Morocco with Luxury & Style (11 Days):
Sample Itinerary Outline
ID #: DT-M-11-7-19-10-RAIJ
DAY
1: Casablanca, MOROCCO
Arrive Casablanca and continue to Rabat
You are met upon arrival at Casablanca airport. Drive along the
Atlantic Ocean to Rabat. Founded in the 12th century, this
entrancing Imperial city became the administrative capital of the
Kingdom of Morocco in 1912.
►Some suggested Rabat hotels (in alphabetical order): La Tour Hassan Sofitel Jardin Hotel, Rabat ►Together, we will find the best choice for you!
DAY 2: Rabat & Fes, MOROCCO
This morning’s tour of Rabat begins with the Mohamed V Mausoleum,
the resting place of the late King Mohammed V and of his son, and
guarded by the mounted Royal Household Guard. Next, see the minaret
of the Great Mosque, the Hassan Tower, whose construction was left
unfinished at only half of its intended 260-foot height. Explore the
Kasbah of the Oudayas, whose alleyways are reminiscent of a
whitewashed Andalusian village. Then drive to Chellah, which in the
5th century was a prosperous Roman enclave called ”Sala Colonia,”.
In the 14th century it was transformed into a vast cemetery or
Necropolis. Today it is a garden with flowers and fruit trees, but
you can still see evidence of the Roman ruins. See the Méchouar
Precinct of the King’s Palace, with its impressive Islamic
architecture, before driving east to the Salé Fortress, the lair of
the infamous Moroccan corsairs of the Barbary Coast who raided the
seas from the Crusades through the 1800s. Next, visit Morocco’s best
museum the Dar Belghazi Museum, to see its impressive collections of
jewelry and artifacts dating back to the 10th century. Arrive in the
ancient Imperial City of Fes (or Fez) by late afternoon. ►Some suggested Fez hotels (in alphabetical order): Riad
Fes Sofitel Palais Jamai ►Together, we will find the best choice for you!
DAY 3: Fes, MOROCCO
Today’s tour begins with a visit to the Saâdien watchtower and the
Dar Batha Museum, with its large collection of carpets, woodwork and
weapons. Next, explore the labyrinth of the ancient Fes Medina, a
UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then on to the beautiful Mausoleum of
Moulay Idriss and the impressive al- Quarawiyyin Mosque. See the
caravanserail (old relay station for traveling merchants and
pilgrims), at el-Nejjarine Square. Enjoy the aromas of the nearby
Souq el- Atterine, with its spices and savory delights. After lunch,
drive to the bank of the Oued Fes, to see the renowned Tanneries and
Souq el- Henna, with its potteries and perfumes. Admire the
impressive seven bronze gates the Dar el Makhzen (Royal Palace), and
visit the Mellah (Jewish quarter) to see examples of Mauro-Hispanic
architecture. End the day with a drive to the Borj Sud, for a
panoramic view of the city and medina below. ►For Fez hotel suggestions, see above.
DAY 4: Volubilis to Meknes, MOROCCO
This morning visit the extensive archaeological site at Volubilis, a
UNESCO World Heritage Center, with its ancient Roman mansions,
monuments and mosaics. Explore the medallions of Bacchus, the
Gordian Palace, the Triumphal Arch, the Capitol and many more. Next,
drive to the small hilltop town of Moulay Idriss, the holiest
Islamic town in Morocco. (Each August throngs of faithful pilgrimage
here to the tomb of the Sultan Moulay Idriss the Elder, a descendant
of the Prophet Mohammed.) This afternoon drive to the city of Meknes,
one of Morocco’s four Imperial Cities, with origins tracing back to
the Roman occupation in 3BC. See its 25 miles of ramparts, monuments
and Babs (gates), including the beautiful Bab Mansour el Alj. Visit
El Heri es-Souani, a huge granary with stables that housed the
Sultan’s 20,000 Arabo-Berber ‘Barb’ horses, and the splendid Moulay
Ismail Mausoleum. Next explore the Dar Jamaï Museum, built in 1882
by the illustrious Jamaï family. Today it is the Museum of Moroccan
Art, containing crafts of the region including wrought iron work,
wooden sculpture, weaving and pottery, as well as jewelry,
traditional costumes and rare carpets. ►For Fez hotel suggestions, see above.
DAY 5: Fes to Casablanca, MOROCCO
This morning drive to the bustling commercial capital of Morocco,
Casablanca. Your afternoon tour starts at the beautiful Hassan II
Mosque, the second largest mosque in the Islamic world. This
architectural masterpiece took seven years to complete, with more
than half a million square feet. of carved cedar wood. Next drive
through the Corniche to Anfa, the elegant hillside residential
district and the original site of Casablanca. Continue through
Mohammed V Square to the bustling Central Market, a colorful
kaleidoscope of street musicians, fresh fish, flowers, fruit, and
spices. Next, visit the New Medina, or Habous Quarter, with its
picturesque arch-covered alleys lined with shopkeepers. There is an
entire section dedicated just to olives, and you must see the
renowned Patisserie Bennis Cake, whose interior is decorated with
amazing mosaics. Visit the Church of Notre Dame de Lourdes, with its
large stained glass window and contrasting wooden copula, and the
busy United Nations Square in the heart of the modern town.
►Suggested hotel:
Le Royal Mansour Meridien, Casablanca
DAY 6: Casablanca to Ouarzazate, MOROCCO
This morning fly to Ouarzazate, gateway to the Sahara. This
afternoon, visit the magnificently exotic Ksour of Aït Ben Haddou, a
UNESCO a World Heritage Site. One of the more spectacular sights in
the Atlas ranges, it is a collection of separate but closely-knit
Kasbahs snuggled up against a looming mountainside. Explore this
settlement of high, elaborately decorated pisé walls, and the
turrets, crenulated ramparts, balustrades and arched babs.
►Some suggested Ouarzazate hotels (in alphabetical order): Dar Ahlam Hotel Le Berbere Palace, Ouarzazate ►Together, we will find the best choice for you!
DAY 7: Valley of 1000 Kasbahs, MOROCCO
Today see the wonders of Mother Nature as you drive along the Route
of 1000 Kasbahs. Visit Qlâa’t Des M’Gouna, where thousands of small,
pink roses have been grown for centuries to make “Eau de Rose,” the
Berber’s precious rose oil essence. Drive up between the tall, wide
and delicately eroded limestone cliffs, seeing ksours, kasbahs and
colorful pisé houses. At the mouth of the Dadès Gorge visit the
small town of Boumalne Du Dadès, before climbing another 10 miles up
to the Oued Todra and into to the deepest, narrowest and most
spectacular part of the drive. Return to Ouarzazate by later
afternoon. ►For Ouarzazate hotel suggestions, see above.
DAY 8: Ouarzazate to Marrakech, MOROCCO
Today travel up through the High Atlas Mountains, traveling around
exhilarating hairpin turns, before descending across the Glaoua
Plains to Marrakech. This afternoon enjoy a ride in a calèche
(carriage) for a tour through the city. Visit the Majorelle Garden,
with its winding walkways, quaint bridges, gurgling fountains, and
shady gazebos. This oasis is home to hundreds of exotic plants and
many species of colorful local birds. The adjacent Museum of Islamic
Art houses a tasteful collection of Islamic art, and Moroccan tribal
art. Next see the dramatic Almohad Koutoubia Mosque, built in the
mid 12th century, it is still the tallest mosque in Marrakech.
Continue to the fascinating Djmaâ el Fnaâ Square, (‘Assembly of the
Dead’), with its stalls of vendors, snake charmers and
fortunetellers. Here, until the 19th century, the severed heads of
criminals were displayed on stakes for all to see. ►Some suggested Marrakech hotels (in alphabetical order): Amanjena (V) Four Seasons Resort Marrakech (V) La Mamounia, Marrakech Royal Mansour Marrakech (V) Sofitel Marrakech Palais Imperial Villa des Orangers ►Together, we will find the best choice for you!
DAY 9: Marrakech, MOROCCO
This morning explore the historic sites of the city, starting at the
lavish Saâdien Tombs. Dating back to the 1550s, this is the ancient
cemetery of the descendants of the Prophet Mohammed. See the Prayer
Hall with its tall arches, the 18th century tombs of the Alaouite
princes, and a large tomb of the Black Sultan. Next explore the
remnants of the vast and magnificent El Badii Palace. Built in the
late 1500s it took 16 years to complete, but then, just a century
later, it was destroyed by the Alaouite Sultan Moulay Ismail.
Continue to the Dar Si Saïd Museum, an 18th century palace, which
today houses both traditional and contemporary exhibitions of
Moroccan arts and sculpture. Then visit Ali Ben Youssef Medersa,
built in the 14th century as an Islamic school. It is one of the
most beautiful buildings in Marrakech, made of carved cedar wood,
exquisite stuccowork, and colorful zellige tiles. This evening visit
the Souqs of Marrakech - a labyrinth of narrow alleyways overflowing
with colorful and aromatic wares. ►For Marrakech hotel suggestions, see above.
DAY 10: The Atlas Mountains, MOROCCO
Today take an exhilarating drive into the High Atlas Mountains. Pass
the Moulay Brahim Gorges, the high valleys of the Tizi n’Techka, to
5700 feet and the Berber town of Imlil. Set in the upper level
foothills of the Western High Atlas Mountains, admire the
surrounding snow- capped peaks, including Jbels Toubkal (13,670
feet), the highest peak in North Africa. Descend through the Aït
Mizane Valley, dotted with Berber hamlets built on the stark slopes
of the mountains. Later this afternoon visit the home of a local
family, and see how they make Morocco’s renowned mint tea. Tonight
enjoy dinner at the famed Yacout Restaurant. ►For Marrakech hotel suggestions, see above.
DAY 11: Depart Marrakech, MOROCCO
Today you are taken to the airport for your flight home or on to
your next destination.