Magnificent Morocco

We depart for Casablanca with a change of planes in Montreal.

We arrive in Casablanca and transfer to our hotel. The rest of the day is free.

Our morning tour of Casablanca, Morocco’s largest city, begins at the old Medina - a labyrinth of streets, barbers, butchers, ironmongers and grocers. Nearby is majestic Mohammed V Square with its combination of French and Moorish architecture. We also see the Royal Palace and the famous and stunning Hassan II Mosque situated directly on the Atlantic Ocean - the third largest mosque in the world. After our tour we travel to Morocco’s capital - Rabat, the seat of the Royal Family. It is home to many palaces, mosques and parks. Our city tour will show us the imposing exterior of the Royal Palace - official residence of King Mohamed VI, the Royal Mausoleum of Sultan Mohammed V - the man who led Morocco to independence, and the exquisite Hassan Tower.

We depart for Tangier, a cosmopolitan city combining all of its historical inhabitants - Phoenician, Romans, Vandals, Berbers, Arabs, Portuguese, Spanish, British and French. Our tour of the old city shows us the crowded Souks where traditional products are made and sold, then through the archway to the walled Medina - a medieval world of narrow lanes leading to the lively bazaars.

We proceed to the mountain city of Chefchaouen, known as the “Blue City”. It is famous for the old Medina, houses with blue doors, wrought iron windows and tile roofs. The local markets are animated with traditionally dressed locals and colourful goods. After our tour we continue to Meknes.

Like a mirage looming up out of the rock in the countryside, the former royal city of Meknes is yet another unexpected delight of Morocco. This beautiful city has old city walls, monumental gates and palatial ruins. We visit the city walls, the Royal stables and the intricate Bab Al Mansour Gates. We then visit the remarkable ancient Roman ruin of Volubilis, (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), before proceeding to Fez.

A maze of stone and marble surrounded by orchards, Fez is the spiritual centre of Morocco. The old town’s maze of alleys, houses and shops sit in the shadow of the mosque’s minarets. From their workshops in the back alleys potters, charcoal burners, goldsmiths and weavers still practice their ancient trades. The Jewish Quarter here has long had a reputation for producing the finest ironwork in the country. On our full-day tour you will see the Medina (a UNESCO World Heritage site), the Najjarine Fountain, the Moulay Idriss Mausoleum, the Karaouine Mosque and more.

We travel to the town of Erfoud, built by the French and known for its red sand buildings that contrast with the surrounding desert. We stop for lunch in Midelt in the Atlas Mountains with wonderful landscape views.

We travel to Ouarzazate on the edge of the mighty Sahara - an ancient garrison town made famous when the film Lawrence of Arabia was filmed nearby. We travel through the Dades Valley, or “Valley of One Thousand Kasbahs”. We also visit Taourirt - one of Morocco’s most beautiful Kasbahs.

We first visit Ait Ben Haddou, a 16th century UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Morocco’s best preserved and spectacular Kasbahs. Then we proceed to Marrakech via the Tichka Pass, Morocco’s highest road pass. The views of the High Atlas Mountains interspersed with small Berber villages typical of the region are breathtaking.

The 1000-year-old “Red City” of Marrakech is drenched in culture and history. Our full-day tour includes the Mejorelle Gardens, the Saadian Tombs, El Bahia Palace, the Dar Si Said Museum and the Medina. At Djemaa El Fna Square we see snake charmers, acrobats and scribes writing letters for the illiterate.

We travel to the Ourika Valley, enjoying views of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains and tiny villages clinging to the steep hillsides, with waterfalls and rocky landscapes merging with the desert.