Spain, Morocco & Gibraltar Tour

Enjoy a scenic drive through southern Spain’s rolling hills on your way to Ronda. This picture-perfect whitewashed Andalusian village is dramatically perched above a rocky gorge. Your visit begins with a tour of Ronda’s bullring, which is the oldest in Spain. At this bullring, the famous "Corridas Goyescas" (traditional bullfights) still take place, where matadors dress up in costumes similar to the ones worn at the time of Goya, many centuries ago. Under the bullring stands, there is an interesting museum on tauromachy (the art of bullfighting). Your tour continues nearby on the New Bridge, a majestic feat of engineering that spans the El Tajo gorge, which is carved 350-feet deep into the spectacular landscape. In the afternoon, you will have free time in Ronda for shopping at the boutiques and for a leisurely lunch. The full-day guided tour includes entrance to the bullring and the cathedral.

Enjoy a day trip to Tangier for a taste of Islamic culture in Morocco, a country so close to Spain in proximity, yet has the feeling of being so far away culturally. Enjoy the scenery along the Mediterranean Coast as you drive to the province of Cádiz. You’ll board the ferry boat in Tarifa or Algeciras. After a short ferry ride (less than an hour) across the Strait of Gibraltar, you’ll arrive in another country—exotic Morocco. Your visit of Tangier begins with a walk around the old city. You’ll see the ancient and atmospheric Medina, with its narrow streets and traditional houses. Then, you’ll have free time to take in the local ambience at the bazaar. You’ll be treated to lunch in a typical Moroccan restaurant. The menu will include traditional specialties such as harira (tomato, chickpea and lentil soup), kebabs, couscous with chicken and vegetables, tea and dessert. Your visit will be led by an English-speaking guide for the entire journey. This is definitely a full-day experience (12 hours total including travel time), but it is absolutely worth it!

This morning, you’ll take a private walking tour to discover the old city of Málaga. The Costa del Sol is well known for its sandy beaches and posh resort towns along the Mediterranean Coast. However Málaga, at the center of it, also has many sites of cultural and historic significance, including the ruins of a Roman amphitheater, an impressive cathedral and the ancient Alcazaba (fortress). Those who appreciate art should visit the Picasso Museum to see a wonderful collection of masterpieces created by the city’s famous native-born son.

Take another scenic drive along the Mediterranean coast on your coach tour to Gibraltar. Known as the "Big Rock" or the “Rock of Gibraltar,” this destination is one of the most unique in Europe. All traffic entering Gibraltar must go through the Gibraltar Airport, which requires driving across the runway. After entering Gibraltar, you’ll begin the "Rock Tour" by minibus. The tour begins at Europe Point, the southernmost point of Europe. On a clear day, you can see the outline of Africa on the other side of the strait. Next you’ll visit the Saint Michael Caves and the monkey park. Then you’ll have a few hours of free time to leisurely stroll around or to take advantage of the duty-free shopping. The coach trip is led by an English-speaking escort, and the minibus tour features prerecorded multilingual presentations.

This morning, you’ll board a train to your next destination, Seville, in Spain’s Andalusia region. Take in the picturesque scenery of the Andalusian countryside as you make your way south to another fascinating part of the country. Seville represents everything that is sensual and remarkable about Andalusia, a region famous for its festivals, traditional customs and multiethnic heritage. For centuries, the people of three religions, Christianity, Islam and Judaism, lived here in harmony. You can appreciate the legacy of the past in the beautiful buildings that still stand today. Seville’s cathedral and alcázar are imbued with Moorish influence, evidence of their use as Islamic buildings before they were recovered by Christian Conquistadors.

Today you’ll make a short journey to the city of Granada, another gem of Andalusia. The highlight of Granada is the UNESCO-listed Alhambra Palace, one of Europe’s most visited tourist destinations. The Alhambra Palace is an expansive Moorish fortress perched on a foreboding hilltop. The Nasrid Palace features exquisitely decorated rooms where the emirs (Muslim rulers) once lived, and charming courtyards with pleasant fountains—the most famous is the Courtyard of the Lions. You’ll also see the beautifully manicured Generalife Gardens, where magnificent greenery, lush flowers and delicate fountains blend harmoniously with the Sierra Nevada Mountains in the background. You will spend the entire day on your private guided tour, allowing you to truly take in the splendor of Granada.

Your day begins with a walking tour of Seville’s most important sites. First you’ll visit the magnificent cathedral, once a mosque during the Moorish times and now the largest Gothic cathedral in the world. The cathedral’s tower, called La Giralda is the only remaining architectural feature of the 12th century mosque. The bell tower was the original minaret and now is Seville’s most iconic sight. Next you will visit the Real Alcázar (Royal Palace), an exquisite place of serenity and beauty. Designed in the glorious Mudéjar style, the Real Alcázar was built in the 8th century for the Moorish rulers of Seville. The final stop on the tour is the Barrio Santa Cruz, Seville’s old Jewish Quarter. After your tour, you’ll have the rest of the day free to continue exploring Seville at your own pace.

This morning you’ll set off for Jerez de la Frontera, the world’s capital of Sherry wine. This city in the province of Cádiz has a noble heritage with a tradition of equestrian arts. Your first stop is at a local bodega (wine cellar) for a tasting of Sherry wines. Then you will watch an equestrian show where the horses will show off the their exceptional equestrian skills. Next you’ll travel to the city of Cádiz, an ancient port town where Christopher Columbus set off for his adventures in the New World.

This afternoon you will have time for sightseeing on your own. You may want to return to the Barrio Santa Cruz to truly soak up the atmosphere of this vibrant neighborhood. Wander around the lovely plazas that are lined by fragrant orange trees and get lost in the maze of narrow alleys and hidden passageways. There are many beautiful old palaces and churches to discover. Of course you should also make time to stop in one of the quarter’s stylish bars to participate in the Andalusian tradition of tapas—typically you are served a glass of Sherry wine accompanied by appetizers. After your day of sightseeing, you’ll spend the evening watching an authentic Flamenco performance, Andalusia's quintessential cultural expression.

Today you'll enjoy a wonderful excursion to the historic city of Córdoba. Your guided walking tour will take you to la Mezquita, the Alcázar, the old synagogue and the Jewish Quarter. Córdoba’s history dates back to Roman times, but it really reached its zenith in the 10th century, when it was the capital of an Islamic kingdom, the Caliphate of Córdoba, that governed almost the entire Iberian Peninsula. At the time, Córdoba was a cultured metropolis with a population of 500,000 inhabitants, making it the biggest city in Europe and much more advanced than even Paris or Rome.

The tour concludes today after breakfast at your hotel. You’ll be provided a private transfer to the train station for your ride from Seville to Barcelona. Upon arrival at the Barcelona train station, you’ll take a private transfer to the airport in time to catch your return flight home.