ESSAOUIRA AND MARRAKESH
CASABLANCA - MARRAKESH
06 NIGHTS / 07 DAYS
DEPARTURES: ANY DAY ON REQUEST FOR PRIVATE TOURS
Day1 CASABLANCA - SAFI - ESSAOUIRA (351km)
Arrival at Casablanca airport where you will be met by your driver to travel south to Essaouira. On the way you will stop in Safi, to admire some of the very good local pottery. Arrival in the old Portugese port of Essaouira, one of the most popular coastal towns because of its magnificent beaches. Overnight.
Day2 ESSAOUIRA
Breakfast. Morning tour of the souks with a local English speaking guide, who will guide you through and explain the local handicrafts of the area. Free afternoon. Overnight.
Day3 ESSAOUIRA
Breakfast. Today you have a free day to enjoy the beach and port area at your leisure. You'll find narrow, freshly whitewashed streets, painted blinds, tranquil squares, artisans in tiny workshops working away at fragrant thuja wood and friendly cafes. Overnight.
Day4 ESSAOUIRA - MARRAKESH (187km)
Breakfast. Today you depart Essaouira as you travel on by private vehicle to Marrakesh. Marrakesh is one of Morocco's most important artistic and cultural centres. It was founded in 1062CE by Almoravide sultan Youssef Ibn Tachfin. Arrival and check-in. This afternoon, you have a dusk/sunset tour of the Menara Basin and the Majorelle Gardens, the beautiful private gardens owned by Yves Saint Laurent. Overnight.
Day5 MARRAKESH
Breakfast. Morning tour with local guide of the souks of Marrakesh, as well as the Saadian Tombs and the Koutoubia Mosque. Your tour ends at the lively Djemaa el Fna. The focal point of Marrakesh is the Djemaa el Fna, a huge square in the old part of town. Late in the evening, rows of open are food stalls are set up and entertainers take to the streets. Free afternoon. Overnight.
Day6 MARRAKESH
Breakfast. Free day at leisure. The Souks of Marrakesh are some of the best in Morocco, producing a wide variety of high-quality crafts, including brass plates, leather work, woodwork and carpets. Overnight.
Day7 MARRAKESH
After Breakfast, transfer to Marrakesh airport. Assistance with departure formalities. END OF TOUR.
- Morocco
- Tours
- Riads
- Accommodation
Morocco - Land of Enchantment
This ancient land of great history and complexity has significant links with the Iberian Peninsula. Morocco has not only been a vital source of cultural, architectural, artistic and linguistic influences on Spain and Portugal owing to almost eight centuries of Moorish Occupation between the 8th and 15th centuries, but it is also believed that Iberians can actually find their roots in North Africa.
Morocco has been the scene for much tumultuous history having been occupied by colonies of Phoenician traders; followed by the Roman, Byzantine and Vandal invasions and finally the most important of all, the Arabs in 683 bringing with them the world of Islam.
Morocco today is a vibrant country with all the outward signs of a modern Arab Nation, yet it maintains the classic contrasts of such nations in its fabulously rich culture, which emerges spontaneously at every corner and which is rooted deeply in the daily life and psyche of the people.
The marvellous Kasbahs, Medinas and Souks with their bustling activity and colour are an absolute treat for the visitor, as are the many inviting local food stalls and restaurants where the customary hospitality of the people combines with a rich variety of tastes and flavours of the cuisine.
Your stay is made complete by the inevitable attraction of the beautiful Moorish architecture, the rich and varied handicrafts and the chance to witness the charm of a rural Berber dance, accompanied by the captivating rhythm of instrument and song.
Rabat is the capital and along with Fez , Marrakesh and Meknes, is one of the medieval "Imperial Cities". There are many other impressive sights to enjoy such as Volubilis, the ancient ruins of Roman occupation and Foum El Hassan with its important museum of Rupestine Art located in the valley of the Oued Draa.
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Tours
Ranging from short Fully Escorted coach tours to Private itineraries with your own driver, we have a tour to suit your time frame and budget. Here are a few examples of some of our most popular touring options, including several private tours that feature the beautiful riads of Morocco...
| Fully Escorted Tours: | IMPERIAL MOROCCO -- MOROCCO |
| Tours with Private driver: | ANDALUCIAN HERITAGE -- DISCOVER MOROCCO IN RIADS -- ENCHANTING MOROCCO -- ESSAOUIRA AND MARRAKESH IMPERIAL CITIES TOUR OF MOROCCO -- KASBAHS, OASES AND DESERT -- MARRAKESH DELIGHTS -- TOUBKAL EXPLORER |
| Small Group Tours: | IMPERIAL CITIES TOUR OF MOROCCO -- THE GREAT DESERT - ROUTE OF THE OASES |
Riads
Riads are traditional guest houses that are often renovated and restored homes of wealthy Moroccan families. There is an enormous amount of variety as a result of the individual nature of the accommodations and Riads vary from humble and rustic homes to sumptuous, luxurious palaces. Mostly decorated with regional fabrics and exotic handicrafts, Riads also often have their own internal patios and sometimes their very own hammam, or traditional steam bath. Best of all, many of these homes are located in the most sought after parts of the city and often inside the walls of the Medina (old city). Many Riads are ancient but have been transformed in such a way as to combine the best of the old with the new - enchanting earthenware and raw colours with the finest of life's little indulgences. This is the ideal way to experience the 'real' Morocco in style.
Moroccan Hotels
Stopovers can include 2 and 3 night packages in all major cities including Marrakesh, Fes, Casablanca and Rabat plus many other smaller regional cities such as Essaouira, and Meknes and so on... In fact, with our extensive experience and contacts we can develop stopover packages for almost any city or town in the Iberian Triangle, for any length of time, to suit your requirements. Here are some examples...
View a selection of hotels by region: