IMPERIAL CITIES: MOROCCO 7 DAYS

Casablanca - Rabat - Fez - MArrakech - Casablanca

Touch the ancient history and experience a truly imperial atmosphere during your tour of the imperial cities. Enjoy one of our best Morocco tour package.

ITINERARY & PRICES

Day 1 Sunday Arrival at Casablanca Airport/Rabat
Arrival in Casablanca airport, after passing through customs and collecting your luggage, you will be met by your Qualified
English Speaking Tour/Guide. Start the panoramic tour of Casablanca. This city is the chief port, the financial, commercial and manufacturing center of the country. A modern city with office buildings and big-city traffic, it will not remind you of the eponymous film starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman! The population has grown from approximately 20,000 in the early 1900s to more than four million today (including the suburbs), and is the largest city in Africa. Drive along the wide boulevards, United Nations Square, the residential area of Anfa and Ain Diab. Visit of the great Mosque of Hassan II (outside). Situated on the edge of the Atlantic in the easternmost point of Morocco the mosque is truly an architectural masterpiece. Designed by the French architect Michel Pinseau, begun in 1980 and completed in 1993, the mosque is the second largest religious edifice in the world (after Mecca) and has the tallest minaret at 689 feet. It can accommodate 25,000 worshippers inside, and an additional 80,000 in the courtyard perimeter. Built on reclaimed land, almost half the surface lies over the Atlantic. Non-Muslims may visit the interior on hour long guided tours. Transfer to Rabat by highway 1hour drive Check in at your hotel and Overnight at CANTOR RIVE HOTEL (4 Star) or FARAH MAGRHREB DAR EL KBIRA HOTEL (5 Star) or SOFITEL JARDINS DES ROSES (5 Star Deluxe).

Day 2 Monday Rabat - Meknes – Volubilis – Mkenes - Fes
Start the city tour of Imperial “garden city” of Rabat The well-planned city consists of broad tree-lined avenues, a landscaped central park, and impressive quarters for the foreign embassies and ministries. See the Kasbah of the Oudayas: It is located at the mouth of the Bou Regreg river opposite Salé. The edifice was built in the 12th century. Visit of Chellah is a medieval fortified Muslim necropolis located in the metro area of Rabat on the south side of the Bou Regreg estuary. the ancient ruins of Chellah. Visit the unfinished Hassan Tower and Mosque, and the distinctive and elegant Mausoleum of Mohammed V, revered former King and grandfather of the present King Mohammed VI. Wander through the ruins of columns and enter the ornamental grandeur that is the exquisite mausoleum to discover a part of Moroccan history that will forever remain incomplete. Depart to FES via the Imperial City of Meknes: Known as “Moroccan Versailles “and founded at the end of the 17th Century by Moulay Ismail. Optional Lunch at local restaurant. Continuation to Fes with a Stop at the ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis. During the period between 45-285 AD the city reached its peak of prosperity as the capital of the province of Mauretania Tingitania, but had in actuality been in existence centuries before the first Roman proconsul arrived. From this tranquil site you can view the Holy City of Moulay Idriss - a national pilgrimage site the town holds the tomb of Moulay Idriss - “el Akhbar” (the Great) - the great grandson of the Prophet Mohammed, and the founder of Islam in Morocco. Proceed to Fes (1h). Overnight at ESCALE MENZAH ZALAGH HOTEL (4 Star) or RIAD GHITA PALACE LES MERINIDES HOTEL (5 Star & 5 Star Deluxe). (B)

Day 3 Tuesday Full Day City Tour of Fes
After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a full day sightseeing tour of Fes, founded in the 8th century, is arguably Morocco’s most fascinating city. This metropolis, sited in a valley, was Morocco’s first capital, and is today the kingdom’s intellectual, religious and cultural center. The university here is one of the oldest in the world, and the city’s handicrafts are admirable (look for handmade items like rugs, fabrics, ceramics, leather goods, as well as copper, brass, and silver pieces). Fes street life in the medina may be the most memorable you’ll ever experience. The souks in the medina are an open-air department store, with the spice shops next to the carpet sellers, across from the fishmonger. This is the hub of Moroccan life, filled with vitality. Natives of Fes are known as “Fassi”, and have a reputation within Morocco as being excellent businessmen. Sightseeing includes the monuments and historical sites of the ancient medina for a walking tour to the Karaouine Mosque and University. You will visit the Attarine Medersas constructed in the early 14th century by the Merinides At the center of the square stands the Nejjarine fountain, which is completely decorated with tiles. They are considered to be the finest examples of geometric ornamentation in the city. In back is the Nejjarine Museum (Optional visit), dedicated to the extraordinary woodwork and carpentry of the artisans of Fes. Lunch at your hotel or optional lunch at a restaurant within the medina. In the afternoon visit the various markets of the souks and the tanneries with time for shopping. Return to your Hotel for overnight. (B)

Day 4 Wednesday Fes – Marrakech
After breakfast, depart to Marrakech. travel via Berber villages and towns namely Immouzer and Ifrane - a delightful ski resort also well known for it's wood carvings. Travel through the mountains to Beni Mellal one of the most important cities of the center of Morocco with rich historical background particularly from the Ishmaelite Era. Beni Mellal is also a starting point to discover mountains, cascades, forests and wild life in its pure state. It offers to lovers of tourism the most beautiful reliefs of High and Middle Atlas. It also has many caves and pits appraised by speleologists. Beni Mellal is mostly a destination of ecotourism and tourism of culture. This vast garden where fields and farms dispute the space dominated by green plains, is located at the center of Morocco. Optional Lunch at local restaurant in Beni Mellal before reaching Marrakech late afternoon. As an alternative, take a fantastically modern 4-lane Highway Fes/Marrakech. Check-in and Overnight at your hotel - PALM MENARA DELLA ROSA HOTEL (4 Star) or PALM PLAZA HOTEL (5 Star) or KENZI MENARA HOTEL ( 5 Star deluxe). (B)

Day 5 Thursday Marrakech - Full Day Exploring Marrakech
After breakfast enjoy a full-day sightseeing tour of Marrakech. Visit the legendary souks, craft markets, wool-dyer's quarters and legendary Djemaa-El-Fna Square with its permanent display of folklore, magicians, and storytellers. Marrakech's prestige is mainly due to its past glories. Being for many successive dynasties, the prosperous Capital of Morocco, Marrakech knew at the folding of history, masterpieces of architecture, such as the slender minarets like the Koutoubia, which dominates the ancient Medina. Visit Bahia Palace with brilliant mosaics, carved woodwork and gorgeous marbles. Optional Lunch at a local restaurant near de square .PM: Optional Visit of The legendary Majorelle Gardens :This enchanting place, filled with bougainvillea, coconut, banana, bamboo and palms, was created in the 1920s by the French painter Jacques Majorelle. At the heart of lush vegetation, he built a large workshop, pergolas and arbors completely covered with a bright blue distracting. Neglected after the painter's death in 1962, the property was restored a few years ago by fashion designer Yves Saint-Laurent and used as his residence. At the end of the tour ,. In the evening, visit of Djemaa-El-Fna Square by night : the beating heart of the city a permanent display of folklore, magicians, and storytellers. Here comes the snake-charmers, storytellers, fortune-tellers, potion vendors, Gnaoua musicians, henna artists, monkey performers, acrobats, transvestite dancers and more. Overnight at your hotel. (B)

Day 6 Friday Marrakech - Casablanca drive
Morning is at leisure in Marrakech to explore the city and do your last minutes shopping. Transfer to Casablanca. Upon arrival, panoramic tour along the wide boulevards, United Nations Square, the residential area of Anfa and Ain Diab. Check in at your hotel. Overnight at your Hotel - KENZI BASMA HOTEL (4 Star) or GRAND MOGADOR MOVENPICK HOTEL (5 Star) or KENZI TOWER HOTEL (5 Star deluxe). (B)

Day 7 Saturday Casablanca/ Departure
After breakfast at the hotel, be ready for check-out & drive to the airport for flight back home with tons of memories. (B)

INCLUSIONS

• Accommodation

• Meals according to the program

• Tours and transfers mentioned in the program

• Deluxe air-conditioned motor coach with English speaking guide during the tour, Or air-conditioned minivan, or car with multilingual guide-driver.

EXCLUSIONS

• Services not mentioned in the program, Tips / porters & Personal expenses