Handcrafted for the inquisitive soul, this unique tour uncovers the next generation of travel destinations. Rather than countries, you’ll discover inimitable regions, and each will be a contrast to the last, including Catalonia, Basque, and Galicia, then Western Sahara, Souss-Massa, and Marrakesh-Safi. There’s art, wine, dunes, camels, walled cities, cobbled squares, hidden coastlines, and heritage villages. And as your senses discover the authenticity, you’ll want to keep the destinations a secret.
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Barcelona – Stroll the Gothic Quarter and Introduction to Catalonia
Catalan flags fly from the townhouses in Barcelona while locals greet you in Catalan language and the chatter you hear on al fresco terraces is not Spanish. The architecture is also novel as the works of Antonio Gaudi and Lluis Domenech i Montaner add curves and mosaics and chimneys to the streets. When you look a little closer, you’ll see that this architecture is not art nouveau, it is proudly Catalan modernism. While Barcelona is one of the world’s most popular tourist cities, the stories within the city can be quick to take you off the beaten track, as this is a city that emphasizes the difference. You’ll touch down in the city and spend a day with a local guide, discussing the history and admiring the quintessentially Catalan attractions.
What's Included:
Day 2
Barcelona – Wine Estates of Catalonia and Coastal Tarragona
Day 3
Bilbao – Pintxos and Poignant Expressions
Day 4
Bilbao – Immersed in Basque Country
Day 5
Santiago de Compostela – Beneath the Cathedral Chimes of History
Day 6
Santiago de Compostela – Exploring the Remote Galician Coast
Day 7
Casablanca – A Stunning Mosque and an Insight Into Morocco
Day 8
Dakhla – The Enduring Beauty of the Western Sahara
Day 9
Dakhla – Where Dunes Meet the Waves: Camel Treks and Beaches
Day 10
Taroudant – An Ochre-Walled Town Untouched By Tourism
Day 11
Taroudant – Immersed in a Rustic World
Day 12
Marrakesh – The Greatest City Square of Them All
Day 13 - 14
Ait Bouguemez – Berber Heritage and the Beauty of the Atlas Mountains
Day 15
Marrakesh – Depart
Trip Highlights
- Explore the wild Sahara as you journey into the desert by camel and stay at a camp where the dunes meet the waves
- Go off the beaten track in Catalonia and find the fiery soul while you taste Penedes wine and explore the capital city of Tarragona
- Explore the coast of Galicia and immerse yourself in the tradition of its capital, Santiago de Compostela
- Travel across untouched Souss-Massa, where the walled city of Taroudant is a wonderful insight into heritage
- Escape into the High Atlas Mountains and spend time in old Berber villages, with a base in breathtaking Ait Bouguemez
- Take a journey through the old and new of Basque, the northern Spanish region that’s a haven for art, food, and indulgence
- Connect with the local people in each of the distinctive regions while you share stories and swap tales
Detailed Description
Spain and Morocco are a patchwork of contrasting regions and people, where the experiences celebrate the diversity and authenticity of the world we inhabit. From Catalonia to Basque to Galicia, each autonomous community has their own language and style. Morocco’s Western Sahara is a remote swathe of land bordering the Atlantic that is hard to compare with what you find in more traditional regions. Going off the beaten track in these two countries isn’t merely about the choice of destinations. It’s a mindset, an appreciation that Spain and Morocco are complex jigsaw puzzles to be pieced together.
This two-week expedition will explore six regions, as it encourages you to go beyond the preconceptions. Recent developments make Catalonia a fitting place to start exploring local style and autonomy. You’ll visit a breathtaking wine region and get a taste of the coast beyond Barcelona. Then, fly to Bilbao and spend two days in the Basque Country, where the food and art are just two means of defining the difference. Galicia awaits you in the remote northwestern corner of Spain. In this region of tradition and stunning coastlines, you’ll eat plenty of octopus, listen to the cathedral’s chime, and find your own private bay along the wild Atlantic.
When you fly to Casablanca via Madrid, you’ll have a layover in the city and an opportunity to visit one of the world’s largest mosques. Then fly to the Western Sahara territory, which is just opening to tourism. You’ll ride camels over the dunes, bask on endless miles of golden beach, and wonder how somewhere so beautiful is so unknown to the world. Next, you’ll visit Taroudant, an ochre walled town where storytellers gather on the square, and the souks are charmingly confusing. Spend time here before you travel to Marrakesh to visit with the Berbers, travel between their villages in the High Atlas Mountains, and stay in the quaint town of Ait Bouguemez.
Starting Price
$5,700 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
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