9 Days Road to Morocco Tour Package
Duration: 9 Days / 8 Nights
Priced From: $3590 pp dbl. occ.
Dates: Aug - Dec

Come with us to the kasbahs… and the medieval medinas and the bustling souks on 9-day Road to Morocco tour. A diverse cultural kaleidoscope of Berber, European and Islamic influences, Morocco has a fascinating history and rich, exotic traditions that continue to shape life in the 21st century. From fabled Casablanca to the four Imperial cities of Rabat, Meknes, Fes and Marrakech, ancient Morocco reveals its many faces, and present-day Morocco embraces the future on an incredible journey of discovery. Visit an astounding contemporary mosque that is the largest outside Mecca and view monuments and sacred places dating back a thousand years. Explore mighty kasbah fortresses and age-old medina towns. Wander through the maze-like souks, taking in the sights, sounds and smells of daily life in these bustling markets. Admire splendid riads, lavish houses built by the wealthy a century or more ago, and be invited into a private home to experience how the Berbers of Morocco live today. As you travel from the Atlantic seacoast to the edge of the Sahara Desert on Morocco tour, you'll stay at the best hotels and enjoy a variety of intriguing dining experiences that provide a taste of Moroccan cuisine as you discover marvelous Morocco in Style.

Day 1 - Welcome to Morocco!
Morocco tour begins at the Hyatt Regency Casablanca at 6:00 PM.  A transfer from Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport to the Hyatt Regency Casablanca is included. Casablanca is Morocco's economic capital and the country's chief port. Please join us for a welcome cocktail reception and dinner this evening.
Meals:Dinner
LodgingHyatt Regency Casablanca, Casablanca, Morocco

Day 2 - Modern-day Casablanca and ancient Rabat
Begin your exploration of Morocco's economic center by viewing the United Nations Square and local Casablanca neighborhoods, then visit the Hassan II Mosque, one of the largest religious monuments in the world - and one of the few Moroccan mosques open to non-Muslims. Completed in 1993, this ornate modern marvel is the work of over 6,000 artisans and craftsmen whose talents are evident in the intricate decorations and embellishments. Visit the Mosque's absolution rooms and the hammam. Have a truly memorable Casablanca lunch at Rick's Café - a re-creation of the mythical saloon owned by Humphrey Bogart's character in the 1942 movie that helped to make this city synonymous with romance and intrigue. Then you're off on a drive along the coast to the ancient city of Rabat; walk through the impressive fortress of the Oudaya Kasbah - whose walls date from 1195 - and the Andalucian gardens for a glimpse of Rabat past and present. This evening, you'll enjoy fine à la carte dining at either a Moroccan or French restaurant... the choice is yours!
Meals:Breakfast, lunch, dinner
LodgingLa Tour Hassan, Rabat, Morocco

Day 3 - Remarkable Rabat
A highlight of any Morocco tour, the lovely capital city of Rabat offers something intriguing at every turn. View the Royal Palace (Dar el Makhzen), a residence of King Mohammed VI, home to various government offices and approximately 2,000 inhabitants. During a walk through the Chellah Necropolis, take in the ruins of the ancient Roman town of Sala Colonia as well as the remains of a 13th-century mosque and an ancient royal burial complex. Delve into the swirl of life at the Rabat public market; visit the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, the father of Moroccan independence; and view the huge minaret of Hassan Mosque, begun in 1195 AD. After lunch at a Moroccan-style seafood restaurant with views of the Atlantic, enjoying time at leisure exploring Rabat as you please.
Meals:Breakfast, lunch
LodgingLa Tour Hassan, Rabat, Morocco

Day 4 - Imperial cities and a World Heritage Site
Continue your Morocco tour through the country's "breadbasket" today, en route to Fes. Named for a Berber tribe that once inhabited the area, the Imperial city of Meknes was founded in the 10th century and served as the capital of Sultan Moulay Ismaïl in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Putting his subjects to work, he transformed Meknes into an extravagantly impressive walled city known for its babs, or gates, and its Spanish-Moorish style. Take a close-up look at the Heri es-Souani, the stables and granary built to house 12,000 horses, considered to be among the Sultan's finest projects, and visit the Musee Dar Jamaï. Originally built in 1882 as the home of the wealthy Jamaï family, it now houses the Museum of Moroccan Arts. Later, tour the fascinating archaeological site at Volubilis, exploring the best-preserved Roman ruins in this part of Northern Africa with a local guide. Extensive remains of a Roman town as well as remnants of an early medieval town have been unearthed at this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today's final destination is the magnificent city of Fes; get set to create more cherished memories of your Morocco tour during a two-night stay at a landmark hotel where your rooms overlook Fes' ancient medina.
Meals:Breakfast, lunch, dinner
LodgingSofitel Palais Jamaï Fes, Morocco

Day 5 - Fascinating Fes
No Morocco tour would be complete without time spent in Fes, the oldest of Morocco's four Imperial cities and the country's spiritual and religious capital. Following a lecture on the role of women in Morocco by a noted university professor of women's studies, your exploration of this impressive city includes the Fes el-Jadid, the “new” section of the city built by the Merenids in the 13th century. Here, you'll tour the old Jewish quarter and see the impressive gates of the Dar el-Makhzen, the Royal Palace. Travel back in time in the Fes el-Bali, the ancient medina, or walled city, of Fes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site believed to be the largest car-free urban area in the world. With its labyrinth of narrow, endlessly twisting streets bustling with shops, tanneries, workshops and stalls selling fruit or spices, it is one of the largest living medieval cities on the planet, with some 300,000 residents. View the beautifully decorated theological college of Bou Inania Medersa, built in the 14th century, and the Karaouiyine Mosque, founded in 859 AD and one of the oldest mosques in the western Muslim world. During your stay in Fes, you'll be welcomed to La Maison Bleue and another elegant local riad for unforgettable dinners - another highlight of your Morocco tour.
Meals:Breakfast, lunch, dinner
LodgingSofitel Palais Jamaï Fes, Morocco

Day 6 - Through the mountains to Marrakech
Travel through the spectacular scenery of the Middle Atlas mountains as we journey from Fes to Marrakech. Drive through diverse landscapes, from abundant orchards and fertile farmland to mountainous terrain, and through many villages and towns that reveal more of the varied lifestyles in present-day Morocco. You'll arrive in Marrakech early in the evening for a three-night stay amidst the courtyards, fountains and lush gardens of the Sofitel Marrakech Imperial Spa, situated near the ancient medina in the heart of the city.
Meals:Breakfast, lunch, dinner
LodgingSofitel Marrakech Imperial Spa, Marrakech, Morocco

Day 7 - The "Pearl of the South"
Marrakech - the very name brings images of magic, mystery and intrigue to mind - has fascinated travelers for centuries. Begin a remarkable day in Morocco's "Pearl of the South" by indulging yourself in the cool, very-blue oasis of the Le Jardin Majorelle, the stunning gardens surrounding Villa Majorelle, once the home of the noted French painter, Jacques Majorelle and later owned by the late designer Yves Saint-Laurent. Over 400 species of plants and over 1,800 different types of cacti compete for your attention outdoors, while beautiful artifacts of Moroccan crafts and culture await your discovery in the Museum of Islamic Art now housed in Villa Majorelle. View the venerable Koutoubia Mosque, the largest in Morocco, and its imposing minaret, which date from the 12th century; visit the opulent 19th-century Palais Bahia; and discover the beautiful, richly decorated Saadian Tombs. Dating from the time of Sultan Ahmad al-Mansur in the late 16th century, they weren't discovered until 1917. Later, there's a special treat in store as you ride a horse-drawn carriage to Djemâa el Fna Square, the largest city square on the African continent, where you'll see dancers, snake charmers, acrobats and magicians entertaining the crowds who gather here. Then, accompanied by your local guide, absorb the unique flavor of this amazing city as you explore the souks of the medina on foot, finding stalls and shops selling just about anything that anyone could ever want or need, from the mundane to the exotic. Admire the colorful costumes of the water-sellers and the work of the craftsmen practicing traditional skills like blacksmithing, saddle making and basket weaving, as well as the leatherwork that seems to be everywhere. It's an experience you'll never forget - and a magical part of this Morocco tour. Spend the rest of the day pursuing what interests you most in Marrakech.
Meals:Breakfast, lunch
LodgingSofitel Marrakech Imperial Spa, Marrakech, Morocco

Day 8 - Meet the Berbers
The indigenous people of Morocco, the once-nomadic Berbers, live in ancient villages on the banks of the Ourika River. Today you'll venture from Marrakech into the verdant Ourika Valley, where you'll be invited into a typical Berber home to experience the warm hospitality of the family as well as a traditional Moroccan tea ceremony. Later, lunch will be served in a restaurant managed by local Berber villagers. Return to Marrakech for an afternoon spent as you wish; this evening, your extraordinary Morocco tour concludes with a flourish with cocktails and canapés followed by an elegant farewell dinner at an exquisite, exclusive riad.
Meals:Breakfast, lunch, dinner
LodgingSofitel Marrakech Imperial Spa, Marrakech, Morocco

Day 9 - Homeward bound
Morocco tour ends in Marrakech with an included transfer from the Sofitel Marrakech Imperial Spa to Marrakech-Menara Airport. Please allow a minimum of 2 ½ hours for airport check-in formalities. We wish you a safe and pleasant journey home.
Meals:Breakfast

Contact: Travelwizard.com
Phone: 1-800-330-8820 or 1-415-446-5252

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