DAY 1

Arrive Casablanca/Fes

Upon arrival in Casablanca, your guide will meet you and you will be transferred to Fes, stopping en route at the Hassan II mosque. This is the only mosque that can be visited by non-Muslims in Morocco. Take this opportunity to visit your first hammam, the architecture is more Turkish and different to the Moroccan public hammams you will visit later.

Upon arrival at your hotel in Fes, the rest of the afternoon will be at leisure. 

Fes is the oldest of the four imperial cities in Morocco. It dominated the country’s religious, cultural and political life for thousands of years and was a protectorate of the French, who moved the capital to Rabat.

Overnight: Palais Jamai
Meal Plan: L

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DAY 2

Fes

This morning, take a step back in time. Fes is one of the most untouched cities in the world. Once the capital of Morocco, it remains the undisputed religious, artistic and intellectual centre of the country. Explore the 9,000 narrow lanes and monuments of the old city. Within the medina you will visit many sites including the famous Nejjarine Museum, al Karaouine Mosque, busy souks, old schools and fondouks (old hotels for traders).

You will also visit the Jiaf Hammam, a public hammam which often shares heating facilities with the ovens of Ferran and Farnatchi, communal bakers that neighbour the hammam.

Overnight: Palais Jamai
Meal Plan: B,L,D

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DAY 3

Volubilis - Meknes - Rabat

Today you will visit Volubilis, which was originally inhabited by the Phoenicians. The evocative ruins include a Roman olive factory with storage facilities and foundations of the luxurious House of Orpheus showing sophisticated plumbing and heating systems as well as finely preserved mosaics. The Forum was the centre of life in Volubilis, with the arches of the basilica and the columned capitol still standing. Visit the Triumphal Arch and the main street, lined with the remains of houses and palaces.

The mosaics at Volubilis are what make this site so spectacular. Even though a number of the monuments were dismantled for their marble, the mosaics were left intact

You will then continue to Meknes - one of the imperial cities of Morocco where the monuments reflect the splendour of this 17th century city. In the afternoon, after lunch in Meknes in a restaurant inside the Mellah (Jewish quarter), continue to Moulay Ismail Mausoleum before visiting the Bab Mansour gateway, one of the best known and admired of Meknes' grand gates. The Gate leads from the Imperial City and Lalla Aouda Esplanade to El-Hdim Square. You will also visit the Dar Jamai museum, a former 19th century Ppalace built by Moulay Hassan I.

After lunch in Meknes, continue overland towards your hotel in Rabat, driving along the main highway which links these two major cities.

Overnight: La Tour Hassan
Meal Plan: B,L,D

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DAY 4

Rabat - Marrakech

This morning you will be transferred to Marrakech for a three night stay to discover the monuments and different aspects of this city which is regarded as one of the most traditional and attractive cities of the Arabic world.

Upon arrival, you will visit Hammam Dar El Bacha, an early 20th century building, identifiable by its big dome. The Hammam was built by Pacha El Glaoui next to his palace Dar El Bacha and boasts true decorative treasures: zelliges, Carrara marble, cedar woodwork and fine-cut stucco.

After lunch pay a visit to the Ben Youssef Medersa (Koranic School). The Ooubba Almoravides stands opposite and was the ablution centre for believers going to the mosque.

With your expert guide take a walk through the old medina and labyrinthine souks which are home to a bewildering number of stalls and ateliers devoted to specific crafts. Emerging from this maze, you find you self in the famous Djemaa el Fna, the city’s main square. No one is really certain how it came into being, but over the years the square has become the beating heart of Marrakech, where fire eaters, mime artists, snake charmers and street musicians perform at every turn. Right in front of the square is the Koutubia Mosque. Built in the 12th century, the Koutoubia minaret is the most perfect Islamic religious structure in North Africa and went on to inspire the architects of the Giralda of Seville and the Hassan Tower of Rabat. This famous landmark dominates the local skyline and can easily be spotted from anywhere in Marrakech.

Overnight: Sofitel Marrakech
Meal Plan: B,L,D

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DAY 5

Marrakech

This morning, you will continue your exploration of Marrakech. Most of the city’s architectural attractions are inside the Medina, the old walled section of the town.  Start with the Saadian Tombs, they date back from the time of the Sultan Ahmad al-Mansur (1578-1603). The tombs were only recently discovered in 1917 and were restored by the Beaux-arts service.

Then continue to Bab Agnaou, one of the nineteen gates of Marrakech. It was built in the 12th century in the time of the Almohad dynasty.

The next highlights to visit are the Bahia Palace and Dar Si Said. The Bahia Palace is a masterpiece of domestic architecture that provides a good insight into how the privileged lived was in the 19th century. Dar Si Said, another beautiful palace, is now home to the Museum of Moroccan Arts and Crafts. Inside are stunning collections of traditional woven carpets and Berber silver jewelry.

The rest of the afternoon is at leisure to visit other monuments, or explore some of the city's narrow lanes, alleys and souks that make up the labyrinth of the old quarter. We do recommend that you experience the hammam and body scrub the way Moroccan people do. This can be arranged for you at Hammam Ziani.

Overnight: Sofitel Marrakech
Meal Plan: B,L,D

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DAY 6

Marrakech - Ait Benhaddou - Ouarzazate

Depart from Marrakech for the famous villages of Ait Benhaddou and Ouarzazate. Ait Benhaddou is a fortified city, or ksar, along the former caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakech. It has some beautiful examples of kasbahs which unfortunately have been damaged by various heavy rainstorms.

Ouarzazate, which was originally built as a French garrison in the 1920s, is today a regional trade centre known for its pottery and carpets. Your visit includes the Glaoui Kasbah of Taourirt which is situated on the edge of the town on the road to Er Rachidia and considered to be one of the most beautiful kasbahs in Morocco. It consists of a network of luxury apartments, simple clay houses and crenellated towers which are beautifully decorated with geometric motifs. 

Return back to Marrakech for your last night in Morocco. A farewell dinner will be organised at a local riad.

Overnight: Sofitel Marrakech
Meal Plan: B,L

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DAY 7

Depart Marrakech

Today you are transferred to the airport for your departure flight.

Meal Plan: B

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