Northern Moroccan Adventure

Our trip starts in Rabat, Morocco’s capital. You should fly into Casablanca International Airport. After customs and baggage claim, our driver and guide will welcome you to Morocco and drive you to Rabat (approx. 1 hour driving time).

You’ll check into the Riad Kalaa time to relax and settle in. We’ll meet in the evening for a welcome dinner at our charming riad!

This morning, we will explore Rabat’s highlights, starting at the Chellah Necropolis. From Chellah, we’ll head to the Yacoub al-Mansour Esplanade, home to two must-see monuments. The King’s Mausoleum was built in 1971 and houses the remains of the late King Hassan II, Prince Abdallah, and their father, King Mohamed. Construction on the Hassan Tower, an incomplete red sandstone minaret, started in 1195 AD.

We’ll wrap up our Rabat visit at the Kasbah des Oudayas, an Almohad fortress built in 1150 AD. From the Kasbah des Oudayas, we’ll head to lunch at Dar Naji, a Moroccan restaurant not to be missed. Look out for the tea-pouring performance at the end of the meal!

This afternoon, we’ll embark on the 4.5-hour drive to Tangier. After checking at the Riad Mokhtar, we’ll dine on the property.

After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll head to the American Legation Museum. Fun fact: Morocco was the *first* country to recognize the USA’s independence in the 1700s! We’ll tour the museum, have lunch, and walk through Tangier’s blue-and-white medina before heading to Cap Spartel in the late afternoon. 

The drive along the coast is not to be missed. The cape is spectacular at sunset. We’ll get to see both the cape and the Cave of Hercules, with an Africa-shaped opening that leads out to the sea.

After a day of excursions, the rest of the evening and dinner are at your leisure.

Overnight at El Minzah

This morning, we’ll head off to the famous blue city of Chefchaouen (approx. 3 hours driving time). The plan is to take a guided tour of the town. Known for its signature powder-blue walls and calming charms, Chefchaouen was founded in 1471 AD and has recently become famous for its cerulean streets.

Our guide will take us to favorite haunts and Chefchaouen signature locations, starting with the Kasbah in the town center. Enjoy breathtaking panoramic views from the top of the tower. After lunch in the medina, a professional photographer will join us to take shots of us in the blue streets!

After some memorable photos, you’ll have free time to wander up to the town’s waterfall or through the hidden charms of the medina. We’ll meet later for a delicious dinner. Note: Chefchaouen is a dry city – no alcohol.

Overnight stay at Lina Ryad & Spa.

After breakfast, we’ll bid farewell to the “Blue Pearl” and head to Fes, Morocco’s ancient cultural capital. Founded in 781 AD, Fes is now the world’s largest car-free urban zone and a UNESCO World Heritage site!

The drive is about 5-hours, so we’ll break it up with a stop en route at Volubilis, Roman ruins outside the city. We'll have lunch and a wine tasting at a local vineyard.

We’ll check into our riad and enjoy a group dinner. We’ll need a good night’s rest before our action-packed visit to Fes in the morning!

Overnight stay at Riad Myra.

After breakfast, we’ll begin our exploration of the ancient city of Fes. A trip to Fes is like a step back in time, so take in all of its unique sights, smells, and sounds.

Our day will include stops at the medina, the Medersa (old school), and the legendary tanneries, where ancient techniques are still used to prepare the Moroccan leather used to produce a variety of clothing, shoes, and bags. We’ll also stop by the world’s oldest learning institution still operating, the University of Al Quaraouiyine, founded in 859 AD.

We’ll break for lunch in the medina and continue the tour of the souks and artisan quarters afterward.

You’ll have this evening to yourself. Take the opportunity to try a meal at a local restaurant. Your guide will have great recommendations!

Overnight stay at Riad Myra.

We’ll have a leisurely breakfast and a relaxed morning to enjoy more of the city.

For those more inclined to a little pampering, we planned an optional hammam and spa experience to get you scrubbed and relaxed. The traditional hammam ritual involves several steps to cleanse, detoxify, and relax. Experience one of the most ancient traditions, a black soap cleanse, followed by a cascading cold-water rinse. This prepares your skin for an invigorating scrub, leaving your skin soft and free of accumulated toxins and impurities. After another rinse, a mask of Moroccan volcanic clay is applied to the body, face, and hair.  The last step of this centuries-old purification practice is a relaxing massage using pure oils, Morocco’s precious youth elixir!

After a tasty lunch, we’ll get creative with a DIY craft workshop led by a local artisan. Learn ancient craft techniques firsthand from the country’s most skilled artists!

We’ll conclude our stay with a farewell dinner before returning to our riad for the night.

Overnight stay at Riad Myra.

After breakfast, those ending their trip here in Fes will bid farewell to new friends and all the sights and sounds of the past week’s adventures. 

We’ll transfer you back to the Casablanca Airport for your departure flight. It’s a 4-hour drive, so please make your return flight for the late afternoon or evening to ensure plenty of time to get to the airport and for customs and security. 

For those continuing on the Marrakech trip extension ... onward!

If you've extended your trip, you’ll head to the Fes Airport to catch the domestic flight to Marrakech. We’ll check in at our fabulous hotel – La Maison Arabe. 

We'll then enjoy a self-guided visit to the Majorelle Gardens and YSL Museum. The gardens are filled with exotic plants and trees from across the world. Next door, you'll find the YSL Museum, home to the original work of the internationally renowned designer. Once we’ve made our way through the gardens, we’ll check out the museum and learn more about Yves Saint-Laurent.

In the evening, we’ll head to the famed Djemaa el Fna Square, which comes alive at night. Storytellers hold audiences captive; juice vendors call out the flavors, and live musicians perform in the middle of the square. After our visit, we’ll return to La Maison Arabe for a delicious dinner.

After breakfast, we'll head out to explore Marrakech’s old city. Our guide will take us on a walking tour of the most notable monuments, followed by a lunch break in the medina. We’ll wander around the souks, browsing through every imaginable good, from spices and shoes to carpets. The guide can help you negotiate the best prices for goods that catch your eye!

After exploring the medina, we’re off to a tagine cooking class! This class is hands-on and taught by an expert chef, who will walk us through how to make a traditional tagine. After prepping our tagines and side salads, we’ll enjoy our homemade creations for dinner!

Overnight Stay at La Maison Arabe 

Bid farewell to your new friends, driver, and guide. If flying home from Marrakech, the airport is a short drive. If you're returning from Casablanca airport, it's a ~4.5-5 hour drive, so please make your departing flight in the late afternoon or evening to ensure plenty of time to get to the airport and for customs clearance and security.