Imperial Cities and Coast

We will meet you upon your arrival in Fes, and you will be taken directly to your riad in the heart of the old medina where we will leave you to relax and settle in.

Your Moroccan experience will start with a full day discovering Fes, the intellectual and spiritual heart of Morocco. Fes features many mosques and madrasas, or theological colleges, including the 9th-century Karaouine University whose architecture is strikingly similar to that of Moorish Spain. We will see the wonderful mosaics and carved woodwork in Madrasa Bou Inania, a group of buildings from the 14th century with an elegant minaret overlooking Talaa Kebira.

We will also wander through the famous medina, one of the largest in the world. Among the twisting streets of the souk there are thousands of craftsmen sitting in their tiny shops, opening right onto the narrow alleyways. Noisy, pungent, hot, and claustrophobic, the medina of Fes is a totally absorbing and unique sensory experience. To cap off our tour of Fes, our guide will take us to the Jewish Quarter (the Mellah), the Royal Palace, and a viewpoint with a panoramic view over the souks of the medina.

After breakfast, you will set out for the ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the best preserved Roman ruins in North Africa. This important Roman town still features detailed and gorgeous mosaics that will give you a unique perspective on Morocco's ancient history. Afterwards we will continue our journey to Meknes, one of Morocco's greatest imperial cities, often called the "Versailles of Morocco'' due to the grandeur and intricacy of its buildings and monuments.

We will take some time to explore the highlights of Meknes, including the Bab Mansour, Sahrij Souani, and the old Medina; After lunch we will continue our journey to Chefchaouen, our road ascending into the valleys of the Rif Mountains. The valley forms a dramatic entrance to the vividly blue-colored town of Chefchaouen, which is set like a sapphire among the jagged mountain peaks.

We will go directly to your Riad to settle in and relax before going for a walk among the blue and white walls of the medina and the unique local crafts markets. With its unique, colorful style and its unforgettable view over the mountains, Chefchaouen is also a one-of-a-kind destination for photography. In the evening you can enjoy an aromatic glass of red wine and a Tagine and couscous meal at one of the hotel's three rooftop terraces before relaxing under the crystal-clear Moroccan night-sky.

After breakfast you will have a tour of this striking blue-rinsed town, truly one of Morocco's must-see places and a hidden gem, tucked away in the mountains. You will walk through the local markets where you will see the unique offerings of the Moroccan highlands. If your physical ability allows, you might choose to go for an amazing (around 4H) trekking trip to Akchour waterfalls. In the afternoon you'll be able to relax and enjoy the calm atmosphere of the Rif Mountains.

On the way we will visit Asilah, a beautiful coastal town with whitewashed houses, blue walls and doors, and many murals, before stopping in imperial city of Rabat and explore the Mechouar (the ramparts and walls surrounding the Royal Palace), the majestic Mohammed V Mausoleum, the Hassan tower, and the Kasbah des Oudayas, which overlooks the water and offers fantastic views over the Atlantic Ocean as well as being home to many Moroccan artisan workshops.

After breakfast in Rabat we will depart for Casablanca. We will arrive in the morning, after which we will visit the grounds of the immense Hassan II Mosque, which features the world's tallest minaret and some of the finest work that Islamic craftsmen have produced. There we will learn how historically important Casablanca has been for Morocco over the millenia.

In the early afternoon we will board our way for a four hour journey to Marrakech. In the evening there will be time to stretch our legs and visit the famous Djemaa el Fna Square, around which Marrakech revolves. The name literally means "Place of Death", as it was where Sultans would historically display the heads of their enemies. Now, with food stalls, snake charmers, traveling musicians, and acrobats, it has become a place of entertainment for both Moroccans and overseas visitors.

In the morning after breakfast we will set off on a guided tour of Marrakech, known as the "Southern Pearl" of Morocco, which has for centuries been an important stop for traders and travelers. Our tour will take us to the Bahia Palace, and the 16th-century Saadian tomb. You will have some free time to have some lunch and visit the Koutoubia Mosque, whose 77 meter minaret dominates the center of Marrakech, and wander through the winding alleyways of the old medina.

We will continue to the Djemaa el Fna Square where you can try bartering with the locals or have a glass of freshly-squeezed orange juice on one of the many rooftop terraces overlooking the square. After the sun sets you will witness Djemaa el Fna becoming even livelier and overflowing with food vendors. We will spend the night in Marrakech.

In the morning we will take a bus from Marrakech to the town of Essaouira for a quick tour to introduce you to this delightful old Portuguese fishing port on the Atlantic coast. The settlement dates back to the 15th century, but the present town was constructed around 1760 by Sidi Mohammed ben Abdullah, who needed a base from which to quell a revolt in Agadir.

Today, Essaouira is conspicuously relaxed, and its whitewashed houses with their painted shutters, artisan's workshops, boatyard, and busy fisherman provide a marked contrast to Marrakech. In the afternoon you will have plenty of time to explore for yourself and do some shopping, take a walk or a camel ride along the beach, walk along the ramparts and harbor and see the local catch, or even take a boat trip to the storied island of Mogador in the bay. We will spend a night in relaxing accommodation in Essaouira.

After breakfast in the morning we will have some time to continue exploring the winding backstreets and ramparts of Essaouira before we return to Marrakech around midday. In Marrakech we will have plenty of free time to do some last minute shopping, or maybe to take a Calèche ride (bright green horse-drawn carriage) to the Majorelle Gardens, decorated in indigo blue and housing a small museum of Islamic art. As a final treat you may want to pamper yourself at a local hammam, a traditional steam bath and the perfect way to cap off your Moroccan experience. We will spend the night in our hotel in Marrakech.

Today we will make as much use of our time as possible, wandering around the souks of Marrakech and finding souvenirs or gifts for friends before we take you to Marrakech Menara airport with plenty of time to catch your departure flight.