North Morocco Adventure

Salaam Aleikum! Welcome to Morocco. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm today. As there's no free time included in Casablanca on this trip, it's highly recommended you book an extra night or two before the trips starts so you can explore. Modelled after Marseille in France, the city is famous for its art deco buildings and the modern-day masterpiece, the Hassan II Mosque. A pleasant way to spend the day exploring Casablanca is to wander the old medina and the city walls, then jump in a taxi to visit the Quartiers des Habous, the new medina. Finish the day with a walk along the Corniche, watching the locals play football on the beach.

Today take an early morning train to the historical town of Rabat. Store your luggage and spend a few hours strolling through the city's Old Quarter on a self guided walk, then head to Kasbah des Oudaias and enjoy views over the Atlantic Ocean. You will be provided with a map and clear instructions but your trip leader will not be leading you through the city. Continue to Meknes by train, then take a taxi through scenic countryside to the sacred pilgrimage village of Moulay Idriss. Explore the delightful medina of this ancient town that offers an excellent insight into traditional Moroccan life. See where the faithful gather to pay homage at the tomb of Moulay Idriss I, who was the great-grandson of Mohammed and brought Islam to Morocco. At sunset, enjoy great views over the plains of Volubilis below.

Today, take a guided tour of the World Heritage-listed site of Volubilis, one of the Roman empire's most remote bases. The remains make an undeniably impressive sight as they come into view on the edge of a long, high plateau. Enjoy a tour of the ancient hilltop ruins with a local guide. After, return to Meknes and take a few hours to explore at your own pace. The adventurous may want to try a camel burger for lunch at a local restaurant in the medina – don’t knock it ‘til you try it! In the afternoon, take a train to Fes, where you'll spend the next two nights. Fes is the most complete medieval city in the Arab world, and the most ancient of Morocco's imperial cities.

Take a guided group walking tour of the Old City, known locally as Fes el Bali. Step back into the Middle Ages in the labyrinth of the Medina, which is alive with craftsmen, markets, tanneries, and mosques. Pass donkeys piled high with goods (this is one of the largest car-free urban zones in the world) and explore the specialty sections that divide the souk. Look out for the Medersa Bou Inania, one of the city's most beautiful buildings, which has recently been restored and is now open to tourists. Visit Medresse el Attarine and the splendid Funduk Nejjarine, a beautifully restored 18th-century inn. You'll also see the famous tannery, known for the iconic view overlooking its dye pits, and a ceramics factory where you can see potters working in the traditional way. After, the afternoon is free. In the evening, enjoy a delicious group dinner of Moroccan specialties like harira (chickpea soup) and chicken-stuffed pies with couscous.

Take a local bus to Chefchaouen today. Set against a wide valley and nestled between two peaks in the stunning Rif Mountains, much of Chefchaouen was recreated by Andalusian refugees escaping the Reconquista, so you might feel like you're in the hills of Spain. Your afternoon and evening are free. Perhaps take a stroll through the ancient medina and shop for handicrafts, go hiking in the Rif mountains, or simply sit at a cafe and enjoy the pleasure of time passing by. If you're feeling peckish, the local goat’s cheese is a popular treat enjoyed by many visitors.

Today is a free day for you to explore Chefchaouen as you wish. Perhaps take a guided tour of the sights, sounds, and smells of the medina, or sample the delicious local specialties at a cafe in the Plaza Uta el-Hammam. Alternatively, you might prefer to get out of town and enjoy a hike and picnic in the surrounding hills. In the evening, how about tucking into a tagine at a local restaurant or visit a hammam a traditional Moroccan spa? The night is yours.

Take a private transfer to the coastal town of Tangier – a place of strategic importance to the Mediterranean as a gateway to Africa. The bus journey is very winding in places so it's not for the faint-hearted, although the backdrop of the stunning Rif Mountains makes this a truly scenic journey. Your afternoon here is free. Perhaps visit the American Legation Museum, the former palace of Dar el-Makhzen or the Caves of Hercules. You could also enjoy a fresh seafood dinner by the port, watching the sunset over the Atlantic. Later tonight, board an overnight sleeper train bound for Marrakech.

Arrive early into Marrakech and then the day is free for you to explore. Perhaps visit the well-known Koutoubia Mosque and its 12th-century minaret, which was the famous prototype for the Giralda tower in Seville. Or, you could take a wander through the tropical gardens of the French painter Jacques Majorelle (now owned by Yves Saint Laurent). In the evening, join the thronging crowds for an optional dinner in the Djemaa el Fna, the city's main square. When night falls it transforms into a hive of activity. Henna-painters, performers, and storytellers share the square with a street food bazaar, packed with stalls loaded with Moroccan delicacies.

There are no activities planned for today and your tour ends after breakfast. Additional accommodation can be pre-booked if you wish to spend more time exploring in Marrakech (subject to availability).