Personal Guided Tour of Magical Morocco

Introduction

Magical and exotic Morocco! The aroma of oriental spices; tall tales of magic carpets and Aladdin's lamp, scented oils, snake charmers and sipping mint tea in a shady patio to the sound of trickling fountains. Our tour of Morocco takes you to the medieval heart of the Imperial Capitals and up into the Berber villages of the Middle Atlas Mountains. Your personal English speaking driver & guide who knows his country inside and out, will show you all you wish to see plus give you plenty of time to relax and explore on your own if you wish. Your accommodation will be in beautiful traditional Riads, all decorated with rich colourful fabrics, atmospheric lighting and shady patios where you can relax and enjoy the best in Moroccan cuisine.

Tour of the Imperial Capitals and Middle Atlas Mountains of Morocco - 7 Nights

This holiday can start on any date you request and can be changed depending on where you need to arrive to and depart from in Morocco.

Day One - Arrive Casablanca airport, and transfer by private driver to Rabat for 1 night

Your overnight in Rabat will be in stunning luxury hotel that was once a family home, now converted into a charming small hotel. It has many facilities including a swimming pool, sauna and its own hammam baths.

Day Two - Guided morning tour of Rabat

Rabat is the administrative capital of Morocco and is a good place to stop over on the way to Fes. You can see the actual palace of the King of Morocco plus the minaret tower of what was once the world's second largest mosque. There are many stunning ancient monuments to see which span the whole of Morocco's history including many built by the Almohad dynasty, celebrating their victories over the Spanish Kings.

After lunch continue with your driver to Fes to 2 nights

Your accommodation in Fes will be a luxurious but traditional Riad, converted from a magnificent residence in the very heart of the city which has recently been restored and offers a unique and impressive Panorama of the city of Fes and has its own original Hammam baths.

Day Three - Complete guided tour of Fez with lunch in a traditional palace

Fez is the most ancient all of the Imperial Capitals and the most complete medieval city in the world. It is the spiritual home of Morocco and exists suspended somewhere between the middle ages and the modern world with nearly a quarter of the cities inhabitants still living in the extraordinary Medina.

The highlights of Fez include a tour of the medina with its concentration of cafes, stalls and bustling activity, the medieval Medera Bou Inania (student college) and the Djemaa el Kairaouine mosque which was the largest in Morocco founded in 857.

You will also see the huge leather tanning vats of the city which date from the 10th century and are still in use today.

Day Four - Transfer to The Atlas Mountains for 1 night

Today with your driver you will head up into the mountains via the town of Beni Mellah through the Berber mountain villages to spend the night next to the natural wonder of the Ouzound waterfalls - the most spectacular falls in Morocco.

Your overnight stay will be in a small riad whose bedrooms are individually styled with ochre washed floors, wall hangings and Berber painted ceilings.

Day Five - Transfer to Marrakesh for 2 nights

Your Riad in Marrakesh is a stunning place to stay, right inside the Medina and is a haven of peace and tranquility amidst the bustling city.

Its open spaces are designed to induce calm and relaxation with colourful furnishings and atmospheric lighting. Your host is an expert at the local cuisine and will prepare whatever you require or offer a menu from her secret recipe collection.

Day Six - Complete guided visit of Marrakesh

For today you will have a complete guided tour of the city of Marrakesh including the Djemaa el Fna; the market place that is a highlight of any tour of Morocco where snake charmers, story tellers and troupes of acrobats from the mountains gather in a carnival like atmosphere – you can buy every kind of spice and seasoning and even have your tooth pulled out here if you sit on the local dentists carpet!

You will also be given a tour of the Bahia Palace which was built by a former slave who rose to become the Grand Vizier to Moulay Hassan which has now been restored to its former glory by an extensive restoration project. It is also still used by the Moroccan Royal family when visiting Marrakesh.

To finish your day you will be taken to the Jardin Majorelle which is one of the most delightful spots in Marrakesh. These subtropical gardens where created in the 1920’s for the French painter Jacques Majorelle and today are owned and maintained by the fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent.

Traditional Morrocan dinner with folklore music

Day Seven - Transfer to the coastal town of Essauoria for 1 night

For your overnight by the sea you will stay in a charming riad, ideally located next to the beach and the port, The hotel is built on 5 levels with windows and open spaces designed to softly filter through the rays of the sun and from the solarium you get an exceptional view over the ocean, Medina & port.

All of the bedrooms come off the main patio and are decorated differently, respecting the local traditions, combining elegance and sobriety. The hotel also offers Hammam massages with essential oils, and other body treatments.

Essaouria is a lovely 18th century seaside town with medieval battlements and clusters of rocky off-shore islands. All the houses are typically white washed with blue shutters and the promenade is lined with boat builders, sardine fishermen and wood workshops. Orson Wells filmed much of his Othello here and there is a very relaxing uncomplicated atmosphere which provides an excellent place to spend your last night enjoying the fresh fish and reflecting on your tour of this ancient land.

Day Eight - Transfer back to Casablanca airport and say farewell to Morocco!

What is included in the holiday

Accommodation & meals
• 7 nights accommodation in carefully chosen Riads and hotels of Morocco
• Breakfast is included plus lunch in Fez and dinner in Marrakesh as stated.
• All rooms have en-suite accommodation

Transport
• All airport transfers and necessary journeys for the above itinerary are included with a private English speaking driver in a deluxe air conditioned vehicle

Private guided tours with all monument and museum entrance fees included
• Guided tour of Rabat
• Guided tour of Fes
• Guided tour into the Middle Atlas Mountains with the Ouzound falls
• Guided tour of Marrakesh
• Guided tour of Essaouria

Plus
• All tips for luggage handling and restaurants are also included.
• Access to our representative in Morocco and a 24 hour telephone helpline if you need any assistance whilst in Morocco
• All pre-tour information and your holiday guide pack will be sent to you by email.

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Client's Comments

Cathy Spencer and family USA April 2009

I just wanted to send you a quick message to say we had the trip of a lifetime! We thought all the accommodations were fantastic and our guides were all interesting and fun. Our guide in Tangier especially wanted us to give you his best - he thinks you are wonderful too - we loved Morocco!! Thanks again for your meticulous planning and for 10 days that we will never forget.

Sylvia Worrell Canada June 2009

We are now back in Canada.....many thanks for all your arrangements, all of which went extremely well. We were very pleased with everything and have been singing your praises to anyone who will listen!!

The Colemans Australia September 2009

Its been a couple of weeks since we returned to Australia and now that we have settled back into a normal routine I thought I would write and say thanks for organizing a very enjoyable Spanish part of our recent holiday. All of the hotels you recommended were comfortable, convenient and helpful. The guide notes were indispensable and your restaurant recommendations were excellent. The guided tours you organized were excellent, particularly in Seville. We would be happy to recommend Lemon Valley Holidays should you need a referee at anytime.

Jada Fargion Italy

For the second time you organized the perfect tour for us. Many thanks again..........until the next time!