Colorful Exploration of Morocco: Ancient Cities and Expansive Deserts

Tucked at the mouth of the Bou Regreg river, Rabat presents visitors with a head-spinning array of sights, sounds, and smells, each demonstrating a slightly different version of Morocco's multifaceted charm. As the capital of this colorful country perched on the Northwest edge of Africa, Rabat is an excellent ambassador of all things Moroccan, and you will be able to step into this vibrant setting after your flight arrives. A private transfer whisks you effortlessly into the heart of the old town and your luxury hotel.

At the juncture of sand and sea, past and present, Rabat enjoys a privileged position. From the contours of the cityscape's minarets to the rustic old town clustered on the waterfront, or the daily prayer calls that echo off the stone facades as they have for centuries, it is hard not to fall in love with this exotic city. In the morning, you will be able to plunge into this vibrant environment on a private tour before departing the capital for your accommodations in Chefchaouen, where you will have the remainder of the day at leisure.

Known as the blue city, a stroll through Chefchaouen as dawn breaks will reveal how the community got its name through the numerous brightly colored blue buildings and neighborhoods. After you enjoy a delicious breakfast in your luxurious hotel, you will be able to enjoy a private tour of this blue paradise by a private guide well versed with local history. As you soak up the ambient beauty of the Kasbah, medina, and various temples and mosques, this quiet corner of the country will come alive. In the afternoon, you will depart Chefchaouen and make your way south to the bustling Fez.

The centrally-located Fez is an outstanding gateway to adventure throughout the region. As you awake to your first full day in the city, you will be able to soak up a cosmopolitan city with an unrivaled atmosphere of modern high rises and commercial districts as well as neighborhoods that seem like time forgot them. Into this rich environment, you will step today on a private walking tour of the medina, or historic old town, as well as the famous tanneries where locals produce the city's fine leather and a host of other attractions.

No trip to Morocco is complete without paying a visit to the impressive Sahara desert, which adds a touch of legend to the local history of this vibrant country. After waking up leisurely, you will be able to enjoy a delicious breakfast at your luxurious hotel before making your way south to the Erg Chebbi Merzouga sand dunes and your boutique hotel. Upon arrival to your lush accommodations, you can end the day with the four-legged companions famous in the region. Still, if you prefer wheels over camels, all-terrain vehicles can carry you to the dunes for a sunset vista.

You will be able to enjoy a full day in this desert paradise, and as the sun's warming rays first touch the summits of the neighboring dunes bathing it in the morning light, you can either rise with the sun or hit the snooze button for those remaining hours of precious slumber. After a fortifying breakfast, you will embark on a guided tour of the neighboring villages and lakes where you can witness Morocco's unique wildlife as well as the charming hospitality and traditional markets of these rustic communities.

Even though you are departing the dunes, your luxurious explorations of the Moroccan desert is not over, and after you enjoy a final authentic breakfast from your luxury hotel, today you will make your way to the Skoura but not before enjoying a memorable trip to the Todra gorges with a private guide. As you amble the massive limestone cliffs of the gorges, high up in the Atlas mountains, your knowledgeable guide will happily introduce you to the local flora and fauna and the geologic origins of this stunning landscape. In the afternoon, you will make your way to Skoura and your luxury hotel.

Today the theme is timelessness, as you awake to the soft comfort of your luxurious hotel in Skoura. After a leisurely wakeup, you will make your way to the iconic Ait Benhaddou, a ksar or fortress nestled deep in the hills of the Ounila River. As you amble along the clay and stone architecture of this UNESCO World Heritage site, the sound of motors will fade and it will seem as if you have stepped back in time in this sobering setting. In the afternoon, you will plunge deeper into the Atlas mountains for your luxury hotel.

Today, your tour Morocco's hinterland beauty will come to an end as you depart the rugged contours of the Atlas mountains and make your way back to the placid shores of the Atlantic ocean. After a final morning at your luxury hotel, a private transfer will ensure your comfortable journey across this stunning landscape. You will be able to enjoy a stop at a 12th-century mosque in Tinmal before finally laying your eyes on the rolling blue of the ocean and the walled old town of Essaouira.

The natural harbor of Essaouira has made it a popular home since prehistoric times, and today you will be able to enjoy this ancient community at leisure after a hearty breakfast at your luxurious hotel. A stroll down to the waterfront will reveal the picturesque gates that signal entry into the old town as well as the pristine beauty of Tagart beach. In the afternoon, you will be met at your hotel by a private transfer that will convey you across the beautiful landscape to your final destination of Marrakech.

As you will quickly notice, there is no shortage of thrilling activities and stunning sight in Marrakech. After a leisurely morning, you will be able to soak up this ambient beauty on a private walking tour through the bustling city center. Following the remote charms of the desert, Morocco's fourth-largest city will present a vibrant opportunity to witness the culture and customs of modern Morocco. As your private guide regales you with tales of this the city's origins, you will make your way through the medina, the Bahia palace, the Koutoubia mosque, and a host of other secret gardens and royal tombs.

Marrakech boasts an impressive array of noteworthy attractions, most notably, the city's old town was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1986. The city is also home to the country's largest outdoor markets, where you can be sure to find whatever your heart desires from the numerous vendors and stalls that proceed endlessly into the distance. After a relaxing awakening today, you will be able to enjoy a day at leisure in this stimulating environment and either bask in the ambient comfort of your hotel or take to the streets in search of the many opportunities for adventure that await.

From ocean to desert, this two-week tour of Morocco has exposed you to much of the beauty and charm of this North African country. As you awake to your final morning on this vacation, it is not uncommon to feel a touch of reluctance to depart this land of kasbahs and ksars; however, you can rest assured that there remains much to be seen in this seductive land. After a leisurely morning, a private transfer will arrive at your hotel to ensure your timely arrival to the nearby airport and your flight home.