44 days in Casablanca, Marrakech & Europe Itinerary

Diverse in landscapes and cultures, Morocco has long been a popular tourist destination, offering many quintessential North African vistas, sounds, and tastes. The ancient medinas of the main cities have retained their look and feel over the centuries, with bustling markets of colorful spice stalls, leather tanning in the streets, and teahouses. The dunes of the Sahara and the peaks of the High Atlas mountains battle for the interest of tourists on holiday in Morocco, with each possessing impressive, picturesque scenery, and hidden-away traditional villages, filled with crafts, carpets, and a rural way of life.

Costa del Sol, literally translated as the "Coast of the Sun," stretches for over 150 km (93 mi) along the Mediterranean Sea. This coastline is home to numerous beach resorts, many of which are considered among Europe’s finest holiday destinations. Benefiting from a temperate climate, this region is one of the ideal places to visit for sailing, diving, or simply enjoying a dip in the sea and relaxing on the sand. Though urbanized and always packed with visitors from around the world, this coast retains numerous tiny coves and off-the-beaten-track bays where visitors eager to escape the crowds can lose themselves. Warm sands and gentle waters may be the main attraction, but the many seaside restaurants offer culinary delights, as well.

Famous for its vibrant nightlife and numerous near-perfect beaches, Ibiza also features a rustic countryside few casual visitors ever get to see. Seaside festivals offer a convenient opportunity to soak up lots of local culture, but for a taste of genuine island life try to get away from the overcrowded tourist spots along the most popular sections of the coast. Though for many visitors Ibiza remains synonymous with endless raves on the waterfront, savvier travelers explore the island’s unspoiled northeast, which is covered by thick pine forests and olive groves. Away from the jostling tourist crowds you can experience the island’s lesser-known charms, including quiet wooded trails, secluded bays, and outstanding vineyards.

As part of the French Riviera, Monaco offers the sparkling aquamarine waters of the Mediterranean Sea on its doorstep. The country has long been known for its panache--fast cars, big casinos, and expensive boutiques surround you here. While there are less luxurious activities for travelers, this is not the country for tourists on a budget. Many cruise ships make this a port of call in this region, so expect to see these vessels and large yachts as part of the landscape here.

Known for its landscapes, traditions, and history, Tuscany possesses an unparalleled artistic legacy that continues to influence world culture. Regarded as the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance, the region boasts a lengthy list of attractions, including world-class museums, art galleries, and archeological sites. With a distinct culture and a very strong linguistic identity, this region is sometimes referred to as a nation within a nation. A land of picture-postcard areas, Tuscany contains plenty of places to visit on your holiday, with seven World Heritage Sites, including the historic town centers of Florence and Siena. With more than 120 protected nature preserves, Tuscany is not only a land of culture and historic monuments, but also a great place to discover and enjoy the Italian outdoors. Take it slowly here (as the locals do), and give yourself plenty of time to get to know the local culture and cuisine of Tuscany's medieval towns and ancient villages.

Renowned for its beautiful landscape and medieval fishing villages that cling precariously to the Mediterranean cliffs, the Amalfi Coast is one of Italy's top vacation destinations. This World Heritage Site stretches for about 50 km (30 mi) on the southern side of the Sorrentine peninsula and offers numerous places to visit, from terraced lemon gardens and whitewashed villas to cliff-top views of the sea. Explore the coastline's towns, bays, and resorts. During the peak tourist season, the Amalfi Coast's single seaside road is often jammed with dozens of buses. For that reason, the ubiquitous scooter may be the best way to get around and sightsee. You can also access quite a bit by bicycle.

Capri, just 5 km (3 mi) from the mainland of Italy, has been a celebrated vacation spot and a coastal resort since the Roman Republic. Known in Greek mythology as an island favored by the sirens, Capri was a popular leisure destination for numerous Roman emperors. One of the more notorious emperors, Tiberius, built an extravagant villa on the island and allegedly flung visitors who displeased him from the high cliffs of his estate. Escape the swarms of visitors by sightseeing inland. The coastal areas may be known for attractions like beaches and caves carved out of cliffs, but deeper inland are other places to visit, including secluded natural trails and several abandoned forts.

Once situated on the edge of empires between the Balkans and Central Europe, Croatia represents a land of great natural diversity and rich cultural heritage. Croatian cultural tourism relies on the charming juxtaposition of contrasts. Venetian palaces sit next to Napoleonic forts, Viennese mansions face Socialist Realist sculpture, and early Slavic churches built on the sites of ancient Roman settlements offer countless sightseeing opportunities. Croatia's museums present the main stages of the history of Europe. The country's sapphire seawater and long coastline speckled with islands draws visitors, as do numerous nature reserves, marinas, ancient fortified towns, and sandy and rocky beaches. In recent years, Croatia's shoreline has become a famed center for nautical tourism and naturism, and is a promising diving destination. Hikers explore outdoor landscapes of canyons, underground grottoes, dramatic waterfalls, stony peaks, and scenic lakes of the Dinaric Alps, which hug the coastline. Inland areas showcase mountain resorts, national parks, pine forests, vineyards, and spas.