Romans & Moors in Morocco & Spain

(B)= Breakfast, (L)= Lunch, (R)= Reception, (D)= Dinner

Friday, September 18, 2026: Depart home
Depart home for Casablanca, Morocco.

Saturday, September 19: Arrive Casablanca, Morocco | Transfer to Rabat | Welcome reception
Arrive today at Casablanca’s Mohammed V International Airport (CMN), where you will be met and transferred as a group to our hotel in Rabat, approximately a 1 ½ hour drive. Depending on the time of arrival in Rabat, independent sightseeing may be undertaken this afternoon and the remainder of the day is free to relax after your journey. Gather this evening for a welcome meeting and reception with your AIA lecturer/host and local guide. Dinner is on your own. Two nights at the 5-star Hôtel la Tour Hassan Palace. (R)

Sunday, September 20: Rabat: Chellah Fortress, Archaeological Museum, Bank Al-Maghrib Museum, Kasbah of the Udayas, Hassan Tower | Welcome dinner
Start the morning with a stroll in the Chellah Fortress, which originated with the Phoenicians but was taken over by the Romans in the 1st century A.D. as Sala Colonia, and was an integral part of the Roman Empire’s expansion into North Africa. The site was abandoned in 1154, but in the 14th century a Marinid sultan built a holy necropolis (chellah) on top of it, hence its modern name. Next, we visit the country’s national archaeological museum, renowned for its prehistoric and Roman collections, followed by the Bank Al‑Maghrib Museum, with a numismatic collection that traces the history of currency in Morocco from ancient times to the modern day, as well as an art collection featuring works by foreign artists (including 19th-century Orientalists) and prominent Moroccan painters. Enjoy a seafood lunch at Borj Eddar, overlooking the crashing waves of the Atlantic. After lunch, take a leisurely walk through Rabat’s whitewashed Kasbah of the Udayas (a North African citadel), including the Andalusian Garden and the Udaya Gate, a fine example of Almohad dynasty architecture. We end the day with a visit to the Hassan Tower and the nearby Mausoleum of Mohammed V, iconic monuments of Rabat showcasing the city’s historical and ceremonial importance. Enjoy a welcome dinner of Moroccan specialties in the medina. (B,L,D)

Monday, September 21: Volubilis | Meknes | Fes       
Depart Rabat this morning for the ruins of Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with well-preserved mosaics that was Rome’s commercial hub for northwestern Africa until the 3^rd century A.D. We will also tour a small, informative museum, which has recently been built on site. Continue to the Imperial City of Meknes, which 17^th-century Sultan Moulay Ismaïl built as his capital, and is today a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our first stop will be at Ismaïl’s mausoleum, one of only two religious sites in Morocco open to non-Muslims, and we will see the immense granary Ismaïl built to feed the city’s population and his 12,000 horses in the event of up to a year-long siege; as well as the classically decorated, 14^th-century Bou Inania Medersa. After lunch around the corner at Riad Didi, a vast former mansion and now a boutique hotel, we will stop by the Mansour Gate, Morocco’s largest. Continue onward to the intellectual and spiritual capital, and UNESCO World Heritage Site, of Fes. Check-in to our hotel and gather for dinner this evening. Overnight at the 4-star Le Riad Maison Bleue. (B,L,D)

Tuesday, September 22: Fes: Walking and driving tours | Casablanca
Today we spend a full day exploring Fes. We begin our tour with a walk through the labyrinth of 9th-century Fes el-Bali (“Old Fes”), considered by scholars to be the last true example of a typical medieval Arab town. On our walking tour we will see the mausoleum of city founder Idriss II; the famed leather tannery; the bazaars around the world’s oldest functioning university, the Qaraouine; the recently restored 14th-century Al-Attarine Medersa, a jewel of Marinid-era interior art; and the 17th-century Nejjarine caravansary, now an exquisite Museum of Wooden Arts and Crafts. Lunch will be enjoyed within the medina at the unique Ruined Garden. Following lunch, continue the visit in Fes el-Bali at the 14th-century Bou Inania Medersa, regarded by many scholars as the highest achievement of Marinid architecture, and exit the medina through the famed Boujeloud “Blue” Gate. Then enjoy a driving tour of the city ramparts and visit a workshop beyond town for the city’s renowned pottery and zellige mosaic tile, a Fesi specialty. This afternoon we drive back to Casablanca and prepare for our morning flight to begin the Spain portion of our adventure. This evening and dinner are at leisure. Overnight at the 5-star Le Doge Hotel. (B,L)

Wednesday, September 23: Fly from Casablanca to Seville, Spain | Walking tour of Seville: Alcázar, Cathedral, Barrio de Santa Cruz
This morning, we transfer to Casablanca’s Mohammed V International Airport (CMN) for our morning flight to Seville. Upon arriving in Seville we transfer to our hotel, check-in, and gather for lunch. After lunch we meet our local guide for an afternoon tour of Andalusia’s capital. Visit two UNESCO World Heritage Sites and true emblems of the city. Begin at the Royal Alcázar of Seville, a historic royal palace built on the site of the former Islamic-era citadel. It is one of the purest and most outstanding examples of Mudejar (Christian-Muslim) architecture, incorporating Moorish, Gothic, and Renaissance elements. Outside, it is surrounded by manicured gardens full of fragrant flowers and fountains. Next, we visit the magnificent Seville Cathedral, which stands on the site of the 12th-century Great Mosque. It was converted into a Christian church when the city was conquered by Ferdinand III of Castile in 1248. Today, the only remaining portions of the Mosque are the Patio de los Naranjos (orange tree courtyard) and the minaret, known as the Giralda. We end the day with a stroll through the Barrio de Santa Cruz, which was the old Jewish Quarter. Gather this evening for dinner at a local restaurant. Three nights at the 4-star Casa Romana Hotel. (B,L,D)  

Thursday, September 24: Italica | Olive grove tour and olive oil tasting | Seville
Today we start the day with a visit to the Roman ruins of Italica, which have been declared a national monument. Located just 20 minutes outside of Seville, this strategic city played an important military, political, and economic role during the High Roman Empire. Walking along the ancient roads, you will see the remains of homes and various buildings, as well as artifacts, detailed mosaics, bath houses, and a theater. The amphitheater, with a capacity of 25,000 spectators, was one of the largest in the Roman Empire. This city was also the birthplace of the emperors Hadrian and Trajan. Continue to an olive grove located between the towns of El Viso del Alco and Carmona, where we will have lunch followed by a tour of the olive grove and a tasting of their extra virgin olive oil (AOVE). We travel back to Seville and enjoy an independent dinner. (B,L)

Friday, September 25: High-speed train to Córdoba | Córdoba: Mosque-Cathedral, Jewish Quarter, Almodóvar Gate | High-speed train to Seville
This morning, we travel as a group to the Seville train station and depart for Córdoba on the high-speed train (45-minute ride). We are met in Córdoba by our local guide and begin our visit at the incredible Mosque-Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most remarkable buildings in the world. See the impressive red and white arches in the prayer hall of the Mosque, as well as Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles in the Cathedral. This unique space offers a glimpse into Córdoba’s rich religious past and the coexistence of cultures that shaped the city. Continue through one of Spain’s most significant Jewish quarters, located between the ancient city walls and the Mosque-Cathedral. Walk its narrow, winding streets and see the historic Almodóvar Gate. Stroll through iconic passages such as Calleja de las Flores, browse traditional crafts at the Zoco Municipal, and pause at the statue of Maimonides, a tribute to one of the city’s most influential philosophers. After lunch at a local restaurant, we return to the train station and board the high-speed train back to Seville. Transfer to our hotel and enjoy an independent dinner. (B,L)

Saturday, September 26: Drive to Granada | Granada: Alhambra Complex, Generalife Gardens, Albaicín quarter
This morning, we check out of our hotel and head to Granada, approximately a 3-hour drive. Arrive in Granada, check-in to our hotel, and enjoy an independent lunch. After lunch we visit the stunning Alhambra complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Spain’s single biggest attraction. This hilltop fortress-palace of the Nasrid kings, the last Muslim rulers in Spain, is the most remarkable monument of Moorish art in the country. The Palace premises comprise beautiful rectangular courtyards and numerous fountains, as well as the Nasrid buildings that served as living quarters for the monarchs and their servants. The harem gardens of the Generalife, the summer palace of the Sultans, are filled with lush vegetation, vibrant flowers, and tranquil fountains, providing an oasis-like atmosphere. We end the day in the Albaicín quarter for a walking tour of this historic neighborhood with wonderful views of the Alhambra, followed by a tapas dinner with our guide before returning to our hotel. Overnight at the 4-star NH Collection Victoria. (B,D)

Sunday, September 27: Drive to Madrid | Madrid: Prado Museum
This morning, we depart early for Madrid, driving approximately 4 ½ hours with a stop along the way for a coffee in the village of Consuegra to see the famous windmills and its castle. Once we arrive in Madrid, check-in to our hotel, freshen up from our morning drive, and enjoy lunch at the hotel. This afternoon we visit the Prado Museum, which houses one of the finest art collections in the world. Our tour will focus on the Spanish legends such as Velázquez, Murillo, Zurbarán, and Goya. The Museum also contains Flemish works collected by the Catholic monarchs; Italian paintings by Titian and Tintoretto; and masterpieces by great universal artists such as El Greco, Bosch, Van Dyck, and Rembrandt. Return to our hotel and enjoy an independent dinner. Two nights at the 5-star Villa Real Hotel. (B,L)

Monday, September 28: Segovia: Gothic Cathedral, Alcázar, Roman aqueduct | Madrid | Farewell dinner
Today we spend a full day exploring the medieval town of Segovia, once an important Roman military stronghold and today a city where history and legend are intertwined. As you walk through its ancient walled streets, you will discover Romanesque churches from the 11th and 12th centuries, Renaissance fortresses, elegant palaces, and noble residences. Visit Segovia’s magnificent Gothic Cathedral, built of glowing golden stone during the reign of Charles V, and explore the 14th-century Alcázar—an extraordinary castle perched on a cliff. Our journey also takes us to the iconic 1st-century Roman aqueduct, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best preserved in the world, which soars majestically over the city. Lunch will be at a favorite local restaurant to feast on local delicacies such as roast lamb or tender roast suckling pig. Return to our hotel and gather this evening for a festive farewell dinner. (B,L,D)

Tuesday, September 29: Fly home
Transfer this morning to Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) for flights homeward. (B)