Moroccan Discovery
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Depart U.S. for Casablanca, Morocco
Day 2: Arrive Casablanca/Rabat Upon arrival this afternoon in Casablanca, the commercial center of Morocco, we transfer by coach to Rabat and our hotel located near famed Hassan Tower. We have time to relax and refresh before dinner tonight at the hotel. D
Day 3: Rabat One of Morocco’s four ancient capitals, or imperial cities, Rabat is again the country’s capital, at once historic and contemporary, as we discover on today’s tour. We visit the necropolis of Chellah, built on ancient Roman ruins, and the Mohammed VI contemporary art museum then have lunch in a private home. On tap this afternoon: the 12th-century Kasbah of the Oudaias, the peaceful Andalusian Gardens, and Rabat’s medina, a UNESCO site. Tonight we enjoy a welcome dinner of traditional Moroccan fare at acclaimed Dinarjat in Rabat’s Old Town. B,L,D
Day 4: Rabat/Meknes/Volubilis/Fez This morning we depart Rabat for Fez, stopping along the way in Meknes, Morocco’s youngest imperial city (and UNESCO World Heritage site). We visit the Bab el Mansour gateway and the ruins of the imperial stables before lunch in a local restaurant. Then we continue on to the ancient Roman ruins at the UNESCO site of Volubilis, known for its intricate and colorful mosaics. Late afternoon we reach Fez and our elegant hotel overlooking the medina. B,L,D
Day 5: Fez Today we explore Morocco’s oldest imperial city, considered the “Athens of Africa” for its wealth of cultural, educational, and religious institutions. We begin with a comfortable walk through the Fez medina, where we see some hidden treasures, including the Blue Gate, the most picturesque of the Old City’s historic gates; the medieval school of Bouanania; the 12th-century home of Jewish scholar Maimonides; and the authentic food market. We also visit the traditional quarter where we watch artisans craft the acclaimed Fez pottery and ceramics. After lunch together in the medina, we tour the old Mellah (Jewish quarter) and its 17th-century synagogue and the royal gates. B,L,D
Day 6: Fez We begin today with a visit to the Al-Attarine Madrasa, whose highlight is a small courtyard showcasing intricately detailed tilework and carving decorations dating to the early 1300s. We then continue our discovery on a walking tour of the medina focusing on the artisans’ quarters, the 14th-century Koranic schools, and Al Karaouine, the medieval theological university. The remainder of the afternoon is free for independent exploration and lunch on our own. Tonight, we enjoy a private dinner at an intimate family-run riad in Fez. B,D
Day 7: Fez/Midelt/Erfoud Traveling inland today, we cross the fertile plains beyond Fez and continue through the Middle Atlas mountain range. We stop in the small town of Midelt for lunch. Continuing on we cross the Ziz River, passing rows of sky-scraping palm trees and fortified villages before reaching our kasbah-style hotel in Erfoud late in the day. Dinner tonight is at our hotel. B,L,D
Day 8: Erfoud/Rissani/Merzouga This morning we visit the city of Rissani, with its 18th-century ksar, a virtually impenetrable warren of alleys. We enjoy a tour highlight this afternoon as we set out on a sunset excursion to the breathtakingly beautiful sand dunes at Merzouga on the edge of the Sahara. In the enormous silence we watch the sun set over the desert as we take a camel ride along the erg. Following this experience, we’ll have dinner together in this desert setting before returning to our hotel tonight. B,L,D
Day 9: Erfoud/Tinehir/Todra Gorge/Ouarzazate Our destination today is in the snow-topped High Atlas. The day features one beautiful scene after another, including the village of Tinehir, a stunning mountain oasis rising on a series of riverside terraces lush with palm trees; and the spectacular 984-foot Todra Gorge, home to a variety of rare bird and plant species. Following lunch here we visit El Kelaa des Mgouna, known for its roses, then set out on the fabled “Route of a Thousand Kasbahs” ancient caravan route, a region of fortresses with elaborately decorated façades. Late afternoon we reach the town of Ouarzazate (the “door of the desert”) where we spend the night. B,L,D
Day 10: Ouarzazate/Ait ben-Haddou/Marrakech En route to Marrakech today, we stop first at uninhabited Ait ben-Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of southern Morocco’s most scenic villages that is often used as a location for fashion and film shoots. Its old section consists of deep red kasbahs packed together so tightly they appear to be a single unit. Then as we begin our descent from the High Atlas, we pass through typical villages with fortified walls and stone houses with earthen roofs. In Tizi N’Tichka, we traverse the Pass of the Pastures (alt. 7,415 feet), where life is much as it was centuries ago: shepherds bring their flocks to the high pastures every summer, then return with them to their villages in autumn. We arrive in Marrakech late this afternoon and dine tonight at our hotel. B,L,D
Day 11: Marrakech Once the capital of southern Morocco, the imperial city of Marrakech is an alluring oasis with a temperate climate, distinct charm, and fascinating sights. Our day-long tour includes the beautifully proportioned Koutoubia Mosque with its distinctive 282-foot minaret visible from miles away; the lovely Andalusian-style El Bahia Palace (part of which is still used by the royal family); and the ruins of 16th-century Palais El Badii. After lunch at our hotel, mid-afternoon we embark on a walking tour of the medina, ending at Djemaa el Fna Square, a UNESCO site and the heart of Marrakech, crowded with snake charmers, entertainers, storytellers, musicians, barbers, and sellers of fruit, water, and spices. Dinner tonight is on our own in this exotic city. B,L
Day 12: Marrakech This morning we travel by horse-drawn carriage from Menara Park to Majorelle Gardens, a private botanical garden with some 15 species of birds native to North Africa and known for its cobalt blue accents. Following a tour of the gardens we visit the nearby Yves St. Laurent Museum, housing a vast collection of the designer’s haute couture and design works. The afternoon is at leisure before dinner tonight at a local restaurant in the city’s Old Town. B,D
Day 13: Marrakech/Casablanca We leave Marrakech this morning by coach for storied Casablanca, Morocco’s largest and most cosmopolitan city. After a brief orientation tour of the city, we visit the magnificent Hassan II Mosque, Morocco’s only functioning mosque open to non-Muslims. Sitting on the Atlantic shoreline, the mosque boasts a prayer hall the size of London’s St. Paul’s Cathedral. Tonight we celebrate our Moroccan adventure at a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. B,D
Day 14: Depart for U.S. After breakfast this morning we transfer to the airport for our return flight to the U.S. B
B = Breakfast included L = Lunch included D = Dinner included
Accommodations
La Tour Hassan, Rabat / Days 2-3 / Superior First Class
Dating to 1914, the 140-room La Tour Hassan represents Rabat’s last surviving hotel to be constructed using traditional Moorish-Andalusian design. The citadel-style hotel stands inside a fortress wall at the center of the city and features three restaurants, one bar, Internet access, laundry service, fitness center with Jacuzzi, sauna, solarium, and outdoor pool. Air-conditioned rooms have private bath with hair dryer, in-room safe, mini-bar, TV, and phone.
Hotel Sahrai, Fez / Days 4-6 / Deluxe
Opened in 2014, Hotel Sahrai is a contemporary hotel located on the southern hills overlooking the Fez medina, and a short drive from this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Designed to resemble the architectural layout of the medina, the 50-room boutique hotel features a restaurant and bar, fitness center, Jacuzzi, spa with massage treatments, sauna, steam room, outdoor pool, tennis court, terrace, and laundry and dry cleaning services. Air-conditioned guest rooms offer private bath with hair dryer, complimentary Wi-Fi internet access, mini-bar, in-room safe, TV, and phone.
Le Palais du Desert, Erfoud / Days 7-8 / First Class
Set on the outskirts of the city of Erfoud, this 44-room kasbah-style hotel offers a traditional Moroccan desert setting surrounding a courtyard. The hotel features two restaurants and bar, complimentary Wi-Fi internet access, laundry/dry cleaning services, full spa, health center, and an outdoor swimming pool. Air-conditioned guest rooms have private bath with hairdryer, minibar, tea- and coffee-making facilities, TV, and phone. Please note that, while this hotel represents the best of accommodations in this somewhat remote region, you may find the level of quality and service here somewhat lower than at other sites on your tour.
Le Berbere Palace, Ouarzazate / Day 9 / Superior First Class
A traditional Moroccan-style hotel, the Berbere Palace offers guests a host of contemporary amenities including two restaurants, two bars, complimentary Wi-Fi internet access, laundry and dry cleaning services, fitness center, swimming pool, sauna, Turkish bath, tennis courts, terraced garden, and library. Air-conditioned guest rooms have private bath with hair dryer, mini-bar, TV, and phone.
Sofitel Marrakech, Marrakech / Days 10-12 / Deluxe
Sitting on the edge of the city at the foot of the High Atlas Mountains and within easy reach of the Medina and Jamma el Fna Square, the Sofitel boasts three restaurants and a bar; Internet access; laundry and dry cleaning services; ATM; fitness center with gym, Jacuzzi, sauna, and solarium; Turkish bath; and two outdoor pools. Air-conditioned guest rooms have private bath with hair dryer, terrace or balcony, in-room safe, mini-bar, TV, and phone.
Le Casablanca Hotel, Casablanca / Day 13 / Deluxe
Located in one of the residential areas of the city of Casablanca and just five minutes from the commercial center, the corniche, and the royal golf course, Le Casablanca Hotel boasts an architectural style reminiscent of the beautiful Art Deco period. This 68-room hotel exudes a cozy elegance and features three restaurants, three bars, spa, terrace, swimming pool, laundry and dry-cleaning services (for a fee), and complimentary Wi-Fi internet access. Guest rooms have private bath with hair dryer, minibar, in-room safe, coffee/tea-maker, TV, and phone.