Morocco: Kasbahs & Medinas

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Itinerary

Day 1: ARRIVE IN CASABLANCA

Arrive in Casablanca and transfer to your hotel. Your welcome dinner tonight is at Rick's Café.

Hyatt Regency Casablanca   |   Meals: D

Day 2: CASABLANCA / Roman Volubilis

Start the day by exploring Casablanca's most important site, the Hassan II Mosque, which houses 25,000 worshippers. Afterward, drive to the city of Meknes, built in the 17th century to rival the court of Louis XIV. Following lunch, continue to Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to Morocco's largest and best-preserved Roman ruins; its greatest treasures are its excellently preserved mosaic floors. At day's end, arrive in Fez.

Sofitel Fès Palais Jamaï   |   Meals: B L

Day 3: FEZ / The Medieval City

Step back in time to the Middle Ages as you visit one of the most ancient and untouched city neighborhoods in the world, Fez el-Bali ("Old Fez"), the cultural heart of Morocco. Wander among the 9,000 lanes, alleys and souks that comprise the city’s old quarter, taking in the sights and sounds of locals conducting their day-to-day business. Pause at Nejjarine Square, with its beautiful fountain with elaborate mosaic tile work. After lunch, discover Fez el-Jadid ("New Fez"), built by the Merinid Dynasty in the 13th century. Fez el-Jadid is home to the Mellah, the old Jewish quarter, which boasts traditional Jewish architecture of wrought iron-decorated windows and splendid carved wood balconies. Tonight, dine at a traditional Moroccan riad, where a special guest offers insights into life in Fez during an informal talk.

Sofitel Fès Palais Jamaï   |   Meals: B L D

Day 4: RABAT / Morocco's Capital

After breakfast, drive to Rabat, the capital of Morocco. Set off to explore the city's highlights, including its superbly preserved Moorish relics, such as the 12th-century Hassan Tower, the incomplete minaret of a great mosque built by Yacoub el-Mansour. View the mausoleum of Mohammed V, founder of modern Morocco, and visit Oudaya Kasbah, built on a bluff overlooking the Atlantic. Note the carvings on the kasbah's gate, among the most beautiful surviving in the Moorish world.

Sofitel Rabat Jardin des Roses   |   Meals: B L

Day 5: MARRAKECH / The Red City

Travel overland today to Marrakech, arriving in the afternoon. Considered the "Pearl of the South," Marrakech was once the capital of an empire that stretched from Spain to Senegal, and is sometimes known as "the red city" for the distinctive hues of its brick buildings.

Sofitel Marrakech Lounge & Spa   |   Meals: B

Day 6: MARRAKECH

Spend the day discovering Marrakech, starting at its ancient medina, the old walled section of the city. Visits include the Saadian Tombs, displaying intricate stucco and Granada-style carvings, and the Dar Si Said, one of the most beautiful palaces and the home to the Museum of Moroccan Arts and Crafts. Continue to El Badi Palace and the 12th-century Koutoubia Minaret, the most perfect Islamic religious structure in North Africa. Enjoy an exciting stroll through the fabled Djemaa el-Fna square where fire-eaters, mime artists and street musicians perform at every turn. Before returning to your hotel, savor another view of the city with a private horse-drawn carriage ride. This evening, join a special dinner hosted by a local Marrakech family.

Sofitel Marrakech Lounge & Spa   |   Meals: B L D

Day 7: MARRAKECH / Atlas Mountains

You may choose to remain in Marrakech today or enjoy a full-day excursion to the High Atlas Mountains, North Africa's greatest mountain range. Visit a picturesque village at Imlil Valley, meeting with local Berbers and visiting them in their home. Your farewell dinner tonight is held at the Palais Soleiman, a lovely Moroccan riad.

Sofitel Marrakech Lounge & Spa   |   Meals: B L D

Day 8: DEPART MARRAKECH

Transfer to the airport for your flight home.

Meals: B