Moroccan Discovery
- Travel to Morocco and back on comfortable trains through France and Spain
- Cross the Straits of Gibraltar to Africa
- Explore the medinas of Fez, Rabat and Tangiers
- Experience the sights, smells and sounds of the Djemaa-el-Fna in Marrakech
- Decide when you would like to travel
- Adapt the route to suit your plans
- Add extra nights, destinations and/or tours
- Return without flying for an additional £700 per person
- Standard Class rail travel with seat reservations (First Class within Morocco)
- Boat crossing from Spain to Morocco and back
- 6 nights’ handpicked hotel accommodation with breakfast
- Easy-to-follow travel documentation
- Despatch of tickets by email, post or collection from our London office
Suggested Itinerary
Catch the Eurostar from London this morning to Paris Gare du Nord, then transfer to Gare de Lyon on the metro. From here, catch the direct TGV train all the way through France and northern Spain to Barcelona, arriving in the evening. On arrival, make your way to the Abba Sants Hotel (or similar), conveniently located above the station.
Enjoy a leisurely start today before catching the high-speed AVE service to Spanish capital Madrid. There’s time for lunch in exciting Atocha station, featuring its own indoor rainforest, before continuing your journey south to the coastal town of Algeciras, where you will arrive in the evening.
Here, you have an overnight stay at the Globales Reina Cristina (or similar), with tantalising views of Morocco across the Straits of Gibraltar!
After breakfast this morning, hop on the ferry across to North Africa. The crossing is only 90 minutes and you’ll arrive in Tangiers by lunchtime. You can choose to stop for a spot of lunch here if you would like, before catching your first Moroccan train to capital Rabat. You’ll be travelling in First Class in Morocco.
On arrival into Rabat, check in at the Riad Dar El Kebira Hotel (or similar) in the heart of the Medina and, once you have settled in, head out to begin your exploration of this bustling city.
Spend a full day exploring Morocco’s enchanting capital, which doesn’t often feature on many tourist trails. The highlight is undoubtedly the walled Medina, where you can haggle for bargains and watch the locals trade. Don’t miss the Kasbah of the Udayas, a Berber-era royal fort, surrounded by formal French-designed gardens and overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
If the weather is good, you might also like to spend some time topping up your tan on the centrally located city beach.
After a leisurely breakfast in your hotel it’s time to leave Rabat. Return to the station and catch a direct train via the famous city of Casablanca, to Marrakech, where you will arrive in the late afternoon. When you pull into the station, make your way to the Riad Karmela Princesse (or similar) for a 3-night stay. Again, we can arrange a driver to meet you at the station if you would prefer.
The enchanting city of Marrakech is divided into two distinct parts, the medina and the Ville Nouvelle (new town). Central to the medina is the iconic square of Djemaa-el-Fna, where food stalls and spice merchants vie for space with the snake charmers and other street entertainment.
TMR RECOMMENDS: Add extra nights in Marrakech so that you have time to visit the Atlas Mountains, where you can take a jeep safari, a camel trek or even stay in a luxury mountain retreat.
Leave Marrakech today and fly with one of a choice of carriers back to the UK (not included).
Alternatively, read on for a return journey via Fez, Tangier, Cordoba and Perpignan, extending your holiday by seven days and never setting foot in an airport!
Leave Marrakech in the morning on board another excellent Moroccan train, which takes you through rocky and mountainous landscapes, via the imperial city of Meknes, to Fez, where you arrive in time for dinner.
Check in at the fabulous Riad Myra (or similar) for 3 nights and then find an inviting restaurant for dinner. Alternatively, you may just like to relax and unwind in your Riad.
Fez’s magnificent medina is an experience in itself. Follow the marked trails through the narrow streets or hire a local guide to show you around. Visit the unmissable Tanneries (pictured), where leather-dying techniques have remained unchanged for centuries. After all that sightseeing, have a mint tea on one of the rooftop cafés and admire the city from one of these superb vantage points.
We can arrange a day trip to the nearby imperial city of Meknes and the Roman ruins of Volubilis – ask one of the team for details.
The journey to Tangier is very easy, taking around 5 hours and delivering you into the heart of the port of Tangier, where your Moroccan adventure began. Check in once again at the El Minzah Hotel (or similar), for another overnight stay.
You have a little more time this afternoon to explore this historic port city, known as the ‘gateway to Africa’ and famous as a haven for international spies, hence its use in many thrillers on the Big Screen, including three James Bond films.
Transfer to the port this morning and take a boat across the Strait of Gibraltar back to Algeciras. There is plenty of time here to connect with the Spanish Altaria train, which criss-crosses the mountainous topography of southern Andalucia and runs straight into the heart of the beautiful city of Cordoba. When you arrive, head for the Soho Boutique Hotel Cappuchinos (or similar) where you have an overnight stay.
You may like to extend your stay in Cordoba so that you have time to see the historic sights of this Andalucian city.
Late morning, take a high-speed AVE train north to the capital, Madrid, where you connect with the convenient TGV service that runs directly into France.
The first stop after the French border is Perpignan, where you alight to check into the modern Kyriad Prestige Centre del Mon (or similar). The hotel is right next to the station and perfect for your overnight stay.
The final instalment of your adventure involves a direct TGV train that races across France, eating up the miles in very impressive time. You need to transfer between stations in Paris and then your Eurostar delivers you back into London later this evening.
Typical hotels on this itinerary
Barcelona
Occupying an ideal location within easy walking distance of Barcelona Sants station, the Abba Sants Hotel is a great choice for an overnight stop. Modern sound-proofed bedrooms are furnished with air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi access and satellite TV. Mediterranean specialties are served at the Abba Sants’s restaurant. There is also a bar and a 24-hour front desk.
Algeciras
Globales Reina Cristina is an historic hotel, dating back to 1901 and featuring the remains of an 8th-century Mosque in its grounds. Located next to Algeciras port, the hotel offers bright, spacious bedrooms with tiled flooring, Wi-Fi access and flat-screen TVs. There are also beautiful gardens, an outdoor swimming pool, tennis courts, a restaurant and two bars.
Rabat
This elegant and traditional Riad is located in the heart of Rabat’s charming Medina. Its 10 rooms are ornately decorated, each in a unique style – each room has air-conditioning, wifi and complimentary fruit. Spa, hammam and wellness facilities are available along with a classic Moroccan massage.
Marrakech
With its stylish bedrooms, luxurious facilities and fantastic location in the medina, the Riad Karmela Princesse is the perfect base to explore Marrakech. Chill out on the rooftop patio, have a delicious meal in the hotel restaurant or enjoy a dip in the indoor or outdoor swimming pool.
Fez
Dating back to the beginning of the 20th century, the Riad Myra combines traditional Moorish architecture with modern amenities. Bedrooms are all individually decorated with air-conditioning, an ensuite with bath and shower and a minibar. Guests can also take advantage of the large traditional patio, restaurant, steam room and hammam.
Tangier
The Hotel El Minzah is located in the heart of Tangier near to the old Medina and the beach. Air-conditioned bedrooms have views over the sea or the hotel’s outdoor swimming pool. Other facilities include a wellness centre with a gym, hamman and sauna, two gastronomic restaurants and a bar.
Cordoba
With its great location in the heart of Cordoba’s Old Town area, this hotel provides the perfect base for exploring the city’s many attractions. Modern bedrooms are all fitted with air-conditioning, Wi-Fi access and a flat-screen TV. Enjoy a drink at the rooftop bar or a refreshing treatment in the wellness area, which also features a hot tub and sauna.
Perpignan
The Hotel Kyriad Prestige Centre del Mon is a modern property, located next to Perpignan’s main station and just a 15 minute walk from the historic heart of the city. Rooms are equipped with flat-screen TVs and complimentary Wi-Fi internet access. There is also a bar and an inviting patio.
