Explore Spain, Portugal and Morocco: Coastal Waves & Desert Dunes

Take a stroll on the boardwalk in the neighbourhood of La Barceloneta, an area known for its beaches and waterfront walkway. Visit local restaurants and nightclubs or check out the monuments while there.

Uncover a different side of Barcelona. Visit the old Gothic Quarter with its maze of dark streets, historic cathedral, medieval buildings, bars, and cafés.

See and be seen on Las Ramblas, a large tree-lined pedestrian boulevard perfect for people watching and window shopping that ends at the harbourfront facing the Mediterranean Sea.

Visit Gaudí’s most famous life work, the cathedral of La Sagrada Familia, an inspiring, yet, bizarre testament to the artist’s unique vision.

Get away from it all with a visit to the imaginative Parque Guell. The fantastical works of Antoni Gaudí (1852–1926) are scattered throughout Barcelona, a grouping of these including Parque Guell, Casa Mila, and the Crypt of La Sagrada Familia were established as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984. Stroll the tree-lined paths and admire Gaudi’s creative genius at play.

Uncover a different side of Barcelona. Visit the old Gothic Quarter with its maze of dark streets, historic cathedral, medieval buildings, bars, and cafés.

Take a stroll on the boardwalk in the neighbourhood of La Barceloneta, an area known for its beaches and waterfront walkway. Visit local restaurants and nightclubs or check out the monuments while there.

Visit Gaudí’s most famous life work, the cathedral of La Sagrada Familia, an inspiring, yet, bizarre testament to the artist’s unique vision.

Get away from it all with a visit to the imaginative Parque Guell. The fantastical works of Antoni Gaudí (1852–1926) are scattered throughout Barcelona, a grouping of these including Parque Guell, Casa Mila, and the Crypt of La Sagrada Familia were established as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984. Stroll the tree-lined paths and admire Gaudi’s creative genius at play.

The Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum displays an overview of art from the 13th century to the late 20th century.

Take in some culture with a trip to the Museo del Prado, one of the greatest art galleries in the world, and a definite highlight of any Madrid trip. Be inspired by its collections and exhibitions: the museum's main emphasis is 15th to 19th century Spanish, Flemish, and Italian art, but there is plenty of Goya and a wealth of paintings by Diego Velázquez.

Shop, stroll, and people watch on the capital's most exciting street, Gran Via. Go early or late, the street stays awake all hours.

The Reina Sofia is Spain's national museum of 20th-century art, and currently boasts an art collection of over 21,000 works.

Enjoy some spectacular people watching with a visit to the Plaza Mayor, the true heart of the city. Enjoy a coffee in one of the plaza’s many cafes and watch the world go by.

See how kings and queens live, with a visit to the Palacio Real, the official (and uninhabited) palace of the King of Spain. Wander the rooms to take in some of the most elaborately decorated and furnished rooms you'll ever see.

Shop, stroll, and people watch on the capital's most exciting street, Gran Via. Go early or late, the street stays awake all hours.

Enjoy some spectacular people watching with a visit to the Plaza Mayor, the true heart of the city. Enjoy a coffee in one of the plaza’s many cafes and watch the world go by.

Take in some culture with a trip to the Museo del Prado, one of the greatest art galleries in the world, and a definite highlight of any Madrid trip. Be inspired by its collections and exhibitions: the museum's main emphasis is 15th to 19th century Spanish, Flemish, and Italian art, but there is plenty of Goya and a wealth of paintings by Diego Velázquez.

See how kings and queens live, with a visit to the Palacio Real, the official (and uninhabited) palace of the King of Spain. Wander the rooms to take in some of the most elaborately decorated and furnished rooms you'll ever see.

Wander through the historic quarter of the Albaicin. Try to head there for sunset. With its narrow lanes and fantastic views back to the Alhambra, visitors are rewarded with a spectacular colour-washed skyline when the sun goes down.

Be taken by the beauty of one of the largest cathedrals in Spain on this visit to the Cathedral of Granada. Tour its beautiful facades and interiors that house a grand altar and numerous chapels. Built by Queen Isabella, it is a masterpiece of Spanish-Renaissance style.

Explore the wonderful interiors and gardens of the Alcázar, a royal palace that was originally a Moorish fort. Arrive during the evening in the summer months (until mid-September) and enjoy a series of concerts in the beautiful setting of the Reales Alcázares.

Enjoy a flamenco performance in the city known for the energetic dance. Be swept away by the flamenco's passion, fire, and grit!

Climb the tower known as La Giralda, adjacent to the world's largest Gothic cathedral, for spectacular views and a walk among historic walls. The 76m (249 ft) Giralda was constructed by the Moors as a mosque between 1184 and 1197. In 1568, after the reconquest, Christians fit the minaret with its bell tower.

Visit the true heart of Seville, the Santa Cruz quarter. A charming area with winding alleys, picturesque lime-washed houses, flowery patios, and small squares, you can wander, shop, or just soak in the neighbourhood's quaint atmosphere while enjoying a refreshing drink (sangria, perhaps) at one of the local restaurants.

Described by Ernest Hemingway as the most romantic town in Spain, Ronda is a quaint city 2 hours outside of Seville. Take a day trip to tour highlights such as a traditional Spanish bullfighting ring, incredible views of the El Tajo River gorge, and the wine museum.

Take a visit to marvel at one of the grandest mansions in Seville. The home is still inhabited by the Medinaceli family, but remains open to visitor tours during operating hours.

Take a visit to this beautiful historic convent. Established in 1475, this convent is still home to the Jerónimas nuns. Infrequent tours in Spanish are run here, but visitors are welcome to the modest museum displaying 16th-18th century ecclesiastical art and sculpture.

Dating to 1220, the Golden Tower is the last major building constructed by Seville's historic Muslim population.

Enjoy a hike along the famous golden cliffs and sandy coves of the Algarve. Pack water, sunscreen, and a camera, and you're good to go!

Explore these amazing caves lining the beaches of the Algarve.

Grab your bathing suit and go for a refreshing swim.

Enjoy a hike along the famous golden cliffs and sandy coves of the Algarve. Pack water, sunscreen, and a camera, and you're good to go!

Head to one of the five spectacular beaches around Lagos to spend some time floating in the waves. Dona Ana Beach is a golden sand oasis nestled between enormous rock formations boasts the best view, while Meia Praia and Batata Beach are near the town centre.

Discover Belém, a western suburb that's linked to Portugal’s Golden Age of Discoveries – it was the site where famous navigators once set sail to discover the world. While there, take some time to tour nearby must-see attractions: the Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower, the Tropical Botanical Garden, and the Berardo Museum of contemporary art. Please note: most attractions in Belém are closed on Mondays.

Explore Lisbon’s past in Alfama, one of the city’s oldest quarters. Wander along narrow medieval streets lined with typical tile-covered façades and take a step back in time; the area largely survived the great earthquake of 1755, and still retains much of its original layout. Listen for Portugal's traditional music, fado, gracing the streets at night.

Stop in this lively square to get a taste of the local hustle and bustle.

Take a wander through this traditional open-air market, established in 1755.

Climb up to this Moorish castle for a wander around the impressive grounds on a guided tour, and a great view over Lisbon and Tagus River.

Take a ride up 147ft from the lowest to highest points of Portugal. Sit back and enjoy the views.

Take a trip to the coastline to see this charming fort, built to protect Lisbon from raiders invading from the sea. Climb up the tower for great views of the ocean and surrounding city.

See Africa’s largest mosque and the world’s tallest minaret (210 m, 689ft) with a visit to Hassan II Mosque. Admire this massive work of art completed in 1993, and strikingly located on land jutting into the Atlantic. If you wish to experience the mosque from inside, it must be done via the guided tours that run several times a day.

Lace-up your hiking boots, and trek through the scenic Rif Mountains – the perfect natural playground for adventure seekers. Hike along lush mountains, passing small waterfalls and streams en route to the Spanish Mosque for spectacular panoramic views of Chefchaouen. Continue on through the mountains, passing plantations and stopping for a traditional lunch at a local gîte. Once you reach the piste, jump in a jeep and head back to the main road to meet your driver.

Spend some time in the medina checking out carpet shops, sampling local delicacies at the food stalls or shopping for leather goods. Prepare to bargain, just don't get lost wandering the passage ways!

Follow a local guide through the Fès medina, one of the world’s largest medinas with more than 9000 winding streets lying within 365 hectares. See buildings in the medina that date back to the 9th century; there are 350 mosques in the medina that are still in use today. Enter through one of the great gates into the chaos. Explore the artisans’ quarters as well as the many carpenters, bakers, butchers, and spice sellers. Visit the mausoleum and the Al Qarawiyin University. A highlight of the tour is the view of the famous Fès tannery from the balcony of a leather shop, where you can observe the men hard at work treating and dyeing the different hides. Take some time to shop for leather goods before returning to your hotel.

Wander past fresh orange juice stalls and water sellers in colourful costumes reminiscent of an era past. See storytellers, magicians, and peddlers of traditional medicines as the day progresses. When the sun sets, the square fills with dozens of food stalls, and is packed with locals, entertaining chefs, and waiters. Grab a spot on a bench with other diners and try the “tanjia” (slow cooked lamb), harira soup, grilled seafood, famous Moroccan couscous, tajine, snails, or even sheep’s head (for the truly adventurous). Wash it all down with some spiced tea.

View the golden dunes of the Sahara desert on a land cruiser excursion. You'll be driven around the sand dunes of Erg Chebbi in land cruiser cars, taking in the views of the seemingly endless sea of sand. Pass a kohl mine en route to the village of Khamlia. Witness the delightful sounds of the African music of Gnawa - played by members of the community - as you enjoy a cup of mint tea with the locals.

Learn all about the quintessential Moroccan dish — tagine. Learn about the tagine itself (a clay pot) and different ingredients and spices. Enjoy the fruits of your labour for dinner.

Explore the picturesque villages of Aourir, Imouzzer and Izourki Oufella. Begin with a drive through the banana plantation village of Aouir. Visit the small town of Imouzzer, a small picturesque town with white houses, surrounded by almond, olive, and argan trees. See Izourki Oufella, known for producing a highly refined form of honey using thyme, orange blossom, and cactus.

Get an early start and watch the sunrise over the red dust, palm groves, and majestic open landscapes of Marrakech from a hot air balloon. After soaking up the sights, refuel with an authentic Berber breakfast in a Moroccan tent. *Please note if you purchase the Marrakech Hot Air Balloon ride on the final day of your tour you will not finish until 10am. We recommend booking your departing flight no earlier than 1pm to ensure you have enough time to make it to the airport.

Learn various stretches, postures, and breathing exercises during a yoga class on the coast.

Pop into brightly coloured shops selling leather shoes and purses, slippers, scarves, Moroccan lanterns, and mosaics...you name it. Visit an artists' co-op and shop for handmade silver jewellery. Try not to get overwhelmed by choice – with dozens of shops lining the narrow winding streets, there's a lot to choose from.

With dozens of shops lining the narrow winding streets, there's a lot to choose from. Pop into brightly coloured shops selling leather shoes and purses, slippers, scarves, Moroccan lanterns and mosaics...you name it. Visit an artists' co-op and shop for handmade silver jewelry.

Visit a hammam, a great way to get squeaky clean and soothe sore muscles. Enjoy a body scrub and massage in a traditional Moroccan bathhouse. Begin with a dry or hot room to prepare your skin and body, followed by a hot steam room. Enjoy a body scrub and massage followed by a traditional mint tea.