The Two Shores Journey
The Andalusian story from both its ends: we begin on the southern shore, where the Almohad state arose, cross the strait by sea as the Andalusians crossed it, and end in Granada, the last stronghold of al-Andalus.
Photos: Juan Vladimir Paraschuk (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Emilien Lebourgeois (Public domain) · J. Patrick Fischer (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Phi (CC0) · Timothy A. Gonsalves (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Posible2006 (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Kiko León (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Benjamin Smith (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Tuxyso (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Jocelyn Erskine-Kellie from London, UK (CC BY-SA 2.0)
The trip at a glance
Base cities
- Rabat2 nights
- Tangier3 nights
- Seville2 nights
- Granada3 nights
Dates
11 March 2027
3–13 Shawwal 1448 AH
Dates shown in Riyadh time
Arrival and departure
Arrival: CMN
Departure: AGP
Meals
All meals are included — ten selected tables, from the welcome dinner in Rabat to the farewell dinner in Granada, in addition to breakfast daily. Each table includes starters, a main course, dessert and tea or coffee. In Morocco all the food is halal; in Spain we choose between trusted halal restaurants and high-quality seafood restaurants, and we tell you what is halal and what is not — we do not claim a certification we do not hold. There are no add-on packages and no separate options.
About this journey
One journey on both shores of the strait
Every journey goes to al-Andalus, or to Morocco. This one goes to both — because they are one story. We begin in Rabat, where the Almohad state arose, pass through the cities built by those who left Granada, then cross the strait by sea as they crossed it, and end at the Alhambra, where the story ended.
1 · Two minarets of three
In the twelfth century the Almohads built three kindred minarets: the Hassan Tower in Rabat, the Giralda in Seville and the Koutoubia in Marrakech. This journey brings together two of them — on two different shores, with a sea between. On the seventh day you see with your own eyes what was explained to you on the second.
2 · The crossing itself is part of the journey
On the sixth day we do not take a plane. We cross the Strait of Gibraltar by sea, from the port of Tangier to Tarifa, in about an hour. On the deck we talk about what the crossing means: who crossed it, when, in which direction, and what they carried with them. This is not a means of transport. It is the most important moment in the programme.
3 · The cities that received and the cities that said goodbye
On the southern shore we visit those who received the migrants: Tétouan, built by those who left Granada, its old town Andalusian in plan, in architecture and in craft. Chefchaouen, founded by Andalusians in flight at the foot of the mountain, whose blue houses and lanes still carry the character they brought with them — a full day in the blue city is among the finest days of the journey. And the Kasbah of the Udayas in Rabat, where Andalusians settled, its garden bearing their name to this day. On the northern shore we visit those they left: Seville with its Alcázar and the Giralda · Córdoba with its Great Mosque · Granada with the Alhambra and the last age of al-Andalus. Then the Alpujarras — the mountains those who remained withdrew to, whose villages still carry their architecture today. The story is told in its true direction: from where it ended, to where it began.
4 · The high-speed train
From Rabat to Tangier in an hour and twenty minutes, on the first high-speed line in Africa. An experience in itself, and our team handles the luggage at both stations.
5 · Only four base cities
Rabat two nights · Tangier three · Seville two · Granada three. Four hotels in eleven days. No packing every night, and no hotel changing before you have learned the way to your room. Tétouan, Chefchaouen and Córdoba are visited as day trips from the base city, so you gain the towns without the burden of moving. Your confirmed hotel is named in your booking confirmation.
6 · An easy rhythm that does not exhaust
Tours begin at 10:00 within the base city · lunch by 2:00 pm at the latest · open time every day for rest, shopping or cafés · the programme is built around prayer times, with dedicated stops for them.
7 · Ten selected tables — fully included
Not meals but a social and cultural programme running alongside the journey. Fine restaurants we choose ourselves for the quality of the food, the character of the room, its local feeling and its ability to host the group in privacy. Each table includes starters, a main course, dessert and tea or coffee. In Morocco all the food is halal; in Spain we choose between trusted halal restaurants and high-quality seafood restaurants, and we tell you what is halal and what is not — we do not claim a certification we do not hold. All ten tables are included for every traveller, from the welcome dinner in Rabat to the farewell dinner in Granada. No add-on packages and no separate options.
8 · What other programmes do not include
A printed trip booklet with pages on the Almohad minarets and the Andalusian migration in both its directions · a welcome bag of practical travel items handed over on arrival · an emergency hotline running on both shores for every day of the journey · a tour manager with the group in Morocco and Spain alike · an accredited guide in the souks, who protects you from the unofficial guides and from their prices · guaranteed Alhambra tickets, booked months in advance in your name.
Weather in March
An early, comfortable spring in Andalusia with fewer crowds, mild with scattered rain on the Moroccan shore, and the Sierra Nevada under snow behind the Alhambra. Bring layers, a waterproof coat and comfortable walking shoes.
Level of effort
The Seville and Alhambra days are the most demanding: long walking on uneven paths. The lanes of Tétouan and Chefchaouen are steep. Tell us of any mobility difficulty when you register.
The crossing
Travellers prone to seasickness should take precautions. The sailing takes about an hour.
The optional extension — Málaga · two nights
From 21 to 23 March 2027, for travellers not tied to the start of the school year. After the programme ends in Málaga, you stay two nights in the city instead of heading for the airport: the Alcazaba and the Gibralfaro castle overlooking the port · the Picasso Museum Málaga and the house he was born in · the historic centre and Calle Larios · and open time for the beach and for shopping. It includes two nights in a five-star hotel, breakfast, transfers, the tours and tickets, two meals and the accompaniment. If you would like to extend, mention it when you book and we will arrange the details.
Prices
Per person
| Category | Double room | Single room |
|---|---|---|
| 5-star hotels · all meals included | SAR 11,500 | SAR 13,700 |
Highlights
- Crossing the Strait of Gibraltar by ferry from Tangier to Tarifa
- Two of the three Almohad minarets: the Hassan Tower and the Giralda
- The high-speed train from Rabat to Tangier
- Andalusian Tétouan and a full day in blue Chefchaouen
- The Great Mosque of Córdoba on the road from Seville to Granada
- The Alhambra and the Generalife · Friday at the Granada Mosque
- The Alpujarras and their surviving Andalusian villages
- All meals included — ten selected tables
What's Included
- 10 nights in five-star hotels
- Breakfast daily
- All meals — ten selected tables
- The high-speed train from Rabat to Tangier
- The ferry across the Strait of Gibraltar
- All transfers by premium touring coach in Morocco and Spain
- Reception in Casablanca and farewell in Málaga
- Luggage carried from the hotel lobby to the rooms and handled at the station and the port
- A request for priority early check-in or late check-out
- A tour manager with the group on both shores
- A guest-services and information host
- Official local tour guides in both countries
- An accredited guide inside the Moroccan souks
- Tickets for the Alhambra, the Mosque of Córdoba, the Alcázar of Seville and every visit
- Audio headsets for group commentary
- Water during tours
- The printed trip booklet
- The welcome bag and travel gifts
- A hotline for contact and emergencies
- A private group chat and a daily digital programme
What's Not Included
- International flights
- The Schengen visa and its fees
- A Moroccan visa if one is required
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Personal expenses and purchases in the souks
- Any service not listed
Day-by-Day Itinerary
- 1
Arrival and transfer to Rabat
Casablanca · RabatReception at Casablanca airport and transfer to Rabat. The rest of the day is open for rest after the flight. Welcome dinner with the group.
Dinner - 2
The Hassan Tower, the Kasbah of the Udayas and Chellah · Friday prayer
RabatThe Hassan Tower, the first of the Almohad minarets on this journey, and Friday prayer in Rabat. Then the Kasbah of the Udayas, where Andalusians settled, and the garden that bears their name, then Chellah.
BreakfastLunch - 3
The high-speed train to Tangier · the first sight of the strait
Rabat · TangierThe high-speed train from Rabat to Tangier in an hour and twenty minutes, on the first high-speed line in Africa, with our team handling the luggage at both stations. Then the first sight of the strait.
BreakfastLunch - 4
The Kasbah of Tangier and Café Hafa · Cape Spartel · the Caves of Hercules
TangierThe Kasbah of Tangier and its old town, and Café Hafa looking out over the strait. Then Cape Spartel where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean, and the Caves of Hercules.
BreakfastLunch - 5
Andalusian Tétouan · Chefchaouen, the blue city
Tétouan · ChefchaouenTétouan, built by those who left Granada, its old town Andalusian in plan, in architecture and in craft. Then a day in Chefchaouen, founded by Andalusians in flight at the foot of the mountain, whose blue houses and lanes still carry the character they brought with them. Return to Tangier.
BreakfastLunch - 6
Crossing the Strait of Gibraltar into Spain
Tangier · Tarifa · SevilleWe do not take a plane: we cross the Strait of Gibraltar by sea from the port of Tangier to Tarifa, about an hour, and on the deck we talk about what the crossing means — who crossed it, when, in which direction, and what they carried with them. Then the road to Seville.
BreakfastLunch - 7
The Giralda and the Alcázar of Seville · Santa Cruz · the Plaza de España
SevilleThe Giralda, the second of the Almohad minarets on this journey — today you see with your own eyes what was explained on the second day. Then the Alcázar of Seville, the Santa Cruz quarter and the Plaza de España.
BreakfastLunch - 8
The Mosque of Córdoba and the old city · on to Granada
Córdoba · GranadaCórdoba is visited on the road from Seville to Granada: the Great Mosque, the old city and the Roman bridge. Then on to Granada.
BreakfastLunch - 9
The Alhambra and the Generalife · Friday at the Granada Mosque · the Albaicín
GranadaThe Alhambra and the Generalife. Friday prayer at the Great Mosque of Granada, in the heart of the Albaicín within sight of the Alhambra. Then the Albaicín itself.
BreakfastLunch - 10
The Alpujarras and their Andalusian villages
Alpujarras · GranadaThe Alpujarras — the mountains those who remained withdrew to after the fall of Granada, whose villages still carry their architecture today. Farewell dinner.
BreakfastDinner - 11
Departure from Málaga
MálagaBreakfast at the hotel, transfer to Málaga airport and farewell.
Breakfast
Travel Information
Duration
11 days / 10 nights
Destination
Morocco
Destinations
- Rabat, Morocco(2 nights)
- Tangier, Morocco(3 nights)
- Seville, Spain(2 nights)
- Granada, Spain(3 nights)
Flights
Not included
Difficulty
Moderate
Available Dates
Requirements
Visa
Required
This journey enters the Schengen area through Spain and requires a valid visa for those who need one. Begin the process as soon as your booking is confirmed — appointments can take weeks in peak season. We provide the booking letter, the programme and the hotel confirmations your file needs. A Moroccan visa, if your passport requires one, is likewise not included. We strongly recommend travel insurance that covers a visa refusal.
Terms & Conditions
Alhambra tickets are booked months in advance under each traveller's name and passport number, and entry is at a fixed time that admits no lateness. Please send a copy of your passport as soon as you register, and carry the original on the day of the visit. The journey begins on the third day of Eid al-Fitr. The sixth day includes the crossing of the Strait of Gibraltar by ferry, about an hour — travellers prone to seasickness should take precautions.