Morocco FAM Trip (June 22-29, 2023)

Upon arrival in Casablanca, please proceed through customs and immigration formalities. Our
representative will meet you outside the Arrival Terminal with a sign before starting brief
sightseeing to Casablanca*, Morocco's largest metropolis and its industrial hub. Highlights
include the old French quarter of Habous with its beaches lapped by green-blue water. During
your tour, you’ll visit the Hassan II Grand Mosque (exterior). The mosque is among the largest in
the world with its minaret, the tallest religious structure in the world, and its dimension as it can
house as many as 25,000 worshipers! Continue to your hotel for the overnight.
*Sightseeing brief of Casablanca subject to arrival time.
Overnight in Casablanca | Meals: N/A

After breakfast, depart towards Rabat, driving along the main highway which links these two
major cities. Embark on a brief tour that highlights Rabat's cultural influences and the superbly
preserved relics of its Moorish past. Rabat's most famous site is the 12th-century Hassan Tower
(an excellent example of the gorgeous Moroccan style), the incomplete minaret of the great
mosque built at the beginning of the 12th century. Alongside is the mausoleum dedicated to
Mohamed V, the grandfather of the current king. You’ll also enjoy a visit of the Kasbah of the
Udayas, which was built on a cliff overlooking the city and the Atlantic Ocean. Its gate is one of
the most beautiful illustrations of Moorish architecture. Within its walls, you'll discover a
wonderful Moroccan garden, with melodious fountains and sweet-smelling orange trees. At the
conclusion of your sightseeing, continue inland to Fez (~3-hour drive) and to your hotel for the
overnight.
Driving time - Approx. 3h15min
Overnight in Fez | Meals: Breakfast

Today you take a step back in time into the Middle Ages with a visit to one of the most imperial,
timeless, and untouched cities in the world, the cultural heart of Morocco, Fez El Bali (Old Fez).
Enjoy exploring some of the 9,000 narrow lanes and alleys in the souks (open-air markets) that
make up the labyrinth of the city's old quarter, originally founded in the 8th century. The
Imperial capital was a renowned medieval learning center, and at its heart still remains the
Karaouine, one of the oldest, still functioning universities in the world. Nearby is the Attarine
Medersa (Koranic college), a jewel of Hispano-Moorish architecture, built in the 14th century.
Then you’ll visit the Nejjarine Square, with its beautiful fountain, a mosaic of elaborate tilework,
and the Fondouq (Caravanserai) that has been converted into a Museum of Carpentry. In the
13th Century, the Merinide Dynasty built Fez El Jdid (New Fez) with its Royal Palace, mosques,
madrasas (Koranic schools), souks, and city walls. Most notably, Fez El Jedid is home to the
Mellah (Jewish quarter), which provides an interesting insight into Jewish architecture. The
wrought iron-decorated windows and splendidly carved wooden balconies of the old mansions
are particularly outstanding. The medieval Medina is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Return to
your hotel for the overnight.
Overnight in Fez | Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, we drive to the ancient Roman city of Volubilis to explore its stunning ruins.
Impressive stone arches and columns, some tumbled down and others still standing tall against
the vivid blue sky. Only about half of the 40 hectares UNESCO World Heritage site has been
excavated. The better-known monuments are in the northern part of the site, farthest from the
entrance in the south which are: the Capitol, dedicated to the Triad of Jupiter, Juno and
Minerva, dated 218AD, the Basilica, and the 1,300 m2 Forum. Pay attention to the floors of what
were once family dwellings that are still covered with decorative tile mosaics depicting
mythological beings, such as Orpheus charming animals with his lyre and Hercules performing
his legendary 12 labors. That so many of these tiles are still in place and exhibiting their colors
after centuries of exposure to the elements, is astonishing! Next, we will visit the whitewashed
town of Moulay Idriss, about two miles from Volubilis. It sits astride two green hills in a cradle of
mountains, where Morocco's first Arab conquerors settled. Then off to the Imperial city of
Meknes, the one-time home of the Moroccan sultanate with its Medina all-winding narrow
streets and grand buildings that justify its stamp of Imperial City. Remnants of three sets of
fortifications, ingeniously incorporated into the city roads network, emphasize its past
importance and glory. The king's tomb sits at the heart of what remains of the original city,
flanked by an almighty royal granary, the magnificent Bab el-Mansour. Drive back to Fez for to
your hotel for the overnight.
Overnight in Fez | Meals: Breakfast

Today we experience the natural and wilder landscapes outside Fez: Drive to the high alpine
region of Ifrane, filled with cedar and oak forests, and home to the world’s largest population of
Barbary macaques, hundreds of animals, birds and the oldest tree in Morocco’s Middle Atlas, the
130-feet Gouraud’s Cedar. The largest cedar forest in the world is found in this park, and several
lakes or Dayats abound in the nearby area. The Lion of Ifrane sits majestically in the city center
and is certainly one of the most photographed sites of the region. Ifrane feels more like
Switzerland with its clean air, scrubbed streets, and leafy outlook. The French built this city in
1930, deliberately trying to re-create an alpine-style resort. It is a popular day trip for picnickers
during summer, and the site attracts skiers in the winter. Stop for lunch (at your own expense).
Continue to Marrakech via the highway to reach your new hotel for overnight.
Approx. driving time - 6hr 50min
Overnight in Marrakech | Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, enjoy the city tour of Marrakesh, the “Red City”, a majestic place filled with
palaces, gardens, markets, and mosques. Upon arrival, you will first stand by the Koutoubia
Mosque with its 282 ft minaret, an architectural landmark dating back to the late 12th century.
You will continue to the 19th-century stunning Bahia palace and discover the intricate work done
by the local artisans to decorate this splendid home built by a powerful Vizir for his Harem. The
building includes one hundred and fifty rooms, countless courtyards and interior gardens, a
veritable labyrinth of corridors, a Koranic school, hammams, a harem, and stables. From there
we will start exploring artisan quarters and the colorful Souks to interact with the real life of the
Marrakech people.
Continue to Dar El Bacha Museum, built in 1910 and was the residence of Thami El Glaoui,
named Pasha of Marrakech by Sultan Moulay Youssef in 1912. It is one of the medina's finest
examples of Riad architecture, dripping with Moroccan Zellige (colorful geometric tilework),
intricate white plasterwork, and heavily carved cedar-wood lintels.
Before sunset, we will be strolling in the square of which the city is so famed, Jemaa El Fna,
where hundreds of locals and tourists come to spend the end of the day watching jugglers,
dancers, fortune tellers, storytellers, and traditional musicians. After the tour, head to your hotel
to freshen up. When you are ready, transfer to a local restaurant in the medina to enjoy a dinner
with entertainment. After dinner, we will head back to your hotel for overnight.
Overnight in Marrakech | Meals: Breakfast & dinner

Day at leisure or wander on your own. You may want to sign in for one of the following optional
activities (at an additional cost):
Excursion to Agafay Rocky Desert - $215 per person - Requires a minimum of 2 pax
This desert adventure starts at 3:30 PM, with a 4x4 pickup drive to the desert of Agafay, a rough,
dry, moon-like area at 40km from Marrakech. The landscape slowly changes from urban to rural
farmland to desertic areas. Don’t be misled by its name, this is not a Saharan-style sandy desert,
it is more like a barren deserted plateau with the Atlas Mountains in the background. Stretching
for miles, this semi-lunar environment is unforgiving in the summer months. In the cooler
seasons, it provides a breathtaking atmosphere, one that is often overlooked by those wanting to
shuttle between the Atlas Mountains and Marrakech. Enjoy a camel ride to explore the area then
savor your dinner under a Berber tent, then drive back to Marrakech for overnight.
Excursion to Essaouira - $91 per person - Requires a minimum of 2 pax
After breakfast, enjoy a full-day excursion to Essaouira, a charming and exotic seaside town on
the Atlantic coast. En route to Essaouira, visit an Argan oil cooperative where you’ll observe the
extraction of Argan Oil. The demand for this product has increased significantly due to its use in
both cosmetics and western cuisine. Essaouira, with its beautiful, fortified walls and busy fishing
harbor, is known as the Windy City of Africa and has preserved a truly Moroccan charm. You’ll
walk along the city walls north of Moulay Hassan Square and then continue on Skala de la Ville
where you will enjoy an unmatched view of the city’s port and its beautiful collection of bright
blue fishing boats. Explore the Medina where artists continue to display their crafts just as they
have done for centuries, and where merchants in the many souks have plenty to offer, including
spices, fine woodcrafts, and jewelry. Return to Marrakesh for dinner and overnight.
Overnight in Marrakech | Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, we will assist you to the airport for your return flight.
Approx. driving time - 2h 40 min
Meals: Breakfast