Day 1 Casablanca

Upon arrival in Casablanca, the economic capital of Morocco, you will be met and transferred by shuttle bus to your Casablanca hotel. Depending on arrival time, the group will visit the city, including an optional visit to the Hassan II, one of the world's biggest mosques.
In addition to its bustling markets, art deco buildings and miles of terrific beaches and rolling surf, Casablanca is highly regarded for its sidewalk cafés and restaurants, which you can explore over a leisurely lunch. Perhaps have a drink at Bar Casablanca in the Hyatt Regency Hotel, a piano bar based on Rick’s Café – complete with wicker, mahogany and ceiling fans – although sadly no Ingrid Bergman or Humphrey Bogart.
In the afternoon, we will travel to Rabat for one night. During an included tour of the historical sights you will see the storybook Kasbah des Oudaia, an ancient Arab citadel that stands atop cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and Bou Regreg River. Within the high walls of the kasbah and medina you’ll discover peaceful walkways through Andalucian gardens as well as markets populated by merchants selling carpets, spices and exotic knick-knacks. A walk through the oldest part of Rabat reveals the Ancient Roman ruins at Chellah and the 144ft high Tour Hassan.

Day 2 Rabat / Fez

After breakfast, the group will leave by van towards Fez. On route, you will stop at Rabat, the capital city and residence of the King, for lunch and a time to enjoy the beautiful coastal city. After lunch you will continue on to Fez, the spiritual capital of Morocco.

Day 3 Fez

After breakfast you will begin our guided tour of the Fez medina, one of the world s largest walled in cities. You will explore the narrow streets lined with fresh fruit, mounds of spices, intricately woven Berber carpets and many other art objects of Morocco. A visit to the King s Palace, the tanneries, and potters are just a few places we will experience. For lunch you will eat in a traditional restaurant in the heart of the medina. After lunch you will complete the tour and return to your hotel for the evening.

Day 4 Volubilis / Meknes / Fez

After an early breakfast, you will set out in the morning to the ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis. The group will spend the morning exploring the 2000-year-old ruins and getting a picture of life during the Roman Empire. Lunch will be taken in Mulay Idris, one of the holiest cities in Morocco. After lunch, your guide will take you on a bus tour of the imperial city, Meknes. You will return to Fez in the evening for dinner.

Day 5 Marrakech (full day drive)

After an early breakfast, the group will depart for Marrakech. The beautiful drive will take you up into the Middle Atlas Mountains and along the base of the High Atlas Mountains.
Once in Marrakech, you will check into your hotel and then head off to the Djemaa el-Fna, the center square of the medina. The famous Djemaa el-Fna, is one of the center attractions of Marrakech. Coming alive at night with the local storytellers, entertainers, and mouth-watering barbeque pits, the square is well worth a visit. A quiet cup of tea on the terrace of an adjacent café provides a spectacular aerial view of the bustling square.

Day 6 Marrakech

A day to discover the city where the Berber and Arabian Nights fantasy is based on reality – magical Marrakech. While your half day tour takes in sights such as the Koutoubia Mosque, Saadian Tombs, Menara Gardens, souks and the medina, you will be blown away by what you see on the famous square of Jamaa El Fna, especially at night. While impeccably dressed chefs grill sausages and kebabs under the stars, musicians, snake charmers, monkey handlers, merchants, medicine men, preachers, storytellers, magicians, dancers and acrobats all perform in a wonderful blaze of humanity. Order a drink from a balcony seat in one of the square’s upstairs cafés, sit back and be amazed.

Day 7 Marrakech / Casablanca

Today we travel back to Casablanca for one night, stopping en route to visit the city of Settat – the largest market centre on the fertile Chaouia coastal plain and famous for its Jewish quarter and 17th century kasbah.
 
Day 8 Casablanca / Depart