After breakfast, we will make a few visits, like the Casbah Oudaya, Hassan Tower and Mausoleum, and if we have time, we could go visit Chellah (the Roman ruins in Rabat). After that we head for Fes. Depending on the time we leave, we can take a longer drive through Meknes, where we will have lunch and visit a few sites, such as the large gate of Bab-el-Mansour, the Mausoleum of Sultan Ismail with its cheery yellow walls, and the granaries of Heri Es-Souani. On our way to Fes, we will stop and visit the ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis. We will spend an hour or so exploring the 2000-year-old ruins and getting a picture of life during the Roman Empire. After that, we will take the backcountry roads through some beautiful hills and olive groves towards Fes, the spiritual capital of Morocco. If we run out of time while in Rabat, we can take a more direct route to Fes instead.

After breakfast we begin a guided tour of the medina (old town center) in one of the world’s largest walled-in cities dating back to the 9th Century. The medina is still a bustling center of daily life. We will explore the narrow streets lined with shops selling fresh fruit, mounds of spices, intricately woven Berber carpets, and many other art objects of Morocco. A visit to the King’s Palace, the tanneries, and potters are just a few places you will experience. Fes is where the history of Berber, Jewish and Andalusian crafts meet and the result is a unique melange of shapes, symbols and colors that are expressed in every piece, from textile and pottery, to wood- work and mosaics. For lunch we may eat in a traditional restaurant in the heart of the medina. After lunch we will complete the tour to the spiritual center and visit one of the madrassas (schools of theology) that is part of Al Quraweene, the first university in the world. In the late afternoon we will return to our Riad for the evening.

Mid-morning, we will begin our traverse of the Middle Atlas Mountains towards the Sahara desert. Most of the day will be spent winding our way through the beautiful forests, jagged rock faces, and Berber villages as we cross the Atlas Mountains and begin to descend towards the Sahara Desert. Half way, we will spend the night in Midelt, visit a few sites, local market and relax before a small concert by the local musicians in the evening.

After breakfast, we will head to Arfoud. We will drive through oases and palmeries, until we get to the desert town of Arfoud. We will visit some fossil shops and a Berber carpets and Touareg jewelry gallery. In the afternoon, we will head off across the barren land to the majestic Sahara sand dunes. We will set off by camel for a one hour and fifteen minute trek to camp. Half way to the camp, we will stop for the spectacular Sahara sunset. After that, we head to the nomad tents***, where we will have dinner, music and dance with the locals before we go to bed. The camel ride to the camp could be optional if anyone prefers to stay at the inn. We will arrange for them to be taken care of until we come back the next morning.

***These are individual nomad tents. You don’t have to share, unless you have been sharing a room with a friend or a partner the whole trip. You can also pull your mattress out and sleep on the sand under the stars.

After the majestic sunrise, we will return to the hotel for a shower, then back on the road. Before we leave the Sahara, we visit a village in Merzouga where we will be able to attend a mini concert by local musicians, then have a local specialty dish for lunch, in a small family owned restaurant. After that, we set out below the High Atlas Mountains en route to the Todra Gorges. In the late afternoon, we will take a walk up the towering Todra Gorges (600 feet high). The picturesque river valleys make for a beautiful journey towards the southeast of Morocco. We will stay the night in the Gorges at Auberge Le Festival (a sustainable and eco-friendly place).

After breakfast we will go for a walk in the oasis of Toudgha and see the traditional lifestyle of the farmers from different villages working in their fields. This is the place to buy delicious dates in season. After that, we head to visit some villages up in the mountains (a 30-minute drive). We may also have lunch there. If we have time, we could go for a walk in the terraced alfalfa fields. Or we could just head back to the hotel and relax for the rest of the afternoon. After dinner, we will have a music party.

We will drive through the Dadess Valley on the way to Ouarzazate. Tucked away in the High Atlas Mountains, Ouarzazate is one of the jewels of Morocco. In typical Moroccan fashion, the true treasures must be searched out and discovered…usually off the beaten path. This setting has been used for more films than any other location in Morocco, including Lawrence of Arabia, Jesus of Nazareth, and The Gladiator. We can have lunch in Ouarzazate, the land of a thousand Casbahs (fortresses). After that we go straight to the Casbah of Ait Ben Haddou (11th century Casbah). We will spend the night in our nearby Riad, and in the morning, we will explore the Casbah and the Village.

After lunch, we will drive through majestic High Atlas Mountains, passing through the Amazigh towns of Taznakht, and Taliouine, the land of Moroccan saffron. Passing through the edge of the Argan forest and the Souss Valley, then we will arrive at the 16th century charming town of Taroudant. We will check into our Riad, then have a relaxing late afternoon before dinner.

After breakfast, we will have a guided tour of Marrakech, the southern pearl of Morocco. We will visit Jardins Majorelle, discover the Palace of the Bahia, the Saadian Tombs, and many other hidden treasures. After lunch, we continue with the tour to the magnificent Koutoubia Mosque and the famous Djemaa el-Fna. The tour will conclude with an exploration of the souk (market) lined with fresh fruit, mounds of spices, intricately woven Berber carpets and many other Moroccan art objects.

After breakfast we depart for the coastal city of Essaouira. On our way, we will visit Agadir, a city famous for its beautiful long beaches. We will have some free time to walk on the beach, or have a drink at the Marina. after that we will take the coastal road through small villages, through Argan forest. We will visit the Women’s Cooperative for Argan Oil (a famous Moroccan oil used in cosmetics). When we get to Essaouira and after we checking in, there will be time to explore the coastal city, rest at the hotel/Riad, or maybe ride a horse or camel on the beach.

This will be a free day for exploring the medina. It is a small, very laid back coastal town with lots of arts and crafts. It will be a relaxing day: walk on the beach, resting at the hotel/Riad, admiring the local arts and crafts (especially the wood carvings), and maybe enjoying some good seafood.

After lunch, we head to Marrakech. Once in Marrakech, we will check into our Riad and then head off to the Djemaa el-Fna, the center square of the medina. Djemaa el Fna is one of the famous attractions of Marrackech. Coming alive at night with the local storytellers, entertainers, and mouth-watering barbeque pits, the square is well worth a visit. A quiet cup of tea on the terrace of an adjacent café provides a spectacular aerial view of the bustling square.

After breakfast, we will have a guided tour of Marrakech, the southern pearl of Morocco. We will visit Jardins Majorelle, discover the Palace of the Bahia, the Saadian Tombs, and many other hidden treasures. After lunch, we continue with the tour to the magnificent Koutoubia Mosque and the famous Djemaa el-Fna. The tour will conclude with an exploration of the souk (market) lined with fresh fruit, mounds of spices, intricately woven Berber carpets and many other Moroccan art objects.

After breakfast, we head back to Casablanca. We will visit the Hassan II Mosque, with its amazing architecture.  If we have time, we’ll go for a walk along the beach. The next morning we’re off to the airport. Taking along our beautiful memories of Morocco, and gifts for the folks at home.