©Photo Taryn Elliot
Imperial Cities and Blue Cities
A classic tour of thetravel to Morocco which will take you to discover the historic Blue Cities and Imperial Cities, the evocative medinas of the north and the architectural and artistic wonders. The capital Rabat, Casablanca with the immense Hassan mosque, Fes with its incredible medina, the overwhelming Marrakech with its gardens and its liveliness, Meknes the ocher enchantment, Volubilis with its Roman ruins and the famous Chefchaouen or Blue City.
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Day 1
Italy-Casablanca
Reception at the airportCasablanca and private transfer to the centre. Depending on the arrival time of the planes from Italy, a visit to the city is possibleHassan II Mosque, possibly recoverable early in the morning, before departure for Rabat. In the mosque we can admire traditional Moroccan art in all its splendor. The largest mosque in Morocco in traditional Moroccan style combined with Islamic elements, one of the few mosques in the world that is open to non-Muslims. Pinseau's project appears to be inspired by the verse of the Koran which mentions the throne of God and was built on water on a promontory above the Atlantic Ocean. The interiors are built in Tafraout granite, Agadir marble and details in Middle Atlas cedar wood, there are 56 majestic Murano glass chandeliers.
Another peculiarity is the sliding opening roof which transforms its center into a sunny patio like the ancient buildings of Arab-Andalusian architecture. A heated floor gives comfort to the faithful during prayer in the winter. Inside it houses a madersa (the Koranic school), a library and in the basement there are hammams with tubs and Turkish baths. Free evening. Overnight stay in Riad/Hotel.
Day 2
Casablanca-Rabat
Transfer from Casablanca to the capitalRabat. We begin the visit of the Kasbah of the Oudayas built on an ancient Roman site, a fortified military camp built in the 12th century. The Kasbah was included in the UNESCO world heritage list, one of the first palaces built by the royal Alaouite dynasty, still reigning and built to fight against the Berghouata tribes. It only becomes important with the Almohads, who make a military camp. The visit of the Mausoleum and the Hassan Tower continues, one of the most visited historical symbols of Rabat. Commissioned in 1195 by order of the caliphate Abu Yusuf Yaqub-al-Mansur, the tower was supposed to be the largest minaret in the world together with the Mosque, also designed to be the largest in the world, but in 1199 the work was interrupted due to of the death of the caliph. The splendid Hassan Tower today measures 44 meters in height, but according to the original project it should have measured 86. Despite its small size, the minaret still stands out in the middle of the large white square on which it stands for its wonderful reddish colour, given to it from the red sandstone with which it was built. Transfer duration Casablanca/Rabat approximately 2 hours. Free evening. Accommodation in Riad.
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Day 3
Rabat-Chefchaouen
Breakfast and transfer toChefchaouen: called the Blue city, one of the icons of Morocco. Located at the foot of the rugged Rif mountains, it is a cascade of blue-walled houses harmoniously inserted into a wonderful natural landscape. Founded in 1471 when the Moors were fleeing from Spain during the Reconquest, but also from the Jews fleeing the Spanish Inquisition, perhaps this is why you feel a certain Andalusian atmosphere which is more evident in the architecture. There are various theories as to why it is blue in colour, some claim that it was the Jews who painted the houses to recall the blue color of Paradise. According to other rumors the reason is purely practical, i.e. to ward off mosquitoes! Unlike most tourist spots in Morocco, Chefchaounen is a very quiet town to walk around, take photos and observe local life. Transfer duration approximately 4 hours. Free evening. Accommodation in Riad.
Day 4
Chefchaouen–Volubilis–Meknes–Fes
Transfer from the Blue City to the archaeological site ofVolubilis, undoubtedly one of the most fascinating historical places. This ancient Roman city stands in a fertile valley in the heart of the country. We will admire the remains of the oil mills where olive oil was produced, the imposing religious and administrative buildings, the Gallieno Baths where it is possible to recognize the public baths and the intricate underground system that heated the water in the tanks, the Capitol dedicated to the triad composed of Jupiter, Juno and Minerva, the Basilica the most famous monument of the entire site, the forum of Volubilis which is the city hub of the Roman city and the beautiful house of mosaics, the best in all of Morocco. Once the visit is over we head towards Fes with a stop in the imperial city ofMeknes to admire the ancient walls, the first great work of the Alawite dynasty today considered an exemplary testimony of the fortified cities of the Maghreb. Meknes surrounded by imposing walls 40 km long and bastions that reach 15 meters in height, inlaid with nine monumental doors, inside you can walk among beautiful buildings in Hispano-Moorish style dating back to 1600, and then admire the suggestive El Hadim square which will take us into the old part of Meknes among local shops. Arrival in Fes in the late afternoon. Travel duration approx. 5 hours.
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Day 5
Fez
After a rich breakfast, the guided tour of the ancient medina beginsFez and its main attractions. A true stronghold of the country's culture and identity, upon entering Fes you will feel like you have taken a dive into the past and you will breathe a medieval air among wonderful landscapes, particular sounds, rich scents and many colours. Fes is divided into the New City, that is, the imperial city built starting from 1200 where the station, the royal palace and the Jewish quarter are located, and the Old City or Medina, a true labyrinth of narrow streets, over 9 thousand, with the famous tannery, with markets of all kinds, from carpets to brass objects, from ceramics to fabrics where the goods are still transported on the back of donkeys. The city, founded as the capital of the Idrisid dynasty between 789 and 808, is home to the oldest university in the world. it reached its peak splendor between 1200 and 1300 when it displaced Marrakech from its role as capital. The Ville Nouvelle, south of Fes is the area where the city's restaurants, bars, cafes, bookshops and other shops are located. In the Medina we find small cafes and they offer excellent breakfasts. Accommodation in Riad.
Day 6
Fes-Marrakech
After breakfast, private transfer to Marrakech; a long journey awaits us, about seven hours with various stops, arrival in the evening, overnight stay in the Riad.
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Day 7
Marrakech
After breakfast we begin the visit ofMarrakech, there will be a local guide with us who will take us to discover the medina, a fortified medieval citadel that dates back to the times of the Berber empire, its very crowded labyrinthine streets are a succession of souks, which sell fabrics, ceramics, jewels, spices etc. . After the visit to the medina we continue towardsJemaa el Fna square, the main square of the city pulsating with life at all hours animated by musicians, street artists, jugglers; lively by day, evocative by night, the visit continues toEl Bahia Palace meaning Splendor, it was destined to be the most majestic palace in Morocco, considered a masterpiece of traditional Moroccan architecture. Inside, the palace is made up of 150 rooms richly decorated with marble, beech and cedar wood and zellige stucco. Around it are several lush courtyards where there are orange, banana, cypress, hibiscus and jasmine trees. These gardens divide the set of rooms, stables, mosques and hammans that make up the complex. Once the visit of the palace is over we head toTombs of the Saadites a funerary complex are sumptuous tombs that were built by will of the Saadian prince Ahmed al-Mansour who lived between the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. We move to visit theMajorelle Gardens Upon request, the most famous and beautiful of the many parks and gardens in the city, this enchanting garden is located in the estate of the famous electric blue villa which was owned by the landscape designer Jacques Majorelle, later purchased and restored by the French stylist Yves Saint Laurent in 1964 Once the visit is over we head towards the Koutoubia Mosque, like almost all mosques in Morocco, it cannot be visited by non-Muslim people. But it would be a shame not to admire this architectural wonder from the outside, the very elegant decorations of the minaret, the tower built in the 11th century inspired by the Giralda of Seville, the eye will get lost among harmonious decorative elements, keystones and exposed stones. Free evening. Accommodation in Riad.
Day 8
Casablanca-Italy
Private transfer to Casablanca airport for departure to Italy. We look forward to seeing you in our otherstravel to Morocco of Morocco Directorate
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The price includes:
Transfers from/to airport
Private transportation with driver for the entire trip
7 nights in Riad
All breakfasts as scheduled
Guide in English visits Marrakech and Fez
24 hour assistance
Activities as scheduled
