Our Magnificent Morocco representative will meet you at the airport and provide you with an introduction to your tour while transferring you to your hotel. With time to check-in and freshen up, we get straight into the action with a visit to Casablanca’s greatest landmark, the Hassan II Mosque.

Constructed on an artificial (earthquake-proof) promontory into the Ocean and completed in 1993, the Hassan II Mosque can accommodate 25,000 worshippers inside with capacity for a further 80,000 within the plazas outside.

With the tallest minaret in the world, at 210 metres, Moorish-influenced architecture and stunning attention to detail through the intricate cedar wood carvings, mosaics and Zellige tilework, one can only admire in awe at the magnificence of this outstanding place of worship.

If the schedule allows, then there’s time for refreshments along Casablanca’s beachside Corniche and a glimpse at Rick’s Café, which trades on its namesake from that well-known 1942 movie. Overnight with dinner and breakfast at your hotel in Casablanca in preparation for the short journey up the coast to Rabat in the morning and the start of our Imperial Cities tour.

Once in Rabat – Morocco’s political capital and arguably the most conservative of the four Imperial Cities – we take in the exterior grandeur of the Royal Palace, the Roman ruins and Islamic burial ground of Chellah plus the mausoleum of Mohammed V before leaving the coast for Meknes.

Arriving in Meknes we explore the old UNESCO World Heritage listed city, the magnificent Bab Mansour Gates and the mausoleum of Moulay Ismael, the second ruler of the Moroccan Alouite dynasty, whose vision had such a lasting impact on this Imperial City. Possibly the most striking feature of Meknes is the 40km (25 miles) of fortifications that create a city within a city. But feats of engineering don’t end there.

You’ll be able to visit the granary with its 4m thick walls - so designed to keep the contents at a constant 18ºC throughout the year - and the ruins of the adjacent Royal Stables capable of housing 10,000 horses. Legend has it that enough grain was stored in the granary to feed all the horses up to 20 years. Also, we’ll make time to visit the Sahrij Swani (the Basin of the Norias).

Believed to be constructed in the 17th century and enclosed within its own walls, the basin served as a huge reservoir to supply water to houses, mosques, hammams and for irrigation using an ingenious system of canals and waterwheels.

Overnight at your hotel in Meknes…and an opportunity to enjoy some of the locally produced and highly respected wine of the region with your evening meal.

Following an early breakfast we travel to Fès, the spiritual capital of Morocco. The old Medina of Fès el Bali – one of the largest Medieval cities of its type in the world - offers a true appreciation of the diversity of Moroccan culture.

During the morning, our experienced guide will share many of the city’s hidden treasures and architecture with you as your gaze is pulled left and right with the movement and sounds of this piece of living history.

Step back in time as we visit the Karaouine Mosque and then the 11th century Chouwara Tannery – one of the most impressive sites (and smells) you will experience on this tour!

During the afternoon, you are free to explore at your leisure. Just remember, there are more than 9,000 streets in the Medina – some of which are less than 1 metre in width – so it’s worth keeping a note of your bearings!

Overnight, with dinner and breakfast at your hotel in Fès.

On our way to Marrakech we have a quick break from city life and an opportunity for you to enjoy some really fresh air and spectacular scenery of the foothills and forests of the Atlas Mountains as we head to the Cascades d’Ouzoud.

With a fall of around 100 metres and lush environment, it’s no surprise that this location has earned every right to the claim of being the most beautiful waterfalls in Africa. Narrow, winding paths lead to the base of the falls and at the bottom of the drop is a large plunge pool to which many visitors take during the summer months.

Suitably refreshed, we embark on the final part of our day’s journey and accompany you to your hotel or riad in Marrakech which will be your base for the next two nights.

Our professional guide will accompany you throughout the morning as we explore the magic and mystique of Marrakech. We begin at the Medina, contained within the city’s giant 12th century sandstone walls.

We take in the Saadian Tombs which remained undiscovered and preserved for hundreds of years and where some 60 members of the Saadian Dynasty are entombed.

Nearby, is the Badi Palace - now largely in ruins but still worth a stroll around – and the Bahia Palace, dating from the 1800s, which offers an insight into the opulent lifestyle of a former Grand Vizier of Marrakech accompanied by his wives, concubines, children and servants.

As we make our way towards the Jemaa El-Fna square, we visit the Dar Si Saïd Museum which offers an inspiring glimpse into Moroccan history with its collection of artefacts including woodcarvings, musical instruments, weapons, carpets, clothing, pottery and ceramics. Approaching Jemaa El-Fna square, it soon becomes obvious why this unusual location has been a UNESCO World Heritage listed site since 1985.

With its origins as a trading post and the town’s public arena for beheadings - and adjoining the largest traditional Berber market in Morocco - you can still feel the history and the rhythm of this melting pot of cultural diversity.

Impromptu market stalls compete with storytellers, snake charmers, monkey trainers, acrobats, magicians and musicians for your attention – but there are many cafés sprinkled around the square with great vantage points from where you can observe all the activity with suitable refreshments.

Of course, no visit to Marrakech would be complete without venturing into the souks. Your guide will help you navigate and discover the secrets of the souks and when you are ready will leave you to explore on your own and pit your bargaining skills with the artisans and traders offering all manner of locally produced merchandise.

Shoes, spices, herbal remedies, leather goods, lanterns, woodcarvings, ceramics, jewellery, carpets and pottery…and that’s just in the first alleyway!

Later in the day you are free to explore on your own or simply put your feet up back at your hotel or riad and browse through some of the hundreds of images you will have captured so far.

If you’re yearning for more of the hustle and bustle of Marrakech, then now is the time.

You’ll have a couple of hours after breakfast to have another wander around for some last-minute souvenirs or just watch the world go by while savouring a glass of delicious mint tea from one of the raised terraces at the many cafés around Jemaa El-Fna square.

Next, we’re back on the road towards Settat as we head for Casablanca and the final night of our tour. Dinner and breakfast at your hotel in Casablanca.

We are ready to meet you at your hotel after breakfast and checking out. It’s then a short drive to Mohammed V Airport for your flight home…with some very special memories of magnificent Morocco.