Enjoy the delectable flavors of Moroccan cuisine and experience delicious locally grown and produced wines of various regions, while learning about the rich history, culture, and arts for which Morocco is famous!

Day 1

travel from USA to casablanca

Begin your travels today with a flight across the Atlantic to arrive in Casablanca, Morocco no later than 10:30am on day 2 of this itinerary. Participants are responsible for booking their own flights.

Suggest nonstop flights from the US to Casablanca, Morocco, on Royal Air Maroc:

            - From New York (JFK)

            - From Washington DC, Dulles international airport (IAD)

           - From Miami (MIA)

Day 2

casablanca to rabat

Upon arrival at Mohammed V Airport in Casablanca, meet your tour guides and transfer to our luxury van for a drive to the capital city of Rabat. Check in at Riad and have time for a rest. In afternoon explore special sites of Rabat. Part of our dinner tonight will begin with breaking the fast (Ftour) like Moroccans perform during Ramadan, followed by other traditional Moroccan dishes. Overnight in Rabat. (L,D)

DAY 3

rabat to fes via vineyard visit

Today we embark on a beautiful drive through vast and diverse landscapes to the ancient city of Fes. On our way, we’ll have a tour, wine tasting, and lunch at a vineyard in the area of Meknes, an area known for wine production. Dinner and overnight in Fes. (B,L,D)

DAY 4

full day exploration of fes

At breakfast, we will learn how traditional Moroccan msemmen or rghaif (traditional flat bread) is made and we will enjoy this delicacy along with other local foods. After breakfast we depart for a guided tour to explore one of Morocco’s most historic and important cities - Fes - as we dive into the medina qdeema (old city) to see some of its many sections. Each area specializes in certain types of foods, wares, and handmade arts and crafts, such as embroidery, metal work, weaving, and ceramics.

While in the markets, we will learn about various traditional ingredients used in Moroccan cuisine, followed by lunch where we’ll taste traditional dishes at an authentic Moroccan restaurant. After lunch we will see artisans making exquisite items using centuries-old traditional techniques. Of special interest are the ancient leather dyeing vats in the heart of the city. Dinner and overnight in Fes. (B,L,D)

DAY 5

fes to midelt

After breakfast we return to a different part of the Fes medina for a special taste and sound experience of old Fes, including a hands-on cooking class to prepare a special stuffed fillo-based dish called Bastilla, and witness and participate in a unique Sufi ceremony of spiritual chanting with members of the local Sufi community.

Afterward, we begin our drive south to Midelt, crossing the dramatic Middle Atlas Mountains and the lush Atlas Cedar Forest. Dinner and overnight in Midelt. (B,L,D)

DAY 6

midelt to tafilalt oasis

Today we drive south crossing over the High Atlas Mountains and descend into the Ziz Valley and the Tafilalt Oasis/ Palm Grove. On the way, we stop in Erfoud to see and learn about fossils for which this area is known. Dinner and overnight at our guesthouse in the Tafilalt Oasis. (B,L,D)

DAY 7

rissani market day and sahara camp

After breakfast, we will witness how locals in this region bake bread in traditional adobe ovens. Then we head to Rissani, a former hub for trans-Saharan trade, exploring its wide variety of local markets (souks). This is a wonderful opportunity to witness a centuries-old marketplace still in full and continuous operation. You will observe traditional life including how locals dress, trade, and deal their wares. We will enjoy a lively and educational presentation about spices and herbs and understand how they are used in daily cooking and traditional healing.

Following our visit to the local market, we will learn about Amazigh textiles, jewelry, and artifacts, including motifs and their meanings, fabrication techniques, and uses in local culture. This is a good opportunity to shop for textiles and other unique gifts, if desired.

Late in the afternoon, we continue into the desert until we reach the golden sand dunes of the Sahara. We will relish in a magical camel trek across the dunes for an overnight stay and festive dinner at our luxury camp (with real beds and operable plumbing) where we will spend the night under the stars. Be prepared to join the drumming, singing, and dancing circle. (B,L,D)

DAY 8

sahara desert and tafilalt oasis

After returning from our desert camp, we will prepare our lunch together, a southeastern Moroccan specialty of stuffed bread baked in the sand under the shade of a salt cedar tree. We will prepare mint tea to accompany this lunch, just as the nomads have done for hundreds of years.

The rest of the afternoon will be spent exploring this region including a desert agricultural oasis and gardens, witnessing how locals extract water from the dunes for drinking and irrigation using an ancient underground system called khuttaras. Our day will be topped with a visit to a local community to learn about and experience their unique music, history, and culture. Dinner and overnight at our guesthouse in the Tafilalt Oasis. (B,L,D)

DAY 9

tafilalt oasis to ouarzazate

After breakfast we step back through time and stroll through a 17th century adobe village, still inhabited, located in the Oasis, after which, we begin our journey westward, passing through the Todra, Dades, and Rose Valleys, along the route of 1000 kasbahs (fortresses). The valleys are filled with ancient adobe villages and are lush with date pam trees. Lunch will be en route. Dinner and overnight in Ouarzazate. (B,L,D)

DAY 10

ouarzazate to kasbah ait ben haddou to marrakech

Ouarzazate is a town known for film production, where you will catch of glimpse of several film studios. As we continue our drive west, crossing the amazing High Atlas Mountains, the scenery is striking and unique, as dozens of Amazigh (Berber) villages accented with lush and numerous terraced gardens, can be seen.

One of the highlights of todays exploration is the UNESCO world heritage site, Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, where we will stop to view this extraordinary site from a distance and at closer range. Another important stop today is a visit to a women’s cooperative that specializes in making globally famous Argan Oil and Argan Oil products. Extracted from the nut of argan trees, this oil can only be found in Morocco and has a variety of health benefits and uses. Dinner in Marrakech will be near the famous Jamaa el Fna Plaza. Overnight at our Riad in Marrakech. (B,L,D)

DAY 11

full day exploration of Marrakech

After breakfast at our riad, we will walk to visit Mechoui Alley, a portion of the Marrakech medina known for its slow-cooked lamb food stalls. We have the opportunity to see the preparation of the lamb prior to cooking, and to see it placed in an underground pit for its final preparation as a tasty meal.  While our lunch is slowly cooking, we visit a lush hidden garden (Le Jardin Secret), created on the grounds of a historic site with a unique history and interesting ancient waterworks. After our garden visit, we’ll return to the restaurant where we will enjoy our Mechoui lamb lunch!

Following lunch, we walk through the souks to Jamaa el Fna and visit the historic Koutoubia Mosque and gardens, the largest mosque in Marrakech, dating back to the 11th century, a classic of Moroccan-Andalusian architecture. After which we stroll back to the center of the medina and enter the lively souks to experience the activities, colors, scents, and scenes.

After a short rest at our riad, tonight, we wander through the lively food stalls and markets of Jamaa el Fna, set up each afternoon and removed each night! There we will taste and sip our way through a variety of local street foods for dinner. While in the Plaza, we will witness the energy of street performers, actors, and musicians, and as the sun goes down and vendors light their stalls, illuminating the smoke from grills, a surreal atmosphere is created! Imagine that this carnival-like event occurs nightly and has so for centuries! Overnight at our riad in Marrakech. (B,L,D)

DAY 12

further exploration of marrakech

This morning, we leave the riad to venture to a nearby restaurant where we will participate in preparing Tangia, a traditional Marrakech specialty, which will be our lunch later this day. Following preparation, we will deliver our tangias to the location where they will be slow cooked in hot ashes which is a very unique, utilitarian, and special way to prepare and cook a meal.  While lunch is cooking, we will visit nearby Ben Youssef Madrassa, a newly renovated Islamic school, originally completed during the Saadian Dynasty in 1565.

After lunch, we stroll through the souks and other historic landmarks for which the Marrakech medina is famous. Tonight, we will dine out in the Medina. Overnight at our riad in Marrakech. (B,L,D)

DAY 13

marrakech to Essaouira via vineyard visit

Today, we continue our journey westward toward Essaouira, stopping at a local vineyard for lunch, where we will learn about enjoy a tasting of a variety of their homemade wines. 

Essaouira is our last stop on our exploratory wine and cuisine journey through Morocco. It is a small historic town on the Atlantic coast, dating back to the Middle Ages. Originally named Mogador, it has been occupied by the Portuguese, Spanish, and French. The present-day city of Essaouira was built during the mid-18th century by King Mohammed III.

After arriving in Essaouira, there will be time for an optional session of hammam and massage (Moroccan bath) experience for anyone interested. For others, you can stroll the beautiful sandy Atlantic beach, lounge around the riad’s swimming pool, or just relax in your own way. Tonight, we will be treated to a local seafood dinner at our Riad – a special event! Overnight in Essaouira. (B,L,D)

DAY 14

full exploration of essaouira

Following breakfast at our Riad, we will explore Essaouira markets within the ancient walls of the Medina, visit its lively and active fishing port, wonder its overlooks, watch creative artists at work, and enjoy a freshly prepared lunch at a local fish market. This afternoon can be spent wandering on your own through this easy-to-access medina or remaining with your tour guides to more deeply discover special sites within the medina. Tonight’s farewell dinner will be celebrated at our riad. Overnight in Essaouira. (B,L,D)

day 15

transfer from Essaouira to Casablanca for departure

This morning we will have an early departure from beautiful Essaouira to drive to Casablanca for your return journey home. (B)

BON Voyage!!!

dates, fees, and TRIP INFORMATION

2025-2026 PRICE / PERSON FOR SHARED ACCOMMODATION: $4,500; SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: +$750

Plus $300/person out-of-pocket expenses paid directly by tour director throughout the trip, to be paid by each participant in US dollars at the outset of the tour

Included in this trip:

• 1st class private air-conditioned transportation during the tour

• Charming accommodations in a mix of 4 star hotels and or charming riads; each with a unique Moroccan style

• Meals as indicated in the itinerary: B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner - water included at every included meal

• Gratuities at restaurants during group meals and for porters at hotels

• Entrance fees to monuments, gardens, historic sites, and for special site guides during scheduled group visits

• First rate and licensed tour leader and professional tour guides

NOT INCLUDED IN THIS TRIP:

• All airfare

• Travel insurance and personal health insurance (required for the tour)

• Passports and any Visa requirements

• Private transfers of any kind for any participant who, for any reason, must leave early from or break off from the group, or for pre tours or extensions to the tour of any kind. Requested private transfer costs TBD at time of request.

• Excess baggage charges

• Telephone, laundry, room service, and any personal expenses

• Medical expenses

• Beverages other than water at each included meal

• Meals not listed in the itinerary

• Shopping, massages, hammam visit, liquor other than the wine tastings listed in the itinerary

• excess baggage, telephone, laundry, room service, personal and medical expenses

• Tips for tour leaders and driver