BEST OF MOROCCO

DAY 1 - CASABLANCA Upon arrival in Casablanca, you will be met by a Ya'lla Tours USA Morocco representative and transferred to your hotel for overnight. Overnight at Barcelo Anfa, (deluxe room)

DAY 2 - FES After breakfast, start your guided sightseeing tour of Casablanca. Visit the old medina; Place Mohamed V, a busy shopping street lined by residential blocks dating from the 1930s. Next, visit United Nations Square, designed by French architect Joseph Marrast and the League of Arab States Park, which was built in 1925 and offers a large area of greenery with palm trees, arcades, pergolas and cafés with shady terraces. Then visit the impressive and newly built Hassan II Mosque, the second largest mosque in the world. (Closed Fridays). Drive 1 ½ hours to Rabat. Sightseeing tour of this capital city of Morocco includes the old Medina, the picturesque Kasbah of the Oudayas, and the Oudaya Gate, built during the Almohad dynasty. Visit the well-preserved Hassan Tower and the Chellah which were built by the Merinids in the 12th and 13th centuries. Drive to Meknes, a city founded in the 9th century by Zenata Berbers. A tour of this former Imperial city of Morocco includes the old ramparts and the Agoudal Basin which was used to water the royal gardens and amuse the favorite concubines. Also visit the Moulay Ismail royal Stables, granaries, and House of Water (Dar El Ma), which were built in the 17th and 18th centuries to house, feed and water the sultan’s twelve-thousand horses. See Bab el Mansour, one of the most beautiful gates in Morocco. Drive to Fes for overnight. Overnight at Riad Fez, (deluxe room)

DAY 3 - FES The whole day will be devoted to an in depth visit of Fes, founded by King Moulay Idriss in the 9th century. Flat and comfortable shoes are a must for the visit of the Medina and its small winding and paved alleys. We start our tour of the labyrinth of the medina of Fes (UNESCO World Heritage) with its colorful street of dyers, brass and brass workers at es-Seffarine. Walk through the winding streets of the Great Mosque el-Quarawiyyin and the University. Journey into the past to the magnificent Mosque and Souk el-Atterine, beautiful Medersa el-Atterine, the Kissaria Draz and tanneries on the bank of the Oued Fes. Continue to The Nejjarine Museum in a wonderfully restored funduq, an ancient inn used by travelling merchants who stored and sold their goods below and took lodgings on the floors above. Centered on a courtyard, the rooms are given over to displays of traditional craftsmen’s tools, chunky prayer beads and Berber locks, chests and musical instruments. Everything is beautifully presented, although the stunning building gives the exhibits a run for their money. The rooftop cafe has great views over the medina. Photography is forbidden near the exhibits but is allowed in the courtyard and from the rooftop. In the afternoon, visit the famous pottery kilns and tour around the walls with numerous Babs. Return to your hotel for overnight. Overnight at Riad Fez, (deluxe room)

DAY 4 - MARRAKECH After breakfast, set out for Marrakech across the Middle Atlas-mountains through the village of Immouzzer du Kandar and the ski resort of Ifrane in the heart of a cedar forest. Continue through Azrou and Khenifra, down the Tadla Valley and the rich agricultural area of Beni Mellal. This is a rather long day trip, but very enjoyable due to the everchanging scenery. Travel through fertile valleys, past high mountains, rolling hills, long stretches of verdant pastureland and typical Moroccan villages. In the late afternoon, arrive in Marrakech for overnight. Overnight at Palais Khum, (junior suite)

DAY 5 - MARRAKECH After breakfast, enjoy a full day sightseeing of Marrakech. First, tour the Menara Garden with its lovely Saadian Pavilion and olive groves. Next, step into the wondrous old world of the medina. Wander through the labyrinth and stop at the foot of the Koutoubia Minaret, a famous landmark of Marrakech. Continue to the Bahia Palace with its lush Moorish-style gardens. After lunch, visit the Majorelle Botanical Gardens, host of a variety of flora from around the world. Next, discover some of the most colorful souks of the medina. Finally, stroll through the exotic Jemaa El Fna Square, ancient meeting place of tradesmen, musicians, snake charmers, and storytellers. Return to your hotel for overnight. Overnight at Palais Khum, (junior suite)

DAY 6 - MARRAKECH Today is at your leisure to spend as you please. Perhaps just enjoy the hotel amenities, hire a horse-drawn carriage, or play 18 holes of golf at one of Marrakech’s fabulous three golf courses. In the evening, enjoy dinner at a fine local restaurant. Overnight at Palais Khum, (junior suite)

DAY 7 - You will be transferred to Marrakech Menara Airport for your flight.