7-Day Imperial Cities - Private Group

Itinerary

Day 1: CASABLANCA, RABAT

Stop At: Hassan II Mosque, Blvd Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdallah, Casablanca 20450 Morocco
Arrive in Casablanca and meet your driver outside the airport.

Begin with a visit to the stunning Hassan II Mosque, the largest in Morocco and the third largest mosque in the world that non-muslims are allowed to enter. Able to accommodate up to 105,000 in prayer, this marvel of modern Moroccan architecture is the work of hundreds of expert craftsmen from around the country, many of them donating their work.

Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Hassan Tower, Boulevard Mohamed Lyazidi, Rabat 10030 Morocco
Continue on to Rabat, where you will visit the Hassan Tower, which has sat unfinished since 1199. Commissioned by Abu Yusuf Yaqub al-Mansur, the tower was to be the minaret for the largest mosque in the world. Unfortunately, when the sultan passed away in 1199, the project was abandoned, leaving some partial outer walls, 348 columns, and a minaret only standing half-finished at 140 feet rather than the intended 260 feet.

Standing opposite the Hassan Tower is the Mohammed V Mausoleum, which contains the tombs of Mohammed V, the current king's grandfather, as well as the king's father, Hassan II, and his uncle, Prince Abdallah. It is considered a masterpiece of Alaouite architecture with its white walls and green tiled roof.

Duration: 2 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight in Rabat

Day 2: VOLUBILIS, FES

Stop At: Volubilis, Morocco
Depart Rabat in the morning to travel to Volubilis.

Tour the site with a guide. The site of the ancient Roman ruins dates back to 3 BCE, when it was the capital of the kingdom of Mauretania. The Roman rule began in the 1st century CE, and continued until it fell to local tribes in 285. The remains of many ancient structures are still being excavated, as well as the triumphal arch still standing. There are several large mosaic floors still fully intact, and they will still reveal vibrant colors when wet.

Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Fes el-Bali, Fes 30110 Morocco
Continue on to Fes, where you will check into your riad for the night.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Fes

Day 3: DAY TOUR OF FES

Stop At: Fes el-Bali, Fes 30110 Morocco
Tour Fes with a private guide. (Walking tour with some transportation between sites.)

Begin at the royal palace, with its seven golden doors, and learn about the significance of the intricate decor.

Stroll through the Mellah, or Jewish quarter, which was built next to the palace to offer protection.

Take in the view of the city from Borj Sud, a former fortress and one of the lookouts on a hill where you can see all of Fes laid out, allowing you to spot landmarks otherwise hidden by the skyline-obscuring buildings.

Visit a pottery co-op to see how they make the unique Fes pottery, as well as handcrafting the intricate mosaics adorning half of Morocco.

Head into the ancient medina and step into a sort of living museum. The Fes medina is very much a local community that lives and works and goes about daily life in the medina, so be sure to keep moving and watch out for the donkeys!

Stop by the Al-Quaraouiyine University, the oldest degree-granting university still in operation, having been founded in 859CE by a woman.

Visit handicraft workshops, where you will see why Fes is considered the handicraft capital of Morocco. This can include, among other things, the silk weavers, where beautifully colorful fabrics are woven from silk fibers of the agave plant; and the famous Fes tannery, where they process all manner of animal hides by hand, much as they have for nearly 1,000 years. They also sell leather items in every shade and style, and can even alter an item to be delivered to your riad by the end of the day!

During your tour of the medina, you will stop for lunch in a restaurant that would be very easy to walk right past, but is truly a hidden gem.

Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Overnight in Fes

Day 4: DAY TRIP TO MEKNES

Stop At: Meknes Medina, Meknes Morocco
Take a day trip to the Imperial City of Meknes, which was the capital of Morocco from 1672 to 1727 under sultan Moulay Ismail.

See the Bab Mansour Gate, which was built with marble columns stolen from nearby Volubilis.

Stop by the Royal Stables, which once held the sultan’s 12,000 horses, each with its own groom and slave to attend to its every need.

Visit the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, one of only three active Moroccan shrines that non-Muslims may enter. In spite of his excesses, Moulay Ismail is fondly remembered for bringing peace and prosperity, and driving out Spanish and British forces.

Return to Fes in the afternoon.

Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Fes

Day 5: TRAVEL TO MARRAKECH

Stop At: Jemaa el-Fnaa, Marrakech Morocco
Depart Fes to travel down to Marrakech, which was the Moroccan Capital on and off between 1071 and 1659. Travel the faster way by highway to spend the afternoon exploring the famous Jemaa el Fna, the central square that was once the place of public executions but is now filled with street performers and vendors.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Marrakech

Day 6: DAY TOUR OF MARRAKECH

Stop At: Jemaa el-Fnaa, Marrakech Morocco
Tour Marrakech with a private guide.

Visit the Koutoubia minaret, the tallest in Marrakech. Within the city walls, no building is allowed to be taller than the Koutoubia's 253 feet. The minaret is part of the largest mosque in Marrakech, which was completed in 1199.

Stop at a Berber Apothecary shop, learning of the medicinal uses of many of the common spices and herbs that are still used across Morocco to treat common illnesses. While it's not as picturesque as the heaps of spices you find in the market, it is far more informative!

Tour the Bahia Palace, a late 19th-century palace built for the grand vizier and named for his favorite wife. The rooms, set in a 2-acre garden, include the rooms which housed his harem, an often political position.

Explore Jemaa el Fna, the primary square in the medina and a UNESCO world heritage site. Though now filled with street performers, snake charmers, merchants, and orange juice stalls, when it was created in 1050, it was used for public executions, perhaps leading to its name which can be translated as "assembly of death".

Head into the souks surrounding Jemaa el Fna to several workshops, including shoemakers and bakers.

Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Marrakech

Day 7: DEPARTURE

Stop At: Casablanca Morocco, Usine DLM، Morocco
Enjoy a free morning until time for transfer to Marrakech or Casablanca airport for departure.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.