IMPERIAL CITIES TOUR OF MOROCCO
CASABLANCA - CASABLANCA
08 DAYS / 07 NIGHTS
DEPARTURES: SATURDAYS ALL YEAR FOR SMALL GROUP TOURS
Minimum of 2 Passengers
Day1 CASABLANCA
Arrive Casablanca where you are met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Assistance with check-in. Casablanca is the financial capital of the country, with a bustling commercial activity and is an important African seaport. Dinner and Overnight.
Day2 CASABLANCA - RABAT (95km)
Breakfast. You are collected at your hotel in the morning and taken to see the central market, Mohamed V square, the Habous district, the residential area of Anfa, the outside of the Hassan II Mosque, and the exterior of the Royal Palace. Optional fish lunch in a seafront restaurant. Begin your journey to Rabat, capital of the kingdom and modern administrative centre. Rabat is known as the "White City", owing to its whitewashed houses and buildings. City tour including the Kasbah of the Oudaya, the Hassan Tower, the Mohammed V Mausoleum, and the Royal Palace & Mechouar (exterior). Overnight.
Day3 RABAT - MEKNES - VOLUBILIS - FES (240km)
Breakfast. Today you journey on to historic Fes via Meknes, another of the Imperial Cities, transformed by its imposing architecture from the period of Moulay Ismail, (1672-1727 CE). You will be able to view the Mellah (Jewish quarter), the Royal Stables, the Bab El Mansour Gate and the famous city walls. Travel on, just north of Meknes to the important religious town of Moulay Idriss and the impressive Roman ruins of Volubilis. Continue to Fes, the oldest of the imperial cities having been founded shortly after the Arab invaders swept across northern Africa in the late 7th century. Fes has been the capital of Morocco on several occasions and the sheer magnificence of the local architecture reflects the brilliance of Arab and Berber imagination. The Medina is one of the biggest in the world and is a most impressive sight. Overnight.
Day4 FES
Breakfast. A full day to explore the wonders of this superb city, considered to be the religious centre of the land. Visit some of the city's most important monuments such as the Karaouiyne Mosque, the Attarine and Bou Inania Medersas, the Nejarrine Fountain and the Mausoleum of the Sultan, Moulay Idriss, whose Dynasty founded the city (788-974CE). Optional lunch in a traditional restaurant in the medina. Afternoon visit of Fes el Jdid and the Royal Palace (exterior). Overnight.
Day5 FES - BENI-MELLAL - MARRAKESH (490kms)
Breakfast. Departure via Ifrane, resort town of wealthy Moroccans, Azrou, a relaxed Berber town, and the village of Immouzer du Kandar, and Beni-Mellal, a small town situated 625m above sea-level in the heart of the Middle Atlas mountain range enjoying superb scenery and interesting road stops all the way. Continue your journey to magnificent Marrakesh, the capital of the south. Marrakesh is one of the most important artistic and cultural centres and was founded in CE1062 by the Almoravide Sultan "Youssef Ben Tachfine". His son "Ali" however, was responsible for the city's development and it flourished under his rule. The city's extensive underground irrigation canals were built at this time and still supply water to the city's gardens. The later rule of Spain by the Almoravide Dynasty, (1055-1147CE), gave Fes more prominence, but the city of Marrakesh remained the capital of the south. Optional: dinner in a typical Moroccan restaurant with oriental show. Dinner and Overnight.
Day6 MARRAKESH
Breakfast. A full day to discover the charms of this impressive 'Imperial' city and its monuments. You will visit the Koutoubia Mosque, the Bahia palace, the gardens and orchard basin of the Menara, the Saadian Tombs and the Museum Dar Si Said. (The museum is closed on Tuesdays) Lunch at the hotel. An enchanting afternoon will be spent in the souks of the Medina and the intriguing Djemaa El Fna Square. Optional Ksar el Hamra Dinner Show. Overnight.
Day7 MARRAKESH - CASABLANCA (250kms)
Breakfast. A morning free to browse and shop or just relax. In the afternoon you begin a leisurely return to Casablanca for arrival and check-in. Dinner and Overnight.
Day8 CASABLANCA
After breakfast and check-out from your hotel, you will be transferred to the airport for departure to your next destination. 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...
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