Evening departure on Royal Air Maroc for Casablanca. Dinner and wine served on your flight.

Morning arrival in Casablanca followed by a brief tour of this commercial capital of Morocco; the on to Rabat for check-in at your hotel. Afternoon visits include the Medina (old city), whose stone-and whites washed buildings bear great, dark-wood studded doors; the Great Mosque, entirely rebuilt in the late 19th century; the Hassan Tower, dominating the skyline with its intricate stonework; the Mohammed V Mausoleum housing the onyx tomb of the late king; and the ramparts of Mechouar encircling the Royal Palace.

Morning departure for Meknes, the Imperial City of Sultan Moulay Ismail, with visits to its Medina, or old city, and Bab el Mansour, the monumental gateway and main entrance into this 17th century city. Next, stop at the Roman ruins of Volubilis—the finest archaeological site in Morocco –with its mosaics, temples and triumphal arch, on your way to the village of Moulay Idress, the holy founder of the first indigenous Islamic kingdom of Morocco. Continue to Fes for check-in at your hotel.

Entire day sightseeing in Fes, the oldest of the Imperial Cities, founded in 790 A.D. Visit the medieval Medina; the Karaouiyne Mosque, whose central aisle is embellished with elaborate floral and Kufic script carved into the plaster; and the colorfully tiled Nejjarine Fountain. And don’t miss the fascinating Islamic universities, including the Abou Anania and the Attarine. Finally, browse the souks (markets) of Fes, the most fascinating in all of Morocco.

A citadel of magnificence, this age-old city is irresistible as it unfolds– in every narrow alley, wide street, old or new medina, palatial houses or hillsides– the story of a whole civilization’s treasure, similar to Florence or Athens. From being Morocco’s first capital in 808 AD to becoming the Imperial of all Imperial cities, Fez is a spiritual and cultural center with many facets. Your two-day stay in this unmatched splendor will take you back in time while visiting the oldest university in the world (before even Oxford or the Sorbonne).

Morning stops at Midelt affording dramatic views of the High Atlas Mountains and modern, urban Er-Rachidia on your way to Erfoud for afternoon check-in at your hotel; the remainder of your day is free. Or if you prefer, live forone night like the Bedouins, in a tent on the dunes of Merzouga, with thousands of stars filling the sky above you.

Awake before dawn to witness the incomparable magic of a desert sunrise over the Merzouga Dunes. Morning sightseeing in Erfoud includes the hilltop Bordj East Fort for a panoramic view of the town and the vast Sahara. Depart Erfoud for stops at Tineghir to view the spectacular pink Todra Gorge, Morocco’s “Grand Canyon,” and at rose-perfumed Kelaa des M’Gouna and Boumalne. Evening arrival at Ouarzazate, gateway to the Sahara. Check-in at your hotel.

Morning sightseeing in Ouarzazate included a visit to the Kasbah of Tifoultoutte, and the School of Handicrafts, with its stone carvings, pottery, carpets and silver jewelry on display. Continue to Marrakech and your hotel, stopping on the way at Ait Ben Addou, a picturesque ksar (fortified stronghold), appearing like a sandcastle amid a field of almond trees.

Day 9: Marrakech Entire day sightseeing in fascinating and beautiful Marrakesh, a city blending Berber traditions with Arab renaissance and Western influences. See the Tombs of the Saadien Kings; the Dar Si Said Museum, housed in a 19th century palace; the Agdal and Menara Gardens, and the 12th century Koutoubia Mosque, towering above the city. Also explore the Bahia and Bedii Palaces, and the tanners’ and dyers’ quarters. No visit to Marrakech is complete without a stop at the Djemma El Fna Square, home to spice sellers, storytellers, snake charmers, fire-eaters, acrobats, musicians and much , much more.

After breakfast, depart to Essaouira. The main entrance to this splendid city’s harbor was built in 1184 and is called the Porte de la Marine and it is truly an architectural marvel. Sit back, relax and let the beauty of the sandy bay that sweeps to the south of this enchanting town and the wooded hills which dominate the eastern skyline captivate you.

Board your morning flight at Marrakech’s Menara Airport for Casablanca, to connect with your flight to New York.