The magic and mystique of Morocco come to life over eight fascinating days exploring the impressive imperial cities of North Africa’s last kingdom. Visit the awe-inspiring cities of Marrakech, Fez, Meknes, Rabat and Casablanca. Discover the ruins of the ancient Roman city of Volubilis and experience the rustic charms of the Atlas Mountains’ market towns. Accommodation is in choice hotels on a half- or full-board basis, with plenty of opportunities to savour the best in traditional Moroccan cuisine, including a spectacular dinner show in a historical palace in the Marrakech Medina.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:
Casablanca: Enjoy a tour of this cosmopolitan city and admire the magnificent Hassan II Mosque.
Rabat: Discover the capital’s many attractions, including the Royal Palace, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, the Hassan Tower and the Oudayas Gardens.
Meknes: Behold the ancient city gates of Bab Mansour and Bab El-Khemis.
Fez: See the magnificent Moulay Idriss Zaouia, enjoy lunch in the Medina, explore the historic Jewish quarter and take in the panoramic views from the Royal Palace and fortifications.
Marrakech: Admire the famous Koutoubia Mosque, the beautiful Bahia Palace, the Saadian Tombs and wander through the bustling Jemaa el-Fnaa market.
Day 1: ARRIVAL CASABLANCA
Once you have collected your luggage, you’ll find the driver/agent waiting for you in the Arrivals hall with your name on a board. Please do not leave the pick-up area without having met the driver/agent first. Then transfer to your hotel, where you will check in and have dinner.
Overnight in Casablanca.
Day 2: CASABLANCA
After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy part of the morning at leisure, during which time you can start exploring this bustling city at your own pace, before joining the tour for an optional lunch. After eating, discover in depth the economic capital of Morocco with a guided panoramic tour that will take you to the central market, the charming Habous district, the Royal Palace, Mohamed V Square, the residential area of Anfa and the exterior of the majestic Hassan II Mosque, which stands imposingly by the sea and the Corniche, the coastal walkway of Casablanca. In the evening return to your hotel to prepare yourself for a new day full of surprises.
Overnight in Casablanca.
Day 3: CASABLANCA – RABAT – MEKNES – VOLUBILIS – FEZ (355 Km – 5 hrs)
Start the day with breakfast at the hotel before departing to Rabat, the capital city of the country. Upon arrival, enjoy a guided panoramic tour of the Royal Palace (Mechouar), the Kasbah of Oudayas, the Mohamed V Mausoleum and the Hassan Tower. After an optional lunch, continue your route to Meknes, where you’ll go on a tour of this former imperial capital, the glory days of which were under the reign of Moulay Ismail in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Such was the grandeur of the city that he built, that Meknes became known as the ‘City of a Hundred Minarets’ and is today a UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site. See the imposing city walls and the beautifully decorated gates of Bab Mansour and Bab El-Khemis, the vast El Hedhim Square, the Dar El Ma souk and much more. It’s then time to continue, passing by the ruins of the ancient Phoenician city of Volubilis (entrance not included) and past the holy city of Moulay Idriss, before finally arriving to Fez.
Overnight in Fez.
Day 4: FEZ
Breakfast at the hotel is followed by a day exploring the fascinating city of Fez. Boasting more than 12 centuries of history, as well as a medina that is a UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site and the oldest university on the planet, Fez is a multifarious city renowned for the splendour of its faded glory. The medina, Fez el Bali, is a vast network of winding alleys hemmed in by ancient walls. Despite being car-free, the bustle, noise, shouting, and the smells of tanned leather, oriental perfumes, barbecues and sweet pastries create a sense of movement and vibrancy that draws you deep into its soul. Head to the Bou INania or Attarine madrasah (depending on availability), both of which showcase exquisite central courts. Then see the Quaraouiyine Mosque as well as the Nejjarrine fountain and smell the cedar from the carpenters’ district. The alleys are lined with places of study or prayer such as madrasahs or the magnificent mausoleum of Moulay Idriss Zaouia, the most important saint’s shrine in Morocco. In the afternoon, continue through the rustic narrow streets of the Mellah, the former Jewish district, and head to the outskirts to see the Royal Palace and enjoy the extraordinary panoramic view of the whole city offered by the fortifications of the north. Return to the hotel.
Overnight in Fez.
Day 5: FEZ – BENI-MELLAL – MARRAKECH (550 Km – 7 hrs)
Depart Fez after breakfast at the hotel, heading southwest towards Marrakech. Today’s road journey provides an enormous range of landscapes and allows for many enticing photo stops as we drive along the foothill of the Atlas Mountains. Pass the quaint mountain town of Ifrane (1,650 metres high), the Berber villages of Azrou and Khenifra, and make an optional in Beni-Mellal. Surrounded by beautiful orange and olive groves, the town of Beni-Mellal is a rendezvous point for nature and mountain lovers, as well as for adventure seekers. Later arrive in Marrakech and check in to your hotel.
Overnight in Marrakech.
Day 6: MARRAKECH
Wake up to breakfast at the hotel before embarking on a trip to the top monuments charting the history of Marrakech. Contemplate the magnificent Koutoubia mosque, whose 70-metre-high minaret is the city’s most famous landmark. It dates from the late 12th century, when most of northern Africa and the southern Iberian Peninsula were part of the Almohad Empire. Later, behold the beautiful Bahia Palace, with its exceptional cedar and marble decorations, and then discover the fascinating Heritage Museum. After lunch in the hotel, continue to the walled Medina and its maze of alleys and side streets. Browse the souks and admire the rich craftsmanship of their wares before arriving at Jemaa el-Fnaa square, the beating heart of Marrakech. Marvel at this bustling hive of activity as the sun sets over this vast space packed with stalls, snake charmers, Gnawa musicians and myriad colourful characters. Also, enjoy a visit to a Moroccan herbalist, where you can purchase traditional herbal products and remedies. If you want to end the day on a high note, have dinner in an old palace in the Medina while watching a folkloric show (optional).
Overnight in Marrakech.
Day 7: MARRAKECH – CASABLANCA (250 Km – 3 hrs)
Breakfast at the hotel is followed by a transfer to your hotel in Casablanca. After checking in, you are free to have lunch and spend the rest of the day at leisure. Find an appetising restaurant in which to try the local cuisine or ask at the hotel for a recommendation. Later you can either rest by making the most of the services available at the hotel or hit the streets to further explore this vibrant city at your own rhythm. Today, you set the pace.
Overnight in Casablanca.
Day 8: DEPARTURE CASABLANCA
Wake up to one last breakfast at the hotel. Then check out and bid farewell to Morocco as you are transferred to the Casablanca Airport, where you’ll arrive in time to catch whichever flight you have scheduled to reach your following destination.
Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or skimpy clothing when visiting religious or official buildings in Morocco. Sun protection, sunglasses, a hat and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.
