Morocco Atlantic coast Journey – 10 Days – 09 Nights – From Casablanca

Arrival to Mohammed V airport of Casablanca where you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Overnight with dinner at the hotel.

 

 

You will start a sightseeing tour of Casablanca including the beautiful large mosque of Hassan II and the main square of Mohamed V. After that, depart towards Fes along a beautiful stretch of farmlands where olives, grain, vegetables and grapes are grown. Before arriving to Fes, you will visit Meknes and Volubilis as the sight of the famous Roman ruins left from the Roman Empire’s most southern outpost. Meknes is the site of the first Arab dynasty created by Moulay Ismail and has the Medersa Bouanania and the Bab Mansour, the gateway to Moulay Ismail Palace. This leads us into the Herries-Souani, the horses stable and granaries. Upstairs is a rooftop garden and cafe with a great view of the city. Stop at the Roman ruins of Volubilis to explore it before we arrive at Fes. Overnight at the hotel.

 

 

After breakfast, you will explore “the oldest living Medina in the world” with a local official tour guide. 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 also visit the tomb of the city founder “Moulay Idriss II”. Lunch will be at one of the traditional restaurants in the old Medina. After lunch you will continue your tour to visit the Najjarine Fountain, the old Harem Garden and the Batha Museum. On the way back to the hotel, you will stop to enjoy a panoramic view of the city. Overnight at the hotel.

 

 

This morning you will enjoy a wonderful drive up to the small town of Ifrane (1650m above sea level), also called “The Switzerland of Morocco”. Wide avenues, parks, European-style villas – here you will discover a little-known side of North Africa. On the Azrou road to the south-east we might have the chance to spot the local monkeys. Drive past a rocky landscape which reminds many people of lunar craters. Our journey will take us via Khénifra towards Beni Mellal past a very green landscape full of fruit and vegetable plantations. Continued to Marrakech. Overnight in a Riad.

 

 

After breakfast, you will meet your guide for a tour of Marrakech, to discover all its essential sites. Your tour will start at 9h30 am and will include: Dar El Bacha Museum. This palace was once the home of Pacha Thami El Glaoui, also known as the Lord of the Atlas, who ruled over Marrakech from 1912 to 1956. The palace has only recently opened to the public, and the colourful, geometric zellij tilework, painted ceilings and carved cedarwood is some of the finest on display in the city. Don’t miss the impressive hammam just off the central courtyard and the orange blossoms in springtime. Walk through the medina towards Les Jardins secret, optional lunch in a local restaurant in the attractive medina district, an old town quarter which is packed with market stalls and overlooks Djemma El Fna square. This whole area has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it positively buzzes, with colorful activity which includes remarkable street performers, countless orange juice stalls, mesmerizing snake charmers and water sellers in colorful costumes carrying traditional Moroccan goat leather water-bags and brass cups. At dusk each day the whole scene transforms into a nocturnal food market where a diverse array of traditional produce is displayed and prepared. Night at the Riad.