Spain, Morocco & Portugal Discovery

The vibrant 9th-century port town of La Coruña offers a delicate combination of old and new architecture, with shimmering glass modern buildings contrasting with the deeply historical medieval district. You can immerse yourself in local life by sampling traditional Galician dishes like ‘pulpo a la gallega’, octopus with paprika and olive oil or ‘empanada gallega’, a savoury pastry filled with meat or seafood. After ascending the hillsides of Monte de San Pedro park for remarkable vistas of the Atlantic Ocean, discover rocky Costa da Morte, a rugged stretch along the coast of Galicia which tempted ships to run aground, creating a storied and legendary past. Alternatively, you may wish to explore the spiritual heart of Spain at Santiago de Compostela with its beautiful mix of Romanesque, Baroque and Gothic buildings.

The narrow, winding streets of Tangier’s Medina present an exciting assault on the senses, with bustling souks selling traditional crafts, spices, fresh fish, fruit, and vegetables, and restaurants offering local dishes like Tajines of stew in a thick sauce and cooked in a large earthenware pot, couscous, or mouth-watering brouchettes (kebabs) of meat or swordfish. You can immerse yourself further into the Moroccan way of life by participating in the mint tea culture at Café Hafa, frequented by famous musicians and writers of the past, or sample sweet baklava for an authentic taste of Tangier. Meanwhile, the Kasbah fortress dominates the skyline, and the Dar el Makhzen inside offers opportunities to delve into the city’s deep history.

Carved out of the Moroccan coastline, Melilla has both an old town - containing a 14th century fortress, which juts out into the sea, caves and numerous museums; and the 'new town', full of Modernist buildings - the second-largest collection outside of Barcelona. The centre is the long triangular Parque Hernández, well worth exploring, and the sandy beaches are ideal for relaxing on. Tax is lower here than on the mainland, and it is one of the last places in Spain to still provide free tapas with every drink in all its bars.

Nestled between Europe and Africa, iconic Gibraltar makes for a fascinating visit with its traditionally British red pillar boxes, fish and chip shops, and even Marks & Spencer, but with a delightful blend of Spanish and Mediterranean influences. After wandering through the town and indulging in duty-free shopping at Main Street, you are perfectly placed to explore the Rock and enjoy unrivalled views across to Africa, Spain, and over the Straits of Gibraltar, as well as meet the famously mischievous Barbary macaques, Europe’s only wild monkey population. There will be opportunities to sample local dishes like calentita (chickpea flour bread) and rosto (a delicious meat and tomato pasta). You may also wish to discover the network of tunnels within the Rock, which played a strategic role in World War II.

A bustling and cosmopolitan city, Casablanca still offers a taste of its French colonial past, with the Art-Deco Ville Nouvelle at its centre. The Old Medina is full of crowded streets and tiny shops, and the Hassan Il Mosque dominates the city, where the 210m minaret - the tallest in the world - shines a laser beam at night pointing towards Mecca. This breathtaking building can accommodate 25,000 worshippers, with a further 80,000 in the courtyard.

Matosinhos is a delightful city to explore, where a summer stroll along the promenade offers a laidback atmosphere and a lovely beach located just outside the town. Venture further afield to Porto, and you’ll be offered opportunities to explore the narrow, cobbled streets and colourful houses of Ribeira, or perhaps take a boat trip along the Douro River to witness scenic landscapes of terraced vineyards and traditional wine estates known as quintas. Meanwhile, the city is well known for its production of Port wine, which can be sampled at one of the many wine cellars, or for enjoying Porto’s signature dish, Francesinha, a mouth-watering hearty sandwich of meat covered with melted cheese and a hot, thick sauce in an authentic Portuguese restaurant.

Originally occupied in the 9th century by the Vikings, the charming town of Honfleur has attracted artists for many years, with masterpieces housed in its museums and art galleries. Under the guidance of Eugène Boudin, a young Claude Monet and his friend Alfred Sisley began studying light effects and painting landscapes outdoors, rather than from memory, trailblazing for artists of the future.