Lisbon to Marrakesh

Oh hello, travellers. Meet your Contiki crew here in the lovely city of Lisbon, then we’ll hit the road and head north along Portugal’s coastline with those Atlantic views keeping us company.We can’t leave Portugal without tasting some authentic local wine, can we? That’s why we have the opportunity of visiting the 19th century vineyards to see, swirl, sniff, sip, and savour some of it, if you so choose. Alive with galleries and coffee shops and amazing food culture, the city of Porto is basically a dream for art lovers and foodies alike. So, it's a good thing you've got a free evening here to spend however you like. Then, it's time to tuck in for tomorrow.

Wakey wakey... You get to decide the agenda for today. Discover heritage in the old wooden tram in Riberia. Or walk along the picturesque coastline, and view the main sites like lavish São Francisco Church, Porto Cathedral and 19th century Palácio da Bolsa. And if you're on the hunt for things to do, you can join us for a tour of some of the local foodie hotspots! Or catch a traditional Portuguese singing show. You do you.

See ya Portugal, you've shown us all your best places and we're feeling very thankful! We'll have an hour to check out a fortified city on the Spain/Portugal border - that dates back all the way to the Roman Empire (true story!). We'll settle for the night in Salamanca, a city that feels like a whole other world, with a 13th-century university, mysteriously futuristic characters, a painted indoor sky fresco, and a house decorated with carved stone shells. After orienting ourselves to the city you'll have the option to learn more about the history and architecture on a walking tour before having some free time to find some food this evening. Think cheeses, cured meats, wine & sweet almond cookies!

Salamanca’s been a stunner, but it’s time to hit the road and head north towards Pamplona.We couldn't race to our night's stop-off point without letting you marvel at the pretty medieval town of Burgos first. For real, just wait till you see the gorgeous town square. After lunch, we'll make our way to our homebase for the next two nights.After an orientation to the city, known for its medieval streets, lively plazas, and deep-rooted traditions, we'll check into the hotel. The rest of the evening is yours to ease in, explore nearby spots, or grab dinner and recharge.

Rise and shine, Spanish explorers! Two new cities await us today, but not until we’ve had breakfast. Bilbao might get bragging rights to being an up-and-coming cultural hub of Spain, but that hasn't diminished its uber laid back spirit. Home of one of the world’s most famous museums, the Museo Guggenheim, you're free to use your morning to play art critique and absorb Bilbao's pretty surrounds and architecture.  Next stop, San Sebastián! This is a pretty postcard town where cobbled lanes slope towards pristine beaches. Take a walk, do some shopping or just sit and chill in a bar, enjoying endless plates of pintxos (the Basque version of tapas). Our day ends where it started in Pamplona, where you’ll sleep soundly with a head full of modern art-themed dreams.

This morning we spread our wings and take metaphorical flight once again, this time in the direction of Zaragoza with an end goal of none other than bustling Barcelona.A colourful cathedral & traditional Spanish churros will set our hearts aflutter in Zaragoza, as we roam the casco (old town) soaking up historic architecture and good vibes aplenty. Even the pit stops are amazing on Contiki.And we’re back where it all began. Tonight, you’ll have the option to enjoy a flamenco performance with dinner — a lively send-off in one of Spain’s most electric cities.

Iberia, you were incredible. After breakfast, we'll wave goodbye to Spain as we fly into Morocco.Touchdown in Casablanca, where your new Moroccan Trip Manager will take over. We’ll kick off Morocco mode with a delish dinner.

Catch ya later, Casablanca. After brekkie, we’ll hit the road and head for the hills. Hello, Blue Pearl. We’ll start with an orientation walk through those paint-splashed streets, so you know where to roam (and where the best photo angles are hiding). Feeling snacky? There’s an optional tasting to try the famous local goat cheese. Then the rest of the day is yours — wander, shop, sip mint tea, chase blue alleyways… no wrong answers.

Day trip day. We’ll jump on the bus and head out to Akchour. Get ready for waterfalls, fresh air, and a proper reset from city pace. New shade of blue? That's right. With a Local Guide, we’ll hike out to the famous waterfalls, taking it steady and soaking up the views as we go. Once we’re there, it’s time to pause.  Dip your toes, snap the pics and enjoy the calm before rolling back to Chefchaouen. Tonight’s wide open. Wander the medina, hunt down a cosy spot for dinner with the crew, and let the day settle in.

After breakfast this morning, we’ll make our way to Fes… with a stop-off in Volubilis along the way. Welcome to Volubilis – once a Roman settlement, and Morocco’s largest ancient attraction to this day (it’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.) We’ll get to explore this marvellous site on a walking tour with a Local Guide. We'll travel through the Rif mountains to the cultural capital of Fes and check in to our hotel. You've got the evening to spend exploring the Fes's streets.

Time to swap city buzz for mountain calm. We’ll roll out of Fes and head south, cruising past fertile valleys, cedar and pine forests, then into those raw, rocky landscapes that feel straight-up cinematic. Midelt’s the perfect pit stop on the road to the Sahara — a market town tucked between the Atlas and Anti-Atlas at over 1500m. Later, we’ll stretch the legs with an easy valley walk out to a local village, with the route picked to suit the group and the weather (aka maximum views, minimum stress). On the way back, explore apple tree plantations, fresh air, and enjoy a chilled evening in.

First up: the town market. Then it’s out through farms and orchards, walking through a Berber village for a real look at local farming life. The best part? A special home-cooked lunch to top it all off. Back on the road, the scenery flips fast. We'll check out barren mountainsides giving way to greener, fertile valleys as we push onwards towards the desert. Erg Chebbi starts stealing the show with dunes rising up to 150m like nature’s own skyline. After dropping your gear at camp, it’s camel time — riding out to the edge of the Sahara as the sun sinks and the dunes light up. Tonight, we’ll camp traditional-style: local dinner, an open fire, music and dancing, and a sky full of stars.

Leave the desert behind and hit the road, swapping sand dunes for fresh mountain air as we head towards Todra. On the way, you’ll stop at a fossil factory to get the story behind this landscape (spoiler: it’s seriously ancient). Then you’ll roll into the Todra Valley, you'll discover Atlas foothills, mudbrick villages on the hillsides, and huge rock formations carved by the wind. We'll spend the night wrapped up in that dramatic gorge-and-green-valley scenery.

Breakfast first cuz we've got a long day ahead of us. We’ll roll west through the Draa Valley, then climb up into the High Atlas where the views start getting loud. Next, we’ll hop out of the vehicle and hit the trail, hiking through a chain of small mountain villages that feel straight out of a postcard. Around 1.5 hours later, Tighza is the finish line — and the perfect place to switch off. Tonight’s home is a traditional gîte in the village, cosy and local in the best way. We’ll round it off with slow sips and warm welcome during a traditional tea ceremony.

Say goodbye to the Anti Atlas and steal one last look at those rugged peaks. Today, we’ll journey on towards Marrakesh. Welcome to the Red City. The afternoon’s yours to play with — get lost (on purpose) in the Medina souks, or claim a rooftop spot and watch the city buzz with a mint tea in hand.

Marrakech is all yours today. After brekkie, a Local Guide will help us get properly oriented with this city. We’ll wind our way into the Medina, through the souks, and straight to the energy of Djemaa el-Fna (cue the senses going into overdrive). Then it’s choose-your-own-adventure: step inside Bahia Palace for peak tile-and-courtyard vibes, or keep wandering and let the city pull you in. Hungry? Jump on an optional sunset food tour and taste your way through the best bits of town.

And just like that, the adventure wraps up today. After breakfast, it’s time to make those group chats and head off in your next direction.