MOROCCO THE MAGNIFICENT

You will be met on arrival in Casablanca (or Rabat) and transferred to the elegant palm-lined boulevards of Rabat, an historic city now the administrative and political capital of Morocco since independence in 1956 from 44 years of French rule. Two nights are spent in a charming family owned Auberge, in the heart of a citrus grove with beautiful, extensive, tranquil gardens and wonderful objets d’arts.

Enjoy a tour of this ‘royal’ city known nowadays as the "Washington" of North Africa, because of its parks, boulevards, monuments, embassies and government buildings, and as the seat of the Royal Family, with a great many bewitching palaces, mosques and parks-all in the sensual North African style.
Visit the picturesque Kasbah des Oudayas with its winding alleys and sea glimpses, the Royal Palace, the Hassan II Minaret and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V. Lunch will be in a seafood restaurant overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, followed by a walk in the Medina.

On today’s drive, stop at the very charming, artistic town of Asilah before a seafood lunch overlooking the sea. Later arrive into the cosmopolitan bustling city of Tangier bounded by the Rif Mountains, the calm waters of the Mediterranean Sea and the crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean.

Tangier still retains the allure that captured the imagination of so many celebrities from Barbara Hutton, Noel Coward, Paul Bowles to Kerouac and Yves St Laurent.

Today’s excursions include St Andrews Church, the souk and Medina and a very special private visit to the American Legation where you will see the fine collection of paintings, prints, and books with a room especially devoted to Paul Bowles. Lunch today will be at the private home of a local Tangier expat in a charming garden.

Fes is a great jewel of Spanish Arabic civilization.
On arrival, check into your sumptuously restored riad, located within the medina, with its tiled courtyard gardens filled with fragrance, panoramic roof terrace and hammam.

Today is devoted to exploring the fascinating UNESCO world-heritage Medina. You will walk through the gardens of Jnan Sbil by the Medersa and Karaouiyine Mosque, the shrine of Zaouia Maoulay Idriss II and see craftsmen working in the narrow lanes much as they’ve done for centuries. A charming Frenchman will host dinner in the gardens of his private riad including a tutored wine tasting of local wines.

This morning depart for the Imperial City of Meknes. Founded in the 11th century by the Almoravids as a military settlement, Meknes became a capital under Sultan Moulay Ismaïl who turned it into an impressive city in Spanish-Moorish style.
Lunch will be a special stop at Moulay Idriss Zerhoun (Morocco’s holiest town) – Dar Akrab, with its fabulous, soulful home cooking and incredible mountain views overlooking the vast plains of Volubilis.

After lunch visit the UNESCO Archaeological Site of Volubilis- the Mauritanian capital, founded in the 3rd century B.C. that became an important outpost of the Roman Empire and was graced with many fine buildings.

Fly or drive to the Agafay desert.

Today experience the more rural aspects of Morocco during the journey to reach La Pause, a rough, dry, red moon-like desert 40 minutes south-west of Marrakech with a surrounding landscape, all rolling, pastel pink mountains, palms and olive trees.

Take time to relax around this amazing eco-friendly oasis. Ride a camel at sunset. Dinner is served under the stars and you spend the night in a comfortable cabana.

The next two nights are at a peaceful Franco-Moroccan retreat offering spectacular views towards Mount Toubkal, the highest peak of the Atlas Range. The luxurious, dreamy property mixes North African traditional style with modern Marocaine: think earthy tones, large tiled bathrooms, and comfy beds.

Lunch today is a typical Berber feast served in a traditional village home that can be reached via a gentle scenic trek, mules, or jeep.

Spend the day in the Atlas Mountains to enjoy your retreat to swim, relax or take massages and hammams before dinner.

For those with an historical interest we will arrange a morning excursion to the fascinating nearby medieval archaeological site of Aghmat to meet with the passionate and erudite Professor Emeritus Ron Messier.

Drive three hours to reach the gorgeous walled town that hugs the Atlantic where you will stay two nights.

En route stop for lunch at a local Fromagerie, to see cheese making and understand the process of expelling the famous Argan nut oil. Later meander the medina and port area.

Essaouira is a delightful town flanking the Atlantic with its ancient ramparts and busy fishing harbour designed by the Frenchman who designed Brittany’s most famous port town, Saint-Malo. Once you enter the walls, it is infinitely Moroccan.

This morning enjoy a guided walk of the town seeing the souk, the ramparts, and the harbor. The afternoon is free to ‘flaneur’. The fortified medina’s spice-scented lanes and palm-lined avenues have many galleries and boutiques.

Dinner at La Table where style meets substance at Essaouira's best restaurant.

Your hotel the last three nights is the product of a careful renovation by Italian aristocrat Fabrizio Ruspoli who was ahead of his time when he bought the property and oversaw three years of renovations to transform it into a chic riad. Now it’s grown to 26 rooms (most with fireplaces and private terraces) in two buildings that flank a serene swimming pool.

Today’s walking Historical tour visits the Madrasa and the new Marrakech
Museum, with lunch in the Medina before walking through the souks where
you will see everything from exquisitely embroidered shoes and belts to heady sacks of spice, woodwork, brass and copper-work, and kaftans.

This morning depart in your horse-drawn calèche for the famous Les Jardin Majorelle gifted to the city by its inspired creator Yves Saint Laurent.
Within the gardens is the splendid Berber Museum with displays of exceptional jewellery and ethnic costumes. Next door is the stunning new Museum dedicated to Yves St Laurent, designed by the French architectural firm, Studio KO. Within and around the gardens are some of the best contemporary boutiques in the country.

This evening’s dinner includes a tutored wine tasting of local wines that are far better than you might expect.

Today guests have the choice to stay in Marrakech for last minute shopping, spa treatments or simply to relax. Our guides are on hand to help you plan this last day according to your needs and interests.

For those who are interested, we can arrange a half-day cooking class or a game of golf.

A special Farewell Dinner will be held in the courtyard of a stunning riad where the food and service is exceptional.

Today, we provide transfers from Marrakech to Casablanca International Airport in time to meet your international departures.