Luxury Tour of Northern Morocco

After morning meal, you'll head out for the imperial city of Fes, with some incredible stops along the way. You may have some time for some shopping before you depart and if you haven't already, definitely pay a visit to the Hassan II Mosque before leaving town.

On your way to Fes, you will stop briefly to visit the Hassan Tower in Rabat, Morocco's political capital. A curiosity of a landmark, Hassan Tower is a minaret of a 12th-century mosque that was abandoned mid-construction. All that remains today is the red sandstone tower, standing at 145 feet (44 m), and about 200 columns where a more extensive complex was meant to be. After you wander the ruins, check out the Mausoleum of Mohamed V, which serves as a stellar taste of the intricate tilework, mosaics, and craftsmanship that you'll see throughout the land.

Enjoy an early midday meal in Rabat, home to a robust culinary scene. You'll find good Moroccan food around the city, but consider dining in the embassy quarter of the new city for some of the best French and Italian cuisine in the country.

After, you'll continue traveling south to Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that contains Morocco's best-preserved Roman ruins. Stretch your legs and wander the massive complex, exploring large merchant homes with visible heating systems, temples, and many well-preserved mosaics. If you decided you'd like to tour here, your driver can assist with hiring one of the guides usual available on site. Or if you'd prefer to move on, hit the road: the advantage of having a chauffeur is that you can tailor how much time you spend on your route.

You'll then head on to Moulay Idriss, which, from a distance, looks like a sitting camel. Moulay Idriss was founded in 789 CE; Morocco's first Islamic capital, the city remains a site of ongoing cultural significance. Check out the unique round minaret here, the only one of its kind in Morocco.

Your next stop before Fes is the prosperous city of Meknes, which features a smaller medina and friendlier shopkeepers that you will see in larger cities. Your driver will lead you through the Ville Impériale (New City) area, where you can see gardens, palaces, the impressive gate of Bab al-Mansour, the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, and the Royal Stables. Many of these palaces were constructed with materials taken from Volubilis, so be on the lookout for Roman columns hidden in unexpected places!

You'll end your royal road trip today in Fes, one of Morocco's four Imperial Cities. After you check in to your luxury riad in the historic medina, the rest of the day is yours. The unforgettable medina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a maze of winding alleys that climb up both sides of a steep river valley and is the largest car-free urban area in the world.

If you lose yourself in the labyrinth, pay attention to whether you are going up or downhill as you walk. Walking uphill will generally take you to the edge of the medina, where it is much easier to get your bearings and catch transportation.

Driving time: 6 hours

Fuel up with a delicious morning meal, then meet up with your private tour guide (a Fes local) to explore the UNESCO protected medina. Your guide will share hidden stories and show you the secluded corners of this thriving epicenter; take in the minutia of daily life and the magnificence of madrasas and palaces. Once you've worked up an appetite, ask your guide for midday meal suggestions — there are many luxurious restaurants hidden behind unassuming doorways.

You'll also dive into traditions and craft today; you'll visit tanneries and mosaic workshops to observe traditional crafting methods still in use today and connect with the artisans at work.

Relaxation is the keyword for this afternoon. Return to your riad to unwind for a bit, then visit the local hammam (traditional public bath) for some pampering and rejuvenation. Most hammams provide a variety of services, including massages, baths, and an extensive treatment menu using locally-sourced argan oil products. Whatever you choose, start with a traditional steam, soak, and scrub, the perfect hammam trifecta.

You’ll depart from Fes this morning and travel back through the most well-known Imperial Cities of the kingdom, Rabat and Casablanca. You will stop in the latter for midday meal with recommendations from your driver. Take advantage of your perch on the sea with some incredibly fresh fish from the Atlantic, prepared with traditional Moroccan flair.

After midday meal, it's back on the road; you'll travel across the plains to Marrakech, nicknamed the Red City for the vermillion-hued clay used to construct its buildings. Check into your riad and, if you like, spend the rest of the afternoon at a slower pace.

In the early evening, the main square, Jemaa el Fna, comes alive with musicians, performers, snake charmers, games, food stalls and more. Jump into the spectacle and taste the delights from street vendors or, if you want to enjoy from a distance, sit down at a cafe overlooking the square; that way you can watch the show over a wonderful meal. Whichever dining option you choose, you'll be treated with fantastic flavors, as Marrakech is regarded as Morocco's culinary capital. Enjoy!

After morning meal, follow your local private guide through the old city of Marrakech. As you explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site, you will come across lively souks and maze-like alleys. You're sure to be dazzled by displays of djellabas, brightly colored babouches, intricately-pierced lanterns, conical mounds of exotic spices, and the intense hubbub of medina life.

Along the way, your expert will regale you with the history and stories of the Medina, the Souk, and the Mellah neighborhoods of the Red City. Your guide will also have some great recommendations for the best places to grab midday meal!

In the afternoon you'll continue your private tour, exploring places like the Bahia and El Badii Palaces, and the Saadian Tombs. You'll also see the Majorelle Gardens, an iconic garden retreat built over forty years by French painter Jacques Majorelle and later inhabited by famed designer Yves Saint Laurent. Stroll through two and a half acres of peaceful water gardens, visit Morocco’s only museum dedicated entirely to Berber art and culture, and explore Yves Saint Laurent’s gallery, all within the walls of this urban oasis.

You'll hit the road early this morning to head to Casablanca via the coastal route, visiting two old Portuguese fortified cities along the way. Your first stop is El Jadida, where you will tour the hauntingly beautiful Portuguese cistern. You can also stay to walk the ramparts and explore the Church of the Assumption.

Next is Azemour, which has inspired many Moroccan artists over the decades, some of whom have chosen to live here. Life here is still traditional despite its proximity to the cosmopolitan art market of Casablanca. The crumbling 16th-century medina squeezed between the Oud Er-Rbia (Mother of Spring River) and the ocean provide plenty of artistic inspiration.

Take advantage of the Atlantic's incredible bounty today with some delicious fish for midday meal. Your driver can take you to the local fish markets, where unassuming food stalls serve some of the freshest grilled and fried seafood you can find. The traditional way to eat here is to buy the fish yourself in the market and have the grillmasters cook it for a small fee. You can also choose to although order fish straight from many of these food stalls.

Once you arrive in Casablanca, check into your chic downtown hotel, then see how the locals live with an exploration of the city's trendy neighborhoods. Start your discovery in Maarif, home of the French-style eponymous market, and Ain Diab, a prime beachfront community home to the Morocco Mall and miles of walking paths. The waterfront, or Corniche, is a great place to people watch, especially when the entire city comes out to promenade right before sunset.

Driving time: 5 hours

It's time to say goodbye to beautiful Morocco. Depending on the time of your departure flight, you may be able to do some last-minute sightseeing in Casablanca or enjoy tea at one of the traditional cafés. When the time comes, you'll head to Casablanca's Mohammed V International Airport for your flight.