Morocco Through Its Archaeology And Moorish Berber History Tour- 19 Days

Our Morocco Through Its Archaeology And Moorish Berber History Tour is our exclusive package for those who wish to immerse themselves in the rich cultural panorama of the Kingdom of Morocco. During these magical 19 days, you will visit the country of Morocco from the mountains to the sea, traveling through vast deserts and flourishing forests, visiting places frozen in time, and getting a complete insight into the history of Morocco and its vibrant culture.

Our Morocco Tours are designed to meet all your needs and preferences. No visit is mandatory, and everything is customizable because our heartfelt wish is to provide you with only the best Morocco experience, and that is only possible if we follow your desires and preferences. Every stop of our tour leaves some time for free activities, and we will make sure everything is shaped following your needs and budget. Get in contact with us if you wish to discuss any part of the tour or to get a personalized one. We will send you a tailor-made proposal that perfectly fulfills your wishes.

Day 1:  Casablanca

Welcome to Morocco! You’ll find us waiting for you at the Mohammed V International Airport, We will escort you to your hotel in Casablanca, where you’ll have time to relax, enjoy dinner, and rest for the night. If your flight arrives earlier during the day, you have the option to start the tour right after lunch. We will leave for the majestic Hassan II Mosque, particularly famous for being the second-largest mosque in the Islamic world and having the tallest minaret in the world. It was built over the Atlantic Ocean to recall a famous line in the Qur’an that states, “The throne of Allah was built on the water.” It’s both a religious and cultural complex, as it includes a prayer hall, baths, a Koranic school, a library, and a museum. As we return to your hotel, we’ll visit the New Medina, the Habous Quarter, once a district of the King’s Palace, built in the 1920s, then we can also stop by the old Medina, which is near the United Nations Square. This is one of the pulsing centers of the city, constantly full of activities, markets, and shops. You’ll find many traditional products like leather products, local fruits, and spices. You might want to relax at the American-owned Rick’s Café to enjoy the buzzing liveliness of the square before we move to the Basmane Restaurant on the Corniche to have dinner, and maybe enjoy some live music and Belly Dancers shows.

Day 2: Casablanca – Rabat

We’ll embark soon after breakfast on a 60-minute drive to Rabat (R’bat al Fat’h), the first of the four Imperial Cities, arriving to us in all its splendor directly from the 12th century, and the administrative Imperial capital of the Kingdom of Morocco since 1912. Once a fortified convent, as the name R’bat suggests, today a delightful city full of stunning gardens and parks, we will visit as we explore Victory Avenue down to the Méchouar Precinct of the King’s Palace to bask in the magnificent sight of the Islamic architecture and snap some pictures of its monumental arches. Our next stop is at the Chellah, a broad cemetery, once called Necropolis, full of Roman history. This place was once called Sala Colonia and was a Roman territory of the Mauretania Tingitana Province. Later on, during the 5th century, it was abandoned and left in ruins, to be then turned in the late 14th century into what it is today. Thanks to the Marinid Sultanate. We can’t miss the visit to the Hassan Tower, the Great Mosque minaret. Work began in 1195, but was then forsaken, so everything that it’s visible today is just the wall foundations and 200 columns that were being built. Delving more into the city’s history, we will immerse ourselves in the ancient Medina and reach the Kasbah of the Oudayas and the Museum. You’ll get the feeling of an Andalusian village as we pass through its blue and white alleys (the color blue represents Judaism). Here we are in the heart of the original R’bat, which also knew exciting and dangerous times when it used to be a bastion against the attacks of the Corsair raiders. The museum of the Kasbah is a sight to see. Decorated in traditional Moroccan style, it is possible to sense the aura of royalty when you visit its wide rooms and regard the luxurious interiors. There are plenty of royal items on display, including sculptures, metalwork in gold and silver, art and furniture pieces, and costumes. We’ll later visit the Museum of History and Civilizations, founded in 1932 and containing the biggest collection of archaeological artifacts found in Morocco, including remnants dating back to the Palaeolithic and Neolithic periods!

As an alternative, you may also visit the Natural Science Museum for a journey through the history of Mother Earth and its creatures. Here you’ll find the unprecedented display of a 15-meter-long sauropod dinosaur, whose fossils were first found in 1979 in the Azilal region of the High Atlas Mountains and required years of hard work to bring it to light. After this culture-loaded day, we’ll go back to our accommodations for the night.

Day 3: Rabat – Sale – Larache – Lixus – Asilah – Tangier

A 4-hour drive today will lead us through the city of Salé, just north of Rabat, to visit its Mellah (Jewish quarter), which was born the same year as that of Rabat. The stunning Medersa (school) and the imposing door to the Mellah were built by the Merinids, who had a strong relationship with the Jews. As we proceed, we’ll brush the outskirts of the town of Kenitra and continue to the town of Larache (El Araish). El-Araish is a harbor town of the 7th century that looks directly over the sea. As such, corsairs used to build their ships here, and the Kasbah established by Moulay en Nasser in 1491 was used as a pirate bastion. Looking at the architecture, you can see the effect of the influence of different periods of Arab and Spanish rulers. While the old town is typically Arab, the newer parts have a stronger Andalusian feeling to their style. We will pay a brief visit to the former palace of Sultan Youssef Abdelhak el Merini (1258-1281), today is now an Archaeological Museum. This visit will feel like a journey through the history of the Moroccan people and their struggles to break free from several periods of foreign rule, as you’ll regard everyday items like fishing equipment, ancient coins, musical instruments, jewels, and perfumes. The palace looks over the Loukos region in all its glory and the panorama is quite stunning.

Our next stop is the ancient city of Lixus, settled in the 7th century by the Phoenicians and part of the Carthaginian Empire. As a consequence of the Roman Empire’s expansion, it became an Imperial outpost that is still largely a mystery. What we can see today amounts to around 20% of the site. Among the remnants visible to the public, we will find a beautiful mosaic floor, a Christian church, baths, and even a few megalithic stones that suggest the site was once inhabited by ancient worshippers of the Sun with great knowledge of astronomy. Heading North, we find the lovely Andalusian fishing village of Asilah. This little piece of heaven on the ocean is nearly 3,500 years old. It was used throughout the centuries by invaders from the Phoenicians to the Portuguese because of its position as a natural harbor. Thanks to its marvelous beaches, today is a very in-demand tourist destination; here, you can relax by strolling on Paradise Beach, or you can take part in the entertaining cultural festivals that contributed to making Asilah one of the main cultural centers of the Muslim world. Of course, we can’t miss the chance to enjoy some delicious seafood for lunch, after which we will briefly visit the ruins of Constantia Zilis, an ancient pivotal town for commerce that held particular importance to the Phoenicians. After this cultural moment, a few kilometers away from Asilah, we will proceed to the bustling city of Tangier.

Tangier is a city full of legends, mysteries, and incredible history. It is said that it was Hercules, son of Zeus, who split the European and African continents with a blow of his sword, creating the Strait of Gibraltar. Moreover, it is said that he also built the columns that bear his name, the Pillars of Hercules, two hills on the two sides of the Mediterranean Sea, Jbel Tariq and Jebel Musa. The duality of Tangier, “The Bride of the North”, lies in the perfect combination of its historical and cultural aspects with its cosmopolitan side. There is nothing you cannot find in Tangier, it’s a full Moroccan experience. Soon after we check in at our hotel, we will leave for a first tour of the city, starting from the Jewish quarter with its famous “Synagogues Street” where many synagogues once stood together in this narrow street. Recently, only one of these synagogues remains standing, therefore, the name was changed to “Synagogue Street”.

We visit the “Grand Socco” (Spanish word for ‘souk’), the medieval Medina with its colorful, scenic, charming soul; tea houses; the fascinating ancient trees of the Mendoubia Gardens (more than 800 years old!); the Sidi Bounabid Mosque, looking over the Medina with its richly decorated minaret; the blinding marble columns of the Kasbah Square; the great Méchouar where the people were once granted audience by the pashas; the Moulay Ismaïl Mosque; the Merinid College and last but not least, the Tangier American Legation Museum at the very heart of the old fortified Medina, a flourishing complex that serves as conference hall, library, museum, and overall cultural center.

We leave the medina for the Cape Spartel on the Atlantic Coast. Here, the Mediterranean Sea gives way to the Atlantic Ocean, and we can marvel at the beautiful landscape before reaching the famous lighthouse, standing at 312 ft. above sea level. The Sultan of Morocco had it built in 1864, and since then has been maintained by the joint efforts of England, France, Italy, and Spain. It’s not just a tourist attraction, it’s equipped with an intermittent light to guide the ships passing through the strait. After hearing about the legend of the demigod, we cannot skip a visit to the famous Caves of Hercules, where it is said he exhaled his final breath after completing his 12 Labours with the separation of Europe and Africa. We will then go back to our accommodation, and if you’re not tired, you might want to take a romantic stroll through the Medina, explore its intriguing souks and its surprising alleys, and get your hands on some unique souvenirs.

Day 4: Tangier – Tetouan – Chefchaouen- Fes

Enjoy a restorative breakfast at the hotel before we head out to visit the Museum of Antiquities. This museum is dedicated to objects and artifacts coming from a variety of Roman sites, including Lixus and Volubilis. You can also find displays explaining the history of Tangier and its region. The most famous piece of the museum is probably the mosaic called “The Voyage of Venus,” which shows the Goddess Venus as she is carried on a ship while she sits on a luxurious throne. After you end your visit, you can choose to take a walk in the dazzling Andalusian garden that surrounds the museum. Next, we will visit the Museum of Moroccan Arts. It occupies the former apartments of the Sultan, therefore, you can expect wealth and luxury overflowing from every room and every piece of furniture. There are displays of various works of art from all over the country, including mosaics, manuscripts, firearms decorated with marquetry, and carpets.

We now move from one cultural center to another, Tetouan, “The White Dove”. There is much to see in this city, starting from the Medina, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tetouan has several museums, a Royal Palace, and a Kasbah, and is a known center for Crafts and Folk Art, entering the list of UNESCO Creative Cities Network in 2017.

In the part of the town where old and new meet, we find the Hassan II Square, a famous meeting point since the time of the Spanish Protectorate. You’ll get an Andalusian feeling by watching its fountains, stalls, and decorative flowers. Moving on to the famous Medina, we find the very heart of craftsmanship and the arts of the city as we stroll through the souks. Among the museums, the Ethnographic Museum is one of the most interesting places to visit if you want to know more about the traditions, cultural heritage, and artistic history of the community. The most famous room is the Trousseau Room, where visitors can discover everything related to one of the most important celebrations, marriage. Take a moment to relax and grab a bite at the Bab el Oukla café nearby before we make a brief visit to the Archaeological Museum. Built in 1943, the displays of museum give great insight into the history of Islam, along with the history of Morocco, which includes Roman, Phoenician, Mauritanian, and Punic relics.

Another jewel of Morocco awaits us as we move to Chefchaouen, located 600m above sea level in the Rif Mountains. What will strike you about this town is certainly the fascinating shades of blue. Every wall, window, and door is painted with a mix of lime, water, and blue paint, as the Jewish population that used to live here believed this color could keep away evil spirits.

You will find many corners and items here that you cannot find anywhere else in Morocco, and that’s one of the reasons why Chefchaouen is also a very famous shopping point. Our guide will take you to the Palace El Makhzen and the immense Ouatta el Hammam square, where you’ll find the famous Ethnographic Museum and its collections of local artifacts illustrating the traditions of the region and of northern Morocco.

Leaving Chefchaouen with our load of pictures and souvenirs, we move on to Ouezzane and further south to the Imperial City of Fes. This two-thousand-year-old city was once considered among the holiest cities in the Islamic world. Indeed, you can find more than two hundred mosques and temples in this city, more than in any other Moroccan city. And if that leaves you impressed, just think that at the height of its influence in the early 13th century, Fes el-Bali hosted nearly 800 mosques and mausoleums for its 125,000 citizens: that’s one mosque every 156 residents!

Day 5: Fes

Make sure to have a rich breakfast because we have a day full of adventures ahead! Today we will visit Fes, which has simply too much to offer. We start with the imposing Dar el Makhzen, which used to be the Sultan’s residence when staying in the city. Soon after, we’ll make a 15-minute visit outside the Royal Palace to admire the stunning seven bronze gates. Now on through the Mellah, which will welcome us with its peculiar atmosphere and remarkable Moor-Hispanic architecture. After a short drive, we’ll reach the fort of Borj Sud, which will give us an aerial view of the Medina. Once we come down again, it’s time to immerse ourselves in the ancient Medina and the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The labyrinth of alleys and narrow streets will guide us through the Bou Inania Mosque, the delightful Street of the Dyers, the imposing al-Qarawiyyin Mosque, and its adjacent University, which unfortunately can only be visited from the outside. You’ll find new scents and fragrances in Souq el-Atterine, before resting in el-Nejjarine Square for lunch while admiring its decorated fountain.

The afternoon entertains all tastes. Women may be particularly pleased by Souq el-Henna, where we’ll find a fine variety of potteries, perfumes, and beauty products. Later, we’ll continue to the North Borj to visit the 16th-century Saâdien watchtower and the nearby Weapons Museum. This will be a special occasion for all weapons hobbyists to enrich their knowledge about the history of weapons, while also offering an intriguing display for the lovers of the arts, given the magnificence of the items. Our last stop of the day is at the Dar Batha Museum, where you will witness the evolution of Moroccan artistry throughout the years while exploring a Hispano-Moorish palace from the 19th century. After this full immersion in a 1,200-year-old city, your Riad room will welcome you for a well-deserved night of sleep.

Day 6: Fes-Meeknes- Volubilis – Moulay Idriss-Fes

In the morning, we head towards Meknes, the Imperial City of the 27 gates. Again, here we find a UNESCO World Heritage Site in its Medina, and we can visit the 40 kilometers of city walls, including the most famous Bab Mansour (“Bab” means “gate” in Arabic), which today hosts many art exhibitions.

We move forward to the El Heri es-Souani, the former royal granary and stables that were built to house more than 20,000 royal horses, the Arabo-Berber horses of the Sultan. It was smartly constructed near a water source that was replenished directly with water from the Middle Atlas Mountains through a system of underground canals. Continue on to the Christians’ Prison, the wonderful Moulay Ismail Mausoleum, the Place el-Hedim, and the Dar Jamaï Museum, which you will recognize as a work of art by itself even before you actually visit the exhibitions it holds. Inside, you will find some of the finest examples of local artistry and craftsmanship; outside, a beautiful garden awaits you with its fruit trees and luscious natural landscape.

Onwards to the remarkable ruins of Volubilis, a Roman city that at the height of its glory housed more than 20,000 citizens. There is much to see in this gorgeously preserved Roman site, starting from the beautiful mosaics, the bathhouses, the magnificent arches, and the Corinthian columns. You will relish in the ancient Roman feeling that walking through the remnants of this long-gone empire gives you. If you can’t get enough of Volubilis, you don’t need to worry because our lunch break will be at the Volubilis Inn, where you can enjoy a perfect view over the ruins as you eat. Next, we’ll go for a drive on the Zerhoun Hills, where the town of Moulay Idriss lies, a pilgrimage destination for thousands of devotees who every August reach this place to pray at the tomb of Moulay Idriss, a descendant of the Prophet Mohammed. Our visit to the holy city will include the wide main square, the pyramids of the Zaouiat covered in eye-catching green tiles, and the myriad narrow roads before we make our way back to Fes to spend the night at the Riad.

Day 7: Fez

Today, you’re free to go back to your favorite places in the city, explore the Medina, or take that picture opportunity you missed yesterday. If you’re feeling adventurous, you may also take the chance of a trip to Taza, an old town in the east that has much to offer to those who are curious enough to visit.

Day 8: Fes – Azrou – Midelt – Ziz gorges – Errachidia – Erfoud – Merzouga – Erg Chebbi Dunes

Enjoy a delicious breakfast at the Riad in Fez before departing for the Sahara Desert. During this 6.5-hour drive, we will make several stops to rest, eat, and snap some pictures. Our first stop will be the small station of Immouzèr Du Kandar, 1220m above sea level. This French-built location has a little Medina and a kasbah worth visiting, not to mention the splendid panorama over the Saiss Plateau and Fes. As we move on, we will seemingly enter a different world when we reach the snowy town of Ifrane, with its pointy roofs that will remind you of mountain towns in Switzerland. Passing through the forests, we will reach the Oued Gigou Valley and even further ahead, we’ll cross the High Atlas Mountains through the Tizi n’Zad (2178m). As we move closer and closer to the desert, you’ll notice the stark change in the landscape, starting from the Berber desert town of Midelt, where we’ll have our lunch, trying not to crane our necks to look at the imposing Jbel Ayachi, that will tower over us with its 3722 meters of altitude. Further ahead we find the town of Rich that once served as a fort during the French Protectorate era; on again via the Tunnel Du Légionnaire, whose French influence is undeniable and indeed served as a gateway for the French to the rebel tribe ofAït Atta; finally, the immense canyon of the Ziz Gorges will open in front of us, dominating over the luscious oasis and sand-shaded ksours.

We continue to another French installment, the town of Er-Rachidya (formerly known as Ksar er’ Souq). Once we reach Erfoud, you will start getting into the desert mood as you look over the Sahara. Arriving at the Hotel, we’ll take our 4×4 ride and cross the golden sea to our luxury camp in the desert of Erg Chebbi, where you can have dinner and be a witness to the incredible natural spectacle of the sunset over the dunes of Erg Chebbi in Merzouga, possibly over the back of a dromedary to add a magical feeling to it. You will spend the night at the camp in the company of a few Berber musicians who will liven up the evening with songs and dances.

Day 9: Sahara Desert – Rissani – Sijilmassa- Erfoud – Todra gorges – Tinehrir – Boumalne du Dades – Dades Gorges – Q’laat des M’gouna – Skoura

Before going back to the real world, bask in the once-in-a-lifetime sight of the sunrise over the dunes of the Sahara. After a typical Bedouin breakfast, we’ll depart at around 8.30 in our 4×4 towards the town of Rissani, where most residents still live in the ancient ksar (fortified kasbah) from the 18th century. Nearby, only a 5-minute drive away, you’ll find the ruins of Sijilmassa. Once a pivotal spot in the trans-Saharan trade route, today, not much of that ancient glory remains to be seen. On the site, you will see the remnants of two decorated gateways, the great mosque still mostly intact, and other mud-brick structures.

There’s a chance to visit the Mausoleum of Moulay Ali Cherif, the founder of the dynasty that is currently ruling over Morocco, the Alaouite Dynasty. We’ll find our previous vehicle once we’re back in Erfoud, and from there we will head west to the oasis town of Tinjdad, which marks the beginning of the Route of A Thousand Kasbahs in the marvelous Dadès Valley. At the base of the breathtaking Todra Gorges is the town of Tinehrir, famous for holding the most ancient Jewish cemetery in Morocco. Following the Oued Todra River for around 15 kilometers, we will explore the Todra Gorges’ mind-blowing canyon to admire Mother Nature’s flawless work. Once back, we will have our lunch break at a local restaurant before diving deep into Boumalne du Dadès and up in the Dadès Gorge, between the broad sandstone cliffs and through the Glaoua kasbah at Aït Youl.

Back to the threshold of the Gorge, we now head west through the citadel of the M’Gouna Tribe, Qlâa’t Des M’Gouna, famous for the thousands of pink Damascene roses that surround the location. These flowers will be used to produce the “Eau de Rose”, an oil essence very much loved by the Berber people; it is your chance to bring home some of the local beauty and medical products. Not far from Qlâa’t Des M’Gouna, we reach the fortress of Tiliit, the former Ancient City of the Jews of the Dadès. Its synagogue is worth a visit because of its geometrical relief. Tiliit was once ruled by the Spanish-Jewish family of Perez, whose influence extended to the whole region, which had its heart precisely in Tiliit. We end this long day in Skoura, for dinner and some unwinding time in our kasbah accommodation.

Day 10: Skoura – Skoura Oasis – Ouarzazate – Draa Valley – Zagora

After a good night’s sleep and a rich breakfast, we leave for a journey through the Kasbahs of the Skoura Oasis, and we reach the former garrison town of Ouarzazate. We proceed down the Drâa Valley, whose name translates to “Black Valley” because most of the people living here are originally from Chad, Mali, Senegal, and Mauritania. There is even a sign informing us of how many days it would take by camel to reach Timbuktu in Mali, “Tombouctou 52 Jours”. We will take our lunch break here at La Fibule du Drâa, a kasbah immersed in an oasis and shielded from each side by a different mountain (Jbel): Jbel Zagora, Jbel Tadrhart (east), Jbel Sarhro (north-east), and Jbel Bani (south). Here you may encounter the authentic African Berber Touaregs, the so-called “Blue Men”.

Heading south, we get a chance to visit the famous mosques of Tamegroute, recognizable by the blue roofs and white minarets. Tamegroute’s history goes back to the 11th century when it first became a religious center; the Sufi religious brotherhood of the Naciriyyin founded the Zaouiat (monastery) back in the 17th century. From the monastery, you can take an intriguing walk through the empty alleys of the ancient Kasbah and reach the local Pottery Co-operative, where they still produce pottery like in the old days, with the simplest techniques. We return to the Kasbah for the night. If you feel like taking an evening walk, you may want to reach the nearby Kasbah Amazrou to chat with the black Berber residents.

Day 11: Zagora – Agdz – Ouarzazate

Going back on our tracks, we pass through the luscious palm forests and kasbahs of the Draâ Valley and take our lunch break at the ancient kasbah of Agdz. We’ll continue on our road to Ouarzazate, a famous destination in the film industry. Join a studio tour and discover how the nearby desert landscapes have been featured in many films, visit the Taourirte Kasbah before concluding your day with a local dinner and overnight at the hotel in Ouarzazate.

Day 12: Ourzazate – Kasbahs Taourirt, Tifoultoutte & Ait Ben Haddou – Tazenakht – Taliouine – Tarouddant

Today we will visit the stunning World Heritage Site of Aït Ben Haddou, but before we reach this magnificent kasbah, we’ll pay a visit to the Tifoultoute Kasbah, the historical residence of the former Pasha of Marrakech, Glaoui, moving north to Morocco’s most famous kasbah and a UNESCO World Heritage site. It’s estimated that the old ksar (a walled town) dates from the 11th century when it held an important position along the trans-Saharan trade route. Stop and explore the narrow streets and passageways of this traditional mud-brick city. From there, travel south, we’ll pass by the town of Tazenakht and then west through the Jbel Siroua to arrive in the small village of Taliouine, where you can taste the deliciousness of the tagine with saffron, a specialty of the Auberge Le Safran restaurant. After lunch, we might get the chance to visit the Cooperative of Souktana to witness how they still cultivate biological saffron with traditional methods and natural fertilizers. After this educational parenthesis, we move on to ‘the Grandmother of Marrakech’, Taroudant. We will check in at our hotel.

Day 13: Tarouddant

In Tarouddant, you will get a taste of the big city in a small format. The town is full of colors and life, with its noisy streets full of ‘Berber Taxis’ (donkeys), hotels, cafés, restaurants, and charming souks. Taroudant has one of the oldest medinas in the whole country of Morocco, and as we spend some delightful time here, we will experience the culture of a people who never completely submitted to anyone, not even during the French Protectorate. One thing you want to see while in Taroudant is the work of the Berber womenfolk who produce the world-famous argan oil. The Argan tree is very much venerated here in Morocco because of its properties and how it provides everything a man might need, including food and hardwood for the fire. That’s why it’s also called the Tree of Life.

Day 14: Tarouddant – Agadir – Essaouira

 From Taroudant, we will cross the wind-swept Sous River Valley, once a richly cultivated space, especially for olive and argan groves. Our next stop is Agadir, which is today called “The Pearl of the South” — the newest city in Morocco. We will visit the old remnants of the old city, where we can get a clear view over the new commercial port; the fisherman’s port; an overall view of the white city and the two main streets, Mohammed V and Hassan II; the famous Boulevard 20 Août, with restaurants and shops at every corner; the much loved Corniche, ideal place to take a walk; the lush Souss Valley; the Anti Atlas mountains in the far back and the wild environment of the Tichka Plateau — everything stretches before us as far as our eyes can see.

We stay close to the coast of the Atlantic Ocean as we move forward to Essaouira, once known as Mogador, under the control of the Phoenician empire. Not far from the High Atlas Mountains, here in Essaouira, you can witness the woodwork of the local artisans as they make stunning Thuya tables, boxes, and other fine items using different types of wood.

After we checked in at our hotel, you will have the option of enjoying a seafood lunch in town at one of the charming cafés, before visiting the fishermen’s port and the Mellah. Here we find another characteristic Ethnographic Museum, the Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdallah Museum of Regional Art. Its setting is a 19th-century residence that was once inhabited by a pasha.

Following your stop at the museum, you probably wouldn’t want to miss Jimi Hendrix’s “Castles of Sand”: this artsy town has much to offer the eyes, and it’s worth a visit. In the evening, you will have dinner at your hotel.

Day 15: Essaouira – Marrakech

Today, we’re only a 3-hour drive away from the final destination of our Morocco Tour, the Red City of Marrakech. We will depart around 8.30 in the morning and after checking in at our hotel in Marrakech, we’ll take a calèche around the astounding bastions and move forward to the Majorelle Garden and Museum of Islamic Art of the late Yves Saint Laurent, a name that surely doesn’t fall foreign to most ears. The museum, along with a display of fascinating plants and trees, contributed to making the Majorelle Garden one of the main attractions of Marrakech. The museum itself hosts various collections of Islamic art, stunning displays of Moroccan tribal art, ancient items such as weapons, textiles, jewels, pieces of furniture, and marvelous carpets from the North of the continent.

It’s time to visit the Medina and its ravishing Almohad Koutoubia Mosque, the largest in the city. Soon after, we stumbled into a bitter part of history in the Djmaâ el Fnaâ Square (“Assembly of the Dead”) where, back in the 19th century, tradition wanted the severed heads of the criminals to be exhibited publicly. Today, the square is a focal point of the city, and we will enjoy the view over the kaleidoscope of merchants, musicians, fortune tellers, artists, and snake charmers as we have our lunch break at a local Restaurant. We can bask in the delightful sight a bit longer before heading back to our hotel for rest and a good night’s sleep.

Day 16: Marrakech

Your journey through Marrakech today starts with a jump to the past as we visit the ornate Saâdien Tombs. We’ll start by admiring the horseshoe arches in the Prayer Hall, then move on to the 18th-century tombs of the Alaouite princes near the vast tomb of the Black Sultan, Abou Hassan from the Merinid Dynasty. Afterward, we’ll visit the record-breaking Bahia Palace (Bahia means “The Brilliant”). This 19th-century complex features a jaw-dropping Harem Courtyard that took almost 15 years to make and that you may have seen in some big Hollywood movies; the nearly 150 rooms of the Palace were the home of Bou Ahmed and his 4 wives, plus 24 concubines, countless servants, and guards. The Palace is a stunning example of Islamic architecture, starting from the central courtyards that give way to many rooms, whose entrance is designed so that it’s impossible to see beyond the threshold (for privacy). The interiors are richly decorated with stucco panels, tiled floors, and zellige work; the outside fountains and gardens are also a breathtaking sight, typical of this architectural style. Next is the Dar Si Saïd Museum, with its mosaic floors shaded in greens, whites, and turquoise, the remarkable pink marble fountains, and the tiled courtyards. The rarest display in the Museum is a 10th-century marble basin coming from Cordoba, brought by the Almohad Sultan Ali Ben Youssef.

Our stroll through the Medina will lead us to one of the finest buildings in Marrakech, the 14th-century Ali Ben Youssef Medersa, which can be considered a sort of monastery; here, you can enjoy a moment of peacefulness from the bustling city. The most intricate decorations can be found at the large prayer hall in the back of the buildings, which are made from carved cedar wood, the finest stucco work, and vibrant zellige tiles. The interiors aim to achieve a three-dimensional feeling with plenty of pine cone and palm patterns around the mihrab. Moving on, we’ll visit the oldest building in Marrakech and the only Almoravid structure still standing in the whole Kingdom — the Almoravid Dynasty Koubba, also known as the Koubba Ba’Adiyn. Here, you will find the very foundation of Moroccan architecture. The motifs featuring pine cones, palms, and acanthus leaves would go on to be widely used in many other buildings, including the Ben Youssef Mosque. Its trademark is certainly the peculiar-shaped windows, the symbol of the Almohades and Merinids design.

You can now choose to visit the Marrakech Museum of Contemporary Art, the Bert Flint Museum in the Maison Tiskiwin, or even both. Inside you will find a fine collection of craftworks and Moroccan art, from costumes to musical instruments, popular artifacts and carpets that Bert Flint gathered over the 50 years of his journey from the Atlas Mountains to Timbuktu, crossing the Sahara desert and the Souss Valley as he covered the Gold Road. Now we’re up for a full immersion into the vibrant souks of Marrakech, with their peculiar sights and scents, ending with the Dyers’ Souk before returning to the Djmaâ el Fnaâ Square for a guided tour. Once you return to your hotel, you may take some rest and unwind, or you can choose to wander around the city a bit more until dinner time.

Day 17: Marrakech – Ourika Valley – Marrakech

Today we’re leaving Marrakech with all of our new memories, but don’t worry, because our journey is not yet over. We’ll head south for a 90-minute excursion through the dazzling Ouriaka Valley in the Atlas Mountains, with its crystal streams, the ancient terraced fields, the luscious gardens, and the tiny villages scattered on the mountain surface and inhabited by the Berber tribesmen. Onwards, we’ll meet Setti Fadma, the last village on our path. While heading back to Marrakech, we will take our lunch break at a local restaurant, in the village of Aghbalou, with a beautiful view over the river. The afternoon is free, and our driver and guide will be glad to accompany you wherever you desire.

Day 18: Marrakech

Today, you’re the maker of your own destiny, you can take some time to rest or delve more into the Red City with the help of our guide and driver.

Day 19: Marrakech – Casablanca Airport – Home

We will escort you to your preferred destination in either Marrakech or Casablanca, depending on your flight schedule. We will assist you with the boarding procedure and then it will be time for a warm farewell, hoping to see you again soon.