Things I’ll be seeing
Now that school is starting to wind down, I have more time to research my trip. I always like to learn as much as possible about the places I’m going. So many times I have visited a place, and then learned afterwards that some awesome ancient artifact was stored there and I walked right by it. This time I want to know what I’m looking at, make sure I see it, understand it, and appreciate it as best as I can.
My itinerary is steadily paced, jam-packed 14 days in Spain, then another 11 scenic days through Morocco. The following is a visual overview of what I’ll be seeing:
May 27 :Travel day
Carrier is Air France (Oui!) 10 hour or so flight.
May 28 - June 1: Madrid/El Escorial
Guided sightseeing city tour of Madrid, Almundena cathedral, Royal Palace, Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, Prado Museum, Excursion to El Escorial and Valley of the Fallen, Centro Reina Sofia Museum.
25 Day Itinerary
Sunday, May 17, 2009
June 1 - June 4: Cordoba/Seville
Guided tour of Cordoba, Mezquita Mosque, guided tour of Seville, Cathedral, Royal Alcazar, Giralda Bell Tower, Museo de Bellas Artes
June 4 - June 6: Granada
Panoramic guided tour of Granada, Alhambra Palace tour, Royal Chapel, Generalife.
June 6 - June 7: Valencia
Sightseeing tour of Valencia, Cathedral, Museum de Bellas Artes
June 7 - June 10: Barcelona, Montserrat, Figueras
Sightseeing guided tour of Barcelona, Sagrada Familia Church, Parque Guell, Full day excursion to Montserrat and Figueras, Montserrat Monastery’s La Moreneta, Museo de Montserrat, Teatre Museu Dali, Monastery of Pedrables-Thyssen Collection, Picasso Museum
After all of this, my friend Terri and I are flying down to Morocco to meet a new tour group. We have 11 days of scheduled sightseeing. Here is our itinerary:
June 11: Casablanca
Travel day, arrive, check-in, meet tour guide and fellow travelers.
June 12 - June 13: Casablanca, Rabat, Meknes, Fez
A short ride along the coast to Rabat, once a lair of the corsairs and now the country’s capital. Sightseeing includes the Royal Palace, Hassan Tower, Casbah of Ouidais. Next stop, Meknes, then travel east toward Fez, Morocco’s most enchanting city.
June 14 - June 15: Fez - Erfoud
At leisure in ancient Fez, which occupies a position of outstanding scenic beauty. Visit the exotic ancient Medina, a maze of narrow bustling streets and alleys that make up the old Medina with its colorful souks.
June 16 - 17: Erfoud, The Road of a Thousand Kasbahs, Ouarzazate
Excurion to Rissani to see the Mausoleum of Moulay Ali Sharif, the first ruler of the Alaouite Dynasty, and an optional excursion into the desert. Drive through the eastern slopes of the Atlas mountains, Tinerhir oasis, Todra Gorge, Dades Valley, to the film capital of Morocco, Ouarzazate.
June 18: Ouarzazate, Ait Benhaddou, Tizi-n-Tichka Pass, Marrakesh
In Ouarzazate, visit the Kasbah de Taourirt and Ait Benhaddou, a kasbah famous as a film location for Lawrence of Arabia and Gladiator. Drive into the heart of the Atlas Mountains to see the 7, 414 foot Tizi-n-Tichka pass, and arrive in the afternoon at the most fascinating city of all, Marrakesh.
June 19 - 20: Marrakesh, Casablanca
Walk through the ancient quarters to the fascinating Jemaa-el-Fna square and its exotic bazaar. Journey northwest back to Casablanca.
June 21 - 22: Journey Back Home
Since I extended my trip at a different time than my friend Terri, I will be traveling back home solo. I fly from Casablanca back to Barcelona and stay an extra night before flying back to the States.
This is going to be on heckuva trip man!!! I am so excited!!!!