Arrival in Casablanca - Everyone will be met outside the Arrival Terminal with a Vacation Envy International sign before starting a brief sightseeing tour of Casablanca, Morocco's largest metropolis and its industrial hub. Highlights include the old French quarter of Habous with its beaches lapped by green-blue water. During your tour, you’ll visit the Hassan II Grand Mosque (exterior). The mosque is among the largest in the world with its minaret, the tallest religious structure in the world, and its dimension as it can house as many as 25,000 worshipers!
Rabat tour - driving along the main highway which links these two major cities. Embark on a brief tour which highlights Rabat's cultural influences and the superbly preserved relics of its Moorish past. Rabat's most famous site is the 12th-century Hassan Tower (an excellent example of the gorgeous Moroccan style), the incomplete minaret of the great mosque built at the beginning of 12th century. Alongside is the mausoleum dedicated to Mohamed V, the grandfather of the current king. You’ll also enjoy a visit of the Kasbah of the Udayas, which was built on a cliff overlooking the city and the Atlantic Ocean. Its gate is one of the most beautiful illustrations of the Moorish architecture. Within its walls, you'll discover a wonderful Moroccan garden, with melodious fountains and sweet-smelling orange trees.
Fez City Tour - take a step back in time into the Middle Ages with the visit of one of the most imperial, timeless, and untouched cities in the world, the cultural heart of Morocco, Fez El Bali (Old Fez). Enjoy exploring some of the 9,000 narrow lanes and alleys in the souks (open air markets) that make up the labyrinth of the city's old quarter, originally founded in the 8th century.
The Imperial capital was a renowned medieval learning center, and at its heart still remains the Karaouine, one of the oldest, still functioning universities in the world. Nearby is the Attarine Medersa (Koranic college), a jewel of Hispano-Moorish architecture, built in the 14th century.
Then you’ll visit the Nejjarine Square, with its beautiful fountain, a mosaic of elaborate tilework, and the Fondouq (Caravanserai) that has been converted to a Museum of Carpentry. In the 13th Century the Merinide Dynasty built Fez El Jdid (New Fez) with its Royal Palace, mosques, madrasas (Koranic schools), souks and the city walls. Most notably, Fez El Jedid is home to the Mellah (Jewish quarter), which provides an interesting insight into Jewish architecture. The wrought iron decorated windows and splendid carved wood balconies of the old mansions are particularly outstanding.
Ancient Roman city of Volubilis - Impressive stone arches and columns, some tumbled down and others still standing tall against the vivid blue sky. Only about half of the 98 acre UNESCO World Heritage site has been excavated. The better known monuments are in the northern part of the site, farthest from the entrance in the south which are: the Capitol, dedicated to the Triad of Jupiter, Juno and Minerva, dated 218AD, the Basilica, and the 1,300 m2 Forum. Pay attention to the floors of what were once family dwellings that are still covered with decorative tile mosaics depicting mythological beings, such as Orpheus charming animals with his lyre and Hercules performing his legendary 12 labors. That so many of these tiles are still in place and exhibiting their colors after centuries of exposure to the elements, is astonishing!
Alpine Region of Ifrane Tour - experience the natural and wilder landscapes outside Fez: Drive to the high alpine region of Ifrane, filled with cedar and oak forests, and home to the world’s largest population of Barbary macaques, hundreds of animals, birds and the oldest tree in Morocco’s Middle Atlas, the 130-feet Gouraud’s Cedar. The largest cedar forest in the world is found in this park, and several lakes or Dayats abound in the nearby area. The Lion of Ifrane sits majestically in the city center and is certainly one of the most photographed sites of the region. Ifrane feels more like Switzerland with its clean air, scrubbed streets, and leafy outlook. The French built this city in 1930, deliberately trying to recreate an alpine style resort. It is a popular day trip for picnickers during summer, and the site attracts the skiers in the winter.
City tour of Marrakesh, the “Red City” - a majestic place filled with palaces, gardens, markets, and mosques. Upon arrival, you will first stand by the Koutoubia Mosque with its 282 ft minaret, an architectural landmark dating back to the late 12th century.
You will continue to the 19th century stunning Bahia palace and discover the intricate work done by the local artisans to decorate this splendid home built by a powerful Vizir for his Harem. The building includes one hundred and fifty rooms, countless courtyards and interior gardens, a veritable labyrinth of corridors, a Koranic school, hammams, a harem, stables. From there we will start exploring artisan quarters and the colorful Souks to interact with the real life of Marrakech people.
Continue to Dar El Bacha Museum, built in 1910 and was the residence of Thami El Glaoui, named Pasha of Marrakech by Sultan Moulay Youssef in 1912. It is one of the medina's finest examples of Riad architecture, dripping with Moroccan Zellige (colorful geometric tilework), intricate white plasterwork and heavy carved cedarwood lintels.
Before sunset we will be strolling in the square of which the city is so famed, Jemaa El Fna, where hundreds of locals and tourists come to spend the end of the day watching jugglers, dancers, fortune tellers, story tellers and traditional musicians.
OPTIONAL TOURS:
Hot Air Balloon - Float above Morocco’s countryside and enjoy aerial views of the Atlas Mountains on a sunrise hot air balloon flight. Your activity starts with a 4x4 pick up from your hotel 1 hour before sunrise. After an appoximate 40 minute drive from Marrakech, you’ll arrive at the airfield where Moroccan tea will be served. You will see the preparation of the balloons flying that morning for about 20 minutes. All balloons are green and red, the colors of Morocco flag. You’ll board and take off after receiving a short security briefing. First part of the flight is in high altitude to admire the region in its entirety: Jebilet Mountains, Marrakech, and the Atlas Mountains. Second part of the flight is at low altitude over typical villages where you’ll see valleys, farms, kids going to school, etc. After a 1-hour flight, you’ll be driven through the Moroccan bush in a kaidal tent where a typical Berber breakfast will be served. Expect to return to your hotel between 10-10:30AM.