Imperial Morocco: Moroccan history and wonders

Duration: 7 days

Highlights: Gorgeous Hassan II mosque of Casablanca, Fes Medina, Bab Mansour in Meknes, Volubilis Roman ruins, Hassan Tower in Rabat and unforgettable Marrakech. This program is designed to give you a taste of Morocco - discover the country’s culture, architecture and ancient monuments by exploring the Imperial Cities.

Itinerary

DAY 1 - ARRIVE CASABLANCA – TRANSFER TO FES

MARHABA!!!

This is the traditional greeting used in Morocco which conveys the meaning of a warm Hello & Welcome.

On arrival into Casablanca airport, you will be greeted by our representative.

Considered the economical capital of Morocco, Casablanca is the largest metropolis and industrial hub.

With Art Deco architecture dated back to the French protectorate, this beautiful city features several historical and cultural monuments with trendy restaurants and bars.

Sightseeing of Casablanca includes visit the Hassan II Grand Mosque. The mosque is amongst the largest in the world and can house as many as 25,000 worshipers. The mosque’s minaret is the tallest religious structure in the world.

After your tour, you start your drive to the historical city of Fes.

DAY 2 - FES VISIT 

Today you take a step back in time to the Middle Ages when you visit Fez El Bali, the largest living medieval Medina-city and cultural heart of Morocco.

The city was founded in the 8th Century AD by Moulay Idriss I. The Imperial capital was a renowned center of medieval learning. In the neighboring building is the Attarine Medersa (Koranic college), a jewel of Hispano-Moorish architecture, built in the 14th Century.

Your sightseeing also includes a visit to the Nejjarine Square, Fondouq (Caravanserai), Dar Batha and the Museum of Moroccan Arts.

Continue your visit to Fez El Jedid (New Fez), built by the Merinid Dynasty in the 13th Century. Here you will see the Royal Palace, mosques, medersas (schools), souks and the city wall.

Most notably, Fez El Jedid is home to the Mellah, the old Jewish quarter, which provides an interesting insight into Jewish architecture. The medieval Medina is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Meal Plan: B

DAY 3 - FES - VOLUBILIS - MEKNES - FES

After breakfast, you depart overland to Volubilis, the site of the largest and best preserved Roman ruins in Morocco. With its Triumphal Arches, Basilicas and Capitols, the Volubilis skyline is peppered with examples of Roman architecture. However, the greatest treasures of Volubilis are the spectacular ancient mosaic floors, which have been excellently preserved and left in situ. 

From here you'll continue to Meknes, one of the Imperial Cities of Morocco. Here in the impressive monuments recall the splendor of a city, first built in the 17th Century by the powerful sultan Moulay Ismail, to rival the court of his contemporary Louis XIV of France. 

The monumental Bab Mansour gateway is one of the finest of the great gates of Morocco. The Granaries and the Royal Stables, which were built to accommodate some 12,000 horses, are among Moulay Ismail's many excesses. Moulay Ismail's Mausoleum is one of the few shrines in Morocco that can be visited by non-Muslims.

Meal Plan: B

DAY 4 - FES - RABAT

This morning continues your journey to Rabat, one of the Imperial Cities of Morocco, Capital of the Kingdom of Morocco and seat of its government, Rabat is situated at the mouth of the River Bou Regrag, opposite the city of Sale.

Arriving into Rabat, you will visit the Citadel of Challah, the oldest part of the city. After lunch, visit the La Tour Hassan II mosque; the city's most famous site is the massive minaret of Hassan, dating from 1195, which towers over Rabat.

Also visit the Mohammed V mausoleum, one of the greatest monuments of modern Morocco, which was inaugurated in 1967. The deceased king lies entombed in white onyx, surrounded by royal guards.

Your city tour of Rabat also includes the visit of Kasbah des Oudayas, A pleasant place to take a stroll, see some sights and admire some interesting scenery. The Kasbah was the Almohad citadel of medieval Rabat, and is guarded by an impressive arched gate built around 1195.

Arrive at your hotel in the late afternoon and check-in.

Meal Plan: B

Day 5 - RABAT - MARRAKECH

This morning depart for the beautiful Marrakech. The pearl of the south enchants with mesmerizing historical monuments and welcoming people.

This afternoon enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride, you start with the Menara Gardens, where tranquility and comparative coolness makes it one of the most pleasant and romantic places for taking a stroll in Marrakech. On one side, there is a harmonious Saadian style pavilion that was built at the end of the 19th century.

Continue to the Majorelle Gardens, Created in the 1920's by the French painter Jacques Majorelle. Majorelle is a very unique and special blue and is now a trademark name. It also contains a memorial to the Algerian born French designer Yves Henri Donat Mathieu-Saint-Laurent, also known as Yves Saint Laurent.

Meal Plan: B

DAY 6 - MARRAKECH

Today, discover the Mysteries of Marrakech.

Start your visit with the Bahia Palace, a small piece of folly ordered in 1880 by the great vizir Sidi Moussa.
Afterwards, visit Si Said Museum to admire beautifully decorated weapons, splendidly decorative clothing and beaten copper articles; whilst traditional Berber jewels captivates and enchants.

After lunch, you will visit the Ben Youssef Medersa, one of the jewels of Marrakech. The current structure of this Koranic school was built around 1570.

Then, prepare yourself for a discovery of the labyrinth of souks and get ready for shopping!! This maze of colorful alleys and small squares are home to a bewildering array of stalls and ateliers devoted to specific crafts.

You end up at the Djemâa el Fna square, where a multitude of street-artists and stalls of dried fruit and orange juice can be found.

Also admire the Koutoubia mosque which is an emblem of Marrakech. Built in the 12th century, the Koutoubia minaret is the most perfect Islamic religious structure in North Africa.

Meal Plan: B 

DAY 7 - DEPART MARRAKECH

You will be transferred from your hotel to Marrakech airport; and our representative will assist you during the check-in formalities.

Clients should be at the airport 2 hrs before take-off time.

Meal Plan: B