Prepare to be amazed and inspired.

From the moment our Magnificent Morocco representative meets you at Mohammed V Airport in Casablanca you will become immersed in the sights and sounds that make Morocco such a fascinating tour destination.

There’s no delay in getting your Grand Tour under way as we visit the Hassan II Mosque where your guided tour will treat you to a breathtaking example of Morocco’s most fascinating modern architecture.

Next, we head for Rabat, the political capital of Morocco and the first of the four Imperial Cities we visit on this tour.

There will be time to stroll around the Oudaya Kasbah and take some photography at the iconic Hassan Tower before we help you check into your accommodation for the night at a riad in the heart of Rabat’s medina.

We meet you at your riad after breakfast. Our journey today will take us north along the Atlantic coast before we head inland to Chefchaouen.

Our first stop is at Asïlah where you will have an opportunity to explore the city and take in the Portuguese and Spanish influences in this popular coastal resort. Asïlah is highly respected for its annual music and arts festivals – especially murals, the best of which are left on display for all to enjoy throughout the year.

While in Asïlah you’ll visit the Skalla fortress with its commanding views across the Medina and the Atlantic.

Time permitting, we will head for Tanger to sample the atmosphere of this gateway to Africa. Then it’s inland to the Rif Mountains to the charismatic town of Chefchaouen where you will stay overnight in your riad.

Nothing could be more of a contrast to Casablanca and Rabat. With its blue-washed buildings in the Medina, absorbing street life and relaxed mood, Chefchaouen’s Spanish influences and Moorish architecture will transport you into a truly different Morocco.

Your guide will accompany you as you wander through the narrow streets which have become so popular with visitors through the years. In the afternoon you will have some free time to yourselves. Indulge in some incredible pastries. Or just sit back and watch the world go by while enjoying some mint tea. Chefchaouen provides a great opportunity to wind down for a while and enjoy a relaxing evening in your riad surrounded by the ambience of this enchanting town.

More colour and more history awaits as we meet you at your accommodation and begin our drive to the UNESCO World Heritage listed site of Volubilis.

Your professional guide will take you on a personal tour of the fascinating ruins of this former Roman outpost that date back to the 3^rd century BC. Although largely destroyed by an earthquake, many of the columns, ceramics and floor plans of once magnificent buildings remain to provide a lasting reminder of what life might have been like in this opulent city.

We break for lunch and then continue to the second of our Imperial Cities on this tour: Meknes, the Ismaili capital of Morocco. At the heart of Morocco’s wine-growing region, Meknes echoes some of the opulence of Volubilis – except much more remains to be seen.

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 17^th 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.

The final part of today’s journey takes us to Fès, the oldest Imperial City in Morocco, where you will spend the night in a riad in the heart of the Medina.

Following an early breakfast you can start exploring 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. You’ll see the Royal Palace gate and the walled Jewish quarter (the Mellah) dating from the 14^th century.

And there’s more culture and history to marvel at as we visit the famous Al Qaraouine University (regarded as the oldest university in the world) and the 11^th century Chouwara Tannery – one of the most impressive sites (and smells) you will experience on this tour!

Before lunch there will be time to see the Attarine Museum, Najjarine fountain and the Mausoleum of Moulay Idriss after which we visit a local tile-making cooperative before ascending to a superb vantage point to enjoy a wonderful panoramic view of the old Medina of Fès.

In the remainder of 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 at your riad in Fès with your choice of venue for the evening meal.

After an early breakfast at the riad, we head south towards the Middle Atlas Mountains with the summer retreat and winter resort of Ifrane and the town of Azrou – well off the beaten tourist track – which takes its name from the large volcanic outcrop in the centre of the town.

As our journey continues, we pass through a forest of mighty cedar trees. You’ll get to take photographs of the Cedar Gourand, reputed to be around 800 years old. Just keep your eyes peeled for the Barbary Macaques who have made this their home!

We break through the mountains at the Tizi Ntalghamt Pass and follow the magnificent Ziz Gorges, carved through volcanic rock, as we head towards Midelt where we pause for lunch. The scenery is changing constantly and you’ll start to see hints of the desert landscape as we approach the city of Er-Rachidia.

We pause for lunch at Midelt then continue through the verdant Ziz Valley, peppered with Berber villages – and on to Erfoud and then Rissani, the birthplace of the Alaouite dynasty and ancestral home of Morocco’s current royal family. Next, we cross a lunar-like landscape with the majestic Saharan dunes on the horizon before arriving at an auberge on the edge of the desert at Merzouga.

Here, you can check your main luggage in to your room and, with an overnight bag containing your basic essentials, begin the 1.5 hour camel trek which takes you to a Berber camp in the middle of the Erg Chebbi dunes enjoying a spectacular Saharan sunset on the way.

Our Berber guides will not only prepare a sumptuous, traditional meal but also invite you to join in with their special brand of music and entertainment, until the final embers of the campfire fade away under a canopy of stars.

After an early start to catch the sunrise over the dunes, your camels will be waiting to help you return to the auberge at Merzouga where you can shower, change and take breakfast. We depart for the Todra Gorge, en route passing the most sought after dates in Morocco, which are grown between Rissani and Erfoud.

As we climb into the High Atlas Mountains and through Tinghir we begin our approach to the highest and narrowest gorges in Morocco. There will be ample time to explore and take photographs, as well as enjoying a drink or lunch at one of the restaurants in the adjacent valley.

After lunch, there’s the option of a hike through the patchwork of fields where you will discover an old mud village and meet some of the locals who will welcome you and help you learn more about their culture and their lifestyles.

Refreshed and inspired, we set off for more of nature’s wonders in the Dadès Gorge, including the mind-boggling rock creations of the Tamnalt Hills. Overnight at a hotel with evening meal in the heart of the Dadès Valley.

A traditional Moroccan breakfast will set you up for the journey through the Dadès Valley, also known as the Road of One Thousand Kasbahs – and you’ll soon discover why. There are numerous opportunities to stop en route to capture some amazing photography.

We proceed to the Valley of the Roses (most fragrant in April and May) and the town of Kella M’Gouna, an important centre for the rose growing cooperatives throughout the valley, where we break for lunch. While here, you’ll be able to browse through some of the local shops and take your pick from the hundreds of different rose-based products and fragrances. Your clean linen will never have smelt so good!

After lunch we head for the Skoura Oasis. Dates, figs and many varieties of vegetables can be seen growing among the patchwork quilt of allotments that have been tended for centuries by the Berber villagers here. A testimony to their dedication and innovation in such a challenging environment.

We’ll visit the 17^th century Kasbah Ameridil, arguably one of the most finely decorated and well-preserved kasbahs to be seen on this tour. We break for lunch with a chance for a refreshing hike in the valley before we continue to Ouarzazate – the “Hollywood of Africa”.

With time permitting, we’ll visit the former Glaoui residence of Kasbah Taourirt where you can squeeze through the tight corridors which lead to various rooms which lead to more corridors, stairs and more rooms! Although much of the Kasbah has fallen into disrepair, you’ll be able to see some of the excellent restoration work under way with the help of UNESCO.

While in Ouarzazate there is also the opportunity to take a guided tour of one of the film studios here. We spend tonight in a hotel in Ouarzazate where your evening meal is included.

Today we experience the true natural beauty of Morocco’s Southern Valleys. First we head to Aït Ben Haddou, a 17^th century fortress and the largest Kasbah in Morocco.

The historic ksar – a UNESCO World Heritage listed site – is one of the iconic images of Morocco and, not surprisingly, the backdrop for countless well known movies including Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator, The Jewel of the Nile and Cleopatra. With the Kasbah that evolved around it, Aït Ben Haddou’s commanding position in the Ounila Valley served as an important trading post along a former caravan route from the Sahara to Marrakech and beyond.

Next we head south, through Taznakht and on to Taliouine. If you’re lucky enough to be on this tour in September or October this is a special time to be here. This is when the annual harvest takes place and the whole village – and surrounding villagers – work as one in this centre of saffron production.

In fact, Taliouine is the only area in Morocco where saffron grows and is cultivated on such a large scale. A visit to the saffron cooperative is an absolute ‘must do’ to appreciate how the production of this precious plant is more of an art form than simply working the land.

By late afternoon we arrive in Taroudant, known locally and affectionately as the “Little Marrakech”. The ochre-coloured ramparts surrounding this relaxed market town will give you a clue why. Built by the Saadian dynasty in the 16^th century and once their capital city before moving to Marrakech, Taroudant is the perfect place to catch up on some shopping for locally-produced jewelry and handicrafts, without all the hustle and bustle associated with the souks in the larger Imperial Cities. We stay overnight in Taroudant where your evening meal is included at your accommodation.

Another highly enjoyable day of contrasting scenery to look forward to as we meet up with you after breakfast. Today we shall be driving to the Atlantic Coast.

With as many stops as you like along the way for photography of some spectacular views, we arrive in Agadir for lunch. Beautiful beaches and an agreeable year-round climate have been the main factors in making Agadir the most popular seaside resort in Morocco.

After enjoy some refreshing Atlantic breezes and a stroll along the promenade, we resume our journey, this time heading north, hugging the Atlantic coastline, towards Essaouira. Landside, the area may look sparse. But look closer and you’ll see countless Argan trees and the occasional herd of goats, some of whom may demonstrate their tree climbing skills for you!

We arrive in Essaouira late afternoon where you will stay in a riad located within the walls of the Medina of this charismatic fishing port and seaside town.

Essaouira provides a welcome break from your travels and a time to recharge your batteries before we descend on Marrakech! The pace of life here is tranquil and the Atlantic breeze is most refreshing.

You’ll have the opportunity to stroll around the harbour as the day’s catch of fish and seafood is brought ashore while learning about the history and development of the area. You can even choose your own lunch from here to have cooked by one of the local restaurants a little later.

Adjoining the harbour are the 18^th century Portuguese ramparts and fortifications with their commanding views of the port, the town, the wide sandy beach and the Island of Mogador in the distance.

From this superb vantage point you are just a couple of minutes walk to the entrance of the UNESCO-listed medina and Place Moulay Hassan where your guided tour of the old town of Essaouira begins.

A far cry from Marrakech, the souks and squares in Essaouira are more relaxed – but still offer that amazing combination of colours and aromas entwined with locals and tourists inspecting the fascinating array of stalls, kiosks, galleries and shops that are at the heart of Morocco’s artisan culture.

Carpets, spices, herbal remedies, jewellery, lanterns, paintings, thuya woodcarvings and carpentry. Every street corner delivers a different view on life in Essaouira. And although, as you look upwards, some of the facades may appear to be in a state of disrepair, this only adds to the character of this popular seaside town.

With free time for you to enjoy lunch and amble around at your leisure, you can enjoy a second night of relaxation at your riad here in the “City of Wind”, so called because of its popularity with surfers.

Following a leisurely start to your day, we set off on the 2.5 hour drive inland to Marrakech. Since this is “Argan country”, there’s a great opportunity for you to learn more about the cultivation of the Argan fruit and its many uses. We call into a women’s cooperative where Argan oil is produced and you’ll be able to see close up how the oil is extracted, processed and used for its culinary, cosmetic and medical properties.

Our journey continues to Marrakech. As we approach the outskirts of the city, the tempo begins to rise as mopeds, donkeys, cyclists and taxis all compete for every piece of road space conducted by traffic police waving their arms and blowing their whistles in tune to the melee around them. Great fun to watch though!

Your riad in the Medina offers an oasis of peace and solitude against the mayhem outside – but more of that to look forward to in the morning. You can choose to dine at the riad or venture out to enjoy a cosmopolitan dining experience in the city.

After breakfast at your riad, you can start exporing the “Red City of Morocco”. Our professional guide will ensure that you visit the major sites of cultural and historic interest and 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 12^th century sandstone walls and visit  the Saadian Tombs that 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 theBen Youssef Koranic School and the  Dar Si Saïd Museum which offers an inspiring glimpse into Moroccan history with its collection of artifacts 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. We enjoy lunch with a panoramic vista of the Square beneath and in front of us.

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!

We will also head out of the Medina to visit the Jardins Majorelle, a masterpiece of botanic art and the legacy of designer Yves Saint Laurent. The gardens include a small – but well worth visiting – museum dedicated to Berber history with art, costumes and jewelry on display.

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. Your choice of venue and cuisine for your evening meal.

Our driver will meet you at your riad to assist with your onward journey as your Grand Tour reaches its conclusion. Depending on your point of origin and preferred arrangements for departure agreed with you at the time of booking your tour, our driver will take you to whichever airport or onward destination you have chosen for the remainder of your stay in Morocco.

The itinerary for this Grand Tour can be adapted to complement your own travel arrangements. Itinerary shown represents a typical Grand Tour that can begin or conclude in any combination of Casablanca, Tanger or Marrakech.

(NB. Prices may vary according to start and return points)