MOROCCO

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 the city's newest luxury riad with a rooftop pool 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.

Your accomodation for the next three nights is a plush new palace hotel on the fringe of the city.
Dinner tonight at Villa Mabrouka, Jasper Conran’s impressive makeover of the former home of Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé set in a lavish, enchanted garden.

This morning is the opportunity to participate in a wonderful cooking class, learning the techniques and spices for some unique Moroccan dishes that culminates in an authentic fish based lunch.
This afternoon an historic walking tour of with your guide includes 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, books and a room especially devoted to Paul Bowles.

A light dinner with wine tonight in one of the iconic dining institutions.

A more leisurely morning to enjoy Tangier: take a walk along the Malecón, time to flâneur or shop.

Or, explore: Beit Yahoudi Synagogue Assayag Jewish Museum – a lovingly restored synagogue dedicated to the memory of the thousands of Tangier Jews that once called this city home.
Dar Niaba Museum – the former French diplomatic headquarters of Tangier, that is now home to much of Tangier’s interesting diplomatic history, showcasing many paintings depicting Tangier over the years, housed in the building where the famous French painter, Eugene Delacroix, the first artist to truly “discover” Tangier, spent time during his stay in Tangier.
The Museum of Moroccan Art (Dar el Makhzen) located in the Medina, formerly a palace that was built in the 17th century for the use of the Governor, located specifically in the prince’s apartments at the palace. These rooms are exquisite and decorated with sculpted plasterwork and mosaics completed in coloured marble and glass tile pieces.
Lunch at “an institution” -a wood-smoke darkened interior and seafood set lunches. Fes is a great jewel of Spanish Arabic civilization.

This morning drive Tétouan, a jewel of a town at the foot of the Rif mountains that is famed for its fine craftsmanship and musical delicacy and has been part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in the area of Crafts and Folk Art since 2017.
After some guided exploration, continue south to the very photogenic “blue city” of Chefchaouen for a medina stroll and lunch.

Fes is a great jewel of Spanish Arabic civilization.
On arrival check into your sumptuously restored 14thC palace, now an all-suite hotel on the edge of the medina, your home the next 3 nights.

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. It has been undergoing extensive renovation and preservation in recent years.
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.

Today experience the more rural aspects of Morocco during the journey to reach Roches Noirs, 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 and magnificent sunrises and sunsets.

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 en suite cabana.

Today reach the gorgeous walled town of Essaouira that hugs the Atlantic where you will stay two nights.
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, an easy going town, with lovely sea breezes where you are free to roam, explore the very friendly easily navigated medina, enjoy walks along the broad beach and generally soak up its atmosphere.
En route, stop for lunch at Val d’Argan vineyard for a sumptuous, authentic lunch served al fresco in the first and only Moroccan vineyard exclusively dedicated to thirteen grape varieties from the Rhône Valley.
You’ll also visit a biodynamic argan oil farm operated by a Swiss Moroccan company
that produces the region’s most prized oil for culinary and cosmetic purposes.

After checking into your hotel, enjoy a guided walk through the historic medina and town seeing the souk, the ramparts, and the harbor. Unlike Fes and Marrakech, the vibe here is much more relaxed and friendly with no hard selling.
Dinner at La Table where style meets substance at Essaouira's best restaurant.

This morning a guided visit to the fish market followed by lunch at the port.
The afternoon is free to ‘flaneur’. The fortified medina’s spice-scented lanes and palm-lined avenues have many galleries and boutiques.
Maybe a walk on the beach: lose yourself in the colourful medina with its charming boutiques; visit Bayt Dakira museum that offers a window into Essaouira’s former Jewish community, which was at its peak in the 19th and early 20th centuries; visit the beautifully restored 19thC Simon Attias synagogue with a fascinating exhibition covering all aspects of Jewish culture in Essaouira, from clothes to religious artefacts; treat yourself to a traditional hamman.

Enjoy the scenic drive to Marrakech. En route, stop at an organic permaculture farm that produces fruit, vegetables, dairy products, oils and herbs and serves a farm to table lunch.

Check into your Hotel, an intimate all suite riad in the heart of the medina of Marrakech, close to the Bahia Palace where you stay four nights.

This afternoon, take a guided historical tour of the ochre pink city, and wander the souks
to explore everything from exquisitely embroidered shoes and belts to heady sacks of
spice, woodwork, brass and copper-work, kaftans ranging from simple cotton to elaborately embroidered at the Djemma El Fna Square, (one of the busiest markets in Africa largely unchanged in1000 years) in time for sunset.

Today’s activities will be designed according to guests’ interests. This morning we
will have our guide for further historical exploration or shopping in the Gueliz district. This might include:
The MACAAL - The Museum of African Contemporary Art Al Maaden (MACAAL), dedicated to the promotion of African contemporary art.
Photography Museum - a gem of a small museum tucked into a traditional riad in the medina shows the extraordinary diversity of Morocco, as seen by those, anonymous or famous, who visit it from the beginnings of photography until the modern period: 1879-1960.
Walk the gardens at La Mamounia, the classic grand dame of Marrakech hotels whose grounds embody an
ancient Islamic ideal: the garden as earthly paradise, appealing to all the senses.
MACMA: Le Musée d’Art et de Culture de Marrakech, a private museum dedicated to the permanent promotion of multidisciplinary artistic expressions (sculptures, photography, painting) inspired by Morocco, and chosen for their originality and their heritage value.
MAP - Le Monde des Arts de la Parure – On show are 3000 spectacular pieces chosen from a collection of 7,000 ornaments, jewels, garments and textiles, gathered by Marlène and Paolo GALLONE over decades
of travel and fervent research.
Dinner at +61 conceived by Australians.

Today, head out from the hurly burly of town in the direction of the Atlas Mountain foothills to visit Safran du Paradis, the inspiration of Swiss born Christine Ferrari, who has created a wonderful organic saffron plantation (the peak season is November). The property also includes a large garden with herbs and medicinal plants, citrus fruits and exotic plants, as well as stables with donkeys, peacocks, and chicken. Local Berber
women prepare a wonderful lunch of exceptional tajines and homemade breads suffused with saffron accents.

After lunch, visit Austrian artist André Heller’s opulent, 3-hectare botanical wonder
garden, Anima, that showcases wonderful sculptures, art installations and imaginative,
water-wise plantings and exotics.

This morning depart 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.
A Farewell dinner this evening at a glorious riad.

Transfers from Marrakech or Casablanca International Airport in time to meet your departures.

Marrakech Airport is a mere 15 minutes from town. From here there may be flights to your next destination if it is in Europe. Casablanca is a 3-hour drive and more reliably your departure point if you are bound beyond Europe.
END OF TOUR SERVICES
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- The ‘real’ famed desert – the Sahara – best experienced at this time of year. Allow an extra four / five days for a bespoke add-on where we make all the necessary arrangements.
- Olinta Retreat, an exquisite new mountain resort, set in a lush olive grove within the verdant Ouirgane valley, created by Prince Fabrizio Ruspoli di Poggio Suasa. Stay in one of nine villas, enjoy a fantastic spa, or hiking trails.
- Dar Ahlam is a carefully restored 19th C traditional Kasbah near the Moroccan desert of Ouarzazate in the palm grove of Skoura, 250 km SE of Marrakech.