11 Days in Spain & Morocco

WiFi is widely available in hotels, cafés, and public spaces, making it easy to stay connected if you want to share your journey or check in with loved ones. But this trip also encourages you to unplug and soak in the moment, whether that’s wandering ancient streets with your phone on silent, or simply savoring a sunset view without distraction.

10 days prior to your trip, we'll set up a private Whatsapp chat, just for your group.  Leading up to the trip, it's a great way to introduce yourself to your fellow group members as well as the quickest way to reach us in the office with any last-minute needs.  During your trip, it's a great way to stay connected with each other and share photos along the way.  Please note that users can only see posts sent after they've joined, so it's a good idea to wait until others have joined the group before posting.

Southern Spain and Marrakech offer a fascinating blend of cultures, and travelers will find that locals in Andalusia are warm, welcoming, and accustomed to visitors from all over the world. Cities like Barcelona, Seville, and Granada have vibrant LGBTQ+ scenes, with inclusive bars, cafes, and nightlife where you can feel completely at ease. In Morocco, the culture is more conservative, and public displays of affection between same-sex couples are not common, so discretion is recommended. That said, Marrakech is accustomed to international tourists, and our carefully curated accommodations, guided experiences, and local contacts ensure a safe and comfortable environment. Traveling with a like-minded LGBTQ+ group offers community and support, so you can enjoy the adventure with confidence, connecting with local culture while feeling secure and respected throughout your journey.

We've been running our 'Spain' itinerary since 2016, and our 'Portugal & Morocco' itinerary since 2021, and we've never had any concerns traveling as a small gay group in any of these countries. We respect culture and custom wherever we go, and always remind our travelers of these things when entering a new destination.

The culinary journey through southern Spain and Morocco is as rich and diverse as the landscapes themselves. In Barcelona, Seville, and Granada, savor traditional tapas, paella, and regional wines, with opportunities to join hands-on cooking experiences that bring local flavors to life. 

Crossing into Marrakech, the palette shifts to aromatic spices, slow-cooked tagines, and fragrant couscous, with markets brimming with saffron, cinnamon, and preserved lemons.

A highlight of the trip is our cooking class at the Amal Women’s Center, where you’ll learn to prepare a traditional Moroccan tagine while supporting women-led community initiatives, making every bite a delicious connection to the people and culture of the region.

Our packing advice? Easy - pack your bag, then take half of it out and leave it behind. Trust us, less is more when you’re roaming through Spain and Morocco with Detours. We often hear travelers wish they’d brought less, not more, and if you forget something, no worries. you can pick it up easily once you’re there. Just peek back at the climate section for a heads-up on what to expect, and remember, this trip is all about laid-back adventure, so leave your tuxedos and fancy heels at home. We’ll send you some handy, trip-specific packing tips 10 days before departure to keep you ready and light on your feet.

We recommend bringing your regular bank card from home and using ATMs once you arrive in Barcelona to withdraw cash as it’s usually cheaper than currency exchange services, whether at home or abroad. Spain uses the Euro (€), and shops and restaurants don’t accept US dollars. Credit cards are widely accepted and many restaurants we visit as a group will allow you to pay for your items separately by card. 

In Morocco, the local currency is the Moroccan Dirham (MAD), which cannot usually be obtained outside the country. But don't worry, upon our arrival in Marrakech, we’ll guide the group to a local bank ATM where you can withdraw dirhams for immediate expenses such as tips, small purchases, or a coffee in the medina. Credit and debit cards are accepted at larger hotels, riads, and some restaurants, but cash is essential for markets, taxis, and most local experiences.

Travelers should be aware that ATMs may charge a small withdrawal fee and that it’s safest to use machines at banks rather than standalone street ATMs. 

Keep in mind, it can sometimes be tricky to use large-denomination bills in shops and restaurants, so when you withdraw cash, try and get smaller bills to make payments smoother. If you can, travel with a credit card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees, that little extra effort upfront can save you quite a bit during your trip. And here’s a pro tip: when given the choice to pay in your home currency or the local currency, always pick the local currency to avoid extra fees.

Tipping practices differ between Spain and Morocco, and knowing what to expect can make your trip smoother.

In Spain, it’s customary to leave 5–10% in restaurants if service isn’t included, round up taxi fares, and tip hotel staff a few euros for luggage or room service.

In Morocco, tipping is widely expected in many everyday interactions: at restaurants, cafes, markets, and for guides or drivers, and is an important way to show appreciation for service as the vendors do rely on these here. Don’t worry if you’re unsure how much; we’ll provide a detailed tipping guide closer to your trip so you can feel confident and prepared.

We carefully select boutique hotels (as much as possible) that combine comfort, style, and local charm, giving you a cozy, welcoming home base in each city. These thoughtfully chosen accommodations reflect the culture of their neighborhoods and offer the perfect retreat after a day of adventures.

Be Sure to check the 'accommodation' tab for this trip to see what hotels we generally use on this trip.

All Detours trips are led by one of our very own Canadian Detours trip leaders.  They're there with you every day and their job is to help ensure that this is your trip of a lifetime by taking the hassle out of your trip and enabling you to experience everything you came to Spain & Morocco for.  Consider them like a friendly concierge that's traveling along with you.  All of our trip leaders are gay and all are well-traveled and experienced in the destination they're leading in, so they'll be a great part of your experience!

We do absolutely everything possible to avoid needing such a mundane awakening. A world without alarm clocks is one we want to be part of, and your “rise and shine” while in this part of the world should come from the sound of church bells in the distance. However, sometimes due to train or flight schedules we are required to make early departures, but we do everything we can to minimize this.

Our Detours groups are run with a maximum of 16 travelers. Ages of group members vary but around 90% of our travelers are in their 40's, 50's, and 60's. Whatever the age of the guys on our trips everyone's already got something in common, an exciting new experience in a new country or two! Each group is led by a Detours trip leader who is there to ensure everything goes off without a hitch, allowing you to focus on having the time of your life! We welcome both men and women onto our trips although it’s important to know that most groups are 100% gay men.

One of the best parts of group travel is the unique people you get to share this new adventure with. Your fellow travelers will be coming from different parts of the world with different backgrounds, personalities and ages and we've found the key to the best group dynamic is arriving with an open mind, a willingness to share, and respect for your fellow travelers. In practice this can mean ensuring you're on time for group activities/departures, practicing patience with each other, and embracing some of the social opportunities through your trip.

Traveling solo? No problem! Over half of our travelers come solo, and there will be plenty of chances to meet great people both inside and outside of our group.

As far as your accommodations go, you’ve got two choices: We can either pair you up with another solo group member in a two-bed room for no extra charge, or you can have your own room for a reasonable surcharge (price is listed in the trip price box).

Spain & Morocco both use the "type C" and "type F" plug, the same as most European countries and several other places in the world. The voltage is 230V with 50 Hz frequency. These days, the majority of items that are plugged into an outlet are built to handle varying voltage and frequency levels, but just to be sure, we suggest checking your item for its accetable range.