14 Nights / 15 Days
Exploration sure has changed, hasn’t it?
Do you think Prince Henry of Portugal could have ever imagined someone flying over in a private plane to discover the legendary wines of his own land? Or the caravanners across the Morocco’s trade routes switching camels for 4x4s and spending their nights in luxury tents under the stars.
Well, luckily you don’t have to. For while things may be a little different today, the spirit of discovery remains the same. Save for the camels; those are still very much around.
And that is what you shall discover on Travelive’s latest adventure across Morocco and Portugal.
- 2 Nights in Marrakech
- 1 Night in Skoura Oasis
- 1 Night in Erg Chegaga
- 2 Nights in Casablanca
- 2 Nights in Alentejo
- 3 Nights in Lisbon
- 3 Nights in Porto
2 Nights in Marrakech | The City of Pure Discovery
Nothing compares to the sensation of pure discovery. And if there’s any city where you can find it around every corner, it’s Marrakech.
For centuries, merchants, storytellers, and adventurers have arrived behind its rose-colored walls in search of new treasures, cultures, and experiences. Today, you’ll do much the same, albeit with considerably more creature comforts along the way.
Once there, settle into an elegant luxury riad before spending a day with your private guide uncovering the vibrant heart of Morocco’s legendary Red City.
Venture into the bustling medina to admire iconic landmarks such as the magnificent Koutoubia Mosque and Bahia Palace. All before immersing yourself in the colorful souks of Jemaa el-Fnaa, where master artisans, fragrant spice stalls, and centuries-old alleyways have preserved a way of life that first drew travelers here generations ago.
After a day of discovery, unwind with a rejuvenating hammam experience prior to ending the evening where many of the city’s greatest stories are shared: over an unforgettable rooftop dinner overlooking the enchanting skyline of Marrakech.
Overnight in Skoura Oasis | An Oasis Worth Discovering
Every traveler dreams of stumbling upon an oasis, even if only thirsty for new experiences.
Fortunately, that’s exactly what awaits as your journey heads beyond Marrakech and into the breathtaking landscapes of the High Atlas Mountains. Along the way, enjoy a brief cameo at the ancient ksar of Aït Ben Haddou, whose timeless earthen architecture has landed it roles in countless Hollywood productions. Sadly, not everyone becomes a star overnight. Sometimes it takes centuries.
Continue onward to the tranquil Skoura Oasis, home to thousands of palm trees, ancient kasbahs, and lush gardens that emerge like a mirage from the surrounding desert landscape. Here, settle into an elegant oasis retreat and embrace a slower rhythm with thoughtfully curated experiences that reveal the beauty and serenity of Morocco’s southern reaches.
Because sometimes, the greatest discoveries aren’t the ones you set out to find, but the ones waiting quietly where you least expect them.
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From UNESCO to Hollywood
Not only a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987, Aït Ben Haddou has also enjoyed quite a successful acting career, stealing scenes in Hollywood blockbusters such as Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator, Kingdom of Heaven, The Mummy, and Game of Thrones. Turns out timeless architecture has no trouble landing starring roles.
Overnight in Erg Chegaga | Into the Great Sahara
What’s an oasis without a desert, and vice versa?
Leave your slice of green heaven behind (without of course giving up too many of its comforts) and set out along the ancient caravan routes that once connected Morocco with the wonders of sub-Saharan Africa. While your journey begins aboard a luxury 4×4, it ends much as it would have centuries ago: atop a camel, as you ride across the golden dunes beneath a spectacular Saharan sunset.
As the day disappears beyond the horizon, arrive at an elegant desert camp, where beautifully appointed tents, attentive service, and authentic Moroccan hospitality remind you that exploration and indulgence go hand in hand. Come nightfall, gather beneath a sky ablaze with countless stars and watch the campfire dance to the sound of traditional Gnaoua music just as generations of merchants, nomads, and explorers once did before you.
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Sounds of Morocco
Rooted in the traditions of sub-Saharan Africa and shaped by centuries of cultural exchange, Gnaoua music is one of Morocco’s most distinctive musical expressions. Defined by hypnotic rhythms, soulful chants, and the unmistakable sound of the three-stringed guembri, it is a sonic experience that truly takes you on a journey through Morocco’s rhythm and soul.
2 Nights in Casablanca | Where One Journey Ends and Another Begins
Synonymous with exploration, the Atlantic eventually beckons every traveler.
Now, standing upon the shores of Casablanca, you’ll find it calling again, this time toward Portugal, where another chapter of your journey awaits. But first: “Here’s looking at you, kid.”
After your private flight from Zagora, settle into your elegant sea-view hotel and enjoy an evening at leisure, where the gentle rhythm of the waves offers the perfect contrast to the vibrant pulse of Morocco’s largest city.
The following day, discover one of Morocco’s greatest architectural treasures with a visit to the magnificent Hassan II Mosque, dramatically perched above the Atlantic Ocean. A masterpiece of craftsmanship, it stands as both a symbol of faith and a testament to Morocco’s ability to embrace the future without losing sight of its heritage.
Then, as your Moroccan adventure draws to a close, gather for a farewell dinner in an elegant setting, raising a glass to the unforgettable adventures behind you and the new ones waiting just beyond the ocean.
2 Nights in Alentejo | A Quiet Portuguese Beginning
If only the Portuguese explorers of the 15th century had a private jet to carry them from one destination to the next, they might have added a few more places to the map. And probably enjoyed the journey a little more, too.
Well, it just so happens that you do.
Touching down in the rolling countryside of Alentejo, Portugal’s hidden gem of luxury and tranquility, check into your elegant country estate, where you’ll discover that some of the world’s greatest luxuries aren’t found on a map, but in the art of slowing down.
The following day, discover one of Portugal’s most authentic corners with a visit to a traditional cork estate before rolling up your sleeves for an authentic cooking experience inspired by the region’s rustic flavors. As evening approaches, join the estate’s sommelier for a sunset wine tasting, celebrating vintages born of the very landscape surrounding you.
Then, as darkness settles over the countryside, look upward. With little to interrupt the night sky, Alentejo reveals one final discovery: a breathtaking canopy of stars, the very same stars that once guided Portugal’s great explorers across uncharted oceans.
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Europe’s Window to the Stars
Far from the glow of major cities, Alentejo is home to some of Europe’s clearest night skies. In fact, the region earned international recognition as the world’s first Starlight Tourism Destination, a distinction awarded to places that offer exceptional conditions for stargazing while actively protecting their natural darkness.
3 Nights in Lisbon | A City That Welcomed a New Age
For centuries, Lisbon was the city from which countless explorers set sail, forever changing the way the world was understood. And today your own journey brings you to the very place where Portugal’s Age of Discovery first took shape.
Leaving Alentejo behind, journey to Lisbon via the beautifully preserved city of Évora. Explore its UNESCO-listed streets, visit the haunting Chapel of Bones, and enjoy a regional wine tasting before continuing to Portugal’s vibrant capital. Equal parts humbling and unforgettable, Évora offers one final glimpse into Portugal’s remarkable past before your journey reaches the city that helped shape its future.
Once in Lisbon, settle in, get your bearings (perhaps using a pastel de nata as a compass), and set out for a private exploration of the capital. Wander through its colorful neighborhoods, admire magnificent landmarks, and as evening falls, let the soulful melodies of an authentic Fado performance reveal another side of Portugal’s enduring spirit.
The following day, venture beyond the city to discover the fairytale palaces of Sintra, whose colorful royal residences, lush gardens, and centuries of legend transform the hills into one of Portugal’s most enchanting destinations. Then, return to Lisbon via Portugal’s spectacular Atlantic coastline, passing dramatic cliffs and sweeping ocean views that have inspired generations of adventurers to look just a little farther beyond the horizon.
3 Nights in Porto | Toasting New Frontiers
Every successful expedition deserves a celebratory toast, and where better to raise one than Porto, the birthplace of Portugal’s world-famous port wine?
Settle into this colorful riverside city before discovering its historic streets on a privately guided tour, tracing centuries of maritime prosperity through grand churches, elegant bridges, and beautifully tiled façades (yes, the very blue ones you’re thinking of).
Then, finally raise that glass to your journey with a tasting of Porto’s iconic fortified wines in the very city that gave them their name.
The following day, trace those viticultural roots to the breathtaking Douro Valley, cruising past cascading terraced vineyards that tumble toward the winding Douro River. Explore one of the world’s oldest demarcated wine regions before enjoying a leisurely winery lunch in its very heart, naturally paired with the finest expressions of its centuries-old winemaking traditions.
It’s a fitting reminder that, while Portugal’s greatest explorers searched for treasures across the globe, some of the country’s finest discoveries have always been waiting here at home.
Departure
With your journey at an end, there’s only one thing left to do: reflect on what it feels like to help usher in a new age of discovery.
After one final leisurely breakfast, transfer to Porto Airport for your onward journey home. While the great explorers returned with maps that changed the world, you’ll return with something far more personal: unforgettable memories of Morocco and Portugal, where every city, vineyard, coastline, and desert reminded you that some things never change, especially the thrill of seeing the world anew.
