Itinerary

1. Day 1: Exploring Fes

   • Greetings from Fes! Fes, the first of Morocco's imperial cities (the others being Meknes, Rabat, and Marrakech), has the most complete medina (old quarter) in the Arab world. Due to the city's long-term preservation, visitors can experience the Middle Ages in a more genuine way. 
   • You will tour two medina quarters, the older Fes el Bali and the newer Fes el Jdid, as well as the French-inspired Ville Nouvelle, which are divided into three main areas of interest. At the Bab Boujeloud gate in Fes el Bali, meet your guide and start your tour. Make your way inside along Talâa Kebira, the main street. 
   • To locate the Chouara Tannery, navigate the confined, winding streets. If you want a comprehensive view of the men working—a practice that hasn't changed much in hundreds of years—climb to the roof of a leather shop nearby. Find one of the world's oldest universities that are still in operation, Al-Qarawiyyin University, founded in the ninth century. 
   • Explore the Al Attarine Madrasa to see the exquisite displays of Moroccan craftsmanship there. Go to Fes el Jdid to see the Mellah (Jewish cemetery and quarter) and to take advantage of the area's location for a city overview.

2. Day 2: Meknes, Volubilis, and the

   • Stop at the Merenid Tombs for a panoramic view of the ancient city as you depart Fes in order to travel west toward Meknes and your second imperial city. Meknes is much simpler to get around and less crowded than Fes. 
   • In the Ville Impériale, see the magnificent Bab al-Mansour gate and the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail (Imperial City). 
   • Before visiting Dar Jama, a palace turned museum, take a look at the Madrasa Bou Inania (14th century), a stunning example of Islamic architecture. 
   • From there, make a pit stop to explore Volubilis, the largest collection of Roman ruins and mosaics in Africa.
   • Continue north to Chefchaouen in the Rif Mountains, the "Blue City." Chefchaouen, which means "two horns," was given that name because of the two peaks that tower above the hillside town. 
   • Explore the blue-washed structures and steep, cobbled streets. Before perusing the many shops' colourful goods, take a moment to unwind in Place Outa el Hammam with a mint tea. 
   • Go to the dungeon and fortress from the 15th century at the nearby kasbah. Make your way uphill to the white Spanish Mosque, which is no longer in use, as the day comes to an end to take in one final view of Chefchaouen as the sun sets behind the mountains.

3. Day 3: Rabat and Casablanca

   • Take early-morning strolls through Chefchaouen's deserted streets to capture people-free images before continuing south to Rabat, your third imperial city and coastal capital. 
   • Explore the Chellah Necropolis, a medieval fortification in the centre of the city, and wander its Roman and Islamic ruins. Enter the Kasbah des Oudaias, a 12th-century fortification constructed during the Almohad era, through the enormous Bab Oudaia gate. 
   • Next, unwind in the peaceful setting of the Andalusian Gardens from the 20th century. Learn about the Hassan Tower, a minaret of the unfinished mosque and the Mohamed V Mausoleum.
   • Arrive in Casablanca in the afternoon, then stroll leisurely along the Boulevard de la Corniche to the Hassan II Mosque (nicknamed the Miami of Morocco). The 1993-built Hassan II mosque's 690-foot (210-meter) minaret, which is the tallest in the world, sits on a rocky outcrop that protrudes into the Atlantic, adding to its dramatic beauty. Even though only morning tours are available inside, take advantage of the time and observe the architectural wonder as the sun sets. 
   • Visit Rick's Café next, a bar, restaurant, and café that was designed to resemble the bar in Casablanca.

4. Day 4: Casablanca to Marrakech

   • Start your day by touring the interior of the Hassan II Mosque, one of the few mosques in Morocco that welcome non-Muslim visitors. Join a tour and take in the exquisite craftsmanship, including the hand-carved stone, the intricate marble inlay, and the gilded ceilings. The only area of the city that predates the French protectorate is the Old Medina, where you can stroll and haggle with local vendors in the bazaar. 
   • Visit Hobous, the 'new' medina constructed in the 1930s by the French, for a taste of Mauresque architecture (a fusion of European art deco and Moorish style).
   • Travel south to Marrakech, your final stop and the fourth imperial city. Marrakech, also known as the "Red City" (due to the 1,000-year-old red limestone used to build the city), is the location of Jemaa el-Fna, Africa's busiest square. You should visit the square in the evening to enjoy the acrobats, musicians, and snake charmers that will be performing there. 
   • Before travelling the short distance to admire the floodlit Koutoubia Mosque, grab a bite at one of the many food stands. The minaret of this mosque inspired the Hassan Tower in Rabat. Spend the night in an authentic riad.

5. Day 5: Marrakech

   • Marrakech has Berber roots rather than Arab ones. It was once a significant trading hub for Berber tribes of the Atlas Mountains, as well as trading routes through Ouarzazate and the sub-Sahara. Meet your guide and start exploring the souks in the medina of Marrakech (markets). 
   • Enjoy your senses as you peruse the assortment of goods, which range from dates, figs, and tea to kaftans, lanterns, and carpets. Observe the spacious areas along the alleyways; these fondouks or caravanserais were once lodgings for traders and travellers.
   • Discover the intricately carved cedar, sculpted plaster, and zellij tile work of the Islamic Ben Youssef Madrasa school from the 16th century. To see additional examples of contemporary and conventional Moroccan art and artefacts, visit the Marrakech Museum, which is housed in the Moorish Dar Mnebbi Palace since the 19th century. 
   • Before visiting the Bahia Palace and the El Badi Palace, explore the Kasbah area and the 500-year-old Saadian Tombs. Before boarding your flight back to your home country, you might want to take a break from the heat and crowds in Ville Nouvelle's Majorelle Gardens.