Hammams, Riads & Beyond

Welcome to Morocco! Your adventure begins as soon as you step foot in Mohammed V International Airport, Casablanca. This bustling airport is the international gateway to this beautiful country, and it sets the stage for an incredible journey ahead. As you make your way through passport control and customs, excitement builds, knowing that you are about to embark on a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Upon clearing customs, you’ll be greeted by your driver, who will be by your side throughout your entire visit. Having a dedicated driver ensures that you can sit back, relax, and fully immerse yourself in the wonders of Morocco without any worries.

After a two-hour drive south, you’ll get your first introduction to Morocco in the city of El Jadida. Initially constructed by the Portuguese on the trade route to India, the old city of El Jadida still retains its historic charm and authenticity. As you stroll along the ramparts overlooking the majestic Atlantic Ocean, you can’t help but feel a sense of awe and wonder. The narrow streets of the old city beckon you to wander and discover its hidden treasures like the Portugese Cistern while the warm breeze carries the scent of spices and adventure.

Four hours further south, your journey takes you to Essaouira. Upon reaching Essaouira, you are greeted with the warm hospitality of Riad Mimouna, nestled deep in the heart of the old city. The riad exudes an air of tranquility, transporting you to a bygone era. As you settle into your room, you can hear the melodic sounds of the denizens promenading along the narrow streets and alleys outside. The atmosphere is alive with the essence of Morocco, and you can’t help but feel enchanted by it all.

Hungry from your journey, you venture out to explore the culinary delights that Essaouira has to offer. The aroma of spices and sizzling dishes fills the air as you wander through the streets, passing by enticing food vendors. Each corner reveals a new temptation, and you can’t resist stepping into a restaurant or trying the mouthwatering treats served by the street vendors. The flavors burst in your mouth, a true feast for the senses.

Essaouira is a place where time slows down, where the past and present seamlessly merge, and where every moment is filled with wonder. As you retire for the night, lulled by the gentle breeze carrying echoes of the town’s melodies, you can’t help but feel grateful for the opportunity to experience Essaouira in all its glory.

Spending the morning in Essaouira is an experience that will leave you exhilarated and enchanted. As you step into this vibrant coastal town, you are immediately greeted by the refreshing sea breeze and the sound of seagulls soaring above. The narrow streets and towering walled bastions create a picturesque scene straight out of a postcard. With every step you take, you can’t help but feel the energy and liveliness that fills the air.

One of the first things that catches your eye in Essaouira is its stunning beach. Miles of golden sand stretch before you, inviting you to walk along its shores or dip your toes in its waters. The beach is also a haven for water sports enthusiasts, with opportunities for windsurfing, kitesurfing, and even camel rides along the shoreline.

Inside the city walls is the medina, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The medina of Essaouira is a maze of narrow alleyways and bustling markets where you can immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and smells of the city. The souks are filled with locally produced argan oil and amazing thuya wood. You can haggle with friendly shopkeepers for unique souvenirs or simply wander around and soak up the atmosphere.

No visit to Essaouira is complete without indulging in its culinary delights. The town is renowned for its fresh seafood. Head towards the historic fishing harbor, and you can find numerous restaurants serving up mouthwatering dishes such as grilled sardines or traditional tagines. Pair your meal with a refreshing mint tea or freshly squeezed orange juice for the perfect morning treat.

As you bid farewell to Essaouira at the end of the morning, you can’t help but feel grateful for the magical experience you have had. From the stunning beach to the bustling medina, this coastal gem has captured your heart and left an indelible mark on your memories. Essaouira truly is a must-visit destination in Morocco that will leave you craving for more adventures in this enchanting country.

Arriving in the late afternoon, you’ll check into the Riad Azoulay nestled deep in the heart of the Medina (old city) and then have the rest of the evening to get acquainted with Marrakech. As the sun sets, Marrakech comes alive at the Jemaa el-Fnaa Square. Rows upon rows of vendors fill the square with an otherwordly haze of their cookfires, offering every flavor of Morocco set to the sounds of musicians and the shrill drone of the snake charmers’ flutes. As you walk the rows, you’ll encounter wave upon wave of aggressively helpful cooks and servers touting their meals.

After dinner, the square is the center for musicians, acrobats, storytellers, and strongmen delighting the crowd for tips. When you can no longer withstand the energy of the Jemaa, head back to your riad for the night.

Today Marrakech awaits! Enjoy a relaxed breakfast at the riad before your guide meets you for a private 4-hour guided walking tour of Marrakech (with admissions included).

The world comes to Marrakech, filling the narrow streets with a symphony of sounds and voices punctuated with the ever-present scooters weaving their way at breakneck speed through the crowds.

You’ll walk the Medina led by your guide and not miss a site. From the Saadian Tombs to the Madrasa and everything in between. You’ll see magnificently restored palaces and massive ruins of long past empires.

In Marrakech, food is everywhere! Instead of stopping for a sit-down lunch, enjoy a Taste of Marrakech (included). During the city tour, your guide will ensure you can stop and sample the local delicacies of Marrakech, making the city a roving buffet.

Included in the tour is a full-access pass to the Jardin Majorelle, Pierre Bergé Museum of Berber Arts, and Musée YVES SAINT LAURENT for a rest from the hustle and bustle of the city.

After the tour, the rest of the day is yours to explore Marrakech. Take a carriage ride to the Menara Gardens with its olive groves and a massive artificial lake. Then back to the riad for the evening, a bastion of tranquility after a day exploring Marrakech.

Rise and shine in Marrakech! Before the first golden rays of the sun peek over the horizon, you’re whisked away to the launch site for an unforgettable hot-air balloon adventure. Soaring serenely above the rugged Atlas Mountains and lush palm groves, you take in the stunning bird’ s-eye panorama of the ochre-hued villages below. It’s a magical start to the day.

After breakfast on the ground, you’ll return to Marrakech. You’ll have a brief rest before a visit to a traditional Moroccan hammam. Stepping into the steamy, fragrant sanctuary, you enjoy the ultimate Moroccan experience. Skilled attendants scrub away the stresses of daily life, leaving your skin silky-smooth. Fully relaxed, you emerge renewed and rejuvenated.

With the rest of the day free, you’re eager to explore Marrakech’s vibrant cultural heart. You wander the labyrinthine lanes of the medina, losing yourself in a dizzying array of sights, sounds, and enticing aromas. As the sun dips below the horizon, you reflect on a day that has immersed you in the rich traditions and timeless enchantment of this mesmerizing Moroccan city.

Marrakech springs to life in the morning as vendors open their shops and people go about their daily lives. You’ll enjoy breakfast at the riad before checking out and meeting your driver for the adventure south.

Like a formidable wall, the High Atlas Mountains grow closer, and you begin your ascent over the highest pass in Africa. For 4 hours, you’ll wind your way up and over the High Atlas Mountains with their sharp turns, steep drops, and dramatic vistas as you venture through the Tizi-n-Tichka Pass.

Descending the mountains, you’ll arrive at Kasbah Aït Benhaddou. A fortified village from the 11^th century, this massive site and current UNESCO world heritage site held the key to Marrakech, situated along the ancient trans-Saharan trade routes. Venture over the bridge and into this centuries-old time capsule. Uneven stone streets twist and turn, challenging your climb towards the summit of the Kasbah, passing small shops and vendors as you go. Your efforts are rewarded when you reach the top with its views of the Atlas and the valley below.

A short drive away from Aït Benhaddou, on the edge of Ouarzazate, is Atlas Studios. Morocco itself is made for the movies: exotic, adventurous, and dramatic. Nowhere is this more obvious than at Atlas Studios, where you’ll spend an hour guided through its backlots and soundstages. Step after step, the sets change from Rome to Jerusalem, China to Egypt.

After your tour, you’ll embark on a 2-hour drive east to Todra Gorge. Gone are the farms and fields of the plains of Marrakech as the road travels down into the dusty Valley of Roses (center for rosewater production) with its small villages and earth-hewn kasbahs before veering off to the Todra Gorge, where you’ll have dinner and spend the evening.

Have breakfast at the Auberge before checking out and meeting your driver for a day of outdoor adventure. Your driver will drop you off at the mouth of the gorge and drive ahead to wait on the other side.

It’s a quick and easy walk along the narrow paved road next to a small babbling stream, a remnant of the mighty forces that carved the gorge. It’s an easy stroll, along the valley floor as 500-foot cliffs tower over you on either side. When you emerge from the canyon, your walk continues downstream through the palm groves where your driver will be waiting.

It’s just a few minutes down the road to Tinghir for your next adventure, a hiking trek up to the rim of the valley. By foot (or optional donkey for an additional fee), the hour-and-a-half trek offers a spectacular view of the valley below.

After an active morning, you’ll meet your driver and head southeast for an hour, stopping next at the 15th-century Ksar el Khorbat. An occupied and living Kasbah with a museum of Kasbah life, it’s a rare look into a vanishing way of life. Spend time in the museum, and if you’re hungry (hiking does build an appetite), we’d recommend the restaurant in the Kasbah, which has an excellent camel meat tagine, a southern Morocco specialty.

After visiting the Kasbah, it’s a 2-hour drive to the Sahara. You’ll check into the Auberge du Sud and have a moment to relax before joining a camel caravan into the dunes to watch the sunset.

The camel is a truly gentle giant, swaying softly as you ride into the towering sand dunes led by a guide. This lifeless brutal environment hides a remarkable beauty. Every minute the sands shift, and the colors change as the sun slowly starts to set. Dismount the camels to venture on foot to the top of the dunes, and enjoy a front-row seat at one of nature’s most incredible sites. Then, as twilight settles over the desert, you’ll ride your camel back to the Auberge for dinner and to spend the evening.

After breakfast and checking out of the Auberge, your driver will take you north, 7 hours to Fez. The desolate rolling dunes of the Sahara slowly drop away as you enter the foothills of the mountains. Traveling higher, the green of the Middle Atlas Mountains starts to surround you. Forests of cedars accented by gentle streams are a magical site after the desert. Villages that look like they were plucked from the Swiss Alps appear, and (if you’re lucky) a troop of Barbary Apes await as you pass through Midelt before ascending 2 hours later into Fez.

They say that Marrakech is the beating heart of Morocco, always alive and moving, but Fez is the soul of Morocco. Above the valley, looking down into the Medina, this old city of 200,000 looks dead and lifeless, only springing to life when you enter like spirits rising from the ether. Hundreds of thousands of people pulsing through the narrow streets with no vehicles in sight.

After a long day of traveling, you’ll check into the Riad el Yacout upon arriving in Fez. The moment you walk in the door, the luxury embraces you like an old friend. You’ll have dinner and the rest of the evening on your own.

Before sunrise, the call of over a hundred muezzin in Fez fills the morning stillness. Your day starts with breakfast in the courtyard of the Riad El Yacout before being met by your guide. Then, for the next 5 hours, you’ll be taken on a walking tour of the Fez Medina.

One of the largest labyrinth cities in the world, the Fez Medina is a riddle waiting to be solved. Its narrow streets and alleys twisting and turning through thousands of years of history.

Fez is THE place for shopping for traditional crafts. Around every corner, another market appears. The cacophony of the metalworkers echoes off the narrow streets as they hand hammer and carve brass and bronze. The rhythmic ticking of the weavers working their looms adds to the sound, and the sweet smell of cedar from the woodworkers fills the air. And, of course, the overpowering aroma of the tannery as they produce the finest Moroccan leather.

The Medina of Fez is an epicurean delight. Instead of stopping for a sit-down lunch, enjoy a Taste of Fez (included). During the city tour, your guide will ensure you can stop and sample the local street food of Fez, making the city a roving buffet.

Almost as a respite from the overload of the senses, your guide will take you to Fez’s historical and cultural sites. These bastions of history and faith are islands of reflection in the turbulent sea of daily life in the Fez medina.

After the tour, take some time to relax at the Riad, have dinner, and get ready for your Ghost Tour of Fez. In 1.5 hours, you’ll see this ancient city like never before.

After the Ghost Tour, you’ll return to the Riad for the night.

After breakfast, you’ll join your driver for a 1.5-hour drive west, arriving at the Roman ruins of Volubilis.

Originally founded in the 3^rd century BC, Volubilis became a vital outpost of the Roman Empire. As the centuries passed and the world changed, Volubilis became the ruins you see today. When you walk the streets and enter the ruins of shops and homes, you can still almost hear their voices in the wind. Explore on your own, or upgrade to a guided tour.

When you have fully explored Volubilis, it’s a short drive to the Imperial City of Meknes. Your self-guided tours include the massive Heri es Souani granary and stables, the Prison de Kara, where Barbary Pirates would keep their Christian prisoners, and the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail.

After the tours, you’ll be brought back to Fez, and the rest of the day is yours.

After breakfast at the Riad, you’ll check out and meet your driver for the next leg of your adventure. It’s 4 hours to your next destination, the blue city of Chefchouan.

Nestled in the Rif Mountains, deep in the heart of Berber country, Chefchouan is unique in all of Morocco. The city is less of an activity-filled destination and more just a state of mind. Check into your Riad and then walk the narrow winding streets of the Medina with its radiant blue buildings. The vibrant blue soothes and relaxes everywhere you look, and each lane is more photogenic than the last. Stroll to the waterfall and gentle stream flowing along the city’s edge, or hike to the Spanish Mosque for a magnificent sunset.

While in Chefchouan, you’ll move beyond just experiencing Morocco to learning how to create Moroccan meals at home with a 5-hour intensive Moroccan cooking class. This course will teach you to make four emblematic Moroccan dishes – salad, soup, main, and dessert – chosen together with the chef on the day of the workshop. You’ll start with a visit to the local market, where you’ll learn to select and purchase the best seasonal produce before returning to the kitchen for a hands-on cooking lesson.

After the cooking class, enjoy wandering the city and the nightlife of the main square before returning to your Riad for the night.

Have breakfast and check out of the Riad for your next day of adventure.

Your driver will take you southwest for two hours to Rabat, the bustling, modern capital of Morocco. There, you’ll see the ruins of the Hassan Tower and the magnificent Royal Tombs. Guarded by smartly dressed honor guards, the ornate tombs are the resting place of the current ruling dynasty.

A short drive away, nestled high on the bluff overlooking the Sale River, is the pirate fortress Kasbah of the Udayas. Once the fortress of the Barbary Coast pirates, it’s now primarily an artist settlement. As you stroll, keep an eye out for the garden entrance in the center of the Kasbah.

From Rabat, it’s a 1-hour drive to Casablanca, where you’ll check into your hotel for the night.

Enjoy your last breakfast in Morocco and an easy start to the day.  Check out of the hotel and meet your driver for a sightseeing drive in Casablanca.  The colonial Frech colonial and Art Deco district are just the start before moving on to the magnificent Hassan II Mosque for a tour (closed on Fridays).  After the tour, the driver will take you to the Casablanca airport for your flight out.