Day 01: Arrive Casablanca

Merhaba!  We arrive at the Mohamed V Airport in Casablanca and are warmly welcomed. We are transferred to the city for a brief introductory tour that includes the old French quarter of Habous and the Hassan II Grand Mosque.  Set on an outcrop jutting over the ocean, with a 210-metre-tall minaret that serves as the city's major landmark, the mosque is a showcase of the very best in Moroccan artisanship. Hand-carved stone and wood, intricate marble flooring and inlay, gilded cedar ceilings and exquisite Zellige (geometric mosaic tile-work) abound (outside viewing only - Inside tour available at an extra cost). Continue to our hotel for a Moroccan welcome dinner and overnight.

Overnight: Odyssee Centre Hotel, Casablanca (1 night) (D)

Day 02: Casablanca/Rabat/Fez (Drive)

Our romantic journey through Morocco continues when, after breakfast, we depart for the capital city of Rabat*. Here, we explore the city with a tour highlighting Rabat's cultural influences and the superbly preserved relics of its Moorish past. We will see Rabat's most famous site, the Hassan Tower, followed by the mausoleum dedicated to Mohamed V, the grandfather of the current king. Morocco has been a kingdom since the 17th century, with some intervals in between. We then visit the beautiful Oudaya Kasbah, a citadel built on a cliff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Its gate is one of the most beautiful ones surviving in the Moorish world. We will also explore a delightful Moroccan garden with melodious fountains and sweet-smelling orange trees before we drive to Fez.

Overnight: L’Escale Hotel, Fez (3 nights) (B, D)

Upgrade to a heritage riad (traditional home): Riad Myra/Riad Nass Zmane

Day 03: Fez

Today, take a step back in time to the Middle Ages as we visit one of the most imperial, timeless and untouched cities in the world—Fez El Bali (Old Fez), the cultural heart of Morocco.

We explore some of the 9,000 narrow lanes, alleys and souks (open air markets) that make up the labyrinth of the city's old quarter, originally founded in the 8th century. The imperial capital was a renowned center of medieval learning and, at its heart, we can still find the Karaouine, one of the oldest continuously operating universities in the world. In the neighboring building is the Attarine Medersa (Quranic college), a jewel of Hispano-Moorish architecture built in the 14th century. Our day of sightseeing also includes visits to Nejjarine Square, with its beautiful fountain boasting elaborate tile-work mosaics. The nearby Fondouq (Caravanserai) has been converted to a museum of carpentry artifacts.

Next, visit Fez El Jedid (New Fez), built by the Merinides dynasty in the 13th century. Here, we see the Royal Palace, mosques, madrasas (Quranic schools), souks and the city wall. Most notably, Fez El Jedid is home to the Mellah (Jewish quarter), which provides an interesting insight into Jewish architecture. The medieval Medina* is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  A taste of Fez food awaits us at our hotel. (B, D)

Day 04: Fez/Volubilis/Meknes/Fez (Drive)

We journey overland to explore the Roman ruins of Volubilis*, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is home to some of the best-preserved Roman structures in North Africa. Among Volubilis’ greatest treasures are its amazing mosaic floors of former family dwellings. Continue to Meknes*, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the imperial cities of Morocco. Meknes is replete with fantastic historical sites, from minarets, to museums, to enormous mosaic doors. We discover the city’s highlights, including the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, the Nejjardine Mosque and Grand Mosque (outside visit), as well as Bab Mansour, Bab Lakmis and Bab Berdaine, some of the beautifully carved doors Fez is famous for. Afterwards, we have time for shopping in the labyrinthine bazaars. (B, D)

Day 05: Fez/Ifrane/Beni Mellal/Marrakesh (Drive)

Experience some of the wild landscapes beyond Fez as we journey through the high alpine region of Ifrane National Park. Our drive includes beautiful Azrou and several other Berber villages, where the locals still live and work like their ancestors did. We meet the local Berbers and take in their daily routines. Scenically set in the Middle Atlas Mountains, Ifrane feels more like Switzerland relocated in North Africa. Built by the French in 1930, this alpine-style resort is home to not only the biggest cedar forest on earth, but also the world’s largest population of Barbary macaques. Continue to Marrakesh via the highway, with a stop for lunch in Rabat (lunch at your own expense). Arrive in Marrakesh for dinner and a three-night stay.

Overnight: Le Kech Boutique Hotel & Spa, Marrakesh (3 nights) (B, D)

Upgrade to a heritage riad (traditional home): Riad Snan 13/Riad Al Melhoun

Day 06: Marrakesh

An exciting day ahead as we tour Marrakesh*. Since the 11th century when it was built, the imperial city of Marrakesh has been a political and cultural powerhouse, serving as the capital for three of Morocco’s greatest dynasties.

On our tour today, we marvel first at its architectural jewels, including the soaring Koutoubia minaret and the Bahia Palace, an exemplary specimen of privileged life in the 19th century.  Our next stop is the Tiskiwin Museum (Maison Tiskiwin), exhibiting artifacts from different towns and regions along the ancient trade route from Marrakesh to Timbuktu. Later, we visit Djemaa el-Fna, Marrakesh's main square, where fire-eaters, mime artists, snake-charmers and street musicians performing at every turn.  We will also have the opportunity to explore the city's fabled, labyrinthine souks, their bustling alleyways brimming with all manner of wares. We then return to our hotel with the balance of the day at leisure until evening, when we dine at a local restaurant. (B, D)

Day 07: Marrakesh

Day free to explore vibrant Marrakesh and its many attractions, including the more than 10 specialized museums, colourful souqs and snake charmers. Alternatively, join in for an optional full-day farm retreat with a cooking class, a traditional hammam and massage, or an excursion to visit a Berber family in Imlil Valley with lunch (all optional and at additional cost – contact Bestway Tours & Safaris for additional details). (B, D)

Day 08: Marrakesh/Depart Casablanca (Drive)

After an incredible exploration of Morocco, we are transferred to the airport in either Marrakesh or Casablanca for our departure flight.  Flights departing from Casablanca should be booked for 2:00 PM or later. (B)

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

Departure Dates & Prices

We accept payments in US$, CA$ as well as in other convertible currencies like EUR, AUD and GBP. Tour prices have been costed in US$. CA$ price shown below is an indicative amount reached at by using the conversion rate at the time of web posting and will be applicable if there is no change in the conversion rate. Should the currency conversion rate change, the US$ pricing will prevail. Bestway Tours & Safaris offers a conversion rate protection. Once full payment has been received and no modification has been made to the tour itinerary, we will honour that rate. For complete payment procedures, please click here

Notes

Inclusions

Participants

This tour operates on a minimum of 02 and a maximum tour size of 12 participants

Customised Itinerary

If you would like to have a tour on dates other than the above ones or with a customised itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy to work out an exclusive program for you.

Contact Info
You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com or call 1-604-264-7378. Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1-800-663-0844.

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