Spain and Morocco Explorer Tour for Families

Marrakech will dazzle your senses with a swirl of sounds, captivating aromas, and vibrant colors. Your flight will land at Marrakech Menara Airport, where your private transfer will greet you upon arrival. After relaxing in the comforts of your luxurious riad accommodation, your guide will meet you in the lobby to introduce you to the city. As your family discovers the city, you will find remnants of 11th-century architecture and Hispano-Mauresque design. The grandeur of Bahia Palace will stem from intricately painted wood ceilings and the opulent Carrara marble floor, which encompasses16,145 square feet in the Grand Court.

Your private guide will meet your family at your hotel and escort you into the Atlas Mountains for a day of exploring the rugged and raw scenery. Berber villages cling to the foothills and nestle into the valleys beneath snow-capped peaks. The traditional irrigation canals will turn the sandy and barren scenery into lush green fields and vibrant walnut groves. The sounds of the breeze through the trees will give way chickens clucking and goats bleating in the Berber villages. Before you return to Marrakech, you will stop at a kasbah in view of the highest mountain in North Africa.

This morning, you will make your way to the plains outside of Marrakech. The scent of mint tea will fill the landscape as your hot air balloon inflates. You will take flight for an hour to bask in the panoramic views that sweep from Berber Villages to the mountain peaks on the horizon. After you return to Marrakech, you will have the remainder of the day at your leisure to explore at your preferred pace. In the evening, Djemaa el Fna Square erupts with activity. Here, vendors sell aromatic kebabs, merchants showcase colorful traditional clothing, and storytellers reveal regional legends.

Your private transfer will escort you to the airport for your flight to Barcelona in the morning. After you settle into the comforts of your luxurious hotel close to the city’s highlights, you will have the remainder of the day to enjoy Barcelona. The captivating seaside city remains a world-class destination for culture and cuisine with architecture that spans 2,000 years of history. Throughout the city, you may find a variety of delicacies on display in the markets, restaurants, and tavernas. You can visit the Barri Gothic to witness the preserved medieval architecture of the city.

Your guide will meet your family at the hotel and lead you along the surreal trail of architect Antoni Gaudi, beginning at the Casa Mila. The secular structure resembles a stone quarry along the facade with a flamboyant design that resembles a naturally curved stone. At La Sagrada Familia, you will discover the soaring tower of the basilica, which stands 566 feet tall. The lavish exterior has a Nativity and Passion facade that depicts two scenes with intricate sculptures. The iconic structure evokes opulence with its ethereal stained-glass windows and pastel-colored ceilings that resemble stalactites.

You will mount your bicycle in the morning and explore Barcelona’s nearly 124 miles of bike lanes. Your guide will lead your family on an authentic tour of the city to sample some traditional tapas. You will cycle between tavernas to find fried potatoes topped with spicy sauce and mouthwatering Iberico ham. After enjoying the cuisine, you will make your way to Montjuic. The hilltop neighborhood offers delightful views of the sea, elegant gardens, and fantastic museums above the cliffs that plunge into the Mediterranean. The summit hosts the formidable Castel de Montjuic and impenetrable corner bastions from 1799.

You will travel on the high-speed train to Madrid, where your private transfer will meet you at the station. After settling into your luxurious accommodation, your guide will greet you in the lobby and introduce you to the regal ambiance of Royal Madrid. The downtown streets will uncover the connection to the Hapsburg dynasty and lead to aromas of hot chocolate and churros in Plaza Mayor. At the Prado Museum, you will discover the marvelous collection of approximately 2,300 artworks across 100 rooms. Here, you can find the likes of Goya and Velazquez.

You will travel to Toledo to experience the cultural legacy of the preserved medieval city. The heritage of three cultures remains in the architecture and ambiance of the city and is accentuated by the sounds of the rushing Tajo River. The Gothic cathedral dates back to the 13th century and features masterpieces related to the former wealth of the city. You will wander the narrow lanes of the Judaria to find colorful ceramic tiles beside paving stones. You can also enjoy the thrilling view of the city from a zipline as you glide over the river.

Your guide will lead you away from the beaten path of Madrid for an excursion of sampling the cuisine. You will also experience the authentic life of Spain’s capital city. Mercado de Anton Martin will fill with the sounds of locals talking over one another amid the aromas of patatas bravas and pan con tomate. The comfortable setting will highlight the traditions that remain active in Madrid from the way madrilenos enjoy their food to the flavors of the tapas. In the Salamanca neighborhood, you will find ornate 19th-century facades that line the streets.

After your train ride to Malaga, you will drive to Axarquia. The stunning landscape will embody the beauty of Andalusia with whitewashed houses, turquoise water, and delicious cuisine. You can lounge on the golden sands of El Salon to find the sea breeze and enticing aromas of calamari drizzled with lemon citrus. Olive groves and grapevines line the hills outside of town and contrast the white buildings and colorful seaside. The Museu de Artes y Costumbres offers insight into the heritage of the region with displays of local bee-keeping, the history of winemaking, and a replica blacksmith’s forge.

With the day to explore the Axarquia region, you can visit enchanting villages or bask in the beauty of the beaches at Nerja. Competa village will welcome you with vine-covered mountains and whitewashed homes. Mosaics depict the traditions of town along Paseo de las Tradiciones, and the 19th-century facades decorate Plaza Almijara. Your family can relax at one of the hanging houses to sample a wine made with traditional methods. During your tasting, you can find aromas of honey and citrus blossoms. You can also visit the famous caves of Nerja, which stretch for over three miles.

After breakfast, you will board a lavish yacht and sail along the Mediterranean Sea. Your captain will weigh anchor and glide parallel to the Axarquia coastline. The sea mist will spray from the hull of the boat and carry the aromas of salt with hints of citrus from the coastline. You can view the landscape of Almijara’s Natural Park, where the rugged mountains plunge into the turquoise water. The yacht will anchor at the secluded beaches of Maro and Cerro Gordo Natural Park. Here, you can plunge into the clear water to enjoy the marine life.

The morning will lead you to what was once the world’s most dangerous trail at 328 feet above the gorge floor. The walkway clings to the face of a sheer cliff and was recently restored. As you follow the trail, you will venture to the depths of 2,296 feet into the gorge. You have views of the flowing Guadalhorce River to canyon walls that were sculpted by the rushing water. Signs of wildlife will decorate the trails, from Spanish ibex clinging to the mountainous terrain to golden eagles swooping down to the water in search of fish.

At breakfast, the aromas of toasted bread with olive oil and sliced tomatoes will fill the dining room of your hotel. The waves of the Mediterranean will crash against the coastline and fill the air with a briny aroma. You will depart from your hotel when you are ready and drive to Malaga Airport for your flight home.