What to do and see in Cordoba, Andalucia: The Best Multi-day Tours

July 30, 2021 Nicolette Lion

Córdoba was once the premier city of the Western World, the greatest metropolis west of Constantinople, and the seat of Europe’s first university. Today, there’s a modern commercial center, but most travelers love strolling the town’s ancient cobblestone streets, peeking through gates for glimpses of lush flowers and beautiful tiled fountains.
Restaurants in Cordoba

1. 7-Day Southern Spain Tour: Granada, Toledo, Madrid, Cordoba, Seville and Ronda

Julia Travel Costa Del Sol
Excellent
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Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.3 based on 9 reviews

Get to know Spain in just seven days on this tour from Torremolinos to Madrid and Andalusia's most famous cities: Granada, Toledo, Cordoba, Seville and Ronda! You’ll visit beautiful sites like the Great Mosque of Cordoba, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Alhambra palace, the Generalife Gardens and Seville's Alcazar, and you’ll hear interesting commentary from your guide. Enjoy sightseeing tours of Toledo and Madrid and have free time in Seville, Madrid and Ronda to explore the cities at your own pace.

Inclusions: Local guide, Dinner, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Dinner, Breakfast, Dinner, Transport by air-conditioned

Exclusions: Gratuities, Hotel pickup and drop-off

Reviewed By Carolyne33

In all fairness, I only booked the Malaga Shopping Trip as I wanted to see the Barbary Apes and visit the other Rock, as I'd lived on the rock in Montserrat (Caribbean) for 16 years. The bus arrived at in a timely manor and was comfortable. The German guide was very precise, in the way only Germans can be, and didn't like the fact I couldn't show him my ticket - I explained I had no wifi on my phone. (Not because I couldn't afford it, but because the phone is new and I don't know what I'm doing with 4G so couldn't get it to function. I didn't tell the guide this and think he assumed I was poor as I like to travel incognito and am not rich anyway). It took ages to pick up people all along the Costa Del Sol and we finally arrived in Gibraltar at 10.20, about 3 hrs and 20 mins after we left Malaga. We were given till 3pm to either pay (again) for the shopping tour or go on the bus's own tour of the island. Mr guide did his best to sell us the tours (I had explained I had no interest in shopping (he thought I wasn't taking it because it was too expensive - 25 euros to be guided around a few touristy shops is too expensive, but the truth is I hate shopping, hate it) , but he didn't get I preferred to do my own thing, necessary as a photographer, and not wanting to go on the tour. I found John Guy hanging around in a square and in fact paid him to take me to see the apes. John is famous for his singing of 'If I was a rich man' with ape accompanists (BBC) and was also shot on film in the Bond film, 'The Living Daylights'. I am famous for talking about goats and a hostel in Montserrat during Hurricanes Irma and Maria (BBC etc) so we had a bit in common. I had been planning to catch the cable car up the rock, but it was about to be closed due to high winds. A friendly cop (actually, Johns Uncle Arthur) informed us. Nevermind, I got to take a photo of John's Uncle in full police uniform on a motorbike....with his very own rabbit ears. We didn't go all the way up the rock as we both had limited time and it was more interesting to play with the apes, though you musn't touch them first the park ranger explained. They like to be in control. They are golden apes and have orange coats. There is a monkey in charge of the States who also looks like that, I'm told. However, John had trained a female ape to jump on his client's shoulders which gave me a bit of a fright. It was also a bit smelly, but had a soft coat and beaufitul golden fur. It sort of ambushes Johns' clients. One minute you're talking to John about the weather, the next minute you've got a parrot on your shoulder, sorry, I mean a monkey. Aaaaaargh. Pirate! Anyway, so that was what I did on my shopping trip to Gibraltar. I did buy a fridge magnet with a map of Gibraltar, Spain and North Africa on it, complete with lucky coin, and a nice solar charged revolving hummingbird on an artificial sunflower. So far, it's either not sunny enough to charge in the UK or simply it doesn't work and I was ripped off. Gibraltar is a rather odd place and the people seemed somewhat strange. I did like the man whose dog played the piano by hitting the keyboard with its head outside the church or Cathedral in Main Street. G and T's, taken with my breakfast and as a substitute for lunch, having eaten friend bread for breakfast at a rather overcrowded establishment, turned out to be 6 pint buckets. They do things a little different in Gibraltar! Drinks are cheaper that than the UK, food is more expensive (I think though I only had bread and avocado so don't take my word). We were told to be back at the bus at 2.45pm to leave at 3pm. I got there about 2.40pm and nearly everyone had already returned. So don't know if that was a comment on shopping or touring Gibraltar. I would recommend their tour as it was about the same price as mine, but I would recommend finding John Guy hanging around just past the Cathedral as he is an interesting guide and good at his job. I could probably have got a bus myself to Gibraltar for less, but this was the relatively laziest way to get there. Make sure you phone them to confirm as I would never have found the meeting place without their direction in Malaga. As for their tour guide, he seemed quire kind, but you can never judge a book by its cover! He was definitely German.

2. Andalusia with Costa del Sol and Toledo - 5 Day Tour

Julia Travel
Excellent
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Satisfactory
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Poor
0%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.1 based on 256 reviews

Take your time on a 5-day tour of Spain that guides you round Andalusia’s most famous cities: Seville, Cordoba, Toledo and Granada. Visit the birthplace of flamenco in Seville, see the home city of El Greco in Toledo and be amazed by the Moorish gardens of the Alhambra. You’ll also see Spain’s oldest bullring in Ronda on this five days in Spain itinerary, and soak up the beauty of Spain’s resort coast, the Costa del Sol. Highlighting the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Cordoba, Seville, Granada and Toledo, this tour takes you deep into the heart of Andalusia, Spain’s most colorful and distinctive region. Dinner and breakfast are included, and enjoy a choice of standard or superior hotel accommodation for all four nights.

Inclusions: Breakfast, Dinner, Dinner, Dinner, Breakfast, Dinner, Breakfast, Breakfast, Guided visits in Seville, Toledo, Granada and Cordoba, Local guide, 4 nights accommodation, Air-conditioned vehicle, Meals as per itinerary (B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner), Travel insurance, Tour escort during the tour

Exclusions: Gratuities, Food and beverages, unless specified, Hotel pickup and drop off

Reviewed By globaltraveler85

The guide was SO informative and interesting. You get to see the whole church, skip the long line and learn a ton of history about the Sagrada Familia. Worth every penny.

3. Madrid, Andalusia and the Mediterranean Coast with Barcelona - 9 Day Tour

Julia Travel Madrid
Excellent
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Good
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Satisfactory
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Poor
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Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.1 based on 28 reviews

Experience the best of Spain on this 9-day tour from Madrid. See famous Park Güell in Barcelona; visit UNESCO World Heritage-listed Alhambra Palace and Generalife Gardens in Granada; tour the Great Mosque of Cordoba and Seville’s Santa Cruz Quarter and Maria Luisa Gardens; and have plenty of time in each city to explore more at your leisure. Enjoy eight overnight stays in 3- or 4-star hotels as well as several guided tours and round-trip transportation by deluxe coach.

Inclusions: Guided visits as per itinerary, Dinner, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Dinner, Breakfast, Dinner, Breakfast, Breakfast, Local guide, Eight nights of accommodation, Meals as per itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner), Transport by air-conditioned deluxe motor coach, Airport pickup and drop-off, Travel insurance

Exclusions: Gratuities, Food and drinks, unless specified, City tax (1 to 2.50 euros approx. per night)

Reviewed By 1Anonymousreviewr

As a mother with two children, this was not it. Boring, exhausting for my smallest child and none of us learned anything from here. Stay away!

4. 8-Day Spain Tour from Madrid: Cordoba, Seville, Ronda, Costa del Sol, Granada and Toledo

Julia Travel
Excellent
0%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
100%
Overall Ratings

4.1 based on 19 reviews

Experience the highlights of Spain’s Andalusia region, as well as the UNESCO World Heritage City of Toledo, on this 8-day tour of Spain from Madrid. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Alhambra Palace and Generalife Gardens in Granada; explore the beautiful Mediterranean coastal region of Costa del Sol; and witness the mix of three cultures of Spain -- Christian, Moorish and Jewish -- in Toledo. Enjoy seven overnight stays in 3- or 4-star hotels as well as several guided tours and round-trip transportation by deluxe coach.

Inclusions: Breakfast, Breakfast, Dinner, Dinner, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Dinner, Dinner, Guided visits as per itinerary, Local guide, Seven nights of accommodation, Meals as per itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner), Transport by air-conditioned deluxe motor coach, Airport pickup and drop-off, Travel insurance

Exclusions: Gratuities, Food and drinks, unless specified, Flamenco show in Seville, Gipsy night tour in Granada

Reviewed By globaltraveler85

The guide was SO informative and interesting. You get to see the whole church, skip the long line and learn a ton of history about the Sagrada Familia. Worth every penny.

5. 7-Day Spain Tour: Cordoba, Seville, Granada and Toledo from Madrid

Julia Travel Costa Del Sol
Excellent
0%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
100%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 5 reviews

This seven-day tour highlights Andalusia’s Moorish heritage and visits the Andalusian cities of Cordoba, Seville and Granada, plus the cathedral city of Toledo. You’ll spend two days exploring Madrid at your own pace, then travel to Andalusia and Toledo to discover the history and culture of southern Spain. Granada’s Alhambra and Generalife Gardens are just some of the many UNESCO World Heritage Sites you’ll visit in this legendary region of Spain. Choose from three-star or four-star hotel accommodation for all six nights.

Inclusions: Breakfast, Breakfast, Dinner, Breakfast, Breakfast, Dinner, Breakfast, Dinner, Breakfast, Local guide, Transport by air-conditioned deluxe motor coach, Airport pickup and drop-off

Exclusions: Gratuities, Food and drinks, unless specified

Reviewed By Carolyne33

In all fairness, I only booked the Malaga Shopping Trip as I wanted to see the Barbary Apes and visit the other Rock, as I'd lived on the rock in Montserrat (Caribbean) for 16 years. The bus arrived at in a timely manor and was comfortable. The German guide was very precise, in the way only Germans can be, and didn't like the fact I couldn't show him my ticket - I explained I had no wifi on my phone. (Not because I couldn't afford it, but because the phone is new and I don't know what I'm doing with 4G so couldn't get it to function. I didn't tell the guide this and think he assumed I was poor as I like to travel incognito and am not rich anyway). It took ages to pick up people all along the Costa Del Sol and we finally arrived in Gibraltar at 10.20, about 3 hrs and 20 mins after we left Malaga. We were given till 3pm to either pay (again) for the shopping tour or go on the bus's own tour of the island. Mr guide did his best to sell us the tours (I had explained I had no interest in shopping (he thought I wasn't taking it because it was too expensive - 25 euros to be guided around a few touristy shops is too expensive, but the truth is I hate shopping, hate it) , but he didn't get I preferred to do my own thing, necessary as a photographer, and not wanting to go on the tour. I found John Guy hanging around in a square and in fact paid him to take me to see the apes. John is famous for his singing of 'If I was a rich man' with ape accompanists (BBC) and was also shot on film in the Bond film, 'The Living Daylights'. I am famous for talking about goats and a hostel in Montserrat during Hurricanes Irma and Maria (BBC etc) so we had a bit in common. I had been planning to catch the cable car up the rock, but it was about to be closed due to high winds. A friendly cop (actually, Johns Uncle Arthur) informed us. Nevermind, I got to take a photo of John's Uncle in full police uniform on a motorbike....with his very own rabbit ears. We didn't go all the way up the rock as we both had limited time and it was more interesting to play with the apes, though you musn't touch them first the park ranger explained. They like to be in control. They are golden apes and have orange coats. There is a monkey in charge of the States who also looks like that, I'm told. However, John had trained a female ape to jump on his client's shoulders which gave me a bit of a fright. It was also a bit smelly, but had a soft coat and beaufitul golden fur. It sort of ambushes Johns' clients. One minute you're talking to John about the weather, the next minute you've got a parrot on your shoulder, sorry, I mean a monkey. Aaaaaargh. Pirate! Anyway, so that was what I did on my shopping trip to Gibraltar. I did buy a fridge magnet with a map of Gibraltar, Spain and North Africa on it, complete with lucky coin, and a nice solar charged revolving hummingbird on an artificial sunflower. So far, it's either not sunny enough to charge in the UK or simply it doesn't work and I was ripped off. Gibraltar is a rather odd place and the people seemed somewhat strange. I did like the man whose dog played the piano by hitting the keyboard with its head outside the church or Cathedral in Main Street. G and T's, taken with my breakfast and as a substitute for lunch, having eaten friend bread for breakfast at a rather overcrowded establishment, turned out to be 6 pint buckets. They do things a little different in Gibraltar! Drinks are cheaper that than the UK, food is more expensive (I think though I only had bread and avocado so don't take my word). We were told to be back at the bus at 2.45pm to leave at 3pm. I got there about 2.40pm and nearly everyone had already returned. So don't know if that was a comment on shopping or touring Gibraltar. I would recommend their tour as it was about the same price as mine, but I would recommend finding John Guy hanging around just past the Cathedral as he is an interesting guide and good at his job. I could probably have got a bus myself to Gibraltar for less, but this was the relatively laziest way to get there. Make sure you phone them to confirm as I would never have found the meeting place without their direction in Malaga. As for their tour guide, he seemed quire kind, but you can never judge a book by its cover! He was definitely German.

6. 7-Day Spain Tour: Cordoba, Seville, Granada, Valencia, Barcelona and Zaragoza from Madrid

Julia Travel
Excellent
0%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
100%
Overall Ratings

3.9 based on 11 reviews

From Madrid, spend seven days on a tour of Spain's most famous cities! You'll enjoy fascinating tours of Cordoba, Seville, Granada and Barcelona, and you’ll have plenty of free time to discover more on your own. See the Great Mosque of Cordoba, the Alhambra and the Generalife Gardens in Granada, Gaudi's Park Güell and La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, along with more top attractions in Seville, Valencia and Zaragoza.

Inclusions: Dinner, Dinner, Dinner, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Guided visits in Cordoba, Seville, Granada, Valencia and Barcelona, Local guide, Six nights accommodation, Six continental or buffet breakfasts, Three dinners (3-course or buffet), Transport by air-conditioned deluxe motor coach, Meals as per itinerary (B=breakfast, D=dinner)

Exclusions: Food and drinks, unless specified, Gratuities, Hotel pickup and drop-off, City tax (1 to 2.50 euros approx. per night)

Reviewed By globaltraveler85

The guide was SO informative and interesting. You get to see the whole church, skip the long line and learn a ton of history about the Sagrada Familia. Worth every penny.

7. 8-Day Southern Spain Tour from Madrid: Cordoba, Seville, Costa del Sol, Granada and Toledo

Madrid, Spain Julia Travel Costa Del Sol
Excellent
0%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
100%
Overall Ratings

3.9 based on 11 reviews

Get to know Spain in just eight days on this tour from Madrid to Toledo and Andalusia's most famous cities: Cordoba, Seville, Costa del Sol and Granada! You’ll visit beautiful sites like the Great Mosque of Cordoba, UNESCO World Heritage-listed Alhambra Palace, the Generalife Gardens and Seville's Alcazar, and you’ll hear interesting commentary from your expert guide along the way. Enjoy sightseeing tours of Granada and Toledo and have free time in Seville and Costa del Sol to explore the cities at your own pace!

Inclusions: Guided visits in Cordoba, Seville, Granada and Toledo, Dinner, Breakfast, Dinner, Dinner, Breakfast, Breakfast, Dinner, Dinner, Breakfast, Breakfast, Dinner, Dinner, Breakfast, Breakfast, Local guide, Seven nights of accommodation, Meals as per itinerary (B=breakfast, L=Lunch, D=dinner), Transport by luxury air-conditioned coach, Travel Insurance, Tour escort during the tour

Exclusions: Food and drinks, unless specified, Gratuities, Hotel pickup and drop-off

Reviewed By Carolyne33

In all fairness, I only booked the Malaga Shopping Trip as I wanted to see the Barbary Apes and visit the other Rock, as I'd lived on the rock in Montserrat (Caribbean) for 16 years. The bus arrived at in a timely manor and was comfortable. The German guide was very precise, in the way only Germans can be, and didn't like the fact I couldn't show him my ticket - I explained I had no wifi on my phone. (Not because I couldn't afford it, but because the phone is new and I don't know what I'm doing with 4G so couldn't get it to function. I didn't tell the guide this and think he assumed I was poor as I like to travel incognito and am not rich anyway). It took ages to pick up people all along the Costa Del Sol and we finally arrived in Gibraltar at 10.20, about 3 hrs and 20 mins after we left Malaga. We were given till 3pm to either pay (again) for the shopping tour or go on the bus's own tour of the island. Mr guide did his best to sell us the tours (I had explained I had no interest in shopping (he thought I wasn't taking it because it was too expensive - 25 euros to be guided around a few touristy shops is too expensive, but the truth is I hate shopping, hate it) , but he didn't get I preferred to do my own thing, necessary as a photographer, and not wanting to go on the tour. I found John Guy hanging around in a square and in fact paid him to take me to see the apes. John is famous for his singing of 'If I was a rich man' with ape accompanists (BBC) and was also shot on film in the Bond film, 'The Living Daylights'. I am famous for talking about goats and a hostel in Montserrat during Hurricanes Irma and Maria (BBC etc) so we had a bit in common. I had been planning to catch the cable car up the rock, but it was about to be closed due to high winds. A friendly cop (actually, Johns Uncle Arthur) informed us. Nevermind, I got to take a photo of John's Uncle in full police uniform on a motorbike....with his very own rabbit ears. We didn't go all the way up the rock as we both had limited time and it was more interesting to play with the apes, though you musn't touch them first the park ranger explained. They like to be in control. They are golden apes and have orange coats. There is a monkey in charge of the States who also looks like that, I'm told. However, John had trained a female ape to jump on his client's shoulders which gave me a bit of a fright. It was also a bit smelly, but had a soft coat and beaufitul golden fur. It sort of ambushes Johns' clients. One minute you're talking to John about the weather, the next minute you've got a parrot on your shoulder, sorry, I mean a monkey. Aaaaaargh. Pirate! Anyway, so that was what I did on my shopping trip to Gibraltar. I did buy a fridge magnet with a map of Gibraltar, Spain and North Africa on it, complete with lucky coin, and a nice solar charged revolving hummingbird on an artificial sunflower. So far, it's either not sunny enough to charge in the UK or simply it doesn't work and I was ripped off. Gibraltar is a rather odd place and the people seemed somewhat strange. I did like the man whose dog played the piano by hitting the keyboard with its head outside the church or Cathedral in Main Street. G and T's, taken with my breakfast and as a substitute for lunch, having eaten friend bread for breakfast at a rather overcrowded establishment, turned out to be 6 pint buckets. They do things a little different in Gibraltar! Drinks are cheaper that than the UK, food is more expensive (I think though I only had bread and avocado so don't take my word). We were told to be back at the bus at 2.45pm to leave at 3pm. I got there about 2.40pm and nearly everyone had already returned. So don't know if that was a comment on shopping or touring Gibraltar. I would recommend their tour as it was about the same price as mine, but I would recommend finding John Guy hanging around just past the Cathedral as he is an interesting guide and good at his job. I could probably have got a bus myself to Gibraltar for less, but this was the relatively laziest way to get there. Make sure you phone them to confirm as I would never have found the meeting place without their direction in Malaga. As for their tour guide, he seemed quire kind, but you can never judge a book by its cover! He was definitely German.

8. Andalusia and Toledo - 4 DayTour

Julia Travel
Excellent
0%
Good
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Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
100%
Overall Ratings

3.9 based on 423 reviews

Visit Andalusia’s most famous cities — Cordoba, Seville, and Granada — on a 4-day immersion in the home of flamenco, tapas, and Andalusian culture. You’ll travel from Madrid to Cordoba to stroll through cobbled lanes in the city’s Jewish quarter, then spend two nights in Seville, the birthplace of flamenco. Admire Granada’s Moorish architecture at the World Heritage-listed Alhambra, and take a walk through the medieval walled city of Toledo. This comprehensive tour highlights the essential attractions of Andalusian Spain in four days, with 4-star hotel accommodation for all three nights. Please note: Entrance to the Alhambra is not guaranteed due to high demand.

Inclusions: Breakfast, Dinner, Dinner, Breakfast, Breakfast, Dinner, Guided visits in Seville, Cordoba and Granada, Three nights accommodation, Air-conditioned vehicle, Meals as per itinerary (B=breakfast, D=dinner), Travel insurance

Exclusions: Gratuities, Food and drinks, unless specified, Hotel pickup and drop off in Madrid, Entrance fee to Seville Cathedral

Reviewed By globaltraveler85

The guide was SO informative and interesting. You get to see the whole church, skip the long line and learn a ton of history about the Sagrada Familia. Worth every penny.

9. 8-Day Spain Tour Including Barcelona, Madrid, Cordoba, Seville, Granada and Toledo

Julia Travel
Excellent
0%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
100%
Overall Ratings

3.5 based on 24 reviews

Discover beautiful Barcelona, UNESCO World Heritage-listed Toledo and the highlights of Spain’s Andalusia region on this 8-day tour. Spend two days exploring Barcelona at your own pace; then, ride a high-speed train to Madrid. Explore the cities of Seville, Cordoba and Granada, and visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Granada’s Alhambra Palace and Generalife Gardens. You’ll enjoy seven overnight stays in 3- or 4-star hotels as well as several guided tours and round-trip transportation by deluxe coach.

Inclusions: Guided visits as per itinerary, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Dinner, Dinner, Breakfast, Breakfast, Dinner, Breakfast, Local guide, Seven nights of accommodation, Meals as per itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner), Transport by air-conditioned deluxe motor coach, Airport pickup and drop-off

Exclusions: Gratuities, Food and drinks, unless specified, City tax (1 to 2.50 euros approx. per night)

Reviewed By globaltraveler85

The guide was SO informative and interesting. You get to see the whole church, skip the long line and learn a ton of history about the Sagrada Familia. Worth every penny.

10. 12-Day Morocco and South of Spain Tour from Madrid

Madrid, Spain Julia Travel Costa Del Sol
Excellent
0%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
100%
Overall Ratings

3.3 based on 16 reviews

Discover Morocco and the south of Spain – two contrasting countries that share a rich history – on a 12-day tour from Madrid with a 3 or 4-star hotel accommodation included! While traveling with an expert guide, explore the Andalucian region in Spain’s deep south, staying in Seville, the Costa del Sol and Granada. Learn about Andalucia’s 15th-century Moroccan rulers on excursions to Cordoba and Ronda, and then cross the Strait of Gibraltar to Morocco itself. Stay in top cities like Fez, Marrakech, Rabat and Tangier, and learn all about the enchanting country from a guide.

Inclusions: Guided visits in Cordoba, Seville, Granada (Alhambra & Generalife Gardens), Toledo, Fez, Meknes, Marrakech, Casablanca, Rabat and Tangier., Breakfast, Dinner, Breakfast, Breakfast, Dinner, Dinner, Dinner, Breakfast, Breakfast, Dinner, Breakfast, Dinner, Dinner, Dinner, Dinner, Breakfast, Dinner, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Dinner, Tour escort during the tour., Air conditioned deluxe motor-coach., Accommodation at selected class., Travel Insurance

Exclusions: Gratuities, Food and beverages, unless specified, Hotel pickup and drop-off

Reviewed By Carolyne33

In all fairness, I only booked the Malaga Shopping Trip as I wanted to see the Barbary Apes and visit the other Rock, as I'd lived on the rock in Montserrat (Caribbean) for 16 years. The bus arrived at in a timely manor and was comfortable. The German guide was very precise, in the way only Germans can be, and didn't like the fact I couldn't show him my ticket - I explained I had no wifi on my phone. (Not because I couldn't afford it, but because the phone is new and I don't know what I'm doing with 4G so couldn't get it to function. I didn't tell the guide this and think he assumed I was poor as I like to travel incognito and am not rich anyway). It took ages to pick up people all along the Costa Del Sol and we finally arrived in Gibraltar at 10.20, about 3 hrs and 20 mins after we left Malaga. We were given till 3pm to either pay (again) for the shopping tour or go on the bus's own tour of the island. Mr guide did his best to sell us the tours (I had explained I had no interest in shopping (he thought I wasn't taking it because it was too expensive - 25 euros to be guided around a few touristy shops is too expensive, but the truth is I hate shopping, hate it) , but he didn't get I preferred to do my own thing, necessary as a photographer, and not wanting to go on the tour. I found John Guy hanging around in a square and in fact paid him to take me to see the apes. John is famous for his singing of 'If I was a rich man' with ape accompanists (BBC) and was also shot on film in the Bond film, 'The Living Daylights'. I am famous for talking about goats and a hostel in Montserrat during Hurricanes Irma and Maria (BBC etc) so we had a bit in common. I had been planning to catch the cable car up the rock, but it was about to be closed due to high winds. A friendly cop (actually, Johns Uncle Arthur) informed us. Nevermind, I got to take a photo of John's Uncle in full police uniform on a motorbike....with his very own rabbit ears. We didn't go all the way up the rock as we both had limited time and it was more interesting to play with the apes, though you musn't touch them first the park ranger explained. They like to be in control. They are golden apes and have orange coats. There is a monkey in charge of the States who also looks like that, I'm told. However, John had trained a female ape to jump on his client's shoulders which gave me a bit of a fright. It was also a bit smelly, but had a soft coat and beaufitul golden fur. It sort of ambushes Johns' clients. One minute you're talking to John about the weather, the next minute you've got a parrot on your shoulder, sorry, I mean a monkey. Aaaaaargh. Pirate! Anyway, so that was what I did on my shopping trip to Gibraltar. I did buy a fridge magnet with a map of Gibraltar, Spain and North Africa on it, complete with lucky coin, and a nice solar charged revolving hummingbird on an artificial sunflower. So far, it's either not sunny enough to charge in the UK or simply it doesn't work and I was ripped off. Gibraltar is a rather odd place and the people seemed somewhat strange. I did like the man whose dog played the piano by hitting the keyboard with its head outside the church or Cathedral in Main Street. G and T's, taken with my breakfast and as a substitute for lunch, having eaten friend bread for breakfast at a rather overcrowded establishment, turned out to be 6 pint buckets. They do things a little different in Gibraltar! Drinks are cheaper that than the UK, food is more expensive (I think though I only had bread and avocado so don't take my word). We were told to be back at the bus at 2.45pm to leave at 3pm. I got there about 2.40pm and nearly everyone had already returned. So don't know if that was a comment on shopping or touring Gibraltar. I would recommend their tour as it was about the same price as mine, but I would recommend finding John Guy hanging around just past the Cathedral as he is an interesting guide and good at his job. I could probably have got a bus myself to Gibraltar for less, but this was the relatively laziest way to get there. Make sure you phone them to confirm as I would never have found the meeting place without their direction in Malaga. As for their tour guide, he seemed quire kind, but you can never judge a book by its cover! He was definitely German.

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