22 Days | Sample the flavours of France, Spain and Morocco
Head south from Paris to Marrakech on this 22-day exploration, full of European highlights with a taste of Northern Africa. Starting in Paris, you’ll take your fill of pastries and romance and then hop on a train to Bezier, watching the southern landscape roll past as you go. Stay in an old prison, enjoy a free day to explore Bezier or head out on a day tirp to Carcassone, then jump back on board and head into Spain, stopping in Barcelona for tapas, sangria and a little dose of Gaudi architecture. Continue to Madrid before crossing the border into Portugal. Soak up the sun in the Algarve, then cross the Gibraltar Strait into Morocco, where you can get lost in the labyrinth of the ancient city of Fes, wander the medinas of Marrakech and tuck into a tajine or two. If you’re looking for an adventure, this is it!
Trip overview
- Start
- Paris, France
- Finish
- Marrakech, Morocco
- Theme
- Explorer
- Destinations
- France, Spain, Portugal, Morocco
- Physical rating
- Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
- Style
- Original
- Ages
- Min 15
- Group size
- Min 1 - Max 12
- Trip code
- BMSMC
- Explore the city of love as you wander the streets of Paris. Discover the secrets of Montmartre – the famed 18th arrondissement loved by artists and bohemians throughout the years.
- Look in wonder at the architecture of Barcelona, from the incredible feats of Gaudi at the La Sagrada Familia cathedral and Casa Batllo to the Gothic Basilica de Santa Maria del Mar and the ultramodern Torre Glories
- Soak up the sun on the coast of Portugal in the Algarve, exploring caves and caverns and sip on samples of port in the wine bars of Lisbon.
- Lose yourself in the ancient city of Fes, wandering through the winding lanes and alleys of the medieval city and exploring every inch of the incredible medinas.
- Delight at the sights and sounds of Marrakech’s main square, Djemaa El Fna, where you’ll find street performers, henna artists, street food and a buzzing hive of activity.
- If you love avoiding airport queues this is the trip for you however as public transport is the predominant form of transport on this trip we highly recommend packing as lightly as possible as you will be expected to carry your own bags of buses, trains, etc. as well as to and from your accommodation.
- If travelling to Paris from London we highly recommend using the fast Eurostar train from London's St Pancras station. At under 2.5 hours travel time and with no airport queues, this is by far the most convenient and carbon friendly travel option.
- The European part of this trip will be led by a European leader, while the Moroccan part will be led by a Moroccan leader. The changeover will take place upon arrival at the port of Tangier in Morocco with your European leader returning to Spain after you meet your Moroccan leader.
- This trip covers a lot of ground and the majority of travel is done by trains, ferries and public buses. It's a good time to sit back, relax and let the scenery roll past your window. Please read the Itinerary carefully for travel time estimates.
- We recommend packing light and smart for this trip as you'll be required to carry your own luggage between train stations and hotels, which can include going up and down multiple flights of stairs, and across cobblestones. Train stations often don’t have lifts available.
- Summer temperatures can be extreme in this region (over 40C/104F). It’s important to use sun protection, wear layers to combat the heat, and drink plenty of water. Many hotels in Europe and Morocco have fans, not air conditioning. Please carefully consider the time of the year you wish to travel and your suitability to that season.
- Space is at a premium in Europe and Morocco and your hotel is no exception. Rooms are often small, but usually the central location makes up for that. For those travelling as a duo, hotels often don't have double beds, but rather two single beds that can be pushed together. We've sourced our accommodation very carefully and picked the best possible hotels in line with the Intrepid style of travel, but please note that service and accommodation in Morocco may differ from standards at home.
- Ramadan is an annual month-long festival, during which travel can be a rewarding cultural experience, however some regular services may not be available during the day, such as restaurants or cafes, and occasionally travel can be disrupted by events. Your leader will adjust the itinerary accordingly, but please consider this when selecting your travel dates. You’ll find dates and further information in ‘Climate and seasonal information’ section of the Essential Trip Information.
Itinerary
View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2024 - 31 December 2024
Inclusions
18 breakfasts, 1 dinner
Train, Ferry, Metro, Private vehicle, Public bus, Taxi
Hotel (21 nights)
- Paris - Hidden Montmartre Urban Adventure
- Visit Pont du Gard (Museum, Bridge and Swimming Time and Free Time for Lunch)
- Sagrada Familia Admission
- Churros Stop
- Coimbra - Evening Fado Performance
- Lisbon - Sao Jorge Castle
- Algarve - Island Day Trip by Boat
- Chefchaouen - Walking Tour with Local Guide
- Fes - Medina walking tour
- Paris - Palace of Versailles - EUR20
- Paris - Louvre Museum (must be prebooked in advance) - EUR22
- Paris - Arc de Triomphe - EUR16
- Paris - Musee d'Orsay - EUR16
- Paris - Rodin Museum - EUR14
- Paris - Napoleon's Tomb & Les Invalides Army Museum - EUR15
- Paris - Eiffel Tower (from - must be prebooked in advance) - EUR23
- Paris - Da Vinci Code Walking Tour - EUR25
- La Maison Carrée (Roman Temple) - EUR6
- Roman Amphitheatre of Nîmes - EUR10
- Pont du Gard Kayaking - EUR13
- Barcelona - National Art Museum of Catalonia - EUR12
- Barcelona - Museum of Gaudi - EUR6
- Barcelona - Museum of City History - EUR7
- Barcelona - Picasso Museum - EUR15
- Barcelona - Barcelona Cathedral - EUR11
- Barcelona - Ethnological and World Cultures - EUR5
- Barcelona - Contemporary Art Museum - EUR12
- Barcelona - Casa Batllo (advance booking required) - EUR29
- Barcelona - Guell Palace - EUR12
- Madrid - Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza - EUR13
- Madrid - Museo del Prado - EUR15
- Madrid - Real Jardín Botánico - EUR6
- Madrid - Museo Reina Sofia - EUR10
- Madrid - Royal Palace - EUR14
- Madrid - Tapas Urban Adventure - EUR99
- Salamanca - Art Nouveau & Art Deco Museum - EUR5
- Salamanca - Unamuno House Museum - EUR4
- Salamanca - New Cathedral - EUR5
- Salamanca - Old Cathedral - EUR5
- Salamanca - University of Salamanca - EUR10
- Salamanca - Casa de Las Conchas - Free
- Coimbra - Mondego River Boat Trip - EUR10
- Coimbra - Cathedrals - EUR5
- Coimbra - Conimbriga Ruins - EUR10
- Coimbra - Portugal Dos Pequenitos - EUR15
- Coimbra - Joanine University Library - EUR14
- Sintra - Palacio Nacional - EUR13
- Sintra - Palacio da Pena - EUR20
- Sintra - Day Trip - EUR10
- Sintra - Castelo dos Mouros - EUR12
- Lisbon - Experience Lisbon Walk Urban Adventure - EUR45
- Lisbon - Naval Museum - EUR7
- Lisbon - Oceanarium - EUR25
- Lisbon - Fado Show with Dinner - EUR50
- Lisbon - Gulbenkian Museum - EUR10
- Lisbon - Folk Art Museum - EUR5
- Lisbon - National Art Museum - EUR6
- Lisbon - Puppet Museum - EUR5
- Algarve - Birdwatching Tour - EUR35
- Algarve - Marine Wildlife Watching Tour - EUR45
- Algarve - Boat Trip Rio Formosa - EUR30
- Algarve - Fishing Trip - EUR40
- Seville - Real Alcazar - EUR14
- Chefchaouen - Hammam (public baths) - MAD150
- Chefchaouen - Henna Tattoo - MAD50
- Marrakech - Saadian Tombs - MAD70
- Marrakech - Palais Badi - MAD70
- Marrakech - Palais Bahia - MAD70
- Marrakech - Hamam (public baths) - MAD250
- Marrakech - A Taste Of Marrakech: Inside the Medina Urban Adventure - MAD605
- Marrakech - Tajine Cookery Class Urban Adventure. - MAD640
- Marrakech - Cascades d'Ouzoud Day Tour - MAD2207
- Marrakech - Luxury Spa Hammam & Massage - MAD750
- Marrakech - Heart of the Atlas Mountains cycling day trip with lunch - MAD2000
- Marrakech - Medina, Palaces & Tombs Urban Adventure - MAD650
- Marrakech - Palmery Cycling Tour - MAD540
- Marrakech - Magical Marrakech City Cycling Tour - MAD438
Dates and availability
Important notes
1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. Please provide your full name exactly as per passport at the time of booking (including any middle names listed on your passport) for transport tickets. Ticketing fees may apply for amendments to details within 45 days of departure, and in some cases you will be required to cover the cost of issuing a new ticket.
Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.
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