Best of Madrid, Barcelona, Marrakech Tour

The sea breeze carries a sweet and salty aroma through the streets and along the beachside promenades. Cafes open their doors in the morning to the scents of freshly brewed coffee and delectable Catalan pastries, such as xuixo, which are deep-fried and coated with sugar. Your guide will greet you after breakfast eager to lead you through the relaxed pace of the city in the Mediterranean sunlight. The breeze will be refreshing along the cobbled lanes of the city’s historical center. Your tour will encompass the preserved architecture of Antonin Gaudi, which decorates the city in a variety of ways and has since influence the culture artists, bohemians, and culture of Barcelona as a whole.

Before your tour culminates beneath the renowned spires of the Sagrada Familia Basilica, your guide will take you to the apartment structure of La Pedrera, located along the Passeig de Gracia. The complex was built in the early 20th century with an avant-garde aesthetic. Rounded windows and twining metal railings resembling plants create a surreal atmosphere, and you will enter the building through a stunning wrought-iron gate. Ribbed arches support the structure at the base as the rooftops feature decorative chimneys adorned with bright mosaics. You will have a view over the city, including the sensational spires of the Sagrada Familia Basilica in the distance.

The sun will spread over the streets along the Gothic Quarter and shed light on the past through the hidden niches of the enchanting architecture. At breakfast, you can sip your hot espresso accentuated by the sweet aroma of fresh oranges and quince drifting through the day. Your guide will meet you in your hotel lobby before escorting you through the city to experience both the ancient and the contemporary history that will begin on the cobbled lanes of the Gothic Quarter. The avenues intertwine to form a labyrinth that is framed by the thick stone walls and lavish archways.

The 12th-century Cathedral stands atop the highest point in the town center and draws the eye of visitors and locals alike with the dramatic Romanesque flare. You can hear your footsteps echoing off the cobblestone along the narrow alleyways, and locals linger at café tables in quiet squares, adding their laughter to the gentle strums of Spanish guitar. The 14th-century chapel of Santa Agata was erected atop the old Roman town wall and was once connected to the Royal Palace. Enter into the Picasso Museum, located inside a late-Gothic palace and the galleries will present the renowned artist’s work in chronological order, offering visitors the chance to view the evolution of Picasso’s imagination and style.

Montjuïc rises above the edges of Barcelona at the height of more than 650 feet above sea level. After breakfast, you will make your way to the peak along a thrilling funicular ride. The journey will slowly reveal the stunning view of the cityscape below that stretches to the sapphire waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Fountains erupt in a water ballet in front of the National Palace, home to the Museum of Catalan Art. The galleries inside the museum display collections that date back to the 11th century, and then lead visitors towards more modern pieces, along with famous works by Spanish masters such as El Greco and Diego Velazquez.

The breeze carries the mist from the fountains over the courtyard, as the water fixtures were erected in the late 1920s with a magnificent pool that reaches measurements of 164 feet by 213 feet. After exploring the unique blend of architecture, artistry, and history found along the summit of Montjuïc, your private transfer will escort you to Barcelona Sants Railway Station where you will board the first-class car on the high-speed train bound for Madrid. The capital city has a distinctive ambiance that is very different than the relaxed pace of Barcelona as locals move with purpose and focus. Trees shade the Gran Via as people stroll past the upscale boutique shops and Beaux-Arts style of the early 20th-century Metropolitan Building.   Your private transfer will meet you at Madrid Atocha Railway Station and lead you to your marvelous accommodation located in the heart of the capital city.

In the morning, the doors to a favorite café open to the city. The owners first opened the historical café in the 1880s as a meeting place for artists, writers, and intellectuals, and the delicious espresso and café con leche continues to attract locals. After breakfast, your guide will greet you at your hotel and lead you to the Royal Palace, home to the monarchs of Spain since the 18th century. The grounds encompass nearly 1.5 million-square-feet and rival the grandeur of Versailles in France. The estate contains more than 3,400 rooms and displays the world’s only complete collection of Stradivarius strings.

Your guide will point to the details of the Prince’s Gate as the Spanish coat of arms stands between images of Visigoth kings. You will enter into the Grand Staircase to find a remarkable fixture carved from a single piece of San Agustin marble. Lions flank the landing beneath the frescoes that adorn the ceiling, and ascending the stairs will make you feel as though you are climbing into the painting of the heavens floating above you. Sunlight pours through the windows that fill the walls that are bordered by the ridges of elegant velvet curtains. You will enter into King Charles III’s Apartments at the Hall of Columns, and a ceiling fresco captures your attention as it depicts an allegory of the king as the god Apollo.

The artistry of Madrid emanates from the preserved architecture found along the Gran Via and scattered around the bustling capital city. Mercado de San Miguel fills with the colors of fresh produce, and the aromas of delicate pastries combine with the Spanish aesthetic and other international flavors. Artesian chefs produce bright macaroons and creamy custards amidst the aromas of refined espresso. Your guide will collect you at your hotel eager to lead you through the galleries of the Prado Museum, situated inside a 19th-century palace.

The galleries present the works of Western Europe with a notable focus on Spanish masters with a collection of more than 5,000 paintings that span more than 100 rooms. The neutral tone on the walls allows the works to stand out as they speak for themselves amongst the masterful creations that date back to the 12th century onward. You will arrive at the painting The Third of May 1808, by Goya. The work depicts the day after the Spanish uprising against Napoleon’s occupation of the Iberian Peninsula, as partisans face the firing squad. The painting is unique for moving away from traditional depictions of war and battles and offers a new perspective on the world.

The cafes place tabled and chairs around the elegant 17th-century arcades of Plaza Mayor. Pedestrians stroll across the large cobblestones and enjoy the enticing aroma of brewing espresso and buttery Spanish omelets. The Puerto del Sol brightens with the sunlight that washes over the Kilometer Zero marker, the point from which all distances in the country are measured. Your private transfer will meet you at your hotel after breakfast and escort you to Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport for your flight to Marrakech, Morocco. The city bustles with artisan heritage and the aromas of exotic spices. Rose-colored walls wrap around the old city known as the Medina as glittering lamps fill the narrow streets and hang from arched doorways.  The endless majesty of the city settles beneath the sounds of the daily prayer that echoes from the soaring minarets.

You will meet your private transfer at customs before basking in the comforts of your riad that is located in the heart of the old city. Meet your guide after you settle in to traverse the splendors of the Bahia Palace, a 19th-century estate that was built under the patronage of the Grand Vizier Bou Ahmed. The interior flickers with the radiance of peacock feathers that rise from the zellige tiles. The painted ceilings accentuate the delicate features of the latticed archways as exotic flowers, cypress, and palm trees, along with manicured bushes continue to adorn the palace’s surroundings.

In the morning, the flavor of fresh berries accentuate the tart flavor of the fresh yogurt served at breakfast. A refreshing breeze will likely floats over the trickling fountain in the courtyard of the riad, bringing some refreshment to the hot temperatures of the air. Your guide will greet you in the morning ready to lead you through the labyrinthine cobbled streets that wind around the old city. The marketplace erupts with bright colors that fill the spice stands as the exotic aromas of ginger and red pepper fill the air. The 12th-century walls of the Almoravid Koubba, the oldest monument in the city, continue to decorate the Medina. Almoravid motifs decorate the domed ceiling vaulted above the horseshoe arches of the doorways.

The serene ambiance of the Menara Gardens offers a tranquil getaway from the bustling streets of the Medina. A reflective pool at the center of the gardens mirrors the pavilion along the water’s edge. Families relax beneath the towering palm trees with a picnic as couples sneak away along the walkways to find a stolen moment amongst the exotic plants. In the evening, you can make your way to Jemaa el Fna Square to experience the culture found at the heart of Marrakech, where jugglers perform, storytellers cast spells with their myths, and musicians enchant passersby amidst the aroma of street vendors grilling succulent skewers.

The herbalists open their doors to the city in the morning, allowing the light to wash over the iridescent bottles filled with potions passed down within the family. The aroma of argon oil fills the shops, overtaking the subtle hints of lavender and jasmine. Your guide will meet you after breakfast and escort you into the High Atlas Mountains, leaving the bustling streets of the Medina for a day of alpine landscape and culture. The village of Imlil reaches an attitude of more than 5,700 feet above sea level, and the village offers views to the peak of Toubkal, the highest mountain in North Africa at an elevation of 12,320 feet.

The snow-capped summit contrasts with the broad blue sky. Small shops fill with the bright colors of headscarves and djellaba, a full body garment crowned with a pointed hood traditionally worn by men and women. Jewelry shops showcase handmade bangles and delicate earrings, and the scenery around the village is just as fascinating. Make your way to a rooftop café to sip mint tea and watch the colors on the surrounding snow-capped peaks as they shift with the passing sunlight. You can also view the mule track herders continue to follow the foothills and rugged paths that lead to nearby villages for a different perspective of life away from the urban streets of Marrakech.

In the morning, the sunlight returns to the radiant colors of the spices on display in the souk. The scent of anise accompanies the herbaceous aroma of rosewater. At breakfast, in the riad, you will find the familiar aroma of fresh mint tea accompanied with honey as vibrant berries lay atop the golden surface of your semolina pancakes. The shops along the Medina open to the movement of the city, and after one last wander, your private transfer will greet you at your hotel when you are ready and escort you to Marrakech Menara Airport for your flight home.