Imperial cities & blue pearl city from Marrakech XM25-07

Day 1: Marrakech

Arrival at Marrakesh airport. You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel (PS : The hotel’s restaurant closes at 10:30 PM./ No possibility of dinner served in the room)

Day 2: Marrakech Casablanca Rabat Tanger

Breakfast and transfer to Casablanca. ( (The trip can be done by train, Transfers in/out are included). On the program, visit the residential district of Anfa, the United Nations Square, the Habous district before going to the corniche for an (external) visit to the Hassan II Mosque. After lunch (FB Basis), continuation to Rabat. Founded in 1150 by the Almohades for military purposes, it became an imperial city at the end of the 18th century under the reign of the Alaouite sultan Mohammed III. Brief visit of the city to discover the Mohamed V mausoleum, an architectural masterpiece. Right next the Hassan Tower with an architecture very close to the Giralda of Seville. You then visit the Kasbah of the Oudayas, classified as World Heritage by UNESCO. Transfer to Train station to enjoy the experience of Train TGV al bouraq . Arrival to Tangier and transfer to your hotel

Day 3: Tanger Chaouen Fez

After breakfast, enjoy a panoramic sightseeing of the Tanger. Start by visiting Tangier Port and the outskirts of the city, crossing the modern town with its large boulevards and exclusive areas of large villas, celebrity homes and palaces, including the summer residence of the Moroccan royal family. Continue to Cape Spartel at the entrance to the Straits of Gibraltar, and see the lighthouse that marks the convergence of the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. After that, drive to ‘Blue Pearl city’ or Chefchaouen city, famous for its blue-painted walled medina. The blue palette derives from the 15th century, when the town attracted exiles from Spain. Arriving Jewish refugees fleeing the Spanish Inquisition painted their houses blue to reflect their divinity a tradition that continued through the centuries. Enjoy a walking tour through Chefchaouen’s cobbled medina, absorbing the Moorish and Spanish atmosphere & admire the striking blue-and-white houses . Continuation to Fes. Dinner and accommodation at the hotel.

Day 4: Fez

The whole day is devoted to the city-sightseeing of Fez, the spiritual capital of Morocco: the medieval Medina and the Bou Anania Medersa, the Nejjarine fountain, the Foundouq Nejjarine: Museum of woods, Moulay Idriss mausoleum, and the outside of Karaouine mosque. Optional (FB Basis): Moroccan lunch at a traditional restaurant in the Medina. Afternoon: visit of the esplanade of the Royal Palace with its sumptuous golden door and then sightseeing of Fez Jdid. Dinner and accommodation at the hotel.

Day 5: Fez Beni Mellal Marrakesh

Departure to Marrakesh passing by the Berber village of Immouzer Kandar and Ifrane (In case of bad weather, the itinerary can be modified via Khenifra). Optional (FB Basis): Lunch and a moment of relaxation in Beni Mellal,one of the agricultural centres of Morocco. Dinner and accommodation at the hotel.

Day 6: Marrakesh

Visit of historical Marrakesh famous by its beautiful palaces and monuments: The Bahia Palace, the Koutoubia Minaret and Menara Gardens. Optional lunch in an old palace in the medina (FB Basis). Afternoon: explore Secret Garden; Rebuilt in the mid-19th century by an influential Caïd of Atlas. Complete our sightseeing with a stop at the famous Jamaa El Fna Square with its surrounding souks and handicraft quarters. Dinner and accommodation at the hotel

Day 7: Marrakesh

Enjoy a morning at leisure for shopping at the souks. Free Lunch (today’s lunch is not included in the FB basis) Dinner and accommodation at the hotel

Day 8: Marrakesh

Transfer to the Airport, assistance with departure formalities