Imperial Cities  Guided trip 4 days/3 nights   

1st day: Marrakech - Fez   ( 480 km )

Departure from Marrakech towards Fez , the spiritual capital of Morocco , in the morning. The journey leads us over the Anti-Atlas, an exceptionally coloured mountain range whose rocks have been patterned by erosion. Afterwards we pass the towns of Benni Mellal, Kasba Tadla and Khenifra. On an altitude of 1200 meters above sea level we finally cross the cedar forest at Azrou, thick and dark, full of splendid trees, some of them impressive in size. The forest is the natural habitat of the macaque, the only monkey species indigenous to Northern Africa . If you’re lucky we’ll discover a group of animals and be able to observe them. The little summer station of Azrou is well known for its handcraft made out of

the cedar wood. Afterwards we drive to Ifrane, also known as “little Switzerland ”. Arrival in your hotel in Fez late in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight stay.

2nd day: Fez

The 2nd day of your trip is all about the discovery of Fez , the oldest of the Moroccan imperial cities (founded in the 8. Century AD). For centuries the city was the cultural and religious centre of the western part of the Islamic world. You explore the old town, the medina, with its souks and the narrow, always animated alleyways so typical for Fez . Expect a cultural variety, elaborate handcrafts, splendid mosques, libraries and Islamic schools. In Fez various marks of the past have been conserved: the oldest university of the western world, the Karaouine, nowadays used as a mosque; the Andalusian mosque; the fountain in front of the Nejjarine, richly decorated with ornaments; the Islamic school of Bou

Inania, also known as Attarine; the mausoleum of Moulay Idriss, founder of the city of Fez; the medina and the souks. And don’t forget about the gigantic city gates that separate the old town from the new town. For additional charges the city tour of Fez will be conducted by a local guide. Afterwards dinner and overnight stay in your hotel.

3rd day : Fez – Volubilis – Moulay Idriss – Meknès - Rabat ( 190 km )

After breakfast we drive to Volubilis, the largest and best preserved roman ruins in Morocco . On foot you can explore the remains of the city. After a short drive we reach Moulay Idriss, the white town built at a hillside is the most important place of pilgrimage in the kingdom. We then follow our journey to Meknes , the old capital of the Alaouites, also known as the “Versailles of Morocco”. Discover the city and its most important sights during a short walk. Thereafter we drive to the capital Rabat . Dinner and overnight stay in your hotel.

4th day: Rabat – Casablanca – Marrakech ( 300 km )

Visit of the most important sights of Rabat : the Kasbah of Oudayas, built in the 12th century AD, the mausoleum of Mohammed V and finally the Hassan-Tower, surmounting the bay of Salé . On our drive back to Marrakech we pull up in Casablanca for a tour of the Hassan II Mosque – one of the few religious buildings in Morocco open to non-Muslims. After lunch we return to Marrakech where you arrive at your hotel late in the afternoon.