North-South Discovery

(13 nights/14 days)

A journey of discovery from the Mediterranean to the south Atlantic Coast. You begin your trip in the bustling port city of Tanger, the gateway from Europe. You travel to the small town of Chefchaouen, nestled amongst hills on the edge of the Rif Mountains, then travel south to Morocco's spiritual capital, the famed city of Fes. Discover a part of the Roman history of Morocco with a visit to the magnificent ruins of Volubilis, en route to the imperial city of Meknes. You'll visit Morocco's modern capital, Rabat, where Andalucian influences abound in the old medina. Visit Casablanca, the commercial and business centre of Morocco before following the coastal road south. Along the way you can stop at El Jedida and visit the ancient water cistern with its magnificent vaulted ceiling. You pass the town of Safi, famous for pottery, before arriving in Essaouira, a fishing port built by the Portuguese, with white-washed walls, winding alleys and long sandy beach. Your journey ends in the exotic city of Marrakech.

Starts Tanger / Ends Marrakech

Day 1. Tanger

Transfer from the airport or ferry terminal to your hotel. You have time to explore this bustling port city that was once the playground of international socialites, including writers, artists, musicians and politicians. You can wind your way through the alleyways and passages of the Medina to the Kasbah, or old Sultans' residence, at the highest point of the Medina. Within the Kasbah are a number of museums to explore. Or you can wander the wide boulevards of the new town area and maybe sip a coffee in one of the old cafes where many wartime deals were struck or poetry and books written. Hotel. (No meals included)

Day 2. Chefchaouen

You can spend the morning exploring Tanger further before heading to Chefchaouen, a beautiful blue and white-washed Andalucian town nestled in the Rif Mountains. Chefchaouen is a relaxed town, with small winding alleyways and market squares, where the women of the surrounding Rif come to sell there wares, wearing the distinctive striped garments and large conical straw hats with woollen tassels. Hotel. (B)

Day 3. Chefchaouen

You have a full day to explore this pretty town. You could take a walk to the Spanish Mosque situated on a hill overlooking the town, where you have fantastic sunset views. Hotel. (B)

Day 4. Fes

Through beautiful hilly scenery you will reach the deeply religious city of Fes. Once one of the most important places of scholarship in the world, containing within its walls the bastion of Islamic teaching. A tour of the souks and inner quarters of the city can only be made when accompanied by a certified local guide. But once you are in the bowels of the 1200 year old city, you will get the real ‘1001 nights' feeling by glimpses of beauty and whiffs of perfume mixed with the smell of donkey dung. Fes deeply impresses its visitors and is an experience not to be missed. Hotel. (B)

Day 5. Fes

On this free day you can visit the old medina with a guide. A sight-seeing tour takes up to 5 hours. With its winding alleys full of craftsmen, great mosques, ancient koranic schools, and the old working tanneries, you'll feel like you've stepped back into another era. Your guide can show you the way to a traditional Moroccan restaurant where you can take lunch. In the afternoon you will have time to go shopping in the old town for the treasures hidden in old stores or to enjoy watching the crowd in the modern part of town with its many terraces. Another option is an excursion with your minibus to Sefrou in the Middle Atlas, 30 km from Fes. Hotel. (B)

Day 6. Volubilis – Moulay Idriss - Meknes

On your way to Meknes you will first make an excursion to nearby Volubilis, the remains of a Roman city, and Moulay Idriss, the burial place of the founder of Morocco 's first imperial dynasty. For Moroccans it is a place of pilgrimage. You continue to Meknes, the smallest and friendliest of the five imperial cities of Morocco. The old part of Meknes is beautiful and has a feel of the oriental and the Mediterranean at the same time. The immense city walls and gates lead the visitors' imagination into times long gone. The labyrinth of alleys and market stands is a joy to any visitor and the friendly inhabitants will gladly show you the products they are selling, like spices, olives, pottery, copperware or carpets. Hotel. (B)

Day 7. Rabat

Today you journey to Morocco 's capital, Rabat. This busy political centre has a mix of the old and new – wide, tree-lined boulevards in the new town lead to the narrow bustling alleys of the old medina. You have the day to explore - visit the Tour Hassan and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V; the Kasbah Oudaias, dominating the estuary entrance and used to defend the city against pirates; the Chellah, a 13 th century necropolis that also encloses the remains of the ancient Roman City of Sala Colonia. In the evening you might like to relax in a boulevard café and sip mint tea while watching the nightly promenade. Hotel. (B)

Day 8. Casablanca

A short drive brings you to Casablanca, a busy commercial centre with many parks and terraces. You should not miss the Hassan II mosque, believed to be the largest in the world after Mecca. You can explore the Old Medina, or the Cathedral de Sacre Coeur and Quartier Habous (the New Medina). When the sun goes down you still won't be short of things to do. Take an evening stroll amongst the throngs of people promenading along the sea front and watch the sun go down over the Atlantic; sample one of Casablanca's wide variety of restaurants - whether it be French cuisine, traditional Moroccan fare or the abundant seafood available. Hotel. (B)

Days 9-10. Essaouira

A scenic coastal drive brings you to Essaouira on the south Atlantic Coast. This white-walled town with its long sandy beach, is a great place to relax and enjoy the sun, the sand and the sea. Essaouira is often known as the ‘windy city' and is the centre of windsurfing in Morocco. There are plenty of activities on offer at the beach, including camel rides along the shore to see ancient forts and palaces buried in the sands. You can also go shopping for souvenirs or watch the activities in the colourful fishing port where fresh seafood abounds. Hotel. (B)

Days 11-13. Marrakech

Today you will travel to Marrakech, the exotic ochre coloured city that is the imperial city of the south. Your hotel is located near the Djemaa-el-Fna Square, the vibrant heart of the city. The activities on the square are continually changing – you'll see snake charmers, musicians, acrobats and storytellers. In the evening open food-stalls are set up with delicious kebabs and salads. Your senses will be reeling in the narrow streets of the medieval medina. Fully loaded donkeys walk back and forth through the narrow streets, which smell of herbs, leather and meat stalls. You will be overwhelmed by the exuberant mix of colourful carpets, fruits, herbs and dyed skeins of wool. In the courtyards the tanners are busy working. Small gateways provide an entrance to the beautifully constructed and decorated sultan's tombs, old palaces and Koranic schools. You have three days to explore, or you may like to make an optional day excursion – see below. Hotel. (B)

Day 14. Departure

Transfer to Marrakech airport for your onward flight. (B)

Best season: Possible all year.

Optional Excursion
Whilst in Marrakech, you have time to make a day excursion to the nearby Atlas Mountains region - Marrakech to Imlil in the High Atlas mountains, 1.5 hours drive each way. A glimpse of mountain Berber life with easy hikes on mountain paths. Please advise if you would like to book.

Extend your stay
You might like to extend your journey by a hiking trip in the High Atlas Mountains (recommended period: from May until mid-October).

Prices per person:

€ 965, based on a party of 2
€ 765, based on a party of 3
€ 635, based on a party of 4

Single supplement: € 185
For parties with an uneven number of persons, a single room at hotels will be necessary and a single supplement will be charged.

Price Includes:

Meals as indicated in itinerary: B – Breakfast, D - Dinner
All transportation by minibus with an English speaking driver; arrival transfer in Tanger and departure transfer in Marrakech
13 Nights accommodation in tourist-class hotels on twin shared basis

Remarks:

Special rates apply for larger groups
Accommodation is in well-situated tourist-class hotels. Rooms are equipped with a bathroom.

Upgrade your stay:
Should you wish to upgrade the hotels and accommodation for your trip, we have a selection of traditional-styled riad and kasbah hotels that can fit with this itinerary. In some places you also have the choice of deluxe or luxury accommodation. Please enquire for a tour price with a different standard of accommodation.

Price Excludes:

Flights, visas, airport taxes
Other meals not listed in the itinerary
Tips, drinks, laundry, souvenirs and other personal expenditure
Entrance fees, local guides
Personal travel insurance

Prices are valid until 31 October 2006