THE MOROCCAN ODYSSEY: The Heritage of Imperial Cities

You will meet your driver or guide at the Casablanca airport to transfer you to the hotel. Check-in and time to relax. After an orientation about Moroccan society and culture, you will go on a bus tour of Casablanca. You will drive through the Cornish seaside, see the gates of the Royal Palace and walk in the French-built Quartier des Habous. Visit the Mellah, home to most of Morocco’s Jewish community. Finally, you will stop by Rick’s Cafe before heading back to the hotel.

In the morning, you will visit the Hassan II Mosque, a glorious structure believed to be only second in size to Islam’s most important site, Mecca in Saudi Arabia. Head to Rabat, where you will explore Morocco’s youngest imperial city and modern capital of Morocco. You will visit the Mausoleum, the Hassan Tower, the royal palace, and the Kasbah of Oudayas. After lunch, you will resume the ride to Fes.

The guided tour of Fes will take you into the heart of this extraordinary medieval walled city; walk its alleys and small streets. Our field visit starts with a panoramic view of the whole Medina of Fes. Then it’s on to the Royal Palace, the Jewish district (the first Mellah ever built in Morocco) the famous Al Qaraouiyine University (the oldest in the region), and the tanneries. After lunch, you will visit the ceramic factory to learn about the fascinating tile and ceramic industry.

You will travel to the imperial city of Meknes, the Ismaili capital of Morocco. In Meknes, you will see the gorgeous gate of Bab Mansour, built by the Sultan Moulay Ismail, the granary, and the Sahrij Souani used for irrigation and plantation. You will also visit the holly town of Moulay Idriss and the Roman ruins of Volubilis. Resume the trip to Ifrane. 

Drive to Marrakech through the middle the Atlas Mountains. En route, you will stop in Ezrou for a quick visit to the Macaque Monkeys and continue to Beni Mellah, a town surrounded by orange and olive groves. The nearby Bin-el-Ouidane Dam keeps the groves and other cultivated crops like Beetroot and sugarcane well-watered. Enjoy a traditional Berber lunch in Beni Mellal. Located at the foot of the Middle Atlas Mountains. Overnight in Marrakech.

The second day in Marrakech is devoted to explore the most important places of historical and cultural interests. With a local tour guide, you will visit the Koutoubia Mosque, Al Bahia palace, the Mellah, gardens and bazaars. In the afternoon, you will walk through the old Medina Markets and Jemaa el-Fnaa plaza, where you will experience the snake charmers, drummers, acrobats, belly dancers and local food stands.

This morning, you will mount horse carriages for a scenic ride of Marrakech. You will have a chance to visit the Secret Gardens and Al-Menara site.
Spend the afternoon at leisure to explore other sites and museums of Marrakech.

Transfer to the airport