Welcome to Meknes
Quieter and smaller than its grand neighbour Fez, Meknes feels rather overshadowed and receives fewer visitors than it should. It’s more laid-back with less hassle, yet still has all the winding narrow medina streets and grand buildings that it warrants as an imperial city and one-time home of the Moroccan sultanate.
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Fez-Meknes-Marrakech-Casablanca-Tangier: Morocco 7-Day Tour
Your seven-day excursion from the Costa del Sol to Morocco’s top six cities highlights the country’s rich history and heady culture. From palaces, mosques and medinas to beaches, gardens and mountains, you’ll see and experience the best of Fez, Meknes, Marrakech, Casablanca, Rabat and Tangier. You have your choice of standard (three-star) or superior (four-star) accommodation; breakfast is included, as are a few other meals.Please see the Itinerary section below for details on each day of the tour.
Private 5 Day Trip Imperial Cities of Morocco from Casablanca
Day 1 Casablanca, Fez cityAfter your hotel or airport pick-up, depending on your travel plans, the tour starts with a visit to Casablanca, the largest city in Morocco and the economic capital.Casablanca is a modern city but one that holds within its walls an authentic medina you also will be able to visit the old castle at EL Hobouss. Here in this beautiful city you will visit the most popular points of interest like the grand Mosque of Hassan II, the Anfa neighborhood, the Park of Nations and the Boulevard de la Corniche.Afterward, your tour will continue to Rabat the capital of Morocco. Here you will visit more points of interest such as the Real Palace, Kasbah Oudaya, the Mausoleum of Mohamed V and the Tower of Hassan. At the end of the day, you will spend the night in Fez city in hotel or traditional houss.Day 2&3 Fez, Meknes,After an early breakfast at the hotel, the journey will be going to Meknes but your visit in Meknes includes the popular Roman ruins of Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site followed by lunch. After lunch,you will be back for a tour in Fez after you will check in to your hotel and enjoy dinner .In Fez your day begins with breakfast at the hotel followed by an entire day dedicated to the lovely city of Fez. Fez is divided into three zones: the old (Fez el-Bali), the new (Fez el Idid), and the French district (Ville Nouvelle). Visitors to Fez are astounded by medieval walls and plazas filled with endless winding streets there is so much to do in Fez including visiting EL Mellah, the Jewish neighborhood, the Plaza de los Tenidores, the old medina, the new medina, the Spanish Mosque. Once the tour is over, you will be guided to your hotel where you will enjoy a meal and spend the night.Day 4 Ifrane, Midelt, Ziz Valley, Erfoud, MerzougaAfter breakfast at the hotel, your tour continues to the Merzouga Desert while making stops along the way. At this point in the tour, you will be exploring the Mid Atlas Mountains including a stop in Ifrane, an enchanting town that is so unique from many of the towns in Morocco beginning with its distinct architecture. Don’t be surprised if you think you have stepped into the middle of a European city! A light jacket is suggested here since Ifrane is chillier than most towns in Morocco. Your tour continues to Midelt a town located between the Mid Atlas and High Atlas Mountains, where is going to be the lunch. Make sure you have your camera handy because our tour through the Ziz Valley is every photographer’s dream.Finally in the early afternoon,arrive in Merzouga where you will leave your luggage in a secure location and prepare a small bag for your trek into the desert.Day 5 Merzouga to Alnif,Tazarine,Ouarzazate,Marrakech Your journey will start with an early wake up to watch the sunrise on one of the highest sand dunes that surrounding your camp, have your breakfast, then get on the camel to ride back and the tour will finish in Marrakech city
Best Tour of Morocco-12 Night from Casablanca
ItineraryDay 1: Casablanca Stop At: Maroc FerArrival & Transfer to your hotel.Duration: 2 hoursNo meals included on this day.No accommodation included on this day.Day 2: Casablanca/Rabat/Chefchaouen (the blue city) (B)Pass By: Chefchaouen Medina, Chefchaouen, Tangier-Tetouan RegionBreakfast than Visit the richly decorated Hassan II mosque (10€ payable in spot) , than departure for Rabat, historical visit: Mohamed V mausoleum, King palace, Oudaya kasbah and departure for Chefchaouen. Overnight.Meals included: • BreakfastNo accommodation included on this day.Day 3: Chefchaouen/Volubilis -Meknes (B)Pass By: Meknes Medina, Meknes, Meknes-Tafilalet RegionBreakfast Visit the Chefchaouen, than depart for Imperial city of Meknes: historical visit: Bab El Mansour, the Granary and the stables which contained more than 12000 horses, the UNESCO World Heritage site of Volubulis and it's glimpse into Morocco's Roman past. Overnight.Meals included: • BreakfastNo accommodation included on this day.Day 4: From mekens To FezPass By: Fez Mellah, Fes, Fes-Boulemane RegionBreakfast: Day dedicated to the historical guided visit of Fes: medina, Quaraouine university, Attarine medersa, kingdom Palace, multicolored souks, Tannery, Overnight.Meals included: • BreakfastNo accommodation included on this day.Day 5: From Fez to Midelt (B)Pass By: Middle Atlas, Skoura M'Daz, Souss-Massa-Draa RegionTravel through the middle Atlas, drive further south passing by several towns and you will get the opportunity to view nomads living in tents alongside the way. Overnight Meals included: • BreakfastNo accommodation included on this day.Day 6: From Midelt To Merzouga (sand dunes) (B, D) Pass By: Merzouga Desert, Merzouga, Meknes-Tafilalet Region depart to reach the desert camp in the midle of dunes where you will spend the night, dinner include around the campfire under the stars and sleep in Nomad Berber tent in desert.Meals included: • Breakfast • DinnerNo accommodation included on this day.Day 7: From Merzouga to Todra Gorge (B, D)Pass By: Todgha Gorge, Tinerhir, Souss-Massa-Draa RegionDepart via Rissani, to Tinghir. Continuing on the road alongside the river to reach the Todra gorges (canyon) where you will Walk on foot through this stunning place while enjoying the views of high rock walls (up to 300m) Dinner & overnight.Meals included: • Breakfast • DinnerNo accommodation included on this day.Day 8: From Todra Gorges to Valley of roses - Ouarzazate (B, D)Pass By: Musee Theatre Memoire de Ouarzazate, Ouarzazate, Souss-Massa-Draa RegionDepart to Ouarzazate via Skoura palm groves, you will arrive to Ouarzazate, visit the Kasbah, cinema museum. Dinner incl.Meals included: • Breakfast • DinnerNo accommodation included on this day.Day 9: From Ouarzazate to Marrakech (B)Pass By: Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou, Ait Ben Haddou, Souss-Massa-Draa RegionVisit Ksar Aït Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and departure via the High Atlas to reach Marrakech. Overnight at hotel.Meals included: • BreakfastNo accommodation included on this day.Day 10: Marrakech Pass By: Marrakech Souk, Marrakech, Marrakech-Tensift-El Haouz RegionBreakfast, Day dedicated to Marrakech visit: Bahia palace, Saadians tombs, Jemaa El Fna place, Majorelle garden, late, you have an a optional Moroccan evening or diner live show (50€/person except drink).Meals included: • BreakfastNo accommodation included on this day.Day 11: Marrakech Pass By: Marrakech Souk, Marrakech, Marrakech-Tensift-El Haouz RegionBreakfast in hotel, time at your disposal for relaxing or shoppingMeals included: • BreakfastNo accommodation included on this day.Day 12: From Marrakech to Casablanca Pass By: New Medina of Casablanca, Casablanca, Grand Casablanca RegionDeparture for Casablanca, overn...Meals included: • BreakfastNo accommodation included on this day.Day 13: Transfer from hotel to airport Pass By: New Medina of Casablanca, Casablanca, Grand Casablanca RegionAirport transferNo meals included on this day.No accommodation included on this day.
7 Nights Imperial Cities Private Tour from Casablanca
ItineraryDay 1: CASABLANCAPass By: New Medina of Casablanca, Casablanca, Grand Casablanca RegionArrival, warm welcome by your guide. Transfer to your hotel in Casablancanight at 4* hotelFor those looking for a taste of old Hollywood glamour, an a optional trip to Rick’s Café is a must. This beautiful bar and restaurant was inspired by the Rick’s Café from the film Casablanca and the décor does its best to live up to it. Serving American, French and Moroccan food, head along on a Sunday to enjoy the evening jazz session and pop up to the 1st film for a free screening of the legendary film, You do not meet Sam the pianist but certainly you will listen to the famous song: As time goes by.(advance reservation)Meals included: • Dinner • BreakfastAccommodation included: night at 4* hotelDay 2: Casablanca - Rabat - MeknesPass By: New Medina of Casablanca, Casablanca, Grand Casablanca RegionAfter de breakfast, you visit the richly decorated Hassan II Mosque, one of the largest religious building in the world after the mosque in Mecca, it would comfortably fit Rome’s St Peter’s inside.After you have a panoramic tour, than departure for Rabat a capital of MoroccoYou visit Rabat, a Unesco World Heritage, the first of the Imperial Cities where you see the city’s Medina and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V. Guarded by two mounted, traditionally robed spear-carrying ‘lancers’, it is built in traditional style, the grandfather and father of the present king are buried here and its contemporary mosaics and spiral designs make a fascinating comparison with the adjacent Hassan Mosque, a wonder of the medieval Moorish world with its great minaret left unfinished when its founder died in 1199. If completed it would have been the largest building in the world at that time. You visit also the King Palace and the Oudaya Kasbah. The harbor is full of traditional fishing boats and on the opposite river bank is Sale, Rabat’s twin city where Robinson Crusoe was enslaved before his final escape to Brazil, than departure pour Meknès, arrival and accommodation in Riad or 4* hotelMeals included: • Dinner • BreakfastAccommodation included: accommodation in Riad or 4* hotelDay 3: Meknes - Volubilis - FèsPass By: Meknes Medina, Meknes, Meknes-Tafilalet Region"it is a place made for painters ... the beautiful abounds ... the beautiful runs the streets, I am stunned by all that I saw, I am at this moment like a man who dreams. "Eugene de Lacroix said of MeknesBreakfast, guided visit of MEKNES, a Unesco World Heritage, the 16th century capital whose ruler, Moulay Ismail, modelled himself on France’s ‘Sun King’, Louis XIV. After plundering his entire country he opened his amazing palace decorated with the most intricate colorful stucco work, huge beautifully detailed bronze doors and stunning mosaics: you visit Bab Mansour the gate most shouted in Morocco, the Granary, the Moulay Ismail stable housing more than 12.000 horses. You also visit Volubilis, the westernmost outpost of the Roman Empire. Wonderfully isolated, set amongst gorgeous rolling hills and olive groves, it is a haunting sight, silent and almost ghost-like. Here our guided tour will ensure you appreciate Volubilis’s historic importance and its stunning mosaics:The Roman ruins of Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage site, stretched out over 40 hectares, are the most well preserved ruins in Morocco. Continue to FEZ where you will check-in to your hotel for two nights. (Breakfast): hotel or in Riad, (an a aristocratic house).Meals included: • Dinner • BreakfastAccommodation included: hotel or in Riad, (an a aristocratic house)Day 4: FèsPass By: Fez Mellah, Fes, Fes-Boulemane RegionAfter breakfast, the whole day will be devoted to discovering Fez, a Unesco World Heritage and the oldest of the imperial cities, home to the world’s first university dating from the 9th century and one of the most complete medieval cities in existence. Surrounded by huge defensive walls, it seems suspended in a time warp, somewhere between the Middle Ages and the modern. But it’s more than that, it is a living city almost devoid of tourists, where whilst wandering amongst its amazing 9,000 tiny streets you experience its noisy hawkers selling everything from colorful carpet, vegetables, to delicious middle eastern pastries flavored with cinnamon and honey. Mind your backs for the passing of the only transport-mule or donkey! The haunting sound of the call to prayer resonates over the traditional rooftops whilst skilled artisans noisily beat metal into pans and intricate metal-ware as they have for centuries. . Visit of the medieval Medina. You will also explore the famous souks where craftsmen still labor in the age-old oriental tradition. Lunch on your own. Continue sightseeing in the afternoon. Return to hotel and overnight.(4* hotel or Riad an a aristocratic house (B,B) Meals included: • Dinner • BreakfastAccommodation included: 4* hotel or Riad an a aristocratic houseDay 5: Fès - Marrakech (by highway 5h)Pass By: Fez Mellah, Fes, Fes-Boulemane RegionEarly wake up and breakfast, departure for Marrakesh arrival for check-in, time at your disposal and overnight. (B,B)Optional international evening: dinner and cabaret show live music (60€/person)Meals included: • Dinner • BreakfastAccommodation included: Hotel or RiadDay 6: MarrakeshPass By: Marrakech Souk, Marrakech, Marrakech-Tensift-El Haouz RegionAfter the breakfast, Cultural and historical guided visit of Marrakesh, an Unesco world Heritage, once an oasis on the caravan routes to the south, it became a natural centre of commerce and the capital city during medieval times. Wealth poured in from Moorish Spain and the city you see today was built. Surrounded by almost intact medieval walls little has changed and in the central square Jemaa el Fna is one of the world’s greatest spectacles, that is listed by UNESCO, as a Oral heritage of humanity. Here, especially atmospheric at dusk, street restaurants serve all kinds of delicacies with mouth-watering aromas filling the air, surrounded by what only can be described as a medieval circus. Storytellers recount tales of old, whilst fire-eaters and skilled acrobats entertain onlookers. Scribes write letters and open-air dentists and barbers industriously practice their trades. Have your shoes cleaned, watch snake-charmers and see herbalists dispensing mystical remedies. Musical troupes lithely move to the soulful heavy drumbeat which thuds hypnotically in the balmy warm of the Moroccan evening. This eclectic mix makes Marrakesh one of the most exciting and romantic places you will ever visit..You will have the afternoon free to do whatever you please, whether it be shopping at the fabulous souks or simply relaxing by the poolside at your hotel. Lunch on your ownovernight 4* hotel.Meals included: • Dinner • BreakfastAccommodation included: 4* hotel.Day 7: MarrakechPass By: Marrakech Souk, Marrakech, Marrakech-Tensift-El Haouz RegionMarrakesh /or CasablancaMeals included: • Dinner • BreakfastAccommodation included: 4* hotel.
Full Day Trip to Meknes ,Volubilis & Mouly Idriss
ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productStop At: Meknes Medina, Meknes, Meknes-Tafilalet RegionYour Day trip to Meknes Volubilis begins by picking you up from your accommodation in Fes city (Hotel/Riad), and then drive through the captivating views of the Moroccan Countryside. First, we will stop in The Sidi Chahed dam reservoir built in the 1990's, the incredible dam is a perfect place to chill and a picnic. You will also have some free time to take pictures of the charming site.Next, we will continue our Fes Excursion to Volubilis, an attractive preserved Roman ruins, holding the most impressive historical and cultural secrets of the Roman old empire. You will be discovering the magnificent Roman architecture, by exploring the ruins of the Arch of Caracalla, Basilica and Capitoline Temple and the fascinating old Royal houses. You will also have a clear image about their ancient traditional works of mosaic art on the ground and majestic huge gates.After that, our Day Trip to Meknes Volubilis continues to Moulay Idriss Zerhoun, Morocco's holiest town. The small village has a large history and a big value in every Moroccan's heart, as it was once the home of the Idriss I, the first Moroccan ruler as the first one to bring Islam religion to the country. We will have enough time in the town to explore its beautiful natural views, oldest houses, and the ancient Grand Mosque.Later, we will move on our Volubilis Day Trip to Meknes, an old Moroccan capital with wonderful Spanish-Moorish style. Meknes city, or "The Moroccan Versailles" is all surrounded by high walls with Royal entries, perfectly combining between both Islamic and European architecture styles. Meknes holds the most interesting Historical Monuments, as Bab el Mansour el Aleuj ,Palais Dar Jamai, and El Hadim Square, a centred square where you can see the most remarkable Moroccan handicrafts and all sorts of entertaining activities, giving a small version of “Jamaa El Fna” in Marrakesh. You will be also guided through the narrow streets and, underground monuments and royal stables.After a memorable Day Trip to Meknes Volubilis, your driver will take you back yo Fes city, and finally drop you off at your Hotel/Riad.Duration: 8 hours
Day trip to Volubilis and Meknes from Fez
ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productStop At: Meknes Medina, Meknes, Meknes-Tafilalet RegionOur Fes to Volubilis Excursion Starts pick up you at your hotel or riad in Fez, the time that would be suited for you. for a 1 hour's drive west to the Imperial city of Meknes. Driving across the plain you will see vast acreages of vineyards which produce good quality wine, much of which is exported to France. You will have up to three hours in Meknes to explore the town including the expansive souks, the fascinating historical sites and to take lunch. Moulay Ismail made Meknes the capital city of Morocco during his reign around 1700; his mausoleum and the Rouah, his stables for over 12,000 horses, together with Place el-Hedim, the central pedestrian square in the Medina, are well worth a visit. The souks of Meknes are refreshingly spacious compared to Fez, which makes the city a relaxing place to explore.Duration: 1 hourStop At: Volubilis, Meknes-Tafilalet RegionMeknes to Moulay Idriss After lunch our journey takes you 30km north to the hillside settlement of Moulay Idriss. The town is one of the country's most important spiritual sites and a place of pilgrimage as it is the site of the tomb of Moulay Idriss, a prominent Moroccan saint in the late 8th century and a great grandson of the prophet Mohammed. The town is often bypassed by non-Muslim tourists, whose closest encounter is often a photograph taken from nearby Volubilis. There is limited access to the green-tiled shrine but the myriad of narrow streets leading to vantage points for views over the valley towards Volubilis are well worth a short stop. Moulay Idriss to Volubilis and Fez Leaving Moulay Idriss for the short 4km drive to the World Heritage Site of Volubilis, there are a number of vantage points to take photographs of the town. Volubilis is the site of the largest and best preserved Roman ruins in Morocco, particularly noted for its superb mosaic floors; it has fabulous views of the Rif Mountain foothills, particularly at sunset. A guided tour of the Volubilis site with an official guide (20 dh paid locally) is well worth it if you are interested in some detail of the site's history. At around 4.30pm you depart Volubilis returning to Fez at around 6.30pm.Duration: 3 hours