Best Of Morocco

Arrive in Casablanca on the Atlantic coast where French colonial building blend with traditional Moroccan architecture. Casablanca has a atmosphere of prosperity and is where young Moroccans come to begin their careers. There are no activities planned today, so you are free to arrive in Casablanca at any time. If you would like to receive an airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport (CMN), which is around 45 minutes from the hotel depending on traffic. For those arriving on time our Leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 7pm for the welcome meeting and for those that wish, there is the chance to go out for dinner. Should you miss the meeting, your Leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up. If your flight arrives earlier in the day, perhaps you might choose to visit Marche Central to get a feel for local life and to taste fresh seafood at one of the streetfood stalls or stroll to Place Mohamed V, Casablanca's central plaza.

This morning we visit the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca before we travel along the coast heading north, towards the country's capital city, Rabat. The Hassan II Mosque is the largest on the African continent and this spectacular structure can hold up to 105,000 worshippers. Built in honour of the King's 60th birthday, the mosque is a feat of engineering as well as a controversial use of public money. We'll have a tour of the mosque's interior which is intentionally perched above the water of the Atlantic to honour the Quran which states "the throne of Allah was over the water". Later this morning we'll continue to Rabat, the city that was established as the capital of their protectorate by the French in 1912 and since independence has served as the capital of a modern Morocco. Rabat's history stretches back as far as 8BC, when settlers arrived in what is now the Chellah area, a district that went on to become a prosperous Roman town, before being transformed by the Merinids into a cemetery. On arrival we will have an opportunity to explore something of the city's historic heart, with a guided walking tour of the area around the Hassan Tower and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, before wandering through the engaging Kasbah des Oudaias, originally a fortified town that is now infused with a distinctly Andalusian flavour. After taking in the grandeur of the Royal Palace we will continue our journey to Meknes, once the heart of the Moroccan Sultanate, lying amidst the landscapes of the Oued Boufekrane River valley. The Sultan loved Meknes, and he would have liked never to leave it according to the chronicler to the tyrannical Sultan Moulay Ismail. Ismail (1672- 1727) was a tireless builder, and his greatest efforts were reserved for his capital at Meknes, which at its peak, with over 20 grand gateways and 50 palaces, must have been a sight to inspire any who looked upon it.

This morning we'll have a guided tour of the major highlights of Meknes, including the old granaries of the Heri es-Souni and the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail himself. In spite of Ismail's seemingly unquenchable blood lust and far from benevolent treatment of his subjects, the sultan still seems to be held in high regard and his tomb is something of a place of reverence even today amongst a people who still see his rule as Morocco's Golden Age. We'll also take in the Bab el Khamis Gate and walk through the city's spectacular centrepiece, the Bab Mansour, en route to the Place el Hedim and the city's Medina. Please note that there are extensive renovations taking place in Meknes during 2023 and 2024 and some sites could be closed during building work, your tour leader will update you on what is open and adapt the itinerary to make the most of our time here. From Meknes we travel for 45 mins to the nearby ancient site of Volubilis - the capital of the Roman province of Mauritania Tingitana. A local guide will accompany us to provide insight into the remarkably well-preserved mosaics and explain the layout of this ancient provincial settlement. Our final destination the country's cultural capital, Fes which is a further 2 hours, via Nzala des Beni Ammar. Probably the oldest of the imperial cities, Fes has a fascinating history is rich with wars, murders and political intrigue. The city has played an important part in Moroccan trade, culture, religion and politics throughout the centuries. The old and new towns are adjacent but very separate entities. We'll arrive in at our hotel in the early evening, in time to explore the many great food places that Fes has to offer.