Highlights of Morocco

Itinerary Highlights

Experience the magic of North Africa with this unforgettable journey by private car through Morocco’s most captivating locales and landmarks.

Begin in Casablanca with a night of relaxation from your international travels at the renowned Four Seasons. Next on your journey is a stop in Rabat, the capital of the Kingdom of Morocco and the seat of its government well known for its significant Jewish history. You’ll then head to magical Fes, a city whose legacy dates back to the eighth century and boasts some of the country’s most significant historical monuments, including Karaouine, the world’s first university. The sprawling medina of this UNESCO Cultural Heritage site will take you transport you to the Middle Ages. Here you’ll have your first riad experience at the enchanting Karawan Riad, a 17th century palace in the Andalous Quarter of the medina converted into the city’s most renowned small hotel.

Drive through the country’s scenic routes to reach Marrakech, Morocco’s “Pearl of the South” known for its beauty and cultural diversity thanks to a fascinating history of influences both from the country and abroad. Yet another luxurious riad awaits you as you arrive to the Royal Mansour, just a few steps from the famous Jemaa El Fna square, with a collection of 53 independent riads designed to take guests on a sensory journey. Your final stop will be the singular Kasbah Tamadot, Sir Richard Branson’s beloved property set with the Atlas Mountains as its background. Here you’ll encounter the region’s beauty on foot with hiking and other unforgettable experiences unique to this unforgettable setting.

Hotels and lodges described in the itinerary are recommended by Craft Travel but there are numerous options in each destination and we will customize your itinerary based upon your preferences. With your feedback, we will similarly customize suggested activities, time spent in each location and trip extensions to additional destinations of interest nearby.

Detailed Itinerary

Marhaba! This is the traditional greeting used in Morocco, which conveys the meaning of a warm hello and welcome.

Today your flight arrives into Casablanca. After clearing customs and immigration procedures, you will be met by a representative, who will be waiting for you at the exit after the luggage check and inside the airport; he will be holding a sign with your name. Afterwards, you will be transferred to your hotel, where our representative will assist you with check-in.

The name Casablanca evokes thoughts of good living, romance and adventure in a tropical setting, an image that the 1943 Humphrey Bogart film conveyed to cinema during World War II. Originally settled by Berbers in the 7th century, Casablanca’s fairly recent growth has made it the bustling, French-influenced business centre of Morocco it is today.

Your visit will start with the magnificent Hassan II Grand Mosque, one of the two mosques which can be visited in Morocco. The mosque is amongst the largest in the world and can house as many as 25,000 worshipers. The mosque's minaret is the tallest religious structure in the world.

Built on reclaimed land, almost half of the surface of the mosque lies over the waters of the Atlantic. This was inspired by the verse of the Qur'an that states "the throne of God was built on the water". Above, lasers shine at night from the top of the minaret toward Mecca.

Your sightseeing will also include the Mohammed V square, the United Nations square and the Arab League Park. During a stroll in the Quartier Habbous you will be able to discover a modern version of a Medina.

Enjoy dinner at Le Cabestan restaurant (paid directly).

Overnight at Four Seasons Casablanca (no meals included)

Today you will travel to the cultural heart of Morocco, magical Fes. Founded in the 8th century, it is home to several famed historical monuments, among them Karaouine, the world's first university. The sprawling medina of this UNESCO Cultural Heritage site will take you a step back in time to the Middle Ages.

En route, discover Rabat, the capital of the Kingdom of Morocco and the seat of its government, situated at the mouth of the River Bou Regrag, opposite the city of Sale.

Emerging from the boulevards of the Ville Nouvelle of Rabat you will discover the ruins of the Citadel of Challah, once the thriving walled Roman port city of Sala Colonia, which was abandoned in 1154 in favour of Sale across the other side of the river.

Continue to Meknes (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), one of the Imperial Cities of Morocco. In Meknes, the impressive monuments recall the splendour of a city first built in the 17th century by the powerful Sultan Moulay Ismail to rival the court of his contemporary, Louis XIV of France.

During your visit to Meknes you will see the monumental Bab Mansour gateway - considered one of the finest of the great gates of Morocco, as well as the Granaries and the Royal Stables, which were built to accommodate some 12,000 horses. You will also see Moulay Ismail's Mausoleum, one of the few shrines in Morocco that can be visited by non-Muslims.

Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant (paid locally) and continue to Fes. Upon arrival, check in and enjoy an evening at leisure.

Overnight at Riad Fes (Breakfast)

This morning you’ll take a step back in time to the Middle Ages when you will visit Fes El Bali, the largest living medieval medina-city and the cultural heart of Morocco. You will explore some of the 9000 narrow lanes, alleys and souks that make-up the labyrinth of the city's old quarter, originally founded in the 8th century AD by Moulay Idriss I. The medieval Medina is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Imperial capital was a renowned centre of medieval learning and at its heart lays the Karaouine, one of the oldest, still-functioning universities in the world. In the neighbouring building is the Attarine Medersa (Koranic college), a jewel of Hispano-Moorish architecture, built in the 14th century.

Your sightseeing will also include a visit to the Nejjarine Square, with its beautiful fountain, made up of mosaics and elaborate tile-work. The nearby Fondouq (Caravanserai) is now converted into a museum of carpentry artefacts.

Colourful slippers, a leather bag or a fashion jacket: all popular items to have in one's wardrobe. But how are they made? For centuries the leather produced in Fes has been highly esteemed and the methods remain the same today as in the medieval times. Only natural ingredients are used for the coloration such as indigo, saffron and poppy. During your visit to the tanneries, you will have the opportunity to learn about the different methods that are used to process the skins of goats and cows to make them look so beautiful.

Your sightseeing includes Dar Batha and the Museum of Moroccan Arts, which houses historical and artistic collections of wood carvings, embroidery, tribal carpets and ceramics.

You will also visit Fes El Jedid (New Fes), built by the Merinid Dynasty in the 13th century. Here you will see the Royal Palace, mosques, medersas, souks and the city wall. Most notably, Fes El Jedid is home to the Mellah, the old 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.

Visit of the pottery factory is to discover how the beautiful zellij tiles are made, which are the highlights of Arabo-Andalousian décor and are also used in the manufacture of the famous Tagines. "Tagine" refers to an earthenware pot in which is cooked a traditional meal. The meal itself has also become known as "Tagine" by association, because according to tradition, the meal is cooked and served in the same container. There are diverse tagines, but typically it is a rich stew of meat or fish and most often also includes vegetables or fruit.

Overnight at Riad Fes (Breakfast)

You will continue your journey onwards to the world-famous city of Marrakech. Travel along the highway, passing by Casablanca, the industrial capital of Morocco. En route, you will stop in Benslimane to enjoy wine tasting and lunch at le Vigneron in Benslimane (set menu including soft beverage).

Pearl of the South, Jewel of the South, The Red City - just a few of the nicknames Marrakech has acquired over the years. Part Berber, part Arab and part African, Marrakech is the heartbeat of Morocco. Palaces and monuments of unrivaled refinement sit calmly alongside the snake charmers and Gnaouan drums pulsing constantly from Djemâa el Fna Square, the most exuberant marketplace in the world. Enjoy dinner at your leisure.

Feel the full strength of the city’s pulse as you enter the doors of the Royal Mansour. Traditional architecture, lush gardens and outstandingly sophisticated riads await you. The design of this luxury hotel in Marrakesh incorporates the elements of an authentic medina, where guests can stroll around and discover sensual delights. The rooms and suites have been replaced by luxurious riads, and the corridors by winding alleyways. The Royal Mansour Marrakech is the only hotel establishment in the world to offer this unique concept.

Overnight at Royal Mansour (Breakfast)

Today you’ll discover the Mysteries of Marrakech, the most famous city in Morocco. Most of the city's architectural attractions are inside the Medina, the old walled section of the town.

Your day will include a visit to the Ben Youssef Medersa, one of the jewels of Marrakech. The current structure of this Koranic school was built around 1570. It is the biggest Medersa (school) in the whole of the Maghreb (west) and is renowned for its magnificent architecture with zellij tile work, carved wood and stucco work. The central courtyard, student cells and prayer hall are also very interesting to discover.

As you explore the labyrinthine souks, indulge in some shopping! Souk Smarine is an important thoroughfare, traditionally dominated by the sale of textiles, clothing and all Moroccan handicrafts. This is a maze of colorful alleys and small squares, which are home to a bewildering array of stalls and ateliers devoted to specific crafts.

You will also explore the Djemaa El Fna, the city's main square, home to a multitude of street-artists, stalls of dried fruit and freshly-pressed orange juice. The numerous small restaurants that take over its center from the early evening contribute to the scent of its surroundings. No one can really be certain how it came into being, but over the years the square has become the beating heart of Marrakech, where fire-eaters, acrobats, snake-charmers and street musicians perform at every turn.

In 2016, Le Jardin Secret opens its doors and invite you to enjoy a relaxing and refreshing jaunt. Nestled in the historical Medina, this former palace delicately decorated can only please you with its fountains and its green plants coming from the whole world. Designed by the landscape architect Tom Stuart-Smith, this place offers a sensational atmosphere of rest and tranquility.

Overnight at Royal Mansour (Breakfast)

Today enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride through Marrakech's famous, beautiful gardens which are dotted around the city. The area is fed by a basin that was created to irrigate the surrounding gardens and orchards using a sophisticated system called Qanat. The basin is supplied with water via an old hydraulic system which conveys water from the mountains located at nearly 20 miles away.

Begin with a visit to the Menara gardens, which date back to the 12th century and are set among extensive orchards and olive groves. At the center is a rectangular pool with a fabulous view of the Atlas Mountains. 

From here it's onto visit the Jardin Majorelle (Majorelle Gardens), originally designed in 1924 by French artist Jacques Majorelle. After taking up residence in Marrakech, Majorelle transformed the property's existing garden into a tropical paradise, surrounded by vivid cobalt blue buildings with verdant exotic groves, lily-covered pools, and enormous sculptural cactuses. These peaceful garden settings offer a variety of exotic plants such as bamboo, cacti, bougainvillea and palms. Streams and fish filled pools also flow through the tranquil gardens.

Overnight at Royal Mansour (Breakfast)

After a leisurely breakfast you’ll depart your hotel with your guide and head to the nearby Atlas Mountains. Here you’ll enjoy a full afternoon of hiking or walking suited to your level and allowing you to take in the breathtaking views that this rugged region provides.

Following your hike you’ll head to the singular Kasbah Tamadot for check-in. Situated in the spectacular Atlas Mountains, the award-winning Kasbah Tamadot was purchased by Sir Richard Branson during one of his famous ballooning expeditions. Each of the 28 rooms and suites has been individually decorated to reflect the beautiful architecture of the building and features antiques from all over the world.

Overnight at Olinto (Breakfast)

Today we will customize your final full day in Morocco with a mix of activities that take advantage of Kasbah Tamadot’s privileged location within the Atlas Mountains inside the small, charming village of Asni, steeped in Berber tradition.

For the more active, additional hikes and walks can be arranged, including the more arduous Anfa Trek. On site cooking classes are also a wonderful way to experience local culture hands-on. s. Eachbudding chef will have their own cooking station where they’ll create a delicious three course meal including salads, soup, tagines and dessert. Then you’ll have the pleasure of eating your culinary delights for dinner that evening!

Traditional mule treks through eucalyptus and olive groves en route to a nearby village culminate with a visit to a local Berber home. For those looking to unwind at the end of their adventure, Kasbah Tamadot’s Asounfou Spa is legendary and the property’s pool nestled between mountain ranges provides the ultimate locale for respite.

Overnight at Olinto (Breakfast)

At the scheduled time, your driver will escort you from Kasbah Tamadot to the Marrakech International Airport for your departing flight home.

(Breakfast)

• 8 nights accommodation based on double/twin occupancy

• Daily breakfast

• Additional meals as specified in itinerary

• Excursions and touring as specified in itinerary, all on private basis (guided activities at Kasbah Tamadot are not included)

• All airport and ground transportation on private basis

• All entrance fees as specified

• Traveller Made ® Member Agency benefits at participating hotels:

  • Complimentary upgrade (subject to availability)

  • Early check-in and late check out (subject to availability)

  • Bespoke welcome room amenities upon arrival

  • $100 property credit

  • **benefits vary by property; member properties in this itinerary are: Karawan Riad, Royal Mansour & Kasbah Tamadot

• *Not included: gratuities, visas (if applicable), international or internal flights, meals and drinks not described below, items of a personal nature

An extension can be added to the Agafay desert, either for an afternoon and dinner under the stars or for a full night in a luxury tented camp. More customized activities in Marrakech such as cooking classes and VIP access to the YSL Museum (to name a few) can be included; please speak with your travel advisor.

There are countless exceptional hotels and riads in Morocco, particularly in Marrakech. Amanjena is perhaps the most exclusive and experiential choice and La Mamounia is ideal those looking for a more classic luxury hospitality experience steeped in history and grandeur. La Sultana is an excellent riad alternative.