Exotic Morocco Classic Imperial Cities

Today is an excursion for the early History of Morocco, a day of time travel! This journey will take you from imperial Rome to the ninth century A.D. Unlike the movies, this temporal voyage will take almost the entire day at a gentle pace. (Of course, there will be stops along the way in notable places.)

The first stop will be the ancient Roman city of Volubilis. Volubilis was a critical city in the imperial Roman department of Mauritania (modern-day Morocco and Western Sahara) during the reign of Caracalla. Volubilis is impressively well preserved, and the genius of Roman urbanism is still intact. The two central integral streets in every Roman castrum, the Cardo and Decumanus, are prominent. The Cardo is the north-south boulevard, and the Decumanus is east-west. The intersection of the two is the heart of every Roman city. There you will find the ruins of the old forum.

On the other side of the hill, just a few minutes away, you will visit with your guide the venerated citadel of Moulay Idris, founded in the 8th century by Moulay Idriss, grandson of the Prophet Mohamed (s.a.w.s). This citadel is considered the cradle of Sufism in Moroccan society and the first Islamic capital of the premier Arab dynasty. The city was created primarily for the indigenous population that migrated with Moulay Idris from the Middle East.

You will drive around 15 miles to the next stop, the imperial city of Meknes. A guided historical tour of Meknes is yours. Meknes is a 17 th Century city built by Moulay Ismail to rival Fez. It is also considered to be the Versailles of Morocco.

Congratulation, you have reached your final destination of the day, the ninth-century city of Fez. In the evening, your guide will get a taste of the greatest of the Imperial Cities. You will visit the sights outside Medina, an ancient walled city, including the ramparts, the gates, and the Borjs (Moorish Forts). After this introductory visit aperitif toFez, you will dine in your hotel and prepare for day three: Fez!

A full day will be devoted to your historic walking tour of the Medina of Fez. Undeniably fascinating, Fez stimulates the senses with its haunting yet beautiful sounds, visual splendor, and evocative smells. The most ancient of the imperial capitals and the most complete medieval city of the Islamic world, Fez is reminiscent of a city suspended in time, unfazed by the constantly evolving world outside its walls. Fez owes nothing to the modern world, save electricity. Fez is not only the heartbeat of Morocco but a world heritage of humanity.

Time spent in Fez will reveal much about the sophistication of the Moroccan artisan, providing an unparalleled learning experience to those who cross its path. Your morning will be spent visiting the Medina. Our specialized guide will take you on a historic discovery of Fez, starting at the King's Palace and its Meshwar with ramparts and majestic gates.

Then, we will drive to Merinides Hill to visit their necropolis. Here you will enjoy the best panoramic view of the old walled Medina, brimful with countless minarets to call for prayers in a city that has responded to these calls for 12 centuries. Drive down the hills to the gate of Bab Guissa to leave your vehicle and enter an ancient world. Fez has preserved its Medina as it was centuries ago. Not even a bicycle can be used as a tool of transportation. Only donkeys, mules, and horses can help move all the city produces and needs as supplies.

The first guilds you will immediately encounter are the cobblers, the saddlers, and blacksmiths, interlaced by some caravansaries for tribe members who come from the surrounding areas to trade and supply their needs. Down the hill to Juteya, you will encounter all sorts of crafts, but noticeably, carpenters and leather workers as one of the traditional tanneries is not far. This walk will lead you to El Ashabine Square with its various activities. From there, you will wind your way to the Sgha square, which will lead you to Attarinethen Souk el Henna and the Mausoleum of Moulay Idris, the founder of Fez. Next to it, you will visit the Nejjarine Square with its famous fountain, its Guild of Carpentry, and the Museum of folk arts at the Fondouk.

You will walk to the tannery and visit the Great Mosque University of AlQuarrawiyyine, passing by Shemmaine, the dried fruit market. After that, you will see the Medersa Attarine and walk to Sbetryyine, a guild of bookbinders, which will lead you to the Seffarine Square, where the tapping of metalworkers is still deafening passersby as it was the case for centuries. You will break for midday meal and then continue exploring the marvels of Fez Medina. These will highlight the Dyers souk, FoundoukTetouani, and the shrine of Sidi Ahmed Tijani. You will end your walking tour and retreat to your hotel for dinner and other accommodations.

Cultural, historical, and Spiritual Walking Day Tour of the 9th-century Medina of Fez.

Travel for the day to discover the rural environs of the Atlas Mountains, Berber villages, wards, and nomadic settlements. Covered with evergreen pines, tall cedar trees, and poplars and laced with flowing streams, your first view of the Atlas Mountains will appear oddly un-Moroccan. Passing by Imouzzer, with a quick stop at the Swiss-like town of Ifrane, you will soon come across the first real town of the Middle Atlas, Azrou.

Azrou is an important market center for Berber tribes, located at a major junction of the Atlas Mountain routes. Your guide will take a little detour in a cedar forest to introduce you to one of the oldest inhabitants of this region, the Barbary apes. This may also coincide with the encounter of a nomadic family at its temporary enbase campment. As nomads are very hospitable people, we are all invited at least for a mint tea under their tents whenever we encounter them.

At Khenifra, the Middle Atlas ranges give way to the High Atlas Mountains, whose peaks are visible through the haze, soaring to over 12,000 feet. After midday meal, you will descend the Atlas Mountains, finally arriving in the foothills overlooking the magnificent oasis city of Marrakech Alhamra. Some of the stops, as mentioned earlier, will include visits to Berber villages, scenic views, and traditional markets. You will conclude your day with dinner and other accommodations at your hotel.

Your local guide will meet you in the morning at the lobby of your hotel to take you walking visit to historic Marrakech. You will devote your morning to exploring Marrakech's many historical sites, starting at the Menara Gardens, a magnificent pool surrounded by flowerbeds, reflecting the image of an exquisite Moorish edifice. It was constructed in 1866 for dignitaries who enjoyed glorious sunsets with the ethereal Atlas Mountains as a backdrop. The pool also functions as an innovative irrigation system that serves dry life in the desert.

Historic guided day visit to Marrakech

Your guided tour of Marrakech will cover many impressive sites, including the LaKoutoubia Minaret (which is identical to la Giralda, a tower found in Sevilla, Spain) and the Saadian Tombs, which demonstrate Moorish architecture at its best—the tombs consist of sixteenth-century mausoleums, which had lain walled-in and undiscovered until 1917. Next, you will explore Bahia Palace and Dar Si Said, the gardens of the goal, then the Majorelle Gardens, the souks of Marrakech, and Jamaa el Fna Square. Finally, you will return to your hotel for dinner and other accommodations.

You will begin your day with an excursion to the Ourika Valley, where you will visit the traditional Berber Souks and some workshops. After midday meal, you will see the Berber Museum of Arts and Crafts to learn about the dwellers of these mountains and their products before you discover their workshops and sophisticated handmade products. You will return to Marrakech for dinner at a festive Moroccan Restaurant.

It will take you to Casablanca airport to connect for your flight back home. Assist you with checking and bid you goodbye. Thank you for visiting Morocco.