Culture & Outdoor Adventure in Spain & Morocco - 14 Days

Highlights

• Get to know the Spanish cities of Barcelona, Girona, and Madrid
• Taste wines amid the gorgeous vineyards in Spanish wine country
• Roadtrip through the Sahara Desert and its villages (and ride a camel)
• Explore the ancient medina of Fes with an expert local guide

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Barcelona (Spain), Tapas Culinary Experience

Welcome to Spain! A driver will be waiting at the airport to take you to your hotel in central Barcelona. Take some time to get settled before heading out for a gourmet experience early in the evening. An expert local guide will take you on a three-hour walking tour around some of the city's best bars, cafés, and restaurants.

During this tapas tour, you'll enjoy small plates, tasty snacks, and refreshing cocktails at five different venues. Discover a side of Barcelona that few have the chance to see, savoring the centuries-old legacy of local food culture. Your guide will share their tips and insider knowledge along the way. It's the perfect way to start your two-week adventure!

Day 2: Gaudí Architecture Walk, Visit Park Güell

Today you'll see some of Antoni Gaudí's many architectural works on a half-day walking tour. From streetlights to fountains, parks, museums, and of course, the Sagrada Família, Gaudí's vast collection of works in Barcelona is both impressive and extensive.

You'll start on the famous Passeig de Grácia boulevard, home to upscale boutiques and two buildings by Gaudí. Stop at Casa Batlló, a modernist masterpiece of a residential building. After admiring its façade, continue to the Casa Milà apartment building. Finish the tour with a visit to the iconic Sagrada Família, a Gothic/Art Nouveau basilica. Construction began in 1882, but the church technically remains unfinished.

Break for lunch, then pay a visit to Park Güell. Located atop Carmel Hill in north Barcelona, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a fine example of Gaudí's boundary-pushing modernist style. Marvel at each building as you stroll the walkways and gardens, and enjoy incredible views over the city.

Day 3: Explore Girona & the Costa Brava

On today's tour, which combines the best of Catalonia's history and scenery, you'll leave Barcelona and explore medieval Girona and the spectacular Costa Brava, the northern stretch of Catalonia's seaboard. A trip to Girona is a trip through 2,000 years of history. Get lost in the maze of narrow streets and explore the best-preserved Jewish neighborhood in Europe on a guided walking tour. Admire the cathedral, featuring the widest Gothic nave in the world, and walk along the medieval city walls. The Onyar River splits the city in two and is photogenically crisscrossed by several bridges.

Continue on to the Costa Brava on the sunny Mediterranean coast. Stop at the picturesque village of Pals, a medieval village and former fortress, for a guided tour. Enjoy the breathtaking contrasts of green mountains and the deep blue sea, along with small villages of whitewashed houses, on your way to Calella de Palafrugell, a traditional fishing village. Walk on the Caminos de Ronda, ancient pathways once used by fishermen, watchmen, and smugglers. You'll return to Barcelona late in the day.

Day 4: Train to Madrid, Afternoon Guided Tour

This morning you'll travel by train (a 2.5-hour ride) to Madrid. Once settled at your hotel, you'll see the Spanish capital's loveliest and most emblematic places while visiting the Habsburg district, the oldest part of the city (also known as El Madrid de Los Austrias). See the Royal Palace, the cathedral, and the main square of Plaza Mayor. Your guide will also show you some hidden and overlooked corners of Madrid's old town and take you to a local bar or café. Take the evening to relax or continue exploring Madrid at your own pace.

Day 5: Day Trip to Wine Country 

Today you'll discover 900 years of wine tradition in the fertile Las Vegas region outside Madrid. This is where several rivers converge, and vineyards cover the countryside. You'll visit several wineries, enjoying tours and tastings at each venue as you learn about Spanish wine culture. Savor a leisurely lunch with wine pairings at one of the wineries. You'll head back to Madrid to spend one more evening in the Spanish capital before crossing the border to Morocco tomorrow. 

Day 6: Fly to Marrakesh (Morocco), Street Food Tour

After breakfast in Madrid, it's time to fly to Marrakesh. Upon arrival, a private driver will pick you up and drive you to your hotel. You'll have some free time to explore on your own, and a good way to start is by strolling over to Jemaa el-Fna, the main square, surrounded by colorful souks.

Then get ready for an evening food tour along the streets and back alleys of the medina. Your Moroccan guide will teach you about Marrakesh's street food culture, stopping along the way to sample delicious local delicacies. Come with an empty stomach and an open mind for this immersive gastronomic experience!

Day 7: Guided Tour of Marrakesh, Free Time

Your guide will meet you at your hotel for a half-day guided tour of Marrakesh. Visit the main historical sites, such as the Koutoubia Mosque and the Jewish Quarter. See the Saadian Tombs, where the oldest tomb dates back to 1557, and El Badi Palace, with its extensive courtyard and sunken gardens. Dating back to the 19th century, Bahia Palace was the largest and most luxurious palace of its day. Explore the courtyard and gardens, admiring the intricate woodwork and painted ceilings.

After the guided visit, it's time to explore other areas of the city at your own pace. One excellent option is just outside the city center, where you can wander the lush, expansive Majorelle Gardens, filled with subtropical plants, bamboo, lilies, and palms. It's a perfect place to escape the afternoon heat and noise. 

Day 8: Transfer to Boumalne Dades via Ouarzazate & Aït Benhaddou

Enjoy a comfortable private transfer from Marrakesh to your accommodation in Boumalne Dades, which takes about six hours. Along the journey, you'll see desert plains, high mountains, and endless plateaus. Begin by winding over the Atlas mountains via Tizi n'Tichka Pass. Enjoy sweeping vistas over the peaks, noting the range's highest summit of Mount Toubkal, which sits at 13,671 feet (4,167 m).

Soon you'll reach the medieval Aït Benhaddou Kasbah, Morocco's most famous kasbah and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the old town's alleys and passageways, or climb up to the old granary for incredible views over historic camel caravan routes.

Take a break in the picturesque town of Ouarzazate, which gained popularity thanks to the film industry. Moviemakers regularly set up shop in this sprawling desert crossroads with wide, palm-fringed boulevards. The center of Ouarzazate is easily explored on foot. Continue the trip, crossing the Dades River and arriving in Kelâat M'Gouna, the "Valley of the Roses." Here, you can visit a rose collective and learn how artisans convert rose petals into rose water and oil for the cosmetic industry. Upon your arrival in Boumalne Dades, relax at your hotel and rest for tomorrow's adventure.

Day 9: Explore the Sahara Desert, Sunset Camel Ride in Merzouga

Today you'll continue traveling to your Bedouin-style tent accommodation in Merzouga. This journey through the Sahara Desert takes about 4.5 hours, and your first stop is the Todra Gorge at 984 feet (300 m), featuring stunning red-stained limestones. Take an easy walk through the gorge or relax in the cool shallow water. Just before reaching the bustling market town of Erfoud, you'll glimpse the ever-shifting Saharan dunes.

Soon, you'll spot Erg Chebbi in the distance. Erg Chebbi is an extensive series of dunes covering almost 14 square miles (35 sq km), with some peaks rising over 650 feet (200 m). The color and shape change depending on the time of day and the wind. Near Merzouga, you'll go for a camel ride through the dunes, reaching your luxury camp just before sunset. Have dinner and enjoy a night by the campfire with traditional Berber music. Before climbing into bed, check out an incredible view of bright stars in the night sky overhead. 

Day 10: Desert Adventure in Erg Chebbi

Explore the vastness of Erg Chebbi today and learn more about this surreal landscape. Chebbi is one of Morocco's many ergs, large expanses of dunes and tall peaks formed by windblown sand. This particular erg stretches over 17 miles (28 km) from north to south, with some peaks reaching nearly 500 feet (150 m). There's much to see and do! You'll start with a private tour through the dunes in a Jeep, discovering hidden secrets of the landscape with your guide. Stop to meet a local nomadic family and enjoy a cup of traditional tea.

Next, head to the village of Khamleya to visit the home of a Gnawa family, an ethnic group living in Morocco. You'll listen to spiritual healing music, which is traditionally practiced throughout the country and originates here in the sub-Saharan region. Later, you'll have free time to pursue another desert adventure, like sandboarding on the dunes. As the sun starts to set, climb up the nearest dune to watch the colorful display across the sand. 

Day 11: Visit Rissani, Errachidia & the Middle Atlas

In the morning, travel to Rissani, the birthplace of the current Alaoui dynasty. Visit the tomb of its founder, Moulay Ali Cherif, as well as a 19th-century fortress, a large garden and courtyard, a picturesque mosque, and a local souk. Then continue to a panoramic view of the oasis of Aoufous. Pass through Errachidia and stop at the impressive Hassan Adakhil dam to take photos. 

Next, you'll make your way along the Ziz River, taking in beautiful scenes of the Ksours and Ziz Gorges. Pass through the Legionary Tunnel as you continue through the Middle Atlas, then cross the Tizi N'Talghom Pass. Finally, you'll arrive in Midelt and spend the night in a hotel.

Day 12: Explore Azrou & the "Switzerland of Morocco," Transfer to Fes

This morning, depart from Midelt and make your way toward the Berber city of Azrou. The settlement was once populated by nomadic shepherds who moved from the peaks of the Atlas in summer to the valleys in winter. Nearby are some of the oldest forests and trees in the country. You'll have lunch and take some time to explore. You'll also have the opportunity to see an 800-year-old tree called Cedre Gouraud and look for monkeys in the cedar forest.

Continue to Ifran, nicknamed the "Switzerland of Morocco." You'll sightsee in the afternoon, visiting the important  University of Al-Khawaja. Then drive to Fes and check into your accommodation for the evening.

Day 13: Discover the Medieval Medina of Fes 

On the last full day of the trip, discover Fes, the oldest of Morocco's imperial cities and perhaps the most interesting and exciting to explore. With a private local guide, you'll walk through the medina. The roads are much narrower, windier, and steeper than those of other imperial cities, making it almost impossible not to get lost. This is part of the fun—keep walking until the flow of people increases, and you find yourself on one of the main streets.

Shop at the souks for a variety of spices, vegetables, leather goods, ceramics, pewter, shoes, scarves, medicines, and more. Make sure to visit the Karaouine Mosque, founded in 859 CE by Fatima Al-Fihri, and the Chouara Tannery. The best way to end your day of exploring Fes is by watching the sunset from the Merenid Tombs in the north or Borj Sud in the south. Both viewpoints offer fantastic views of this dynamic city with timeless roots.

Day 14: Depart Fes

It's time to say goodbye to Morocco! At the appointed hour, your driver will transfer you to the airport. Enjoy a safe and pleasant journey home or to your next destination!

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