Meet at our start hotel in Madrid.

It is easy to get to. Details will be supplied upon booking.

Madrid is culturally rich and a beautiful place; you might like to arrive a few days early to explore and take advantage of being here.  

An early start off to the high-speed train for Cordoba, arriving in the middle of the day we can drop our bags and have lunch.

We’ll walk to the Medieval Tower across the river- it houses a great museum with the story of Andalusia.

Later, visit the fabulous Mesquita. Originally a Roman temple with mosaics under the floor, it was transformed into a mosque before a cathedral was built over it. 

This fabled building, with its forest of striped arches, showcases the beauty that can arise when Muslim and Christian cultures intermingle.

Welcome Dinner - we will meet up at an open-air restaurant for drinks and dinner, it is the perfect spot to watch the locals take their evening promenade and for us to celebrate our adventure.

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If you like an early start it is lovely to wander the quiet streets before breakfast.

Visit to Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos, this peaceful Fort has a dreaded history to be told…later after we have seen it in daylight!

Then travel via train through the glorious countryside of olive groves, old castles and villages to Granada.

We will wander down to the Capella Real, final resting place of Isabella and Ferdinand of Spain.

Soak up the local vibe for the afternoon before gathering later in the evening to act like the locals, wandering the bars for tapas, a glass of wine or two, listen to the music and have a good laugh! 

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The Alhambra! This palace complex was built in the Muslim style to reflect paradise; elegant buildings, intricate mosaics and gardens full of scented flowers and sparkling water features– it must come very close. Our day will pan out depending on entrance times allotted to us, then we can spend time soaking up its beauty.

In the evening, we are free to daydream and sample some of the lovely restaurants near our hotel.

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An early visit So far, we have been travelling at a cracking pace, today we move onto the little seaside village of Tarifa via bus, a much slower pace and our launching point for Africa and Morocco.

Tarifa is the most southerly point in Europe; we will be able to walk out on a sand spit and have the Atlantic Ocean lapping on our right-hand side and the Mediterranean Sea on our left.

Wander the old town and relax. Great place to sketch the view or just dream of Africa, we can see Morocco across the water.

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An early ferry and we leave Europe behind and head to mystical Africa. Crossing the Straits of Gibraltar, we reach Morocco, landing at Tangiers we will be met by our Moroccan crew.

Funny thing is we arrive at the same time we leave Spain according to the clock.

Climbing into our a/c vehicle we will wind our way up into the picturesque Rif Mountains and the quaint little village of Chefchouen, a perfect start to Moroccan life.

In the afternoon we will explore this picturesque blue town.

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Off to Fez today and along the way we will visit the fabulous Roman ruins at Volubilis, reaching our Riad later in the afternoon.

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Fez or should I write FEZ! The oldest of the Imperial Cities, this ancient city has always been regarded as the religious and cultural centre of Morocco. 

Its UNESCO World Heritage Listed 9th Century Old City- Fez el-Bali- is the oldest living, breathing, functioning Medieval Islamic city in the world. 

Hicham [our man in Fez] will take us to the Medina today, and reveal such delights as the history of Fez, the tanneries and some of the wonderful monuments and souks will be uncovered. Lunch will be in the Medina…and an afternoon to explore together.

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We will start the day with a calligraphy lesson, a fine introduction to much we see around us…. learn a few letters in Arabic, at least your name. Our enthusiastic hosts make this a fun exercise.

Diving into the Medina again we will visit the house of Mme Chadia to try our hand at Fassi [Fez style] embroidery.

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Today we will visit Sefrou, an hour from Fez and spend time with the women of the Golden Button Co-operative and learn how to make buttons ourselves.

A delicious home cooked lunch today too, We will check out the village to see if the braid maker is working- he takes up the whole street if he is.

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Breakfast early and then on the way over the mountains and a big drive through the truly magnificent scenery of the Middle Atlas Mountains and the Ziz River Valley to our staging post for the Sahara, Erfoud.

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First, we will head into Rissani and the busy local market, check out the donkey parking lot, the date market and other sights. 

Walk through an old kasbah, experience how cool it is inside and see how people’s homes all fit in together.

Along the road to Merzouga and the Sahara is an informative museum and shop highlighting the wonderful fossils found in abundance in the area.  

Sunset camel rides will be arranged from our doorstep- tonight we sleep at the foot of the dunes in a lovely Auberge.

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We’ll head off to visit Todra Gorge after following the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs.

When you arrive, you will be gob-smacked at the sensational scenery but also might feel a touch of déjà-vu -this is quintessential adventure country from many an exciting movie- we just need whip cracking and fast-moving horses rushing by!

Berber villages and palm trees dot the landscape.

Home tonight will be high up in the Dades Valley at a magical, sophisticated family run Auberge.

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Slow start to the day.

Lunch will be delicious today- you are helping to cook it! 

We are meeting Fatima Mellal to visit her studio and hospitality.

Roses have made El-Kelaa famous throughout the Middle East and we are passing through in the rose season, should smell good as we head further down the Valley of A Thousand Kasbahs through desert, past palm groves, oasis and ancient forts or Kasbahs.

As we pass through Ouarzazate we’ll spot where the movies Gladiator, Mummy I & II, Kingdom of Heaven and many others have came to life. You might remember our village tonight from Gladiator. 

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This village has been seen in many a movie, sunrise is a magical time to wander down and cross the river to look around World Heritage Aït Benhaddou before we leave.

As we cross the Atlas Mountains we will visit a small village and weaving enterprise. They will run a workshop for us on how they dye their fleeces and treat us to a home cooked lunch.

Then off to Marrakech, we arrive in time to wander through the Djemma-el-Fna before a fabulous dinner cooked by the ladies who run our riad.

This amazing marketplace has been declared by UNESCO to be of world cultural importance for Oral Traditions and Performances. Keep a handful of coins in your pockets to give the many performers. 

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A wander through the Souq to The Musée de Marrakech and Ben Youssef Medursa.

After the early tantalizing meander through the souks, there is free time to explore before Djemma el-Fna starts to come alive- it is a great place to choose dinner from the hundreds of stalls or visit a nearby restaurant.

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This morning, we will visit a Women’s Training facility and take a baking class- learn how to make some delicious Moroccan Pastries to wow them back home.

In the afternoon we will visit a women's self help group and learn their techniques for fancy edging on garments and table linen.

We will meet to go out for dinner this evening.

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An early visit to The Jardin Majorelle and associated museum before the crowds arrive. In 1980, Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé, who first arrived in Morocco in 1966, purchased the Jardin Majorelle to save it from destruction at the hands of hotel developers. 

Then head out to Casablanca. We’ll wander along the Corso this afternoon, view the Atlantic and have lunch.

Evening time we will head along to Rick’s Cafe for a drink…for those nostalgic about the movie Casablanca it is on the screen here in this elegant restaurant, a fitting setting for our farewell dinner.

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Departures from Mohammed V International Airport, Casablanca

We will organize airport transfers in time for your flights.

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