Morocco September 2009 - day by day outline

Day 1:

Casablanca. Depending on arrival time during day (Lufthansa flight from Frankfurt arrives about 1pm) activities could include a visit to the huge and impressive mosque on the edge of the Atlantic ocean. Dinner at Al Mounia Restaurant (included). Stay at Hotel Washington (****).

Day 2:

Drive to Marrakesh (3 hours' drive). Check in to luxurious Hotel Tichka (****), a Moroccan-style luxury hotel designed by American architect, Bill Willis, who designed the world famous Restaurant Yacout. Swimming pool in use even mid-winter - water usually heated to around 29°C.
Wander around central square, Djeema el Fna (market stalls, acrobats, jugglers, snakecharmers, fresh food stalls, wandering musicians etc - as it has been since Middle Ages).
Dinner at Restaurant Yacout (included) - a truly magical experience in a traditional Moroccan house built around a central courtyard pool.

Day 3:

Marrakesh. Day at leisure (perhaps guided tour of medina, visit Bahia Palace or wander at leisure for an hour or two around the famous gardens of the world renowned Hotel Mamounia - entry can be gained by paying for a cup of coffee at the bar). Dinner - own arrangements/own cost. 2nd night at Hotel Tichka (****).

Day 4:

Drive across breathtaking scenery of the High Atlas Mountains (3 hours). Altitude over 2000 metres - may experience snow delays. Basic Moroccan dinner (included) at hotel, La Kasbah (unclassified) in Ait Benhaddou. Hotel is right opposite a famous kasbah which was used in the filming of Lawrence of Arabia and Jesus of Nazareth - you can wander at leisure through it during afternoon. Ait Ben Haddou is a typical small desert village - local artisans will hound you to buy their crafts.

Day 5:

Drive through French garrison town of Ouarzazate to Tineghir. Visit Todra Gorge - stunning brown ochre canyons to walk through. Lunch in Todra Gorge (included). Drive to Erfoud on the edge of the Sahara (total day's drive about 5 hours). Dinner own arrangements/own cost. Hotel Tafilalet (***), Erfoud.

Day 6:

Up at 4am for early morning visit to Sahara Desert for sunrise. Authoritative guide will point out famous film sites, bedouin camps, ancient irrigation systems etc.
Visit a traditional family carpet business in Rissani.
Guided walk or camel ride (own cost) into the silence of the Sahara sand dunes at sunrise - not far from the Algerian border. Afternoon drive to Er Rachidia (1 hour). Kenzi Rissani Hotel (****). Dinner own arrangements/own cost.

Day 7:

Drive to Fes (5 hours) through a full range of Moroccan scenery - desert, rock, alpine(European-looking ski towns), before descending to the Spanish/Italian countryside with its olive groves as you approach the imperial city. Introductory tour of city.
Dinner at La Maison Bleue (included), another beautifully restored Moroccan townhouse operating as a boutique hotel and restaurant - live in-house musicians. Visit their web-site: http://www.fesnet.net.ma/maisonbleue. Stay at Ibis Moussafir Hotel (***).

Day 8:

Fes. Guided tour of medieval medina, a World Heritage-classified labyrinth of winding lanes, donkey transport etc. Lunch on the patio at Le Palais de Fes (included) overlooking the city. Rest of day at leisure. Dinner own arrangements/cost. 2nd night at Ibis Moussafir Hotel.

Day 9:

Drive to Volubilis via Meknes (2 - 3 hours). Hotel Volubilis (****), luxury accommodation near Moulay Idriss overlooking Roman ruins. Rural position. Dinner (included) at hotel restaurant. Afternoon visit to Roman ruins at Volubilis.

Day 10:

Drive to Casablanca (3 hours). Day at leisure or visit to mosque if required. Dinner own arrangements/cost. Stay at Ibis Moussafir Hotel (***).

Day 11:

Depart Casablanca. Own arrangements. NB: The hotel is nextdoor to the station - direct train to airport.

Meals included: All breakfasts, 2 lunches, 5 dinners (2 with wine included)
Tips - at own discretion/cost.
Travel by comfortable minibus. Experienced escort/driver and local guides.

Reduced cost tours can be organised eg several of the restaurants are world famous and consequently very expensive so could be replaced by own arrangements. The Hotel Tichka in Marrakech is very expensive so alternative accommodation could be provided - you would still remain part of the group.