Luxury Tour ~10 Days 09 Nights ~ Roundtrip from Casablanca

Upon arrival at the Casablanca airport, our driver will be there with a personalized sign to welcome you.  Alternately, you can be picked up from your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you will tour Casablanca today or the following morning.  This port city, on the Atlantic Ocean, is the commercial hub of western Morocco.  In this bustling city, you will first visit the Hassan II Mosque, the second largest functioning mosque in Africa, and the 7^th largest in the world.  We will continue the tour to see the famous Rick's Cafe from the movie “Casablanca”.  As an option you may also visit the Jewish Museum.  From there we will drive through the old parts of the city to see famous Art Deco and French architecture.  The rest of the day can be at your leisure.  You will be dropped off at your overnight accommodation at a hotel. BB.

After breakfast at the hotel, we will begin our journey toward El Jadida (we will see the main sights of Casablanca before leaving if this did not happen the previous day).  El Jadida is an old Portuguese city located on the Atlantic coast of Morocco approximately 90 km from Casablanca.  El Jadida, previously known as Mazagan by the Portuguese, is a fortified town famous for its citadel, ramparts, bastions and canons.  This port city was also a starting point for exploration voyages to India and Brazil.  In 2004, this Portuguese city of Mazagan was registered as a UNESCO world Heritage site.  While here, you will visit the Manueline cistern at the El Jadida fortress, the Palais Andalous, and Deauville Beach.  We will have lunch at one of the charming restaurants along the beach before continuing on to Rabat. Overnight accommodation at a hotel or riad. BB.

After breakfast, you will start exploring Rabat, where the ancient and modern collide in the tree-fringed boulevards of this European-flavored, administrative capital of Morocco.  Our local knowledgeable guide will ensure you have a wonderful day.  Among the many sights to be seen will be the Kasbah des Oudayas with its beautiful Andalusian gardens located at the mouth of the river Abu Regrag.  The Kasbah was originally built in the 12^th century by the al Mohades dynasty.  A highlight of the day will be your visit to the Hassan Tower, another UNESCO site in Rabat, which is part of an incomplete mosque also built by the same dynasty in the 12^th century.  At the same location is the mausoleum of Mohamed V and Hassan II with its own amazing architecture.  While at this site you will also walk to have a view of the stunning modern opera house.  We will then continue onto Tangier along the beautiful coast.  After a stop for lunch at Moulay Bouslsselham  (where you can walk on the beach and enjoy this little town facing the Atlantic) and a last stop in Asilah we will arrive in Tangier by late afternoon. Overnight accommodation in a hotel or riad. BB.

After breakfast you will explore Tangier “the bride of the north” before we head to Chefchaouen via Tétouan.  From before the 10^th century BC. many civilizations and cultures have influenced the history of Tangier.  During this time, it went from being a strategic Berber town, to a Phoenician trading port to a center for many other cultures.  Beginning in 1923, it became an international zone governed by foreign colonial powers and a destination for many European and American diplomats, spies, bohemians, writers and businessmen.  The tour visits the Petit Socco, which was once the heart of the medina, and The Grand Mosque with its interesting history of previous buildings on the same site.  You also visit the Kasbah, with its decorated mosaics, ornamental stucco, and wood carvings and the caves of Hercules and Cape Spartel.  There is an option to have lunch before leaving Tangier.  We continue onto Chefchaouen, a mystical, blue-hued town nestled between two mountains and arrive in the late afternoon.  Overnight accommodation at a hotel or riad. BB.

After breakfast, you will start exploring the medina and alleyways of Chefchaouen, the blue city of Morocco.  The town, with its rich history, is filled with cobalt-coloured buildings set amid the majestic Rif mountains.  It was established in 1471 by Moulay Ali Ben Rachid, when Moorish and Jewish settlers fled here to escape the Spanish Inquisition.  This town is visually stimulating, and you will enjoy wandering, with your guide, the enchanting up and down alleyways with their hundreds of hues of blue.  Your guide will lead you to some out of the way places to get that special photo.  Overnight accommodation in a hotel or riad BB.

After breakfast, we drive through the foothills of the Rif mountains to the Roman ruins of Volubilis.  On your visit to this historical site, you be accompanied by a local guide.  Volubilis was a part of the Roman empire and dates back to 225 BC.  Here you will see the most beautiful mosaics in Morocco from the same period.  Your guided tour (which is included) will definitely increase your knowledge of the Roman Empire.  Following the visit, we will stop for lunch at a local restaurant and then continue through the beautiful foothills of the Rif Mountains to Fez.  Overnight accommodation in a hotel or riad. BB.

After breakfast, our local informative guide will take you on an adventure through Fes (or Fez) the intellectual, cultural and spiritual capital of Morocco.  Fes is primarily known for the Fes El Bali, or walled medina, another UNESCO site, with its medieval architecture, vibrant souks and old-world atmosphere.  We start outside the medina to see the royal palace gate, then walk through the Jewish quarter or “the mellah”, the first Jewish quarter built in the country.  Following that, you will enter the medina to experience the sensory stimulating souks - exotic spices, vibrant materials and beautiful metal works are just some of the sights you will experience.  As well as spending the morning wandering by the souks, you will visit sites with cultural and historical interest including the famous Medrasa Bouanania, the Karaouine Mosque and the oldest university in the world (and built by a woman).  You will also visit the famous tanneries and the Najjarine Fountain.  After a Moroccan lunch, at a local restaurant in the heart of the medina, you will be driven to one of the fortresses to experience an amazing panoramic view of the entire medina. From there we will visit a pottery cooperative.  Time permitting, we will take a drive through modern Fes drive to experience a different atmosphere.  Overnight accommodation at your hotel or riad. BB

After breakfast, you will begin the journey to the Atlas Mountains and Meknes.  We will first stop at Ifrane, referred to as the “Switzerland of Morocco” with its alpine style architecture and nearby slopes and forests.  The second stop will be the cedar forest in Azrou to watch the Barbary apes, before our final stop at Meknes, the Ismaili capital in the 17^th century.  Here you will see the 17^th century gate of Bab Mansour built by the sultan My Ismail.  You will also see a granary and the Sahrij Souani, used for irrigation and planting.  You may, as an option, do a wine tasting while you are in the “Land of Wine”.  We will stop for lunch at a local restaurant before heading back to Fes.  Overnight accommodation in a hotel or riad.   BB.

After breakfast, we leave Fes for a 4-hour drive to Casablanca via Rabat.  We stop for lunch along the way and arrive in Casablanca in the afternoon for your hotel check-in.  You may choose to have a walk along the famous Cornishe of Ain Diab in evening.  Overnight accommodation at a hotel or riad. BB.

After breakfast in your hotel, we will drive you to the airport in time for your departing flight.  Here we say goodbye and your tour ends.