Ultimate Journey Through The Wonder of Morocco

Itinerary Highlights

See the Koutoubia Minaret on an orientation tour of Marrakech
Enjoy a private cooking class in a Berber village with a local chef
Stay at the former base for all expeditions through Merzouga
Discover iconic fortresses, ancient cities and grand palaces throughout

What's Included

Accommodation Throughout
Private Transfers
Breakfast
International Flights

14 nights

Greig

Travel Specialist

01244 435 177

I'm here to tailor-make your perfect Europe holiday. Give me a call and I'll use my expertise to create your personalised experience.

Enquire

Set out on a culturally enriching tour of Morocco, immersing yourself with the country’s diverse experiences, from visiting an important religious site to exploring a historic Portuguese town.

You start in Essaouira, visiting a picturesque street that’s home to thuya workers, oceanside ramparts and numerous art galleries – which was also a previous filming location for Game of Thrones. From here, head to Marrakech and discover everything including a garden gifted to the city by Yves-Saint Laurent to one of the largest and most famous icons of Andalusian-Arabic architecture.

The journey continues onto Skoura, where magnificent landmarks like Taourirt Kasbah reside, and Merzouga, where the Todra and Dades rivers have carved out cliff-sided canyons. Faz, Rabat, Casablanca and El Jadid feature towards the end of your adventure, introducing you to many Amazigh cities as well as 11^th Century fortress walls and a quaint, local market.

Itinerary

Day 1 | 4 January 2025 | Fly to Morocco

Fly from the UK to Essaouira, Morocco. Today, you can opt for lunch at La Coupole Essaouira Beach – ideally located opposite Mogador Island. Afterwards, check in to your luxury hotel for two nights.

Day 2 | 5 January 2025 | Essaouira

The majority of today is spent exploring the city. See a picturesque street home to thuya workers, oceanside ramparts and numerous art galleries – a previous filming location for Game of Thrones. After lunch, visit a Jewish cemetery and the grave of Rabbi Haim Pinto. Essaouira is home to an annual pilgrimage to the Rabbi’s grave, whose house and synagogue are preserved as a religious site.

Day 3 | 6 January 2025 | Marrakech

After breakfast, transfer to Marrakech – where a potent blend of Arab, African and European influences merge into one. Following lunch, embark on an orientation tour of the city, visiting the Koutoubia Minaret which dominates the skyline. Continue onto Djemaa el Fnaa, the main square at the heart of the medina. Then check in to your luxury hotel for the next four nights.

Day 4 | 7 January 2025 | Marrakech

In the morning, visit the Jardin Majorelle, a garden gifted to Marrakech from Yves-Saint Laurent, before continuing to Berber Museum, displaying intricate costumes and craftwork. From here, you’ll head to Dar El Bacha Museum, built at the beginning of the 20th Century. Lastly, stop off at the Mellah of Marrakech. Considered to be the largest of its kind in Morocco, it never ceases to impress!

Day 5 | 8 January 2025 | Marrakech

Head to the small village of Dchiera Aghouatim and experience a private cookery class hosted by a famous local chef. Then visit Medersa Ben Youssef, one of the largest and most famous icons of the Andalusian-Arabic architecture. Finally, pay one final visit to Al Bahia Palace – beautifully set in gardens which were built in the late 19th-century, intended to be the greatest palace of its time.

Day 6 | 9 January 2025 | Marrakech

Spend the day partaking in various art and design workshops. You’ll visit ateliers with your host, an expat designer who’s lived in Marrakech for 20 years, and visit wholesalers in addition to specialty shops off the beaten path. After lunch, head to a bustling metal and brass workshop to get a closer look at the design and creation process of large architectural works, including lighting elements.

Day 7 | 10 January 2025 | Skoura

Enjoy breakfast before transferring to Skoura. Along the way, visit Aït Benhaddou and the largest open air film studio in the country. The UNESCO-listed village is the setting for several major films, such as Gladiator. After lunch, tour the area and discover magnificent landmarks including Taourirt Kasbah, a structure built by the Glaoui. Then check in to your luxury hotel for the night.

Day 8 | 11 January 2025 | Merzouga

Wake up early and transfer to Merzouga. Here, both the Todra and Dades rivers have carved out cliff-sided canyons on their final 25-mile stretch through the mountains, leaving behind this series of reliefs and etches in the rock. Continue to Erfoud, the gate of the desert and former base for all the expeditions through the Merzouga dunes. Then check in to your luxury desert camp for the night.

Day 9 | 12 January 2025 | Fez

Make the trip through the middle Atlas, enjoying the spectacular scenery throughout the journey that spans from mountains to a cedar wood forest in addition to many Amazigh cities and villages. You’ll pass through Ifrane, known for its distinctive architecture, picturesque lakes and trickling streams. Then check in to your luxury hotel for the next two nights.

Day 10 | 13 January 2025 | Fez

Today is a full exploration of Fez. Start with a walking tour in the Mellah, crossing through an area renowned for its goldsmithing and continue across the street to Fes Jadid, passing ancient homes. On top of this, you’ll also visit the University of al-Qarawiyyin and Medersa Bou Inania. After lunch, visit the iconic Chouara Tannery, one of the three tanneries located in the city.

Day 11 | 14 January 2025 | Rabat via Volubilis & Meknes

Travel to Rabat and visit various ruins and towns in-between. First up is Volubilis, the ruins of the late Roman era capital. Overlooking the fertile plains of Meknes, it gives a sense of the importance of an outpost on the fringes of an empire. From here, head to Meknes, the Imperial capital of Sultan Moulay Ismail, and explore Dar Jamaï Museum. Then check in to your luxury villa for the night.

Day 12 | 15 January 2025 | Rabat & Casablanca

In Rabat, discover the uncompleted Hassan Tower – which stopped construction following the death of al-Mansur in 1199. After exploring the 11th Century fortress walls of Kasbah Oudaya, transfer to Casablanca. Here, you visit Hassan II Mosque, the second largest in Islam today, and the Jewish Museum, the first of its kind in a Muslim country. Then check in to your luxury hotel for two nights.

Day 13 | 16 January 2025 | El Jadida

Experience a day trip in the city of El Jadida. From visiting the 15th Century Portuguese City of Mazagan to its nearby town and traditional market, you’ll be immersed in the wonderful Portugeuse setting – and discover historic buildings, including a freshwater cistern, church and synagogue. A stroll through the local market is a great way to experience local life in a peaceful setting.