Paris to Marrakech (including Olhao)

Head south from Paris to Marrakech on this 22-day exploration, full of European highlights with a taste of Northern Africa. Starting in Paris, you’ll take your fill of pastries and romance and then hop on a train to Bezier, watching the southern landscape roll past as you go. Stay in an old prison, enjoy a free day to explore Bezier or head out on a day tirp to Carcassone, then jump back on board and head into Spain, stopping in Barcelona for tapas, sangria and a little dose of Gaudi architecture. Continue to Madrid before crossing the border into Portugal. Soak up the sun in the Algarve, then cross the Gibraltar Strait into Morocco, where you can get lost in the labyrinth of the ancient city of Fes, wander the medinas of Marrakech and tuck into a tajine or two. If you’re looking for an adventure, this is it! If you love avoiding airport queues this is the trip for you however as public transport is the predominant form of transport on this trip we highly recommend packing as lightly as possible as you will be expected to carry your own bags of buses, trains, etc. as well as to and from your accommodation.If travelling to Paris from London we highly recommend using the fast Eurostar train from London's St Pancras station. At under 2.5 hours travel time and with no airport queues, this is by far the most convenient and carbon friendly travel option.The European part of this trip will be led by a European leader, while the Moroccan part will be led by a Moroccan leader. The changeover will take place upon arrival at the port of Tangier in Morocco with your European leader returning to Spain after you meet your Moroccan leader.This trip covers a lot of ground and the majority of travel is done by trains, ferries and public buses. It's a good time to sit back, relax and let the scenery roll past your window. Please read the Itinerary carefully for travel time estimates.We recommend packing light and smart for this trip as you'll be required to carry your own luggage between train stations and hotels, which can include going up and down multiple flights of stairs, and across cobblestones. Train stations often don’t have lifts available.Summer temperatures can be extreme in this region (over 40C/104F). It’s important to use sun protection, wear layers to combat the heat, and drink plenty of water. Many hotels in Europe and Morocco have fans, not air conditioning. Please carefully consider the time of the year you wish to travel and your suitability to that season.Space is at a premium in Europe and Morocco and your hotel is no exception. Rooms are often small, but usually the central location makes up for that. For those travelling as a duo, hotels often don't have double beds, but rather two single beds that can be pushed together. We've sourced our accommodation very carefully and picked the best possible hotels in line with the Intrepid style of travel, but please note that service and accommodation in Morocco may differ from standards at home.Ramadan is an annual month-long festival, during which travel can be a rewarding cultural experience, however some regular services may not be available during the day, such as restaurants or cafes, and occasionally travel can be disrupted by events. Your leader will adjust the itinerary accordingly, but please consider this when selecting your travel dates. You’ll find dates and further information in ‘Climate and seasonal information’ section of the Essential Trip Information.