TREASURES OF MOROCCO
IMPERIAL CITIES TOUR (6 Nights - 7 Days)
The imperial cities a tour filled with urban pleasures, from marvelous Islamic architecture and gastronomic delights to busy medinas. The most famous cities of Morocco Marrakesh, Fez, Meknes and Rabat have played important roles throughout the history of Morocco from the pre-Arabic times of the Berbers to the Arab invasion, to European colonialism, and finally to independence. Today these cities are centers of tourism, government, religious history through their amazing architectural structures, and centers for the preservation of traditional trades and crafts, evoke dramatic images of spiring minarets, winding passages in the medinas, quiets moments in the riads, extraordinary sights and sounds in the public squares. To see these cities is to see a millennia of history in a glance.
ITINERARY
Day 1 : CASABLANCA – RABAT
The trip will start by meeting your driver at Mohamed V Airport in Casablanca, the largest city in Northern Africa and the economic capital of the kingdom. After the sightseeing which will include the United Nations place, Mohammed V square, the residential area of Anfa, external visit of the famous Hassan II Mosque one of the largest in the world, and one of the few Mosques open to non-Muslims in the country, and the beautiful Ain Diab corniche the nightlife of the city lined up with restaurants and swimming pools. Then we proceed to Rabat.
Overnight Day 2 : RABAT – MEKNES – VOLUBILIS – FEZ
After breakfast, we visit the capital of Morocco Rabat, this city in many ways is what you would expect: elegant in its spacious European in self conscious in its very civilized modern ways. Our sightseeing begins with the Kasbah of the Oudayas, the exquisite Mohamed V Mausoleum tomb of the present king's father and grandfather, the imposing Hassan Tower built in 1196, the 14 century Necropolis of Chellah and the ramparts and walls of the Mechouar surrounding the Royal Palace. We continue to fez via Meknes city the former imperial city built at the end of the 17th century by King Moulay Ismail. The Meknes city tour includes the old ramparts, the Moulay Ismail stables and granaries. Also visit the gate of Bab el Mansour, one of the most beautiful gates in Morocco, the Moulay Ismail Mausoleum and Lahdim square. After lunch we will then continue to Moulay Idriss the holiest city in Morocco in the creation of the country's first Arab dynasty and where the founder of Islam in Morocco is buried, then we visit Volubilis the settlement of the great Roman empire, Morocco's largest and best preserved Roman ruins, and then we continue to Fez. Overnight
Day 3 : FEZ
After breakfast, full-day tour of the city of Fez, the jewel of Spanish-Arabic civilization. The first imperial city of Morocco, it's a leading intellectual, religious, cultural center and the kingdom's spiritual capital founded in 790 B.C by Moulay Idriss II. The highlights will include the Medersas (an Islamic teaching university) to attest the importance of its thousand years of history, the great El Qaraouiyin Mosque the first university in the world and the sumptuous Nejjarine fountain. Independent lunch followed by a visit to the Medieval Medina of Fez has a world of its own a UNESCO world heritage, encircled by an unbroken line of ramparts and gates a labyrinth of sloping, winding alleyways are crammed full of artisans and merchants, each district has its own specialty, cobalt blue enameled pottery, carpets, wrought iron, and then visit Boujeloud gate with its decoration of green and blue faiences.
Overnight Day 4 : FEZ – IFRAN – BENI MELLAL – MARRAKECH
Breakfast. Departure for Marrakech, the beautiful drive will take you up through the Berber villages and towns of Imouzzer du Kandar a small town situated 625m above sea-level, and Ifran, a delightful ski resort well known for its wood carving in the heart of the Middle Atlas Mountains, then Azrou, a relaxed Berber town, enjoying superb scenery and interesting road stops all the way. Reach Beni Mellal city through the mountain regions, a modern town surrounded by orange and olive groves and have an optional lunch stop in city. Then continue your journey to magnificent Marrakech, the pearl of the South.
Overnight Day 5 : MARRAKECH
Our day long tour will be devoted to the sightseeing of Marrakech, the second oldest imperial city known as the "Pearl of the South" to discover the fascinating history and rich cultural heritage of this ancient city, you will visit the Saadian tombs, the Koutoubia Mosque the tallest building in the city, the Bahia Palace and the Menara Garden. You will explore the souks and the world's famous Djemaa El Fna place which offers various entertainments (story tellers, water sellers, acrobats, snake-charmers, magicians, musicians and henna artists, orange-juice sellers, open-air barbecue food-stalls etc.
Optional: a Fantasia dinner will be provided under caidal tents at the famed "Chez Ali" restaurant. Enjoy the fantasia spectacle that includes horse shows, folkloric troops from different Moroccan regions and belly dancer.
Overnight Day 6 : MARRAKECH
At leisure enjoy the day on your own
Optional excursion to nearby Ourika valley Southwards of Marrakech to experience the authentic traditional Berber life
Or a day trip to the coastal city Essaouira; one of the most picturesque city in Southern Morocco.
Overnight Day 7 : MARRAKECH – AIRPORT
Breakfast at your hotel. Private transfer to Marrakech Airport for your departure flight.