Imperial cities of .

Tour designer: Fatima Lahricha Telephone: +00 212 5 28 829 000 Email: [email protected]

MOROCCO | 8DAYS / 7NIGHTS Route: Round-trip from and to Marrakech Type of tour: Culture 1 Departure days: Friday TOUR OVERVIEW

The magic and mystique of Morocco come to life over eight fascinating days exploring the impressive imperial cities of north Africa’s last kingdom. Visit the awe-inspiring cities of Marrakech, Fez, , Rabat and Casablanca. Discover the ruins of the ancient Roman city of and experience the rustic charms of market towns in the Atlas Mountains. Accommodation is in four-star hotels on a half-board basis with plenty of opportunities to savour the best in traditional Moroccan cuisine, including a spectacular dinner show in a historic palace in the Marrakech Medina.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Marrakech: Admire the famous Koutoubia , the beautiful Bahia Palace, the and Agdal Garden, and wander through the bustling Jemaa el-Fnaa market Fez: See the magnificent Moulay Idriss Zaouia, enjoy lunch in the Medina, explore the historic Jewish quarter and take in the panoramic views from the Royal Palace and fortifications Volubilis: Wander through the ruins of this ancient Roman city, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site Meknes: Behold the ancient city gates of Bab Mansour and Bab El-Khemis and the granaries of Moulay Ismail Rabat: Discover the capital’s many attractions, including the Royal Palace, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, the and the Oudayas Gardens Casablanca: Enjoy a tour of this cosmopolitan city and admire the magnificent Hassan II Mosque

DON'T MISS

Sands of time: Located in a historic Captive eye: Since time immemorial, Snake charmed: The delicious dessert , the Maison de la Photographie Moroccan women have used ground called m’hanncha – but popularly has a collection of old photos of kohl stone as a mascara to highlight known as ‘Moroccan snake’ – is a filo Marrakech and its people. The rooftop their dark eyes – keep an eye out in pastry filled and sprinkled with café boasts stunning views of the city souks for this natural make-up almonds and pistachios and Atlases

DAY BY DAY

DAY 1 | ARRIVAL MARRAKECH Check-in at hotel on arrival followed by dinner and lodging. . Overnight in hotel in Marrakech on a half-board basis.

DAY 2 | MARRAKECH Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before embarking on a visit of the top monuments charting the history of Marrakech. Admire the magnificent Koutoubia mosque, whose 70 metre-high is the city’s most famous landmark. It dates from the late 12th century, when most of north Africa and the southern Iberian peninsula were part of the Almohad Empire. Behold the beautiful Bahia Palace with its exceptional cedar and marble decorations and discover the beautifully

2 decorated Saadian Tombs before wandering in the shaded retreat that is the Agdal Gardens, where groves of citrus, fig, apricot and pomegranate trees are linked by paths lined by olive trees. After lunch, continue to the walled Medina and its maze of alleys and side streets. Browse the souks and admire the rich craftsmanship of their wares before arriving at Jemaa el-Fnaa square, the beating heart of Marrakech. Marvel at this bustling hive of activity as the sun sets over this vast space packed with stalls and heaving with snake charmers, Gnawa musicians and myriad colourful characters. Return to the hotel for dinner with a folkloric show. . Overnight in hotel in Marrakech on a half-board basis.

DAY 3 | MARRAKECH – BENI-MELLAL – FEZ (550km – 7 hrs) Bid farewell to Marrakech after breakfast at the hotel, driving along the foothill of the Atlas Mountains towards Beni- Mellal, stopping for lunch at Khenifra en route. Beni-Mellal is a busy agricultural hub situated at an altitude of 625 metres in the Middle Atlas range. Enjoy a brief tour of the city, admiring its top sight and attractions before continuing to Fez for check-in and dinner at the hotel. . Overnight in hotel in Fez on a half-board basis.

DAY 4 | FEZ Breakfast at the hotel is followed by a day exploring the fascinating city of Fez. Boasting more than 12 centuries of history as well as a Medina, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the oldest university in the planet, Fez is multifarious city renowned for the splendour of its faded glory. The Medina, Fez el Bali, is a vast labyrinthine network of winding alleys hemmed in by ancient walls. Despite being car free, the bustle, noise, shouting, smell of tanned leather, delicate aroma of oriental perfumes, barbecues, sweet pastry all this is the imperial city create a sense of movement and vibrancy that draws you deep into its soul. Head to the Nejjarine fountain, the best-known of the Medina’s mosaic fountains, which is located in the traditional carpenters’ district, where the scent of cedar wood wafts in the air. The alleys are lined with places of study or prayers such as or the magnificent mausoleum of Moulay Idriss Zaouia; the most important saint’s shrine in Morocco. After lunch in the Medina, continue through the rustic narrow streets of the , the former Jewish district, and head to the outskirts to see the Royal Palace and to enjoy the extraordinary panoramic view of the whole city offered by the fortifications of the north. Return to the hotel for dinner. . Overnight in hotel in Fez on a half-board basis.

DAY 5 | FEZ – VOLUBILIS – MOULAY IDRISS – MEKNES (140km – 2.5 hrs) Depart Fez after breakfast at the hotel, heading west to the ruins of the ancient city of Volubilis. Originally built by the Phoenicians, the city came into its own during the and the well-preserved Arch of Caracalla still stands, with a legible triumphal inscription boasting of victories in Britain and Germany among others. The remnants of a temple and basilica are also still visible as are number of magnificent mosaics, which hint at the wealth and opulence of Volubilis in its heyday. The tour continues through the cliffs, cascades and orchards towards the rocky outcrop crowned by the hilltop holy village of Moulay Idriss Zerhoun, which is named after a great-grandson of the prophet Mohammed and who is credited with bringing to Morocco. The village is also home to Morocco’s only cylindrical minaret. Continue to Meknes for a tour of this former imperial capital during the reign of Moulay Ismail in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Such was the grandeur of the city that he built, that Meknes became known as the ‘city of a hundred ’ and is today a UNESCO World Heritage Site. See the imposing city walls and the beautifully decorated gates of Bab Mansour and Bab El-Khemis; the vast El Hedhim Square, Dar El Ma souk, the granaries of Moulay Ismail and much more. . Overnight in hotel in Meknes on a half-board basis.

DAY 6 | MEKNES – RABAT – CASABLANCA (250km – 3 hrs) Take to the road after breakfast at the hotel, driving through the picturesque vineyards of Sais en route to the capital, Rabat. Enjoy a guided panoramic tour of the city, seeing the Royal Palace, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V and the Hassan Tower before wandering through the Kasbah of the Oudayas to the explore its famous gardens. Enjoy lunch before departing the capital for Casablanca, a city whose name evokes Hollywood glamour but is in fact the kingdom’s

3 commercial powerhouse. Discover the charms of this cosmopolitan coastal metropolis capital, seeing the elegant boulevards of the French colonial Ville Nouvelle and the majestic Hassan II mosque by the sea (exterior view). Continue to the hotel for check-in and dinner. . Overnight in hotel in Casablanca on a half-board basis.

DAY 7 | CASABLANCA – MARRAKECH (250km – 3 hrs) After breakfast, depart for Marrakech. Check-in at hotel on arrival and head to the restaurant for lunch. Enjoy a free afternoon at leisure or avail of an optional excursion with supplement departing from Marrakech. Dinner is in an old palace in the Medina with a feast of traditional Moroccan dishes being complemented by a spectacular folkloric show featuring belly dancing. Return to the hotel. . Overnight in hotel in Marrakech on a half-board basis.

DAY 8 | MARRAKECH Check out after breakfast at the hotel.

END OF SERVICES

INCLUDED

TOUR GUIDE: . Operated with Dutch and French-speaking guide during the whole tour and with English-speaking local guides ACCOMMODATION: . 07 nights’ accommodation on a half-board basis in 4* hotels MEALS: . Breakfast, lunch and dinner during the whole trip then services starting with dinner the first day and ending with breakfast on the eighth day as well as one Moroccan dinner show in an old palace in the Marrakech medina TRANSPORT: . Transfers during the tour ENTRANCE FEES AND ACTIVITIES: . Admission to all museums and monuments mentioned in the itinerary OTHERS: . Tips in hotels and restaurants

NOT INCLUDED

. Visas and international flights, and airport taxes (clients pay direct) . Driver-guide gratuities . Personal travel, baggage and medical insurance . Telephone bill, laundry and any items of a personal nature such as drinks . Transfers from airport to hotel and vice versa

RECOMMENDATIONS

Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or skimpy clothing when visiting religious or official buildings in Morocco. Shoes should be removed before entering a mosque or private house. Sun protection, sun glasses, a hat and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay

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