Trip Overview

Morocco's sensuous beauty is legendary, from imperial cities with labyrinthine souks to the awesome grandeur of the Sahara. Our Private Journey discovers this graceful land in Fes—a walled city suspended in a medieval dream—and in the storied casbahs of Marrakesh, in the red-rock canyons of the High Atlas, and in a stunning desert oasis where dunes stretch to the horizon. You have a private guide with you from Day 1 through the afternoon of Day 8, and your accommodations are in hotels as well as riads, traditional mansions that have been converted into boutique hotels of character, with charming Moorish and Andalusian architecture, tiled central courtyards open to the sky, and peaceful rooftop gardens. Each riad is unique and has its own special personality and decor. Extend your travels to the enchanting walled town of Essaouira on the edge of the sea, or explore the dramatic "blue city" of Chefchaouen.

Trip Highlight

• Roam the labyrinthine medina of medieval Fes and the bustling bazaars of Marrakesh
• Experience the magic of the Sahara's golden dunes from your private desert camp
• Enjoy authentic riads, perfectly-located boutique hotels, and a private guide throughout your trip
• Tailor your activities to your interests: Jewish history, architecture, cooking, hiking

Itinerary

Day 1: Casablanca / Rabat

The glory of medieval dynasties shines through in Morocco's ancient imperial cities. In seaside Rabat, Morocco's capital, stroll through the winding streets of the picturesque Oudaia Kasbah, visit the Mausoleum of Mohammed V (the current king's grandfather), and explore the Chellah, a walled and towered royal necropolis.

Days 2-3: Moulay Idriss and the Treasures of Fes

Travel inland through wheat fields, vineyards, and olive groves to Moulay Idriss, a hilltown and revered pilgrimage site. Stroll in the evocative ruins of Volubilis, Rome's ancient provincial capital, then continue to Fes, nestled in a high valley and resplendent with minarets and domes. Fes's renowned walled medina is one of the most perfectly preserved medieval cities in the world, full of visual delights. Enter through one of its four arched gates and discover a mile-long network of souks, open-air cafes, courtyards, hammams (traditional steam baths), and gardens. On a privately guided walking tour, explore winding alleys of Arabic-Moorish architecture, savor the scent of spices, orange blossoms, and sizzling lamb kabobs, and watch scenes unchanged for centuries, from donkeys laden with goods to children carrying boards of bread dough to communal ovens.

Days 4-5: Sahara Dunes

Cross the cedar forests of the Atlas Mountains descending into the Ziz Valley to Erfoud, and come face-to-face with the epic expanse of the Moroccan Sahara. At the frontier town of Merzouga, below the celebrated dunes of the Sahara, meet your Berber guides and set out for a camel ride, the ultimate way to explore this spectacular environment of wind-sculpted dunes.

Days 6-9: Canyons and Casbahs / Marrakesh, the Red City

Head through the "Valley of a Thousand Casbahs," an ancient caravan route dotted with lush palm tree groves, and into the narrow red-rock canyon of the Todra Gorge. Visit the dramatic Dades Gorge, a deep fault in the High Atlas, and the famed mud-brick turreted fortress of Ait Ben Haddou, a 16th century ksar (fortified village) now protected as a World Heritage Site. A palm-fringed city more Berber than Arabic, fabled Marrakesh has been a metropolis for the tribes of the Atlas since the 11th century. Experience Marrakesh's delights, from bustling souks to Djemma el Fna, the lively central square filled with acrobats, snake charmers, fortune tellers, and a parade of other entertainers. Depart on Day 9.