1. 93
2. 941. An Introduction to al-Andalus: 'Express 5night'An introduction to al-Andalus and it's maincities and provinces, exploring their mainmonuments.Day 1. Arrival at Malaga/Sevilla/Granada.Transfer to Cordoba.Pick up at Malaga international airport andtransfer to Cordoba, 170 km. Handout of ourbooklet guide updated with the latest researchupon the history of al-Andalus.Day 2. Cordoba.Guided visits in the medina of Cordoba,including Cordoba Mosque-Cathedral, theAlkasr Royal Palaces, the Jewish quarters, oldcity walls, Live Museum of al-Andalus,Andalusi courtyard home and other streets andalleys in the historical medina of Cordoba. Freetime for meals and shopping. Optional visits to
3. 95the two mosques in use in Cordoba today.Day3. Medinat al-Zahra, arrival in Seville.Morning excursion and tour in Medinat al-Zahra, court city and Caliph's palace ruins,including a visit to the museum and expositionsthere. Continue down the river Guadalquivirtowards Almodovar del Rio and further toSeville, 150 km. Upon arrival we will beintroduced to the city from the bus and check inat the arranged hotel. Free evening for walksand rides in Seville historical centre andriverside.Day 4. Day tour of Seville. Transfer toGranada.Guided visits in the historical centre of Seville,including the Alkasr Royal Palaces andgardens, Cathedral of Seville and the remainsof the Almohad courtyard and minaret, themodern Giralda, Torre del Oro, Jewishquarters, old medina and city walls, Parque deMaria Luisa and Plaza de España. After a breakfor lunch we will be moving swiftly to
4. 96Granada, 260 km.Day 5. Granada, the last Muslim Kingdomof al-Andalus.Tour of the Alhambra court city,palaces and gardens.Guided visit to the Alhambra palatial town,including the Nashrid Palaces, Alkasabafortress, Generalife summer palace, gardensand the old medina of the Alhambra. After thiswe will pass on to the opposite hill to visit theold medina of Garnatta and it's main areas,divisions, city walls. We will visit the Mosqueof the Albayzin at the Mirador de San Nicolas,most famous viewing point to the Alhambraand Granada city. After a break for lunch wewill walk down to the town centre and visit thesouqstreets and most important areas of thehistoricalmedina within the modern citycentre.Day 6. Departure fromMalaga/Sevilla/Granada.
5. 97During your departure transfer you will gothrough the southern mountain ranges ofAndalusia, those which belonged entirely to theKingdom of Granada in during the last 250years of Islamic Spain, al-Andalus.2. Within the heart of al-Andalus: '7 nighttour':Within the heart of al-Andalus, a tour withinthe heart of al-Andalus, it's main cities andprovinces, exploring the most importantmonuments of each town. An encounter withthe historical paradoxes in Muslim Spainpresented from the exclusive insight of the veryfirst generation of Spanish Muslims since thefall of al-Andalus.Day 1. Arrival at Málaga. Tour to Gibraltarand further to Ronda.Upon arrival at Málaga airport we will take abus transfer to Algeciras to view the rock ofGibraltar and symbol of the Muslim cross overto Europe and the beginning of al-Andalus tospend the night nearby in the town of Algeciras
6. 98or La Línea de la Concepcción. Those willingcan visit the British town of Gibraltar in theevening though it is not included in ouritinerary.(overnight at Ageciras / La Línea (next toGibraltar) / Ronda)Day 2. Morning tour of Ronda. Transfer toCordoba. Overnight at Cordoba.We will get anearly start and tour in the samedirection as the first Muslim allies would travelto Córdoba. On our way we will visit the cityof Ronda, within the Mountains North ofMálaga where we will be able to pick up on allof the different historical periods of the IberianPeninsula, and also specifically on the periodsof al-Andalus, Islamic Spain. Our tour will takeus through the old medina, it's alleyways andwalls of this spectacular town, visiting differentpalaces, expositions, including the famousHammam of Ronda and secret tunnels in thecity.We will reach Cordoba by the evening and after
7. 99a brief presentation of the city and hotel checkin, we will walk around the Mosque-Cathedralat night. Traditional courtyard tea saloon, nightwalks in the medina, flamenco show and horserides are available during our free evening inCordoba.Day 3. Tour of Cordoba, visit to Medinatal-Zahra. Overnight at Sevilla.Guided visits in the medina of Cordoba,including Cordoba Mosque-Cathedral, theAlkasr Royal Palaces,the Jewish quarters, oldcity walls, Live Museum of al-Andalus,Andalusi courtyard home and other streets andalleys in the historical medina of Cordoba.Continuing our visits in the city and a break forlunch in the medina, we will depart CordobathroughMedinat al-Zahra, court city andCaliph's palace ruins, including a visit to themuseum and expositions there. Then continuedown the river Guadalquivir towardsAlmodovar del Río, and further to Seville, 150km. Upon arrival we will be introduced to thecity from the bus and check in at the arrangedhotel. Night walks around historical centre or
8. 100riverside, flamenco show and horse carriagerides are available during our free evening inSeville.Day 4. Sevilla day tour. Transfer toGranada. Overnight in Granada.Guided visits in the historical centre of Seville,including the Alkasr Royal Palaces andgardens, Cathedral of Seville and the remainsof the Almohad courtyard and minaret, themodern Giralda, Torre del Oro, Jewishquarters, old medina and citywalls, Parque deMaria Luisa and Plaza de España. After a breakfor lunch we will be moving swiftly toGranada, 260 km.Day 5. Sevilla. Visit 'Isla Mágica' themepark and ransfer to Granada. Overnight inGranada..On our second day in Sevilla, we willadventure to the latest and largest theme park
9. 101in Andalucia today, Isla Mágica. We will stay at'Isla Mágica' enjoying walks, attractions andrides until lunch time.After a break for lunch we will be movingswiftly to Granada, 260 km.Day 6. Granada,the last Muslim Kingdomof al-Andalus.Tour of the Alhambra court city,palaces and gardens.Guided visit to the Alhambra palatial town,including the Nashrid Palaces, Alkasabafortress, Generalife summer palace, gardensand the old medina of the Alhambra. After thiswe will pass on to the opposite hill to visit theold medina of Garnata and it's main areas,divisions, city walls. We will visit the Mosqueof the Albayzin at the Mirador de San Nicolas,most famous viewing point to the Alhambraand Granadacity. After a break for lunch wewill walk down to the town centre and visit thesouqstreets and most important areas of thehistorical medina within the modern city
10. 102centre.Day 7.Once concluded with the main cities of al-Andalus in the South of Spain, our tour can becontinued in several manners, hence we mustmake choices according to group interests, timeand budget. Please consult our partner agentsfor their seasonal calendar of tours and thechoices included towards each group.Option 1. Visit the Alpujarra valleysand mountains.The tour will naturally continue with a visit tothe Alpujarra mountain region of Granada, oneof the final places to see Islam in Spain.During our day long tour we will come toknow more and witness the lifestyle present inal-Andalus and during the final period ofIslamic Spain. This is a day time excusion andcan conclude in Granada or Malaga forovernight stay.
11. 103Option 2.Free day in Granada for walks, tours,workshops, entertainmentandshopping.http://www.alandalus-experience.com/courses-workshops.htmlIt may also be recommendable to have acompletely free day in Granada, for yourpersonal enjoyment or further arrangementswhich you may require. During this free daywe can offer walks, entertainment activities,special meal arrangements, workshopprograms, or other activities or you may preferto enjoy free time for shopping and discoveringthe city by your self.Day 8. Departure from Malaga internationalairport.Finally we conclude our tour in Granada and itis time for departure. A bus transfer to Malagaairport will be arranged leaving the hotel 4 h.before flight departure. Any time availableduring departure day will be free time fortravellers to make last minute shopping orcover any specific curiosity within the city.
12. 104
13. 1053. A tour of al-Magreb, Morocco, a 5 nighttour:Day 1. Arrival in Casablanca.This 'taster' experience in Morocco is designedfor easy access through the international airportof Casablanca. We won't stay long therethuogh, after visiting the mosque of Hassan IIand having a brief walk for snacks we will betransferred to Rabat to stay overnight.Visit mosque of Hassan II.Transfer to Rabat.Overnightin Rabat.Day 2. Tour of Rabat and transfer to Fes.Day tour of Rabat and the medina.During our morning in the present capital ofMorocco, Rabat, we will visit Udaya andChella old fortress towns, the Palace of HassanII, and the King's Mausoleum.Aftertours, walks and snacks we will move toFez to spend the night there.Day 3. Tour of medina in Fes.Starting our tour at the Andalusi quarters of the
14. 106medina of Fez, we will be touring the narrowstreets and alleyways to visit the Qarawiyannemosque, theMausoleum of Idris II, and themainsouqsandbabs.We will enjoy free time in Fes to shop aroundfor bargains and enjoy a relaxed dinnersomewhere nice in the medina.Day 4. Transfer to Marrakech.Arrival and introduction to Marrakech.During our fourthday in Morocco, we will getan early start to go 490 km from Fes toMarrakech at an easy pace and stopping alongthe way to enjoy a good roast by the road. Oncewe arrive in Marrakech we will be introducedto the Qutubiya mosque and the main square ofFnawhere the labyrinth ofsouqstreets starts.We will have a welcome dinner at the most'exotic' city in Morocco and conclude the'official' program to the day.Day 5. Tour of the medina of Marrakech.In Marrakesh during the day we will tour themedina andsouqsaroundJam'a Fna.Throughout the day we will be introduced to
15. 107the story of the 7 saints of the city and visitingsome of their Mausoleums in the medina.After a midday snack we will visit Menaragardens, one of the most exotic and famousIslamicgardens in Morocco.You will be able to enjoy the exotic Moroccanfood again on your second night in Marrakechduring a farewell dinner at the central squareJama Fna.Day 6. Departure from Marrakech.By the 6thday, as a taster experience inMorocco,we will have completed ourintroduction. Pickup from hotel to airport willbe arranged three hours before your flightdeparture. Time available before departure canbe used freely.
16. 1084. A tour of al-Andalus and al-Maghreb, a 12night tour:Within the heartof al-Andalus, anintroduction to al-Andalus and it's maincities and provinces, exploring their mainmonuments. An encounter with thehistorical paradoxes in Muslim Spain with aprivileged insight to Islam in Andalusiatoday.Al-Andalus:Day 1. Arrivalat Madrid. Tour of the city bybus. Overnight in Madrid.Later we will continue to Madrid to receive abrief introduction covering the mainmonuments of the modern capital, the famousmudejar bull ringPlaza de Todos de LasVentas,Castellana main avenuecontaining themain parks and buildings Madrid, mainmuseums, bureaucratic and business buildingsand sky scrapers, Santiago Bernabeu RealMadrid football stadium, between others. Wewill be driving in front of the Presidential
17. 109Residence in La Moncloa andstopping in thehistorical centre to visit the Royal Palace,Catedral de la Almudena, Plaza de España,Plaza Mayor, Gran Vía, Puerta del Sol.Day 2. Visit Toledo and further transfer toCordoba. Overnight in Cordoba.Toledo, 70 km from Madrid, was theformercapital of Spain before and after Muslim Rule.We will tour the old medina and historicalcentre of Toledo for around 2-4 hours,including time for touring some of it'smonuments, the Alkasr Royal Palaces, theCathedral, and time for meals, snacksand alittle break for your free exploring andshopping. After this, a 350 km bus ride throughLa Mancha, lands of the famous figure DonQuijote, will lead us to Córdoba.We will reach Cordoba by the evening and aftera brief presentation of the city andhotel checkin, we will walk around the Mosque-Cathedralat night. Traditional courtyard tea saloon, nightwalks in the medina, flamenco show and horse
18. 110rides are available during our free evening inCordoba.Day 3. Tour of Cordoba, visit to Medinat al-Zahra. Night tour of the medina. Freeevening for proposed activities. Overnight inCordoba.Guided visits in the medina of Cordoba,including Cordoba Mosque-Cathedral, theAlkasr Royal Palaces, the Jewish quarters, oldcity walls, Live Museum of al-Andalus,Andalusi courtyard home and other streets andalleys in the historical medina of Cordoba.Continuing our visits in the city and a break forlunch in the medina, we will depart Cordobathrough Medinat al-Zahra, court city andCaliph's palace ruins, including a visit to themuseum and expositions there.Day 4. Transfer to Seville and tours,overnight in Seville.Then continue down the river Guadalquivir
19. 111towards Almodovar del Río, and further toSeville, 150 km. Guided visits in the historicalcentreof Seville, including the Alkasr RoyalPalaces and gardens, Cathedral of Seville andthe remains of the Almohad courtyard andminaret, the modern Giralda, Torre del Oro,Jewish quarters, old medina and city walls.After a break for lunch we will walk alongtheriver to the Parque de Maria Luisa and Plaza deEspaña, where we will be picked up and takento our hotel. Night walks around historicalcentre or riverside, flamenco show and horsecarriage rides are available during our freeevening in Seville.Day 5. Transfer to Granada, visit Alhambrapalace and Gardens. Free evening inGranada.Morning transfer to Granada for a middayarrival (260 km). Upon arrival at Granada, wewill collect some snacks and be introducedthrough a guided visit to the Alhambrapalatialtown, including the Nashrid Palaces,Alkasbafortress, Generalife summer palace, gardensand the old medina of the Alhambra. After this
20. 112we will pass on to the opposite hill to visit theold medina of Garnata and it's main areas,divisions, city walls. We will visit the Mosqueof the Albayzin at the Mirador de San Nicolás,most famous viewing point to the Alhambraand Granada city. From there we will walkdown to the town centre and visit thesouqstreets where we will have dinner and enjoy theevening freely.Day 6. Tour of the medina of Granada, freeafternoon in Granada. Special dinner inGranada.The next morning you will be introduced to themodern capital of Granada, we will go throughthemost important areas of the historicalmedina within the modern city centre,the oldmedina after which Granada is named.After this introduction you will have free timefor shopping, leisure walks or activities inGranada, during your last afternoon in Spain.Al-Maghreb: Morocco.Day 7. Bus tour along theCosta del Sol, visit
21. 113Alkasr of Malaga and further reachGibraltar. Ferry transfer to Tangier.Overnight at Tangier.We will make an early departure along theCosta del Sol drive past the defensive fortresstowns of the southern coastline of Spain untilwereach Malaga. At Málaga we will visit thehistorical quarters briefly for an introductionand head up to it's Alkasr fortress. After amidday break we will move on to Algeciraswhere we can view the rock of Gibraltar fromon our way across the channel toTangier byferry. Once we arrive in Tangier we will beintroduced to the medina andsouqarea andafter our first Moroccan meal we will spendovernight at Tangier.Day 8. Continue to Rabat. Tour of Medina inRabat, transfer to Fes.Overnight at Fes.During our first day in Morocco we will headto Rabat to tour the medina.During our morning in the present capital ofMorocco, Rabat, we will visit Udaya andChella old fortress towns, the Palace of HassanII, and the King's Mausoleum.
22. 114After tours, walks andsnacks we will move toFez to spend the night there.Day 9. Tour of medina in Fes. Overnight atFes.We will be starting our tour in Fez at theAndalusi quarters of the medina, touring thenarrow streets and alleyways to visit theQarawiyanne mosque, theMausoleum of IdrisII, and the mainsouqsandbabs.We will enjoy free time in Fes to shop arroundfor bargains and enjoy a relaxed dinnersomewhere nice in the medina. Overnight atFes.Day 10. Continue to Casablanca, Visitmosque of Hassan II, continue to toMarrakech. Arrival and introduction toMarrakech. Overnight at Marrakech.The next morning we will depart to Marrakech.We will get an early start to go 490 km fromFes to Marrakech at an easy pace and stoppingat Casablanca along the way to enjoya goodroast and visit the mosque of Hassan II.Once we arrive in Marrakech we will beintroduced to the Qutubiya mosque and the
23. 115main square of Fna where the labyrinth ofsouqstreets starts. We will have a welcome dinnerat the most 'exotic' city in Morocco andconclude the 'official' program to the day.Day 11. Tour of the medina of Marrakech.Tour of the medina and Jama fna and souqs.Introduction to the 7 saints of the city,Qutubiya mosque, Gardens of Menara.In Marrakesh during the day we will tour themedina andsouqsaroundJam'a Fna.Throughout the day we will be introduced tothe story of the 7 saints of the city and visitingsome of their Mausoleums in the medina.After a midday snack we will visit Menaragardens, one of the most exotic andfamousIslamic gardens in Morocco.You will be able to enjoy the exotic Moroccanfood again on your second night in Marrakechduring a farewell dinner at the central squareJama Fna.Day 12. Departure from Marrakech.
2. 941. An Introduction to al-Andalus: 'Express 5night'An introduction to al-Andalus and it's maincities and provinces, exploring their mainmonuments.Day 1. Arrival at Malaga/Sevilla/Granada.Transfer to Cordoba.Pick up at Malaga international airport andtransfer to Cordoba, 170 km. Handout of ourbooklet guide updated with the latest researchupon the history of al-Andalus.Day 2. Cordoba.Guided visits in the medina of Cordoba,including Cordoba Mosque-Cathedral, theAlkasr Royal Palaces, the Jewish quarters, oldcity walls, Live Museum of al-Andalus,Andalusi courtyard home and other streets andalleys in the historical medina of Cordoba. Freetime for meals and shopping. Optional visits to
3. 95the two mosques in use in Cordoba today.Day3. Medinat al-Zahra, arrival in Seville.Morning excursion and tour in Medinat al-Zahra, court city and Caliph's palace ruins,including a visit to the museum and expositionsthere. Continue down the river Guadalquivirtowards Almodovar del Rio and further toSeville, 150 km. Upon arrival we will beintroduced to the city from the bus and check inat the arranged hotel. Free evening for walksand rides in Seville historical centre andriverside.Day 4. Day tour of Seville. Transfer toGranada.Guided visits in the historical centre of Seville,including the Alkasr Royal Palaces andgardens, Cathedral of Seville and the remainsof the Almohad courtyard and minaret, themodern Giralda, Torre del Oro, Jewishquarters, old medina and city walls, Parque deMaria Luisa and Plaza de España. After a breakfor lunch we will be moving swiftly to
4. 96Granada, 260 km.Day 5. Granada, the last Muslim Kingdomof al-Andalus.Tour of the Alhambra court city,palaces and gardens.Guided visit to the Alhambra palatial town,including the Nashrid Palaces, Alkasabafortress, Generalife summer palace, gardensand the old medina of the Alhambra. After thiswe will pass on to the opposite hill to visit theold medina of Garnatta and it's main areas,divisions, city walls. We will visit the Mosqueof the Albayzin at the Mirador de San Nicolas,most famous viewing point to the Alhambraand Granada city. After a break for lunch wewill walk down to the town centre and visit thesouqstreets and most important areas of thehistoricalmedina within the modern citycentre.Day 6. Departure fromMalaga/Sevilla/Granada.
5. 97During your departure transfer you will gothrough the southern mountain ranges ofAndalusia, those which belonged entirely to theKingdom of Granada in during the last 250years of Islamic Spain, al-Andalus.2. Within the heart of al-Andalus: '7 nighttour':Within the heart of al-Andalus, a tour withinthe heart of al-Andalus, it's main cities andprovinces, exploring the most importantmonuments of each town. An encounter withthe historical paradoxes in Muslim Spainpresented from the exclusive insight of the veryfirst generation of Spanish Muslims since thefall of al-Andalus.Day 1. Arrival at Málaga. Tour to Gibraltarand further to Ronda.Upon arrival at Málaga airport we will take abus transfer to Algeciras to view the rock ofGibraltar and symbol of the Muslim cross overto Europe and the beginning of al-Andalus tospend the night nearby in the town of Algeciras
6. 98or La Línea de la Concepcción. Those willingcan visit the British town of Gibraltar in theevening though it is not included in ouritinerary.(overnight at Ageciras / La Línea (next toGibraltar) / Ronda)Day 2. Morning tour of Ronda. Transfer toCordoba. Overnight at Cordoba.We will get anearly start and tour in the samedirection as the first Muslim allies would travelto Córdoba. On our way we will visit the cityof Ronda, within the Mountains North ofMálaga where we will be able to pick up on allof the different historical periods of the IberianPeninsula, and also specifically on the periodsof al-Andalus, Islamic Spain. Our tour will takeus through the old medina, it's alleyways andwalls of this spectacular town, visiting differentpalaces, expositions, including the famousHammam of Ronda and secret tunnels in thecity.We will reach Cordoba by the evening and after
7. 99a brief presentation of the city and hotel checkin, we will walk around the Mosque-Cathedralat night. Traditional courtyard tea saloon, nightwalks in the medina, flamenco show and horserides are available during our free evening inCordoba.Day 3. Tour of Cordoba, visit to Medinatal-Zahra. Overnight at Sevilla.Guided visits in the medina of Cordoba,including Cordoba Mosque-Cathedral, theAlkasr Royal Palaces,the Jewish quarters, oldcity walls, Live Museum of al-Andalus,Andalusi courtyard home and other streets andalleys in the historical medina of Cordoba.Continuing our visits in the city and a break forlunch in the medina, we will depart CordobathroughMedinat al-Zahra, court city andCaliph's palace ruins, including a visit to themuseum and expositions there. Then continuedown the river Guadalquivir towardsAlmodovar del Río, and further to Seville, 150km. Upon arrival we will be introduced to thecity from the bus and check in at the arrangedhotel. Night walks around historical centre or
8. 100riverside, flamenco show and horse carriagerides are available during our free evening inSeville.Day 4. Sevilla day tour. Transfer toGranada. Overnight in Granada.Guided visits in the historical centre of Seville,including the Alkasr Royal Palaces andgardens, Cathedral of Seville and the remainsof the Almohad courtyard and minaret, themodern Giralda, Torre del Oro, Jewishquarters, old medina and citywalls, Parque deMaria Luisa and Plaza de España. After a breakfor lunch we will be moving swiftly toGranada, 260 km.Day 5. Sevilla. Visit 'Isla Mágica' themepark and ransfer to Granada. Overnight inGranada..On our second day in Sevilla, we willadventure to the latest and largest theme park
9. 101in Andalucia today, Isla Mágica. We will stay at'Isla Mágica' enjoying walks, attractions andrides until lunch time.After a break for lunch we will be movingswiftly to Granada, 260 km.Day 6. Granada,the last Muslim Kingdomof al-Andalus.Tour of the Alhambra court city,palaces and gardens.Guided visit to the Alhambra palatial town,including the Nashrid Palaces, Alkasabafortress, Generalife summer palace, gardensand the old medina of the Alhambra. After thiswe will pass on to the opposite hill to visit theold medina of Garnata and it's main areas,divisions, city walls. We will visit the Mosqueof the Albayzin at the Mirador de San Nicolas,most famous viewing point to the Alhambraand Granadacity. After a break for lunch wewill walk down to the town centre and visit thesouqstreets and most important areas of thehistorical medina within the modern city
10. 102centre.Day 7.Once concluded with the main cities of al-Andalus in the South of Spain, our tour can becontinued in several manners, hence we mustmake choices according to group interests, timeand budget. Please consult our partner agentsfor their seasonal calendar of tours and thechoices included towards each group.Option 1. Visit the Alpujarra valleysand mountains.The tour will naturally continue with a visit tothe Alpujarra mountain region of Granada, oneof the final places to see Islam in Spain.During our day long tour we will come toknow more and witness the lifestyle present inal-Andalus and during the final period ofIslamic Spain. This is a day time excusion andcan conclude in Granada or Malaga forovernight stay.
11. 103Option 2.Free day in Granada for walks, tours,workshops, entertainmentandshopping.http://www.alandalus-experience.com/courses-workshops.htmlIt may also be recommendable to have acompletely free day in Granada, for yourpersonal enjoyment or further arrangementswhich you may require. During this free daywe can offer walks, entertainment activities,special meal arrangements, workshopprograms, or other activities or you may preferto enjoy free time for shopping and discoveringthe city by your self.Day 8. Departure from Malaga internationalairport.Finally we conclude our tour in Granada and itis time for departure. A bus transfer to Malagaairport will be arranged leaving the hotel 4 h.before flight departure. Any time availableduring departure day will be free time fortravellers to make last minute shopping orcover any specific curiosity within the city.
12. 104
13. 1053. A tour of al-Magreb, Morocco, a 5 nighttour:Day 1. Arrival in Casablanca.This 'taster' experience in Morocco is designedfor easy access through the international airportof Casablanca. We won't stay long therethuogh, after visiting the mosque of Hassan IIand having a brief walk for snacks we will betransferred to Rabat to stay overnight.Visit mosque of Hassan II.Transfer to Rabat.Overnightin Rabat.Day 2. Tour of Rabat and transfer to Fes.Day tour of Rabat and the medina.During our morning in the present capital ofMorocco, Rabat, we will visit Udaya andChella old fortress towns, the Palace of HassanII, and the King's Mausoleum.Aftertours, walks and snacks we will move toFez to spend the night there.Day 3. Tour of medina in Fes.Starting our tour at the Andalusi quarters of the
14. 106medina of Fez, we will be touring the narrowstreets and alleyways to visit the Qarawiyannemosque, theMausoleum of Idris II, and themainsouqsandbabs.We will enjoy free time in Fes to shop aroundfor bargains and enjoy a relaxed dinnersomewhere nice in the medina.Day 4. Transfer to Marrakech.Arrival and introduction to Marrakech.During our fourthday in Morocco, we will getan early start to go 490 km from Fes toMarrakech at an easy pace and stopping alongthe way to enjoy a good roast by the road. Oncewe arrive in Marrakech we will be introducedto the Qutubiya mosque and the main square ofFnawhere the labyrinth ofsouqstreets starts.We will have a welcome dinner at the most'exotic' city in Morocco and conclude the'official' program to the day.Day 5. Tour of the medina of Marrakech.In Marrakesh during the day we will tour themedina andsouqsaroundJam'a Fna.Throughout the day we will be introduced to
15. 107the story of the 7 saints of the city and visitingsome of their Mausoleums in the medina.After a midday snack we will visit Menaragardens, one of the most exotic and famousIslamicgardens in Morocco.You will be able to enjoy the exotic Moroccanfood again on your second night in Marrakechduring a farewell dinner at the central squareJama Fna.Day 6. Departure from Marrakech.By the 6thday, as a taster experience inMorocco,we will have completed ourintroduction. Pickup from hotel to airport willbe arranged three hours before your flightdeparture. Time available before departure canbe used freely.
16. 1084. A tour of al-Andalus and al-Maghreb, a 12night tour:Within the heartof al-Andalus, anintroduction to al-Andalus and it's maincities and provinces, exploring their mainmonuments. An encounter with thehistorical paradoxes in Muslim Spain with aprivileged insight to Islam in Andalusiatoday.Al-Andalus:Day 1. Arrivalat Madrid. Tour of the city bybus. Overnight in Madrid.Later we will continue to Madrid to receive abrief introduction covering the mainmonuments of the modern capital, the famousmudejar bull ringPlaza de Todos de LasVentas,Castellana main avenuecontaining themain parks and buildings Madrid, mainmuseums, bureaucratic and business buildingsand sky scrapers, Santiago Bernabeu RealMadrid football stadium, between others. Wewill be driving in front of the Presidential
17. 109Residence in La Moncloa andstopping in thehistorical centre to visit the Royal Palace,Catedral de la Almudena, Plaza de España,Plaza Mayor, Gran Vía, Puerta del Sol.Day 2. Visit Toledo and further transfer toCordoba. Overnight in Cordoba.Toledo, 70 km from Madrid, was theformercapital of Spain before and after Muslim Rule.We will tour the old medina and historicalcentre of Toledo for around 2-4 hours,including time for touring some of it'smonuments, the Alkasr Royal Palaces, theCathedral, and time for meals, snacksand alittle break for your free exploring andshopping. After this, a 350 km bus ride throughLa Mancha, lands of the famous figure DonQuijote, will lead us to Córdoba.We will reach Cordoba by the evening and aftera brief presentation of the city andhotel checkin, we will walk around the Mosque-Cathedralat night. Traditional courtyard tea saloon, nightwalks in the medina, flamenco show and horse
18. 110rides are available during our free evening inCordoba.Day 3. Tour of Cordoba, visit to Medinat al-Zahra. Night tour of the medina. Freeevening for proposed activities. Overnight inCordoba.Guided visits in the medina of Cordoba,including Cordoba Mosque-Cathedral, theAlkasr Royal Palaces, the Jewish quarters, oldcity walls, Live Museum of al-Andalus,Andalusi courtyard home and other streets andalleys in the historical medina of Cordoba.Continuing our visits in the city and a break forlunch in the medina, we will depart Cordobathrough Medinat al-Zahra, court city andCaliph's palace ruins, including a visit to themuseum and expositions there.Day 4. Transfer to Seville and tours,overnight in Seville.Then continue down the river Guadalquivir
19. 111towards Almodovar del Río, and further toSeville, 150 km. Guided visits in the historicalcentreof Seville, including the Alkasr RoyalPalaces and gardens, Cathedral of Seville andthe remains of the Almohad courtyard andminaret, the modern Giralda, Torre del Oro,Jewish quarters, old medina and city walls.After a break for lunch we will walk alongtheriver to the Parque de Maria Luisa and Plaza deEspaña, where we will be picked up and takento our hotel. Night walks around historicalcentre or riverside, flamenco show and horsecarriage rides are available during our freeevening in Seville.Day 5. Transfer to Granada, visit Alhambrapalace and Gardens. Free evening inGranada.Morning transfer to Granada for a middayarrival (260 km). Upon arrival at Granada, wewill collect some snacks and be introducedthrough a guided visit to the Alhambrapalatialtown, including the Nashrid Palaces,Alkasbafortress, Generalife summer palace, gardensand the old medina of the Alhambra. After this
20. 112we will pass on to the opposite hill to visit theold medina of Garnata and it's main areas,divisions, city walls. We will visit the Mosqueof the Albayzin at the Mirador de San Nicolás,most famous viewing point to the Alhambraand Granada city. From there we will walkdown to the town centre and visit thesouqstreets where we will have dinner and enjoy theevening freely.Day 6. Tour of the medina of Granada, freeafternoon in Granada. Special dinner inGranada.The next morning you will be introduced to themodern capital of Granada, we will go throughthemost important areas of the historicalmedina within the modern city centre,the oldmedina after which Granada is named.After this introduction you will have free timefor shopping, leisure walks or activities inGranada, during your last afternoon in Spain.Al-Maghreb: Morocco.Day 7. Bus tour along theCosta del Sol, visit
21. 113Alkasr of Malaga and further reachGibraltar. Ferry transfer to Tangier.Overnight at Tangier.We will make an early departure along theCosta del Sol drive past the defensive fortresstowns of the southern coastline of Spain untilwereach Malaga. At Málaga we will visit thehistorical quarters briefly for an introductionand head up to it's Alkasr fortress. After amidday break we will move on to Algeciraswhere we can view the rock of Gibraltar fromon our way across the channel toTangier byferry. Once we arrive in Tangier we will beintroduced to the medina andsouqarea andafter our first Moroccan meal we will spendovernight at Tangier.Day 8. Continue to Rabat. Tour of Medina inRabat, transfer to Fes.Overnight at Fes.During our first day in Morocco we will headto Rabat to tour the medina.During our morning in the present capital ofMorocco, Rabat, we will visit Udaya andChella old fortress towns, the Palace of HassanII, and the King's Mausoleum.
22. 114After tours, walks andsnacks we will move toFez to spend the night there.Day 9. Tour of medina in Fes. Overnight atFes.We will be starting our tour in Fez at theAndalusi quarters of the medina, touring thenarrow streets and alleyways to visit theQarawiyanne mosque, theMausoleum of IdrisII, and the mainsouqsandbabs.We will enjoy free time in Fes to shop arroundfor bargains and enjoy a relaxed dinnersomewhere nice in the medina. Overnight atFes.Day 10. Continue to Casablanca, Visitmosque of Hassan II, continue to toMarrakech. Arrival and introduction toMarrakech. Overnight at Marrakech.The next morning we will depart to Marrakech.We will get an early start to go 490 km fromFes to Marrakech at an easy pace and stoppingat Casablanca along the way to enjoya goodroast and visit the mosque of Hassan II.Once we arrive in Marrakech we will beintroduced to the Qutubiya mosque and the
23. 115main square of Fna where the labyrinth ofsouqstreets starts. We will have a welcome dinnerat the most 'exotic' city in Morocco andconclude the 'official' program to the day.Day 11. Tour of the medina of Marrakech.Tour of the medina and Jama fna and souqs.Introduction to the 7 saints of the city,Qutubiya mosque, Gardens of Menara.In Marrakesh during the day we will tour themedina andsouqsaroundJam'a Fna.Throughout the day we will be introduced tothe story of the 7 saints of the city and visitingsome of their Mausoleums in the medina.After a midday snack we will visit Menaragardens, one of the most exotic andfamousIslamic gardens in Morocco.You will be able to enjoy the exotic Moroccanfood again on your second night in Marrakechduring a farewell dinner at the central squareJama Fna.Day 12. Departure from Marrakech.
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