Imperial Cities of Morocco

Just ten miles from Europe, Morocco is another world and simply never fails to amaze visitors with its mesmerising and refreshing culture.  What first strikes you is the staggering variety of everything you see, hear and experience. It is a country of outstanding natural beauty with the scenery ranging from unbelievably beautiful  Tuscan-like lush countryside to meadows covered with colourful wild-flowers, then cedar-covered rolling hills leading up to the snow-capped, majestic Atlas Mountains punching high into the azure-blue sky. Further south, arid plains studded with mud-brick villages stretch into the horizon, whilst the haunting deserts remain little changed since biblical times. The people are very different too: the smart and sophisticated intermingled with the wandering nomads who tend their sheep as they have for centuries, always clothed in the vibrantly coloured traditional robes of the Berber tribes. A delightful common denominator though, is that most endearing tradition of hospitality, with even the smallest of transactions accompanied by a refreshing cup of mint tea. Once a protectorate of France, this influence is still very much in evidence in its food, language, architecture, and even its road signs!
Without doubt though, the jewels in Morocco’s crown are Rabat, Meknes, Fez and of course Marrakesh: its four Imperial Cities, so called because each of them was once capital city of this amazing country with an absolute wealth of different things to experience.
In Rabat, its present-day capital, we visit its old town with lane upon lane of tiny, blue painted fishermen’s houses, whilst across the picturesque harbour is Sale, once one of the world’s most feared nest of pirates and where Robinson Crusoe began his enslavement. As you wind around the tiny, alley-like streets, you can but wonder about the lives of the seafarers who once trod these cobbled streets, their fears and their hopes. Then it’s on to Meknes, the 16th century capital whose ruler, Moulay Ismail, modelled himself on France’s ‘Sun King’, Louis XIV. After plundering his entire country he opened his amazing palace decorated with the most intricate colourful stucco work and huge, beautifully detailed bronze doors and stunning mosaics. Then to Fez, the oldest of the Imperial cities, home to the world’s oldest university dating from the 9th century and one of the world’s most complete medieval cities. Surrounded by huge defensive walls, it seems suspended in a time warp, somewhere between the middle ages and the modern. But it’s more than that, it is a living city almost devoid of tourists, where whilst wandering amongst its amazing 9,000 tiny streets you experience its noisy hawkers selling everything from colourful vegetables, to delicious middle eastern pastries flavoured with cinnamon and honey whilst the only transport is by mule or donkey. The haunting sound of the call to prayer resonates over the traditional rooftops whilst skilled artisans noisily beat metal into pans and intricate metal-ware as they have for centuries. Originally Berber, Fez is Morocco’s cultural heart and over the centuries has been the recipient of waves of settlers: the Moors arrived, followed by, in the 15th century Jews from Andalucía. All have blended in leaving staggering legacies and today the city possesses the most unbelievable architecture you can find anywhere in the Arab world. Huge, bright red and blue coloured, typical middle-eastern pointed archways, with huge centuries-old bronze doors created by highly-skilled craftsmen are everywhere. The detailed, seemingly abstract stucco works, with carved cedar roofs are equally overwhelming. Finally, we visit Marrakesh, once an oasis on the caravan routes to the south, it became a natural centre of commerce and the capital city during medieval times. Wealth poured in from Moorish Spain and the city you see today was built. Surrounded by almost intact medieval walls little has changed and in the central square, Djemma el Fna, is one of the world’s greatest spectacles. Here, especially atmospheric at dusk, street restaurants serve all kinds of delicacies with mouth-watering aromas filling the air, surrounded by what only can be described as a medieval circus. Storytellers recount tales of old, whilst fire-eaters and skilled acrobats entertain onlookers. Scribes write letters and open-air dentists and barbers industriously practice their trades. Have your shoes cleaned, watch snake-charmers and see herbalists dispensing mystical remedies. Musical troupes lithely move to the soulful heavy drumbeat which thuds hypnotically in the balmy warm of the Moroccan evening. This eclectic mix makes Marrakesh one of the most exciting and romantic places you will ever visit.
As if the natural beauty, architecture, people and cities were not enough, Morocco has a wonderful cuisine - one of the most revered in the world. Try cous-cous or a bowl of vegetables on semolina topped with meat, pastilla – pigeon flavoured with cinnamon in a light pastry, or in our opinion the best -  tajine, lamb, beef or chicken gently casseroled over charcoal with a variety of other ingredients such as olives, prunes raisons and almonds – wonderfully delicious!  
Morocco is rarely what visitors expect and with all its diverse charms it is truly an astounding and compelling country.

Fully escorted price includes:

• Return Flights
• Seven nights, four-star accommodation with dinner
• Visit to Casablanca and the amazing Hassan II Mosque, second largest in the world
• Tour of Rabat, founded by the Carthaginians
• Visit with tour of Meknes and its 17th century Royal Palace
• Tour of the ancient city of Volubilis, westernmost outpost of the Roman Empire
• Tour of the medieval capital of Fez, and its teeming medina, with a staggering 9,000 streets  and home to a 9th century university, the world’s oldest
• See the majestic Atlas Mountains
• Guided tour of Marrakesh and its famous souks
• Visit the Saadian tombs, final resting place of the descendants of Mohammed
• Visit to the beautiful Majorelle gardens restored by Yves Saint Laurent
• Stunning scenery 
• Escorted by our experienced Tour Manager

Please click here to view prices for specific departures.

Follow this link to view a sample Imperial Cities of Morocco sample itinerary.

Prices based on two people sharing a twin room. Single rooms are subject to availability at a supplement of £139 per person. Optional insurance available at a supplement.

Please click here to request your Fully escorted tour of Imperial Cities of Morocco brochure & booking form, or alternatively please call 01283 523423.

Visas and Health:

UK passport holders do not require a visa, but other passport holders should check with the relevant embassy. Please consult your GP regarding the appropriate inoculations at least a month before departure.

This holiday is operated by, and your resulting contract will be with: Riviera Travel, New Manor, 328 Wetmore Road, Burton upon Trent, Staffs, DE14 1SP, fax: 01283 742301, ABTA V4744 ATOL 3430 protected, a company wholly independent of The Mirror Group Limited.