Morocco: Imperial Cities Tour - 8 Days Itinerary
Day 1: En route
Discover Royal Air Maroc hospitality on your flight to Morocco.
Day 2: Casablanca/Rabat
Arrive at Casablanca Mohammed V Airport. After welcoming formalities, enjoy a brief sightseeing tour of fabled Casablanca, Africa’s second largest city, where an elegant blend of Art Deco and Neo-Moorish buildings line spacious avenues. Next it’s on to Rabat, Morocco’s capital, where the bustling Medina (old city) still resembles the town created ages ago, and home to the minaret of the Hassan Tower. Sightseeing will also include the Mohammed V Mausoleum, the striking and evocative Oudayas Kasbah, and the ramparts of the Mechouar surrounding the Royal Palace.
Day 3: Rabat/Meknes/Volubilis/Moulay Idriss/Fes
After breakfast, depart for Meknes, chosen by Sultan Moulay Ismail as his imperial capital at the end of the 17th century. The city was built with 20 gates, more than 50 palaces and 15 miles of surrounding walls. Following lunch , stop at the remarkable Roman ruins of Volubilis, with its mosaics and temples. From there it’s on to Moulay Idriss, the cliff-high holy city of Islam. Finally, arrive in Fes for check-in at your hotel.
Day 4: Fes
Explore dramatically beautiful Fes, the oldest Imperial City, founded in 790 A.D. Seeming to exist somewhere between the Middle Ages and today, the Soul of Morocco stimulates the senses with its visual details, haunting sounds and rich aromas. Fes’s medieval Medina, Karaouiyne Mosque, Attarine and Abou Inania Medersas (Islamic Universities) and the elaborately tiled Nejjarine Fountain intrigue and dazzle travelers.
Day 5: Fes/BeniMellal/Marrakech
Depart after breakfast for Marrakech across the Middle Atlas Mountains, stopping in Beni-Mellal, the largest town in the Middle Atlas, for lunch. Giant cedar forests, volcanic mountains, strings of lakes and plains producing oranges, olives and sugar cane line the road. Along the way, visit Ifrane, a ski resort full of Alpine chalets with red-tiled roofs.
Day 6: Marrakech
Your tour of Marrakech – the “Jewel of Morocco” and the “Pearl of the South” – includes the Koutoubia Mosque, reaching nearly 230 feet in height; the lavishly decorated tombs of the Saadien Dynasty; the Bahia and Badii Palaces; and the Dar Si Said Museum. After lunch, continue your tour with visits to the Djema El Fna Square, famous for its unique outdoor entertainment, and to the lively Medina with its colorful souks, or markets.
Day 7: Marrakech/Ourika Valley/Marrakech
Spend your morning relaxing by the pool or shopping. In the afternoon, explore the natural sights of the Valley of Ourika at the foot of the Atlas Mountains and discover the charm of a Berber village. Garden bloom among green terraced fields, villages are filled with ocher stone houses, and the clear water of the Ourika River trickles by.
Day 8: Marrakech/Casablanca/New York
Breakfast early this morning and transfer to Marrakech’s Menara Airport for Casablanca, to connect with your flight home. Casablanca Tours offers a “Jewish Heritage” tour following the same schedule as above, emphasis on Jewish historical points of interest.
[rev_slider alias="hotels"]The chosen hotels are In Casablanca: Four Seasons - Hyatt Regency - Sofitel Tour Blanche. In Fes: Riad Fes - Palais Faraj - Palais Karajan - Riad Maison Bleue - Palais Amani and Hotel Sahrai. In Marrakech: Royal Mansour, La Mamounia - the Mandarin Oriental - Amanjena - The Fairmont Royal Palm, Riad Farnatchi - villa des Orangers
INCLUDES
Accommodations in the category of hotel chosen
Buffet breakfast
Guided city tours and monument fees
Private car
English-speaking driver
Tips at the hotels
Porterage of luggage
Taxes and service charges
EXCLUDES
All Flights
Airport taxes, fees & Sep 11th security fee
Drinks & meals not mentioned in the itinerary
Personal Expenses
Any other items which is not mentioned above
Tips to the tour guide & driver
YOU COULD ALSO BE INTERESTED IN
MOROCCO JEWISH HERITAGE TOUR
For the interested traveler, Casablanca Tours offers a "Jewish Heritage" tour following the same schedule as above, but with particular emphasis paid to Jewish historical points of interest. There is no additional charge.
DURATION: 10 DAYS