Sample Itinerary

MOROCCAN STYLE 14 Days/13 Nights

DAY 1: ARRIVE CASABLANCA
Upon arrival in Casablanca, you will be transferred to Marrakesh, where you will be transferred to your hotel for two nights. After resting from your journey and freshening up, set out on a relaxing tour by caleche, anhorse-drawn carriage. Ride out to the Menara park, whose 19th century pavilion is set amidst a sprawling olive grove, with the Atlas mountains in the distance. Continue on to the Jardin Majorelle, one of the highlights of Marrakesh. These stunning gardens were created by the French painter, Jacques Majorelle, whose bold combinations of tropical verdant plants, delicate alpine flowers, and a dramatic blue background are unforgettable. The gardens are owned and maintained by Yves Saint Laurent, whose personal collection of Moroccan objet d'art are on display in a small museum. Round off your tour with a short ride to the palmery, a massive region on the outskirts of the city that provides a soothing contrast to the hustle and bustle of the city. Return to your hotel later this afternoon.

DAY 2: MARRAKESH
This morning, set out for a historical tour of Marrakesh's Medina. This tour will include several of the Medina's key monuments, and illustrate how the city has evolved, historically, culturally and aesthetically over the past ten centuries. Start at the Koutoubia Mosque, whose minaret is one of the city's key landmarks. Visit the Ben Youssef Medersa, a classic example of the Koranic universities that flourished in Marrakesh. The Medersa is lavishly decorated with rich examples of Andalucian-style motifs: parts of the building are near mirror images of the Alhambra, in Granada, Spain. Proceed to the Saadian tombs, whose mausoleums are transcendentally beautiful. Nearby, the Dar Si Said museum houses an exceptionally fine collection of Berber jewelry, woodwork, and carpets. Finish your tour at the famed Djemaa El Fna, where musicians, acrobats, snake charmers and fortune tellers entertain you. . After your tour, enjoy a luxurious lunch at the Riad Tamsna, in the heart of the Medina. This elegantly restored riad is famed for its fine Moroccan and international cuisine. The Riad also houses a superb bookstore, art gallery and boutique, where top quality designer jewelry, textiles and art are available. This afternoon you may like to explore the galleries and shops of Gueliz, the new quarter of Marrakesh. (B,L)

DAY 3: MARRAKESH
Spend today at your leisure. Marrakesh is a delightful city for independent exploration. You may want to try your hand at bargaining in the souks, or re-visit some of your favorite sites. Optional touring can be arranged, including hot air balloon rides over the city, and culinary tours of the souks. This evening, enjoy dinner at one of the city's many fine restaurants. (B,D)

DAY 4: MARRAKESH - ESSAOUIRA
Drive east to the lovely coastal town of Essaouira. Famed for its whitewashed back streets and thriving artisans' quarter, Essaouira's villas are models of Morocco's exciting fusion of traditional and contemporary style. After settling in to the Villa Maroc for a two night stay, set out on an introductory tour of the city. The18th century town is a delight to walk through, with fresh sea breezes enlivening the atmosphere. A handful of offshore rocky islands, and beaches lined with boat builders and sardine fishermen, create a delightfully tranquil atmosphere. Visit the thuya workshops that are a highlight of Essaouira: this is a local mahogany - like hardwood. Local craftsmen produce some of the highest quality marquetry and carving in the country; several of them have exhibited their work throughout Morocco and Europe. (B)

DAY 5: ESSAOUIRA
Spend today at your leisure. (B)

DAY 6: ESSAOUIRA - SKOURA
Set out by road to Skoura, in the heart of the southern oases. This is a superb journey, taking you south of the High Atlas. For centuries, these have been a near-impenetrable barrier between the northern plains, and the pre-Sahara, with a distinctly less Arabicized, and more Berber culture existing south of the mountains. Imposing kasbah, or ksour, provided shelter to Berber tribes who grew rich and powerful on the salt, gold and slave trade that passed through this region for centuries. En route, visit Ait Ben Haddou. Rising out of the splendid desolation of the surrounding desert, this kasbah may well look familiar: its archetypal desert architecture has starred in Lawrence of Arabia, Jesus of Nazareth, Gladiator, and other classic films. This is one of the most dramatic sights of the Atlas, with imposing mud-brick walls, adorned with geometric abstract designs, and goats wandering through doorways. The kasbah rises above a broad river bed, and provides uninterrupted views for miles around. A kasbah has stood here since the 16th century, and played a key role in the salt & slave trade that passed through the region. Continue on to Skoura, where you will spend the next three nights at the Ait Ben Moro. This is an original 17th century kasbah which has been lovingly converted to an elegant maison d'hôtes. Thick mud-brick walls keep the building cool, and provide a deliciously calm, shadowy environment. A rooftop terrace provides panoramic views of the surrounding palmery and distant mountains. Spend three nights here. (B)

DAY 7: SKOURA EXCURSION
Spend a day exploring the Skoura oasis - one of the wealthiest, and loveliest, in the country. Like many Moroccan oases, this is a thin strip of palm, almond, fig and olive trees, irrigated by a river running through it, and surrounded by stark rocky hills in the distance. The area has several interesting kasbah, dating back to the 17th century. Known as ksour in the singular, and kasbah in plural, these are found throughout the southern valleys. These fortified tribal villages are mud-built, and last only as long as they survive the rains. Kasbah require regular maintenance, or will dissolve into the ground from whence they were built. As you explore the area, you will see kasbah in varying stages of renovation. The most elaborate kasbah are adorned with striking, bold designs, painted on, or carved into the mud bricks. (B)

DAY 8: SKOURA: VILLAGE TOUR
Set out this morning for a day's journey to some of the Berber villages of the surrounding mountains. These villages carry on a traditional lifestyle based on gathering and farming in the fertile valleys of this otherwise desolate land. Different valleys are known for their own distinctive aesthetics in jewelry and carpet weaving. This is a particularly delightful region to explore in the spring, as Persian roses come into bloom, filling the air with their light, sweet scent. This is also a superb area for bird-watchers, naturalists and walkers, as rare species thrive in this magnificent landscape. Gazelle, antelope, larks, falcons, sandgrouse and more can be found. This is a fascinating, remote area, with particular appeal for those interested in traditional cultures and natural splendor. (B)

DAY 9: SKOURA - MARRAKESH
Return to Marrakesh by road. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for a two night stay. Spend the remainder of the day at your leisure. You may like to have dinner at one of Marrakesh's fabulous palace restaurants, where multi-course banquets are served in luxurious quarters, to the sound of traditional live music. (B)

DAY 10: MARRAKESH
Enjoy a day at leisure. You may like to arrange an optional day tour, such as a hot air balloon ride over the city, or a culinary tour of the souks. (B)

DAY 11: MARRAKESH - FES
Travel to Fes, the breathtaking Imperial city of northern Morocco. Transfer to the Maison Bleue for a three night stay. This stunning property was once the home of a highly respected judge and theologian. The building is beautifully decorated with wood and plaster carvings, and fine furnishings. As in many sophisticated Moroccan homes, thick silk-cotton textiles are used for wonderfully luxurious curtains. After settling in, set out on an introductory tour of Fes El Bali. Fes is a sensual fantasia, whose scents and sights will flood your memories from the minute you arrive. This is the most complete medieval city of the Arab world, with over 200,000 people living within the labyrinthine corridors of Fes El Bali, the medina. Fes came to international prominence in the 9th century, and rapidly became a center for scholarship and artistic excellence. This atmospheric city was the inspiration for many of Paul Bowles' most memorable stories, notably The Spider House. Visit the Bou Inania Medersa, the finest of all Moroccan Merenid monuments. This period, from the mid 13th - mid 15th century, is considered to have produced some of Morocco's finest architecture, particularly the medersa, or colleges, that houses theological students. Explore the area surrounding the Kairaouine Mosque. While the mosque itself is closed to non-Muslims, the surrounding area boasts a staggering array of architectural monuments, adorned with fine woodcarving, zellij, or mosaic tilework, and carved plasterwork. The Kairaouine is one of the oldest universities in the world, and was founded by a Tunisian woman in the 9th century. Nearby, the Medersa El Attarin is one of Fes' loveliest colleges, lavishly decorated with a fantastic array of zellij, wood and stucco. As well as the specific buildings of Fes El Bali, it is the souks, and their timeless atmosphere, that is so memorable of the city. Wander amongst stalls purveying dried fruits, carved wooden furniture, and the leather babouches, or slippers: found throughout Morocco, those from Fes are considered the finest. Fes also produces lovely ceramics, and a wide array of leather goods. A visit to the city's tanneries is an unforgettable experience. This evening, enjoy dinner at the Maison Bleue. This fabulous restaurant is located in a converted palace, where gnawa musicians perform around a fountain as you feast on a multi-course banquet. The Maison Bleue has won many national and international culinary awards for its classical Moroccan cuisine. (B,D)

DAY 12: FES
This morning, set out on a tour of Fes El Djedid, or "Fes the New", begun in the mid 13th century as the Imperial Capital for het Merenid dynasty. The city is dominated by the Royal Palace, and the nearby Mellah, or Jewish ghetto. The houses here are distinctly un-Arabic in design. In the past decades, most of the quarter's 17,000 Jewish community has since emigrated. The Habanim synagogue is being converted into a museum of Jewish history. The surrounding area is a maze of souks, specializing in textiles and produce. Nearby is the Royal Palace: while most of the Palace is closed to visitors, its awesome brass doors are a spectacular sight. Visit the Dar Batha museum of Moroccan Art, where a stunning selection of fine wood carvings, Middle Atlas carpets, and pottery is displayed in rooms surrounding a delightful garden, burgeoning with oranges, avocados, and fragrant flowers. Spend the afternoon at your leisure. (B)

DAY 13: MEKNES, VOLUBILIS & MOULAY IDRISS DAY EXCURSION
Set out this morning for a full day tour comprising millennia of Moroccan history. Start at Meknes, one of the most stylistically coherent of Moroccan cities. Developed as a capital city by Sultan Moulay Idriss, from 1672-1727, the city is famed for the Bab Mansour: this awesome city gate incorporates Roman marble columns brought from nearby Volubilis. Moulay Ismail's mausoleum is the only active Moroccan shrineto non-Muslims. The Dar Jamai palace has been converted into a museum housing excellent examples of pottery, and Middle Atlas carpets. Proceed to Moulay Idriss, where the tomb of Morocco's most venerated saint is a major pilgrimage site. After lunch, proceed to Volubilis, the largest Roman city of ancient Morocco. The site is extraordinary: even for those uninspired by ancient history, the siting itself is divine, on the edge of a high plateau, with wildflowers flourishing amidst the remains of ancient houses and temples. Volubilis was the furthest outpost of the Roman Empire, connecting the region to France, Spain, and eventually Rome. While direct Roman rule lasted for only two centuries, Latin was still spoken here until the 7th century. The mosaics here are exceptionally fine, and illustrate a unique blend of classic Roman motifs, and typical Berber abstract designs. The columns and temples are the site of stork nests. Egrets, owls and bulbuls also nest amidst the ruins, making this an exceptionally atmospheric site. Return to Fes later this afternoon. (B,L)

You may choose to spend the day touring Atlas mountain villages. The ancient walled town of Sefrou is a refreshing and relaxing market town in the Atlas foothills. High quality ironwork and silversmithing is still done in the souks. The nearby Berber village of Bhalil is known for its charming whitewashed houses, and gorgeous hillside setting. Or, you may like to explore the lakeside villages of Dayet Awa, and the Berber region of Imouzer, set amidst cedar forests which are home to Barbary apes. Contact your Absolute Asia travel consultant.

DAY 14: DEPART FES
Travel to Casablanca for your international departure. (B)