DAY 1 (Thursday): MADRID / CORDOBA / SEVILLE

Depart from our Bus Terminal at the Plaza de Espana 7, at 8.30 am, travelling through La Mancha (Don Quixote and Windmill Country) to Cordoba, one of the oldest and most historic cities in Spain.

Lunch is followed by a guided sightseeing tour including a visit to the magnificent 8th century Mezquita, Mosque and Cathedral and the historic Jewish quarter, strolling through the narrow winding streets, decorated courtyards and patios.

Next is Seville, a wonderful city, regarded by some as the romantic capital of Andalucia. Visitors can understand why this is the setting for the Operas Carmen, Don Juan and Figaro as well as being the home of the fiery flamenco, they feel it, in the narrow streets, squares, courtyards and colourful patios of the Santa Cruz district.

Dinner and accommodation.

DAY 2 (Friday): SEVILLE

After breakfast a panoramic tour of the city includes the Cathedral, where the remains of Christopher Columbus lie, the Alcazar, beautiful Maria Luisa Park and the atmospheric Barrio Santa Cruz, with its white alleyways and patios.

An afternoon at leisure to explore the city perhaps a river cruise along the Guadalquir or a visit to the pseudo reconstruction of Pontius Pilates house (Casa de Pilatos), which began in the 16th century, and presents an interesting blend of mudejar, gothic and renaissance styles with its beautiful patio and gallery, elegant fountain and ornamental Minerva statues. In the evening maybe one of Seville’s many tapas bars or a flamenco show.

Dinner and accommodation.

DAY 3 (Saturday): SEVILLE / RONDA / COSTA DEL SOL

Following breakfast, the touring coach travels the route of the white villages including a stopover in Ronda, a spectacular town with Celtic origins, which is located over a deep revine, cut into rock, 100meters above the Rio Tajo. Free time is allocated so you may visit the Plaza de Toros, one of Spain’s oldest bullring dating back to 1785, the gardens of Casa del Rey Moro from where steps descend to the base of the gorge or perhaps, a glass of local wine and regional food at the restaurant located right on the edge of the gorge. Ronda is a town that simply invites visitors to wander through fascinating streets and alleys.

Continue to the Costa del Sol for dinner and overnight accommodation in your selected hotel.

DAY 4 (Sunday): COSTA DEL SOL / FES

After breakfast travel through the Costa del Sol to Algeciras. Board the ferry which crosses the straits of Gibraltar to North Africa. On arrival you will transported to Fes for dinner and your first stopover in exotic Morocco.

DAY 5 (Monday): FES

The most ancient of the Imperial Cities, founded in the 8th century Fes has become the cultural centre of Morocco. Your morning sightseeing program includes the Kairouyine University and Mosque, the Nejjarine Fountain and the Souk where craftsman in Arab, Jewish, and Andalucian quarters still work in the old ways – a visit to the sometimes pungent, dyers and tanners quarters where sheep and goatskins are coloured and processed.

After lunch perhaps continue your own sightseeing and exploration of Fes which can be achieved in hours or days, this is a wonderful city with a fabulous “World Heritage” medina. Overnight.

DAY 6 (Tuesday): FES / MEKNES / MARRAKECH

Breakfast and then depart for a panoramic tour of Meknes. Founded in the 11th century this Imperial city was at its peak during the reign of the 17th century sultan, Moulay Ismael, who bequeathed many palaces and historic buildings including the impressive 25kms of walls that still surround the city today.

Continue to Marrakech, the palm tree oasis at the threshold of the Sahara. Dinner at your hotel.

DAY 7 (Wednesday): MARRAKECH

Breakfast and a morning a city tour of Marrakech, “The Pearl of the South”, the second oldest Imperial city where sightseeing includes the Saadian tombs, the Koutoubia tower, the Bahia palace, and the Menara Gardens and of course Djemaa El Fnaa Square. Following lunch, an afternoon at leisure provides a chance to discover for yourself more of this city’s treasures. Perhaps shopping or a local restaurant. In the very late afternoon, you may wish to revisit exotic Djemaa El Fnaa Square where snake charmers, acrobats, jugglers, storytellers, watermen and even dentists are found adding even more atmosphere to this fabulous location. Overnight.

DAY 8 (Thursday): MARRAKECH / CASABLANCA / RABAT

Breakfast and departure for Casablanca, the city made even more famous by a movie, for a panoramic sightseeing tour which includes the Hassan II Mosque, United Nations Square and the Anfa residential quarter. Continue to Rabat. Dinner at your selected hotel.

DAY 9 (Friday): RABAT / LARACHE / TÁNGIER

Breakfast is followed by a sightseeing tour of the nations capital, a chance to see the Royal Palace, Mohammed V Mausoleum and the Roman Ruins of Chellah, before joining your fellow travellers on the coach to Tangier, “The Princess of the North” the city of Hercules has been an established trading port since attracting the Phoenicians and Carthaginians, a panoramic tour provides many insights into this fascinating destination. Dinner and overnight.

DAY 10 (Saturday): TANGER / COSTA DEL SOL

Breakfast and depart for the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, with some free time prior to boarding your ferry to Algeciras. Continue to the Costa del Sol for overnight accommodation including dinner at your hotel.

DAY 11 (Sunday): COSTA DEL SOL / GRANADA

In the morning your coach departs for Granada, the final stronghold of the Moorish Kingdom in 1492. Immortalised in song and verse and overlooked by the majestic snow covered Sierra Nevadas, Granada is a city steeped in tradition and strongly influenced by historically interwoven cultures. This is home to one of the world’s great monuments – The Alhambra and Generalife Gardens which showcases Moorish palaces and towers, gardens that include terraces, pools and fountains all in an incomparable setting. The Alhambra and Generalife Gardens is a stunning inclusion on your sightseeing program

Afternoon at leisure for perhaps your own exploration and discovery, including a visit to the narrow winding streets of ancient Albaicin and the Sacromonte area famed for its gypsy flamenco and caves which for convenience may be best visited in daylight hours. In the evening maybe enjoy some of the many bars and restaurants frequently located in lively little plazas. Dinner and accommodation.

DAY 12 (Monday): GRANADA / TOLEDO / MADRID

After breakfast travel to the Imperial city of Toledo – a national monument of Spain, where the cultures and great religions of Spain (Christian, Moorish and Jewish) have left behind a legacy that makes Toledo a special place to visit. Following lunch your sightseeing tour includes Spanish art, history and spirituality, helping to uncover some secrets of this historical and artistic city. Continue to Madrid and the end of your journey.

Please Note - departures guaranteed: 5 April - 18 October 2012

TIMELESS COACH TOUR INCLUSIONS