The Magic of Morocco (2026 itinerary)

Upon arrival, our VIP Services include FastTrack Assistance through all immigration and customs formalities. Once through, we’ll take you to the Four Seasons Casablanca Hotel. 

This morning, join your guide to explore this vibrant city. Stand in Mohammed V Square, where French and Moroccan architectural styles blend harmoniously, and marvel at the glorious Hassan II Mosque; its stunning location on a platform that extends over the Atlantic Ocean is complemented by the soaring artistry of its design and the exquisite indigenous materials used in its construction – creamy marble from Agandir, Cedar wood from the Middle Atlas Mountains, and gleaming granite from Tafraoute.  Visit the bustling Central Market where you’ll mingle with city residents who come daily to shop for fresh seafood, fruits and vegetables. Other vendors specialize in fine Moroccan goods that make excellent mementos and gifts, from leather slippers and lanterns to fragrant spices and Argan oil – the famous elixir used in moisturizers, shampoos and even food.
 
Sit down to lunch at Rick’s Café. Since 2004, this tribute restaurant has delighted thousands of classic film buffs who come to dine in a setting that faithfully recreates the bar made famous by Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart) and Ilsa Lund (Ingrid Bergman) from Casablanca, which won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 1942. 
 
Continue to Fès where you check in to the enchanting Riad Fès. Located in the medina in the heart of this ancient Imperial City, our luxury retreat evokes the elegance and romance of Morocco’s traditional courtyard palaces.  Meals B+L+D

Founded in the 9th century, Fès is the best-preserved medieval city in North Africa. Home to one of the world’s oldest universities, it reached its peak of influence and glory in the 13th and 14th centuries when it replaced Marrakech as the capital of the Kingdom. Although the modern capital was transferred to Rabat nearly 100 years ago, Fès remains the cultural and spiritual heart of the country. Setting out with your engaging guide, today’s sightseeing includes two medieval institutions of learning. With their extravagant style, these Madrasas stand in striking contrast to the timeworn cobblestones and simple market stalls of the souks that surround them.
 
In Carpenter’s Square, where artisans still chisel and sculpt indigenous cedar wood, you’ll admire the much-photographed Nejjarine Fountain, famed for its exquisite ceramic mosaics. Also on this morning’s program is the Kairaouine Mosque with its graceful 1,000-foot minaret. Founded in the 9th century this is the second largest mosque in Morocco and home to one of the world’s oldest universities.  After lunch, select one of our included activities:

Cooking Class with a Local Family: Immerse yourself in the flavors of Fez with a hands-on cooking class hosted by a local family in their home. Begin with a warm welcome and a traditional mint tea, then learn how to prepare iconic Moroccan dishes—perhaps a fragrant chicken tagine with preserved lemons, fresh salads, or handmade bread—guided step by step using authentic techniques and spices. After the cooking, sit down together to enjoy the delicious meal you’ve prepared, sharing stories and insights into Moroccan culture in a warm, familial setting.
 
Moroccan Hammam Experience: Experience the centuries-old ritual of the Moroccan hammam in the most authentic way—guided by an attendant who shares with you the traditional cleansing and self-care practices passed down through generations. In the steamy, soothing atmosphere of the hammam, you’ll exfoliate your skin with black soap on a kessa glove, and rinse with buckets of warm water, just as Moroccans have done for ages. The ritual continues with a full-body envelopment of ghassoul, a mineral-rich clay sourced from the Atlas Mountains, blended with rose or orange blossom water. This purifying mask deeply nourishes the skin, leaving it soft, refreshed, and beautifully radiant. It’s more than a bath—it’s a cultural ritual of renewal, connection, and deep relaxation, offering a rare glimpse into local life and traditions.

Meals B+L
 

Our morning exploration of the Fès medina includes the tanneries that have existed here, virtually unchanged, since medieval times. Like an artist’s palette, the deep vats sit side by side, holding dyes in a startling array of colors and shades – each manned by a single tanner. As countless other workers have done for hundreds of years, they place the raw leather into a vat, climb into the sometimes waist-deep dye, and stomp on the hide for hours – working on them until they’ve reached the desired color and suppleness. It’s an experience you will never forget.
 
Equally as fascinating are the colorful and lively souks; many travelers come to bargain for the amazing variety of goods available, but even the most shopping-averse traveler will be fascinated by the centuries-old rhythms of the souks - where filigreed metal lamps, fine silks, brilliantly colored leather slippers, traditional Berber rugs, exquisitely painted ceramics and hammered brasswork are offered along with freshly slaughtered chickens, fresh figs, seafood and medicinal herbs. We’ll interlace your visits with food-tasting experiences to ensure you get the true flavors of Morocco.  After lunch in a local restaurant, enjoy a free afternoon to explore this remarkable city. Meals B+L

After an early breakfast, journey to the archaeological site of Volubilis. With finely preserved ruins dating back 2,000 years, this remarkable ensemble of temples, baths, a basilica, brothels and finely preserved mosaic floors offers a unique look into the ancient history of Roman Africa.  Then on to Meknes, one of Morocco’s four Imperial cities and capital under Sultan Moulay Ismail, the founder of the Alaouite Dynasty.  Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site c, it was originally founded in the 11th century as a military settlement.  Though the monuments have been closed for renovation, Meknes is still worth a stop.  Renowned for its blending of Spanish and Moorish architectural styles of the 1600’s, Meknes is further distinguished by its high and thick walls - punctuated by gracefully arched gates. We’ll learn about Morocco’s ancient Jewish history as we explore the mellah, the ancient walled Jewish quarter inhabited since the early days of the city.  We enjoy a refined lunch and wine tasting at Chateau Roslane, one of Morocco’s premier wine estates. After a guided tour of the vines and its cellars, settle in for a tasting of their signature wines, including rich reds and crisp whites, paired with a gourmet lunch served in an elegant setting overlooking the vineyards—a perfect blend of Moroccan hospitality and French-inspired tradition. Continue to Rabat for your stay at the luxurious Four Seasons, with the evening free to relax and dine at your leisure.  Meals: B+L

In Rabat, Morocco’s coastal capital of boulevards, gardens, and centuries of history, we explore the Oudayas Kasbah, a walled city founded in the 12th century and still home to about 2,000 residents. We continue to the Mohamed V Mausoleum, a masterpiece of traditional artistry, and the Hassan Tower, an unfinished yet impressive minaret begun nearly a thousand years ago.  After lunch, we travel south where the landscape begins to shift, growing flatter and sunbaked, with golden hues that reflect Morocco’s drier central plains. As you approach Marrakech, the scenery changes again—rust-red earth, ochre hills, and palm-lined roads appear, with the snowy peaks of the High Atlas Mountains visible on clear days.
 
Upon arrival in the heart of Marrakech, check in to Hôtel Barrière Le Naoura, a lush oasis just steps from the medina and Jemaa el-Fna Square. After settling in, join your guide to explore the legendary Jemaa el-Fnaa Square that comes alive at twilight with street performers, musicians, snake charmers, and storytellers. Lantern-lit food stalls open across the square, filling the air with the mouthwatering aromas of grilled meats, spices, and sweet pastries. It’s a colorful, unforgettable introduction to the spirit of Marrakech.  Meals B+L

Today you’ll enjoy a comprehensive guided exploration of Marrakech, founded 800 years ago by the Almoravid Dynasty. First enjoy the tranquility of Le Jardin Majorelle – a botanical oasis of rare plants and vibrant blooms – created by a painter and more recently owned by the renowned designer Yves Saint-Laurent. Then you visit the lavishly decorated Saadian Tombs, dating to the late 16th century. The gravestones of these Saadian princes and members of the royal household are embellished simply and elegantly with colorful ceramic tiles, each with a short epitaph and a quote from the Qur’an. The next stop is the Dar Si Said Museum, where fine Moroccan art is exhibited in an exquisite former palace. Continue to the 12th century Koutoubia Mosque and the lovely Bahia Palace, built in 1880. After lunch in a local restaurant, head to the roof top of Maison de la Photographie, you’ll enjoy tea as you take in the breathtaking views over the Marrakech medina.  Meals B+L
 

Leave behind the bustling pace of Marrakech and travel into a tranquil land of olive groves and citrus orchards. As the peaks of the Atlas Mountains draw near, you enter the timeless Ourika Valley. At an innovative Berber cooperative, you’ll observe and learn more about the production of Argan oil – highly prized for its hydrating and beautifying effects. The process from tree to oil is time consuming and done almost entirely by hand. Employing local women, this cooperative is an important community resource and promises an enlightening visit. Dine tonight at one of the finest restaurants in Marrakech.  Meals B+L+D

We’ll take you to the airport for your onward flight.  Meals B