23 day Portugal Andalucia Morocco Coach Tour (BPAMME)

23 DAY PORTUGAL – ANDALUCIA – MOROCCO COACH TOUR
with BARCELONA & MADRID
BARCELONA-MADRID (BPAMME)
**ENGLISH SPEAKING ONLY**
**SMALL GROUP – MAXIMUM 24 PASSENGERS**

Visits: Barcelona, Madrid, Salamanca, Porto, Coimbra, Fatima, Batalha, Nazare, Alcobaca, Lisbon, Caceres, Cordoba, Seville, Ronda, Costa del Sol, Casablanca, Marrakech, Rabat, Meknes, Fes, Granada, Toledo

Departs BARCELONA / FRIDAYS: April – October 2024

This regular coach tour is guided in English only with a maximum of 24 participants.

Start this tour in Barcelona & finish this tour in Madrid.

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Day 1 (Friday)                        ARRIVE BARCELONA

Arrive Barcelona airport, transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. Accommodation.

Day 2 (Saturday)                    BARCELONA

Breakfast at your hotel. Morning city tour of Barcelona. Drive along the main avenues with its impressive Gaudi modernist buildings such as La Pedrera and Casa Milá. The Montjuïc Park with spectacular views of the city and harbour, Olympic Ring, monument to Columbus and the Olympic Port. Visit the most important landmark in the city of Barcelona, Sagrada Familia. Admire Gaudi’s masterwork by the hand of your expert local guide. Afternoon at leisure. Accommodation.

Day 3 (Sunday)                      BARCELONA / MADRID

Breakfast at your hotel. Transfer to Barcelona train station to take the high-speed train to Madrid. Arrival and transfer to your hotel.  Accommodation.

Day 4 (Monday)                      MADRID

Breakfast at your hotel. Discover the beauties of the city with a guided city tour. Barrio de la Morería, the Hapsburgs District, Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor and Plaza de la Villa; the Madrid of the Bourbons and the complex town planning schemes of Charles III, the Royal Palace, Cibeles and Neptuno Fountains and the Puerta de Alcalá. The contemporary Madrid with areas such as Gran Vía, Castellana, the district of Salamanca, Plaza Castilla and Parque del Oeste, as well as commercial and financial areas of Modern Madrid, the emblematic Las Ventas Bullring and the Santiago Bernabéu Football Stadium. Afternoon free to continue exploring the wonders that the city has to offer. Join your fellow travellers for an authentic Welcome Tapas Dinner at a local restaurant. Accommodation. (BD)

Day 5 (Tuesday)                     MADRID / SALAMANCA / PORTO

Breakfast at your hotel. Then depart for Portugal via Salamanca. Enjoy some free time in this University City World Heritage of great architectural and artistic wealth. Continue to the Portuguese border to reach Porto. Located along the Douro River estuary in northern Portugal, Porto is one of the oldest European towns, and proclaimed a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996. Accommodation. (B)

Day 6 (Wednesday)               PORTO

Breakfast at your hotel and then a guided sightseeing tour of Porto. Admire the Cathedral, Stock Exchange building and Santa Clara church. Afterwards, enjoy a Douro River Cruise and discover famous Port Wine Cellars with a wine tasting experience included. Rest of day at leisure. Accommodation. (B)

Day 7 (Thursday)                   PORTO / COIMBRA / FATIMA

Depart for Coimbra a city with of one of the oldest universities in Europe and the birthplace of Fado; Free time then continue to Fatima. Centre of the Christian Faith and World Pilgrimage Sanctuary with its impressive Basilica and the Cova da Iria place where the Virgin Mary appeared. The Chapel of the Apparitions, heart of the sanctuary, with the tombs of the three shepherds, Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta. Tonight, it may be possible to attend the procession of the candles. Accommodation. (B)

Day 8 (Friday)                        FATIMA / BATALHA / NAZARE / ALCOBACA / LISBON

Today, depart for the Batalha Monastery, a masterpiece of Gothic and Manueline style and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Next travel to the picturesque fishing town of Nazaré. Free time. Continue to Alcobaça, another UNESCO World Heritage site, with its 12th century Gothic church and Cistercian monastery. Later continue to Lisbon. Accommodation. (B)

Day 9 (Saturday)                    LISBON

After breakfast join a morning sightseeing tour of the ancient Olissipo, drive through its main squares and avenues, Belem Tower, Jeronimos Monastery, Coach Museum, Monument to the Discoverers, Marquis of Pombal Square, Liberty Avenue. Afternoon at leisure for you to catch the nostalgic corners of Alfama Quarter, the old city gathered next to its Castle, with old buildings nested in narrow twisting “Ruas” full of colour housing the genuine “tabernas”. Join your fellow travellers and enjoy a typical Portuguese dinner visiting one of the oldest Fado venues in the city and located in one of the most interesting cultural neighbourhoods in the area. Accommodation. (BD)

Day 10 (Sunday)                    LISBON / CACERES / CORDOBA

Breakfast at your hotel and then depart for Andalucia, Spain. Drive to Caceres, a UNESCO World Heritage site owing to the city’s blend of Roman, Islamic, Northern Gothic and Italian Renaissance architecture. Walk through its Plaza Mayor and the Old Town with its famous Medieval Quarter. Afterwards, continue towards Cordoba, once the capital of the Caliphate. Accommodation. (B)

Day 11 (Monday)                    CORDOBA / SEVILLE

After breakfast at your hotel Visit Cordoba with an impressive tour of its 8th century Mosque (entrance included) and other sites that will ease our mind and spirit strolling through its narrow winding streets of the Jewish Quarter. In the afternoon drive to Seville. Accommodation. (B)

Day 12 (Tuesday)                   SEVILLE

After breakfast at your hotel a morning city tour of the Andalucian Capital, Seville. Visit the Cathedral, the second largest in the Catholic world after St. Peters in Rome. Continue to Santa Cruz quarter, the natural scenario of “Carmen” as well as a precisely where the myth of “Don Juan” developed, then onto Maria Luisa Park and Plaza de España. Afternoon at leisure for you to discover exclusive views and unique flavours of this city. Accommodation. (B)

Day 13 (Wednesday)             SEVILLE / RONDA / COSTA DEL SOL

Today, drive south passing typical Andalucian villages to arrive in Ronda; free time to admire this town of Celtic origin and the marvellous view of the gorge and mountain range. We continue our journey with an authentic Olive Oil Experience at a local Almazara, LA Organic. Walk through their olive tree fields and taste their organic olive oil production. Then heard towards the beautiful Spanish Mediterranean coast, we will continue to Costa del Sol. Accommodation. (B)

Day 14 (Thursday)                 COSTA DEL SOL

Breakfast; full day at leisure. (B)

Day 15 (Friday)                       COSTA DEL SOL / TARIFA / TANGIER / CASABLANCA

Drive along the picturesque tourist route of Costa del Sol to arrive at Tarifa (or Algeciras), take a short ferry ride across the strait of Gibraltar towards Africa. Arrive in Morocco, disembark, clear customs and continue by coach southwards to Casablanca, current industrial and economic capital and the most populated city housing a 10% of the country population. Time at leisure. Accommodation. (BD)

Day 16 (Saturday)                  CASABLANCA / MARRAKECH

This morning, take a panoramic city tour including Anfa Boulevard, Nations square, residential areas and visit the Grand Hassan II mosque (exterior only). Depart for Marrakech, capital of the South, located within an extensive oasis between the Atlas Mountains and the pre-desert area. Enjoy a city sightseeing tour, including the Koutoubia Tower, twin tower of the Giralda in Seville, Saadines Tombs and Bay Palace. Walk around the medina, souks and the magic Jma El Fna Square, which is packed with fortune tellers, snake tamers, acrobats, dancers, all making the centre of the city an open air theatre that requires the participation of the audience. Don’t forget your camera. Dinner at your hotel. Optional dinner and show at Chez Ali Fantasia (BD)

Day 17 (Sunday)                    MARRAKECH / RABAT / MEKNES / FES

Today, depart early for Rabat, diplomatic and administrative capital of Morocco. Visit the Royal Palace (exterior only), the Mausoleum of Mohamed V and the unfinished Hassan Tower which are important examples of Almohade architecture. Continue to the Imperial City of Meknes located in the heart of the Mid Atlas, admire the great Bab Al Mansour Gate, Morocco’s most beautiful gate. Depart for Fes. Dinner at your hotel. (BD)

Day 18 (Monday)                    FES

Enjoy a morning city tour of the most ancient and monumental of the Imperial Cities visiting the 7 gates of the Royal Palace, Jewish Quarters or Mellah, gate of Bab Bou Jelous and walking tour of the “Medina” (Old City), declared World Heritage Site. Afternoon free. Dinner at your hotel. (BD) Optional dinner with show.

Day 19 (Tuesday)                   FES / TANGIER / TARIFA / COSTA DEL SOL

Today, farewell Morocco, depart for Tangier port and return by ferry to Spain. Upon arrival in Spain continue to your hotel on the Costa del Sol. Accommodation. (B)

Day 20 (Wednesday)             COSTA DEL SOL

Breakfast; full day at leisure. (B)

Day 21 (Thursday)                 COSTA DEL SOL / GRANADA

Following breakfast at your hotel, depart for the city of Granada, last stronghold of the Moorish Kingdoms until 1492. Visit the world famous Alhambra complex (entrance included) and Generalife Gardens that have inspired several authors with its sound and sights, such as “Tales of the Alhambra” by W. Irving. After some time at leisure, join your fellow travellers to experience the most authentic Gypsy Flamenco show including dinner. Accommodation. (BD)

Day 22 (Friday)                       GRANADA / TOLEDO / MADRID

Breakfast at your hotel. Drive northward toward the impressive Imperial city of Toledo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known as the “City of the Three Cultures” for the cultural influences of Christians, Muslims and Jews. Toledo has great artistic beauty and buildings in various styles including Arabian, Gothic, Mudejar, Renaissance and Baroque. Take a short guided tour of this historical old town through its narrow streets. Continue to Madrid. Accommodation. (B)

Day 23 (Saturday)                  DEPART MADRID

After breakfast; transfer to Madrid airport. (B) END OF TOUR.

Tour Includes:

• Airport transfers for Barcelona arrival & Madrid departure on day 1 & day 23;
• Daily Breakfast,
• Welcome Tapas Experience Dinner,
• Flamenco Experience with Dinner,
• Fado show and Dinner in Lisbon,
• Olive Oil Tasting at Local Almazara,
• 4 hotel dinners in Morocco
• Guided visits in Barcelona (Sagrada Familia entrance included), Madrid, Porto (Douro River Cruise and Port wine tasting included), Lisbon, Cordoba (Mosque entrance included), Seville (Cathedral entrance included), Casablanca, Marrakech, Rabat, Fes, Granada (Alhambra entrance included), Toledo.
• High speed train ticket tourist class Barcelona-Madrid with transfers from hotel in Barcelona and to hotel in Madrid;
• Transport by coach and English speaking tour director*

First Class (4*) Tour Hotels used (or similar):

• Barcelona – Hesperia President;
• Madrid – Hyatt Regency Madrid;
• Porto – BessaHotel Boavista, Vila Gale Porto;
• Fatima – Santa Maria, Aurea, Regina, Estrela;
• Lisbon – Lutécia;
• Córdoba – Hesperia Córdoba;
• Seville – Melia Lebreros, Hesperia Sevilla;
• Costa del Sol – Sol Don Pablo, Sol Don Marco, Sol Principe;
• Casablanca – Gran Mogador City Centre;
• Marrakech – Palm Plaza; Fes – Royal Mirage
• Granada – Catalonia Granada, Sabica

Additional Information:

• Passport details are required in advance;
• Passengers are required to clear customs with their own luggage;
• *During the Barcelona & Madrid & Costa del Sol Stays, the tour escort will not be available;
• Tourist city taxes (in applicable cities) are to be paid locally;
• In the event that the guided tour of Madrid is not operated for technical reasons will be replaced by the Madrid Hop-on Hop-off Bus 1 day instead.
• Luggage Limit: one suitcase per person (max. 25kg, 157cm total dimensions), If 2 passengers are sharing one suitcase larger measurements will be accepted.

Private Driver-Guide & Tour Directors: The operator is aware of the importance of the accompanying driver-guide and tour directors during the journey, therefore, they are selected from among the most qualified professionals, who know perfectly well our routes and cities to visit. During the tour, they will make explanations about it, coordinate the accommodation services and take care of the proper development of the circuit, making your trip an unforgettable experience.

When the group is made up of 10 or fewer passengers, the circuit will have no guide, but a knowledgeable expert driver-guide. Such change will not be considered as a significant change of the trip.

Guaranteed Departures: All departures are guaranteed with a minimum of 8 passengers. If, for occupancy reasons, we can´t deliver our Small Group Journey, we will give you the option of joining our regular coach tour, with the same departures dates and tours as your Small Group Journey. This alternative will carry out a discount to be advised.

Generally, coach tours in Spain, Portugal, Morocco use local guides in cities/destinations visited. Tours are also normally accompanied by a tour escort. Your tour may comprise a combination of tours, other participants in your tour may be going to or leaving for other destinations. Your tour escort may also change during the course of your program.

THE OPERATOR, JULIA TRAVEL, RESERVES THE RIGHT TO ALTER HOTELS OR ITINERARY IF NECESSARY