Spain And Morocco Islamic Heritage Tour

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival at Madrid Airport - Transfer to Toledo

Stop At: Casco Historico de Toledo, Toledo Spain
As you arrive at Madrid airport where your host Muslim guide and driver will be waiting for you to greet you then transfer you to your hotel in Toledo. Continue on to Toledo (the old Islamic Moorish city) which is only an hour drive south of Madrid, Here is where it all stated, the fall of the vandals and the rise of Islamic civilization. Lunch Halal is in a nearby restaurant. Later on, we will depart to visit and explore the historic, Islamic and cultural sights of Toledo. Visit the Historical Mosque built by Mussa Ibnu Ali in 999 AD, later to become the Church of Christo de la Luz, the ramparts entering the city from its oldest gate Bab al Saqra to the old Moorish city. There is another mosque located near the souk called Mosque of the Tornerias. This Mosque has special arches similar to the Grand Mosque of Cordoba, tow courts, and a wonderful Mihrab. The best panoramic view over the city is from the Alcazar, a famous Palace of Muluk Tawaif Muslim Kings of Spain. We will end our tour in the Zocodover square, this use to be the livestock market from the 10th century. Dinner is at a Halal restaurant.
Duration: 2 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at Eurostar Toledo or similar 4 star

Day 2: Travel from Toledo to Granada

Stop At: Mezquita Mayor de Granada, Plaza San Nicolas S/N Albaicín, 18010 Granada Spain
Today we will travel to Granada crossing a beautiful part of Castilla la Mancha to the most rewarding province of Andalusia south of Spain. Granada is a jewel nestled in the foothills of Mount Shulayr at the Sierra Nevada overlooking the lush plateau of la Vega. The emblem of Granada is the Moorish Alhambra Palace and its exotic gardens of Generalife. You will also visit the old Muslim quarter of Albaicin the most elite neighborhood of Moorish times, dignitary palaces, Moorish baths and fountains, Medersas schools and notable dwellings are still witnessing a glorious time in Islamic Spain. A Glorious Islamic City is still standing proudly to hold emblem of la ghaliba illa Allah No Glorious but Allah. Granada is indeed unique in its history as the last outpost of Muslim Spain and also the home of many Christian monuments, including the tombs of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella idolized as the Catholic Monarchs of Spain and the pioneers of the Hispanic new found world of Latin America. Initially, two historic achievements the End of Moorish sovereignty in Spain and the discovery of a new world both happened coincidently in 1492 ad. Dinner will be at a halal restaurant.
Duration: 8 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at Sercotel Luna or similar 4 star

Day 3: Granada Historic Tour - Alhambra and Generalife Gardens

Stop At: The Alhambra, Calle Real de la Alhambra, s/n Palacio de Carlos V, 18009 Granada Spain
Your Muslim guide will take you on a full day sightseeing tour of notable places in Granada. This will include the Alhambra Moorish Palace and its famous Generalife Gardens, Albaicine Kasbah, the Panoramic Mirador of Saint Nicolas, the Great Mosque of Granada.
Duration: 4 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at the Same Hotel

Day 4: Day trip from Granada visiting Cordoba and Seville

Stop At: Historic Centre of Cordoba, Cordoba Spain
We will arrive at Cordoba in the morning, Andalucias most northern province. One of its many treasures is the Mezquita, a mosque of exquisite beauty and unrivaled Moorish architecture, built a little over twelve centuries ago. Our visit starts at the bridge of Mussa ibn Nussair Torre de la Calahorra then progress strolling to the old city of la Juderia then end it at the legendary mosque of the Khalif Abderrahman Addakhil founder of Moorish Spain and the first Umayyad Monarch. As you walk through this city, pay special attention to the wide, lavish patios of Moorish heritage to enjoy a sophisticated architecture designed to stimulate without being ostentatious. Depart in the afternoon from Cordoba to Sevilla. Visit on the way the ruins of Imperial Al Medina Azahra. Continue on to Sevilla. This luminous city, that is immediately captivating, possesses an aura of happiness any visitor can easily detect. Undeniably, for the connoisseur, it is Spains most beautiful metropolis. Sevilla earned the reputation of a place to enjoy the potency of life. The lively streets of this enticing city manifest the realm of Spanish life from within, and one cant help but become Spanish. The traditional theatrical exhibitions you will encounter in basically every square are indeed an art form unique to Sevilla. Dinner will be at a Halal restaurant.
Duration: 6 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at Silken Al Andalus Palace or similar

Day 5: Seville Historic City tour

Stop At: Cazalla de la Seville Trail, 41370 Seville Spain
After breakfast, your local guide will take on a monumental visit to Sevilla. This is the most beautiful esthetically and most lively city in Spain. Your visit will cover the sites and sounds of Sevilla. From the Roman site of Italica to the striking Museo de Bellas Artes, the Alcazar Palace, the Tower of Torre del Oro, not to miss of course the one and only Giralda still proudly standing overlooking the Guadalquivir to witness the glory of Moorish civilization. Discover which of Sevilla's glorious monuments would be your favorite. A stroll in horse carriages will be devoted to visiting the Casa de Espana and the gardens of Queen Louisa la Loca. Transfer to Tarifa in the afternoon to catch your ferry to Tangier. Dinner will be at your hotel Halal restaurant.
Duration: 6 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at Hotel Solazure Tangier or similar 4 star

Day 6: Travel from Tangier to Fez visiting Vlubilis and Moulay Idriss of Zerhoune

Stop At: Tangier Casbah, Place de la Kasbah, Tangier 90000 Morocco
Visit Chefchaouen in the morning with your local guide then proceed to Volubilis and Moulay Idriss with an archeology guide.

You will reach Fez in the afternoon with sightseeing of the Ramparts, the Gates, the Borjs (forts) and the Andalous part. Dinner is at the hotel.
Duration: 8 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 7: Guided tour of Historic sites of Fez

Stop At: Fez Mellah, Fes Morocco
Enticing, unique and fascinating, Fez stimulates the senses with its haunting yet beautiful sounds, visual splendor, and evocative smells. The most ancient of the Royal capitals an entirely complete medieval city in the Islamic world, Fez is reminiscent of a city suspended in time, unfazed by the constantly evolving world outsides of its walls. Fez owes nothing to the Western world, save electricity. Time spent in Fez will reveal much about the sophistication of the Moroccan artisan, providing an unparalleled learning experience to those who cross its path. Your morning will be spent visiting the Medina. Our specialized guide will take you on a historic discovery of the city of Fez starting at the Kings Palace and its Meshwar with ramparts and majestic gates.

The first guilds you will immediately encounter are the cobblers, the saddlers, and blacksmiths interlaced by some caravansaries for tribesmen who come from the surrounding areas to trade and supply their needs. Down the hill to Juteya you will encounter all sorts of crafts but noticeably carpenters and leather workers as one of the traditional tanneries is not far. This walk will lead you to El Ashabine square with its variety of activities. From there, you will find your way to the Sgha square which will lead you to Attarine then Souk el Henna and the Maqam of Moulay Idris, the founder of Fez. Next, to it, you will visit the Nejjarine square with its famous fountain, its guild of carpentry and the museum of folk arts at the Fondouk.

You will walk to the tannery and on to visit the great Mosque university of Al Quarrawiyyine, passing by Shemmaine, the market of dried fruits. After that, you will visit the Medersa Attarine and walk to Sbetryyine, a guild of bookbinders, which will lead you to the Seffarine Square, where the tapping of metalworkers is still deafening passerby as it was the case for centuries. You will break for lunch then continue exploring the marvels of Fez Medina. These will highlight the Dyers souk, Foundouk Tetouani and the shrine of Sidi Ahmed Tijani, a Sufi imam who played a great role in introducing Islam in black Africa. Sufism in West Africa is predominately Tijani Tarika. You will end your walk at foundouk Lihoudi where a local Fez family will host you for traditional mint tea in their home. Finally, you will return to your hotel for dinner and other accommodations.
Duration: 6 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at Hotel L'Escale or similar 4 star

Day 8: Travel from Fez to Marrakech

Stop At: Morocco tours, Rue Oqba Ben Nafaa, Marrakech 40000, Morocco
Enjoy a day discovering the rural environs of the Atlas Mountains Berber villages, wards, and nomadic settlements. Coped with evergreen pines, tall cedar trees, and poplars, and laced with flowing streams, your first view of the Middle Atlas will appear oddly un-Moroccan. Passing by Imouzzer, with a quick stop at the Swiss-like town of Ifrane, you will soon come across the first real town of the Middle Atlas, Azrou. Azrou is an important market center for the regions Berber tribes, located at a major junction of mountain routes. Your driver will take a little detour in a cedar forest to introduce you to one of the oldest inhabitants of this region, the Barbary apes. This may also coincide with the encounter of a nomadic family at its temporary encampment. As nomads are very hospitable people, whenever we encounter them we are all invited at least for a mint tea under their tents.

At Khenifra, the Middle Atlases give way to the High Atlas Mountains, whose peaks are visible through the haze, soaring to over 12,000 feet. After lunch, you will descend the Atlas Mountains finally arriving in the foothills which overlook the magnificent oasis city of Marrakech Alhamra. Some of the aforementioned stops will include visits to Berber villages, scenic views, and traditional markets. You will conclude your day with dinner and other accommodations at your hotel.
Duration: 8 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at Hotel El Andalous or similar 4 star

Day 9: Marrakech Guided Tour of Historical sites

Stop At: Jemaa el-Fnaa, 38 Jemaa el-Fna, Rue El Ksour, Marrakech Morocco
You will devote your morning to the exploration of Marrakech many historical sites, starting at the Menara, a magnificent pool surrounded by flowerbeds, reflecting the image of an exquisite Moorish edifice. It was constructed in 1866 for dignitaries, who enjoyed glorious sunsets with the ethereal Atlas Mountains as a backdrop. The pool also functions as an innovative irrigation system that is serving dry life in the desert. Your tour will cover many impressive sites, including the Koutoubia Minaret (which is identical to la Giralda, a tower found in Sevilla, Spain), and the Saadien tombs, which demonstrate Moorish architecture at its best. The tombs consist of sixteenth-century mausoleums, which had lain walled-in and undiscovered until 1917. Next, you will explore the gardens of the Agdal then the Marjorelle. Finally, you will return to your hotel for dinner and other accommodations.
Duration: 6 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at the Same hotel

Day 10: Travel from Marrakesh to Casablanca

Stop At: Hassan II Mosque, Blvd Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdallah, Casablanca 20450 Morocco
Travel in the morning to Casablanca where your local guide will be at your disposal to visit the highlights of historic Casablanca with the great Hassan II Mosque. Farewell dinner will be at the hotel.

Duration: 6 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at Hotel Oum Palace or similar 4 stars

Day 11: Transfer to Casablanca Airport

Stop At: Old Medina of Casablanca, Place Marishal North-west corner of Place des Nations Unies, Casablanca 20200 Morocco
Transfer to Casablanca Airport. Available tour extensions in Morocco are available.
Duration: 1 day 21 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.