Afternoon Arrival in Casablanca & Hassan II Mosque

When you arrive in Casablanca this afternoon, your private driver will pick you up from the airport so you can begin your whirlwind adventure. Your first stop is the imposing Hassan II Mosque, which boasts the world's tallest minaret. Not only does this complex represent the pinnacle of Moroccan architecture, but it's also the country's only mosque open to the public with interior tours. Take advantage of your unique opportunity to see all facets of the sprawling landmark, which can host up to 105,000 worshipers. You'll then check-in to your sumptuous hotel, where you can rest up. Throughout your trip, you'll enjoy a range of luxury hotels that reflect the diverse architectural and cultural heritage of the regions on your itinerary. Here in cosmopolitan Casablanca, you'll spend the night in a five-star hotel, but in the imperial cities of Fes and Marrakech.

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Casablanca to Chefchaouen - A City Awash in Blue

Today, you will make your way to Chefchaouen. This little city is a visual delight in blue; walls, doors, windows, stairways, alleyways, and archways – everything is a combination of pastel sky blue and deeper, more vivid hues. Chefchaouen is located in the heart of the Rif Mountains and is famous for its sense of "old Morocco." En route, you'll visit the imposing Hassan Tower monument, one of the most magnificent buildings of the Almohad Dynasty. A curiosity of a landmark, Hassan Tower is a minaret of a 12th-century mosque, a lofty construction project that was ultimately abandoned. All that remains today is the red sandstone tower, standing at 145 feet (44 m), and about 200 columns where a more extensive complex was meant to be. After you wander the ruins, check out the Mausoleum of Mohamed V, which serves as a stellar taste of the intricate tilework, mosaics, and craftsmanship that you'll see throughout the land.

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Chefchaouen to Fes - Volubilis, Moulay Idriss, and Meknes

Enjoy your morning in Chefchaouen; if you're inspired to wake before dawn, you'll be rewarded with a fantastic sunrise from the Spanish mosque, perched high atop the town. Or take it easy with a languid breakfast, followed by exploration in the medina. You can also spend a relaxing with a cup of fresh mint tea in Place Outa el-Hammam, watching the city come to life from a cafe.

Later in the morning, you'll hit the road to travel through Morocco's royal past. You'll first head south toward Fes. En route, you'll stop to visit Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that features Morocco's best-preserved Roman ruins. Wander the massive complex and explore large merchant homes with visible heating systems, temples, and many well-preserved mosaics. If you'd like to dive deep into the history here, you can hire your own private guide. Because you're traveling with a private driver, you can stay as long as you like at the ruins, as well as any other sites you visit on your trip.

After, you'll move on to Moulay Idriss, which, from a distance, looks like a sitting camel. Moulay Idriss was founded in 789 CE; Morocco's first Islamic capital, the city remains a site of ongoing cultural significance. Check out the unique round minaret here, the only one of its kind in Morocco. Your driver will help you find a great option for lunch, but if you can snag reservations early enough beforehand, you can enjoy a private dining experience at the city's most exclusive restaurant.

Your next stop is the prosperous city of Meknes, which features a smaller medina and friendlier shopkeepers that you will see in larger cities. Your driver will lead you through the Ville Impériale (New City) area, where you can see gardens, palaces, the impressive gate of Bab al-Mansour, the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, and the Royal Stables. Many of these palaces were constructed with materials taken from Volubilis, so be on the lookout for Roman columns hidden in unexpected places!

You'll end your royal road trip today in Fes, one of Morocco's four Imperial Cities. After you check in to your luxury riad in the historic medina, the rest of the day is yours. The unforgettable medina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a maze of winding alleys that climb up both sides of a steep river valley and is the largest car-free urban area in the world. If you lose yourself are exploring the medina on your own, pay attention to whether you are going up or downhill as you walk. Walking uphill will generally take you to the edge of the medina, where it is much easier to get your bearings and catch transportation.

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Fes - Exploring the Imperial City, Medieval Medina & Hammam

Fuel up with a delicious breakfast, then meet up with your private tour guide (a Fes local) to explore the UNESCO protected medina. Your guide will share hidden stories and show you the secluded corners of this thriving epicenter; take in the minutia of daily life and the magnificence of madrasas and palaces. Once you've worked up an appetite, ask your guide for lunch suggestions — there are many luxurious restaurants hidden behind unassuming doorways. You'll also dive into traditions and craft today; you'll visit tanneries and mosaic workshops to observe traditional crafting methods still in use today and connect with the artisans at work.

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Fes to Casablanca: Rabat and Salé

Today you will depart Fes toward Casablanca. On the way, you'll return to Rabat and visit the charming suburb of Salé. As Morocco's political capital, Rabat has a bustling culinary scene. Although you'll find good Moroccan food around the city, head to the embassy quarter of the new city (just inland from the medina) for some of the best French and Italian dining in the country. In the afternoon, travel to the nearby city of Salé, where you can tour the historic madrasa, where you'll find striking architecture and Moroccan craftwork. Be sure to also check out the Bab Antare and Bab Mellah, spectacular walls and gates that divide up the city. In the early evening, you'll arrive in Casablanca, where you will have the night to explore and dine on your own.

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Depart from Casablanca

It's time to say goodbye to beautiful Morocco. Depending on the time of your departure flight, you may be able to do some last-minute sightseeing in Casablanca or enjoy tea at one of the traditional cafés. When the time comes, you'll head to Casablanca's Mohammed V International Airport for your flight.