Book online and enjoy exclusive savings on Travelmarvel's 20 Day Magical Morocco and Douro Discovery. Experience a 20-day adventure from Casablanca to Porto, exploring Morocco and cruising the Douro River. Enjoy guided tours, cultural experiences, and scenic beauty.
Be met at the airport and transfer to your hotel. Later this evening, meet your Travelmarvel Tour Director and fellow travellers at a Welcome Reception followed by dinner. Stay: Movenpick Casablanca (D)
Today, embark on a guided tour of Anfa Boulevard, United Nations Square and witness the magnificent exterior of the Hassan II Grand Mosque. Marvel at the minaret that stands at 210 metres, towering over the Atlantic Ocean. Bid farewell to enchanting Casablanca and head to Rabat where you will visit the outside of the Royal Palace, the Mohamed V Mausoleum and the Hassan Tower. Afterwards, continue to Fez. Stay Three Nights: Fez, Les Merinides (B/D)
Insider Experience: Visit the souks of Fez for a traditional Moroccan dinner with traditional entertainment including belly dancing.
Enjoy a morning city tour of Fez, the oldest of Morocco's four imperial cities. Fez boasts one of its most striking landmarks: the magnificent royal palace, distinguished by its famous bronze doors. The Seven Gates of the Royal Palace, symbolising each day of the week, also feature imposing brass door knockers. You'll visit the Jewish Quarters of Mellah and the stunning gate of Bab Bou Jeloud. Take a mesmerising walking tour of the ‘Medina' (Old City), declared a World Heritage Site. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure before dinner at your hotel this evening. (B/D)
Perched atop Northern Morocco's Jebel Zerhoun plateau, the Roman ruins of Volubilis offer a captivating glimpse into ancient history, renowned as one of the best-preserved sites in Northern Africa. Continue to the Imperial City of Meknes, home to the grand Walls of Bab el Mansour and the unique Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, the only mosque in Morocco open to non-Muslims. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before returning to Fez. (B/L/D)
Embark on a scenic journey through the serene landscapes of the Middle Atlas Mountains. Arrive in Erfoud, on the edge of the vast Sahara Desert, and visit a date farm.
Later, consider enhancing your experience with an optional 4WD excursion into the mesmerizing sand dunes of the Sahara Desert. Stay: Erfoud, Palms Hotel Club (B/D)
Today, we'll encounter one of your journey's most stunning natural wonders, the Todra Gorges. Conclude the day in Ouarzazate with dinner at your hotel. Stay: Ouarzazate, Hotel Karam Palace (B/D)
Travel to the UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site, the Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou. This picturesque city, crafted from adobe and nestled on a hillside, has starred in renowned films like "The Jewel of the Nile." Continue to Marrakesh, the Moroccan Southern Capital, set amidst an expansive oasis amid the Atlas Mountains and the pre-desert region. Stay Three Nights: Marrakesh, Kenzi Rose (B/D)
Insider Experience: Visit Tawesna Salon de The, a cooperative eatery led by local women preserving regional culinary heritage.
Embark on a city exploration, visiting landmarks like the Koutoubia Tower, reminiscent of Seville's Giralda. Discover Saadines Tombs and Bay Palace. Stroll through the lively medina, bustling souks, and vibrant Jamaa El Fna Square, an open-air theatre with fortune tellers, snake charmers, and acrobats.
This evening, you may wish to join an optional tour of a nearby Berber Village for dinner, immersing yourself in local culture. (B)
Today, relish a leisurely day in Marrakesh. Perhaps opt for an optional full-day tour to nearby Essaouira or an optional half-day visit to the Yves Saint Laurent Museum. Gather in the evening for a farewell dinner at a charming local restaurant. (B/D)
This morning after breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your included flight to Lisbon. On arrival, transfer to your hotel.
This evening you will join your fellow travellers for a Welcome Reception. Stay Three Nights: Lisbon, Altis Grand Hotel or similar (B)
On a guided tour, explore the alleyways of the Alfama district and marvel at the Manueline-style Jeronimos Monastery. Then, visit the World Heritage-listed Belem Tower and admire the beautiful Castelo de Sao Jorge. (B)
Today, enjoy a full day at leisure to explore this vibrant city. Perhaps enjoy an optional excursion to the Sintra Mountain range of Serra de Sintra. Visit the World Heritage-listed Pena National Palace and take a guided tour of Sintra. (B)
This morning after breakfast, you will travel by coach to Vila Nova de Gaia where you'll board your river ship.
Later this evening, meet your fellow travellers at a Welcome Reception as you take in the sights along the Douro River on a sunset cruise. Stay Seven Nights: MS Estrela (B/D)
Begin cruising along the spectacular Douro River. Flowing from the northern reaches of Spain, through Portugal and into the Atlantic, this river is bordered by countless vineyards. As you cruise this morning, you'll take part in a Portuguese language lesson, during which you'll learn some essential phrases of this beautiful language.
This afternoon you'll visit the picturesque village of Lamego and the elaborately decorated baroque cathedral, the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies. While in Lamego, visit one of Portugal's best museums. You may also like to sample one of the town's famous specialties, Bola de Lamego, a delicious smoked ham roll. On arrival in Pinhao, you will enjoy an Insider Experience. (B/L/D)
Insider Experience: Enjoy a sumptuous dinner of traditional dishes and dessert at a picturesque local Quinta, a Portuguese winery.
Today, cruise across the border into Vega de Terron in Spain. Enjoy some time at leisure before joining an excursion to Castelo Rodrigo. This tiny village sits atop a hill overlooking both Spain and Portugal and features a number of well-preserved ruins, an impressive castle and a magnificent stone statue of Santiago Matamoros. After exploring this charming little town, you'll board a coach and return to your ship. (B/L/D)
Today you'll board a coach and set off for Salamanca, a glorious Spanish city that boasts sunlit sandstone buildings along with a majestic city square. Here you'll enjoy an Insider Experience. Afterwards, return by coach back over the border to Barca d'Alva, the last Portuguese village along the Douro, where your ship awaits. Back on board this evening, enjoy a traditional Portuguese barbecue dinner. (B/L/D)
Insider Experience: Enjoy a Flamenco show and lunch and be entranced by captivating Flamenco dancers as they astound you with their stomping feet in a fiery performance.
This morning, enjoy a fascinating history lecture as your ship cruises past Pinhao to Regua. After your Insider Experience on arrival in Regua, this afternoon, enjoy a guide tour in Regua followed by free time to visit the Douro Museum. (B/L/D)
Insider Experience: On arrival, head to a local Quinta, which boasts outstanding views over the Douro Valley. Here, you'll enjoy a tasting of local port wine, Portugal's most famous tipple.
Join an excursion to the splendid Gardens and Palace of Mateus. Tour this living museum which is still owned by the Count of Vila Real. Discover the connection between this beautiful 18th-century palace and Mateus Rose wine for yourself. Afterwards, continue to the riverside town of Entre-os-Rios.
On arrival, enjoy free time to explore this gorgeous, vibrant town as you please. Tonight, be treated to an energetic performance of traditional Portuguese folk music back on board at a special Captain's Dinner. (B/L/D)
After breakfast, cruise back to the enchanting city of Vila Nova de Gaia. On arrival, join a fascinating tour of nearby Porto, which sits just across the river. Here you'll be led past a collection of the city's most famous attractions, and visit a local port winery for a tour and tasting.
This afternoon, there's ample time for you to step back out to explore Porto at leisure. You may choose to take an optional excursion to the World Heritage-listed city of Guimaraes.
This evening back on board your ship, enjoy a final Farewell Dinner. (B/L/D)
After enjoying a final breakfast on board, transfer to the airport in Porto for your onward flight. (B)
