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Travel and tourism (siyaahah) in Islam – rulings and types

Publication : 03-07-2009

Views : 118855

Praise be to Allah.

Siyaahah (travel and/or tourism) may mean many things, but in modern usage it is limited to a few meanings, which indicate moving about in the land for fun or to look at things, research and find out, and so on; not to earn money, work or settle there. 

See: al-Mu’jam al-Waseet (469). 

When discussing tourism from the point of view of Islamic sharee’ah, we must look at the following categories: 

The concept of siyaahah in Islam

Islam came to change many of the distorted concepts that are held by imperfect human minds, and to connect them to the most sublime and honourable values and morals. In the minds of earlier nations, siyaahah was connected to the concept of self-punishment and forcing oneself to travel through the land, and exhausting the body as a punishment for it or as a way of shunning this world. Islam abolished this negative concept of siyaahah. 

Ibn Haani’ narrated that Ahmad ibn Hanbal was asked: Is a man who travels about dearer to you, or one who stays in his city? He said: Siyaahah has nothing to do with Islam, and it is not the action of the Prophets or the righteous. 

Talbees Iblees (340). 

Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali commented on the words of Imam Ahmad by saying: 

Siyaahah in this sense was done by some groups who are known to strive in worship without knowledge; some of them gave up this activity when they realized that it was not right. 

Fath al-Baari by Ibn Rajab (1/56). 

Islam came to elevate the concept of siyaahah, and to connect it to great and noble aims, such as the following: 

1.Connecting siyaahah to worship. So travel – or siyaahah – is enjoined in order to perform one of the pillars of Islam, namely Hajj during certain months, and ‘umrah to the House of Allaah is prescribed throughout the year. When a man came to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and asked him for permission for siyaahah (in the ancient sense of travelling as an act of asceticism or self-punishment only), the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) guided him to something that is more sublime and better than siyaahah. He said to him: “The siyaahah of my ummah is jihad for the sake of Allaah.” Narrated by Abu Dawood (2486); classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood; its isnaad was classed as jayyid by al-‘Iraaqi in Takhreej Ihya’ ‘Uloom al-Deen (2641). Think about how the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) made a connection between the kind of siyaahah that is encouraged in sharee’ah and a great and noble aim. 

2.In the Islamic worldview, siyaahah is also connected to knowledge and learning. The greatest journeys were undertaken at the beginning of Islam with the aim of seeking and spreading knowledge. al-Khateeb al-Baghdadi wrote a famous book called al-Rihlah fi Talab al-Hadeeth (Travelling to seek hadeeth) in which he compiled the names of those who travelled for the sake of a single hadeeth. For example one of the Taabi’een said concerning the verse in which Allaah says:

“(The believers whose lives Allaah has purchased are) those who turn to Allaah in repentance (from polytheism and hypocrisy), who worship (Him), who praise (Him), who fast (or go out in Allaah’s Cause), who bow down (in prayer), who prostrate themselves (in prayer), who enjoin (on people) Al‑Ma‘roof and forbid (people) from Al‑Munkar, and who observe the limits set by Allaah. And give glad tidings to the believers”

[al-Tawbah 9:112]

‘Ikrimah said: al-saa’ihoon (translated here as who fast (or go out in Allaah’s Cause)) are the seekers of knowledge. 

This was narrated by Ibn Abi Haatim in his Tafseer (7/429). See also Fath al-Qadeer (2/408). 

Although the correct meaning according to the majority of the salaf is that what is meant by al-saa’ihoon is those who fast. 

3.Another of the aims of siyaahah in Islam is to learn lessons and receive reminders. The command to travel about in the land appears in several places in the Qur’aan. Allaah says:

“Say (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم): Travel in the land and see what was the end of those who rejected truth”

[al-An’aam 6:11] 

“Say to them (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم): “Travel in the land and see how has been the end of the Mujrimoon (criminals, those who denied Allaah’s Messengers and disobeyed Allaah)”

[al-Naml 27:69]

al-Qaasimi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said they are the ones who go to different places to study the ruins and learn a lesson from them and seek other benefits. 

Mahaasin al-Ta’weel (16/225). 

4.Maybe the greatest aim of siyaahah in Islam is to call people to Allaah and to convey to mankind the light that was revealed to our Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). This is the mission of the Messengers and Prophets and their companions after them (may Allaah be pleased with them). The companions of our Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) spread throughout the world, teaching the people goodness and calling them to the message of truth. We hope that the concept of siyaahah today will try to achieve the same great aims.

5.Finally, siyaahah in Islam also includes travelling to ponder the wonders of Allaah’s creation and to enjoy the beauty of this great universe, so that it will make the human soul develop strong faith in the oneness of Allaah and will help one to fulfil the obligations of life. Relaxation is essential to enable one to strive hard after that.

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“Say: Travel in the land and see how (Allaah) originated the creation, and then Allaah will bring forth the creation of the Hereafter (i.e. resurrection after death). Verily, Allaah is Able to do all things”

[al-‘Ankaboot 29:20]

Secondly: 

Guidelines on the type of siyaahah (tourism) that is acceptable in Islam.

Islamic sharee’ah has brought a number of rulings that regulate siyaahah so that it will achieve the aims mentioned above and will not overstep the mark or become a source of evil and harm in society. These rulings include the following: 

1.It is haraam to travel for the purpose of venerating a specific place, except the three mosques.

It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “No journey should be undertaken to visit any mosque but three: al-Masjid al-Haraam, the Mosque of the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and the Mosque of al-Aqsa.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari (1132) and Muslim (1397). 

This hadeeth indicates that it is haraam to undertake “religious journeys”, as they are called, to any mosque other than these three, such as those who call for travelling to visit graves or mashhads (shrines) or tombs or mausoleums, especially those tombs that are venerated by people and from which they seek blessing, and they commit all kinds of shirk and haraam actions there. There is nothing in sharee’ah to suggest that places are sacred and that acts of worship should be done in them apart from these three mosques.  

It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: I went out to al-Toor (Sinai) where I met Ka’b al-Ahbaar and sat with him … He mentioned a lengthy hadeeth then he said: Then I met Basrah ibn Abi Basrah al-Ghifaari who said: From where have you come? I said: From Sinai. He said: If I had met you before you went out, you would not have gone to that place. I heard the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say: “Mounts are not to be ridden except to three mosques: al-Masjid al-Haraam, this mosque of mine and the mosque of Eeliya’ or Bayt al-Maqdis [Jerusalem].” 

Narrated by Maalik in al-Muwatta’ (108) and al-Nasaa’i (1430). Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Nasaa’i. 

So it is not permissible to travel with the aim of visiting any holy place except these three. This does not mean that it is haraam to visit mosques in Muslim lands, because visiting them is prescribed and is mustahabb. Rather what is forbidden is setting out with that aim. If a person has another reason for travelling, and he happens to visit the mosque too, there is nothing wrong with that, rather he is obliged to pray Jumu’ah and prayers in congregation. 

It is even more haraam to travel to visit places that are regarded as holy in other religions, such as those who go to visit the Vatican or Buddhist idols and so on. 

2.The evidence also indicates that it is haraam for the Muslim to travel in kaafir lands in general, because of the evils that will affect the Muslim’s religious commitment and attitude as the result of mixing with those nations who pay no attention to religion and morals, especially when there is no need for him to travel for medical treatment or business and so on, rather it is just for leisure and for fun. Allaah has made the Muslim lands spacious, praise be to Allaah, and He has placed therein wonders of creation so that there is no need to visit the kaafirs in their lands.

Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan (may Allaah preserve him) said:  

Travelling to kaafir lands is not permissible, because there are many dangers posed to one’s beliefs and morals by mixing with the kuffaar and staying among them. But if there is a valid need and a sound purpose for travelling, such as travelling for medical treatment that is not available in a Muslim country, or travelling to study something that is not available in a Muslim country, or travelling for business purposes, these are valid purposes for which it is permissible to travel to kaafir countries, provided that one adheres to the rituals of Islam and is able to carry out his religious duties in that country, but that (travel) should be done only as much as is necessary, then one should return to the Muslim world. 

As for travelling for tourism, that is not permissible, because the Muslim has no need of that and it does not serve any interest that matches or outweighs the harm and danger to his religious commitment and beliefs that it involves. 

Al-Muntaqa min Fataawa al-Shaykh al-Fawzaan (2/question no. 221) 

We have already discussed this question in detail and at length on our site. Please see the answers to question no. 52845 , 8919 and 13342 . 

3.There can be no doubt that sharee’ah forbids tourism in places of corruption, where alcohol is drunk and immoral actions take place and sins are committed, such as beaches and parties and immoral places, or travelling to hold celebrations on innovated festivals. The Muslim is enjoined to keep away from sin so he should not commit sin or sit with those who are committing sin.

The scholars of the Standing Committee said: 

It is not permissible to go to places of corruption for the sake of tourism, because of the danger that poses to one’s religious commitment and morals. Islam came to block the means that lead to evil. 

Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah (26/332). 

So how about tourism that encourages sin and immorality, and is organized in order to promote it and spread it? 

The scholars of the Standing Committee also said: 

If this tourism involves making it easy to commit sin and evils, and promotes them, then it is not permissible for the Muslim who believes in Allaah and the Last Day to help others to disobey Allaah and go against His commands. If a person gives up something for the sake of Allaah, Allaah will compensate him with something better than it. 

Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah (26/224). 

4.With regard to visiting the ruins and places of former nations, if they are places of punishment where they were swallowed up by the earth, transformed or destroyed because of their disbelief in Allaah, then it is not permissible to take those places as sites for tourism and recreation.

The scholars of the Standing Committee were asked: 

In the city of al-Bada’, near Tabook, there is an area where there are ancient ruins and houses carved out of the mountains, and some people say that these were the dwellings of the people of Shu’ayb (peace be upon him). My question is: Has it been proven that these were the dwellings of the people of Shu’ayb (peace be upon him) or not? What is the ruling on visiting these ruins for one whose aim is to have a look at them, and the one whose aim is to ponder and learn a lesson? 

They replied: 

It is well known among the scholars that the houses of Madyan to whom the Prophet of Allaah Shu’ayb (peace be upon him) was sent were in the north-west of the Arabian Peninsula, which is now known as al-Bada’ and its environs.  

Allaah knows best what is really true. If this is correct, then it is not permissible to visit those places for the purpose of having a look at them, because when the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) passed though al-Hijr – which was where the houses of Thamood were – he said: “Do not enter the dwellings of those who wronged themselves unless you are weeping, lest there befall you something like that which befell them.” Then he covered his head and urged his mount to move on quickly until he left the place behind.

Narrated by al-Bukhaari (3200) and Muslim (2980). 

Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy on him) said, whilst listing the lessons and rulings learned from the campaign to Tabook: 

One who passes by the places of those who were subjected to divine wrath or who were punished should not enter them or stay among them, rather he should hasten to move on and should cover his head with his garment until he has passed them, and he should not enter upon them unless he is weeping and willing to learn a lesson. An example of this is when the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) hastened to move on in the valley of Muhsir, between Mina and Muzdalifah, because it was the place where Allaah destroyed the elephant and its companions. 

Zaad al-Ma’aad (3/560). 

Al-Haafiz Ibn Hajar (may Allaah have mercy on him) said, commenting on the hadeeth quoted above: 

This applies to the dwellings of Thamood and others like them, though the reason was given concerning them. 

Fath al-Baari (6/380). 

See: Majmoo’at Abhaath Hay’at Kibaar al-‘Ulama’ fi’l-Mamlakat al-‘Arabiyyah al-Sa’oodiyyah, vol. 3, essay entitled Hukm Ihya’ Diyaar Thamood. 

See also the answer to question no. 20894 . 

5 – It is also not permissible for a woman to travel without a mahram. The scholars have stated that it is haraam for a woman to travel without a mahram for Hajj or ‘umrah, so how about if the travel is for the purpose of tourism which involves a lot of carelessness and haraam mixing?! 

See the answers to questions no. 3098 , 69337 , 45917 and 4523 . 

6 – As for organizing trips for kuffaar in Muslim countries, the basic principle is that it is permissible. If a kaafir tourist is granted permission by a Muslim state to enter, then he is granted safety until he leaves. But during his stay in the Muslim country he should be required to show respect for the Islamic religion and the morals and culture of the Muslims; he should not call people to his religion or claim that Islam is false, and he should only go out in clothes that are appropriate for a Muslim country, not as they are accustomed to dress in their country, semi naked and decadent. He should not be a helper or spy for his people. And finally the kuffaar should not be allowed to visit the two Holy Sanctuaries in Makkah and Madeenah al-Munawwarah. 

Thirdly: 

It is obvious to everyone that tourism (siyaahah) nowadays mostly involves sin, immoral deeds and transgression of the sacred limits, such as deliberate wanton display and nakedness, permissive mixing, drinking of alcohol, promotion of corruption, imitation of the kuffaar and introduction of their customs and ways, and even their diseases, let alone a waste of money, time and effort. All of that happens in the name of tourism. We remind everyone who is concerned about his religion, morals and ummah not to help to promote this evil kind of tourism; rather he should fight it and fight against the culture that it promotes; he should be proud of his religion, culture and morals, for they will protect him against all evils, and give him an alternative in the conservative Muslim lands.  

And Allaah knows best.

Was this answer helpful? No Yes

Source: Islam Q&A

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71 UNDERSTANDING MUSLIM TOURISTS: WHAT, WHY AND HOW DO THEY TRAVEL? – Contributions by Hera Oktadiana

When I studied my PhD at the School of Hotel and Tourism Management of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, my research focus was on hospitality and tourism education. I had several publications regarding that topic. I am still enthusiastic about hospitality and tourism education studies. Yet, my research interest has cultivated into tourist behaviour, particularly that of Muslim tourists. In this chapter, I would like to discuss Muslim tourists.

Many evidence and studies suggest that Muslim tourists have become an important global market (Burton, 2021; Papastathopoulos, Kaminakis, & Mertzanis, 2020). Despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the tourism sector, the Muslim travel market is expected to regain in 2023 up to 80% of the 2019 levels (Mastercard-CrescentRating, 2021). The increased number of Muslim tourists have interested many destinations – whether Islamic or non-Islamic destinations (Burton, 2021).

My first article on Muslim tourists was published in 2016 in Tourism Management Perspectives, titled “Muslim travellers’ needs: What don’t we know?” . Philip Pearce (my late husband) and Professor Kaye Chon (my PhD supervisor) co-authored the paper. The study was based on my own experiences as a Muslim travelling and living in various countries. I would like to give insights on the needs of Muslim tourists when taking a trip or holiday beyond the core needs and core services (i.e. Halal food, Halal compliant accommodation, prayer facilities). Such facets are critical for Muslim tourists. Nevertheless, there are other important factors that need to be considered. The Global Muslim Travel Index model indicated four key criteria – services, environment, communications, and access – to enable destinations to attract Muslim travellers (Mastercard-CrescentRating, 2021). In this paper, we catalogued Muslim tourists’ needs using the Coordinated Management of Meaning (CMM) theory against CMM’s five elements. They include culture, verbal and non-verbal behaviour, episodes, life scripting, and relationship.

The study by Oktadiana, Pearce, and Chon (2016) revealed that episodes (e.g. Halal food, no-alcohol consumption, Halal hotels or Muslim friendly accommodation, Halal tours, Muslim friendly airports, prayer facilities) were commonly discussed in various medias including academic papers and tourism websites. Issues of culture, verbal and non-verbal behaviour, relationships, and life-scripting were relatively overlooked in both the academic and the wider tourism literature. Understanding the lifestyle, customs, and traditions of the Muslims at a Muslim destination can be valuable for the visitors from non-Muslim countries as well as those from Muslim countries, so they can be more culturally mindful. It is to note that Muslims’ social culture is diverse. For example, Muslims from the Southeast Asia region can have different habits and customs to those from Middle East.

The next study on Muslim tourists, “Travel career patterns: The motivation of Indonesian and Malaysian Muslim tourists” , was issued in Tourism, Culture & Communication in 2017, followed by a book chapter in an edited book on Asian cultures and contemporary tourism: Perspectives on Asian Tourism in 2018. This chapter is entitled “Motivated Muslims: Exploring travel career patterns among Indonesian tourists” . In the former, I did my work together with Philip and my two friends; Arif Pusiran of University Sabah Malaysia and Manisha Agarwal of James Cook University Singapore. The idea behind the study was to seek the leisure travel motivational patterns of Muslim tourists in two Southeast Asia Muslim countries – Indonesia and Malaysia – and then to compare them with the Western tourists. Pearce’s (2005) Travel Career Pattern theory was applied to examine the Muslim tourists’ travel motivations.

Oktadiana, Pearce, Pusiran, and Agarwal (2017) discovered that nature and novelty were viewed essential for both Western tourists and the Muslim tourists to a different degree. The Western tourists considered novelty as the most important motivation to travel, followed by escape/relax and nature. Whereas, strengthening relationships was perceived as the top motivational factor in travelling for the Muslim tourists. The next critical facet was the nature factor which incorporated with cultural and social forces.  The other top factor for the Muslim tourists was novelty.

In 2020, I published three studies about Muslim tourists: 1) female millennial Muslims, 2) Muslims’ queries when travelling, and 3) special dietary requirements. The article titled “Let’s travel: Voices from the millennial female Muslim travellers” was awarded the Wiley’s top cited article 2020-2021 in the International Journal of Tourism Research. In this study, Oktadiana, Pearce, and Li (2020) assessed the content of the millennial female Muslim tourists’ travel blogs using Critical Media Discourse Analysis (CMDA). The study was aimed to “understand how travel is presented in the media by an influential set of younger female Muslims, to review the ways Muslim travel stories have evolved, and to explore the influence and purpose of the women’s travel stories and their values in the broader social context” (Oktadiana et al, 2020, p. 1).

The textual analysis of CMDA showed the rise in the millennial female Muslims travelling. These female Muslims acted as actors and producers who shared their travelling experiences as Muslims through their travel blogs. Their stories began to emerge in 2013. They provided vital information about the needs of Muslims and what the Muslims need to know when travelling. The CMDA’s contextual analysis indicated the evolutionary changes in the stories, starting with common travel information, to more specific needs and experiences such as travelling during the month of fasting or Ramadan. Moreover, within the social context, these female Muslims served as ambassadors of Islam and influencers to change people’s perspectives toward Islam and Muslim stereotyping. They also played significant roles in influencing businesses concerning Halal products and services. Their stories correspond well with Rodrigo and Turnbull’s (2019) study on the Muslim tourists’ perceived value (social value, functional value, emotional value, conditional value, epistemic value, and Islamic value). Such value underpins the information seeking process of Muslim tourists prior to taking a trip.

Just like other tourists, Muslim travellers generally seek information regarding accommodation, food and beverage, transportation, destination safety and attractions, and itineraries and excursions. However, they also look for specific information such as Halal food, Halal restaurants, Muslim friendly hotels, travel distance to mosques and Halal restaurants, safety for Muslim women wearing hijab, solo travel, safety from discrimination and assaults, places for prayers, Muslim friendly destinations, Muslim friendly tours, and tours for solo travellers (Oktadiana, 2020).

The need for Halal food for Muslim tourists has been widely recognised. One morning, my late husband Philip (who converted to Islam) and I had a talk about religious dietary needs while having breakfast at the front yard of our house. When we travelled overseas, we often needed to ensure that the foods were Halal when eating out in restaurants. We had to ask the restaurant staff or look for the Halal certification. It was easy when we travelled to Muslim countries or Muslim-friendly destinations. Based on our conversation, we decided to write an article regarding restaurants’ menus that inform religious beliefs, lifestyles, and allergies. The article is titled “ Special dietary requirements: Restaurant sector responses across six tourist cities” . We examined 60 restaurants in Bali, Singapore, Sydney, Paris, Dubai and Doha to represent Asia, Western, and Middle East regions. Analysis of the findings considered Shove, Pantzar, and Watson’s (2012) social practice theory as exemplified in materiality (menu as tangible manifestation of food information and restaurant policy), perceived competence, and meaning (image/identity). The study revealed the necessity of tourism and hospitality businesses to understand the variety of the dietary restrictions phenomenon (i.e. lifestyle choice, religious belief, and allergy). Thus, these special needs can be met to satisfy tourists visiting a destination, which then led to the enhancement of a destination image (Oktadiana, Pearce, Mohammadi, 2020). I received an award from the Indonesia’s Ministry of Research and Technology in 2020 for this paper as a high-quality research paper. I wish Philip could celebrate the achievement together with me. But I know that he would be very happy from way up there.

To conclude, there are still many factors beyond the basic core needs and services that need more attention to better understand Muslim tourists and their special faith-based needs. The fast growth of this emerging market requires the development of Muslim-friendly service touchpoints in the destinations that are interested in capturing this group of tourists. Figure 1 shows the “what, why and how about the Muslim tourists in travel” based on the studies presented in this chapter.

Written by Hera Oktadiana, James Cook University, Australia & Trisakti School of Tourism, Indonesia Read Hera’s letter to future generations of tourism researchers

Burton, K. (2021, Dec 8). The rise of halal tourism. Geographical. Retrieved from      https://geographical.co.uk/people/cultures/item/4232-the-rise-of-halal-tourism

Mastercard-CrescentRating. (2021). Global Musim Travel Index 2021. Singapore: CrescentRating Pte. Ltd. and Mastercard Asia/Pacific Pte Ltd.

Oktadiana, H. (2020). A panorama of Muslim tourists’ queries: What do they want to know about travelling, in Pearce, P. L., & Correia, A. (Eds.). Tourism’s new markets: Drivers, details and directions . Oxford: Goodfellow Publishers Limited.

Oktadiana, H., Pearce, P. L., & Chon, K. (2016). Muslim travellers’ needs: What don’t we know. Tourism Management Perspectives, 20 . 124–130.

Oktadiana, H., Pearce, P. L., & Li, J. (2020). Let’s travel: Voices from the millennial female Muslim travellers. International Journal of Tourism Research , 22 (5), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1002/jtr.235

Oktadiana, H., Pearce, P. L., & Mohammadi, Z. (2020). Special dietary requirements: Restaurant sector responses across six tourist cities. International Journal of Tourism Research, 22 (5), 507-517. https://doi.org/10.1002/jtr.2352

Oktadiana, H., Pearce, P. L., Pusiran, A. K., & Agarwal, M. (2017). Travel career patterns: The motivations of Indonesian and Malaysian Muslim tourists. Tourism, Culture & Communication, 17 , 231-248.

Papastathopoulos, A., Kaminakis, K., & Mertzanis, C.  (2020). What services do Muslim tourists want? Uncovering nonlinear relationships and unobserved heterogeneity. Tourism Management Perspectives, 35 , 1007202. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tmp.2020.100720 .

Pearce, P. L. (2005). Tourist behaviour, themes and conceptual schemes . Bristol, UK: Channel View.

Rodrigo, P., & Turnbull, S. (2019). Halal holidays: How is value perceived by Muslim tourists? International Journal of Tourism Research, 21 (5), 675–692.

Shove, E., Pantzar, M., & Watson, M. (2012). The dynamics of social practice: Everyday life and how it changes . London: Sage.

Women’s voices in tourism research Copyright © 2021 by The University of Queensland is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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From DIY pilgrimages to halal restaurant tips: how this travel blogger built a community of Muslim travelers

Jan 21, 2022 • 6 min read

Elena Nikolova (pictured) has spent years building a resource for Muslim travelers who are looking for relevant information and good deals.

Elena Nikolova converted to Islam in 2009. Four years later, she channeled her wanderlust into a new endeavor: helping other Muslims travel the world.

On one of Elena Nikolova’s first trips as a Muslim, she realized travel for her had changed forever. Visiting Bulgaria from the United Kingdom , she saw how her new halal diet was at odds with her pork-heavy, Bulgarian-Greek upbringing. It wasn’t long before Nikolova also noticed she was getting extra checks at the airport and more attention once she landed because of her hijab.

“I realized that whether we wanted it or not, there is prejudice against those who wear a hijab,” Nikolova said. “I realized that kind of puts Muslims off traveling.” 

Since she converted to Islam in 2009, Nikolova has worked to make travel more accessible and comfortable for Muslims. A lover of deals, she began to share cheap fares and travel hacks on social media to encourage others in her new community to travel too. As a student in the UK, she often booked the longest layovers possible on her way back home to Greece just so she could explore new places. 

An online forum for advocating Muslim travel 

Upon the urging of a friend, Nikolova transformed her expertise into the blog Muslim Travel Girl in 2013, with the goal of helping Muslims travel while being confident in their identities and without breaking the bank. Right away, she started receiving questions related to airport security and whether certain countries were welcoming to Muslims. Her readers, mostly based in North America and Europe , were apprehensive. One of Muslim Travel Girl’s most popular videos , for example, is on navigating airports as a hijab-wearing Muslim woman.

Building a comfort zone

“Throughout the past seven years, we've gone through [issues with] the media and Muslims, and the hijab and problems with women traveling,” she said. “The whole point of a Muslim travel blog is to help and encourage those people, to give them the resources to actually find destination information.” 

While other resources exist, Nikolova says it was especially hard to find information that spoke directly to the experience of traveling as a Muslim when she started the blog. “Even though travel [for Muslims] in general is not so different, we have some differences, like [needing] places to pray or [specific] food to eat,” she said. “Not every Muslim needs these, but it should be there.”

A recent survey found  the availability of halal food and prayer facilities among the most cited faith-based needs of Muslim travelers. Since 9/11, many Muslim travelers say they’ve faced discrimination at airports and on airplanes, ranging from extra security searches and intense questioning by airport staff to unexplainable visa troubles and hostility from fellow passengers.

The 'halal tourism' boom

At the same time, the Muslim-friendly travel market, or “halal tourism” as some call it, has been booming. The industry caters to Muslim travelers looking for destinations that meet their faith-based needs, be it a place to pray, alcohol-free hotels or women-only pools and spas. Before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, it was estimated that by 2026, 230 million Muslim tourists would travel, locally and abroad, up from 98 million in 2010. By that time, Muslim travelers were expected to inject $300 billion into the global economy. With COVID-19, it’s now estimated it will take until 2023 to return to the same levels of Muslim tourists seen in 2019. 

Nikolova attributes this increase in Muslim travelers to the global aspirations of younger Muslims, more disposable income and the persuasive power of social media. With more travelers, she says, has also come more blogs on Muslim-friendly travel, more interest from big brands and companies, conferences on the topic, and travel agencies like Halalbooking.com . 

From credit card rewards to dinner recommendations

As the demographic makeup of Muslim travelers has changed, so has what Nikolova’s readers want. While initially some of Muslim Travel Girl’s most popular and requested posts were on the practicalities of traveling as a Muslim, she says now that more Muslims are traveling, the interest has shifted to what destinations to visit, insider travel tips and halal food recommendations in those places. One of their most popular topics is advice on DIY Umrah , so travelers can take the Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca without using a travel agent or expensive tour package. 

Bassam Ansari, who is based in Saudi Arabia , first discovered Muslim Travel Girl in 2013 through a friend. He says he often visits the site for its hotel and flight deals and has saved significant money through the site’s advice, which he finds to be personable and genuine.

“Using her reviews and travel advice I have found the best possible hotel options in quite a few different destinations,” he said. For example, Ansari says he saved 70 percent on the cost of a standard hotel room in Mecca during Ramadan, finding a room for $300 instead of the usual $1,000, because of Nikolova’s advice on how to effectively buy and use hotel reward points.

Small changes that make a big difference

Nikolova, who splits her time between Saudi Arabia and the UK, says Muslim Travel Girl is now one of the largest Muslim-friendly blogs in the West. She works on it full-time and also offers consultancy services to hotels and resorts on how to be more accommodating to Muslim guests. Even simple changes like providing soft drinks, non-alcoholic wine or fresh fruit in a welcome package, instead of wine, which is customary in places like Greece, can make a big difference in making someone feel more comfortable, she says. 

“It's important to feel safe when you travel and that your needs as a Muslim traveler are taken care of. This is why I'm passionate about…working with hotels in the industry to provide more facilities and more knowledge for Muslims,” she said. “Every destination should be Muslim friendly.”

Having converted to Islam as an adult, Nikolova says she is able to identify with both non-Muslims and Muslims, and that sense of empathy helped in the initial stages of writing Muslim Travel Girl. She says her expertise hasn’t been questioned because she converted to the religion, instead of being born into it, though she can understand that point of view.

“When you are writing about something that is on a specific inclusivity, whether it's halal travel or whether it is accessibility travel, you have to have a basic understanding and principles in order to be accurate in your writing,” she said. “For me, I'm a Muslim, I'm a travel expert, and I have that knowledge because I've worked and lived that life for the past 10 years.” 

Travel opens your mindset

Part of why travel is so important, Nikolova says, is because it can counter misconceptions and prejudice. When she converted to Islam, for instance, her Greek Orthodox parents were not happy about it. But after she and her mother traveled to numerous countries together, including her mother spending a year in Doha, Qatar when Nikolova’s daughter was born, things changed. 

“It's one of the reasons why I'm so passionate about traveling and encouraging Muslims to travel, because you open your mindset,” Nikolova said. “Traveling brings us closer. You wouldn't know your neighbor if you didn’t talk to them. It's the same thing with going and exploring a different city; you wouldn't meet locals and talk to them if you didn't visit.” 

You might also like: Hajj Diaries: returning home How Muslims around the world are celebrating Ramadan during the pandemic Hajj Diaries: performing the Hajj

Safety recommendations and restrictions during a pandemic can change rapidly. Lonely Planet recommends that travelers always check with local authorities for up-to-date guidance before  traveling during Covid-19 .

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The Tour Groups Empowering Muslim Women Travelers—and Fostering Community

By Sarah Shaffi

For many practicing Muslim women, finding the right hotel and booking excursions is just one part of planning a vacation. There’s also the search for halal or vegetarian restaurants, pinning mosques with a women’s prayer space to Google Maps, and researching whether a destination is safe for them not just as women, but oftentimes as visibly Muslim women if they wear a hijab or niqab, or want to don a burkini.

For years, Muslim women wanting to travel have done this all themselves, without the help of travel and tour companies that cater to their non-Muslim peers. That despite there being a huge demand: According to the Mastercard-Crescentrating Global Muslim Travel Index 2023 , Muslim women “make up a substantial portion of the global Muslim travel market,” citing a growing trend for “solo and women group travel” in particular.

“Muslim women are looking to travel with a group of like-minded women where they can feel catered to in terms of having time to pray, eat halal food, feel comfortable wearing hijab if they do, and visit local mosques when traveling,” says Ellie Quinn Belhaj, a travel blogger based in Manchester, England.

But while some Muslim women may have additional requirements while on vacation, notes Belhaj, they are also after all the same things as other travelers: “Muslim women want to hike, dive, and explore cities like everyone else.”

In recent years, a number of independent travel companies founded by Muslim women have sprung up to fill this gap in the market, all seeking to make travel easier—especially for those who grew up in cultures where women traveling alone may not be the norm or might not have the confidence to start off solo immediately. Tour operator The Muslim Women’s Travel Group offers exciting trips while also making sure religious needs don’t have to be cast aside. Founder Sadia Ramzan says she wants to “enable women to explore the world safely [while] respecting their beliefs and values.”

Later this year The Muslim Women’s Travel Group will head to Japan, where temples, a kimono-dressing and dance experience, and a tea ceremony are on the itinerary. Another trip planner, Sisters Getaway , offers retreats complete with yoga and creative writing sessions that are interspersed with excursions. Muslim hiking and adventure group The Wanderlust Women ’s summer 2024 Pakistan trip will include seeing the Batura Glacier and a community day in the mountains. In Uzbekistan later this year, tour operator Halal Travel Guide has programmed activities including Islamic calligraphy and walking tours.

Sisters Getaway founder Abdiya Meddings

Regardless of what the itinerary may have in store, travelers pause what they’re doing five times a day so whoever wants to can pray. They don’t have to worry about accidentally eating non-halal food, either, or navigating experiences centered around alcohol. Still, these trips are not “religious retreats,” says Sisters Getaway founder Abdiya Meddings, although religion does permeate the ethos these companies operate by. Halal Travel Guide founder Soumaya T. Hamdi uses the term “halal tourism” to describe what her company does—halal refers to the food Muslims can eat, but is widely used as an adjective to mean “permissible” when it comes to Islam.

Hamdi says the culture of halal is “also about being fair, conducting business in a way that is responsible, that takes into account the local people, the local destination, and the impact that our visits have on the destination.” Principles that should be applied to all scopes of travel. Ramzan is also focused on responsible tourism, and likes to use women-owned companies and women guides where possible, supporting women like her who have set up their own businesses.

Most of these groups attract travelers based in the UK, North America and Europe, with a small number of customers coming from further afield, including the Middle East and even Australia. But core to all of them is enabling travelers to feel connected to each other, the places they visit, and even their own histories. Depending on the destination, Halal Travel Guide also helps travelers learn stories about their Islamic heritage . “We connect people with their Islamic heritage because a lot of us are very disconnected from our stories,” says Hamdi. “What shapes your identity more than the stories that you listen to?” Folk tales and history are not easily found in books published in the West, TV shows that are aired, or even in school curriculums.

“We've been working really hard to share these stories about figures from Islamic history, about countries that have fantastic Islamic heritage,” says Hamdi. During Halal Travel Guide’s Jordan trip, for example, the itinerary includes a day at Al-Salt outside of Amman, an ancient city where a number of Islamic prophets are believed to have once lived, worked, or passed away; the day trip includes visiting burial grounds and hearing more about the lives and stories of these prophets.

In other cases, the focus on fostering community stems from the companies’ origin stories: Sisters Getaway started life with Meddings wondering how other Muslim women found people they related to, particularly if they recently converted to Islam and felt they didn’t fit into already established Muslim spaces like mosques. The Muslim Women’s Travel Group began on Facebook when Ramzan had questions about traveling alone after years of doing so with her five sisters, and didn’t find the community she was looking for.

Meddings’ first Granada retreat sold out in three days and 27 retreats later, the company is her full-time job. A big part of its success, she says, is that it appeals to “a lot of women who find themselves at a time in their lives where their friends are in completely different stages and they [are] alone for various reasons. Making friends in your twenties, thirties, forties, sixties, [is] not as easy as at school or university.”

Hamdi, meanwhile, says Halal Travel Guide attracts a lot of people in their 30s who are unmarried, don’t have children, and are “very successful, have money to spend, and want to invest in themselves by meeting new people, going on unforgettable trips, and sharing those trips with other people.”

Of course, all the women that go on these trips carry stories back with them, as well as friendships. Ramzan, Meddings and Hamdi have all had women bonding on their trips and going on to book vacations of their own together—or returning to their companies as a group.

But it’s the diversity of women the companies host that allows travelers to feel welcome, whatever their background. Attendees of Meddings’ retreats have included three generations of women from the same family, a widow who hadn’t traveled since her husband had passed away, and non-Muslim women who are simply searching for a women-only space in which to relax. The Muslim Women’s Travel Group’s oldest guest was 74, and the group has had “the burkini babes laying next to the bikini babes” on its trips, says Ramzan.

For Muslim women, being accepted for who they are, with no expectations and no stereotypes, is freeing. Says Meddings: “Everyone can come exactly how they are. Hijab, no hijab, praying, not praying, it doesn’t matter [to] us. Everybody is welcome. And I feel like that really speaks to a lot of people.”

In partnership with SSA Education Abroad

• Watch the Alandis Travel introduction
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• Last updated: June, 2022

Journey Through Spain’s Islamic History: The 5 Best Islamic Tours in 2024

In 711 CE, Muslims from North Africa invaded the Iberian Peninsula. They stayed in Spain until 1492 when the Catholic Monarchs overthrew the King of the “Emirato de Granada.”

As a result, Spain has a rich, overflowing Islamic culture and an enormous artistic and architectural heritage, including palaces, mosques, and much more.

With that in mind, we have put together a list of the Best Islamic Tours of Spain while citing the most Famous Islamic Architecture and Art in Spain.

Best Islamic Tours in Spain

The Alcazar Royal Palace Tour

Madinat al-Zahra Tour

Aljafería Palace Tour

The Alhambra and Generalife Tour

The Mosque of Cordoba Tour

What are the best islamic tours in spain.

• The Mosque of Cordoba

The Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba was built in the 8th century  under Emir Abd ar-Rahman I on the remains of a Visigothic Christian church (the Basilica of St. Vincent Martyr). 

The Emir wanted Cordoba to eclipse Byzantium and Baghdad in science, culture, and the arts. The sultan had recently fled there after his family’s overthrow in Damascus.

Why should you go on an Islamic Tour of the Mosque of Córdoba?

There are many reasons why you should visit The Mosque of Cordoba. For instance, the Mosque of Cordoba was the second largest mosque in the world, behind Mecca for a long time. 

In addition, the Mosque of Cordoba is a unique construction because of the number of architectural styles it preserves: Mudejar, Umayyad, Baroque, Gothic, and Renaissance. 

How long does the Mosque of Cordoba tour last?

The duration of the visit is approximately one hour, but if you do the visit during the daytime, you can stay for as long as you need. 

How much does the Mosque of Cordoba tour cost?

The prices vary depending on the time of the visit and the type of ticket: 

Visit the Mosque-Cathedral during the daytime.

General admission: 11€.

Discount: 9€ for over 65s, 15 to 26 years old students, and Youth Card holders.

Discount: 6€ for children from 10 to 14 years old, and up to 64% for the disabled and (adult) members of large families

Discount: 4€ for large families with children from 10 to 14 years old

Night visit

General admission: 18€.

Discount: 12€ for seniors (65+), the disabled, students up to 26 years old, and children from 7 years old and older. Must show official accreditation.

Free: Children under 7 years old (without an audio guide and accompanied by an adult with a valid ticket).

Dress code of the Mosque of Cordoba

Uncover your head when entering the Mosque-Cathedral. Remember that you are visiting a sacred place; access it with appropriate clothing.

Do I need to bring my passport?

It is not necessary to bring your original passport. A copy or a photo should be fine.

Other information of interest

The use of tripods or stands is prohibited, as well as the filming and photographing of liturgical celebrations. 

The Alhambra and Generalife, Granada

The Alhambra was a palace, citadel, and fortress, the residence of the Nasrid sultans, high officials, court servants, and elite soldiers. It reached its splendor in the second half of the 14th century, coinciding with the sultanates of Yusuf I (1333-1354) and the second reign of Muhammad V (1362-1391).

Why should you visit the Alhambra and Generalife?

The Alhambra is a must-see monument. It bears witness to the Moorish rule in the territory and its architectural style, which is why it was recently declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

You should also make a visit to enjoy its gardens and surroundings. Its majestic towers are a must-see once-in-a-lifetime experience.

How long does the Alhambra and Generalife tour last?

The general visit to the monumental complex lasts approximately three hours.

How much does the Alhambra and Generalife tour cost?

Different prices depending on the inclusions:

Alhambra General

• Price: 14 €
• Nasrid Palaces: Mexuar, Comares Palace, Palace of the Lions and Corredor-Lindaraja.
• Partal: portico of the palace, gardens, and walks.
• Alcazaba: The Candle Tower and Garden of the Adarves.
• Generalife: gardens and palace (The court of the Main Canal, The Soultana’s Court, and the water Stairway).

Dobla de Oro General

• Price: 22.74 €
• Alhambra general day visit: Nasrid Palaces, Alcazaba, Generalife palace and gardens.
• General visit Alhambra: Nasrid Palaces, Alcazaba, Gardens and Generalife Palace.
• Corral del Carbón: la alhóndiga de los mercaderes.
• Bañuelo: one of the best-preserved public Arab baths on the peninsula.
• Palacio de Dar al-Horra: official residence of Aixa la-Horra, mother of the last emir of Granada, Boabdil.
• Casas Moriscas: Horno de oro, Chapiz y Zafra.
• Qubba del Cuarto Real de Santo Domingo.

Dress code of the Alhambra and Generalife

The Alhambra has no specific dress code. Depending on the time of year, we recommend either something cool to deal with the hot Summer temperatures or, in Winter taking a jumper due to the breeze.

It is mandatory to present your original ID or passport to access the monumental complex.

It’s essential to be on time for the Nasrid Palaces. Don’t forget to bring the ticket with its QR code in physical or digital format (including for children under 12 years).

Aljafería Palace, Zaragoza

The Aljafería Palace is an 11th-century Moorish castle-palace. It was built as a recreational residence for the Taifa kings in the 11th century under King al-Muqtadir. Remains of its fortified enclosure are still preserved. It was built as a place of recreation and also served as a defensive building.

Why should you visit the Aljafería Palace?

You can not miss the Aljaferia Palace because it is considered one of the peaks of Hispano-Muslim art, along with the Alhambra in Granada and the Mosque of Cordoba. 

Also, it is the northernmost Islamic palace in Europe and the most luxurious and best-preserved of the Taifa period.

How long does the Aljafería Palace tour last?

The duration depends on if the visit is guided or not. Free tours are about 45 minutes long, and guided tours are 60 minutes.

How much does the Aljafería Palace tour cost?

The prices are as follows:

• General admission: 5€.
• Discount: 1€ for students and the retired.
• Free: Children under 12 years old.

Dress code of the Aljafería Palace

There is no specific dress code, so we recommend dressing according to the season. The Summer will be tremendously hot, so dress light and apply plenty of sun cream. Alternatively, a jumper is a great idea against the wind in the Winter.

Guided visits will be available during July and August. The English tour begins at 11 am, while the French tour starts at 5 pm.

Please be punctual when arriving at the ticket office. If a visitor is ten minutes late, they risk not being able to enter the palace (or at the very least a lengthy wait) if all other groups are full.

Use the QR codes located at various points of the monument and the brochures available.

Follow the route marked inside the palace and the indications on display.

Madinat al-Zahra: Archaeological Ensemble, Córdoba

The history of Medina Azahara begins with Abderraman, III. He decided to build a city on the outskirts of Cordoba between 936 and 976. Abderraman, III built the city to bring together the caliphate’s administrative and residential work.

The materials used in its construction tell us of the great interest of the monarch to show his great power and supremacy. 

Why should you visit Medina Azahara?

Medina Azhara is a must-see because it’s one of Andalusia’s most important works of Muslim art. In its time, it was the highest expression of the rise and power of the Caliphate of Cordoba.

How long does the Medina Azahara tour last?

The approximate time of the visit to Medina Azahara, including the museum tour, is between 2.5 and 3 hours.

How much does the Medina Azahara tour cost?

The entrance to Medina Azahara is free for citizens of the European Union. For all other visitors, the entrance fee is 1.50 €.

There is no specific dress code to enter the Medina Azahara. Therefore, dress according to the season; in the Summer months, something light and fresh, while in Winter, a jumper (or if very cold, a coat) to stay warm.

It is not necessary to bring your original passport. A copy should be fine to authenticate your nationality.

There is a bus that drives you from Cordoba to Medina Azahara. Its price is 2,50€. Children between 5-12 years are 1,50€.

The Alcazar Royal Palace of Seville

In the year 913, the Umayyad caliph Abderramán III ordered the construction of a new center of government in Seville on the site of an ancient Visigothic settlement that had previously been Roman. 

This “multicultural” curiosity about its foundation seems a foretaste of the many historical ups and downs that would shape its present appearance. 

After the disintegration of the Caliphate of Cordoba, the Royal Alcazar would pass into the hands of the abbots (Taifa of Seville), the Almoravid emirs, and, in the last Islamic Period, the Almohads. 

The successive reforms of that time had already turned the Real Alcázares into an excellent palace complex surrounded by walls in the middle of the 13th century.

Why should you visit The Alcazar Royal Palace of Seville?

The Alcázar of Seville was built as a fortress to protect the Muslim authorities and is currently the oldest royal palace in Europe. Its extensive history is reflected in the variety of its architecture, which mixes Baroque with Renaissance, Romanesque, Gothic and Mudejar.

How long does the Alcazar Royal Palace of Seville tour last?

The recommended duration of the visit is two hours, although you can make a quick visit in one hour and fifteen minutes. But if you want to do a detailed visit, it requires about three hours.

How much does the Alcazar Royal Palace of Seville tour cost?

The entry fees are as follows:

• General admission: 14,50€.
• Pensioners and students from 17 to 25 years old: 7€ (you must show proof at reception).
• For children under 13 years old: 1€.
• Audioguide: 6€.

There is no specific dress code. Seville can be unbearably hot during the Summer, so dress light. During the Winter, you will likely only need a jumper at most.

The use of tripods or stands is prohibited.

Famous Islamic Architecture in Spain

Muslim art, also known as Islamic art, is the set of artistic manifestations that occurred in the different religious areas of Islam.

Islamic art and, in particular, Islamic architecture in Spain can be classified into 5 stages depending on the different reigns:

1. Cordovan or Caliphal Period (8th-11th century)

Characteristics.

Cordovan art has many influences from Visigothic art, especially in the use of horseshoe arches. 

It’s also very characteristic to see voussoirs in color and texture (alternating striped colors). This alfiz is a molding explicitly used to frame the arches or the openings of windows and doors.

The famous art of this period

During this period, the most well-known pieces of architecture are:

• Central vault of Macsura
• The Mosque of Bad el-Mardum in Toledo
• Madinat as-Zahra Palace in Cordoba

2. Taifa Period (11th-12th century)

The art of the Taifa kingdoms was characterized by emulating the splendor of the previous era, with almost excessive overloading of ornamental constructions. 

Despite the everyday use of low-cost plasterwork materials, it served its ornamental function well. Unfortunately, very few buildings have been preserved due to poor quality materials.

Famous art of this period

One of the few buildings we still have from this Period is La Aljafería Palace in Zaragoza.

3. Almorávide Period (12th century)

The use of the muqarnas characterized its artistic manifestations. This decorative element is a stalactite hanging from the arches and domes and is made of plaster, often polychrome.

It is an art that is heavily linked to the Taifa kingdoms. However, there are hardly any remains and significant samples of this period, the best preserved being those found in North Africa.

4. Almohade Period (12th century)

This civilization arrived in the Peninsula and brought with it

one of the most original and new elements that had not been used before, known as sebka. Sebka is a type of geometric decoration in the form of a network of superimposed rhombuses that masks the construction systems.

The most important building of this period was the Mosque of Seville nowadays. Only a few parts have been preserved:

• Patio de los naranjos
• The “minaret” today is known as the Giralda

5.Nazarí period (13th-15th century)

The materials were poor but covered with plasterwork, marble, sebka, and tiles. As for constructive elements, the most common are the round arches and the white marble columns with thin shafts and Corinthian capitals.

Since Granada was the capital of Al-Andalus during this time, all the representations of this period are in La Alhambra. 

Some parts worth mentioning are:

• Patio del Cuadro Dorado.
• Patio de Comares.
• Patio de los Leones.

Famous Islamic Art in Spain

Unfortunately, there remain very few Islamic art sculptures and paintings in Spain. However, we know that Muslim decorative arts varied, ranging from ceramics to carpets, fabrics, and goldsmiths.

Among the few sculptural works that have been preserved, it is worth mentioning the bronze fawn from the Madinat as-Zahra Palace in Cordoba. 

In painting, it is of particular interest the fresco on tesso painted on the vault of the Sala de los Reyes of the Alhambra with courtly themes and hunting.

Which city in Spain has a famous old mosque?

The oldest mosque in Spain is the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba. It used to be a mosque, although nowadays it is a catholic cathedral.

What was the Islamic capital of Spain?

The capital of Islamic Spain has varied throughout the years. 

Firstly, the capital changed between Seville and Cordoba during “Valiato de Al-Ándalus” between 711 and 756 CE. 

Later on, in 756 CE Abd al-Rahman III declared religious independence and proclaimed “El Califato de Córdoba” in Cordoba as its capital.

Lastly and due to the reconquest, in 1238, the “Emirato de Granada” was established. Granada became its capital until 1492 when the Catholic Monarchs overthrew King Muhammad XII.

More Tours in Spain

• The Best of Seville: Culture, art, and history
• Nature, art, and history in Catalonia
• Multicultural Spain: Madrid & Barcelona
• Mediterranean Spain
• Madrid in-depth surroundings
• From Quixote to Columbus
• Beyond Art & Architecture: Madrid, Bilbao, and Barcelona
• The Ancient Roman Route: The Silver Route
• Pilgrimage from Fatima to Lourdes
• Hidden Jewels of Andalusia

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Behind the curtain of the spiritual Islam: A glance of Saudi Arabia

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Enjoy a tour focused solely on your travel group

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• Introduction
• Day 1 Arrival in Jeddah
• Day 2 Jeddah
• Day 3 Jeddah - Medina
• Day 4 Medina – Al Ula
• Day 5 Al Ula - Madain Saleh - Jabal Ikmah - Dadan - Riyadh
• Day 6 Riyadh
• Day 7 Riyadh/ Day tour to "the Edge of the world"(optional)
• Day 8 Departure

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• Accommodation
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• Group of 14 travelers max.
• Fast booking confirmation
• Carefully planned itineraries
• Travel with like-minded people
• Travel with your own group of min. 2 travelers
• Choose your preferred dates and duration
• Upgrade your accommodation
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Operated by Penguin Travel

Penguin Travel was established in 1989 in Copenhagen. With over 25 years of experience in handling active holidays, Penguin Travel has become a leading provider in the fields of hiking, cycling, horse riding and bird-watching tours as well as round-trips to less visited but still very exciting destinations in the Middle East, Central and South East Asia, South America etc. We can help you with designing group or individual tours along the famous Transsiberian Railway. No doubt Bulgaria is our primary destination and a large part of our stuff is based here. Being experts on Bulgaria we are able to offer you any type of holiday here - from an active adventure in the mountains to a relaxing time at the seaside. Our guides are young and enthusiastic, eager to reveal you the best of your trip. Big part of our tours are led by people, who have personally taken care of your reservation since its receiving. Our hiking and cycling guides have detailed knowledge of the trips themselves and the conditions that may occur along the route, keeping you safe and well informed all the time. There are no secrets for them either up in the mountains or deep in the gorges as you can be sure - they have experienced the tour many times before. For the birdwatching tours we use highly experienced graduates (MSc-s and Doctors of Science), specialized in field ornithology. As a part of their activity they are leaders or experts in different projects for investigation of birds – their distribution, migration, biology etc. Thus they are perfectly prepared for identifying birds visually or by voice, which is of great importance for species with more hidden way of life and behavior.

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Cancellation policy.

A transparent overview of applicable fees.

Customer Reviews

• Overall Rating Good 3.8
• Itinerary Good 3.7
• Guide Average 2.7
• Transport Good 3.6
• Accommodation Good 3.1
• Food Good 3.6
• Tour Operator Penguin Travel 4.4
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• JV Jane · 26th February 2024 I thoroughly enjoyed the tour of Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. Considering this was a budget tour, the hotels, clean, comfortable rooms and bathrooms with good breakfasts. As we were only a group of 4 we travelled by car with a guide/driver. Salman in... Show more Trip date: February 2024

• SU Susan · 2nd December 2023 The tour was fascinating. The local guides were not good. They did not convey information or correctly anticipate timing of events, etc. Dimityr was very nice. Trip date: November 2023
• E Eugene · 14th December 2022 A wonderful tour, pretty full on .. on the go daily. More like a glimpse of Saudi Arabia. Enjoyed Al Ula, Madain Saleh, an amazing site. Trip date: November 2022
• M MMosaed · 2nd December 2022 Wonderful tour and saw the sites I intended to see. I give this tour five stars solely on its price, which is at least twice less compared to other tour operators offering tours in Saudi Arabia at this time. For price alone, please consider this tour. Trip date: November 2022

• PC Paolo · 29th November 2022 Jeddah, molto bella la città vecchia e la moschea sull'acqua. Ryad: bellissimo la KING TOWER e la escursione nel deserto dove ci sono le rocce e la meravigliosa vista dall'alto. Alalula: spettacolare il Concert building con gli specchi che riflettono le... Show more Trip date: November 2022
• A Anonymous · 28th November 2022 A very enjoyable tour with Penguin - Behind the curtain of the spiritual Islam: A glance of Saudi Arabia (8 Days). Highlights were the two full days spent exploring the UNESCO sites of Al Ula, and encounters with locals in and around the Old Town! The... Show more Trip date: November 2022
• M MarianneFossaberg · 28th February 2022 Samlet set en god tur med en god harmonisk trup og gode guider - dog lige lidt for lidt tid på egen hånd. Desværre for mange bump ift. fly på udrejsen samt visum til Kuwait, som vi brugte alt for megen tid på i Bahrain, da vores efterspørgsel inden... Show more Trip date: February 2022

Dates & Availability

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• Upcoming departures
• November 2024
• February 2025
• November 2025
• Get Instant Confirmation Friday 15 Nov, 2024 Friday 22 Nov, 2024 English Multiple Room Types €2,040 + €200 Local payment 0% Interest Instalments Confirm Dates
• Get Instant Confirmation Saturday 8 Feb, 2025 Saturday 15 Feb, 2025 English Multiple Room Types €2,080 + €200 Local payment 0% Interest Instalments Confirm Dates
• Get Instant Confirmation Saturday 15 Nov, 2025 Saturday 22 Nov, 2025 English Multiple Room Types €2,080 + €200 Local payment 0% Interest Instalments Confirm Dates

Frequently Asked Questions

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Good to Know

• Currency ر.س Saudi Riyal Saudi Arabia

As a traveller from USA, Canada you will need an adaptor for types C, E, F, G. As a traveller from England you will need an adaptor for types A, B, C, E, F. As a traveller from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa you will need an adaptor for types A, B, C, E, F, G.

• These are only indications, so please visit your doctor before you travel to be 100% sure.
• Typhoid - Recommended for Saudi Arabia. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
• Hepatitis A - Recommended for Saudi Arabia. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
• Hepatitis B - Recommended for Saudi Arabia. Ideally 2 months before travel.
• Rabies - Recommended for Saudi Arabia. Ideally 1 month before travel.
• Meningococcal meningitis - Recommended for Saudi Arabia. Ideally 3 weeks before travel.
• Yellow fever - Certificate of vaccination required if arriving from an area with a risk of yellow fever transmission for Saudi Arabia. Ideally 10 days before travel.
• Unfortunately we cannot offer you a visa application service. Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality and where you wish to travel. Assuming your home country does not have a visa agreement with the country you're planning to visit, you will need to apply for a visa in advance of your scheduled departure.
• Here is an indication for which countries you might need a visa. Please contact the local embassy for help applying for visas to these places.
• For any tour departing before 4th June 2024 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after 4th June 2024, a minimum payment of 30% is required to confirm your booking with Penguin Travel. The final payment will be automatically charged to your credit card on the designated due date. The final payment of the remaining balance is required at least 60 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
• Some departure dates and prices may vary and Penguin Travel will contact you with any discrepancies before your booking is confirmed.
• The following cards are accepted for "Penguin Travel" tours: Visa, Maestro, Mastercard, American Express or PayPal. TourRadar does NOT charge you an extra fee for using any of these payment methods.
• Your money is safe with TourRadar, as we only pay the tour operator after your tour has departed.
• TourRadar is an authorised Agent of Penguin Travel. Please familiarise yourself with the Penguin Travel payment, cancellation and refund conditions .
• Insurance Unless otherwise mentioned, TourRadar does not provide travel insurance. We do however recommend purchasing it through our tried and trusted partner, World Travel Nomads .
• Accessibility Some tours are not suitable for mobility-restricted traveller, however, some operators may be able to accommodate special requests. For any enquiries, you can contact our customer support team , who are ready and waiting to help you.
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Resurrection: Andalucia Muslim Heritage tour 7 Days / 6 Nights

Ronda – Sevilla - Cordoba – Granada

We’ve teamed up with local Spanish Muslim and expert guide Yasin to design your experience in Andalucia. On this trip you’ll learn about the Islamic heritage of Spain that most local guides don’t cover in their tours.

You’ll travel through beautiful mountainous scenery with hills dotted with olive groves, discover the hidden meanings in Moorish architecture and meet the local Spanish Muslim community reviving the Islamic heritage of Spain.

Book With confidence: Trip can’t proceed due to Covid-19? No worries, you have the right to cancel and rebook your trip at no extra cost. Terms and conditions apply.

Resurrection: Andalucia Muslim Heritage Tour 7D/6N

Departure dates: - Monday 24th - Sunday 30th April 2023 - Monday 15th - Sunday 21st May 2023 - Monday 18th - Sunday 24th December 2023 

Reserve your spot today with only £60 deposit, with nothing else to pay until 8 weeks before your trip departure. Please read the 'Price' and 'Terms and Conditions' tabs before completing your booking.

• Early Bird offer: £725/sharing twin room.
• Children under 4 go free
• Children aged 4-10 years pay 50% ticket price (when using existing beds), or 70% ticket price when requesting a separate bed.
• Single-room supplement is minimum 30€ /night.

Book with Confidence Trip can’t proceed due to Covid-19? No worries, you have the right to cancel and rebook your trip at no extra cost. Check out the 'Price' and 'Terms & Conditions' tabs for more info.

• Discover the Golden Age of Islam here in the heart of Europe with stories from local Muslims
• Guided tour of the Alhambra with local Spanish Muslim and expert in Islamic architecture
• Walking tour of Cordoba and Sevilla
• Trip to picturesque Pampaneira Village
• Guided tour of the Great Mosque of Cordoba with local expert
• Visit to the archaeological city of Medinat Al Zahra, 10 th Century city of the Umayyads
• Lunch with local Muslims
• All activities listed above
• Accommodation: 6 nights in hotels across Andalucia
• Meals: 6 breakfasts
• Local tour guides in each city
• Airport pick up and drop off at Malaga International Airport
• Transport throughout trip in private vehicle
• International flights - prices vary depending on your departure airport and season. You should look for flights to Malaga Airport. 
• Covid tests: Price is variable and we will personally support you to book the best available options.
• Personal expenses: e.g. souvenirs, travel insurance.
• Meals outside of those stated above.
• Tips to guides/driver.

Disclaimer: Please note that the itinerary may be impacted by factors outside of our control such as weather or health restrictions due to Covid-19. 

This morning you’ll arrive at Malaga Airport where our local guide will be waiting to greet you.

We’ll head straight out to take you for lunch (around 15€) before heading Ronda, where you’ll see the famous Puente Nuevo bridge .

From Ronda we’ll take a scenic route to the famous city of Seville, where our local guide will walk you through centuries of Islamic history. We’ll start at the Royal Alcazar , a Christian palace built by Muslim craftsmen with unique mudejar decoration. Our next stop will take you to the Giralda Tower , what once formed the minaret of the Mosque of Seville in 1182. Our final stop on our walking tour of Sevilla is the iconic Plaza España , where we’ll try to catch golden hour. You’ll then have some free time to explore the Muslim quarters before dinner.

Overnight in Sevilla.

Walking through the narrow-whitewashed streets of Cordoba feels like taking a step back in time. Today you’ll visit the gem of this city, which is also one of the oldest mosques in Europe. We’ll then take you to have a lunch inside a beautiful courtyard garden , Moorish style. Throughout the day our local guide will share the stories of the first Muslims in Spain , how they helped create a Golden Age of civilisation in the region before their expulsion by the Spanish inquisition.

You’ll have some free time to explore Cordoba’s meandering streets before we take you out for dinner in the countryside with a local Muslim family. Overnight in Cordoba.

You’ll have some time this morning to explore Cordoba at your leisure before we head out to explore a 1000-year-old gem.

The once sumptuous city of Madinat al Zahra is now only a shadow of its former grandeur, having  slept for almost 1000 years under layers of dirt.  The city was sacked in 1010, less than seventy years after it was built, and the beautiful furnishings – down to even the marble slabs – were stolen or quarried. This is the  largest city ever built from scratch  in Western Europe, but chances are you’ve never even heard of it. Overnight in Granada.

Today you’ll experience something only few people who have visited Spain been fortunate enough to experience.

Local expert and guide Yasin Maymir will host you in the Alhambra Palace, the most visited monument in Spain and the best Preserved Medieval Muslim  Royal Palace  in the World. Yasin will “ Read the Alhambra ” to you by following the Arabic inscriptions on the walls. The hidden meanings, du’a, Qur’an, and poetry inscribed on these walls make the Alhambra once of the most unique forms of Islamic architecture in the world.

This afternoon you’ll pray in the mosque of Granada and then some free time to explore the Albayzin, Granada’s old town. Overnight in Granada.

After Breakfast we will make our trip to the Alpujarra mountains , where the last Muslims of Al Andalus were living and practicing Islam for more than 150 years after the conquest of Granada. New Muslims are living here now, where they nurture olive plantations which produce olive oil for the whole year, with the same olives once planted by the Muslims of the past. You’ll visit the traditional village of Pampaneira , where you can explore the carpet-weavers workshop and Chocolate Factory, as well as roam through the traditional houses, streets and architecture of this village . After lunch you’ll be able to walk through Orange Orchards and Olive Trees , before heading to the local Masjid to pray and meet the local Muslims. Overnight in Granada.

Should you wish to extend your stay in Spain, let us know and we can assist you with accommodation, transport and anything else you require. Arrival time at Malaga airport is 9:30-10:00 am

Thank you for travelling with us!

Important Information

• Early Bird Offer: £725/sharing twin room.

Travel insurance You are responsible for ensuring you have appropriate travel insurance (including health cover) in place before the trip starts.

Coming soon!

Frequently Asked Questions

Your deposit with us is protected under our 'Book with Confidence' policy. We'll hold your deposit on file at no extra cost and transfer it onto your next preferred trip dates, free of charge.

For more info and to check what our policy is regarding non-Covid related cancellations, check out the Terms & Conditions tab near the top of the page.

The adventure trips are for 10 years old upwards, though we can allow slightly younger children depending on which trip you are looking at. Once you book a trip, we will schedule a call with you to run through what you can expect from the trip, including how active it is.

For the ladies-only trips there is no upper age limit, but you are required to have some level of fitness and be comfortable with long-distance travel.

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Book now Pay Later

To confirm your space all you need to do is complete the booking form and pay a £60 deposit. That’s it! You’ll receive an instant email confirming your booking with us.

Full and final payment will be requested no later than 4 weeks before your trip departure date. Should your trip not take place due to Covid-19 restrictions, don’t worry – your deposit will not be lost. You can cancel your spot and transfer your deposit onto the next available trip.

Please do not book your international flights before liaising with the booking team. Once you make your booking you’ll be given more details about how to arrange your international flights.

What Our Guests Say

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"I have been on two organised trips with Halal Travel Guide. I had such a wonderful time on both occasions and would highly recommend them. Both trips were very well organised with a detailed daily itinerary. Accommodation and transport were very comfortable and of a high standard. I will definitely be using Halal Travel Guide to book further trips in the future"

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Day 2 - Moscow

10.00 – Meeting with English speaking guide at the hotel lobby. Moscow city tour City tour including all major sights of Russian capital such as Red Square and St. Basil’s Cathedral, Bolshoi Theater, Kremlin Embankment, Christ the Saviour Cathedral, Sparrow Hills and Moscow State University, Tverskaya Street, New Maiden Convent, the Diplomatic Village, Victory Park with the view on the Moscow International Business Center «Moscow City», the Triumphal Arch, Kutuzovsky Prospect, Arbat street and many other interesting places which are really worth to seeing. 13.00 – Excursion to Moscow Kremlin (territory + Cathedral) You have a guided tour of this historical fortress, where you visit the famous Square of Four Cathedrals and go inside one of its gorgeous cathedrals decorated with magnificent frescoes. 14.30 – Lunch at the local cafe (Halal/Indian/Vegetarian food). 17.00 – Back to the hotel. Free time. 19.00 – Dinner at the hotel (Halal food). Services: guide from 10.00 to 17.00, transport from 10:00 to 17.00, Kremlin tickets, water 0,5 l PP, lunch, dinner.

Day 3 – Moscow / Saint-Petersburg

09.00 – Meeting with English speaking guide at the hotel lobby. 10.00 – Visit of Cosmonautics museum 12.30 – Walking tour of VDNH park 14.00 – Lunch at the local cafe (Halal/Indian/Vegetarian food). 15.30 – Transfer to the railway station. 17.30 – Departure to Saint Petersburg. 21.00 – Arrival to Saint Petersburg. Meeting with English speaking guide. Transfer to hotel. Accommodation at the hotel (extra). Services: Moscow – guide from 10.00 to 17.30, transport from 10.00 to 17.00, museum tickets, water 0,5 l PP, lunch, r/w ticket (2d class), St.Petersburg – guide for meeting, transfer from r/w station to hotel.

Day 4 – Saint-Petersburg

10.00 – Meeting with English speaking guide. Saint Petersburg city tour with visiting of Peter and Paul Fortress

Visiting of Cathedral Mosque of St. Petersburg 14.30 – Lunch at the local cafe (Halal/Indian/Vegetarian food). Free time in the city centre. Back to the hotel by metro. Dinner at the hotel (Halal/Indian/Vegetarian food). Services: guide from 10.00 to 18.00, transport from 10.00 to 14.30, metro ticket water 0,5 l PP, lunch

Day 5 – Saint-Petersburg

09.00 – Meeting with English speaking guide. Excursion to Peterhof 13.00 – Lunch at the local (Halal/Indian/Vegetarian food). 15.00-17.00 – St.Petersburg rivers and canals boat trip 17.00 – Back to the hotel. 19.00 – Dinner at the hotel (Halal/Indian/Vegetarian food). Services: guide from 09:00 to 18:00, transport from 09:00 to 18:00, entrance to park, boat ticket, water 0,5 l PP, lunch.

Day 6 – Saint-Petersburg / Moscow

Transfer from hotel to r/w station 09:00 – Train departure From St.Petersburg. 12.58 – Arrival to Moscow. 13.30 – Lunch at the local cafe (Halal/Indian/Vegetarian food). 14.30 – Transfer to the airport. Services: St.Petersburg – English guide, transport for transfer from hotel to a/p, r/w ticket (2d class) Moscow – English guide from 13.00 to 16.30, transport from 13.00 to 16.30, water 0,5 l PP, lunch.

Excursions are already included in this tour. You can make any changes: add, reduce, change the order, request any others that may be more interesting to you.

For this tour you can order a guide who speaks another language.

We provide professional guides who speak Chinese, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Greek, Chinese, Arabic (Farsi/Persian), Japanese, Turkish, Slovenian, Polish, Thai, Mandarin, Korean, Hungarian, Serbian, others.

All our guides are licensed and have extensive experience and will be your main assistant in communication.

Below there are basic model classes that we provide, including passenger cars no older than 6 years and some buses models with WI-FI, 2018-2019.

Standard cars (Skoda Octavia, Ford Focus, Volkswagen Jetta , Toyota Corolla, Nissan Sentra, Hunda Elantra)

Comfort cars (Toyota Camry, Ford Mondeo, Hyundai Sonata, Nissan Teana, Hyundai i40, Opel Insignia).

Business cars (Mercedes-Benz E-class, BMW 5, Audi A6).

Executive cars (Mercedes-Benz S-class, BMW 7, Audi A8).

Minivans (Mercedes-Benz Viano, Hundai Starex, Mercedes Vito).

Minibuses (Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, Ford Transit).

Buses (Iveco, Neoplan, Setra, Higer, Young, others).

The price of this tour may vary depending on the date of your arrival, as well as on the exchange rate of the local currency rubles against the US dollar and Euro.

For this tour you need to arrange entrance visa to Russia in advance. We are a licensed tour operator provide you with a letter of visa support. It will allow you to apply to the Consulate of Russia in your country and obtain an entry visa to Russia.

A number of countries of the world have the right to visa-free entry into Russia.

For this tour you can order additionally any services. Book a table in advance at the popular restaurant.

We will offer a selection of quality restaurants with different cuisines: Russian, European, Asian, Chinese, Mexican, Arabic, Halal, Indian, Gourme, others.

Order ticket for an evening performance for ballet, opera, folklore show, variety show, symphonic music concert

Any concierge service available upon your request.

• The tour is possible in any day
• Days of excursions may vary
• If change the exchange rate of the local currency (rubles) prices may be recalculate

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In less than a hundred years since the Prophetic Hijrah, during the ‘Golden Age of Islam’ the vastness of the Islamic Empire expanded all the way to Europe. Muslims from North Africa, under the leadership of Tariq bin Ziyad, conquered Spain and brought along with them their system of governance and law as well as beautiful architecture and vibrant culture.

 Journey with us and visit the Iberian Peninsula, Al-Andalusia, and explore the abundant Islamic history of Seville, Cordoba, Ronda, Granada and more. An 8-day tour bringing the history and heritage of Muslim Spain to life. See for yourself how over 700 years of Muslim rule left a legacy of Islamic Spain that remains today in the beautifully ornate mosques and palaces, as well as the rich local culture.

Safeguarding Your Health on Your Journey is our Priority

Temperature checks will be taken before trips for your safety.

Wearing masks on your journey helps keep everyone safe.

We’re committed to facilitating physical distancing.

All guests and staff are to adhere to sanitizing procedures at all times.

We’re adhering to best practices for cleanliness and disinfection. 

Seville houses one of the most famous and iconic remnants of Islamic Spain – the Real Alcazar, or Royal Alcazar – a remarkable palace built by the Muslim ruling class in the 8 th century. It is a fine and unique example of Mudéjar art – a style, deeply rooted in cultural diversity and originating from practising Muslims living in Christian territories in historical Spain.

Marvel at the Seville Cathedral, originally AlJama Mosque constructed by the order of the Almohad caliph Abu Yaqub Yusuf. Admire the Giralda, now a bell tower for the cathedral, but originally the minaret of the mosque, and in its time the tallest tower in the world, designed to resemble the minaret of the Koutoubia Mosque in Marrakesh.

One of the world’s greatest Islamic buildings and a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Mezquita, or Grand Mosque of Cordoba, is a symbol of the worldly, sophisticated culture that flourished here more than a millennium ago, in the 8 th century, when Córdoba was capital of Islamic Spain and western Europe’s biggest, most cultured city.

The design evolved for around 200 years to its final form as the Grand Mosque, until it was repurposed as a cathedral and altered accordingly. One of the most famous features of the building is its 856 double arches that are modelled on the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem. Mezquita-Catedral de Córdoba remains a truly mesmerizing building that exudes history, culture and opulence.

Granada, the last stronghold of Muslims in Spain, is filled with exquisite architecture and serene surroundings telling of a historic time in which Muslims ruled over this region. Every turn speaks of remnants of this age and the prosperity enjoyed by the people living there.

You’ll be taken back to this time as you walk through the picturesque arches, stroll through the Arab quarter or drink tea at one of teterías of Albayacin.

The iconic and astonishing AlHambra, standing at the foot of the Sierra Nevada, Spain’s highest mountain range, is a jewel in the crown of Islamic Spain. Developed in the 13 th century, Alhambra, a series of palaces, citadel, gardens and orchards, was the residence for the Nasarid sultans and elites, the last remaining Muslim dynasty in Al-Andalus. The profound beauty in its architectural design, intricate detail and engineering leaves visitors in awe of its allure.

Known as the ‘city of three cultures’ due to the peaceful coexistence of  Christian, Jewish and Muslim communities for centuries. Toldeo’s magnificence comes from the numerous mosques, synagogues and churches alongside its palaces and fortresses. Amongst the most famous are the Catedral Primada de Toledo, a gothic cathedral, the Mezquita del

Cristo de La Cruz, the Mosque of Christ of the Light, a 10 th century mosque and the Santa María la Blanca, a former synagogue built in the Muslims style of construction.

Gaze in wonder at the rich and diverse history of Toldeo that exudes out of its buildings, landscapes and culture. A UNESCO World Heritage site, still preserving its original layout and accessible through its narrow, winding streets, Toldeo will leave you deeply fascinated with Islamic Spain.

May 25 –  June 1, 2024

Group arrival and departure dates.

Arrival Date: May 25

Departure Date: June 1

Child rate no bed: $1,150  per child ages 2-9 years old, above 9 years old Adult rate. Under 2 years old is FREE

Trip at a Glance

Day 1 Arrival Seville Arrival at Seville airport. Welcoming and panoramic tour of Seville, check in, freshen up and spend the afternoon exploring Seville. Overnight in Seville

Day 2 Seville  Breakfast. Morning visit of Seville former Muslim quarters, Giralda tower neighborhood, Plaza de España, Torre del Oro and Royal Alcazar guided tour. Lunch time. Visit the Mosque of Seville for prayers. Afternoon free and easy at the city center Dinner.

Day 3 Seville – Cordoba  Breakfast. Morning transfer to Cordoba 1:30hours aprox Morning tour of the Old Mosque of Cordoba and old quarters. Lunch time.. Afternoon of Madinat Az Zahra. Rest of the afternoon free and easy for self exploring the old quarters. Overnight in Cordoba.

Day 4 Cordoba – Granada  Breakfast. Morning transfer to Granada, after check -in we ill spend the afternoon tour of the Albaycin quarters and the central Mosque of Granada, with a special presentation and welcoming by the Director of the Mosque. Overnight in Granada

Day 5 Granada  After breakfast we will make our way to the Alhambra. Usually the Highlight of the tour for many. Nominated a wonder of the world the visit to the Palaces, gardens and fort will leave you breathless. The visit to the Alhambra can take up to 4-5 hours. Overnight in Granada

Day 6 Granada – Toledo – Madrid Breakfast. Morning transfer to Toledo. L Afternoon visit of famous Mirador del Valle, Plaza del Zocodover & Damasquinado workshop. Overnight in Madrid

Day 7 Madrid  Breakfast. Tour of Madrid’s city center, Plaza del Sol, Plaza Mayor, Mercado de San Miguel, Barrio de los Austrias and Royal Palace. Lunch time. Afternoon visit of Madrid’s central Mosque.

Day 8 Madrid- Home Early morning you will be transferred to Madrid airport to take your flight back home. Our Andalusian experience comes to an end with final farewells.

Inclusions/Exclusions

PRICE INCLUDES:

Accommodation on Bed and Breakfast basis 4* in Seville, Córdoba, Toledo and Madrid: Accommodation on Bed and Breakfast basis 5* in Granada: 2 nights Hotel in Seville 1 nights Hotel in Cordoba 2 nights Hotel in Granada 1 night Hotel in Toledo 1 night Hotel in Madrid Transfers by Bus Group Transfer Seville Airport-Hotel in Seville (designated group pickup time) Seville Hotel-Córdoba Hotel Córdoba Hotel-Granada Hotel Granada Hotel-Madrid Hotel (designated group dropoff time) Group Transfer Toledo Hotel-Madrid Airport Tours (Guide, entrance fees and transport)

EXCLUSIONS:

International Airfare Lunch and dinners Tips Drinks Any other item not mentioned in the trip details

*In case of any quarantine due to COVID all expenses are not included for any days

Seville : Becquer Hotel | Cordoba : Hesperia Hotel | Granada: Melia Granda | Madrid: Novotel Madrid Center

Roundtrip International Flight Not Included

Please contact our offices for International ticket options from your local gateway

June 29 –  July 6, 2024

Arrival Date: June 29

Departure Date: July 6

Child rate no bed:  $1,150 per child ages 2-9 years old, above 9 years old Adult rate. Under 2 years old is FREE

Day 6 Granada – Toledo Breakfast. Morning transfer to Toledo. Lunch on the way. Afternoon visit of famous Mirador del Valle, Plaza del Zocodover & Damasquinado workshop. Overnight in Toledo.

Day 7 Toledo – Madrid  Breakfast. Morning transfer to Madrid. Tour of Madrid’s city center, Plaza del Sol, Plaza Mayor, Mercado de San Miguel, Barrio de los Austrias and Royal Palace. Lunch time. Afternoon visit of Madrid’s central Mosque.

International Airfare Lunch and dinners except Tips Drinks Any other item not mentioned in the trip details

Seville : Becquer Hotel | Cordoba : Hesperia Hotel | Granada: Barcelo Carmen Toledo: Alfonso VI | Madrid: Novotel Madrid Center

August 31 –  September 7, 2024

Arrival Date: August 31

Departure Date: September 7

Seville : Becquer Hotel | Cordoba : Hesperia Hotel | Granada: Barcelo Carmen  | Toledo: Alfonso VI | Madrid: Novotel Madrid Center

November 23  –  November 30, 2024 

Arrival Date: November 23

Departure Date: November 30

Seville : Becquer Hotel | Cordoba : Hesperia Cordoba  | Granada: Barcelo Carmen  | Toledo: Alfonso VI | Madrid: Novotel Madrid Center

Dec 28, 2024  –  Jan4, 2025

Arrival Date: December 28

Departure Date: January 4

Seville : Becquer Hotel | Cordoba : Hesperia Cordoba | Granada: Barcelo Carmen  | Toledo: Alfonso VI | Madrid: Novotel Madrid Center

I’m deeply thankful for all your kindness in assisting and guiding through this journey. May Allah bless you and all your loved ones with the best in this world and the next Ameen JAK.

Columbus, OH

Thank you Dar El Salam for everything you have been amazing in every way and may Allah bless you and jazakom Allah Khairan .

Los Angeles, CA

For more information please contact us at (866)327-7252

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• Moscow Travel and City Excursions

Our 20 Best Moscow Day Tours of 2022

See all that Moscow has to offer by choosing one or more of our incredible Moscow day tours. Visit Red Square , St. Basil’s , the Kremlin or perhaps a vodka museum and the fantastic Moscow metro system , we have it all. Our expert, informative and fun guides will help you get to know Europe’s largest city. Please click on the day tour details to learn more or contact us for more information about our Moscow tours using the form at the side of the page.  You can also schedule a call with one of our Russian travel specialists to learn more.

Head to the heart of Moscow with a professional guide on a 4-hour private walk through the city center. See Tverskaya and Old Arbat streets, Theatre Square with the world-famous Bolshoi Theatre, and the former KGB headquarters...

• Schedule Daily 09:00 - 20:00
• Languages English-speaking guide is guaranteed. Other languages are on request.
• Walking tours Transportation is not included
• PRIVATE TOUR This is a private tour, there won't be other people in your group

Panoramic City Tour. This Moscow tour is a great start to your trip and the best way to get acquainted with many of the city’s major highlights. Our professional guide will escort you on a route that includes Vorobyevi...

• Schedule Daily 09:00 - 18:00
• Tours by car Transportation by private car/minivan is included

This tour offers a detailed look into the history and present-day life of the Jewish community of Moscow. On the tour, you will visit sites connected with the cultural and religious life of different Jewish families, as well...

• Schedule Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday 11:00 - 20:00 Friday 10:00 - 14:00 Saturday not available

The tour begins with a drive or walk down Tverskaya Street – a Soviet masterpiece. In the years of Soviet power, Tverskaya began to undergo a transformation: it was widened to two and a half times its original size,...

This is a very interesting and insightful tour. You will visit places connected with Stalin’s terror - a time of great repression and fear. You will be shown monuments to the victims of the repression. You will then...

You will be told of the street’s interesting history and view the street’s artisan culture. You will also have the opportunity to view and purchase souvenirs from the street’s many craftsmen....

The Kremlin is truly a fascinating structure, at the same time it is an ancient tower, the city’s former military fortification, a palace, an armory, the sovereign treasury and the workplace of the Russian President....

• Schedule Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday 10:00 - 17:00 Thursday not available

This world-famous gallery contains masterpieces of Russian art beginning in the 10th century up until today. You will view exquisite Russian icons and paintings from the 18th and 19th century including works by Rublyov, Karavak,...

• Schedule Monday not available Tuesday, Wednesday, Sunday 10:00 - 17:00 Thursday, Friday, Saturday 10:00 - 20:00

Tour of the Novodevichy Monastery. Founded in 1524 by Grand Prince VasiliIoanovich, the original convent was enclosed by fortified walls and contained 12 towers. The structure served as a convent for women of noble birth...

• Schedule Daily 09:00 - 17:00

The Moscow Metro is one of the largest and most grandly built metro systems in the world. It was meant to be a showcase of the Soviet Union’s achievements for both the Russians themselves and for visitors from abroad....

• Schedule Daily 10:00 - 17:00

The history of Kolomenskoye stretches back for centuries. In 1380, Dmitri Donskoi’s army passed through Kolomenskoye on their way to the Kulikovo battlefield, and it was here that Donskoi celebrated his victory over...

• Schedule Monday not available Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday 10:00 - 17:00 Saturday 11:00 - 18:00

Considered by some to be the Russian Vatican, Sergiev Posad is the temporary residence of the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church. The Trinity St. Sergius Monastery (Lavra) was built in the first half of the 1340s by...

The Tsaritsyno Estate is located in the southern part of Moscow. The estate was constructed for Catherine the Great by the Russian architects Bazhenov and Kazakov in a romantic gothic style. The complex includes a landscape...

• Schedule Monday not available Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 11:00 - 17:00 Saturday 11:00 - 19:00 Sunday 11:00 - 18:00

The Kuskovo Estate often called the Moscow Versailles due to its perfectly preserved French park, is an example of an 18th century, luxurious Moscow summer residence. Its history dates back to 1715, when the village of Kuskovo...

• Schedule Monday, Tuesday not available Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday 10:00 - 18:00

Vodka is an important component of Russian life, an element of national identity and everyday culture. We invite you to visit the Vodka Museum and feel the atmosphere of long-gone centuries. You will get to know the story...

• Schedule Daily 10:00 - 19:00

Take this opportunity to learn more about the Russian writer Lev Tolstoy. During the visit to the museum you will see part of a vast collection of exhibits connected to Tolstoy and his family including books and personal...

• Schedule Monday not available Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday 10:00 - 17:00 Thursday 12:00 - 19:00

This apartment museum located close to Patriarch Ponds became the prototype of the "bad apartment" described in the novel "The Master and Margarita." Currently the museum's collection includes more than three thousand...

• Schedule Monday not available Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday 12:00 - 19:00 Thursday 14:00 - 21:00

Express to Russia specializes in Moscow city excursions, an essential part of your Moscow travel itinerary. We offer a large variety of day excursions throughout Moscow and its suburbs. From  Red Square  and the  Kremlin  to a city tour of Moscow’s  Old Arbat Street  or the  Moscow metro , an excursion specializing in Stalin and the KGB and much more. No travel to Moscow is complete without taking a few of our day tours that most meet your interest in Russia.

Moscow City Tours

Our Moscow day excursions can be organized on foot or with transport. All of our excursions are led by an experienced guide, specializing in the subject matter of the tour. Excursions are privately run and can be booked for 1 traveler all the way up to large groups of travelers. We run our Moscow city tours in every season. This is because travel to Moscow is excellent in any season. In the summer take a stroll through  Gorky Park  or take a riverboat tour along the Moskva River. In the winter, see Moscow’s winter wonderland of ice and snow and then settle in for a cozy lunch or dinner with a hot bowl of borsht. In winter, spring and fall, you can beat the crowds at all of Moscow’s main attractions and museums. Regardless of when you come, Express to Russia will make sure that your trip is one of your best vacations ever.

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17 Best Moscow Tours

Are you planning a visit to the capital of Russia and looking for the best Moscow tours? From Red Square to the Kremlin and from world-class art to fairytale buildings, Moscow is an enchanting city that offers plenty of excitement and elegance. Its history dates back more than 800 years, and there is culture in abundance for visitors to immerse themselves in.

Make the most of your visit with 17 of the best Moscow tours that let you see everything the city and its surroundings have to offer.

1 – Guided Tour of the Moscow Metro

Moscow’s metro is world-famous, thanks to the architectural delights on offer underground stations around the capital. This guided tour of the Moscow stations, otherwise known as “the palace of the people” lasts for 1.5 hours and includes an English-speaking guide who will tell you how the Russian metro became one of the most beautiful in the world. Highlights include Mayakovskaya station with its aviation-themed mosaics.

• Moscow metro tours

2 – Cosmonautics Museum Space Tour

Discover Cosmonautics Museum with this space tour. Dive into one of the greatest battles between the Soviet Union and the United States – the space race. Hear about the space programs of the USSR and learn about how the USSR shaped space travel and technology.

• Cosmonautics Museum tours

3 – Guided Tour of the Kremlin

A Kremlin is actually a citadel in Russian towns, and Moscow’s version is, without doubt, the most famous. The Kremlin is the heartbeat of the city, and this guided tour takes you to the most important points of interest. See Cathedral Square with its orthodox temples; Tzar Cannon with its 890mm calibre, which is the largest in the world; and the exterior of the all-important government buildings that are located within the Kremlin’s walls.

Click here to learn how to book Kremlin tickets .

• Kremlin tours

4 – Moscow City Walking Tour

One of the best Moscow tours for seeing everything the city has to offer, this small-group walking tour lasts for 2 hours and includes an expert guide. Make the most of the capital and see the cobbled spaces of Red Square, take pictures of St Basil’s Cathedral, visit the elegant Bolshoi Theatre, and enjoy the ornamental Alexandrovsky Garden.

• Moscow walking tours

5 – Night Tour of Moscow

When the sun sets, the fun begins – and it all starts with a night tour of Russia’s most famous city. The beauty of Moscow comes into full effect after hours, as iconic buildings like St Basil’s Cathedral illuminate against the night sky. Other locations on this tour include the Moscow River and the Ukraine Hotel, which is a landmark skyscraper that was constructed during the era of Stalin.

6 – Sergiev Posad Day Trip

One of the best Moscow tours that take you outside of the city, the Sergiev Posad day trip provides the opportunity to see The Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is the spiritual centre of the Russian Orthodox Church. It’s made up of a number of different buildings that include the blue domes of the Cathedral of the Assumption, Church of St. Sergius and the Bell Tower.

• Sergiev Posad day trips from Moscow

7 – City Sightseeing Moscow Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with Optional Cruise

If your time in Moscow is limited, this hop-on, hop-off bus tour is ideal – and it even features an optional cruise on the river. Choose between a 2 and 3-day ticket and see famous landmarks like Red Square, the Kremlin and the Bolshoi Theatre from an open-top panoramic bus with informative audio commentary. Take your experience to the next level by upgrading to a boat tour.

• Moscow hop on hop off bus tours

8 – Guided Tour of the Tretyakov Gallery

As one of the world’s most important galleries, the Tretyakov Gallery is a must-see for any art lovers and is one of the best Moscow tours for culture vultures. Learn about the masterworks of Pablo Tretyakov with a guided tour and discover the secrets behind the paintings. Other noticeable artists on view include Fedotov, Vasnetsov, Rokotov and Kiprenski, who is the author of the famous “Portrait of Alexander Pushkin”.

• Tretyakov Gallery tours

9 – Alternative Moscow: 2-Hour Walking Tour

See a different side of Moscow with this 2-hour alternative tour. An expert guide will take you around quirky streets, suburbs and squares while as your veer away from the traditional tourist hotspots. Highlights include a ride on the famous “Annushka” tram and a visit to the neighbourhood of Khitrovka, which was once known as the criminal district of the city.

10 – St.Basil’s Cathedral and Red Square: Private Tour and Ticket

Combine two of Moscow’s biggest attractions with a visit to Red Square and St.Basil’s Cathedral. Admire the beautiful architecture of St.Basil’s Cathedral from inside and out, before wandering Red Square and learn about the soldiers, farmers and revolutionaries that all called this famous square their home. Round things off with the changing of the guard at Alexander Garden.

• Red Square tours

11 – Bunker-42 Cold War Museum Guided Tour

Moscow is notorious for the Cold War, which lasted for about 45 years between 1945 and 1990. Head to the world-famous Bunker-42, located 65 meters below ground level, and learn about the storied past. Visit rooms and passages that were set up to shelter 3,000 people in case of nuclear attack and discover other sections, such as the equipment room and the war-proof telecommunications system.

• Bunker-42 Cold War Museum tours

12 – Architecture Tour of Moscow’s Metro and Kolomenskoye Estate

Combine the beauty of the metro stations with the Kolomenskoye Estate and see some of Moscow’s grandest sights. After visiting the elegant metro stations, it’s time to go to the Kolomenskoye Estate, which is filled with UNESCO-listed sites that are dedicated to Tsar Peter the Great.

• Kolomenskoye tours

13 – Tour of Soviet Moscow

Unpick the history of the USSR with one of the best Moscow tours for discovering Soviet Moscow. Starting at Monument to the Conquerors of Space, a tribute to the success of the Soviet space programme, the tour includes historical landmarks and interesting tidbits about Soviet Russia. There is also a visit to the All-Russia Exhibition Centre (VDNKh), a site that was constructed under the aegis of the USSR in tribute to state achievements.

14 – Moscow: 2.5-Hour Luxury River Cruise with Dining Option

Sail down the Moscow River on this 2.5 hour tour that provides a different perspective of the city and includes landmark sights. The boat features two decks and has panoramic views as well as free Wi-Fi access. Attractions along the route include Ukraine hotel, Sparrow Hills, Christ the Saviour Cathedral, Crimean Bridge, St. Basil’s Cathedral, Zaryadye Park and more.

• Moscow boat tours

15 – Izmailovo Market and Vodka Museum Tour

Visit the museum of Vodka and gain insight into one of Russia’s most famous exports and head to the Izmailovo antique and handicraft market to find a gem or two. The tour starts with Izmailovo market, which features the iconic matryoshka dolls, fur hats and amber jewellery. Next up is a trip to the Museum of Vodka, where you will discover a distillery that dates back to the 15th century.

• Izmailovo market tours

16 – Súzdal and Vladímir Day Tour

Discover Russia’s famous “Golden Ring” on this tour of two medieval cities outside of Moscow. The historic city of Vladimir is first up with its Golden Gate, which is an ancient city-fortress that dates back to the 13th century. Next up is the neighbouring town of Suzdal, which features historic architecture and the Kremlin, where you can see its striking white walls topped with blue domes.

• Suzdal & Vladimir tours from Moscow

17- Moscow Food Tasting & Walking Tour

Sample the unique flavours of Moscow with this food tour that lasts for 3 hours and features more than 15 different food and drink tastings. Weave in and out of small alleys in the city centre while enjoying the best food spots in town. See Moscow like a local while trying classic dishes from local breakfast haunts, bustling markets, the oldest monastery in Moscow, and dumpling cafes where you can taste authentic dumplings and enjoy local coffee.

• Moscow food tours

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Like Jewels, Will Travel

Gem- and jewelry-themed tours and excursions mix treasure hunting with adventure and cultural experiences.

Text by Amy Elliott

Illustrations by Ben Pearce

Last year, when Roberto Ruiz visited the Carbonera mine in Querétaro, Mexico, he cracked open a grapefruit-size piece of rhyolite with a hammer. When he looked inside, “it was like finding a fire fossil,” he said during a recent phone interview from his home in San Antonio. Inside was an orangey-red fire opal that he likened to a flame, forever preserved in the sphere of igneous rock.

Mr. Ruiz and his wife, Erika Rodriguez, are among the few people who have traveled to the mine, a desolate spot located in Carbonera in central Mexico, a destination that’s well off the beaten tourist track, some 20 miles from the nearest city. Their journey was especially unusual as neither is in the gem trade: Mr. Ruiz is a corporate attorney and Ms. Rodriguez works in digital marketing.

But they are among a growing number of travel enthusiasts seeking unusual, hyper-specific vacation experiences that offer an insider’s view of the gem and fine jewelry industries, and a number of businesses are responding to the demand accordingly.

Mr. Ruiz said the idea of visiting an opal mine was appealing for a few reasons, starting with his lifelong fascination with gemstones and minerals.

The mine’s remote location in the rocky, semidesert wilderness (where snakes and scorpions are not uncommon) was also compelling: Ms. Rodriguez said she and her husband are usually inclined toward travel focused on outdoor adventure, from hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in Peru to rock climbing around Krabi in southern Thailand.

“We had also gone to the American Museum of Natural History in New York and saw an opal from Querétaro, and Roberto is originally from there,” Ms. Rodriguez said. “We found out something that we didn’t even know existed and we became interested in learning how the opals are extracted — and meeting the people who were doing it.”

But a traveler cannot just show up at a mine and start digging. It requires a guide, someone well connected to the mine owners and well versed in what to expect: dirt and dust; lots of walking; the occasional explosion at the site; and, at times, security risks. Given their knowledge of the terrain, guides keep an ear to the ground for rumblings — both geological and political — and respond accordingly to keep travelers safe.

The couple arranged the trip through Carlos Torres, an acquaintance from New York who is a gemologist, commercial gem buyer and consultant. He had piqued their interest with tales of the mines he has visited, particularly on trips with his business partner, Laurent Massi, who has taught gemology at several institutions and now is the owner of the Neogem consultancy in Paris.

Mr. Torres and Dr. Massi have organized gem mining trips not just to Mexico, but also to destinations such as Colombia (for emeralds), Thailand (for rubies) and Brazil (for Paraiba tourmaline). Last fall, they started the Gem Odyssey , a business to structure similar gem-hunting expeditions as all-inclusive travel packages that start, on average, at about $3,700 per person, not including airfare.

Gem Odyssey itineraries are tailored to jewelry enthusiasts who are not industry professionals — offering plenty of education and explanation, while avoiding “inside baseball”-type industry talk. The trips typically span nine days, with at least three of those days spent at a mine site.

The founders say the schedules can be customized to include experiences such as tequila tastings or visits to local artisan markets; any given trip might include a mix of accommodations, with upscale hotels near the airports or central cities and more rustic facilities in the mining areas.

But his clients don’t come for the niceties, Mr. Torres said. “They like the idea of getting mud on their hands.”

And, he added, after receiving instruction in mining safety, they become part of the process: “They see the drilling, how the dynamite is used for extraction, and they get to experience breaking the stones and checking for gems.”

Dr. Massi, who also was on the phone interview with Mr. Torres, said that “witnessing the birth of a gemstone is not something anyone can do and see at home in their garden. We try to give them an experience, and see a part of a country, that they could not get access to on their own.”

Digging For Tourmalines

Perhaps it is not surprising, but gem- and jewelry-themed travel is a trend especially relevant to the tastes and inclinations of high-net worth individuals — people with at least $1 million in liquid assets — according to Milton Pedraza, the founder and chief executive of the Luxury Institute, a consultancy specializing in luxury consumer research with offices in New York and Florida.

Mr. Pedraza said the sophisticated traveler has “seen it, done it.” So, he said, when someone has the opportunity to access an exclusive experience in a far-flung part of the world, “it makes your life more unique,” he said,“and everybody wants to be seen as authentic, unique and genuine.”

The designer Pamela Hastry is connected to such clients through Morphée , her jewelry company in Paris, and the lectures that she regularly hosts in and around her hometown, Brussels. She also conducts private tours of Place Vendôme in Paris, a center for high jewelry, and of the Diamantkwartier, or Diamond Quarter, in Antwerp, Belgium, one of the jewelry industry’s oldest and most prominent diamond centers.

In November Ms. Hastry is planning to take a group to Namibia, in southern Africa, to discover the country’s beautiful tourmalines (while also making a stop at a mine that produces chrysocolla, an unusual blue-green type of chalcedony). Organized with Destination, a luxury travel agency in Belgium, the 10-day itinerary includes at least one night in a tent near one of the tourmaline mines (€8,986 or about $9,711, without airfare).

“You’re going to live — and dig — like a miner for a day and a half,” Ms. Hastry said.

Damien Van Bellinghen, the founder of Le Club des Etoiles, a business and social club in Brussels, has one of the 15 reservations for the Namibia trip. Mr. Van Bellinghen, who went on one of Ms. Hastry’s private tours of Antwerp’s diamond district, wrote in an email that he looked forward to discovering how gems are extracted, getting to know the miners and exploring the country through the lens of a jeweler.

“The types of trips that Pamela Hastry organizes plunge straight into the heart of where the most marvelous jewels come from,” he wrote. “Such visits can only be made if you are accompanied by someone who has ‘insider’ knowledge and, above all, who has the trust of the local people. And we’re lucky enough to enjoy it.”

The Royal Treatment

If you do find a gem during one of these mine trips, can it be used in a piece of jewelry? Both Ms. Hastry and Mr. Torres of the Gem Odyssey said that they could facilitate a purchase, although they noted that the item purchased would have to comply with international import/export regulations.

But some gem-loving travelers don’t want to dig for their treasures. They would rather a holiday centered on history, sightseeing and shopping for finished pieces of jewelry (with posh accommodations and amenities as a bonus).

“You can tour some cities very easily through the lens of the history of fine jewelry and jewelry-making,” said Camilla Davidson, who is head of destination management for Britain, France and Ireland at Red Savannah , a luxury travel agency in England. “And that would still enable you to see so many of the destination’s highlights.”

For example, the agency offers a tour of London called Couture and Crown Jewels, an extravagant option for jewelry enthusiasts with deep pockets ($550,000 for two people, without airfare). It offers a private tour of the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London and dinner in its White Tower; a four-night stay at the Raffles London at the OWO; and tickets to a West End show. And it includes a $125,000 credit toward a jewelry purchase at Humphrey Butler, an antique and estate jeweler.

Ms. Davidson said she developed the package in response to the world’s fascination with British royalty and was inspired by the idea of connecting a visit to the Crown Jewels to an exclusive jewelry shopping experience.

Humphrey Butler and his namesake business were a natural fit for the itinerary, she said: “He has the most impeccable collection and he as an individual is completely charming, exceptionally discreet, and just great fun to be around.”

Jewels at Sea

For some jewelry collectors, a travel experience that plays to, or enhances, their level of connoisseurship, is most appealing.

“Whatever their interest is, they want to learn more,” said Mr. Pedraza, the luxury consumer specialist. “So they make an adventure or journey out of it.”

One such example might be the Spotlight on Fabergé package offered by Regent Seven Seas Cruises in collaboration with Fabergé, the Russian heritage workshop known for its bejeweled eggs, which in 2009 moved its headquarters in London.

The first such excursion aboard the Seven Seas Grandeur liner is scheduled for July. Josina von dem Bussche-Kessell, Fabergé’s creative director, explained that the cruise is designed for “clients who care about art and culture and would happily sit for an hour or so to learn about the history of Fabergé’s royal clients then and now.”

The Grandeur, which was launched in November, has its own 1,600-piece art collection, including a Fabergé egg in an ocean theme with blue guilloché enamel, diamonds and pearls, called “Journey in Jewels,” which was commissioned by Regent Seven Seas. (The meetings on the commission actually led to the cruise collaboration.)

The 11-day voyage is scheduled to depart from the Civitavecchia port in Rome and to include destinations such as the Sicilian city of Taormina; Ibiza, Spain; and Nice, France, ending in Monaco (from $12,999 per person, including airfare).

The programming is to include Fabergé expert-led lectures, screenings and master classes, as well as shore excursions attuned to the participants’ interests in the decorative arts. As Ms. von dem Bussche-Kessell sees it, such a floating symposium — a kind of sleepover camp on a luxury scale — effectively creates a community for people who share a common passion.

Mr. Pedraza said that was an important incentive for certain travelers: “They love to engage with the product while meeting people who are their peers and who come through trusted brands and curators.”

And the return home is just as important as the journey itself, especially with a glittering souvenir to show friends and family.

“You get to demonstrate your expertise,” Mr. Pedraza said, “The experience has made you an insider.”