Spain and Morocco: Shared Histories, Complementary Cultures

15 days
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4.4/5 Great
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Small Group Tour
Journey to the ancient lands of Spain and Morocco, two countries bound by many centuries of history reflected in their modern cultures. Immerse yourself in the varied influences of Islam, Christianity and Judaism in both lands. With special insight, local experts highlight the cities of Madrid, Sevilla, Fes, and Rabat to identify Spain and Morocco’s deep root...
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • Experts discuss the blend of cultures that define and complement Spain and Morocco.
    • Discover the 12th-century Moroccan city of Fes on an expert-led field trip.
    • Enjoy performances of traditional music presented with the English translation of the lyrics

What's this trip about?

    Journey to the ancient lands of Spain and Morocco, two countries bound by many centuries of history reflected in their modern cultures. Immerse yourself in the varied influences of Islam, Christianity and Judaism in both lands. With special insight, local experts highlight the cities of Madrid, Sevilla, Fes, and Rabat to identify Spain and Morocco’s deep roots in tradition and faith — from medieval times to today.

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Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 24 people
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityMadrid
End CityRabat

Travel Themes

  • 50 plus
  • Cultural
  • Education / Learning

Destinations

  • Africa
  • Morocco
  • Spain

Attractions

  • Casablanca
  • Granada
  • Rabat
  • Seville

Activities

  • Culture
  • Educational/ learning
  • Historic sightseeing
  • History

Trip includes

    • 13 nights of accommodations
    • 8 expert-led lectures
    • 16 expert-led field trips
    • 3 hands-on experiences
    • 4 performances
    • An experienced Group Leader
    • Customary gratuities throughout the program
    • The Road Scholar Travel Protection Plan, 24-hour-a-day emergency assistance coverage
    • Taxes

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Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1: In Transit to Program

In Flight

Evening: International flight to Spain.

Day 2: Arrival Madrid and orientation, Madrid

Meals: Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel H10 Puerta de Alcala

Morning: Arrive at Madrid airport and transfer to hotel. Check-in to your room and rest before lunch.

Lunch: Lunch at the hotel restaurant.

Afternoon: Orientation and city walk in Madrid followed by a welcome reception at the hotel.

Dinner: Dinner at the hotel restaurant.

Day 3: Day trip to Toledo and expert lecture, Madrid

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel H10 Puerta de Alcala

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel restaurant.

Morning: Explore the medieval capital of Toledo with in-depth visits to the Cathedral, Mosque and the Synagogue/Sephardic Museum. We...

Day 4: Travel to Granada/Olive Oil Museum

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel Comfort Dauro II

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel restaurant.

Morning: Morning departure from Madrid to Granada. We will stop at an olive oil museum in the town of Baeza to learn about the h...

Day 5: Albaycin/Alhambra, Granada

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel Comfort Dauro II

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel restaurant.

Morning: A morning walking tour of the Albaycin neighborhood where Moorish Spain comes alive in the streets of Granada.

L...

Day 6: Córdoba/Travel to Seville

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel Inglaterra

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel restaurant.

Morning: Depart Granada for Seville, stopping in Córdoba, the crossroads of civilizations, and mainstay of Islamic and Jewish heritage...

Day 7: The Alcazar and Flamenco, Seville

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel Inglaterra

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel restaurant.

Morning: Explore the Alcázar - Seville's Royal palace and heritage of Muslim and Christian architects and artisans, as well as the Jew...

Day 8: The rich religious heritage of Seville

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel Inglaterra

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel restaurant.

Morning: Morning lectures on "Sephardic Spain" and "Spain Today"

Lunch: On-site staff will give you suggestions for enjoying a tapas d...

Day 9: Ferry to Tangier/Chefchaouen

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Riad Dar Chaouen

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel restaurant.

Morning: Depart from Seville to the port of Tarifa via ferry for Tangier. It is about a 35-minute ferry ride. Arrival in Tangier and h...

Day 10: Chefchaouen's ancient Medina

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Riad Dar Chaouen

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel restaurant.

Morning: Morning guided tour of the Medina of Chefchaouen, the city center that still preserves its roots as a marketplace and center ...

Day 11: Travel to Fes and an afternoon in Ouezzane, Fes

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel Merinides

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel restaurant.

Morning: Morning check-out of the hotel and departure for Fes. En route, bus lecture "Health Care System in Morocco”. Afterwards we wil...

Day 12: Historic Fes and the contemporary population, Fes

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel Merinides

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel restaurant.

Morning: Guided tour of the Medina of Fes, a city of three centuries: 9th, 14th and 20th.

Lunch: Lunch will be at a restaurant i...

Day 13: Travel to Rabat

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Cantor Hotel Terminus

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel restaurant.

Morning: Check-out of hotel and depart by bus for Rabat via Meknes. On the way, bus Lecture on “Educational System". Guided Tour ...

Day 14: A day in Rabat

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Accommodation: Cantor Hotel Terminus

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel restaurant.

Morning: Lectures on "Architecture in Morocco" and "Moroccan Politics and the Arab Spring".

Lunch: Lunch with Moroccan families.

Day 15: Program Concludes

Meals: Breakfast

In Flight

Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel restaurant.

Morning: Morning departures and return flights from Rabat airport.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $4,899
Price per day$327
Last Updated: 8/2/2018

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Road Scholar.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Road Scholar, the not-for-profit leader in educational travel since 1975, offers 5,500 educational tours in all 50 states and 150 countries. Alongside local and renowned experts, experience in-depth and behind-the-scenes learning opportunities, from cultural tours and study cruises to walking, biking and more.

Programs For Whatever You Love to Do:

Much more than a tour, a Road Scholar program is a true learning adventure. Whether you join us in Seattle or Santiago, Beijing or Berlin, Road Scholar programs all share four unique attributes:

--Exceptional opportunities for learning and exploration through special behind-the-scenes access to the world's most fascinating treasures, led by our passionate and knowledgeable instructors.

--The shared fellowship of learning and warm camaraderie, whether a solo traveler or with a companion.

--Comfortable accommodations and appetizing meals.

--Excellent value.

Explore Your Mind and the World:

There are no grades or tests on Road Scholar programs. All that's needed is an inquiring mind, an adventurous spirit, and the belief that learning and discovery are lifelong pursuits.

Established in 1975, Road Scholar offers participants once-in-a-lifetime experiences delivered by local and world-renowned experts. Experience in-depth and behind-the-scenes learning opportunities, from cultural excursions and study cruises to walking, biking and more.

Our Most Popular Tours:

Adventures Afloat Cruises: On these educational cruises, you’ll traverse some of the world's most spectacular waterways, offering you a convenient and rewarding way to learn and explore aboard ocean liners, riverboats and small ships.

Independent City Discoveries: Combine structured learning with independent discovery — each program includes hotel accommodations and some meals, lectures, expert-led field trips and detailed outlines for four self-guided excursions.

Grandparent Travel: Discover and explore together with your grandchild through interactive learning experiences and field trips. Both you and your grandchild will share the joy of learning with other grandparents and their grandchildren, bridging generations and opening doors to discovery and friendship.

National Parks: From Denali to the Everglades and countless beautiful, historic places in between, field trips to America’s National Parks reveal what tourists can’t see on their own, with specialized experts showing you how to track wildlife or lead you to the spot with the most awe-inspiring view.

Outdoor Adventures: From hiking in the Grand Canyon to exploring France by barge and bicycle, to sharpening your golf or tennis skills, these active programs exercise the body and the mind.

Service Learning: From tutoring school children or helping restore a crucial forest habitat for wildlife, to assisting with artifact restoration and museum curatorial work, Service Learning adventures are an opportunity to make a difference in the world.

Small Groups: Love to learn in a small-group setting? Check out this collection of programs that have 10-24 participants.

Why Road Scholar?

You Can't Beat Road Scholar's Remarkable Value: Our all-inclusive prices have no hidden costs. Compare the price of one of our programs to what it would cost to duplicate the experience on your own (if that's even possible) and you'll see what we mean by "remarkable value."

Lifelong Learning and Lifelong Friends: When you participate in a Road Scholar program, you will not only expand your mind, you will be in the company of other people who believe that learning is one of the best parts of life.

Instructors Who Inspire: Road Scholar instructors are both experts in their field and lifelong learners themselves who are excited to answer your questions, hear your opinions and share in your experience.

Solo Participants Love Our Programs: Road Scholar programs are renowned for being inclusive, warm and welcoming for solo participants. We can either match you with a roommate or, on most programs, you can choose to room on your own.

Think Outside the Tour: The educational focus of Road Scholar programs makes us completely different from a commercial travel tour. Road Scholar programs offer educational experiences that answer the what's, the why's and the how-to's.

You Go Where Others Can't: We've been offering educational experiences since 1975 and we've made connections with educators and other local "insiders" all around the world, creating learning opportunities that show you the world in a way that just can't be done on your own or on a "tour."

We've Covered All the Bases: From expert-led lectures and field trips to comfortable lodgings and meals, we handle all the details, including the ones you might not anticipate. We've taken the worry out of the planning, so you can focus on your learning experience.

Peace of Mind Through the Road Scholar Travel Assistance Plan: The Road Scholar Travel Assistance Plan, which is purchased on behalf of every participant, provides 24-hour emergency assistance in the unlikely case of a medical emergency.

Scholarships for Those in Financial Need: Each year, Road Scholar awards $250,000 in scholarships toward programs in North America for those who do not have the financial means to participate.

Our Donors: Each year, thousands of donors contribute to our Annual Fund, helping to cover the gap between the tuition we charge and the actual cost of our programs.

What they’re known for
Popular global tours with a unique focus on educational experiences for mostly senior travelers.

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Logistics

Accommodation

,Hotel H10 Puerta de Alcala: 2 nights  Madrid Located in the lovely Salamanca neighborhood of Madrid, close to Retiro Park and the Serrano and Velazquez shopping districts.   Hotel Comfort Dauro II: 2 nights  Granada Located in the monumental center of Granada.   Hotel Inglaterra: 3 nights  Seville Located in Plaza Nueva, central to all of Seville's major monuments.   Riad Dar Chaouen: 2 nights  Chefchaouen Riad dar Chaouen is Located across the mountains and water sources in the center of the city of Chefchaouen. its guests with its privileged location in the city and its striking architecture. For relaxation Dar Echaouen from its terrace offers panoramic views of the Medina of Chefchaouen, the river and mountains.   Hotel Merinides: 2 nights  Fes Located on the heights of the oldest city Fes, the Merinides Hotel is a few minutes walking distance from the Merinides dynasty tombs and other main sites to be visited during the program. Its proximity to Al Karaouiyine Mosque, Dar Batha Museum, the Andalusians mosque and the Thermal baths of Moulay Yacoub contribute to make of Merinides Hotel an address of charm for a stay for discovering and relaxation.   Cantor Hotel Terminus: 2 nights  Rabat The Cantor Hotel Terminus is a century-old hotel known as the Terminus. An architectural marvel constructed in 1902; the building was the first hotel to be built in Rabat. Completely renovated, the Art Deco character of the building has been showcased alongside a touch of modernity that was brought to the interior design, offering a product where comfort, luxury and quality of service come together to make sure that your stay and your events at the Cantor Hotel Terminus are unforgettable experiences…
Guides
Francisco Garcia Paco Garcia was born in Madrid and received his B.A. in history from The Complutense University in Madrid. He then continued his studies at the University of California at Berkeley, where he earned his M.A. and Ph.D., specializing in Medieval history, and also lectured there. He spent all of 1997 at the University of California at Berkeley on a Fulbright Investigative Scholarship. In 2011, Paco journeyed to Japan for a role as a visiting professor. He is presently a professor at St. Louis University, Madrid Campus. Being an expert on the history of Spain, he shares his passion and enthusiasm in his lectures.
Travel Insurance
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Meals Included

13 Breakfasts, 12 Lunches and 11 Dinners

Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
Trip ID
roadscholar-14596RJ

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