Northern Morocco Tour
8 days/7 nights
DAY1:
TANGIER [D]
Our local representative will be awaiting your arrival at Tangier-Ville Port // Tangier International Airport. When you’ll be leaving the boat // when you’ll be outside the Terminal, please look for him, he’ll be holding a sign with your name on it and will escort you to your private vehicle to drive you to the hotel. Day at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.
DAY2:
TANGIER – City tour [B]
Today we will explore the city of Tangier, an incredibly unique city with many landmarks. Tangier is Morocco’s main gate to Europe and the settling place of many artists from around the world. The city is flanked by a row of French colonial–era buildings in Mendoubia Gardens, which is popular among young couples and local families on weekends. On the peak of the central hill, surrounded by historic cannons, an engraved stone monument displays the speech King Mohammed V gave to the French asking for Morocco independence in 1947. We will visit the Marshan district and its Roman tombs and admire the Moorish interiors of St. Andrews church. This magnificent church is a tribute to the harmony of Christianity and Islam where you can admire the Lord’s Prayer written in exquisite Arabic calligraphy and the numerous Moorish touches throughout the building. We cross the Fish Market where fresh fish is sold at auction to pay a visit to the Jewish Cemetery, dominating the sea front. Then head to the American legation, the first American property to ever open outside the United States and descend onto Petit Socco and enjoy a mint tea at Café Tingis, a favorite for the Beat Generation. We will then drive 15-min. outside Tangier along the seaside to Cap Spartel where the Mediterranean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean to visit the Caves of Hercules. The legend has it that Hercules came to rest after he retrieved the golden apple. It’s interesting how the cave, in the shape of the Africa continent, opens and looks out toward the Atlantic. Enjoy a free time at the beach then drive back to your hotel for overnight.
DAY3:
TANGIER – TETOUAN – CHEFCHAOUEN [B]
~2h30min
After breakfast, drive to Tetouan. Founded in the 15th century by Muslim and Jewish refugees fleeing Christian Andalusia and then later occupied by the Spanish for almost two centuries, Tetouan’s history reflects the true multicultural nature of Northern Morocco. Tetouan is located at seven miles from the Eastern coast of Morocco’s northern peninsula, close enough to see the Mediterranean from any high place. The medina is a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its Andalusian and Moroccan-Muslim civilizations. It is extremely well-preserved and relatively untouched, which is why it’s such a hidden gem for travelers coming to Morocco. We start the visit with the Royal Palace and its enormous cordoned-off plaza called Place Hassan II, that is surrounded by the medina on 3 sides. The streets northwest of the palace are a cacophony of vendors selling hardware, produce, fish, and chickens. Then we head to the Archeological Museum decorated with mosaics from Lixus and urns from Tamuda, a pre-Roman city where Tetouan now stands. We will also visit the Ecole des arts et métiers, the Center of Modern Art, the artisan center Dar Saana, and the Eglisia de Bacturia. Drive to Chefchaouen through the dramatic Gorges of Oued Laou, connecting the Mediterranean beaches to the world-famous azure town. Drive to Chefchaouen. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.
DAY4:
CHEFCHAOUEN [B]
After breakfast get ready to discover Chefchaouen, quite likely the most charming village of Morocco with its narrow streets, Medina, Bab el Ansar, the Jewish Quarter, and the famous Ras el Maa(waterfall), where a short walk takes to Rif Sebbanine, the laundry district, and its 15th century mosque. The city is called “The Pearl of Morocco” with its blue and white lime-washed houses. A powerful sensation that you can really feel in the Outa-el-Hammam Square. Sat on the terrace of a cafe, you can enjoy the attractive view of the grand Tarik-Ben-Ziad mosque whose octagonal minaret is inspired by the Torre de Oro of Seville, an Andalusian style architecture. Its walls and its 11 crenulate towers, of which one used to be a dungeon, is now transformed into an art gallery and ethnographic museum. You will be amazed by the unsurpassed hospitality provided by its inhabitants when you’ll visit a traditional oil mill (there are more than 1,500 in the region) and craftsman’s workshop. You’ll have free time to browse through the local market and have lunch with a delicious Moroccan mint tea (own expenses). Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.
DAY5:
CHEFCHAOUEN – VOLUBILIS – MEKNES – FEZ [B]
~4h20min
Drive to Ouazzane, home of many pillars of Sufism and holy city for Moroccan Jewish population who still make pilgrimages to venerate the tomb of several marabouts (Moroccan saints), particularly MoulAnrhaz, the local name for Rabbi Amram ben Diwan, an 18th-century rabbi who lived in the city and whose burial site is associated with several miracles. We drive to the ancient Roman city of Volubilis to explore its stunning ruins. Impressive stone arches and columns, some tumbled down and others still standing tall against the vivid blue sky, invite us to take a step back in time. Only about half of the 40-hectare UNESCO site of Volubilis has been excavated. The better-known monuments are in the northern part of the site, farthest from the entrance in the south: The Capitol, dedicated to the Triad of Jupiter, Juno and Minerva, dates 218AD; the Basilica and 1,300 sq. meters Forum are nearby. Here, floors of what were once family dwellings are still covered with decorative tile mosaics depicting mythological beings, such as Orpheus charming animals with their lyre and Hercules performing his legendary 12 labors. The fact that so many of these tiles are still in place with their colors, after centuries of exposure to the elements, is astonishing! Then off to the imperial city of Meknes, the one-time home of the Moroccan sultanate with its Medina all-winding narrow streets and grand buildings that justify its stamp of Imperial City. Remnants of three sets of fortifications, ingeniously incorporated into the city roads network, emphasize its past importance and glory. The king’s tomb sits at the heart of what remains of the original imperial city, flanked by an almighty royal granary, the magnificent Bab el-Mansour. Continue to Fez for overnight.
DAY6:
FEZ – City tour [B]
Today you take a step back in time into the Middle Ages with the visit of one of the most imperial, timeless, and untouched cities in the world, the cultural heart of Morocco, Fez El Bali (Old Fez). Enjoy exploring some of the 9,000 narrow lanes and alleys in the souks (open air markets) that make-up the labyrinth of the city’s old quarter, originally founded in the 8th century. The Imperial capital was a renowned medieval learning center, and at its heart remains the Karaouine, one of the oldest, still functioning universities in the world. Nearby is the Attarine Medersa (Koranic college), a jewel of Hispano-Moorish architecture, built in the 14th century. Then you’ll visit the Nejjarine Square, with its beautiful fountain, a mosaic of elaborate tilework, and the Fondouq (Caravanserai) that has been converted to a Museum of Carpentry. In the 13th Century the Merinide Dynasty built Fez El Jdid (New Fez) with its Royal Palace, mosques, madrasas (Koranic schools), souks and the city walls. Most notably, Fez El Jedid is home to the Mellah (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. The medieval Medina is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Return to tour hotel for overnight.
DAY7:
FEZ – RABAT [B]
~2h40min
After breakfast, we depart to Rabat, the political and administrative capital of Morocco, a clean central beach, an intact and evocative Kasbah, and an attractive walled medina that is far less touristy than in other Moroccan cities. Our tour starts from the Mohammed V and Hassan II Mausoleum, the landmark of Rabat, and the Hassan Tower, one of the oldest incomplete mosques of Morocco. The Kasbah of the Udayas, Rabat’s historic citadel occupies the site of the original Ribat (fortress-monastery) that gave the city its name. Rest of the day at leisure, then meet at the restaurant for a farewell dinner. Overnight at the hotel.
DAY8:
RABAT – CASABLANCA AIRPORT [B]
~1h20min
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your return flight.
Included Services:
| City | 4* Hotel (or similar) | 5* Hotel (or similar) | Deluxe Hotel (or similar) |
| Tangier | Marina Bay Hotel | Barcelo Tanger | Dar Saba House |
| Chefchaouen | Dar Echchaouen | Dar Cherifa | Lina Ryad |
| Fez | Hotel L’Escale | Les Merinides | Palais Faraj |
| Rabat | Riad Zyo | Villa Mandarine | Story Rabat |
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