Europe’s Gateway to Africa: Discover Morocco via Andalucia

Today’s six-hour train journey bids farewell to Barcelona and welcomes Granada, the sunny city nestled between the Sierra Nevada mountains and the Costa Tropical beaches. After arrival, transfer to your stylish hotel where you’ll spend the next three nights, then dump your bags and head out to explore. We recommend heading to the beachfront, setting up camp in a shady bar and sipping the evening away with a Calabash rum cocktail (you’ll quickly learn how much Granada loves its rum).

Granada is firmly anchored by its Arab past, and this is apparent the moment you step foot within its beautiful Nasrid architecture. To immerse you in this important side of its history, we’ve secured you tickets to a tour of the Alhambra and Generalife gardens, the most famous example of this type of architecture. The Alhambra is one of the best-preserved palaces of the historic Islamic world, and the Generalife gardens to the east of the palace were used as a place of leisure for the Nasrid Kings.

After your two-and-a-half-hour tour, it’s time for the day's second activity – a private tour of the Albaicin, a charming UNESCO-protected district. Situated in front of the Alhambra, the tangled cobbled streets and hidden shops will take you back in time to the 13th century. After exploring, head to the Zoraya Gardens to watch a spellbinding Flamenco show and relax to the rhythm of the music.

Wake up on your second morning in Grenada and get ready for today’s walking tour of the city alongside a local guide. Starting from your hotel, you’ll venture into neighbourhoods including Sacromonte, for authentic Flamenco music and tapas, or Carrera del Darro, one of Granada’s most historic and picturesque streets. Your local guide will be eager to share stories and secrets of the city, so get your thinking caps on and fire questions away.

The Moroccan leg of your holiday starts today, so rise bright and early for your train to Algeciras via Antequera Santa Ana. After reaching Algeciras in the early afternoon, board the 30-minute ferry that will take you from Spain to the shores of Tangier. You’ll be greeted upon arrival and transferred to your hotel tucked away in a central neighbourhood. Slip into your swimsuits, top up your suncream and jump into the outdoor pool, or take the short walk down to the beach and dive into where the Mediterranean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean.

As Europe’s gateway to Africa, immerse yourself in Tangier’s beautiful blend of cultures with today’s private city tour. Wander through the Grand Socco, the grand entrance gate to the medina (old town), where a bustling marketplace invites you to try your hand at haggling. Marvel at Moroccan architecture at the Kasbah Museum, housed in the former sultan’s palace of Dar El Makhzen. Your private guide will be happy for you to follow wherever your nose takes you, pointing out the best spots to satisfy tastebuds with grilled seafood and tasty tagine.

Feast on a final Tangier breakfast to nourish your body before today’s journey to Fes. You’ll be privately transferred to the station before boarding the four-hour train to the edge of the Atlas Mountains. Finally, after arriving in the mesmerising city, a private transfer will drop you off at your grand hotel and home for the next three nights.

Fes is undoubtedly Morocco’s hub of art, intellect and spirituality. To explore the city is to immerse yourself in its labyrinth of winding alleys, vibrant colours and aromas of leather, perfume and pastries. To help you navigate Fes, we’ve booked a private walking tour with visits to iconic locations such as Place Seffarine and the historic Kairaouine Mosque and University. Tickets to Nejjarine Museum, a restored funduq (an inn for travellers) filled with wooden crafts, are also included.

To end your busy day, satisfy your stomach with a classic Moroccan meal. Ask our local Concierge for their restaurant recommendations, and dive into plates stacked with pomegranate-studded couscous, kofta meatballs and paper-thin Moroccan baklava.

Your second full day in Fes is equally as action-packed as the first, with visits to three hotspots outside the city: Volubilis, Meknes and Moulay Idriss. Alongside a private English-speaking guide, get a glimpse into the architectural greatness of the Roman Empire at Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage site and Morocco’s largest archaeological site. Carry on into Meknes, Fes’s smaller neighbour, filled with charming medina streets and grand buildings. Finally, visit Moulay Idriss, a pristine holy city and Morocco's most important pilgrimage site. A Muslim pilgrimage is held here at the end of August each year, and while anyone is welcome to wander through the city's alleys and admire the tomb from the outside, access to the mausoleum is exclusively granted to Muslims.

It’s onwards to Rabat, the third Moroccan city of your holiday, so wake up and jump in the private transfer that will take you to Fes’ train station. After a three-hour train ride, you’ll arrive in the gorgeous (but often overlooked by tourists) city of Rabat. Transfer to your hotel on the edge of the medina’s twisting streets, dump your bags and head out into the afternoon. The beach is ideal for those looking to take it easy, and the bars and restaurants alongside the waterfront make the perfect sundowner spot

Today, embark on a private walking tour through Rabat, diving deep into its rich tapestry of history and culture. Visit famous sites like the Oudayas Museum, nestled within a traditional Moroccan palace, showcasing a stunning collection of indigenous art. Or ascend to the Kasbah of the Udayas to enjoy sweeping city and ocean vistas. For a nature fix, meander through the Andalusian Gardens, a serene retreat in the heart of the bustling city. History buffs will want to explore the UNESCO-listed Rabat Medina, home to historic gems like the Mausoleum of Mohammed V. Conclude your tour at the iconic Hassan Tower, soaking in the city's heritage and Mediterranean charm.

Onwards to Marrakech Marrakech is your holiday's fourth and final destination, so pack your bags ready to be privately transferred to Rabat’s train station. The journey is around three and a half hours and provides plenty of scenic views from the window. After arriving in Marrakech, check in to your central hotel and admire the terrace views of the Atlas Mountains.

Le Jardin Majorelle and the Yves Saint-Lauren Museum Put your curiosity caps on for today’s adventures, as we’ve secured you tickets to some of Marrakech’s hotspots: Le Jardin Majorelle and the Yves Saint-Lauren Museum. First is Le Jardin Majorelle, an exotic botanical garden and artist’s landscape filled with pastel plants and bold blue buildings. Within the garden, you can explore the Museum of Berber, where a collection of artefacts showcases the Amazigh culture. Perhaps the garden’s most notable feature, aside from the captivating splashes of colour, is the owner: Yves Saint-Lauren. And, suitably, your next stop is at the Yves Saint-Lauren Museum, where carefully curated collections of clothing and accessories span 40 years of the iconic fashion designer.

Discuss the day's discoveries over your final meal in Morocco. Having spent the last eight days indulging in the country’s cuisine, we’re sure you’ll have a favourite dish. So, either stick with what you know or try something new as you raise a toast to Morocco.