Royalty Tour of the Imperial Cities

Arrive at Casablanca airport, after clearing customs and immigration, your English speaking driver will meet you with a welcome sign with your name on at the arrivals area, then transfer you via a private air conditioned deluxe van to your hotel in Casablanca. Check-in at Idou Anfa Hotel for dinner and overnight. (D)

After breakfast, enjoy a city tour of Casablanca, the business capital of Morocco. Visit new Hassan II Mosque, the next largest Mosque and only Mosque in Morocco available to non-Muslems. We then drive to the capital Rabat. Meet local guide for a half day tour to the administration capital of the kingdom. Visit to Hassan Tower and walk into the Mohamed V Mausoleum, the burial place of the present King’s grandfather, see the Consuls street with its nice shops. Continue to the Kasbah des Oudayas, Rabat’s historic citadel, which occupies the site of the original ribat (fortress-monastery) that gave the city its name. Dinner and overnight at Riad Zyo. (B, D)

After breakfast, departure to Meknes, visit this former Imperial city of Morocco: the old ramparts; the Agdal Basin, the Meknes Granaries, and Bab El Mansour. After visiting Meknes, Continue on to the ruins of Volubilis it has impressive and well-preserved Roman ruins. Continue driving to Fez for dinner and overnight at Riad Semlalia. (B, D)

After breakfast, meet your local guide and driver then leave for a full-day discovery of Fez, the religious capital of Morocco. Your tour will include the old and new medinas, the Mederssa Bou Inania (the finest of Fez’s theological colleges), the 14th century Medersa Attarine (religious school), and the Nejjarine Museum. In the afternoon, explore the impressive labyrinth of souks in Fez, declared by UNESCO to be one of the world’s cultural treasures. The afternoon will also include photo opportunities at the imposing gate of Bab Boujloud, the splendid fountain at Place Nejjarine, the ancient ramparts, and the beautiful façade of the Royal Palace. Dinner and overnight at your riad. (B, D)

After breakfast, departure to Marrakech via Azrou across the stunning Middle Atlas Mountains, with stops at Berber villages, scenic viewpoints, and traditional markets. This journey offers a unique opportunity to experience the mountains and immerse yourself in the local mountain culture. Pause in Beni-Mellal for a moment of relaxation and enjoy an independent lunch before the drive concludes at the entrance to the famous and captivating “Pink City” of Marrakech. Dinner and overnight at Riad Les Remparts de Kasbah. (B, D)

Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Marrakech, the second oldest imperial city known as the Pearl of the South, see the Saadian tombs, the Koutoubia mosque, the Bahia Palace, the Majorelle Garden and Berber Museum. Then visit the souks, the winding little streets, and Jamaa Elfna Square,  with its various and non-stop entertainment: storytellers, snake charmers, fire-eaters and more. Enjoy a BBQ lunch in a local restaurant then visit the Yves Saint Laurent Museum (closed Wednesdays). Return to the riad for dinner and overnight. (B, L, D)

Meet your driver and guide, then depart for Ourika. Just 30 km from Marrakech begins the green valley of the Ourika River. You can visit the local country market, held every Monday and Friday, where butchers, barbers, vegetable, cereal and olive oil sellers, blacksmiths, and medicine-men gather under canvas and reed shelters, along with a number of small restaurants scattered in the open air. Berber lunch at a typical restaurant. As you round a bend in the road, the potters’ village appears, where you can be tempted by colourful plates, salad bowls, flower vases or lamps in either traditional or modern styles. Also for sale are collections of precious minerals such as quartz, amethyst, and many other rocks found in this area. Drive back to Marrakech. In the evening, meet your driver and enjoy your farewell dinner at a local restaurant in Marrakech. Overnight at your riad. (B, L, D)

After breakfast, transfer to airport for departure. (B)