Day 1 -
Friday, November 14, 2008
Depart Home

Depart from home for your international flight to Casablanca. 

Day 2-
Saturday, November 15, 2008 (B, D)

Arrive Casablanca - Rabat

You will arrive early morning in Casablanca where you will be met at the airport by your guide.  After passing through customs we will begin a city tour of Casablanca visiting the Mosque Hassan II, dramatically sited at the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. Built by the late King Hassan II at the end of his 40-year reign, this astounding edifice is larger than Saint Peter’s in Rome and capable of holding 80,000 worshippers.

Highlights of your brief tour of Casablanca include the monumental colonial architecture of Place Mohamed V, the French-built Quartier Habous, the Gates of the Royal Palace and the Marabout of Sidi Abderrahman.

We continue our one hour drive to Rabat, the current political capital of Morocco, and neighboring Salé were once notorious as haven to the feared Barbary pirates, who terrorized Atlantic and Mediterranean trade, capturing prisoners to hold them for ransom.

After checking into our hotel we will begin our tour of Rabat at the ancient necropolis of Chellah, a thriving city for nearly 1,000 years, whose ruins date from the Roman through the Islamic periods and is a special favorite of bird-watchers. Visit the picturesque, labyrinthine Kasbah des Oudaias overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and the lovely gardens outside the Kasbah.

This evening Hermes Tours will host a welcome dinner so that we may get all better acquainted. 

Day 3 –
Sunday, November 16, 2008 (B, D)

Rabat – Volubulis - Fes

After breakfast at our hotel, we head east to the extensive Roman ruins at Volubulis and tour the capital of the ancient Roman province of Mauritania. 

After completing our tour of the ruins, drive to nearby Moulay Idriss: the holiest Muslim site in Morocco. At its center lies the tomb (zaouia) of the man who brought Islam to Morocco twelve centuries ago. For those Moroccans without the means to make the pilgrimage to Mecca (the hajj), five trips to Moulay Idriss is of equal merit.  We visit Imperial Meknes: its spectacular City Gates are among the finest in the Arab world. Also visit the Tomb of the once-feared Moulay Ismaïl, who modeled his capital of Meknes in the image of Versailles!  Visit the underground granaries  and vast Imperial Stables, which once held 12,000 horses.

We then continue our one hour journey to nearby Fes.
Scholars, architects, historians and artists travel from all over the world to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Fes – an entire city which functions largely as it did in the middle ages. 

Day 4 –
Monday, November 17, 2008 (B, D)

Fes

Step back six centuries into the medieval world of Fes, whose narrow and cobbled streets are filled with ancient mosques, towering green-glazed minarets and crumbling fondouks (hostels for travelers and their animals). Narrow openings into private worlds beyond reveal an architecture of peaceful courtyards filled with carved cedar, brilliantly colored mosaic tiles and delicately carved stucco ornament. In Fes, veiled women hurry through the winding streets, donkeys − laden with their wares − take their time, and proud artisans craft objects much as their forefathers did centuries ago.  

Highlights of our visit include the Medersa, Bou Inania, Foundouk Nejjarine, the shrine of Moulay Idriss II, countless souks and the famous tanneries.

Visit the Dar Batha Museum, with a particularly impressive pottery collection, dating to the 16th century. 

Day 5 –
Tuesday, November 18, 2008 (B, D)

Fes – Marrakech

Journey south through the pine forests of the Middle Atlas Mountains and into one of the largest agricultural regions of the country, Beni Mellal.  From the distance, you'll be able to see the snow-capped High Atlas Mountains before arriving in Marrakesh, a city of enduring fantasy.

Day 6 –
Wednesday, November 19, 2008 (B, D)

Marrakesh

Start your day with a visit the medieval Medersa (koranic university) ben Youssef – one of the finest Islamic monuments in North Africa. Near the medersa are two of the more interesting cultural showplaces in Marrakech:  The Musee de Marrakech is housed in the sumptuous, 19th Century Mnebhi Palace.  And the Dar Bellarj cultural foundation, established to showcase Moroccan culture, is housed in a former hospital for storks.

Visit the opulent Saadien Tombs. This treasure was lost within the medina until its rediscovery at the beginning of the 20th century when it was rediscovered only when aerial photographs of the medina revealed their existence. 

Day 7 –
Thursday, November 20, 2008 B, D)

Marrakesh - Imlil - Taroudannt

For now, we will say 'goodbye' to Marrakesh and travel into the High Atlas Mountains to enjoy lunch at the Kasbah du Toubkal ecolodge in the small mountain village of Imlil.  Afterwards, we will follow the Tizi n'Test road to Tin Mal, site of the 12th century Almohad mosque, before finally arriving at our 19th century palace accommodation in Taroudannt.

Day 8 –
Friday, November 21, 2008 (B, D)

Taroudannt - Essaouira

Best traversed by foot or bicycle, Taroudannt is a traditional Berber market town, surrounded by a circuit of red-ochre walls.  After a morning tour of the city's souk and kasbah, we will follow the Atlantic coastline to the white-washed town of Essaouira. 

Day 9 –
Saturday, November 22, 2008 (B, D)

Essaouira -

Formerly a Portuguese colony, Essaouira has become something of an artists' colony in recent years.  After a guided walk of Essaouira's highlights, the day is yours to explore this magnificent beachside town.  Check out the works of local artists at the Espace Othello Gallery, enjoy homemade, french-inspired pastries at Chez Driss, wander the souk where locally-made products are created right before your eyes, and feast on fresh seafood. 

Day 10 –
Sunday, November 23, 2008 (B, D)

Essaouira - Marrakech

As we drive to Marrakesh, don't be surprised if you see goats in the trees!  This is the Souss Region, the only area of the world where Argan trees grow.  Their nuts are a tasty treat for the local livestock, but are also processed in Women's Cooperatives for the production of high-quality oils, creams, and food products.  This afternoon is yours to independently explore Marrakesh.  How about exploring the colorful souks, a visit to the ruins of the vast Badi'a Palace, or perhaps you may wish to leave the medina for a visit the Menara Gardens.   

Day 11 –
Monday, November 24, 2008 (B)

Depart for Home

Our tour officially ends this morning after breakfast where you will be transfered to the nearby Marrakech airport for your return flight to home.