Important Info

Trip Notes & Expectations

ACCOMMODATION

Our program fees are based on double-occupancy accommodation (see “Single Travelers” below if you do not have a travel companion and would be interested in a private room). This program features tourist-class hotels that are comfortable and clean but may not match what you’re used to at home.

What to Expect: Not all locations offer air conditioning. Some older accommodations may have limited hot water, slower-draining showers, or an earthy scent from traditional materials. Hotels in busy city centers can be loud at night. If you encounter issues, contact reception to request a different room.

TRANSPORTATION

This trip uses a mix of public and private transportation that gets our guests from location to location safely. Sometimes you will have full days of transportation as our trips tend to cover a lot of ground. The transportation will often be an adventure in itself. We use a 16-seater minivan in Morocco. With a full group, every seat will be used and legroom may be smaller than you’re used to – taller passengers may find the space cramped. Your vehicle may not be equipped with seat belts, as this is not legally required for buses in Morocco. However, if your van is equipped with seatbelts you are required by law to wear it.

ACTIVITY LEVEL & PACE

This trip is fast-paced and covers considerable ground. The itinerary is active but not overly strenuous. You will cover a lot of ground in a short time, with early starts and multiple travel days. The group will follow a structured itinerary, but there is always the option to break away to go at your own pace during free time.

Portugal is especially hilly, and both Spain and Portugal have many uneven cobblestone streets. The most physically demanding activity is the optional hike in the Rif Mountains. There are times where you must carry your luggage short distances and get on and off transportation. You should feel comfortable walking for extended periods and navigating varied terrain. Comfortable, supportive footwear is essential. We recommend always carrying snacks and water, as meals can be spaced out.

LUGGAGE

In Europe, it can be rare to find elevators in train stations, hotels, or other public places. We use some public transport on this trip, which means you will need to carry your luggage from place to place and possibly up multiple flights of stairs. You will also need to be able to stow your luggage safely on trains and buses. You should be able to comfortably walk for 10-30 minutes at a time with your luggage. It is essential, therefore, that you pack light and bring luggage that is compact and lightweight. Carrying your luggage remains your responsibility at all times.

FREE TIME

This program has quite a bit of free time in several locations, with few activities included as part of the tour. This allows participants to choose how to spend their time exploring each destination. Your group leader is available to help with plans. For ideas, check the “Optional Activities” section at the bottom of this page.

DRESS

At religious sites: Cover shoulders, chest, and legs – no tank tops, short shorts, mini skirts, or low necklines. Long pants or calf-length skirts work well. You may need to remove shoes at mosques.

Practical Tips: Lightweight scarves are versatile for covering shoulders when needed and protecting from the sun. Comfortable walking shoes are essential for uneven streets.

MONEY & TIPPING

Tipping is a significant part of the culture and economy in Morocco, and past travelers have noted they spent more than they anticipated. To avoid any stress, it is best to withdraw or bring extra cash, as you will need it for tips, as well as for meals and shopping, where credit cards are not always accepted. See the “Estimated Trip Costs” section for suggested budgeting guidelines.

RESTROOMS

In Morocco, access to public restrooms often requires a small fee, usually 1 or 2 Dirhams. We recommend keeping some small change handy. You’ll have opportunities to visit banks or ATMs early in the trip and regularly thereafter to ensure you can break larger bills into smaller denominations. While public bathrooms are normally quite clean, they may not always have toilet paper, so it’s best to carry some with you.

GETTING HOME

This program ends in Marrakech, but you may find that a return ticket from Casablanca is more affordable. In that event, there are cheap flights between Marrakech to Casablanca, as well as a very comfortable and inexpensive train that runs a few times a day and takes just 3.5 hours.

RESERVE IN ADVANCE

If you would like to visit any of the sites below, we highly recommend booking in advance.

Highly recommended to book in advance:
— Royal Palace (Madrid): patrimonionacional.es
— Prado, Reina Sofia & Thyssen-Bornemisza Museums (Madrid): Each official website, or Viator
— Lello Bookstore (Porto): livrarialello.pt/en
— Palacio da Bolsa (Porto): palaciodabolsa.com
— Clerigos Tower (Porto): torredosclerigos.pt/en
— Porto Ribeira Cruise (Porto): Douro Azul, other local providers, or Viator
— Alcázar (Seville): alcazarsevilla.org
— La Giralda (Seville): catedraldesevilla.es

ORIENTATION WALKS

The orientation walking tours on this trip are often on cobblestone roads at steep grades and can last several hours. Feel free to opt-out of these walking tours if you wish to, as they can be very physically taxing. In some cases, on the other side of the coin, they may move a bit too slow for you. If you have a map, a travel app, or a guidebook, feel free to go off on your own. GEEO wants you to have the experience you desire, and sometimes that means separating yourself at times from the group

LOCAL GUIDES

In Europe, all guiding is based around local guides, all of whom are licensed to work only in a particular city. As such, our leaders can provide orientation walks that show you the layout of each town and city, as well as the locations of local services such as post offices and laundromats, but are legally unable to share historical facts and figures in public places. Your tour leader can help you find a local guided tour in each location if you would like one.

GROUP LEADER

All GEEO programs are led by a G Adventures Chief Experience Officer (CEO), whose role is to take the hassle out of travel and help you get the most from your trip. They’ll share information about the places you visit, suggest activities and restaurants, and introduce you to our local friends. While not traditional guides, CEOs have broad knowledge of the region’s history, culture, and daily life. On some excursions, local guides are used for deeper insight.
 

Single Travelers

Traveling solo? You’re in good company—about half of our participants do the same.

Shared room by default. The program fee covers one person in a twin room. We’ll pair you with a roommate of the same gender if you don’t have a travel companion.

Want a private room? Most trips offer a “My Own Room” (single-supplement) upgrade. Check the price in the Add-Ons & Budgeting section, then email travel@geeo.org to reserve it. You pay the single-supplement only if you request it.

Emergency Contacts

If you need urgent help during your trip, call the local G Adventures office first. If no one answers, leave a detailed message with your name and contact information so they can return your call as soon as possible.

EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS:
G Adventures regional office (weekdays 9:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m. GST): +44 20 7243 9870
For emergencies after office hours: +44 7817 262 559

If you are unable for any reason to contact the local office, please call the numbers listed below, which will connect you directly with the 24-hour Sales team, who will happily assist you.
Toll-free, North America only: 1 888 800 4100
Calls from UK: 0344 272 0000
Calls from Germany: 0800 365 1000
Calls from Australia: 1300 796 618
Calls from New Zealand: 0800 333 307
Outside North America, Australia, New Zealand, Germany and the UK: +1 416 260 0999

Packing List

See our blog post of staff-recommended gear to help you pack for your upcoming travels. You must be able to carry your own luggage—up stairs, on and off of transport, and during 15 to 20 minute walks. Bring one small or medium backpack or rolling bag (22-30lb) and one daypack for daily items. Space is limited on transportation, so oversized bags cannot travel.

As you prepare your packing list, we recommend checking average weather conditions for your destination.

*Laundry: Laundry facilities are offered at some of our hotels for a charge, or ask your group leader where the nearest laundromat is located.

Passports and Visas

Travelers are responsible for securing all required travel documents and meeting the entry requirements for every country on their itinerary, including applicable transit/layover countries.

 
PASSPORT
All travelers must have a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your trip dates with enough blank pages for stamps. Need to apply or renew? Start here.

ENTRY/VISA REQUIREMENTS
Visa rules change frequently—always verify the latest requirements on the U.S. State Department Country Information Pages. Non-U.S. passport holders should verify requirements with your country’s official government resources. You can also use Sherpa, a third-party service and trusted G Adventures partner to look up the latest requirements.

Money Exchange

Currency: Portugal and Spain are both part of the Eurozone and use the common currency, the euro (EUR), and the local currency in Morocco is the Moroccan Dirham (MAD). For current exchange rates, visit www.xe.com.

Credit/Debit Cards: Credit cards (especially Visa and Mastercard) are accepted at many hotels, shops, and restaurants, but not everywhere. Some vendors may also charge an international transaction fee, so check with your bank before you travel.

Cash: For small purchases, tipping, or places that don’t take cards, we recommend using ATMs to withdraw local currency while traveling. If you bring U.S. dollars to exchange, the bills must be new, unmarked, and in excellent condition—damaged or older notes are often rejected.

Emergency Funds: Bring at least $200 USD (or the equivalent in local currency) in cash for emergencies in case of ATM or card issues. Always carry more rather than less to avoid feeling short of funds while traveling.

For more advice, see our post, Smart Travel Finances: Your Guide to Money, ATMs, Fees, and Safety Abroad

Tipping

Tipping customs vary across Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. Morocco has a strong tipping culture where it’s expected (though not compulsory). In all three countries, tipping is an expression of satisfaction with service and one of the most direct ways you can have a positive economic impact within the local communities you visit.

Tipping Kitty: Your tour leader will likely collect a tipping kitty at the welcome meeting to cover group tips for local drivers, guides, and support staff throughout the trip. This streamlines the process and avoids repeated small collections. The amount is typically €40–50 EUR per person per week (or equivalent in USD/MAD depending on where you are). Your tour leader will confirm the exact amount, preferred currency, and how it will be used. Your tour leader can also always provide specific recommendations for tipping based on the circumstances and expectations during your trip.

General Tipping Guidelines:
— Service providers/Waiters: €1–2 EUR for snacks or 10% of the bill for meals
— Local guides and drivers: €3–5 EUR per person per day
— Your G Adventures Tour Leader: The amount is entirely up to you, but as a guideline, €30–40 EUR per person per week (approximately €8–11 EUR per day) is typical. We suggest pooling contributions in an envelope and presenting it as a group.

Flights

Wait for official trip confirmation via email from GEEO before booking your flights. Prices tend to be lowest 90–120 days out, but that window varies by route and year. Neither GEEO nor G Adventures bears responsibility for any flights purchased before the trip is confirmed.

This program begins in Madrid and ends in Marrakech. Please double-check our itinerary for the date by which you must arrive in Madrid. You may want to arrive in Europe one or more days early in case you have flight disruptions. You can arrive at any time you choose, but try to make it in time for our 6:00 p.m. Welcome Meeting on Day 1. You can depart Marrakech any time on the final day of the program.

Plugs and Converters

Spain, Portugal, and Morocco use Type C outlets with 2-pronged circular plugs, and the voltage is 220-240V. To use your electronics safely, you’ll need to consider:

1. Adapter (plug shape)
Adapts your U.S. plug to fit another type of socket. See our recommended all-in-one travel adapter in our Gear Recommendations post.

2. Converter / transformer (voltage)
Steps the outlet voltage down to 120V for U.S. appliances that can’t handle higher voltage.

Check what you need: Look on your device’s plug or power brick. “Input: 100-240V” works worldwide—you only need a plug adapter. Any range narrower (e.g., “110-120V” or “Input: 120V”) means you need an adapter and a voltage converter to avoid damage. Converters are inexpensive and available online or in travel stores.

Weather

In the latter half of September, travelers to Spain, Portugal, and Morocco can expect mostly warm, sunny days and mild evenings. High temperatures typically range from the mid-70s °F along the coasts to the mid-80s °F or higher inland, especially in southern Spain and Morocco. Rain is uncommon, making it an ideal time for traveling, though a light layer for cooler nights is recommended.

Advice from Past Participants

Spain Advice from former GEEO staff member, Cindy
I lived and taught in Spain for two years, and these are some of the iconic, must-do activities for me in Madrid:

In Madrid, have dinner at Restaurante Botin, said to be the oldest continuously operating restaurant in the world. Visit some open-air markets (el Rastro is my favorite). Visit the Prado and Reina Sofia museums. Pick up some lunch (bread, olives, manchego, and jamón ibérico, which every supermarket will have) and stroll through the Parque del Buen Retiro until you find a good spot to people-watch and have a picnic.

If you have the time while in Sevilla and enjoy sherry (jeréz in Spanish), take a day trip to the home of sherry, Jeréz de la Frontera. You can tour the Tío Pepe Bodega, where some of the most famous sherry in the world is produced.

Keep in mind while you’re planning that all of Spain practically shuts down on Sundays and during the afternoon siesta, though in large cities this is less of an issue. And, of course, go out to “tapear” (bar-hop and eat tapas) whenever you can! TripAdvisor is a great place to check for current restaurant recommendations.

The Rif Mountain Hike is Challenging But Worth It
See GEEO Staff member Katie’s GPS stats for elevation and distance here

Advice from Katie: The trail is very rocky and steep, so it is not ideal if you have any recent injuries or ankle/knee issues. You should be used to hiking steep terrain, or at minimum, be someone who can easily walk 5–8 miles at a time. Wear shoes with good grip—the rocks can be slick.

“The Rif Mountain hike was tough. It was hot, long, and you walk straight up. I was warned by our guide, but it was even harder than he said. You need to be in shape to do it.”

“The hike is moderately difficult in Chefchoen, but worth the food at the end of the hike. Do not pass up on this added opportunity.”

The [Rif Mountian] hike is not as easy as it sounds. If you live in a flat area it is important to be in shape.”

“The hike in the Rif mountains was an absolute must. It was not as hard as I anticipated, was beautiful, and ended with the best meal of the trip.”

“This hike ended up being one of my top five experiences of the trip.”

Dress Codes are Flexible
“Don’t worry about dressing conservatively. The people we encountered were not offended by tank tops. Be considerate but don’t feel like you have to cover up all the time.”

“I wish I had known that as tourists we didn’t have to dress as conservatively as the locals. I would have brought more shorts/skorts, instead of pants.”