Morocco Family Adventure Tour

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  • 9 Days
  • Max Guests : 16
  • Departure: 7 AM

Detail

Live this unique experience of the Family Adventure Tour, departing when you choose and with official local guides leading the way; you can even plan the itinerary to suits your time, budget and interests.
Explore its best cities from Casablanca to Marrakech, discovering bustling medinas and ancient Roman ruins, and travel beyond to stunning natural landscapes that include the serial Mountains of the High Atlas

Highlights

  • Design your own drum alongside a master artisan in Old Fez, where you explore its labyrinth of narrow lanes and try traditional Moroccan nougat from a local vendor
  • Sip mint tea with a local Berber family who welcomes you into their home
  • Encounter Barbary macaques (monkeys) in Ifrane’s cedar-forested national park
  • Imagine life in Roman times when you wander Volubilis, among the largest and most well-preserved Roman ruins in Morocco
  • Meet the magical snake charmers and fire-eaters that bring to life Marrakech’s famed main square, the Djemaa el-Fna
  • Enjoy family cooking lessons with local chefs who teach you how to bake traditional Moroccan bread and authentic, savory tagine

Itinerary

DAY 1 ARRIVE CASABLANCA, MOROCCO

Casablanca

Arrive in Casablanca, where you are met and transferred to your hotel overlooking the medina.

DAY 2 CASABLANCA | MOROCCAN METROPOLIS

Discover the port city of Casablanca on a guided tour that includes a visit to the enormous Hassan II Grand Mosque, which juts out over the top of the Atlantic Ocean. At night, lasers shine from the top of its minaret, which is the tallest of its kind in the world. See the colorful Habous Market. Later, journey overland to Fez and on to your hotel, a traditional riad originally built for the noble Fassi family. Enjoy the rest of your day at leisure or begin exploring this bustling imperial city as a family.

HASSAN II MOSQUE
The 14th-century Jewish quarter of Fès has currently 160,000 inhabitants that live among and along its 9,500 streets. The various sites of Jewish heritage are well worth a visit but due to the maze of streets, it is wise to explore the mellah with an official guide.

CATHÉDRALE DU SACRÉ COEUR
Featuring elaborate Moroccan and European architectural styles, Cathédrale du Sacré Coeur is one of the landmark buildings in Casablanca. The cathedral has functioned both as a school and as a theatre.

PLACE MOHAMMED V
Place Mohammed V is a large and vibrant square that can be found in the heart of Casablanca and it is the ideal location to watch the every-day Moroccan city-life from one of the picturesque outdoor cafeterias.

MUSEUM OF MOROCCAN JUDAISM
At the Museum of Moroccan Judaism you can learn about Moroccan Jews, their history and traditional artefacts. Its location, just off one of the main drags, makes it tricky to find it if not familiar with the area

BEACHES AIN DIAB AND LA CORNICHE
The 14th-century Jewish quarter of Fès has currently 160,000 inhabitants that live among and along its 9,500 streets. The various sites of Jewish heritage are well worth a visit but due to the maze of streets, it is wise to explore the mellah with an official guide.

PALAIS ROYAL DE CASABLANCA
Palais Royal is an ancient palace of national importance. Although visitors are not allowed inside the building, it is wellworthy to stop by for a few shots as it is one of the city’s most iconic buildings.

PLACE DES NATIONS UNIES
United Nations Square – Place des Nations Unies – is one of the city’s main squares and a vibrant gathering hub from where to start exploring the city. In the surrounding areas, you will find hotels, restaurants, shops and much more.

DAY 3 FEZ | MAGICAL MEDINA & ANCIENT DRUM MAKING

Explore imperial, timeless Fez el-Bali (Old Fez), the cultural heart of Morocco. Walk its mysterious narrow lanes, alleys and souks in the medina, and then visit one of the oldest universities in the world, the Karaouine. Feel like you are part of an ancient story when you explore the beautiful 14th-century Attarine Madrasa. Take a walking tour down from Bab Boujloud to the former home of Jewish philosopher Maimonides and then to the mosaic-tiled Nejjarine fountain. All Moroccan kids will tell you that the best nougat is made in Fez; find out for yourself when you try this sweet candy from a local seller. Afterward, visit with children at a local Koranic school, who may teach you a song in Arabic. After lunch, meet with a master artisan who teaches you how to make your own drum. Once you build and decorate your instrument, play the role of a Moroccan musician during a fun drumming session.

DAY 4 FEZ | THE WILDS OF IFRANE

Spend the morning baking up a storm with a dada (traditional family cook), who teaches you how to make traditional Moroccan bread and cookies. The best part: enjoying your creations during lunch. In the afternoon, depart for an adventure to the natural, wilder landscapes beyond Fez. Your first stop is in the rocky hilltop village of Bhalil, which its people have carved into the mountain, and which looks a lot like Swiss cheese. Explore this unusual village and experience it like a local when you sip Moroccan tea in a local house. Later, drive to the high alpine city of Ifrane, filled with cedar and oak forests, and home to the world’s largest population of Barbary macaques. Discover its national park with a local guide in search of these funny creatures. In addition to the macaques, the park is home to hundreds of animals and birds as well as the oldest tree in Morocco’s Middle Atlas, the 130-foot Gouraud’s Cedar. Later, explore the beautiful lakes that surround the city, choosing to relax on a pedal boat or take a tour on horseback.

THE MELLAH
The 14th-century Jewish quarter of Fès has currently 160,000 inhabitants that live among and along its 9,500 streets. The various sites of Jewish heritage are well worth a visit but due to the maze of streets, it is wise to explore the mellah with an official guide.

JEWISH CEMETERY & HABARIM SYNAGOGUE
In the southwest corner of The Mellah and next to the Habarim Synagogue, a sea of white tombs stretch down the hill, and it is easy to spot which are the graves of rabbis. As this is one of the oldest cemeteries in Morocco, you will find here Rabbi Vidal Hasserfaty, who died in 1600 already.

ROYAL PALACE DAR EL-MAKHZEN
The Royal Place is a graceful building with an impressive facade of 80 hectare, and its seven 80 feet high doors symbolise the seven days of the week. Although the palace is not open to public, it is worth the visit for an astonishing view onto itsoutstanding structure.

CHOUARA TANNERIES
This famous tannery produces, among the three tanneries in the city of Fès in total, some of the finest leather in the world, using century-old practices and also best materials. Find out more about the interesting procedure by visiting the sight in the oldest medina quarter, and by probably purchasing a souvenir.

MERENID TOMBS AT BORJ NORD
Although dramatically advanced in their state of ruin, some of the ancient tombs and the 16th-century fortress remain their fine original decoration, and they spread a most impressive atmosphere. Best climb up at dusk for enjoying a dramatic and breathtaking view over Fès but keep in mind to head back early as the path is not featured with light.

NEJJARINE MUSEUM
Nejjarine Museum features wooden arts and crafts in a lovely, and well-preserved building that, all alone, is already worth the visit. The museum shows the importance of art craft in Moroccan history, and it provides you with a funded understanding of the country’s history in general as well.

ATTARIN MEDERSA
The Attarin Medersa, a former koran school, might not be the biggest one in town but, instead of an impressive size, quite stunning for many reasons. The different tiles in lovely colors and the overall architecture design make for a place that is a must-see on your itinerary.

JNAN SBIL GARDEN
If you are craving a break from the bustling energy of Fès, then this little sanctuary is a perfect getaway: the gardens are beautiful with French influence and a lovely waterfall that invites you to stay at least for a bit.

KARAOUIYNE MOSQUE
If you are craving a break from the bustling energy of Fès, then this little sanctuary is a perfect getaway: the gardens are beautiful with French influence and a lovely waterfall that invites you to stay at least for a bit.

BAB BOUJLOUD
At one time or another, you will pass through Bab Bou Jeloud, The Blue Gates, and it is highly recommended to get a guide that shows you around while explaining the gates’ history. In this area, you will also find many restaurants to go to for lunch, or for just grabbing a cooling drink.

EL MOKRI PALACE
At one time or another, you will pass through Bab Bou Jeloud, The Blue Gates, and it is highly recommended to get a guide that shows you around while explaining the gates’ history. In this area, you will also find many restaurants to go to for lunch, or for just grabbing a cooling drink.

ART NAJI
This family-run business has been creating pottery for generations already, and their beautiful products are well-known in the area. From vases over plates to cups, you can get everything within this authentic shop, so take your time and get a good look on the mosaic and the painted ceramics – you may also find a piece to take home.

AL-QARAWIYYIN LIBRARY
Reportedly the world’s oldest library, first established in Fes over an entire millennium ago (9th century), the Al-Qarawiyyin Library recently opened its doors to the public once again following a restoration effort. The library still belongs to Qarawiyyin University, the oldest continuously operating university on Earth.

BOU INANIA MEDERSA
Bou Inania Medersa is a religious educational building in Talaa Kebira, and as itself already a real artwork well worth a visit. Ask for a guide in order to get a better understanding of the medersa and its history, and let its atmosphere fascinate you.

DAY 5 VOLUBILIS & MEKNES | ROMAN RUINS & IMPERIAL TREASURES

After breakfast, drive to Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its enormous, well-preserved Roman ruins. See its triumphal arches, basilicas and capitals. In its fantastic mosaic floors, discover legendary stories from Orpheus charming animals with his lyre to Amphitrite driving a chariot drawn by a seahorse. Continue on to Meknes, a 17th-century imperial city built by the powerful sultan Moulay Ismail. Its monuments are awesome; see the Bab Mansour gateway, among the finest in Morocco; the royal stables, built to accommodate some 12,000 horses; and Moulay Ismail’s Mausoleum. Later, proceed overland to Rabat and to your charming hotel, where you may have time for a swim in the pool.

DAY 6 RABAT | EXPLORING MOROCCO’S CAPITAL

Join your private guide for a city tour highlighting Rabat’s cultural influences and the superbly preserved relics of its Moorish past. See the powerful red-orange Hassan Tower, built in 1195 atop a bluff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The tower is located next to a mausoleum dedicated to Mohamed V, the founder of modern Morocco and grandfather of the current king. Travel overland to Marrakech, the “Pearl of the South,” and arrive at your sprawling luxury resort lined with trees and fountains.

DAY 7 MARRAKECH | ENCHANTING MEDINA

Marrakesh City
Today, you discover the secrets of fascinating Marrakech, beginning with a morning adventure through its medina, the old walled section of town. Follow your private guide to its amazing architectural jewels, including the soaring minaret at the Koutoubia mosque, considered the most perfect Islamic religious structure in North Africa. Next, have some fun with costumes when you visit the Ali Baba Cave shop. Dress up in fancy Moroccan attire fit for royalty, and then set out to explore the medina while a photographer captures your glamorous adventure. Stop in a beautiful riad to enjoy traditional pancakes and listen to a storyteller, who weaves Moroccan tales of kings and queens. You may also skip the storytelling to explore more of the red city on an exciting motorcycle sidecar ride. Later, visit Djemaa el-Fna, Marrakech’s main square, which is alive with the action and energy of vendors, fire-eaters, snake charmers and street musicians. Explore its fabled, labyrinthine souks, their bustling alleyways brimming with fabulous souvenirs.

EL BADI PALACE
Badi means “incomparable. The remains of the palace perfectly illustrate the size and importance of the building at the time of its construction. Today there is a huge esplanade preserved with old water features adorned with orange trees. A large pool stretches across the width of the plaza. Cross the bridge and you get to the Marrakech Museum of Photography and Visual Arts.

SAADIAN TOMBS
The Saadi Dynasty tombs are beautifully decorated with vaulted ceilings, intricate carvings, and intricate stucco work. It is a very popular place in Marrakech, so be prepared to wait in line.

MENARA GARDENS
Menard Gardens is a botanical garden adjacent to the Atlas Mountains, west of Marrakech, Morocco, created in the 12th century by Abd al-Mumin, ruler of the Almohad Caliphate. The name Menara comes from the small pyramid-shaped, green-roofed pavilion, which means lighthouse. Although there is no real lighthouse in the gardens, all the buildings on the hill, including the Menaret Manara Mosque, are called Menara by the locals.

THE SOUKS
Stroll through this maze of markets and let the sights, smells, and sounds overwhelm your senses. If you feel the urge to shop, be prepared to bargain.

CITY WALLS
The 12-kilometer-long Marrakech Wall was built more for its outward beauty than for its defensive function. Today, it is the perfect place to spend a romantic moment with a loved one. Horse-drawn carriages are available for tours of the medina and walls. This tour is best done at dusk.

DJEMAA EL-FNA
Djemaa el Fna Square is one of the most important cultural squares in Marrakech; it has been one of the city’s symbols since its founding in the 11th century and is characterized by a very concentrated Moroccan folk cultural tradition expressed in music, religion and various artistic expressions. So, visiting Marrakech is incomplete without visiting this dynamic Square.

MAISON DE LA PHOTOGRAPHIE
Located in the heart of the city, the museum presents the history of Morocco through 3,500 photographs taken between 1870 and 1950. From its rooftop, one of the highest in the region, visitors can enjoy a spectacular view while having a light meal.

ALI BEN YOUSSEF MADRASA
Madrasah Ali Ben Yousef is an old Koranic school built in the 14th century. At its peak, it had 900 students and was the largest seminary in North Africa; it was closed in the 1960s and reopened as a public place in 1982. Although it does not look like much from the outside, inside you will be amazed at its beauty.

KOUTOUBIA MOSQUE AND MINARET
Built in 859 under Fatima al-Fihriyah and continually expanded since its construction, the al-Quarouiyyin Mosque, also known as al-Qaraouiyyin, is one of the largest architectural complexes in Fez also a worth must-seeing site that you should visit while you’re in Fes.

MAJORELLE GARDEN
You will pass through the blue gate called Bab Bu Jeroud, and we highly recommend that you have a guide to take you around and talk to you about the history of the gate. There are also many restaurants in the area where you can have lunch or refreshments.

YVES SAINT LAURENT MUSEUM
Opened in 2017, the Yves Saint Laurent Museum of Fine Arts surprises with its unusual architecture. The brick building combines curves and lines, cubes and motifs, and houses exhibition rooms, an auditorium, and a library.

The YSL Museum of Art, located next to the Majorelle Gardens, displays most of the French fashion designer’s work and also holds special exhibitions. Those interested in fashion and design will enjoy spending time at this unique museum.

DAY 8 MARRAKECH | BEYOND THE CITY LIMITS

Join a chef for a culinary odyssey that begins in a little garden on a farm just outside the city. Pick your own vegetables, join your chef for a tagine cooking lesson, and then walk to a nearby Berber village to try mint tea at a local house. Return to the farm to enjoy the lunch you prepared. Next, choose from four adventurous options: a tour of exotic Moroccan gardens and lily-covered pools by horse-drawn carriage; a thrilling ATV tour by Lalla Takaskoust lake; a magical camel ride through the palm grove; or a bike ride around the city’s ancient ramparts.

DEPART MARRAKECH

Transfer to the airport and board your homebound flight

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Included

  • English speaking resident tour manager and local guides
  • Reception at the airport and welcoming private
  • Transportation during the trip
  • Selected accommodations
  • Daily full breakfast and dinner
  • Internet service throughout the trip
  • Entrance fees, taxes and all gratuities except for the Resident Tour Manager
  • 24/7 Marrakesh Journeys support services upon request

EXCLUDES

  • Any Private Expenses
  • Room Service Fees

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