Seville: Where the Story Begins Theme: Andalusian gardens & Moorish legacies Arrive in Seville, the luminous heart of Andalusia. An afternoon stroll through the Alcázar Gardens reveals irrigation canals and geometric orchards, living testaments to Moorish agricultural ingenuity. Evening welcome dinner in a traditional Andalusian courtyard, where olive oil, orange blossom, and slow-cooked stews set the tone for the journey

Seville & Córdoba: The Seeds of Exchange Theme: Historical irrigation & crop introduction Morning drive to Córdoba, the scholarly city where the science of water, grafting, and soil flourished under Al-Andalus. Visit the Mezquita and nearby medieval waterwheels on the Guadalquivir. Afternoon in a local olive grove for a tasting session, learning how North African irrigation systems enabled Andalusia’s olive wealth. After Dinner, we will drive back to Seville.

Theme: Fruit cultivation, water management & cross-border exchange Today’s journey leads west from Seville into the fertile Huelva province, a region renowned for its berries, cherries, citrus, and stone fruits, much of which is exported to European and North African markets. Visit farms in the so-called “Cherry Triangle,” where precision irrigation and sustainable soil practices have transformed traditional orchards into thriving modern agricultural hubs.

Walk through rows of fruit trees heavy with seasonal harvests, cherries in spring, berries and citrus in other seasons, and meet local farmers who collaborate with Moroccan counterparts through seasonal labor programs and technical exchange.

A visit to a small cooperative or research station offers insight into innovative cultivation methods, water-saving technologies, and cross-Mediterranean agricultural partnerships. Enjoy a farm-to-table lunch showcasing local produce and Andalusian rural hospitality.

Return to Seville in the late afternoon. Evening free to wander the city’s orange-scented streets or enjoy tapas under the stars.

Theme: Terraced farming & rural resilience Journey into the Sierra Grazalema, a region of mountain villages still practicing centuries-old, terraced agriculture. Visit a small cooperative growing figs, almonds, and pomegranates. Participate in a seasonal farm activity (harvest, pruning, or planting), followed by lunch with local families, evening storytelling around fireplaces in a converted cortijo (farmhouse inn).

Theme: Arrival in Morocco & Rif terraces Morning orientation walk in Tangier, introducing the city’s role as a historic exchange port of Tangier Med. Then ascend to Chefchaouen, nestled in the Rif Mountains. Explore centuries-old terraced orchards of figs, carobs, and olives, mirror images of Andalusian groves. Evening with a women’s cooperative preparing a traditional Rif dinner under starlight.

Theme: Traditional water systems & local empowerment Guided walk along mountain irrigation channels (seguias) that have sustained orchards for generations. Meet local elders to hear oral histories of agricultural exchange with Andalusia. Afternoon visit to a permaculture project applying modern methods to ancestral lands. Evening at leisure in Chefchaouen’s blue lanes.

Theme: Medina grains, mills, and ancestral knowledge Travel to Fez, Morocco’s spiritual and intellectual capital. Visit ancient grain markets, water-powered mills, and family-owned bakeries in the Medina, tracing the introduction of cereals during the Moorish era. Afternoon at family farms outside Fez to learn about wheat cultivation, traditional threshing, and Morocco’s modern seed initiatives. Andalusian music and a sumptuous dinner in an evening at a riad.

Theme: Green Morocco meets European partnership Visit a regional agricultural development center that showcases Morocco’s “Generation Green” strategy, water management programs, and Spanish-Moroccan cooperation in seeds and animal husbandry. Participate in a roundtable with young farmers and students on South–South cooperation. Lunch on a farm with olive pressing demonstration. Afternoon free to explore Fez.

Theme: Modern agreements & shared future Travel to Rabat, the seat of government and international partnerships. Visit institutions working on EU–Morocco Green Partnership programs and coastal water projects. Afternoon stroll in Andalusian Gardens of the Kasbah des Oudayas. Evening by the Atlantic, reflecting on ancient routes now reborn through cooperation.

In the morning, after breakfast, we will go to visit the National Institute of Agronomy and its labs, then break for lunch, and the afternoon will be devoted to the ICARDA, where the head of the project will host us and brief us about the role of the International Center of Agricultural Research in Arid Areas. If time allows, we will also visit the National School of Agriculture ENA. Dinner will be in our Hotel.

Theme: Fisheries and aquaculture linkages Drive to Casablanca, Morocco’s economic hub. Visit the port area to learn about fisheries, aquaculture development, and joint Spain–Morocco efforts—lunch of freshly grilled Atlantic fish in a coastal village. Afternoon visit to a food processing facility or cooperative exporting citrus and vegetables — connecting back to Spain’s markets. Farewell dinner celebrating both shores.

Theme: Legacy & continuation Morning reflections session: sharing traveler insights, potential partnerships, or educational exchanges born during the tour. Optional extension to the Souss–Massa region for desalination and greenhouse visits, or transfer to Casablanca airport for departure.