Explore Morocco

• Casablanca to Chefchaouen
• Explore the Blue City of Chefchaouen

Private minibus transfer from Casablanca to Chefchaouen. The drive up the coast takes in the sights of the coastal towns and eucalyptus forests before heading towards the Rif mountains in the North of Morocco. The road twists through the mountains, with scenic views on either side and the journey continues to the “blue” town of Chefchaouen. Estimated travel time 4-5 hours depending on traffic and stops. Explore the Blue City of Chefchaouen Time to explore “Chaouen” with its Berber, Jewish and Spanish history, a town closed off to Christians until the early 20th century. A light blue wash on the white houses makes the town very photogenic. The old medina is quite small, and therefore discoverable by walking through the streets, perhaps stopping at the weaving shops (formerly silk but now wool) and the funduq at the corner of the main square Plaza Uta El Hammam. Accommodation: Dar Ba Sidi Dar Ba Sidi & Spa is undoubtedly a magical place where you will find a haven of peace. Surrounded by nature and 12 km from the center of Chefchaouen you can experience the synergies of the city and live in an authentic Moroccan riad, a traditional house or palace. With a delicate and ornate architecture in the Arab style, the rooms are distributed around the large central courtyard, where you can enjoy our beautiful garden with swimming pool. Each room is unique as they are decorated and themed with different reasons. The mosaics, colors and textures along with our personalized attention and services will make you get even closer to the Moroccan culture. Room description: Double / twin Meals included: Breakfast

• Chefchaouen to Fes
• Volubilis Roman ruins

Descending the Rif mountains to the forests in the “dayet” (or small lake) area, the route continues to the imperial city of Fes. The road takes you through the foothills of the Rif Mountains, with Berber farms and green fields and onward to the rolling hills near Fes. Travel time is around 4 hours depending on road conditions and stops. Transfer is by private minibus. Volubilis Roman ruins Volubilis is one of Morocco's best-preserved ruins: it is an ancient Roman city, but was originally founded in the 3rd century BC by Carthaginean traders. The Romans developed it 2nd and 3rd centuries AD, wherein the city grew rapidly to cover about 42 hectares, with a 2.6 km circuit of walls. By the time Berbers took it over in about 280 AD, there was likely a mixture of people living there. One of the many draws of the site is that it is only partially excavated; the Triumphal arch, the Capitol, Baths and Basilica still dominate the landscape. The city's financial prosperity came from olive growing and lead to the construction of many stunning town-houses, as well as mosaics scattered around the site. The site is open to wander around, but you may prefer a guide. Accommodation: Riad Al Bartal Riad Al Bartal was built in the early twentieth century by a family of weavers. Originally the riad occupied a much larger area because there was a large garden that the owners sold. Located in the Ziat district, a former residential area of Fez, Riad Al Bartal was one of the most beautiful palaces in the Medina. Since then it has been converted into a guesthouse for those travelling to enjoy. Upon entering you will be mesmerised by the striking blue zelliges, marble floors, cedar wood and intricately decorated ceilings. This boutique hotel has a range of different rooms, all decorated with unique furnishings and artwork that are in keeping with Moroccan décor. It has all essential amenities that you could require, en-suite bathrooms, free wifi and air conditioning. Enjoy breakfast or dinner at the guesthouse, with fresh Moroccan cuisine being prepared daily – this can be eaten in the serene courtyard, or foliage filled terrace. Room description: Double / twin Meals included: Breakfast

• City tour of Fes
• Afternoon at leisure to explore the Medina

Discover the gaudy streets of Fes in this lively guided tour. You will explore Morocco's oldest imperial city partially on foot, partially by car, to best appreciate the historical architecture, which serves as a wonderful example of a medieval Moroccan city; the narrow streets, sprawling souks and ornate palaces are a joy to explore. Small local cafes dot the side streets, inviting you in to sample traditional Moroccan foods. You will walk through the streets with a local guide who is an expert on the city and its heritage. Some highlights of the tour include visiting the Royal Palace, strolling through the humming Médina and marvelling at market rugs, clothing, and trinkets along the way. Please do tell them any specific interests you have and they can tailor the tour to meet your requirements. Please note, it is commonplace for guides in Fes to show you specific shops and stalls- this is so they can make an extra commission for their trade. They tend to prefer bigger groups as a result. Our local experts always choose the best guides available in Fes, whilst recognising this is a cultural reality that is hard to shift. Do not hesitate to let your guide know if you would rather spend more time seeing the cultural sites at the start of the tour, and they will happily abide. Afternoon at leisure to explore the Medina Self-arranged. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure to explore the Medina on your own. Have a go at your bargaining skills to buy authentic leather ware, ceramics and clothes. Be sure to take a visit to one of Fez' three tanneries to experience the sights and smells of the fascinating process some of the street stall's produce goes through to reach its final product. The dyeing of the hides of sheep, goats, camel and cows is all executed manually, and the dyes and liquids themselves are laid out next to each other in haphazard rows, mimicking the palette of a colourful array of paints. Simplified, the process consists of a cycle of soaking the hides, and dyeing the hides using a series of natural vegetable dyes. The surrounding terraces next to the leather shops make for the best viewing platforms. Embrace the wonderful architecture of this town which incorporates Oriental, African and Andalusian influences. Take a peek into the courtyard of the oldest university in the world, founded by Fatima al-Fihri in 859 AD. Although non-Muslims cannot enter the actual building, the university library is opening for viewing since a recent restoration project. Accommodation: Riad Al Bartal Room description: Double / Twin Meals included: Breakfast

• Fes to Merzouga
• Visit the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas Mountains

Private transport to the Middle Atlas Mountains and across the plains to the High Atlas range and down to the desert at Merzouga. On the way, see the Middle Atlas Mountains and the cedar forests, perhaps spot some native Barbary Apes before travelling across the plains and onwards to the Gorge du Ziz and the high Atlas Mountains. With the desert in sight, descend to Merzouga and the dunes of Erg chebbi. the journey takes about 6 to 7 hours. Visit the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas Mountains Drive through and visit a glade of the forest where there have been sightings of the Barbary Macaques. Accommodation: Kasbah Touareg Located at the foot of the Big Dune of Merzouga, Hotel Kasbah Tourareg is the ideal location for an excursion to the desert - take in the striking golden sands without even leaving the grounds. They have 35 spacious rooms with modest furnishings, in keeping with a southern Moroccan style. All have en-suite bathrooms and air-conditioning. There is a large outdoor pool, with plenty of furniture to recline and soak up some rays. An in-house restaurant and bar is also available for ease of dining. It should be noted however, that this is a 3-star hotel or equivalent and therefore has the facilities which reflect this. Room description: Double / Twin Meals included: Breakfast, dinner

• Camel trek from the desert camp to Merzouga
• Merzouga to Tinghir
• See the Todra Gorge

Perhaps get up early to see the sun rise over the dunes and then meet your camels again for the walk out of the desert. Merzouga to Tinghir Travel from the sand dunes of the Sahara, past the oases and rocky desert to the foothills of the High Atlas. The town of Tinghrir is near the Gorges of Todra and the drive will leave you time to explore these gorges and maybe take a walk through them. Transfer will be by private minibus. Estimated travel time 3 hours depending on stops. See the Todra Gorge The Todra valley narrows after the verdant palmeries and fields, and following the river, you can see the 300m cliffs which tower above the track. The Todra Gorge is ideal for climbers and a good place to walk. The strong sunlight highlights the colours of the rocks. Accommodation: Auberge le Festival The Auberge is in the heart of the Todra gorge and is a building set into the rock with several rooms, - 2 tower rooms and 5 cave rooms, the latter being ideal for stays in warm weather and interesting in their novelty. The hotel has many steps and winding terraces (so not suitable for those not so nimble up and down stairs.) There is WiFi, but it is quite slow due to the remoteness of the Auberge and the geology, however guests love the service, the quirkiness of the caves and the location for walks in the gorge. The Auberge is partly powered by solar panels and run on a Eco friendly basis. Room description: Double / Twin Meals included: Breakfast

• Tinghir to Marrakech
• Visit the Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou

Although a long day of travelling (about 7 hours without stops), there is also plenty to see on the way. See Valley of roses, the Dades Gorges, the palmeras of Skoura the Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou and climb to the top to see the views over the rocky desert and kasbah, visit the palace of the Glaoui at Telouet at the summit of the High Atlas passes. take lunch at a cafe at over 3000m. There are chances for short walks along the route if needed. The transfer will be by private minibus. Visit the Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah Aït Benhaddou is an ighrem, sitting high on a rocky outcrop. It was once a stop off point on a trading caravan route, between the Sahara and Marrakech. Every North African town has a building like this, an administrative kasbah constructed from mud and straw. Aït Benhaddou is undeniably one of the most staggering, huddled away in the High Atlas Mountains. Today, the kasbah has a thriving tourist trade outside of its walls, in a village the other side of the river; although there are four families still living behind the ancient walls. Today you will explore this formidable fortress; as you meander through the old city, it is really like taking a step back into a bygone era. The kasbah has been the star of several film sets, and you will witness why. As you reach to top of the fortress, you'll be treated to a sun kissed valley view towards Ouarzazate. Our local experts recommend wearing comfortable and sturdy shoes, as the rough surfaces can take their toll. Accommodation: Riad Palais Des Princesses Nestled in the centre of Marrakech, just off Djemaa El Fna and Koutoubia. This riad has been converted from a princely residence to a guesthouse, offering a timeless, comfortable stay for those visiting. This conjoined ensemble of buildings has 23 rooms and suites. Each room is decorated with unique artwork and has a regal Moroccan ambience to it. Included in all rooms is an en-suite bathroom and air conditioning. On the top floor there is tranquil outdoor roof terrace, decked out with plenty of loungers and seating. You can bask in the sun or chill out in the shade, feeling like you’re up in the clouds. After a long day check out the hotel spa and rejuvenate with some traditional Moroccan massage practices. Alternatively take a dip in the bright blue plunge pool on floor 2, illuminated by skylight. All guests must remember that the age of this property means staircases are narrow, there is no lift and hot water can sometimes be temperamental. However, its traditional charm and aesthetic outweigh some of its dated features. Room description: Double / twin Meals included: Breakfast

• Half day city tour of Marrakech
• Visit the Jardin Majorelle
• Explore the Jamna El Fna Square

Enjoy a riveting half day tour of the ancient streets of Marrakech, accompanied by a specialist guide. You'll head from the bustling Medina, twisting your way through the kaleidoscopic souks, and arrive at breath-taking palaces and museums. The souks, under a bamboo roof to shade people from the summer sun, have a vast array of things to sell, all arranged in enticing colours, shapes and styles. You will be whisked around the souks, peering into and even haggling in different areas such as the spices, gold/silver, nuts and fruit souks. There will be a chance to see the metalworking and woodworking areas, and perhaps a visit to the underground communal bakeries where the bread for each local family is cooked. The tanneries  are also a popular attraction, though you may wish to protect yourself with a mint sprig to offset the smell! Continue to the Palais Bahia, which is arguably the most architecturally impressive palaces in the country. It was constructed in the late 19th Century, and its name means 'brilliance', and you'll witness why: magnificent rooms open onto opulent courtyards, which edge onto a stunning 2 acre landscaped garden. It was intended to capture the essence of Islamic and Moroccan styles, merging into one; you'll likely come across similar structural themes throughout your trip. Continue to the Madrasa: once a prosperous Islamic college and now an Islamic heritage site, it boasts splendid courtyards and open air galleries. Other highlights of this tour include the epic Museum of Marrakech, where you can learn of the city's intriguing history, followed by the Saadian tombs, where you can marvel at the sepulchres of this compelling dynasty. Your tour ends in the Mellah, an enchanting neighbourhood in Marrakech inhabited by the city's Jewish population. The beauty of having your private guide is that you can specify your particular interests: whether its the masterpieces of Moroccan architecture, the hidden market gems or the more modern areas of Marrakech, your guide will happily accommodate. Visit the Jardin Majorelle Self-arranged. Vivid gardens with pools and exotic plants, an oasis of colour, formerly owned by Yves Saint-Laurent and designed by Jacques Majorelle (a french painter). The juxtaposition of the "Majorelle blue" paint work with the yellows of the plant pots and the plants and flowers of all hues is worth a long visit. Explore the Jamna El Fna Square Self-arranged. Explore Morocco's famed Jamna El Fna Square, hustling with acrobats and story tellers as they perform alongside the vibrant souks. Meander the food stalls in the square - though there is a strong influence from the French in popular dishes such as cooked garlic snails, there is also a lot of traditional food to be sampled. Choose a stall which has a lot of locals, this is usually the best indication of authentic quality. In the winter months, why not try a spiced coffee in the square, made with a secret recipe including cloves and cinnamon. Accommodation : Riad palais des Princesses Room description: Double / twin Meals included: Breakfast

• Airport transfer from Marrakech to the airport

Time for your onward flight - you will be transferred from Marrakech city to Marrakech airport. Transport will be by private minibus. Estimated travel time - 15 minutes.