MAGICAL MADRID TO MARRAKECH BY TRAIN

Welcome to the Spanish capital! Our starting point for this epic journey through the heartlands of Spain and the pulsating cities of Morocco. Check-in to the hotel and enjoy Madrid’s elegant boulevards and expansive parks until 6pm, when the trip kicks off with a welcome meeting led by our Local Insider, swiftly followed by a group dinner where you can break the ice and get to know your companions for the next 11 days.

Today is when we really get to know Madrid, and our local expert will help you do just that on a morning walking tour of the city – there’s so much to take in, so be sure to fill up on Spanish pastries at breakfast. Enlightened with a new understanding of the city, it’s time for a break – perhaps time to ask our Local Insider for lunch recommendations? The afternoon is set aside for a visit to the majestic Royal Palace of Madrid. An entry ticket to this scenery-stealing Baroque masterpiece is included in the trip, so you can visit solo or with others. The rest of the day is all yours – we recommend gorging on tapas and Rioja, followed perhaps by dancing the night away in Gran Via, one of Europe’s most pulse-racing party districts.

Get to breakfast early this morning ahead of our first train journey together – destination: Córdoba. This ancient Andalusian city is one of Europe’s true architectural gems, and stands today as the best representation of Spain’s multicultural history, with Muslim, Jewish and Christian influences everywhere from the buildings to the cuisine and local culture. The best example of this is Mezquita, a rare site that has been used as both a mosque and a cathedral over the centuries. The uniqueness of its place in history is matched only by the sheer beauty of the architecture, and entrance to this man-made wonder is included in your afternoon walking tour of the city. Once the city’s charming quarters and hidden corners have been thoroughly explored you’ll be ready for the group dinner at an atmospheric local restaurant – more Rioja, anyone?

Our Andalusian adventure continues with a short hop on the train to Seville, loved for its cultural vitality and blend of modern and ancient architecture. You’ll have free time to explore Southern Spain’s largest city in the day – perhaps a gentle stroll around Parque de María Luisa? Today’s main event, however, is centred around Seville’s most famous export – the art of flamenco. You’ll have the unforgettable opportunity to see a live flamenco show in the city where it feels most at home – the fiery, flamboyant, joyous show that awaits is the perfect reflection of this city’s larger-than-life personality.

Day two in Seville will show you the fiery underbelly that gave birth to flamenco, starting with a guided walking tour in the morning. Marvel at the narrow streets and hidden squares that emerge populated with vibrant orange trees and flower-adorned patios, before a visit to the Alcazar in the afternoon. This grand royal palace is yet another champion of Spanish architecture, but it’s the gorgeous garden terraces that we find most magical. Your final evening in the Andalusian capital is to be spent at your leisure – how about a night of eats and treats on the bustling street of San Jacinto? You’ll want to make the most of this city’s incredible food culture before calling it a night.

We cross continents today, swapping trains for a ferry as we make the short journey across the Mediterranean to the port town of Tangier. This coastal town is the gateway to Africa, and your home for the night. Our Local Insider will greet you at the port and take you to your hotel. Once settled we’ll stroll to a cafe for a refreshing glass of sweet mint tea, and later on there’ll be a welcome to Morocco group dinner in a lovely local restaurant.

You can guess where we end up today, but this morning is dedicated to getting to know Tangier with a guided tour to the town’s most significant spots. In the afternoon we take a scenic rail journey down to Casablanca on the western coastline. After check-in you’ll have time to refresh before meeting for another dinner at a local restaurant – we can’t promise it’ll be managed by Humphrey Bogart though, sorry!

Today’s star is the Mosque of Hassan II, one of the world’s largest places of Islamic worship, and certainly one of the most awe-inspiring. From the tip of its 210m tall minaret to the opulence of the mirror-like marble walls, this place is an architectural feat. Built partly on land, partly jutting out over the Atlantic, you’ll see the ocean flowing below thanks to hypnotic glass-flooring. Or look up and marvel at the retractable roof that creates an open courtyard for worship. You’ll enjoy a guided tour of the complex, which is a rare privilege since many sites like this are shut to non-Muslims, so be sure to dress appropriately – covering the knees and upper arms is recommended. In the afternoon it’s time to hit the tracks to Fes, check into our hotel for the night and, after a refresh, tuck into an authentic home-cooked meal with the group.

The old city, Fes el Bali, is one of the most evocative urban areas on the planet. A walk through town here is like a journey through time. Mazy alleyways are populated by passing donkeys piled high with goods for the souk, where the senses tingle with the smell of spice and the sound of squawking chickens. Browse endless stalls loaded with fruits, herbs and soups, stroll past dye-pits and explore ancient libraries and mosques, stood here since medieval times when the city was a hub for education and culture. Your guided tour will also take you to Medersa Bou Inania, a beautiful 650-year-old educational institution regarded as a shining star of Marinid architecture, and the splendid Funduk Nejjarine, a beautifully restored 18th century inn. You’ll return to the hotel late in the afternoon, with the rest of the day to be spent at your leisure.

Be sure to eat well at breakfast in Fes ahead of one more train journey to our final destination, the storied city of Marrakech. After checking into a boutique hotel you’ll have some time to relax or stretch your legs before spending an evening of exploration in Jemaa el Fna, perhaps the most iconic market square in the world. It truly comes alive at night, as darkness falls and the place is lit up by the atmospheric stalls of the street food bazaar. Henna-painters, performers and storytellers set the scene, but it’s the Moroccan delicacies that steal the show. Tuck into famous Moroccan pastries, washed down with a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice, before heading to a perfectly-placed rooftop restaurant overlooking the square for a spot of evening tea.

Join our Local Insider in the morning for a guided tour of the old medina, where bustling souks are interspersed with orange-blossom courtyards and secret alleyways waiting to be explored. It’s easy to get lost, so you’ll be grateful for our guide, who can expertly navigate our route to Bahia Palace, a splendid mansion with epic mosaics, tranquil gardens and stained-glass windows. Next stop is the Saadian Tombs; an extravagant complex, peppered with gold and Italian marble, that lay hidden for almost 300 years. Stop off at Koutoubia Mosque, with its skyline-adorning minaret, before heading back to Jemaa el Fna. You’ll have some free time to explore – visit the tropical gardens of French painter Jacques Majorelle, see the ruins of Palais Badi or work on your haggling skills on a shopping venture through the medina. Before you know it the final evening is upon us, so we’ll gather together one last time for a farewell dinner in one of the many great restaurants lining the square.

Our trip ends after breakfast, so say your final goodbyes as the group goes its separate ways. We’ll transfer you to the airport, unless of course, your adventures aren’t finished yet?