Imperial Cities of Morocco

DAY 1  CASABLANCA

Our staff will welcome you upon your arrival at Casablanca airport, assist you and facilitate transfer

to your hotel to ensure your arrival is smooth and comfortable. Night arrivals are sometimes

considered to be less than desirable by travellers but in our corner of the world everything is special,

should our flight arrive in the hours of darkness your first treat would be a visit to the magnificent

Hassan II mosque. The lights add something truly magnificent to this spectacular building which

boasts the tallest minaret on the world from which a laser indicates the direction of prayer for

worshippers.

The corniche of Casablanca is wide, green and modern.  It offers a fresh escape from the busy city

and an ideal place for us to take a stroll, watching the enormous waves crashing against the sea wall

and the seabirds swooping and feeding.  There is a vast selection of cafés, restaurants and ice-cream

parlours making it difficult to choose between their delicious wares, should you wish to sit inside

and take in the seascape.

From the corniche we take a tour of The High Quarter of d’Anfa, the area of Casablanca’s’ elite is

quite a contrast to the traditional Medina area with its broad streets and modern architecture.

Regardless of the timing of your flight, we are sure you will be ready for a delicious dinner and a rest

in a comfortable bed prior to the start of our adventures tomorrow.

DAY 2  CASABLANCA – TANGIER

Our tour begins after breakfast when we travel to Tangier. At Cap Spartel you can swim in the

Mediterranean Sea which embraces the North West coast of Africa and dances amongst Hercules

Caves, where legend has it, the Greek god Hercules separated Africa from Europe.

A visit to the Kasbah district would not be complete without a wander through the meandering

streets of the old medina, full as it is with a myriad of shops displaying colorful crafts and local

produce whilst the minaret stands like a guardian over the city.

Medoubia Gardens is an oasis in the city with plenty of grassy areas to picnic under trees dripping

with bloom, a perfect place to relax away from the hubbub of the Medina.

There is just enough time for us to visit to The Grand Socco.  Originally a market place it is now a

cobbled square ideal for people watching and absorbing the atmosphere.  From here the transition

 from the modern world to the ancient, which lies beyond the keyhole gateway.

We will dine tonight at a local restaurant before you tumble into bed to rest before tomorrows’

excitement.

DAY 3  TANGIER – CHEFCHAOUEN

Following breakfast this morning we head for Chefchaouen, the famous ‘Blue City’ where residents

paint their homes in shades of blue creating a striking display. We will discover some of the

legends that surround the reasons for this beautiful tradition and share a special vantage point from

which to view it. From here we absorb the essence of Andalucia which oozes from its soul, by day

and especially at sunset when the twinkling lights add to the romance of the evening.

We wind our way through the cobbled streets of the medina before sharing dinner together. Finally

you relax and sleep in Chefchaouen tonight, wrapped in the peace of this mountainside town.

DAY 4  CHEFCHAOUEN – FES

Today we leave Chefchaouen after breakfast, heading towards Fes a far larger city with a long

history, for busy day of sightseeing.

Fes of course has its picture postcard image of the tanneries; it is however so much more.

The medina itself is listed as a World Heritage Site and indeed it is a marvel. From the rooftops of the

of the souq we look across the renowned tanneries where people create spellbinding colours from a

variety of natural dyes using it to stain high quality leather, which is also prepared at the site. The

whole vision is quite unforgettable! Nearby we pass through carpet shops where skilled women

weave rugs in a traditional manner. The aroma of the local cuisine greets us warmly on every corner.

The medina is a hive of activity, handicrafts and artisan produce, all squeezed into streets wide

enough only for a donkey, an experience to be witnesses rather than described.

Tonight we dine and stay in Fes.

DAY 5 – FES

After breakfast our day will transport us back to times long gone, prepare once more for sensory

bombardment in the ancient imperial capital that is Fes !

Fortunately you will have the whole day to take in the haunting sounds, swirling colours, and

pungent aromas as we guide you through the narrow lanes that form the maze that is Fes el Bali.

We visit Bouanania Medersa, with its Andalusian architecture it boasts an airy courtyard surrounded

by traditional zellij mosaic work and particularly striking carvings, including the unique water clock.

Open to non-Muslims this Islamic school gives us respite from the city like an oasis in the desert.

Fes is a city of doorways, each opening onto its own secrets and some of which are visit worthy in

themselves, hence we go to The Kings Palace door with its ornate golden splendour and the Moorish-

styled iconic Bab Boujloud which is the western gateway to Fez el Bali. We meander through the

Mullah, the old Jewish quarter, known for the architecture of its balconies.

The Zaouia of Moulay Idriss is a religious complex containing the mausoleum of Idris II, its dedicatee,

who ruled Morocco in the ninth century and is considered to be the founder of Fes. Come with us

to marvel at the intricacies of the ornately carved stucco and zellij work.

This evening dinner is served in Fes before we relax our hotel for the night.

DAY 6  FES – MARRAKECH

After breakfast this morning we head towards Marrakech with the image of Jemaa el Fna eagerly

swirling in our heads, but as in Fes this Famous medina exceeds all expectation. Jemaa el Fna

is like a welcoming party awaiting your arrival from Fes.

Beautiful lights hammered into brass and silver guide our way through the bustling streets as they

swing from their stalls reflecting on inlaid wooden furniture arranged beneath. People of all ages

wander safely and comfortably through the medina at night enjoying the sounds of the Berber

music ; the traditional games played by adults and children alike, the wonderful ice-cream and

milkshakes with new flavours to experience and countless stalls displaying traditional Moroccan

food.  Meanwhile street entertainers and performers keep everyone entertained.

Dinner tonight will be in Marrakech and your hotel will be a place of relaxation before one more day

to explore the sights and delights of the city.

DAY 7   MARRAKECH

Good Morning Marrakech!  We awaken this morning to breakfast in our hotel before the city

enlivens us with its unique and unforgettable energy.

Jemaa el Fna has a different feeling during the day, lively of course, but now a bursting rainbow of

colours which the dark of the evening conceals.  We wander across the square to visit the superb

Koutoubia Mosque.   With its classic Moroccan architecture the fascinating minaret is detailed in its

design and is the best example of only three Almohad towers  worldwide, (the others being in Seville

 and Rabat). Amongst other features the building is decorated with Kufic script, ceramic work and

interestingly shaped horseshoe arched windows. 

Medersa Ben Yousef is our next place of interest. This Quranic School is so highly decorated as to

amaze anyone who enters.  The Zellij tiles are stunning; the woodwork of superb quality and the

stucco is startling.  One can’t help but wonder at the hours the craftsmen laboured to create such a

display!  Outside the breathtaking architecture continues as a series of highly decorated arches

and columns line a courtyard which exudes peace.

We have some free time now to take lunch at any of the many restaurants before we regroup this

afternoon.

Having relaxed a little we make our way to Bahia Palace.  Be prepared to be overwhelmed once more

by the magnificence of the design.  The artisanship contrasts with that of the medersa but again

is absolutely incredible!

As we visit The Saadiens Tombs this afternoon we have many tales to tell about the history and

legends that pertain to the tombs but for now we keep you in suspense.

Our dinner tonight is in Marrakech before we retire to our hotel in the city.

DAY 8 – MARRAKECH

Our final morning has arrived all too soon as by now we will have become friends, (you will find

Moroccan culture very warm and welcoming).  We transport you to Marrakech airport (or to

Casablanca for an additional charge) and bid our farewells.

HIGHLIGHTS

CASABLANCA

• Hassan II Mosque (externally for non Muslims)
• High Quarter of d’Anfa

• The Nations Park
• The Corniche Boulevard

TANGIER

• Cap Spartel  Hercules Caves
• The Kasbah
• The Medina
• Mendoubia Gardens
• Grand Socco

CHEFCHAOUEN

• The Blue City
• Medina

FEZ              

• Multi coloured cauldrons at the tannery
• Moorish and Imperial architecture.  Zaouia of Moulay Idriss II
• Medina; Berber pharmacies, leather and traditional craftwork
• Kings Palace door
• The Mullah
• Bab Bouljoud
• Bouanania Medersa
• Drive across the Atlas Mountains

MARRAKECH

• Koutoubia Mosque(externally for non Muslims)
• Medersa Ben Yousef
• Bahia Palace
• The Saadiens Tombs
• Jemaa el Fna