MOROCCO IMPERIAL CITIES TOUR

Duration 8 Days 7 Nights

A journey dedicated to discover a fascinating world, at the same time so close and so far away from Europe. The visit of the renowned Imperial Cities forms the

Day 1 : Marrakech

 

Welcome to Morocco’s fourth largest imperial city. At Marrakech’s most modern airport, you’ll be fast-tracked through the airport and welcomed by your friendly host who will handle your luggage and questions before transferring you to your luxury accommodation.  Relax with Moroccan Mint Tea or explore the city which TripAdvisor nominated world’s best destination in 2015. In a horse-drawn carriage, go back in time, before returning to your luxury accommodation to taste Moroccan hospitality and a cuisine rich in the flavours of warm aromatic spices.

Day 2: Visit of Marrakech

After breakfast, your day is dedicated to getting to know this ancient city that sits at the foothills of the Atlas Mountains. Expect sublime architecture and enchanting souks, the magnificent Bahia Palace, the Saadain Tombs where Saadian Sultan Ahmed al-Mansour ed-Dahbi spared no expense, importing Italian Carrara marble and gilding honeycomb muqarnas (decorative plasterwork) with pure gold to make the Chamber of the 12 Pillars a suitably glorious mausoleum. We’ll visit the former home and gardens of French fashion designer, Yves Saint Laurent where you can wander among the exotic greenery and cacti and experience the spectacular blues of Jardin Majorelle. With no time to waste, next comes the famous Koutoubia Mosque with its stunning minaret and lush gardens. We lunch at a typical Moroccan restaurant. In no rush, we enter the heart of Marrakech: the Medina, where Arab and Berber cultures explode in color, noise and originality. Smell spices. Taste olives. Buy local handicrafts and specialities. And of course the famous Jemaa El Fna Square, with its snake charmers, storytellers, jugglers and acrobats. After, explore the souks’. Tonight, dinner at a ‘Thousand and One Night’ show in an ancient Moroccan Palace at the heart of the Medina. Finish your day luxuriating at your accommodation and set your clocks for Casablanca.

Day 3: Marrakech-Rabat

At a leisurely pace, after breakfast, we depart for Casablanca on our way to Rabat. You’ll have a guided visit to Hassan II Mosque: one of the most impressive religious and cultural sites anywhere in the world, it was constructed on the sea and is dominated by the highest minaret of the world at 210m. Half of the mosque lies on reclaimed land over the Atlantic Ocean and part of the mosque's floor is made of glass so worshippers can kneel and pray directly over the sea. Lunch will be at the renowned Rick’s Café. Arrive at your luxury accommodation and enjoy a relaxed dinner.

Day 4: Rabat - Fes

After breakfast we explore Rabat: the administrative and political capital. You will tour the Hassan Tower: Mohamed V Mausoleum, decorated with marble, also gold and onyx leaf; the Oudayas Kasbah and the King Palace. We continue on to Meknes, the city protected by over 40km of ancient walls. We visit one of the few religious sites non-Muslims are allowed to enter, before a panoramic tour of the city and the famous doors of El Mansour and El Khamis. Lunch at Meknes before journeying north toward Fes, stopping to discover the UNESCO World Heritage listed Roman ruins at Volubilis, with its spectacular mosaics. We are only an hour away from Fes where your luxury accommodation and dinner await you. 

Day 5: Fes 

You’ll start the visit of the spiritual capital with an inspiring panoramic view from the south of the Borj, off the Medina, then on to discover the famous pottery factories on foot; the souks, the dyers and the tanneries, the square and the Nejjarine Fountain, outdoor views of the Karaouyine Mosque in heart of Medina. Lunch will be in an ancient palace in the Medina. In the afternoon, an outdoor visit of the Royal Palace, also exploring Fes’s heritage in and around the Jewish Quarter noting its particular houses with forged iron balconies. The highlight of your day will be a traditional Moroccan Dinner beginning with the famous Moroccan Salad served in the dining room of the former Arab-Moorish palace, Palais Faraj, offering the most sublime views of the world’s oldest Medina.

Day 6: Fes - Marrakech 

It’s time to explore landscapes, mountains, and flat plains, witnessing as we travel the kaleidoscope of changing colors that will live in your memories for a lifetime. Have your cameras ready as we venture through the Middle Atlas passing through the village, Ifran (‘The Switzerland of Morocco’) stopping for coffee and delectable pastries before crossing the plains of Tadla. We picnic at Beni Mellal, before stopping to Ouzoud Waterfalls. 110m high, the falls are located near the Grand Atlas Tanaghmeilt Village. It’s the most visited site of the region. In the vicinity, green valleys, mills, orchards and a superb circuit of the gorges of the El Abid River (‘Slaves' River’) are found. After a day on the road, your dinner will be served in your luxury accommodation.

Day 7: Marrakech 

This is your day to choose from a cooking class, a hamman and spa day, relaxing, reading, shopping for last minute treats to take home to loved ones. A very special dinner awaits you. Dress up and be ready by 8pm for our restaurant reservation with some of Marrakech’s most dynamic belly-dancers. Wow . . . what a way to say goodbye to Marrakech.

Day 8: Marrakech Airport 

After breakfast, depending on your flight schedule, you’ll be transferred to the airport. We are at your assistance for registration formalities and special flight needs before departure. We’ll be sad to say goodbye and hope you’ll return sometime soon.

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