Itineraries on some departure dates may differ, please select the itinerary that you wish to explore.
Arrive in Malaga, one of the main port cities in Andalucia.There are no activities planned today, so you're free to arrive in Malaga at any time. The Tour Leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 7pm for a welcome meeting and for those that wish, there is the chance to go out for dinner. Should you miss the meeting, your leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up. For those arriving early, you might like to take time to wander the historic streets, discover the Picasso Museum, or relax by the harbour.
If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Malaga airport, which is around a 15-minute drive from our hotel. As part of our Upgraded range, we also offer a complimentary transfer to those who have made pre-tour accommodation arrangements through Explore, regardless of your arrival day.
Hotel Soho Boutique Colon (or similar)
Grade: Premium Hotel
Today begins with a 50-minute transfer to Ardales for the legendary Caminito del Rey. El Caminito del Rey (The King's Little Path) is a walkway pinned along the steep walls of a narrow gorge in El Chorro offering a journey through some of Andalusia's most dramatic scenery. The cliff-side path hangs 100 metres above the waters of the river Guadalhorce reservoir, winding through dramatic cliffs, canyons, and expansive valleys. The route crosses the spectacular landscapes of Desfiladero de los Gaitanes, a magnificent gorge carved by the river Guadalhorce with towering walls that rise 700 metres/2,297 feet high. The walk is not challenging and takes place on good quality walkways and paths. For those who would prefer a more relaxed morning, the nearby lake is a good place to spend some time before rejoining the group.
Later, we'll continue to Ronda for a guided tour and an included dinner in the heart of town. Later, we'll continue to Ronda for a guided tour and an included dinner in the heart of town, where you can sample authentic rabo de toro (oxtail stew) or local tapas, perfectly paired with a glass of the region's award-winning high-altitude red wine.
Hotel Soho Boutique San Gabriel (or similar)
Today, we'll explore the unique village of Setenil de las Bodegas, where houses are built into the rocks, followed by an olive oil tasting in Zahara de la Sierra. Andalucia is the world's leading producer of olive oil, and here we'll see how the traditions come to life in its production. We'll end the day delving into another of Andalucia's gastronomic traditions, wine. The region has been producing vintages through Roman and Moorish times and small-scale wineries still thrive today. We'll enjoy a tasting at a prestigious local winery in the Ronda outskirts.
Leaving Ronda this morning, we first drive to Jerez, home to sherry, flamenco, and Andalusian horse-riding traditions. The historic centre is a beautiful mixture of Baroque, Moorish and Gothic styles, and we'll explore on foot.
We follow this with a tour of a sherry bodega, a must when visiting Jerez. Bodegas are unlike other wine cellars and are often referred to as 'wine cathedrals' as they have high-ceilings, thick walls and high windows, ageing wine via the 18th-century 'Solera' system. After a tasting, we drive to Arcos de la Frontera for a night in its historic Parador. Perched atop a 150-metre cliff in a former Moorish fortress, it offers spectacular views over the Guadalete River.
Parador Arcos de la Frontera (or similar)
This morning we'll drive south via the hilltop village of Vejer de la Frontera to Tarifa. Vejer de la Frontera is widely considered one of the most beautiful and best-preserved 'Pueblos Blancos' (White Villages) in Spain. Perched on a high rocky ridge overlooking the Straits of Gibraltar, it offers a blend of Moorish heritage and medieval Christian architecture.
After exploring the old Moorish port of Tarifa, we'll take a ferry across the strait to Tangier and settle into our Mediterranean beachfront hotel.
Movenpick Tangier (or similar)
Today we'll set out to discover Tangier, a city that has long served as a gateway between Africa and Europe. We begin with a guided food tour through the ancient medina, navigating labyrinthine alleys to sample local delicacies. From freshly baked khobz bread and aromatic olives to honey-drenched pastries and traditional mint tea, you'll experience the authentic flavours of the 'White City' while learning about its rich, multicultural history.
Our exploration continues to the north-western tip of Africa to visit Cape Spartel, the dramatic promontory where the Mediterranean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean. Nearby, we delve into the Hercules Caves, a site steeped in mythology where the legendary hero is said to have rested. In the afternoon, we return to the hotel to join our expert astronomer for a short presentation. This session provides a fascinating introduction to the constellations and the science behind tomorrow's total solar eclipse.
Today is the main event. After breakfast, we'll make our way to a specially selected viewing location -either the hotel's Mediterranean-facing rooftop or a nearby coastal vantage point - to witness the solar eclipse from the shores of North Africa. The spectacle begins with the partial phase at 8:40 am local time, as the moon first touches the sun's edge. Over the next hour, the intense Moroccan sun will transition into a thinning crescent, visible through your eclipse glasses (provided).
The experience reaches its peak at 9:44 am with the arrival of totality. As the moon completely obscures the sun for 4 minutes and 51 seconds, the Tangier skyline will be plunged into a deep, midday twilight. During this window, you can safely remove your glasses to witness the sun's white corona and look for planets emerging in the darkened sky. We will be professionally accompanied by an expert astronomer with a telescope at hand to help you navigate each phase, from the final 'Diamond Ring' flash to the return of the sun's first rays at 9:49 am.
Later, we ferry back to Spain and drive to Malaga for a free afternoon to visit the Picasso Museum or the Alcazar.
If you'd like an airport transfer today, you need to depart from Malaga airport, which is around a 20 minute drive from our hotel. As part of our Upgraded range, we also offer a complimentary transfer to those who have made post-tour accommodation arrangements through Explore, regardless of your departure day.
Our tour features boutique stays and coastal retreats that capture the essence of two continents. Your journey begins and ends in Malaga at the Hotel Soho Boutique Colon, a stylish 4-star residence set in a beautifully restored building that blends traditional architecture with contemporary design. In the historic town of Ronda, you will spend two nights at the Soho Boutique Palacio San Gabriel, an 18th-century palace located in the heart of the historic quarter.
The experience continues with a night at the Parador de Arcos de la Frontera, a former Magistrate’s house perched on the Guadalete River cliffs, where you can relax in a traditional Andalusian courtyard. Crossing the strait to Tangier, you will enjoy two nights at the Movenpick Hotel Casablanca Tangier. Set amidst lush gardens with views of the Mediterranean, this elegant retreat offers a perfect blend of modern comfort and Moroccan hospitality before your return to Malaga.
GMT+01:00
Type E/F (European Schuko) - Two round pins + ground contacts
Islam (Sunni)
GMT+01:00,GMT+02:00
Christianity (Catholic)
Spanish cuisine offers a huge variety of flavours, influenced by diverse regions and cultures. From the tapas of Andalusia to the hearty stews of Catalonia each dish tells a story. Vegetarians are typically well catered for however in the more rural areas choices may be more limited, broadly speaking this holds true for vegans.
It is generally possible to drink the local tap water in mainland Spain, therefore to reduce the need for single-use plastic bottles we recommend you bring a refillable water bottle with you. Your leader will advise you on refill points each day. Tap water on the Canary Islands goes through a desalination process and so, whilst safe, is not always pleasant to the taste.
Spain: Visas are not required by UK, Australian, New Zealand, US and Canadian citizens.
Other nationalities should consult their local embassy or consular office.
Morocco: Visas are not required by UK, Australian, New Zealand, US and Canadian citizens.
UK passport holders are requested to have at least 3 months validity from the date of entry into Morocco. All
other nationalities please check with your nearest embassy for requirements of passport validity.
Find out more about Trip Transfer Terms and Conditions before you book.
Customers who have chosen to book on the ‘Land Only’ arrangements of our tour, please ensure that you have checked your tour specific ‘Joining Instructions’ prior to booking your own travel arrangements. Your joining instructions can be found below in the dates and prices information. You may also be eligible for the Free Explore Transfer.
Customers booked on the ‘Land Only’ arrangements will receive a Free Transfer, provided you arrive and depart on the tour only itinerary start and end dates. The complimentary transfers will be arranged from the Explore designated airport or train station to your trips joining point, and then back from the ending point to the designated airport or train station. Generally the airport or station that Explore have selected will be the one that is closest to the town or city where the trip starts, or the one nearest to the joining point. It will be either an airport or train station but not both. The exception to this rule is customers who are booked on a tour where the joining and ending point is at the designated airport or train station.
Free transfers are not available for Polar customers.
If you are not eligible for the Free Transfer then you will need to make your own way through to the joining and ending point. On a majority of our tours Explore will be able to provide a private transfer at an additional cost. Please ask for a quote at the time of booking. For more information regarding the Explore Free Transfer click here
Explore can arrange your flights for you, to make joining and leaving our trips easy. Read more about them here.
You are able to book this tour on a 'land only' basis or as a ‘flight inclusive’ package. Your flight inclusive package will be fully protected by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) ATOL protection scheme.
We have a good selection of flights not only from London but from many regional airports around the UK allowing us to compare fares between scheduled carriers as well as low cost and charter airlines. Our dedicated flights team will match the best flight options to your arrival and departure airport.
On our website we display the price of the tour only. Please call us or select the flight option during the online checkout to receive a quote for a flight inclusive package. To avoid paying supplements or to secure your preferred flight option, we recommend booking as early as possible, especially for peak travel dates.
No