8-days private imperial cities and seaside tour

Transfer from the airport or ferry terminal to your hotel. You have time to explore this bustling port city that was once the playground of international socialites, including writers, artists, musicians and politicians. The city is a lively, cosmopolitan and historic Mediterranean where you get to explore number of museums and sites. Hotel and dinner included.

Today we head to Chefchaouen, a beautiful blue-and-white-washed Andalucian town nestled in the Rif Mountains. The town is a relaxed town, with small winding alleyways and market squares, where the women of the surrounding Rif come to sell their handmade products. Hotel, breakfast, and dinner included.

We travel the to Morocco’s most fascinating city and the world’s last surviving medieval city. You will tour the medina with its “souks” (markets) stopping at the gateway of the Royal Palace, the 9th-century Karouine Mosque and University. You will visit the tomb of the city founder, Moulay Idris II. Lunch will be at one of the traditional restaurants in the old medina. After lunch you will continue to explore the Najarine Fountain, the gateway of the Bab Boujloud, the old harem gardens and the Batha Museum. On the way back to the hotel, we will stop to enjoy a panoramic view of the city, a mausoleum and a famous tannery where skins are cured and dyed in enormous vats. Hotel, breakfast, and dinner included.

On your way to Meknes you will first make an excursion to nearby Volubilis, the remains of a Roman city, and Moulay Idriss, the burial place of the founder of Morocco’s first imperial dynasty. For Moroccans it is a place of pilgrimage. You continue to Meknes, the smallest and friendliest of the five imperial cities of Morocco. The old part of Meknes is beautiful and has a feel of the Oriental and the Mediterranean at the same time. The immense city walls and gates will lead your imagination into times long gone. The labyrinthian alleys dotted with market stands is a joy to any visitor and the friendly shopkeepers will gladly show you their beautiful wares, which include spices, olives, pottery, copperware, and carpets. Hotel, breakfast, and dinner included.

Today you will travel to Marrakech, the exotic ochre-colored city that is the imperial city of the south. You will stay at a riad located in the medina, a short walk from the Djemaa-el-Fna Square, the vibrant heart of the city. The activities on the square are continually changing—you’ll see snake charmers, musicians, acrobats and storytellers. In the evening open food-stalls are set up with delicious kebabs and salads. Your senses will be reeling in the narrow streets of the medieval medina. Fully loaded donkeys walk back and forth through the narrow streets, which smell of herbs, leather and meat stalls. Hotel, breakfast, and dinner included.

We start our day with an excursion to the Ourika Valley where we visit traditional Berber souks, and Jewish shrines, after lunch we are introduced to some typical workshops to enjoy the products of the sophisticated hand of local artisans. We return to Marrakech for dinner at the riad. Hotel, breakfast, and dinner included.

After breakfast, you will head to Essaouria through the forest of the unique argan oil trees. Arriving to this little romantic city that was originally settled by the Portuguese, you will visit the Mellah, which is the originally Jewish quarter of the town. Enjoy the seafood and the ambiance of this special city. Overnight in your riad Marrakesh. Hotel, breakfast, and dinner.

Depart this morning to Casablanca through a scenic coastal drive. Our sightseeing day includes United Nations Square, Royal palace, and the huge Mosque of Hassan ll which is the largest in the Muslim world after the one in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Breakfast and dinner included. (Depending on departure time, you might stay in Marrakech on this night.)

Transfer to the airport where you will bid farewell to Morocco and fly home.