7-Day Northern Morocco

Dates:

7 Days (pre or post tournament)

Travelers:

2 or 4

Itinerary:

• DAY 1 - VOLUBILIS, FES

  • Depart Rabat at your leisure to travel to Volubilis.

  • Tour the site with a guide.  The site of the ancient Roman ruins dates back to 3 BCE, when it was the capital of the kingdom of Mauretania.  The Roman rule began in the 1st century CE, and continued until it fell to local tribes in 285.  The remains of many ancient structures are still being excavated, as well as the triumphal arch still standing.  There are several large mosaic floors still fully intact, and they will still reveal vibrant colors when wet.

  • Continue on to Fes, where you will check in to your riad.

  • Overnight in Fes.

• DAY 2 - FES

  • Tour Fes with a private guide.  (Walking tour with some transportation between sites.)  

  • Begin at the royal palace, with its seven golden doors, and learn about the significance of the intricate decor. 

  • Stroll through the Mellah, or Jewish quarter, which was built next to the palace to offer protection. 

  • Take in the view of the city from Borj Sud, a former fortress and one of the lookouts on a hill where you can see all of Fes laid out, allowing you to spot landmarks otherwise hidden by the skyline-obscuring buildings. 

  • Visit a pottery co-op to see how they make the unique Fes pottery, as well as handcrafting the intricate mosaics adorning half of Morocco. 

  • Head into the ancient medina and step into a sort of living museum.  The Fes medina is very much a local community that lives and works and goes about daily life in the medina, so be sure to keep moving and watch out for the donkeys! 

  • Stop by the Al-Quaraouiyine University, the oldest degree-granting university still in operation, having been founded in 859CE by a woman. 

  • Visit handicraft workshops, where you will see why Fes is considered the handicraft capital of Morocco.  This can include, among other things, the silk weavers, where beautifully colorful fabrics are woven from silk fibers of the agave plant; and the famous Fes tannery, where they process all manner of animal hides by hand, much as they have for nearly 1,000 years.  

  • During your tour of the medina, you will stop for lunch in a restaurant that would be very easy to walk right past, but is truly a hidden gem.  Lunch included.

  • Overnight in Fes.

• DAY 3 - MEKNES, FES

  • Travel south to Meknes, where you will visit Morocco's premier winery, Les Celliers de Meknes.

  • Tour the building where the wines are made and stored, followed by a tasting of three wines in their beautiful tasting room.

  • Enjoy a delicious lunch on the lawn of the winery, in the shade of the olive trees, accompanied by a tasting of three of their wines. Lunch included.

  • Explore the Imperial City of Meknes, which was the capital of Morocco from 1672 to 1727 under sultan Moulay Ismail, with a private guide.

  • See Bab Mansour, which was built with marble columns stolen from nearby Volubilis.

  • Stop by the Royal Stables, which once held the sultan’s 12,000 horses, each with its own groom and slave to attend to its every need.  

  • Return to Fes in the late afternoon.

  • Overnight in Fes.

• DAY 4 - CHEFCHAOUEN, F’NIDQ

  • In the morning, travel to Chefchaouen, nestled high in the lush Rif Mountains.

  • Explore the charming blue-washed medina with an endless winding maze of picturesque homes and streets.

  • In the late 15th century the population was boosted by a number of Jews and Muslims fleeing southern Spain and remained mostly untouched and isolated until the last century.

  • See the Grand Mosque and Kasbah. The Mosque was built by Moulay Mohamed in 1560 and cannot be entered by non-Muslims (but the view from the outside is still nice). A visit to the Kasbah (old fortification) can be done in 30-60 minutes, where you can visit a garden, a museum, and some of the old prison cells. Head up to the roof for a better viewpoint on the town.

  • Take an afternoon hike up to the Spanish Mosque further up the mountain, looking out over Chefchaouen.

  • In the early evening, head further north to F’Nidq, on the mediterranean coast, to check into your resort.

  • Overnight in F’Nidq.

• DAY 5 - F’NIDQ

  • Enjoy a day at leisure at your resort, enjoying the beach, visiting the spa, or taking part in water sports offered by the resort.

  • Perhaps head to the nearby Cabo Negro Golf Course. Designed by Hawtree & Sons in 1976 and redesigned by Cabell B. Robinson, the Cabo Negro Golf Beach is located on the Rif mountainside facing the sea. Thick bushes, dunes, water and hills adorn the landscape, which remains quite wild with agaves and mimosas. 

  • Overnight in F’Nidq.

• DAY 6 - TANGIER, CASABLANCA

  • Depart F’Nidq after breakfast and head along the coast to Tangier.

  • Explore the sites of Tangier, including the medina, Cap Spartel, and the legendary Cave of Hercules.

  • Legend holds that when Hercules was in need of a place to rest between two of his labors, he swam across the Strait of Gibraltar and ripped the cave from the side of the cliff with his hands.  The opening of the cave that faces the sea is in the shape of Africa.

  • (TIME PERMITTING) In the afternoon, travel to nearby Asilah.  This former Portuguese fortress (and occasional pirate base) is now a hub for artists, who inhabit the white-washed medina with blue trim.

  • Make your way south the Casablanca for your final evening.

  • Overnight in Casablanca.

• DAY 7 - DEPART/MEET PARTY

  • PRE-TOURNAMENT: After breakfast, head to the stunning Hassan II Mosque to meet up with the rest of the group to begin the tournament.

  • POST-TOURNAMENT: Enjoy the day to explore Casablanca.  Perhaps stroll along the seaside corniche, or explore the old medina.  In the afternoon, transfer to the airport for your departure flight.

Cost:

2 PAX Tier 1 - $2670 per person, based on double occupancy

4 PAX Tier 1 - $2360 per person, based on double occupancy

2 PAX Tier 2 - $2130 per person, based on double occupancy

4 PAX Tier 2 - $1820 per person, based on double occupancy

Includes:

• Ground transportation via SUV (2 pax) or van (4 pax) with English speaking driver, Wi-Fi, and water

• 6 nights accommodations with breakfast

  • TIER 1

    • Hotel Sahrai, or similar, in Fes

    • Banyan Tree Tamouda Bay, or similar, in F’Nidq

    • Four Seasons, or similar, in Casablanca

  • TIER 2

    • La Maison Bleue, or similar, in Fes

    • Sofitel Tamouda Bay, or similar, in F’Nidq

    • Sofitel Casablanca Tour Blanche, or similar, in Casablanca

• Two lunches

• Professional city guides in Fes, Meknes, and Chefchaouen

• Entrance to all included sites and monuments 

• Wine tasting at Les Celliers de Meknes

• Local taxes and fees

Does Not Include:

• Airfare

• Beverages

• Meals not noted as included

• Snacks and incidentals

• Hotel services, such as room service or laundry service

• Tips and gratuities

• Travel Insurance