Morocco in Luxury

On arrival at the Casablanca airport, you will be greeted by your driver and transferred to your hotel in the city for your overnight. Casablanca is the most cosmopolitan city in Morocco, but it holds a handful of more historic charms. Depending on your arrival time, you may want to head over to the medina and wander among the shops and food stalls.

After breakfast, stop at the Hassan II Mosque, the largest mosque in the world, with room for more than 100,000 worshippers! (entry fees to the mosque are not included.) The Mosque, built by 6,000 traditional Moroccan artists, contains intricate mosaics, stone, and marble floors and columns, sculpted moldings, and carved wood ceilings. Also experience the Corniche (South Beach of Morocco), a boardwalk lined with restaurants and nightclubs where the locals go to have a bit of fun. It is also the site of Rick’s Cafe, made famous by the classic movie “Casablanca”.

Continue on to the city of Rabat (estimated 1.5 hr drive), located on the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the Bou Regreg River, with a population of about 1.2 million. Here you’ll visit the Kasbah of the Oudayas, a 12th-century medieval fortress citadel with exceptional ocean views from the acropolis. Also explore Hassan Tower, a minaret for an incomplete mosque. It was intended to be the largest minaret in the world along with the largest mosque, but construction stopped when Sultan Yacub al-Mansour died in 1199.

Lunch will be at Meknes (approx. 1 hr drive), one of Morocco’s Imperial cities, where you’ll have time to explore. This town was the Ismailian capital during the 17th century and is now famous for its 25-mile-long walls and monumental landmark gate of Bab el-Mansour. Wander the lanes of the old medina, visit the Mellah Jewish quarter, and see the Royal stables. The Dar Jamai palace houses one of the country’s best museums, exhibiting glorious ceramics, jewelry, rugs, and textiles with distinct ornate Meknesi needlework. Enjoy the setting of this town in a region of olives, wine, and citrus.

Afterwards, visit the Roman ruins at Volubilis, considered the best-preserved archeological site in Morocco. You’ll spend time exploring these 2,000-year-old UNESCO ruins, and perhaps imagine what life must have been like during the Roman Empire.

Your day ends in Fes, often referred to as “the cultural capital of Morocco”. Once there, get settled in your luxurious riad, overlooking the medina.

You’ll spend the day exploring the cultural capital of Morocco beginning with a walk through its alleyways and small streets. You’ll stop to see the Royal Palace and admire the stunning brass doors surrounded by beautiful mosaic tiles. Next, visit the Mellah (Jewish Quarter) the first ever built in Morocco, followed by a visit to the Al Quaraouiyine University, the oldest continuously-operating educational institute in the world. Founded by Fatima Al-Fihiri in 859 AD, it became one of the leading spiritual and educational centers in the Muslim world. Here, students are taught ina traditional format, seated in a semi-circle (halqa) around the sheikh. You’ll also visit the colorful leather-dying pits to see leather-making techniques unchanged since the middle ages. After lunch, visit a ceramic workshop where you will have the chance to watch the craftsmen chip mosaic tile pieces and paint designs on plates. Before returning to your hotel, enjoy a refreshing cocktail in the new city.

Return to your riad where the rest of your day is free to roam the medina or perhaps get a relaxing massage at the hammam.

After breakfast at the riad, you’ll leave Fes and begin the drive into the Atlas Mountains. Stop at Azrou (1.5 hr drive), a Berber village in the middle of a famous cedar forest—the largest in Morocco—where you may spot Barbary apes (macaques). You’ll notice how the scenery changes to reveal hints of the desert as you approach the city of Errachidia to enjoy the Berber hospitality for lunch. Continue on to Merzouga (6 hr drive) via the Tizi Ntalghamt Pass and along the luxurious Ziz Valley, stopping for panoramic views along the way. On arrival in Merzouga before dinner, you’ll enjoy a glass of refreshing mint tea as you check into your beautiful, luxurious riad. The riad sits at the edge of the Erg Chebbi dunes offering amazing veiws.

Total driving distance today will be approximately 265 miles, but with frequent stops along the way.

After breakfast at the hotel, visit the Gnaoua people, originally slaves brought over from Sudan, to experience their music and lifestyle. Nearby is Merzouga Lake, home to many species of birds. You may also visit the nomad wire house, where many Berber handicrafts are sold at a much better bargain than in the big cities. In the afternoon, mount your camels* to explore the sand seas of Merzouga, guided by an experienced camel handler. Enjoy a wonderful sunset over the golden dunes, then overnight in comfortable Berber tents with a private bathroom, shower, and running water.

*Option to take a 4 x 4 vehicle to the campsite for additional cost.

Early this morning, you’ll wake to what may just be the best sunrise in your life, then peacefully camel-trek back to your riad. En route, be sure to appreciate the unique beauty of the spectacular Erg Chebbi sand dunes, changing with the light as the day progresses. After breakfast at the riad, you’ll leave for Rissani, Tinghir, and Todra Gorges—the highest and narrowest gorges in Morocco. Enjoy lunch in the heart of the gorge, then continue on through the Dades Valley, where you’ll see the majestic sand castles and the amazing rock formations known as “monkey toes.” Overnight accommodation will be in a lovely hotel overlooking the Dades valley.

Total driving time today is around 4 hours plus frequent stops (160 miles).

Today’s journey takes you through the Dades Valley along the way of the thousand kasbahs – providing numerous opportunities to take some of your best photographic shots of the trip. You’ll stop to meet the Berber cave dwellers and learn about their lifestyle and how they make their home in these caves. Continue on through the fertile Rose Valley, admiring the rock formations along the way, to Skoura where you’ll visit the Kasbah Ameridil. This well preserved kasbah, originally built in the 17th century, is one of Morocco’s best living museums. This kasbah, which has been owned by the Nassiri family since it was built, contains ancient Moroccan artifacts. Enjoy some hiking in the valley, then have lunch in a traditional restaurant overlooking the rim. Today’s drive ends in Ouarzazate where you check-in to your beautiful, luxurious riad that blends in nicely with the environment of the desert, not far from the mountains.

Depart for Marrakech, stopping to visit the famous Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, the largest Kasbah in Morocco. It was built by Et Hami El Glaoui, one of the last Berber chieftains during the 18th century. It now houses many Glaoui people. Continuing on, you’ll journey through the majestic Tizi n’tichka Pass (7413 ft) over the High Atlas Mountains, before arriving at your lovely riad, located in the heart of Marrakech. If you like, spend some time this evening exploring the medina.

Total driving time today is around 6.5 hours plus frequent stops along the way.

After breakfast in the riad, it’s time to start exploring Marrakech, “the red city of Morocco.” Your guide will ensure that you see the most important places of historical and cultural interest, such as:

• The 16th century Saadien tombs where about 60 members of the Saadi Dynasty, including Ahmad al-Mansur and his family are entombed.
• The 19th century El Bahia Palace, built in Andalusian, Islamic, and Moroccan style with materials used from throughout Morocco.
• The ruins of El Badi Palace, built in the 16th century by the Saadian Dynasty, which was constructed using some of the most expensive materials of its time including gold, onyx, and marble
• The Ben Youssef Coranique School, the largest Madrasa in Morocco, and once the largest theological college in North Africa, housing as many as 900 students at one time.

After lunch at a local restaurant near the square, visit the Majorelle Gardens, a 12-acre botanical and artist landscape garden that is home to more than 15 endemic bird species. The garden houses:

• The Islamic Art Museum, including collections of ceramics, jewelry, and paintings by Majorelle as well as North African textiles from St. Laurent’s personal collection
• Menara Gardens, containing orchards and olive groves that surround a pavilion built during the 16th century
• The Koutoubia Tower, designed in Almohad style and built of sandstone. This 250 foot high minaret can be seen from as far away as 18 miles.

This evening, you will have the opportunity to walk around the “Jemaa El Fna Square” full of magicians, story tellers, snake charmers and food sellers.

After Breakfast at your riad, drive on to the city of Essaouira (approx. 2.5 hr drive/112 mi), known as the “City of the Wind” for its strong winds most of the year that attract surfers from all over the world. Because of its size and its characteristic blue doors and washed walls, it is also regarded as Morocco’s “Jewel of the Atlantics.” Essaouira was influenced by many civilizations, including the Portuguese who had an affect on much of its architecture. However, it remains a small village with a great history and is a perfect example of a late-18th-century fortified town with its original cannons still in place. It is also where Orson Wells shot “Othello” in the “Moor of Venice” movie, and has appeared on the television hit “Game of Thrones.”

You’ll spend the day exploring Essaouira, visiting the Skala Fortress (built for defense against attacks from the sea) and the port. You’ll also visit the souks and see Thuya wood carved by local artisans, and take a walk through the alleys of the medina to admire the hundreds of local handicrafts.

In the afternoon, visit the Mellah—the Jewish headquarters—and enjoy the cool breezes on the beach where there is an annual festival known for “Gnawa music,” with many musical groups coming from different parts of Africa and the world.

Overnight in a lovely riad in Essaouira.

On the way back to Marrakech stop to visit the women’s co-operative of Argan oil makers. Here they extract the oil that is famous for its culinary, cosmetic and medicinal properties. The whole region of Essaouira is famous for the argan trees, where you see goats climbing to get fruit they can’t find on the ground.

Back in Marrakech, you’ll spend the afternoon exploring “the red city of Morocco” including the Majorelle Gardens, a 12 acre botanical and artist landscape garden that is home to more than 15 endemic bird species. The garden houses the Islamic Art Museum and includes collections of ceramics, jewelry, and paintings by Majorelle as well as North African textiles from St. Laurent’s personal collection. Other highlights include the Menara Gardens, which contain orchards and olive groves surrounding a pavilion built during the 16th century, and the 250-foot high Koutoubia Tower, designed in Almohad style and built of sandstone, that can be seen from as far away as 18 miles.

This evening, you will have the opportunity to walk around the “Jemaa El Fna Square” full of magicians, story tellers, snake charmers and food sellers on your own.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport in Marrakech or Casablanca (2-2.5 hr drive) for your flight back home.