

Handcrafted for the inquisitive soul, this unique tour uncovers the next generation of travel destinations. Rather than countries, you’ll discover inimitable regions, and each will be a contrast to the last, including Catalonia, Basque, and Galicia, then Western Sahara, Souss-Massa, and Marrakesh-Safi. There’s art, wine, dunes, camels, walled cities, cobbled squares, hidden coastlines, and heritage villages. And as your senses discover the authenticity, you’ll want to keep the destinations a secret.

Countries Visited

Morocco, Spain

Places Visited

Barcelona, Tarragona, Penedes, Catalonia, Basque Country, Bilbao, Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Casablanca, Dakhla, Taroudant, Marrakesh

Suggested Duration

15 Days

Customizable Itinerary

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Day 1

Barcelona – Stroll the Gothic Quarter and Introduction to Catalonia

Catalan flags fly from the townhouses in Barcelona while locals greet you in Catalan language and the chatter you hear on al fresco terraces is not Spanish. The architecture is also novel as the works of Antonio Gaudi and Lluis Domenech i Montaner add curves and mosaics and chimneys to the streets. When you look a little closer, you’ll see that this architecture is not art nouveau, it is proudly Catalan modernism. While Barcelona is one of the world’s most popular tourist cities, the stories within the city can be quick to take you off the beaten track, as this is a city that emphasizes the difference. You’ll touch down in the city and spend a day with a local guide, discussing the history and admiring the quintessentially Catalan attractions.

What's Included:

Transfer
Accommodation
Tour
Breakfast
Day 2

Barcelona – Wine Estates of Catalonia and Coastal Tarragona

Day 3

Bilbao – Pintxos and Poignant Expressions

Day 4

Bilbao – Immersed in Basque Country

Day 5

Santiago de Compostela – Beneath the Cathedral Chimes of History

Day 6

Santiago de Compostela – Exploring the Remote Galician Coast

Day 7

Casablanca – A Stunning Mosque and an Insight Into Morocco

Day 8

Dakhla – The Enduring Beauty of the Western Sahara

Day 9

Dakhla – Where Dunes Meet the Waves: Camel Treks and Beaches

Day 10

Taroudant – An Ochre-Walled Town Untouched By Tourism

Day 11

Taroudant – Immersed in a Rustic World

Day 12

Marrakesh – The Greatest City Square of Them All

Day 13 - 14

Ait Bouguemez – Berber Heritage and the Beauty of the Atlas Mountains

Day 15

Marrakesh – Depart

Trip Highlights

  • Explore the wild Sahara as you journey into the desert by camel and stay at a camp where the dunes meet the waves
  • Go off the beaten track in Catalonia and find the fiery soul while you taste Penedes wine and explore the capital city of Tarragona
  • Explore the coast of Galicia and immerse yourself in the tradition of its capital, Santiago de Compostela
  • Travel across untouched Souss-Massa, where the walled city of Taroudant is a wonderful insight into heritage
  • Escape into the High Atlas Mountains and spend time in old Berber villages, with a base in breathtaking Ait Bouguemez
  • Take a journey through the old and new of Basque, the northern Spanish region that’s a haven for art, food, and indulgence
  • Connect with the local people in each of the distinctive regions while you share stories and swap tales

Detailed Description

Spain and Morocco are a patchwork of contrasting regions and people, where the experiences celebrate the diversity and authenticity of the world we inhabit. From Catalonia to Basque to Galicia, each autonomous community has their own language and style. Morocco’s Western Sahara is a remote swathe of land bordering the Atlantic that is hard to compare with what you find in more traditional regions. Going off the beaten track in these two countries isn’t merely about the choice of destinations. It’s a mindset, an appreciation that Spain and Morocco are complex jigsaw puzzles to be pieced together.

This two-week expedition will explore six regions, as it encourages you to go beyond the preconceptions. Recent developments make Catalonia a fitting place to start exploring local style and autonomy. You’ll visit a breathtaking wine region and get a taste of the coast beyond Barcelona. Then, fly to Bilbao and spend two days in the Basque Country, where the food and art are just two means of defining the difference. Galicia awaits you in the remote northwestern corner of Spain. In this region of tradition and stunning coastlines, you’ll eat plenty of octopus, listen to the cathedral’s chime, and find your own private bay along the wild Atlantic.

When you fly to Casablanca via Madrid, you’ll have a layover in the city and an opportunity to visit one of the world’s largest mosques. Then fly to the Western Sahara territory, which is just opening to tourism. You’ll ride camels over the dunes, bask on endless miles of golden beach, and wonder how somewhere so beautiful is so unknown to the world. Next, you’ll visit Taroudant, an ochre walled town where storytellers gather on the square, and the souks are charmingly confusing. Spend time here before you travel to Marrakesh to visit with the Berbers, travel between their villages in the High Atlas Mountains, and stay in the quaint town of Ait Bouguemez.

Starting Price

$4,600 per person (excluding international flights)

Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.

What's Included

  • Accommodations
  • In-country transportation
  • Some or all activities and tours
  • Expert trip planning
  • 24x7 support during your trip

Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.

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jason M.
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Zicasso's travel expert and his team were fantastic. They planned out all the details of our trip and the activities were set up through reputable and trustworthy third parties by him. I’d definitely use his team again.

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Paul P.
Spain Travel Review: Madrid, La Rioja, Barcelona, Wineries, History, Chocolate Tour, 10 Nights

Our trip to Spain was wonderful and everything went as planned. The three hotels we stayed in (Madrid, La Rioja, Barcelona) met or exceeded expectations. Our guides were very knowledgeable and personable.

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Nicole M.
Spain, Portugal Tour Review: Private Food and Wine Tours, Sunset Sailing, 9 Nights

We had an excellent trip! We loved the tours and how the Zicasso travel company was accessible during the duration of the trip. We encountered one issue, but the team responded and worked with us to resolve it.

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Stephen M.
Spain Trip Review: Granada, Seville, 16 Days

Excellent planning by Zicasso's travel company and first-class accommodations with professional staff made this 16-day trip to Spain a true pleasure.

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Joan F.
Morocco Vacation Review: Marrakech, Chefchaouen, Rabat, Casablanca, Hot-Air Balloon Ride, Desert, Medina, Local Cuisine, 6 Nights

Our trip to Morocco was absolutely perfect from start to finish. Our driver was excellent and an excellent companion throughout the journey—reliable, friendly, and always helpful.

The guided tour through the medina in Marrakech with our guide was a standout experience, especially with the bonus of dining at a fantastic restaurant he recommended. Two major highlights of the trip were the unforgettable hot-air balloon ride and our magical night in the desert.

Although our time in Casablanca was brief, we thoroughly enjoyed it. Our guide in Rabat was knowledgeable and made the experience engaging and informative. We ended our trip in the stunning town of Chefchaouen, where another guide provided an exceptional tour—he was informative and passionate about his city.

The accommodations were perfect at every stop, and we truly appreciated the welcome gifts and meals provided by Zicasso's travel specialist and his team. Their attention to detail made all the difference.

I would highly recommend him and his company to anyone planning a trip to Morocco. It was an unforgettable experience that I will be sharing with friends and family for years to come.

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James S.
Spain Travel Review: Barcelona, San Sebastian, Madrid, Costa Brava, Wine Tours, Bike Ride, Kayak Experience, 10 Days

Zicasso's travel company did a wonderful job planning our trip. They were helpful and patient with me while planning our Spain trip. They truly listened to what we wanted in a trip and respected our budget.

All the tours we took were wonderful, with personable guides, and our drivers for transportation were also great. Everyone was on time, always. We had a flight delay leaving the US, resulting in missing an entire day in Barcelona. The agency could not have been better about getting transportation and tours moved, and making adjustments for us. We were still able to take all of our tours despite missing a day.

Also, while in Spain, our flight from San Sebastián to Madrid was canceled. The agency let us know right away and quickly made other arrangements. I could not have been happier with how they dealt with travel issues, especially when the issues we had were due to flights and not something they had booked for us. I was truly able to relax and have fun knowing that the agents at the travel company would handle any issues we faced.

I absolutely would recommend this company and happily use them again if I ever travel to areas they cover.

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Customizable Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary to inspire a personalized trip designed with your travel specialist.

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