Imperial Cities of Morocco

Tour Itinerary

• Day 1 • Arrival in Marrakesh

  Arrive at the airport for your flight to Marrakesh. On arrival, we will transfer to our hotel for an overnight stay.

• Day 2 • Marrakesh & Casablanca

  This morning we’ll visit the Jardin Majorelle: an inspiring and amazing display of bamboo, bougainvillea and cacti, formerly owned by Yves Saint-Laurent. Exotic plants line the lanes, burbling streams cascade into pools filled with water lilies and lotus flowers, and the Moorish buildings glow with an intense blue. We arrive in Casablanca and our hotel, Novotel Casa Blanca where we stay for one night. The coastal city of Casablanca was founded by the Berbers in the 7th century. Arab tribes also settled here and the Portuguese, Spanish and French followed, all leaving their distinctive mark on the culture and architecture. Moorish white houses, which give their name to the city, are scattered along the coastline, contrasting with the elegant 1930s architecture of the French epoch.

• Day 3 • Rabat & Fez

  After breakfast we travel north along the coast to imperial Rabat, the current capital of Morocco. Here we will discover the elegant sweeping boulevards and palm-lined avenues built by the French. A guided walking tour through the narrow streets and dazzlingly blue houses of the 12th-century walled medina reveals another side of this splendid city of kings. When the French arrived in the early 20th century, this was the full extent of the city.

• Day 4 • Fez

  This morning we explore Fez, the spiritual and cultural heart of Morocco, by coach and on foot. Founded in the 9th century, Fez is the most ancient of the imperial capitals and boasts the most complete medieval city of the Arab world. In the company of our local guide, we will explore the ancient ramparts and gates outside the city and then take a walking tour into the medina.

• Day 5 • Volubilis, Meknes & Fez

  After breakfast, we drive through fertile farmland and olive groves up into the hills. As we descend, the spectacular Roman ruins of Volubilis is laid out before us – the best-preserved Roman ruins in Morocco and a UNESCO World Heritage site. We step back through 2,000 years of history as we explore Volubilis with our local guide. Our journey continues to Meknes, where the legacy of the powerful 17th-century ruler, Moulay Ismail, lives on in the elaborate palaces, gardens and mosques of this impressive imperial city. We’ll stop to admire Bab el-Mansour, the giant imperial gateway built by Moulay Ismail to show the strength of his new capital to Fez and Marrakesh.

• Day 6 • Fez to Marrakesh

  After breakfast we retrace our steps back to Marrakesh, choosing to take the major roads, with appropriate comfort stops along the way, to ensure a smoother and more comfortable journey. We arrive in Marrakesh in the late afternoon and stay for two nights once again at the Grand Plaza Marrakech, with dinner included.

• Day 7 • Marrakesh & free afternoon

  Marrakesh is a labyrinth of tiny alleyways teeming with activity like few places in the world. With classic French-colonial buildings and boulevards surrounded by remarkably preserved medieval walls, the city is so perfect it could be – and often is – used as a film set. Surrounding the city are impressive ramparts stretching 19 miles long, largely intact with imposing forts. The gates are fine examples of classic Moorish architecture with their pastel hues changing colours depending on the time of day.

• Day 8 • Return Home

  Transfer to the airport for your return flight.