Once you land in Casablanca, your Guide will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your accommodation in the city.

Depending on your flight arrival time, you may have some free time to spend in the city, perhaps choosing to explore the range of cafés, restaurants and shops along La Corniche, the boulevard which runs the length of the Casablanca coastline.

Overnight Casablanca

In Casablanca, there are many sites of interest to visit including the Hassan II Mosque with its 200m high minaret and a lavish interior with wood, marble, carved stone and gilded ceilings. A City Guide will accompany you on this visit.

You will also be able to visit the Old City Medina as well as the Habous, built by the French and a good place to find fine crafts. Lunch in Rick’s Café (an option) recreates the legendary film “Casablanca".

After lunch (earlier if you wish) you depart Casablanca and head for the “Blue City” of Chefchaouen. This journey takes you through the Rif Mountains, richly wooded and with many peaks and deep valleys.

You arrive into the magic Blue City of Chefchaouen in the early evening.

Overnight Chefchaouen

Chefchaouen is known as the “Blue City' for its immense use of blue paint. It is an excellent place, ideal for relaxing and simply “wiggle wandering”, taking in its wonderful laid-back ambience.

Place Uta el Hammam is the old centre of the town with a grand fountain and the medina has many charming, winding alleyways. In the bustling medina, local crafts to seek out are leather, woodwork and cloth. House doors are metal studded and many houses have red-tiled roofs and ornate metalwork.

In the afternoon, you'll travel to Fes via Volubilis and Meknes. A City Guide will meet you in Volubilis. Volubilis contains Morocco’s best preserved Roman ruins, some of which are now undergoing conservation. There is a Forum and basilica as well as many mosaics. Volubilis is an excellent example of an important outpost city on the edge of the Roman Empire and now holds World Heritage Site status.

In Meknes there is much to appreciate in this ancient Imperial City. Moulay Idriss is an architecturally stunning shrine. Bab al-Mansour is an impressive huge gate of the Imperial City, very photogenic. The Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, king in the 17th Century, is well worth a visit as are his impressive ancient Royal Stables. The old core of the city has an interesting Old Medina too.

Overnight Fes

Today you have a City Guide with you for the day, morning and afternoon. Discussion with him on the day as to what places you particularly wish to see and learn about.

Fes is an impressive ancient Imperial City with an entrancing maze of narrow streets in its fascinating Old Medina, its market and souk area.

Fez's Islamic University (Al-Qarawiyyin) is regarded as the scientific capital of Morocco. The University is the oldest existing continually operating university in the world, founded in 859. It is now a World Heritage Site. The university specialises in studies of historical Islamic religious texts, sciences, Arabic linguistics and ancient Sunni law. Being the central point for religious activity in Fes, tradition has it that the mosques of Fes must first hear the call to prayer from Al-Qarawiyyin before sounding their own calls.

The Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail is a palace-tomb and the only mosque in Morocco, other the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, that non-Muslims are allowed to enter. The tomb is of the Sultan who made Meknès his capital in the 17th century. It was the sultan that developed Meknes into a city of grand architecture and the Mausoleum itself is no exception.

The Moulay Ismail Royal Stables (El Heri es-Souani) are close by the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail. This massive stable was built to hold no less than 12,000 royal horses. Ismail had a great respect and admiration for horses. The stables were designed extremely well to ensure the temperatures were kept cool and that the air was constantly renewed; no expense was spared to ensure that Ismail’s horses were given the best possible living conditions.

The markets of Fes El Jdid are a great place to explore, wandering hither and thither, coming across what you come across! It is a bit of a labyrinth and your senses will be heightened as you pass spice and perfume stalls, etc. Tailors offer vibrant colours of fabrics and have great sacks of dyes. Simply “people watching” is a fascinating pastime here.

The colour, clamour and activity of the famous Fez leather tanneries can be enjoyed (but have some mint to hold beneath your nose!). The Fez pottery district is similarly very interesting and the quality products are highly regarded and, be warned, very tempting!

The afternoon will be informal leisure time for you to explore Fes further or to simply relax

Today, you'll travel to the Sahara at Merzouga. You will travel over the Col du Zad at 2,178 metres in the Moyen Atlas and on to to Azrou followed by the town of Midelt and Erfoud.

Erfoud is where your travels turn southwards. In Erfoud, “fossil capital” of this area, there is the opportunity to visit a craft workshop where the fossil rich rocks are carefully and skilfully changed into objects, some practical (e.g. tables) and some decorative (e.g. plates and bowls).

Before reaching Merzouga, you'll stop at Rissani, a good place to see a traditional souk, especially on market days.

As you near Merzouga, you'll see the fabulous 200-metre high Erg Chebbi sand sea on the horizon.

Having settled into your overnight accommodation in a Bedouin Camp (or, if you prefer, an hotel), after welcoming mint tea and nibbles, take a camel ride into the sand dunes. Having ridden some distance, you climb up the nearest sand dune on foot to watch the colourful display as the sun sets; a most magical moment.

After sunset, and as darkness quickly ensues, it is time to return to camp (or hotel) for dinner and a night by the campfire (if in the camp) enjoying traditional Berber music from the locals. Before heading to bed, take a look at the night sky; the star show can be incredible in this area of minimal light pollution.

If this is your choice, sleeping in your Berber tent, amongst the sand dunes of the Erg Chebbi sand sea, has to be a highlight of your tour.

As well as the opportunity to view a magnificent sunset, if you are an early riser, then a Saharan sunrise can be just as thrilling as a Saharan sunset.

Overnight Merzouga (option: either in an hotel or in a Bedouin Camp)

Leaving the Sahara, you'll head to Boumalne Dadès via the Todra Gorge. At 300 metres deep, the Todra Gorge cuts into the red stained limestone, offering a spectacular sight and an easy and most enjoyable walk. Amazingly, many people still

Travelling along the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs, in the shadow of the High Atlas, you'll notice the old kasbahs and the many small towns of this area where you'll see various farming activities, many still using traditional methods. The kasbahs were built from pisé mud so wind and rain have greatly worn away much of their structures. Do look out for storks, their large nests often seen on top of the kasbahs’ corner towers

The Dadès Valley has many kasbahs, set amongst date palms and rich farmland, using its river water for irrigation. Weird landforms called Monkey Feet Rocks are a startling rock formation seen on following the famous twisty Dadès Gorge road; quite a sight.

You stop at a troglodyte (cave dwelling) family within the Dadès Gorge area and drink some tea with them and learn of their lives.

Lunch is in Bouteghrar village. El Kelaa Mcgouna, in The Valley of the Roses, has farmed plots that are bordered by rose bushes. The rose petals are used in the cosmetic industry for soaps, lotions and perfumes.

Onwards then to Ouarzazatte, the “Peaceful City”.

Overnight Ouarzazate

Dating from the 11th century, Aït Benhaddou is the most famous Kasbah in Morocco and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was an important part of the ancient trade route over the High Atlas between Marrakech, Ouarzazate, and the Sahara. Time is taken here to leisurely wander within the well preserved fortified settlement. The film industry of Ouarzazate often uses Aït Benhaddou for scenes e.g. Gladiator.

Near the top of the Tizi-n-Tichka Pass at 2,260m there are great panoramic views over the mountains as well as the snaking N9 road. Look out for the highest peak, Mount Toubkal at 4,167m.

Onwards then to Marrakech. In the evening, you'll have the opportunity to visit the lively Marrakech Medina.

Overnight Marrakech

Marrakesh is an exciting, exotic city, full of colour and with non-stop activity. To spend some time in the centre of Marrakesh, in and around the Medina and the old city walls, provides interest at every turn. It is here that cultural contrasts are most evident, great visual and mental stimuli. Some hours spent here offer memorable sights and experiences.

Options include Jemaa el Fna Square (a lively entertainment square), the Medina and its Souks, a Traditional Apothecary visit, the Koutoubia Mosque (outside only for non Muslims), Medersa Ben Youssef (Koranic School), Saadian Tombs, Bahia Palace. All easily reached on foot. You are led by an official City Guide.

The Majorelle Gardens (once owned by Yves St Lauren) is about 30 minutes walking from the Medina (optional; let us know if you wish this to be included).

An enjoyable experience is a Caliche trip, a horse drawn carriage tour around central Marrakech (optional; let us know if you wish this to be included).

After such a lively tour, a relaxing day might be in order, maybe just in and around your accommodation. Perhaps this could include a hammam spa and massage experience to relax and soothe you; this can readily be arranged for you.

Alternatively, if there is still the energy, then a daytrip into the High Atlas is always fascinating. Taking such a trip to either Imlil, Ourika or Amizmiz, brings you close to the very welcoming Berber people, seeing their daily lives close at hand and visiting one of their homes for lunch (and, inevitably, tea!).

Overnight Marrakech

A morning in Marrakech then back to Casablanca or, if preferred, head to Casablanca after breakfast.

Overnight Casablanca