Imperial Cities and High Atlas Tour

Day 1 - Volubilis - Meknes - Fes

After your arrival at the Casablanca, Rabat or Fes airport, you will be escorted to start your Moroccan journey.

Explore the ancient Roman ruins of Volubulis, sprawled amid a wildflower-dotted hillside, where the remains of palaces, baths, soaring arches and magnificent mosaics await exploration. Then, you'll travel through lush rolling hills studded with the fertile plains of ancient olive groves and vineyards which await you in the Ismalian capital of Meknes. Meknes is on Unesco's world heritage list. After a pleasant lunch at the holy city of Moulay Idriss, explore the ports of Bab El Mansour and Bab El Khamis.

Dinner and accommodation are at your charming riad in Fes.

Day 2 - Fes

Start the day with a traditional Moroccan breakfast, and then it's off to explore the ancient white city of Fes, one of the best examples of a preserved medieval city. Fes, founded in the 9th century, is little unchanged since then. A certified guide will help you explore the serpentine souks, where you'll find fine artisanal goods, rich carpets, pyramids of olives and rainbow-colored spices, sweet fruit and other delights. Or visit the much photographed, colorful honeycomb vats of the tanneries and climb the Merenid Tombs, which overlook a stunning panorama of Fes.

The visit includes the following: * Jewish quarter

* Synagogue

* The ramparts of Fes

* The gates of the Palace

* The panoramic view of Fes

* The pottery cooperative

* Tanneries

* Berber Carpet Demonstration

* Dyers Market

* Wood Museum / Najjarine

* Museum Batha

* Al-Qayrawan mosque

* Medersa Bou Inania

* Weavers Cooperative

* Mausoleum of Moulay Idriss II

* Antiquitites' gallery

* Medersa Cherratine

Enjoy dinner at one of the many area restaurants.

Accommodation is at your charming riad in Fes.

Day 3 - Rabat

A morning drive to the capital of Morocco.

Rabat, a vibrant city with lush green parks, is entered through the enormous Almoahad Gate to the Kasbah des Oudaias, which is situated on a bluff overlooking the majestic Atlantic Ocean.

Rabat offers a rich historical and cultural heritage. Tour the exquisite 17th century palace which is now a part of the Musée des Oudaia (Museum of Moroccan Arts), the Andalusian Gardens near the famous Tour Hassan, and a 12th century minaret which is intended to be the highest and the largest in the Muslim world. Or, view the Mausoleum of Mohammed V and King Hassan's regal palace.

Enjoy dinner at one of the many area restaurants.

Accommodation is at your charming riad in Rabat.

Day 4 - Casablanca - High Atlas Mountains/Ourika Valley

You'll be escorted to the white-washed city of Casablanca. Casablanca has long brought to people's mind the romance of the famous movie. Today, Casablanca beats as the economic heart of the country. Explore the lovely architecture and sites that lend a distinct European feel.

After lunch, you'll travel to the stunning Ourika Valley in the High Atlas where you'll experience the Berber lifestyle firsthand and enjoy a ritual pouring of mint tea.

Dinner and accommodation are at your charming kasbah in Ourika Valley.

Day 5 - Ourika Valley / High Atlas Mountains

Discover the hidden Berber villages of the valley or hike through the wildflower-dotted hillside to one of the waterfalls of the High Atlas. And then it's on to the lovely garden of the valley near the souk Lathinie.

You will visit one of the Jewish shrines of the high Atlas Mountains, and you will meet with the last Berber Jew at the Ourika valley.

Have dinner and overnight stay at your luxury Berber Kasbah Omar at the village of Anrar.

A traditional Moroccan Hammam (steam bath) and massage are available at the Kasbah Omar for extra costs. (Please let them know in advance if you would like to make an appointment.)

Day 6 - Marrakech

Following breakfast, it's a 45-minute ride to the Pink City of Marrakech.

Marrakech is a name which offers up mystery and magic. It's a pink city rising out of the desert and against a backdrop of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains. It is known as a city of contradictions where camels are tethered on the roadside and ancient souks exist with modern rose-petal strewn bistros and nightclub music. Veiled women move languorously along the avenues and young women in miniskirts zoom by on mopeds.

A certified guide is available to help you explore the ancient Bahia Palace from the days of the harem, which is now populated by a sentry of nesting storks, or ancient royal Saadian Tombs. Or, you may wish to enter the historic Jewish mellah where some of the best handcrafted jewelries of Morocco are sold. Another site is the majestic Koutoubia Mosque, the largest mosque in the city.

Enjoy dinner at one of the many area restaurants.

Accommodation is at your charming riad in the ancient city of Marrakech.

Day 7 - Marrakech

You'll make a morning visit to the glorious Majorelle Gardens which are owned by international designer Yves St. Laurent. Stroll along the ancient Menara pool, and then tour the ancient city wall and Palmerie.

In the afternoon, take time to explore the hidden treasures of Marrakech, and at the end of the day, be seduced by the world-famous Djemaa el-Fna open air market, where you'll find exotic snake charmers, Berber musicians, spinning acrobats and fortune tellers. The air is filled with curls of smoke rising from delectable kebobs grilled over coals.

Enjoy dinner in Djemma el-Fna, or at one of many restaurants in the area.

Evening accommodations are at your riad in the ancient city of Marrakech.

Day 8 - Transfer to either Marrakech or Casablanca airport for your home return.

Note:

- If you wish to modify the itinerary according to specific dates, interests or cities of arrival or departure, please advise them.

- Pick up from any airport, port or train station in Morocco is available.

- This tour can be extended or modified to end wherever guests wish.