3. Imperial Cities and Atlantic Coast
Day 1: Fly to Marrakech.
Arrival in Marrakech - a warm welcome awaiting you at the Menara airport. Transfer to the hotel. Before time to explore the city which Winston Churchill call, “The Last Paradise on Earth". You will visit the Ancient Ramparts, Manara Pavillion, Koutoubia Minaret, Saadian Tombs, the Bahia Palace and the Royal Garden. The bazaars are unbelievable with their brass, copper, silver, textiles, pottery and leather. Marrakesh is a crossroads of people who compromise the Moroccan Nation - Berber, Arab, Sudanese, Jewish and European. In the main square, just like 500 years ago, you will see the snake charmers, acrobats, story tellers and vendors of magic potions. Fantasia Dinner at Chez Ali. Optional.
Day 2: Marrakech – Essaouira
Morning devoted to touring Marrakech, the capital of the south: Koutoubia (12th century), the Bahia Palace with it's delicate and exquisitely delicate architechture and beautiful gardens; a visit to the souks in the medina, and the place Djemaa El Fna. After lunch departure for Essaouira. Visit ex-Mogador, its fishing port, ramparts and unusual open medina where you will discover craftsmen specialilizing in the hihgly prized wood marquetry of thuja. Lodging at hotel.
Day 3: Essaouira - Safi - Oualidia - El Jadida - Casablanca
We will follow the road that parallels the Atlantic Coast. We will make a stop at Safi, city which was Portuguese and later the residence of the French Consul in Morocco. Today it is a fishing port and a city known for its ceramics. In this city you will be able to see a Castle on the sea, a fortress of the 16th century, a vault, Kechla a white palace of the 18th century or seat of Makhzen. Continuation by the Coastal road and its splendid sights. Lunch at Oualidia. Then we will pause in El Jadida which is famous for its beach. This city keeps the print of its Portuguese roots (to be seen in particular in its cistern). Arrival in Casablanca. Night at our hotel.
Day 4: Visit Casablanca
In the mornning visit the place of the United Nations (district of the administrations), the Boulevard Mohamed V, the residential district of Anfa, and the large mosque Hassan II.
Day 5 : Casablanca - Meknes - Volubilis - Moulay Idriss - Meknès
Depart for Meknès. Visit the city (doors, Bab El Mansour and Bab El Khamis, the place El Hedime, Mosualem of Moulay Ismaïl. Lunch at the restaurant and later a visit to the Roman ruins of Volubilis. Afterwards continue towards Moulay Idriss, Holy City, astonishing site built on two rock pitons. Lodging in hotel at Meknès.
Day 6: whole Day devoted to the city of Fes
Fes is an important metropolis of Morocco because of its religious, intellectual and artistic history. You will discover Fès El Bali, the old city "intramurally",the medersa Attarine, the Karaouine mosque, the Nejjarine Fountain and various souks. Lunch in a typical Moroccan restaurant in the médina. The afternoon we will go to the entrance of the "new city" or Fès El Jedid to see its monumental door. Return to the hotel ...
Day 7 : Fès - Beni Mellel - Marrakech
Return to Marrakech, while passing by Ifrane, a idyllic health resort on the road through the Middle Atlas. Stop for lunch in Beni-Mellal, then visit the source of Aïn Asserdoun. Arrival at Marrakech. Check-in at our hotel.
Day : 8 Marrakech-Cascade d'Ouzoud
Today you make an excursion heading to the south via a winding route that takes you through the pine forests of the Middle Atlas to Beni Mellal, the center of a huge agricultural area. Then a spectacular mountain road takes you to Cascade d'Ouzoud, a three-tiered water fall dropping 110m to the river. Over night back in Marrakech.
Day : 9 Marrakech
Transfer to Marrakech airport.
Starts Marrakesh / ends Marrakesh
