destination
Spain, Morocco & Gibraltar
Spain, Morocco & Gibraltar Photo Gallery
Our itinerary will include:
MOROCCO:
A destination for those who seek an experience that is full of variety, a wonderful assault on the senses. Morocco has been described as “a mind bending fusion of the 1970’s and the Middle Ages”, full of contrasts, exotic sights, strange smells and wild experiences, an intriguing blend of Africa and Arabia.
- Casablanca and the exciting Imperial Cities of Marrakesh, Meknes and Fes.
- Essaouira – An historic trading port on the Atlantic Coast, Essaouira is still “protected” by its 18th Century sea front ramparts, complete with aged cannons.
- The Roman Ruins of Volubilis. – A Roman outpost from the 2nd Century AD. Its mosaics are most impressive.
- The Kasbah du Toubkal – Located in the rugged Atlas Mountains this beautifully restored Kasbah complex offers us a traditional stay as we explore the surrounding mountains and villages.
- The Rif Mountains – Stay in charming Chefchaouen, a mountain town painted in the traditional Berber colours of blue and white. Hike in the countryside above the town.
- Todra Gorge – Walk along a palm-shaded river canyon and take traditional mint tea with a local family.
- At Merzouga Dunes – Ride camels through the northern reaches of the Sahara Desert to dine under the stars and sleep in Berber tents.
ANDALUCIAN SPAIN:
- Granada – Back-dropped by the snow clad Sierra Madre mountains, Granada is home to the magnificent Alhambra Palace.
- Ronda – Spectacularly located along the edge of a high escarpment, Ronda is a just delightful, with an historic stone bull ring and many other fascinating things to both see and do within the town and the surrounding countryside.
- Sevilla – Spain’s Festival City has style and tradition.
- Jerez de la Frontera – Let’s “study” sherry at an old Bodegas, one must taste to appreciate of course. Such a delightful interlude.
- Nerja – R and R time on the Med Coast. Explore prehistoric caves and a glistening white village perched high in the hills overlooking the ocean. Relax on the beach and swim in the warm waters of the Med!
GIBRALTAR:
- A very British world, complete with pubs and pounds and Marks & Sparks. A visit to the renowned WWII-era Rock Tunnels will make your school history lessons come alive.
2025 Draft Itinerary outline
| Destination | Time |
|---|---|
| CASABLANCA - Visit Casablanca's gigantic but very beautiful Hassan 2 Mosque, the Medina and Rick's cafe of "Casablanca" movie fame. | 2 Nights |
| ESSAOUIRA- A charming historic trading port town on the Atlantic coast. Explore the fishing harbour, the ramparts, the Medina and the long curving beach. | 2 Nights |
| TOUBKAL - Stay in traditional style accommodation in the Atlas Mountains. Hike or hire a mule to the pass and on the return take tea with the locals. | 3 Nights |
| MARRAKESH - Enjoy exploring this most intriguing Imperial city. In the evening visit the huge square of Djemaa el Fna. No words can describe the goings on. | 2 Nights |
| TODRA - Cross the dry Atlas mountains at the Tizin Tichka Pass to enter the vast desert region to the east. Visit the famous Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou and pass through Ouarzazate to reach Todra Gorge in the Valley of Roses. Day walking in the shaded palm groves, observe farming and irrigation techniques, visit a Berber family home and a traditional carpet co-operative. | 2 Nights |
| MERZOUGA - The Merzouga Dunes, located at the northern reaches of the Sahara desert. Ride Camels over the dunes. Sleep in a Berber camp & dine under a desert sky. | 1 Night |
| FES- Leaving the desert, drive to reach Morocco's most ancient Imperial City - Fes. Founded by Moulay Idriss the second in the 8th century. Just being there is an exciting experience as the size and complexity of the Old Medina will astound you. It's 9,600 lanes and alleyways seemingly designed to confuse. | 2 Nights |
| CHEFCHAOUEN - Visit Meknes, another imperial city and the extensive Roman Ruins at Volubilis, before reaching the picturesque blue town of Chefchaouen. Enjoy a guided walk in the foothills of the Rif mountains that backdrop the town. | 2 Nights |
| GIBRALTAR - Catch the ferry across to Spain and walk through the old wall tunnel to enter a very British world. Explore the famous Rock and its historic tunnels. | 2 Nights |
| RONDA - Travel by train to Ronda, a quaint village in the beautiful Serrainia de Ronda mountains. Dramatically straddling the 100m deep El Tajo Gorge this historic little town is a real charmer. It has more than its fair share of interesting sites, including one of the oldest bull rings in Spain - the Plaza de Toros, a colourful history and some interesting countryside walking. | 2 Nights |
| SEVILLA - Visit Jerez de la Fontera, a small town famous for the productions of sherry. Fingers crossed we can catch a show at the Real Escuela Andaluza de Arte Ecuestre (Andalucian Horses). Pop into a local bodega for a spot of sherry tasting. before moving north to Sevilla, Spain's Festival City. | 2 Nights |
| GRANADA - Home to Spains most famous monument, 'The Alhambra'. This truly magnificent castle and garden complex dominates the city, which is beautifully back dropped by the Sierra Nevada Mountains. | 2 Nights |
| NERJA - A small seaside town with great shopping, lovely beaches and loads of Mediterranean charm. The perfect spot for some relaxing R&R. | 2 Nights |
| MALAGA - Final night before starting the journey home | 1 Night |
| DUBAI -Stop before our flight to AKL | 1 Night |
Trip Style: In Morocco, we have a 16 day private minibus with a guide and driver. However in Spain we will use the highly efficient trains and public buses wherever feasible, and at times we will use private vehicles. This style of travel makes for some fascinating encounters with the local people, however we do recommend travelling light with a small to mid size wheelie bag, and a small backpack.
Food: Included meals to be confirmed, but as a guide approximately 20 breakfasts and 6 dinners will be included.
Accommodation: 3-4 star, normally twin-share or double. However at the Berber desert tent camp and the Kasbah du Toubkal the sleeping arrangements may be triples for single travellers.
Criteria for Taking Part: Participants need to be moderately fit and active, be prepared for some traditional moroccan living standards and accommodations. A degree of walking fitness and agility is required as most sightseeing excursions will be on foot. However there are some day walking on unpaved trails, mainly in the Toubkal region, although Mules will be available for hire if you do not wish to walk.
Price Includes: Accommodation, Auckland to Auckland airfares (in a specific class), transport, a full programme of sightseeing excursions, entries and services as detailed in the itinerary. Meals as specified in the final itinerary.
Please note: Draft itinerary subject to change.
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