Spain,Madeira & Morocco
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BOOK EARLY AND SavE UP to A TASTE OF £350 PER P ERSO N SPAIN,MADEIRA & MOROCCO AN EXPLORatioN ABoaRD THE MV AEGEAN ODYSSEY 6TH to 19TH NOVEMBER 2015 Menara Imperial Gardens, Marrakech njoy some winter warmth and cultural delights during SPAIN this voyage aboard the MV Aegean Odyssey from MADEIRA E Funchal Malaga to Madeira, the Canary Islands and Morocco. Cadiz Malaga Tangier From the historical Spanish mainland port of Cadiz ATLANTIC Rabat OCEAN the MV Aegean Odyssey heads for Madeira. In 1951, Casablanca Winston Churchill wanted to retreat somewhere ‘warm, MOROCCO CANARY Marrakech bathable, comfortable and flowery’ where he could paint ISLANDS Fuerteventura Taroudant and work on his war memoirs. Wisely, he chose Madeira La Palma Agadir and during our visit to the island we will see Camara de Lobos, one of the villages that inspired Churchill to paint, El Marsa Laayoune WESTERN SAHARA and also enjoy some free time to explore the famous DESERT Botanical Gardens. We continue to the Canary Islands for a visit to the GUEST SPEAKER Caldera de Taburiente National Park and journey deep Dr. Joyce Salisbury, Professor Emerita of History, inland to Fuerteventura – a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve University of Wisconsin – with its historic churches and rugged landscapes. Joyce grew up in Brazil and Mexico, then moved to the States and obtained a PhD in Medieval History from Before reaching Morocco and a chance to experience Rutgers University in New Jersey. She was endlessly Casablanca, Rabat, Tangier and Marrakech, plus the curious about what shapes people’s actions, and thus exciting city of Taroudant, there is time to call at the port focused on the history of religion and aspects of social history. When she retired, she could indulge her twin passions of writing of El Marsa. From here we will venture into the sand books and giving lectures all over the world. Joyce is an author of more dunes of the Western Sahara Desert and experience one than ten books, including a best-selling western civilisation textbook, “The West in the World”, and other non-fiction books on history and religion, of the great wildernesses of the world. including “The Beast Within: Animals in the Middle Ages”, “The Blood of Martyrs: Unintended Consequences of Ancient Violence” and the We are delighted to be working with Voyages to Antiquity award-winning “Perpetua’s Passion: Death and Memory of a Young Roman Woman”. She is currently writing a biography of the Roman Empress Galla on this fascinating journey which is so much more than Placidia, weaving theology and daily life into the narrative. a holiday – instead it is a cultural discovery shared with like-minded travellers. Our association with their vessel the MV Aegean Odyssey dates back to the company’s foundation in 2009. As cruise vessels grow ever larger and the itineraries become seemingly irrelevant, it is refreshing to work with a company like Voyages to Antiquity who, like us, place the emphasis very much on the ports of call, the integrity of the onboard lecture programme and, of course, the size of the vessel. Jerez, Cadiz www.noble-caledonia.co.uk +44 (0)20 7752 0000 Funchal’s Botnical Gardens Caldera de Taburiente Marjorelle Gardens THE ITINERARY see the 2nd highest sea cliff in the an afternoon drive through the Atlas world and mountain slopes that Mountains to Marrakesh where we Day 1 London to Malaga, Spain. have been carved into terraces. will stay overnight in a hotel allowing Fly by scheduled flight. On arrival A couple more scenic viewpoints ample time for our exploration. transfer to the MV Aegean Odyssey await before we return to MV and embark. Aegean Odyssey for an overnight Day 11 Marrakech/Casablanca, mooring. Morocco. Spend the morning on Day 2 Cadiz, Spain. Cadiz was a guided tour of the top sites of the gateway to the New World Day 5 Funchal, Madeira. Today there the atmospheric city of Marrakech: and its old town reflects the will be free time to explore at leisure stroll along labyrinthine alleyways city’s rich history with its cluster – perhaps take a cocktail at Reid’s of the Old Quarter, catching of narrow streets opening on to Hotel, visit the Botanical Gardens or glimpses of mosques, hammams charming small squares. Our tour taste Madeira’s famous wine before and traditional public bakeries. today will start with a panoramic an early evening departure. Visit the Marjorelle Gardens, drive, passing the 18th century a haven of peace and beauty, Baroque cathedral and its towering Day 6 La Palma, Canary Islands. once owned by designer Yves golden domes where the famous Sailing into the harbour of Santa Western Sahara St Laurent. We continue on foot composer Manuel de Falla is Cruz on the island of La Palma, we through the colourful souks which buried, then around the old part are greeted by the island’s stunning are organised according to goods of the city with its splendid views volcanic landscape. There will be a windmill museum and get the best sold and where craftsmen can be over the bay. You will see the choice of excursions today. Exploring look at the island’s rugged interiors seen practicing their traditional Plaza Espana and the gardens La Palma, the guided tour will take from the site of the Guanche Kings. handwork. After a stroll through where the famous monument of you to the highest point of the These huge statues stand at one of this maze of narrow streets, Las Cortes (Spanish Parliament) island, home to the charming town the highest points in Fuerteventura, protected from the sun by a high of 1812 is situated. We continue of El Paso, then on to the southern serving up panoramic views of the trellis cover, we emerge onto the to the Moorish-style Alameda de tip of La Palma and Fuencaliente for countryside below. famous Djemma el-Fna Square, Apodaca Gardens, a reminder of refreshments. Alternatively, travel where throughout the ages local their occupancy in past centuries. inland to the Caldera de Taburiente. Day 8 El Marsa, Western Sahara people and African caravans Next drive to Jerez de la Frontera Designated a National Park, this Desert. From the port of El Marsa have gathered for entertainment, and one of the most famous wine particular volcanic crater is five miles drive across the sand dunes through celebrations, gossip and business. cellars in Jerez. Here, the age-old wide and its rims reach right up to one of the world’s great desert Here we stop at the foot of the process of blending is explained the mountain ridge that runs from landscapes to the city of Laayoune. famous Koutoubia Minaret, one of and you will be invited to sample the the north to the south of the island. There are not many travellers who the masterpiece works of Islamic various types of wine in the unique The crater was not actually formed can boast of a visit to the territory architecture. In the afternoon, atmosphere of these wine cellars. as a result of volcanic activity, but of the Western Sahara – mostly drive to Casablanca to re-join the Return to the MV Aegean Odyssey from subsequent erosion, and it is consisting of flat desert it is one of MV Aegean Odyssey and moor for an afternoon sailing. forested with the exceptional fire- the least populated regions in the overnight. resistant Canary Pine. world. Take in the unique Spanish- Day 3 At sea. A day to relax Saharan architecture in the old town, Day 12 Casablanca, Morocco. onboard as we sail to Madeira, Day 7 Fuerteventura, Canary visit the catholic church and see the Located on the Atlantic coast, perhaps attend a lecture or two. Islands. Fuerteventura might be food and artisan markets. Rabat, meaning “fortified place” known for its amazing beaches, but is the focus of our tour today. Day 4 Funchal, Madeira. We arrive there is a lot more to this island. On Day 9 At sea. A day to relax onboard Highlights include the old medina, in Madeira for our exploration today’s excursion we will journey as we sail to Morocco. the picturesque Kasbah of the which includes a scenic tour, deep inland to discover forgotten Oudayas and the Oudaya Gate, starting off along the rugged west villages dotted with whitewashed Day 10 Agadir/Taroudant/ built during the Almohad dynasty, coast road to the picturesque houses, beautiful old churches and Marrakesh, Morocco. Arrive at the the well-preserved Hassan Tower fishing village of Camara de Lobos, hidden cobbled streets. We will southern Moroccan port of Agadir and the Chellah which were built once painted by Sir Winston visit the traditional former capital, and drive through the fertile Souss by the Merinids in the 12th and Churchill. Continue on through Betancuria, and the picturesque Valley to the old imperial city of 13th centuries. Enjoy an afternoon eucalyptus forests to reach Cabo village of Pajara and also call in at Taroudant where we will explore the at leisure before sailing this Girao. From a superb viewpoint, an aloe vera plantation, stop in the medina with its ancient souks before evening. www.noble-caledonia.co.uk +44 (0)20 7752 0000 Atlas Mountains Moroccan Spice Market Cape Spartel Lighthouse Detail of Hassan II Mosque Day 13 Tangier, Morocco. Enjoy wall marks the line of the Roman a leisurely morning at sea before defences, the grand Mosque and PRE-CRUISE MADRID EXTENSION arriving in Tangier this afternoon. the Petit Socco covers the area of Travelling along the promenade, what used to be the Forum. The we will arrive at the caves of bustling Kasbah is situated on the Hercules, a place of stunning highest part of the Medina in an natural beauty where legend has area that has been the preserve of it Hercules rested after his 12 palaces and castles for thousands labours.