Imperial Cities, Desert and Kasbah

DAY 1 :Upon arrival at Mohamed VI Airport in Casablanca, our driver will meet you and assist you with the customs officials. You will take a short tour of the Mohamed VI Square, the central market, and the Hassan II Mosque. You will continue to Rabat where you will visit the Oudaya Kasbah, which is the "heart of the military history" of Morocco. The kasbah is named after a Bedouin tribe that came into Morocco in the 13th century. We continue our tour, visiting the Hassan Tower with its Mausoleum and see the beautiful Chella Gardens, which houses a famous historical ruin in Morocco. The Chella Gardens are also home to many interesting bird species. The city tour will be with an official English speaking guide who will take to visit the Old Town (Ancient Medina) and the Mellah (old Jewish Quarter) .

DAY 2 :Depart for Fes. The road to Fes takes us along a beautiful stretch of farmlands where olives, grain, vegetables and grapes are grown. Before arriving to Fes you will visit Meknes and Volubilis. Volubilis is the sight of the famous Roman ruins left from the Roman Empire's most southern outpost. Meknes is the site of the first Arab dynasty created by Moulay Ismail and has the Medersa Bou Inania and the Bab Mansour, the Gateway to Moulay Ismail Palace. This leads us into the Henri es-Souani, the horses stable and granaries. Upstairs is a rooftop garden and cafe with a great view of the city. Arrive into Fes, check into the hotel.

DAY 3 :After breakfast, you will begin your visit of "the oldest living Medina in the world” with a local official tour guide. You will tour the Medina with its "souks" (markets), stopping at the gateway of the Royal Palace, the 9th century Karouine mosque and University. You will visit also the tomb of the city founder "Moulay Idriss II". Lunch will be at one of the traditional restaurants in the old Medina. After lunch you will continue your tour to visit the Najarine Fountain, the old Harem Garden and the Batha Museum. On the way back to the hotel, you will stop to enjoy a panoramic view of the city.

DAY 4 :Depart to Erfoud across the cedar forest in the Atlas Mountains, stopping at the mountains villages of Ifrane and Azrou to see this beautiful area that the French once built their vacation homes in. Along the way we will see the Berber monkeys who live and frolic in this area.

Day 6 : After breakfast you will visit the old part of the town, where you will see the beautiful Kasbah of Taourirte and have lunch at the Kasbah Restaurant. In the afternoon you will depart for Marrakech, you will drive through one of the highest passes in the country, the Tizi-n-Tishka, which is 2260 meters at the top. On the way, you will see the traditional Berber farmers using the terraced style of planting on the mountainsides. You will visit the famous Ksar of Ait Ben Hadou, which has been declared the site of a UNESCO project for restoration of its ancient architecture. It also serves as the setting for many movies such as "Lawrence of Arabia" and "the Jewell of the Nile". Arriving to Marrakech you will check into the Hotel.

Day 7 : There is much to see in this great city which Winston Churchill called "the most beautiful place in the world at sunset". You will visit the Koutoubia Mosque and its Minaret, the hidden tombs of the Saadian dynasty, the Menara Gardens and Pavilion, the Bahia Palace, the Ben Youssef Medrassa and chapel of el-Baaiyn. Entering into the souk you will see some of the age-old art guilds at work. Finally, you end up in the famous place "Djemaa-el-Fna" with its circus atmosphere of itinerant dancers, jugglers, acrobats, storytellers, soothsayers, snake charmers, medicine men and public scribes.

Day 8 : You will wake up early in order to have breakfast and depart for the Menara Airport where you bid farewell to Morocco. Departure with Royal air Maroc to New York via Casablanca.