Tour Details - Best of Morocco 2012

Welcome to one of the most fascinating countries in the world – the Kingdom of Morocco! A heady mix of cultures, religions and traditions, Morocco is truly exotic - a feast for the senses! After check-in relax or explore this vibrant city. Tonight, meet with your travelling companions and Travel Director for a Welcome Reception.(Welcome Reception)

Admire the city’s landmarks during your sightseeing tour with your expert Local Guide including the Bahia Palace and Djemaa el Fna Square, which is full of palm readers, snake charmers and endless markets stalls. Spend free time afterwards haggling for wonderful souvenirs and bargains in the bazaar!(Buffet Breakfast)

You have free time this morning in Marrakesh to relax or shop. Head north to Casablanca via Settat, which stands 370m above sea level on a plateau surrounded by foothills. In Casablanca, see the sights during your orientation including the magnificent Hassan II Mosque built for the late king’s 60th birthday celebrations.(Buffet Breakfast)

Along the coast in Rabat, your Travel Director gives a fascinating account of Morocco’s history from the French invasion of 1912 until full independence was granted in 1956. Your orientation tour of the city includes the grand 17th century palace which is now a museum, and the 12th century mosque. In the imperial city of Meknes, see Bab el-Mansour, one of the most impressive monumental gateways in North Africa. Arrive later in Fez, the symbolic heart of Morocco and the country’s oldest imperial city.(Buffet Breakfast)

Your expert Local Guide takes you on a morning sightseeing tour of Fez, the former capital of Morocco. Explore the médina, one of the largest thriving medieval centers in the world. See the Royal Palace and the fascinating dye-pits and tanneries. Spend the rest of the day seeing the sights of your choice. Shop for beautiful carpets and unique souvenirs in the bustling and fascinating bazaar. Join your companions this evening for a very special Be My Guest experience of Moroccan specialities!(Buffet Breakfast / Be My Guest dinner)

Follow the old caravan trail south. Stop for lunch in Midelt, a market town set in the high plains between the Middle and High Atlas mountain ranges. Continue along the palm-fringed Ziz Valley, famous for date cultivation, to the Tafilalt oasis on the edge of the Sahara Desert. Your day ends in Erfoud, where beautiful views across the shimmering Sahara have made this a popular location with filmmakers.(Buffet Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)

Travel west to Tinerhir, which stands at the of one of the most beautiful oases of southern Morocco and stretches for nearly thirty kilometres. Continue through part of the Todra Gorge and cut through the mountains − this is one of the most dramatic views in the country! Follow the route of a thousand Kasbahs to Ouarzazate, the setting for a number of famous movies including Lawrence of Arabia, Cleopatra and Gladiator. Dine tonight at your hotel.(Buffet Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)

See the sights during your orientation tour of Ouarzazate. Visit Ait Ben Haddou in the High Atlas Mountains. Continue through the Tizi-n-Tichka Pass to Marrakesh - the ‘Red City’. Like many other former imperial cities in Morocco, Marrakesh is comprised of an old fortified city - the médina - and an adjacent modern city. Marrakesh is home to Morocco’s largest traditional market (‘souk’) where you might like to do some last minute shopping. Celebrate this evening with your fellow at a traditional Moroccan Farewell Dinner.(Buffet Breakfast / Farewell Dinner)

Say goodbye to your newfound friends at the end of your fascinating Moroccan holiday. Transfers are available. Conditions apply.(Buffet Breakfast)