Premium Morocco Highlights with Essaouira

Salaam alaikum! Welcome to Morocco. When you arrive at Casablanca Airport, you’ll be met by a local representative and transferred to your hotel. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive with time to spare, maybe visit the Villa des Arts. This gorgeous Art Deco gallery holds numerous exhibitions of contemporary Moroccan and international art. If you’re looking for a different type of cultural experience, you can also visit the Museum of Judaism. Tonight, celebrate the beginning of a new adventure over dinner with your group, trying classic dishes like tagine and couscous.

This morning, you’ll visit one of the most impressive sites in Casablanca – the mighty Mosque of Hassan II. Second only in size to the great mosque at Mecca, the huge building sits partly on land and partly over sea and is one of the only religious sites open to non-Muslims. Later, leave Casablanca and drive to Meknes, where you’ll explore the charming streets of the medina – the old walled section of the city. Drive on to the mosaic-filled Roman ruins of Volubilis, where a local guide will show you around and help you imagine the bustling city that once was. Enjoy a picnic lunch of fresh bread, cheese, seasonal fruits and olives from the market. In the late afternoon, continue to Fes, your home for the next two nights.

Today, you’ll discover Fes’s huge, well-preserved, medieval Old City and medina on a morning walking tour with your leader. Wander through the twisting streets and alleyways and explore the speciality sections that divide the souq as your leader talks you through the local customs and traditions. Pass historic khans, dye pits and stalls, then take a break from the hustle and bustle at a family-owned tea house before a visit to the ornate inner courtyards of the Islamic school El-Attarine Madrasa and Funduq al-Najjarin – an 18th-century inn. You’ll then have a free afternoon before dinner tonight, where you’ll be warmly welcomed into the home-turned-restaurant of a local family for a pastilla dinner in an after-hours Signature Experience. Learn how the iconic Moroccan pie is made as you chat with your friendly hosts about life in Fes.

Travel from Fes to Bine el Ouidane, with plenty of breaks along the way to appreciate the ever-changing Moroccan landscape. Today is a bit of a long travel day, so it’s a good idea to get stuck into your book or favourite podcasts. Bine el Ouidane is a small settlement perfectly placed on the bank of the lake, surrounded by sheer rocks. Your Feature Stay accommodation for the night sits at the foot of the Atlas Mountains, on the edge of the huge lake. Maybe spend your afternoon soaking up the calm surroundings in the swimming pool or kick back with a drink on the terrace.

Today you’ll head out onto the water, hopping in a small boat to see more of the turquoise lake and surrounding rocky gorges. Float over the water and take in the views. Then, head to the house of a local farming family in the lakeside village. Have a cup of tea as the family shares their stories about farming in Morocco and what their life is like here. You’ll also be treated to a home-cooked lunch, before heading back to the hotel for a free evening. Maybe lounge by the infinity pool, hike the surrounding mountain trails or treat yourself to a rejuvenating massage or jacuzzi session at the health spa.

Today you’ll make your way to Agafay – a red-rock desert in the south of Marrakech. Along the way, stop at Ouzoud Falls – a collective name for several waterfalls in Azilal, which all flow into the El-Abid River’s gorge. Take in the immensity of the cascades, then continue to the rolling landscape of the desert. Arrive at your desert camp in the late afternoon, freshen up in your tents, then head out for your sunset Signature Experience. Settle into a secluded spot with Bedouin seating, carpets, poufs and low tables for a lantern-lit Moroccan tea ceremony. As the night sky descends, an English-speaking guide will point out the constellations and planets above. After, it’s back to camp for dinner.

Wake up early this morning to catch the sunrise over the desert. After breakfast, you’ll then travel to Marrakech. When you arrive, head out on an orientation walk with your leader to the great square of Djemaa el-Fna – one of the largest public spaces in the world and the city’s most iconic landmark. As day turns to night, the square transforms into a hive of activity. Once you’ve got your bearings, the rest of the evening is yours to explore at your own pace. Maybe have dinner on one of the restaurant balconies overlooking the humming square with views of the Koutoubia Mosque.

After breakfast today, meet your local guide and set off on a morning tour of the old medina, through the bustling souks that are the lifeblood of the city. Explore courtyards filled with the scent of orange blossom and the many salons and chambers that make up Bahia Palace. Stop by the Koutoubia Mosque – the inside is for Muslims only, but the famous minaret is a sight to behold. Walk back through the streets of the old medina to Djemaa el-Fna. The food here is best experienced like a local, so be sure to bring your appetite as your local guide will take you for a tasting session where you’ll try a range of seasonal delights like freshly squeezed orange juice and fried Moroccan donuts. The rest of the day is free. Maybe visit Le Jardin Secret – a traditional medina garden with a magnificent courtyard – or head back into the medina and practice your haggling skills. Tonight, join up with your group for an upscale, but traditional Moroccan farewell dinner.

After breakfast, you’ll leave for Essaouira – a city where the medina brushes up against the Atlantic Ocean. Get to know this laidback city during an orientation walk with your leader who will help you navigate a maze of market stalls and narrow streets while sharing insights on local life in one of North Africa's most attractive places. Pass the harbour filled with colourful boats and explore the fish souk. Here, you’ll choose a catch of the day and take it to a local restaurant where you can hand over your market purchase for it to be grilled – a fresh catch for lunch! Your leader will also take you to the vegetable markets where you can choose some fresh veggies to accompany your seafood lunch. Enjoy a delicious meal with the rest of your group.

The name Essaouira means ‘little picture’, which is fitting for this picturesque place. This artists' town was once home to British and Jewish populations, and its charm has seen the likes of Orson Welles and Jimi Hendrix, who (according to local legend) spent much of his time here in the 1960s. Enjoy a free day to wander the city’s charming sandstone streets. Maybe explore the coast and sand dunes on horseback or discover the Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdallah Museum and its collection of artefacts, woodwork, carpets and stringed instruments. Or sit back and watch the kite surfers ride the crashing waves. You can also discover the taste of Morocco in a cooking class, or head outside of the city to the beautiful surroundings on a daytrip.

The morning is free for you to explore further. Maybe pick up some local handicrafts at the markets or enjoy a final coffee in the square to soak up the easy-going rhythm of this Moroccan town. In the afternoon, you’ll drive back to Marrakech. When you've settled into your hotel, you’ll likely be drawn back to explore the Djemaa el-Fna and its surrounding medina. Eating out at one of the many outdoor restaurants lining the square is a great way to finish your adventure.

Your trip comes to an end today after breakfast. If you have arranged a private airport transfer, you’ll be advised of the pick-up time. If you’d like to extend your stay in Marrakech, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.