Al-Andalus

Arrive at Seville on your included flight from London. At the airport, a chauffeur will be waiting to drive you to your four-star boutique hotel. In the afternoon, a local insider will invite you on a privately guided city walk, giving you a personal and authentic introduction to her city.

Seville is not a big town, but its historical riches and everyday pleasures are enormous. This was the port from which Columbus and the Spanish conquistadors set off for the New World, and the resulting wealth is evident everywhere.

Columbus’ tomb is here, and may even contain his corpse, although the jury is still out on that. Even if it’s just his brother, the church is a must-see: Not only the largest Gothic cathedral in the world, but originally a mosque from Moorish times. Climb the church tower / minaret for stunning views over the beautiful city.

You can see the beautifully decorated, narrow streets of the Barrio Santa Cruz far below, and once back a ground level, you should certainly explore this maze of old Jewish buildings and enchanting squares. The old town is also where you find the breathtaking Alcázar Palace. Like the cathedral it has both a Muslim and Christian past, and the result is something straight out of the Arabian Nights – or maybe Game of Thrones, which used the palace as a set.

Welcome onboard Spain’s flagship high-speed train. They have recently opened up the rail system to low-cost operators, but with Silver Tray you only travel on the flag carrier, and always first-class. So, sit back in your spacious and comfortable seat and enjoy the fast journey.

Upon arrival you will be met by your private guide who will escort you to your waiting chauffeured car and join you for the ride to your four-star hotel.

Then, she will invite you on a privately guided two-hour city walk. As a local insider, they have an excellent idea of what to show you. But remember: This your private guide, so feel free to mention anything you would like to experience on the walk.

 

 

Welcome to Europe’s biggest and most cultured city. Well, she used to be. Back in the day, like a millennium ago, Córdoba was the most worldly and sophisticated place you could possibly hope to visit. Today, Córdoba is remains one of the most beautiful and fascinating cities in all of Andalusia.

Córdoba has two strong claims to fame. One is the old town. And by old we mean downright medieval with winding, stone-paved lanes. On your private walking tour, Silver Tray’s local insider will ignore the gaudy touristy area and instead take you to the authentic neighbourhoods where the true treasures are: Wrought-iron balconies and lamps, overhanging trees, golden-stone buildings, and every few minutes yet another quaint little hidden plaza.

The other great claim to fame is one of the world’s greatest Islamic buildings, and one of the most beautiful structures you’ll ever see. The Mezquita is serene and mesmerising. A glorious mosque that was the pride of the entire Islamic world, until the Spanish started using the mosque as a cathedral. Enter and stand in awe as 850 red and white columns rise before you.

Today is the most scenic rail journey of the entire vacation. When the train has passed Ronda, it enters an amazingly scening landscape of gorges, mountains and rivers. Built by the British military in the 19th century as a getaway from their garrison in Gibraltar, it remains a major feat of engineering.

You will be met by your driver at the line’s terminus in Algeciras and driven to your hotel in much more charming Tarifa 25 minutes away.

Tarifa is both very old and very cool. Old, because it takes its name after Tarif ibn Malik who led a Muslim raid here in 710. This is the last stop in Europe before Morocco, and it feels more North African than most Andalusian towns. Walk through one of the medieval gates in the city wall and you’ll find yourself in a maze of whitewashed houses and pretty squares. Tarifa is a small town, but it is still easy to get wonderfully lost here.

Tarifa is also cool. This is probably the top kite surfing destination in Europe because of the winds that usually hit the town’s beautiful beaches. The result is an interesting blend of traditional Andalusian charm and laid-back surfing vibe, with great nightlife, many cafés, and a bohemian crowd.

Your Silver Tray guide will escort you from your hotel in the old city centre to the ferry terminal where you board the catamaran express service to Africa. It’s a quick ride, and you will probably spend a fair chunk of it queuing for the onboard passport inspection.

As you step ashore in Tangier, a private guide will meet you and escort you by chauffeured car to your hotel. Arriving in Africa is rarely that easy.

Around 100 years ago, Tangier was a semi-independent city-state that attracted a wild crowd of socialites, artists, and the occasional spy. It was probably more exciting than any city in Europe. Later, the city went into a long and steep decline and acquired a reputation for being seedy and dangerous. This is no longer justified. Tangier today is a fascinating, multicultural melting-pot that is both interesting, relaxing, and safe.

Visit the city’s beautiful main mosque to get an idea of Tangier’s rich and varied history. During the fifth century, this was the site of a Roman temple. Then it was, in turn, converted into a catholic cathedral, a mosque, a church, and finally back into a mosque. Tangier is that kind of city.

Take a walk down the narrow streets in the maze-like medina that may feel a little claustrophobic but is also clean and pleasant with houses with white and blue walls and beautiful little hidden squares.

Your train today is known as the Al Boraq – the pride of Moroccan railways, and the first and only high-speed train in Africa. It is based on a French TGV, and the only real difference is the dark red velour upholstery on the first-class seats that lends a distinctly Moroccan ambiance to the spacious and comfortable cabin. You travel on a dedicated high-speed line for much of the way, with speeds through the desert landscape at up to 180 mph. The train has an elegant café car where you can buy refreshments and snacks and mingle with the locals.

When you arrive at Casablanca, your personal Silver Tray guide stands ready to escort you to the waiting chauffeured car that will take you to your perfectly located four-star boutique hotel. Then, your guide will invite you on an insider’s walking tour of Casablanca.

Casablanca is the modern soul of Morocco. This is the real face of Morocco today, where ambitious young professionals come to make their move. Casablanca is not as overtly charming or beautiful as Marrakech, but it is a fascinating and sophisticated city. The centre has many handsome Moorish buildings that combine French-colonial style with traditional Moroccan design. The medina, in contrast, is both poorer and more authentic than in Marrakech, offering a splendid walking tour for the intrepid.

Amongst the must-see sights here are the architectural masterpiece of the new and enormous Hassan II mosque. Non-Muslim visitors are allowed on guided tours. A more touristy – but still interesting – activity is cocktails at Rick’s Café, a beautiful piano bar that is based on its fictional counterpart in the Bogart movie.

Your driver will take you to the railway station for the three-hour journey almost straight south on a comfortable intercity train. When you arrive at Marrakech, you will be welcomed by a private Silver Tray guide who will escort you to the waiting car and take you to a charming and perfectly located boutique hotel. The, she will invite you on a privately guided city walk, giving you a personal and authentic introduction to her city.

Marrakech is one of the world’s great cities. Founded a millennium ago as an important trading hub for caravans arriving from beyond the desert, the Red City is an intoxicating blend of old traditions and creative vibes. Marrakech is full of Berber, Arabic, and French influences, a place where Europe meets Africa and the Middle East. Its hectic souks are lined with rows of oranges, olives, and fragrant spices. The local cuisine is sensational. Located on the edge of the Sahara Desert, and with the snow-capped peaks of the Atlas Mountains rising above the pink palaces, this is an unforgettable place to visit. Just imagine: You arrived here by rail.