Discover the Flavors of Spain & Morocco - 14 Days

Highlights

• Taste traditional tapas in Barcelona and Seville—and pintxos in Bilbao
• Learn how to cook Spanish and Moroccan cuisine during private classes
• Visit a cheese producer in Basque and an olive oil estate in Andalusia
• Join private walking tours in cultural cities like Fes, Rabat, and Marrakesh

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Barcelona (Spain), Tapas & Wine Tour

Hola, and welcome to Spain! You'll first land in Barcelona, the vibrant and charming capital of Catalonia. Expect a stunning Mediterranean feel with city beaches and a thriving culinary scene. A driver will be waiting at the airport to transfer you to your hotel. Rest, refresh, and use the rest of the day to explore at your pace. 

This evening you'll join a tapas tour in the elegant Eixample district, surrounded by neoclassical architecture. Start with tapas and local wine at a well-known traditional bar as you learn the basics of Spanish dining culture. Next, visit a particular bar known for its hyper-local organic produce and wine. Finish at a high-end restaurant where the chef recently won the Best Young Catalan Chef Award. Here you'll enjoy sophisticated small plates and wine pairings. 

Day 2: Private Tour of Barcelona, Mediterranean Cooking Class

After a good night's rest and breakfast at your hotel, you'll get to know the city with a private guided walking tour. During this half-day excursion, see some of the city's most emblematic spots and hidden corners while learning about Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí and his jaw-dropping masterpiece, La Sagrada Família. This spectacular Roman Catholic church and UNESCO World Heritage Site has been under construction for over a century. Ask your guide for lunch recommendations before parting ways.

This afternoon you'll dive deeper into Spanish culture by joining a dynamic and fun Mediterranean cooking class led by a professional chef. In a private home, you'll learn to cook various traditional Spanish recipes while listening to the chef explain how to use essential regional ingredients such as olive oil, tomatoes, and herbs. Then, of course, taste the dishes while sipping fine Spanish wines.

Day 3: Fly to Bilbao, Pintxos Gastronomy Experience

This morning you'll swap Catalonia for the Basque region in northern Spain. First, take a transfer to the airport for your 90-minute flight to Bilbao, a modern and avant-garde city. On arrival, a driver will transfer you to your hotel. Once an industrial hub, Bilbao is now a thriving cultural destination with the architectural Guggenheim Museum at its heart. Use your free time to explore the gallery, visit local markets, and wander the city's historic streets.

Later you'll spend an indulgent evening hopping between pintxo bars with a food-loving guide. An explosion of beautiful colors and tastes awaits you as you explore the wonderful world of pintxos, similar to tapas but only found in Basque. From simple combinations like cured meats and cheese to more elaborate creations with seafood, vegetables, or local specialties, try it all on this immersive taste of the region's impressive food scene.

Day 4: Day Trip to the Basque Countryside

Today you'll explore the rural life of one of Spain's most unique regions. With a guide, you'll venture to the central Basque province of Bizkaia and the surrounding quaint mountain villages. Stop at a country house and farm that produces traditional Basque cheeses and delicious custard made from sheep milk. You'll see the production of and sample delicious semi-hard Idiazabal cheese, made under the strict guidelines of the denomination of origin. 

Afterward, explore Urkiola Natural Park, where mountains rise steeply from the village of Durango. The stunning alpine landscape features limestone precipices, lush forests, ravines, and deep valleys. A haven for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers, embark on a short, easy hike to experience the park's beauty. Enjoy a diverse range of flora and fauna, including beech and oak forests, while keeping an eye out for wildcats, eagles, and chamois, a species of goat-antelope.

Day 5: Fly to Seville, Tapas & Flamenco Experience

Swap the serenity of Bilbao for sizzling Seville when you board a flight destined for the southern Spanish city. Upon arrival, a driver will be waiting to take you to your hotel. Use the rest of your day to explore the vibrant capital of Andalusia. Visit the iconic Cathedral of Seville, the colorful Plaza de España, and breathtaking Alcázar Palace—three unmissable historic sights that showcase the city's rich history and cultural heritage. If you have time, walk above the city on the Metropol Parasol, an impressive wooden structure that looks like a mushroom.

This evening set out for a unique tapas and flamenco experience, combining Andalusia's food and distinctive musical style. Your local expert will lead you to two family-run taverns to enjoy traditional tapas and wines. Then switch courses from cuisine to culture, and follow your guide to one of Seville's historic neighborhoods to witness the power, passion, and drama of authentic flamenco. After the performance, visit another family-run tapas bar to cap off a whirlwind evening with more incredible wines and delectable desserts.

Day 6: Traditional Andalusian Cooking Class, Visit an Olive Oil Estate

This morning you'll meet a professional chef outside Seville's oldest market. Venture together to see what's in season and purchase ingredients for today's hands-on cooking class. Then experience the best of Spain's rich culinary tradition when you prepare a three-course meal using local and seasonal produce, including Andalusian dishes such as salmorejo (spinach with chickpeas). After, savor the fruits of your labor with a beer or wine and chat about the culinary traditions of Seville.

Day 7: Ferry to Tangier (Morocco), Free Time

Get ready to switch continents and head to Africa! After breakfast, a private driver will transfer you to the port of Tarifa, where you will take a boat to Tangier in Morocco. Tangier is known as the gateway between Europe and Africa. Stretching along the Maghreb Coast at the western entrance to the Strait of Gibraltar, Tangier offers a remarkable blend of cultures. Several influences have shaped the city for centuries, attracting artists, spies, and eccentric foreigners. Once you're in Tangier, a driver will take you to your hotel for check-in. 

The rest of the day is yours to explore the city as you like. Meander around the Kasbah and the twisting labyrinth of the Medina, passing places such as the 17th-century Sultan's Palace. Stroll through the intricate lanes leading to Bab Bhar (Gate to the Sea), offering stunning views of the Strait of Gibraltar, the Iberian Peninsula, the vibrant port of Tangier, and the Ville Nouvelle. Stroll around Petit Socco Square, known for its buzzy markets, craft shops, cafés, and people-watching. Visit the cannons at Faro Square and savor scenes of the Bay of Tangier.

Day 8: Transfer to Fes, Traditional Moroccan Cooking Class

This morning, a driver will collect you for a 4.5-hour private transfer to Fes, Morocco's cultural and spiritual heart. This unique historic city is known for having the world's largest living medieval medina, the UNESCO-listed Fes el-Bali. The labyrinth of narrow winding streets, intricate mosaics, and ornate doorways will transport you back in time.

This afternoon you'll explore the unique flavors of Moroccan cuisine with a private cooking class. The fun begins with a visit to a nearby souk to shop for fresh ingredients, as the locals do. Then prepare a traditional four-course meal with fragrant spices, vibrant saffron, and the ubiquitous preserved lemon. At the end of class, sit down together to enjoy your Moroccan dishes while learning more about the local food scene.

Day 9: Private Tour of Fes, Pottery & Ceramics Workshop

After breakfast, you'll set out to explore Fes, the oldest of Morocco's four imperial cities. A private local guide will lead you through the famous medieval medina, where the roads are much narrower, windier, and steeper than those of other imperial cities. Feel free to shop for various spices, vegetables, leather goods, ceramics, pewter, shoes, scarves, and medicines in the souks—or simply watch artisans at work. You'll also visit the Karaouine Mosque, founded in 859 by Fatima Al-Fihri. Stop for lunch before visiting the Merenid tomb, Bou Inania Medersa, Attarin Medersa, and the Najarin Fountain.

Day 10: Transfer to Rabat, Private Tour

This morning, take a comfortable 2.5-hour private transfer to Rabat, the capital of Morocco, since 1956. Arrive at the bustling UNESCO-listed city and embark on a private tour, starting at the Royal Palace of Rabat and the medieval fortification of the Chellah Necropolis, where you can wander the Roman and Islamic ruins. Stroll through the medina to find the Hassan Tower and Mausoleum of Mohamed V. This abandoned 12th-century project features the minaret of an incomplete mosque and some 200 columns. 

Then immerse yourself in the souks. Browse the colorful array of goods, including rugs, spices, slippers, leather, and beyond—and don't forget to bargain for the best price! Afterward, find some tranquility at the Andalusian Gardens, a 20th-century oasis with lush terraces filled with exotic plants, flowers, and fruit trees. Finally, head to the magnificent Kasbah des Oudaïas and the Musée des Oudaïas handicrafts museum, and marvel at the stunning white and blue architecture before returning to your accommodation to relax.

Day 11: Transfer to Marrakesh, Street Food Tour

After breakfast, take a 3.5-hour private transfer to your accommodation in Marrakesh, the "Red City." Tomorrow you'll explore the city with a private guide, so use the rest of today to relax or wander at your own pace. You could drop into the beautiful Dar el Bacha Palace to enjoy the old-world grandeur of Bacha Coffee or spend time bargaining for souvenirs in the souks.

When night falls, venture to the central square of Jemaa el-Fna for an energetic and exciting food-focused evening in Morocco. Arrive with an empty stomach and open mind as this street food tour goes beyond Jemaa el-Fna, diving into the streets and back alleys of the medina. Follow your guide to their favorite haunts, stopping to taste dishes only made there or at unassuming spots the locals have loved for 30 or more years. 

Day 12: Private Tour of Marrakesh

Today you'll get deeper into Marrakesh with a half-day tour. Your private guide will lead you past historical sites such as the towering Koutoubia Mosque and the Saadien Tombs, which date back to 1557. Visit the beautiful 19th-century Bahia Palace, the largest and most luxurious palace of its day. Then explore curiosities in the Jewish Quarter. Wind your way through the colorful and lively UNESCO-listed medina (walled old town), visiting different artisan areas within the souks where you can barter for souvenirs or gifts.

Later this afternoon, you could taxi to the Majorelle Gardens, an oasis close to the buzzing streets. Designed by French painter Jacques Majorelle in the early 20th century, the gardens showcase a captivating blend of vibrant blue buildings and lush sub-tropical plants, bamboo, lilies, and palms. It's a perfect place to escape the afternoon heat and experience a serene atmosphere with fountains, tranquil pools, and charming architectural features.

Day 13: Foodie Day Trip to Essaouira

Embark on a private full-day trip to the charming coastal city of Essaouira and discover a different side of Morocco. This city has a long history of diverse influences, from Indigenous Berbers and Phoenicians to Romans, and today it's a hub for the artsy and young surfer crowd. After a scenic 2.5-hour drive from Marrakesh, follow your guide through Essaouira's medina, with bright and wide streets that cover an impressive 75 acres (30 ha).

Visit the bustling port with its bobbing blue boats and fortified walls, and experience a mini-cooking class and meal at a local Saouri home. Then, join a walking food tour in the afternoon, exploring the souks, street vendors, leafy plazas, and whitewashed houses with ornate wooden doors. Take time to stop into various traditional shops and pick up some ceramics, spices, leather goods, or shoes before returning to Marrakesh.

Day 14: Depart Marrakesh

Your two weeks in Spain and Morocco have come to an end. At the appointed time, a private driver will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to Marrakesh airport for your flight home. Safe travels!

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