8 DAYS: CASABLANCA, CHEFCHAOUEN, MEKNES, FÈS & MARRAKECH

In Casablanca, there are many sites of interest including Hassan II Mosque with its 200m high minaret and its 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 (built by the Amazigh - the Berbers) as well as the Habous (built by the French) and a particulary good place to find fine crafts. Lunch in Rick’s Café (an option not yet costed in) recreates the legendary film “Casablanca". After lunch (or earlier if you wish) 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 magical Blue City of Chefchaouen in the early evening. Overnight Chefchaouen

Chefchaouen is known as the “Blue City for its ever present use of blue paint. House doors are metal studded and many houses have red-tiled roofs and ornate metalwork. Its name is apt, meaning, “peaks”; they are all around this hillside settlement. Chefchalouen is a most excellent place, ideal for relaxing and simply “wiggle wandering”, taking in its wonderful laid-back ambience as you explore the many lanes and alleyways. The photographic opportunities are everywhere around. Place Uta el Hammam is the old centre of Chefchaouen with its grand fountain. In the bustling medina, the local crafts to seek out are leather, woodwork and cloth. Chefchaouen is ideal for relaxing and “just wandering”; there is no need for a Local Guide on this day. Exploring and encountering on your own is an ideal way to pass many very pleasant hours here.NP Overnight in Chefchaouen

After breakfast it is time to move on. Today you'll travel to Fès via Volubilis and Meknes. Having been in the Rif Mountains, the journey to Fès now takes you towards the Moyen Atlas mountains. Landscapes are wonderful and captivating; all around is interest. Be sure to ask your driver many questions en-route about what you are seeing or what you want to know and understand about Morocco; he will be a font of knowledge. A Site 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. 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 old core of the city has an interesting Old Medina too. Overnight Fès

Today you have a City Guide with you for the morning. Discussion will let him know what places you particularly wish to see and learn about. Fès is an impressive ancient Imperial City with an entrancing maze of narrow streets in its fascinating Old Medina, its market and souk area. Fès'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 markets of Fès El Jdid are a great place to explore, wandering freely, 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” here is a fascinating pastime. The colour, clamour and activity of the famous Fès leather tanneries can be enjoyed (but have some mint to hold beneath your nose!). The Fès 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 Fès further or to simply relax. Overnight in Fès

This journey first takes you towards Ifrane in the Moyen Atlas mountains and then on to Azrou. Azrou town has a pleasant central square with its green roofed buildings. Ifrane, by contrast, is a surprising settlement, looking a little European. This area through which you are passing is famous for its Cedar Forest that densely covers the mountains. Some of the trees of the forest are more than 400 years old. Moroccan cedars can grow to heights of close to 60m. These trees grow at altitudes of between 1,200m and 2,800m. Oak trees too form part of the forest. Living among the enormous cedars are troops of Barbary macaques. They are numerous but some patience is needed to spot them (but well worth it, to see wildlife in their natural habitat). Birds too are present such as woodpeckers, owls and eagles. The journey today then follows the northern edge of the Moyen Atlas onwards to your next imperial City, 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. Options include Jemaa el Fna Square (a lively entertainment square), the Medina and its Souks, the Koutoubia Mosque (outside only unless Muslim), Medersa Ben Youssef (Koranic School), Saadian Tombs, Bahia Palace. All are easily reached on foot. Overnight in Marrakech

A Marrakech City Guide will be with you for ½ a day (included). Discussion will take place as to what places you particularly wish to see. Marrakesh is sensational, in every sense of the word all senses are assailed! Often called “the red city”, it is named for the natural red ochre pigment in the walls. Marrakesh is Morocco’s second largest city. No building in the city must exceed the height of the tallest palm tree nor the tallest mosque minaret tower. There are many options for you to explore today including Jemaa el Fna Square, a lively entertainment square, the Medina and its Souks, a Traditional Apothecary visit, the Koutoubia Mosque, Ben Youssef Madrasa, a Koranic School, Saadian Tombs, and Bahia Palace. All of which are easily reached on foot. Koutoubia Mosque is a place of Islamic worship, where you'll hear the calls to prayer that come from the minaret. Koutoubia Mosque is the largest mosque in Marrakesh. It has a large plaza with gardens and is floodlit at night. The minaret is particularly magnificent, its facade is undoubtedly one of the most photographed views taken in the city. There are gardens around it to stroll, but entry to the mosque itself is only possible for Muslims. You can also visit the Ben Youssef Madrasa. Built in the 16th century, the Madrasa (also known as the Koranic School) was the home of Islamic students of the nearby mosque of Ben Youssef. The carved cedar, stucco plaster and tiling of the central courtyard are good to see as well as the old dorms and the prayer hall. To spend some time in the centre of Marrakesh, in and around the Old Medina, a World Heritage Site, and inside the old city walls, provides something interesting at every turn. It is here that cultural contrasts are most evident, each one providing a great visual and mental feast. By day and by evening, this is an exciting place to be. The Jemaa el-Fna square is a lively, colourful and bustling public area with music, snake charmers, henna painters, hawkers and sellers. The souks offer a glamorous and colourful maze of narrow alleyways. It is a place to try to seek out bargains and to haggle for best prices - it is quite a skill! And much fun to engage in. The Majorelle Gardens are an oasis of calm and tranquillity amongst lush plants in a garden developed by Yves St Laurent. Originally established in the 1920s, Jardin Majorelle was created by French painter Jacques Majorelle and is fantastically coloured, just like a painting. It is filled with marble pools, raised pathways, banana trees, groves of bamboo, coconut palms and bougainvillaeas. It is a fine place to relax amongst the greenery and visit yellow and blue pots and water features. You may also want to watch the sun go down behind Koutoubia Mosque from the vantage of a roof terrace cafe, above Jemaa el Fna, perhaps sipping a mint tea. After such a lively day, perhaps a massage and spa experience to relax and soothe might be tried (not yet included but this can readily be arranged for you). Overnight Marrakech

Private transport and driver for your transfer to Casablanca Airport. Depending on your flight’s departure time there may be the opportunity to take a bit more leisure time in Marrakech.