A Taste of Morocco - Imperial Cities and Chefchaouen

Our tour of Morocco starts in Casablanca, a port city on the country's west coast. Famous for its French colonial architecture and its namesake film, Casablanca has a vibrant metropolitan atmosphere. If you arrive in the city early, there are plenty of sights to keep you occupied. Get a feel for local life over at the Marche Central, where you'll find stalls of fresh produce and street food vendors, or take a stroll in Place Mohamed V, Casablanca's central plaza. If you can't wait for a taste of the local dishes, look out for maakouda (potato cakes) or sfenj (traditional donuts), dished out by street vendors across the city. At 7pm, our tour leader will meet you in the hotel reception for a welcome meeting. If you want to, there'll be the chance to go out for dinner afterwards. If you arrive later, our tour leader will catch you up at a later point. If you\ d like an airport transfer, you'll need to arrive into Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport (CMN). The journey to our hotel is around 45 minutes.

We begin today in Casablanca with a visit to the spectacular Hassan II Mosque. Built to mark the King's 60th birthday, this vast landmark is the largest mosque in Africa and the seventh largest in the world. Sitting right on the Atlantic shoreline, a nod to the Quranic verse that 'the throne of Allah was over the water', it can hold more than 100,000 worshippers. It's as much a gathering place for locals as it is a place of prayer. We'll explore its lavish interior before heading up the coast to Rabat, Morocco's capital. Though the city was chosen by the French as their administrative hub in 1912, Rabat's roots reach back far further. The first known settlers arrived here around 8BC in what's now the Chellah district. On arrival, we'll take a walking tour through its historic heart, pausing at the Hassan Tower and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, before winding through the blue and white lanes of the Kasbah des Oudaias with fine views over the Atlantic, finishing up at the Royal Palace. In contrast to other cities in Morocco, Rabat has a relaxed, European feel. The city is easy to navigate, with Hassan II Avenue dividing the new town and the old medina which is crammed full of craft shops, exotic spices and food stalls. Thanks to its coastal location, Casablanca is known for its fresh seafood and tonight, we'll head out to a local restaurant to try some. Grilled fish and shrimp are commonly on the menu, as well as simple but fragrant side dishes like zaalouk (eggplant) or taktouka (tomato) salads.

This morning, we bid farewell to Rabat, travelling to Chefchaouen, arguably one of the prettiest places in Morocco. The journey takes around five hours and will take most of the morning. We plan to make a stop or two along the way and we'll break in either Souk Laarbaa or Ouazane for a traditional lunch of grilled lamb or tajine - arguably Morocco's most famous (and delicious) dish, this hearty stew is slow cooked in a clay pot and eaten by hand. After lunch, before we head to the town of Chefchaouen, we'll venture into Talassemtane National Park in the Rif Mountains. In contrast to much of the country, this part of Morocco receives reasonable levels of rainfall and is normally rich in vegetation; there's a short trail which leads along the river's edge to a series of beautiful turquoise pools. The stop gives us the opportunity to witness a scenic part of the country that few tourists get to visit. From here, it's around a 45-minute drive to Chefchaouen. The rest of the afternoon is free to stroll through the cobbled lanes and distinctive blue and whitewashed buildings that make the town so striking. Our base for the next two nights is a bright and spacious riad in the heart of the medina. Featuring a traditional Moroccan hammam, a large roof terrace with fine views of Chefchaouen and an indoor swimming pool and a spa with a wide choice of massages and treatments available. It's the perfect spot to relax and take a break from the bustling streets outside.

Set beneath the towering peaks of the Rif Mountains, Morocco's \ blue town\ is brimming with treasures and we have a full day to explore them. After breakfast, our tour leader will guide us on a stroll through the medina. With its stacked white and blue houses set against red tiled roofs, the town is a photographer's dream. Our walking tour of the medina takes in the narrow, winding lanes of Chefchaouen, which give you an idea of Andalusia's influence over Morocco. There's time to discover many of the artisan stalls and stop for a glass of mint tea in a shaded café watching the world go by. The heart of the medina is the Plaza Uta El Hammam, with a backdrop of the commanding red walls of the kasbah and the Grand Mosque. It's easy appreciate why Chefchaouen draws visitors from all over the world with is easy going charm. Lunch is included today and we'll be dining at a local family's house. After being welcomed by our hosts, we'll have a short tour of their home and then settle down to enjoy a traditional homecooked, three-course meal followed by tea and pastries. The rest of the afternoon is free to explore at your own pace. You might like to hike up to the Spanish Mosque for panoramic views or head back to our riad to use the hammam or relax on the terrace with a good book. If you get peckish, why not try msemen? These flaky square pancakes are a staple in Morocco and a must-try for any foodie visiting.

We have an action-packed day ahead of us today as we bid farewell to Chefchaouen and travel to Meknes. The journey will take around four hours, departing at 8am, and we'll make a stop or two along the way. Once the heart of the Moroccan Sultanate, the city of Meknes lies amidst the landscapes of the Oued Boufekrane River valley. Here, we'll have a short tour of Lahdim Square with its vibrant food market where various types of olives are displayed. After our tour, we'll head to a local home for a pastry making masterclass. Morocco is well known for its deserts which are often a true art form. Whether for a grand wedding celebration or a casual afternoon mint tea with friends and family, a platter of pastries and sweet treats are always at the centre of the table. Our lesson will take place at a local family home, giving us a authentic insight into local life and pastry tradition. Our next stop is a vineyard twenty minutes out of Meknes, in the small settlement of Boufekrane. The Phoenicians introduced viticulture to North Africa in the Bronze Age and here, in Meknes, is the heart of Morocco's growing wine scene. Popular grape varieties like Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon are easily grown and we'll visit one of the local vineyards for a short tour and to sample its produce. Our final stop is the imperial city of Fes. Steeped in history, Fes has played an important part in Moroccan trade, culture, religion, and politics throughout the centuries. We'll arrive in the late afternoon and have time to explore Fes\ culinary offerings. Our riad is located in the heart of the old town medina, so there are plenty of options at our fingertips.

Today, we have an entire day to explore Fes. After breakfast, we'll take to the artisan capital with a local guide, starting in Fes el Jadid - known as new Fes, despite dating back to the 13th century. We'll drop by the Royal Palace and marvel at the intricately designed exterior (the palace is not open to the public but remains a must-see on any tour of Fes). We'll also stop by the North Borj viewpoint for a panorama of the city from above. After lunch, we'll swap new for old and head into Fes el Bali - also known as old Fes. We'll wander through the bustling souks and artisan alleys, where quaint doorways and narrow paths reveal weavers, brass workers, coppersmiths and tanners, who've been practicing their trade for generations. We'll also take in the opulent 14th-century Attarin Medersa, one of Morocco's most captivating medieval colleges. Fes is known as a foodie destination, famous for dishes like bissara (fava bean soup), chebakia (honey pastry) and today's focus, pastilla. During our medina taste tour, we'll have a demonstration of how pastilla is made. One of the city's most celebrated and complex dishes, this pie is usually made with pigeon or chicken and less occasionally seafood. The stuffing combines cinnamon, fried almonds and a selection of herbs and spices including Ras el Hanout, all layered and baked in the oven.The result is a delicate balance between sweet and savoury, a real aromatic delight to the tastebuds. The rest of afternoon is left free to explore more of this mesmerizing city full of life.

We'll transfer to Fes' central train station, the terminus for the train line to Marrakech. Travelling by train allows us to experience the widely contrasting landscapes of northern Morocco, from the rolling hills and fertile plains between Fes and Kenitra on the coast, passing through Meknes once more. As we get closer to the coast, the landscape gets more built up, as we continue through Morocco's commercial hubs with glimpses of the Atlantic. Reaching Casablanca, the train turns inland and travels through an arid zone towards Marrakech as the towering Atlas Mountains eventually come into view and we pull into the famous 'red city' of Marrakech. Our train journey is direct and takes just under six hours. We reserve first class seats and each compartment has six spacious seats with plenty of room for luggage. Your tour leader and the train crew are on hand to help with your bags. It's possible to purchase hot and cold drinks, snacks and sandwiches on board. With its dusty rooftops, maze-like streets and bustling souks, Marrakech encompasses the essence of Morocco. On arrival at the grand Marrakech central station, we'll transfer directly to our comfortable riad on the outskirts of the old medina and check in. There is time this afternoon to freshen up and have a rest before we head out for dinner, which is included tonight. Our tour leader will accompany us for a short stroll through the medina to the Jemaa el-Fna (the main square), the beating heart of the city for a early evening wander. The square comes alive at night with food stalls offering all kinds of delicacies - some delightful and some not for the faint hearted, but a sight to see all the same. We'll dine at a local restaurant a short distance from the square offering an excellent range of traditional dishes.

This morning, a local guide will take us on a guided tour of the Red City. Like many North African cities, Marrakech is divided into two distinct parts, the Gueliz (the modern French-built city) and the Medina (the Old City), a place where trade and barter amongst the colourful souks still render its ancient heart a glittering cacophony of noise and colour. The city's beating heart is the spectacular Jemaa el-Fna, which you'll have explored last night, a site not to be missed and a scene straight out of the pages of the Arabian Nights. Here, we'll find the streets and alleys alive with storytellers and musicians, jugglers and acrobats, snake charmers and clowns. Marrakech is a city like no other, with a staggering array of spectacular architecture and wonderful facades. We'll visit the Koutoubia Mosque and tower as well as the Bahia Palace. In your free time, we suggest visiting the Saadian tombs, Ben Youssef medersa, the Dar Si Said Palace (now the Museum of Moroccan Art) and the Menara gardens. If you're on the hunt for more local delicacies, you might want to seek out babbouche (snail soup) or the more palate friendly chebakia (honey-soaked pastries popular during Ramadan) Tonight, we'll have a cookery class to learn how to make a traditional tagine. This will be our last supper, where we can reflect on all the new flavours we've tried this past week.

Our tour ends after breakfast at our hotel in Marrakech. There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to depart from Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK). Depending on the schedule of your flight, you might have some additional time to wander in the souks of Marrakech, get a last bite of street food or a mint tea.