Magic of Morocco Luxury Tour

Today is the day of time travel! This trip will take you from imperial Rome to the ninth century A.D. Unlike the movies, this temporal voyage will take almost the entire day. (Of course, there will be stops along the way.) The first stop will be the ancient Roman Polis of Volubilis. Volubilis was a critical city in the imperial Roman department of Mauritania during the reign of Caracalla. Volubilis is an impressively well-preserved world heritage, and Roman urbanism's genius 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.

Jumping forward in time and just a few minutes away is the venerated citadel of Moulay Idris, founded in the 8th century by Moulay Idris Al Akbar, 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 for 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. Meknes is a 17th Century city built by Moulay Ismail to rival Fez. It is also considered to be somehow the Versailles of Morocco.

By the end of the day, you have reached your destination, the ninth-century city of Fez. After checking into your hotel, we will take you on a panoramic tour to taste the greatest of the Imperial Cities. You will visit the sights outside the ancient walled city, including the ramparts, the gates, and the Borjs (Moorish Forts). After this introductory aperitif to Fez, you will dine in your hotel and prepare for day three: Fez!

Fez stimulates the senses with its haunting yet beautiful sounds, visual splendor, and evocative smells—the most ancient of the imperial capitals and the medieval luxury city of the Islamic world. Fez is reminiscent of a deluxe town suspended in time, unfazed by the constantly evolving world outside its walls. Fez owes nothing to the Western world; save electricity.

Time spent in Fez will reveal much about the sophistication of the Moroccan artisan, providing an unparalleled learning experience to those who come to its luxury. 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.

Next, you will explore the Mellah (Jewish quarter), a 15th-century citadel with all its Moorish maze deluxe architecture and medieval glory. Visits to Sephardic synagogues and mausoleums of holy Rabbis will be the highlights of this part of town. Then, we will drive to Merinides Hill to visit the cemetery of the 14th-century dynasty. 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 Boujloud, a luxury of the emblem of Moorish tiles called the Blue and Green Gate. Leave your vehicle and walk in the footsteps of an ancient world. Fez has preserved its Medina as it was centuries ago. Not even a bicycle can be used as a tool for transportation. Only donkeys, mules, and horses can help move all that 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 tribespeople who come from the surrounding tribes 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 various activities. From there, you will find your way to the Sgha square, which will lead you to Attarine, Souk el Henna, and the luxurious 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 Al Quarrawiyyine, passing by Shemma'ine, 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, Foundouk Tetouani, and the shrine of Sidi Ahmed Tijani. You will end your walk at Foundouk Lihoudi, where a local Fez family will host you for traditional mint tea in their home. Finally, you will return to your luxury hotel for dinner and other accommodations.

You will spend your day discovering 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 Middle Atlas 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 mountain routes. Your driver 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 invited at least for a mint tea under their tents whenever we encounter them.

At Khenifra, the Middle Atlases give way to the High Atlas Mountains, whose peaks are visible through the haze, soaring to over 12,000 feet. You will reach the village of Afourer in the afternoon. You will conclude your day with dinner and other accommodations at your deluxe hotel.

Travel in the morning from Afourar to Marrakech. Check into your hotel. Your driver will be at your disposal to take you to midday meal in your favorite restaurant in Marrakech. After midday meal, your city tour guide will take you on a historical tour of Marrakech.

You will devote your afternoon to exploring Marrakech's many historical sites, starting at the Menara, 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 serving dry life in the desert.

Your tour will cover many impressive sites, including the Koutoubia Minaret (identical to la Giralda, a tower found in Sevilla, Spain) and the Saadien tombs, demonstrating 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 the gardens of the Agdal and then the Marjorelle. Finally, you will return to your hotel for dinner and other accommodations.

You will venture into the High-Atlas Mountains in the morning to visit the Telouat fortress. The fortress is what remains of a stronghold belonging to the Berber chieftain El Glaoui (the Lord of the Atlas). You will stop for midday meal in Taddert, eating at the highest pass in Morocco, Tizi n Tishka. In the afternoon, you will return to Marrakech to visit the private art and craft collection of Riad El Fenn. Finally, you will return to your luxurious hotel for dinner and other accommodations.

You will spend your morning visiting the Mellah, the Synagogue, the Koranic School, and various Marrakech bazaars. You will have the afternoon to yourself. After sundown, you can enjoy the overwhelming beauty of Marrakech by night in a Renaissance horse carriage. Finally, you will return to your hotel for dinner and other accommodations.

You will begin your day by traveling to Essaouira (Mogador), a picturesque city with a rich history. With fascinating antiquity, Essaouira was occupied by the Phoenicians and Carthaginians, supplied essential purple dyes to the Romans, absorbed the sophisticated Jewish arts of the silversmith, and spent centuries as a Portuguese enclave.

Despite the apparent influence of these civilizations, Essaouira has managed to remain a small, authentic Berber town. Alive with the breath of fresh air provided by the Atlantic, Essaouira is a jewel nestled in the rugged coast, with a vast expanse of empty sands trailing back along the peninsula towards the South. After an introductory tour, you will conclude your day with dinner and other accommodations in your hotel.

In the morning, you will travel to Taroudant, where you will feast on a typical Berber tagine midday meal high above a banana plantation. You will pass through forests of the indigenous Argan and Thuya trees, where you may see the region s notorious tree-climbing goats. You will break for afternoon tea at the Hotel Gazelle d Or, Morocco s most exclusive resort. Finally, you will conclude your day with dinner and other accommodations at the Palais Salam, formerly a Pasha luxury guest house, nestled into the city s massive walls.

You will spend your morning touring the city of Taroudant. Surrounded by red ochre walls, Taroudant is one of south Morocco s most ancient cities, with its rich bazaars reflecting a solid arts and crafts tradition. Visiting this elegant imperial city is like discovering the classic Marrakech of the 1940s. You will conclude your day with a farewell dinner at your hotel.

You will depart for the Agadir Airport early in the morning. There you will catch a flight connecting you to Casablanca, where you will board your plane for a non-stop Royal Air Maroc flight home with a lifetime's worth of memories packed neatly into your suitcase.