Days 1 - 2 — Depart the U.S. for Casablanca, Morocco/Rabat

After an overnight flight, arrive in Casablanca, Morocco’s commercial center, and travel south to the capital city of Rabat. Check in to your hotel near famed Hassan Tower, the 12th-century minaret of a mosque that was never finished. Tonight, gather for a welcome dinner at the hotel. (D)

Day 3 — Rabat

One of Morocco’s four imperial cities, Rabat was designated a World Heritage site for the harmonious blend of its French-influenced new city and its walled old city. Meander among the whitewashed houses of the fortified Kasbah of the Oudaias; take a walk in the serene Andalusian Gardens; and visit the necropolis of Chellah, built on ancient Roman ruins. Cross the river to the walled city of Salé for lunch in a private home. Then browse the collection at the new Mohammed VI Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art and a walk through Rabat’s medina (old city). After time to relax at the hotel, enjoy dinner together at Dinarjat, an acclaimed restaurant in the medina. (B,L,D)

Day 4 — Meknes, Volubilis, and Fez

Travel east this morning to three World Heritage sites. Your first stop is Meknes, Morocco’s youngest imperial city, where you’ll see the intricate Bab el Mansour gateway and venture into a maze of archways at the 18th-century imperial stables.  After lunch in a local restaurant, continue to the ancient Roman city of Volubilis, once a center of the olive oil trade and now home to impressive mosaics and a well-preserved triumphal arch.  Arrive in Fez this afternoon and check into your elegant hotel adjacent to the medieval medina. (B,L,D)

Day 5 — Fez

Delve into Morocco’s oldest imperial city on a walking tour of Fez’s enchanting medina. See the mosaic-covered Blue Gate and the medieval Bou Inania Madrassa, and explore the souks where locals come to purchase produce and household goods. Stop for lunch in a hidden spot in the medina, then visit the quarter where Morocco’s renowned ceramics are made and watch artisans at work. (B,L,D)

Day 6 — Fez

This morning, return to the medina to discover more of its treasures. Visit the artisans’ quarters, where craftspeople produce traditional arts as they have for centuries. Admire the exquisite stucco-work and architecture of 14th-century Koranic schools and Al Karaouine, a medieval theological university. Enjoy a concert of enchanting Moroccan music late this afternoon before dining together at an intimate, family-run riad, or guesthouse. (B,D)

Day 7 — Midelt and Erfoud

Cross the fertile plains to the Atlas Mountains, where thick forests of cedar and cork cover the slopes. Descend onto the arid steppe and stop for lunch in Midelt. Cross the Ziz River, passing date palm oases and fortified adobe villages as you approach the edge of the Sahara. Settle into your kasbah-style hotel in Erfoud late in the day. (B,L,D)

Day 8 — Erfoud, Rissani, and Merzouga

On a morning visit to the market town of Rissani, explore an 18th-century ksar, a virtually impenetrable warren of alleys. After lunch, set out in 4x4s toward the rippling desert landscape of Merzouga. Go for a camel ride and soak up the silent mystique of the Sahara as you watch the sun set over endless dunes. (B,L,D)

Day 9 — Tinehir, Todra Gorge, and Ouarzazate

Journey along the edge of the High Atlas range today, making stops along the way to visit the village of Tinerhir, set among palm groves, and walk through the spectacular 984-foot Todra Gorge, home to rare bird and plant species. After lunch, visit El Kelaa des MGouna in the fertile Valley of the Roses, where thousands of roses bloom in the spring. Then set out on the fabled “Road of a Thousand Kasbahs,” an ancient caravan route that weaves between oasis towns and adobe fortresses. Spend the evening in the town of Ouarzazate, where numerous blockbuster movies, such as Lawrence of Arabia and Gladiator were filmed. (B,L,D)

Day 10 — Ait ben-Haddou and Marrakech

Begin the day at the World Heritage site of Ait ben-Haddou, a walled hilltop warren of earthen homes and fortifications that date back to the 1600s. Ascend into the High Atlas, enjoying dramatic mountain scenery and views of typical Amazigh, or Berber, villages. Arrive in Marrakech in the late afternoon, enjoy time to relax before dinner at the hotel. (B,L,D)

Day 11 — Marrakech

Set out to discover enchanting Marrakech today, riding a horse-drawn carriage from Menara Park to Majorelle Garden. This botanical garden, once the private home of Yves St. Laurent, boasts rare flora from across the world, as well as bird species native to North Africa. Meander amid the leafy lanes, then step inside the stunning cobalt blue home, now the Berber Museum, to see a small but wonderful collection of art, jewelry, and clothing reflecting Morocco’s indigenous cultures. After lunch, venture into the medina with a guide, discovering its hidden treasures. Emerge onto the Djemaa el Fna, a bustling square crowded with acrobats, snake charmers, storytellers, and musicians that is considered the heart of Marrakech. (B, L)

Day 12 — Marrakech

Take a guided tour of the city’s historic sites this morning, viewing the Koutoubia Mosque and its distinctive 282-foot minaret, the ruins of the 16th-century Palais El Badii, and the beautiful Andalusian-style El Bahia Palace. Return to the hotel for a buffet lunch and afternoon at leisure. This evening, you’re invited into the home of a local imam for an insightful discussion on the beliefs and traditions of Islam. Dinner tonight is on your own. (B,L)

Day 13 — Casablanca

Travel north to Casablanca and take a city tour in the afternoon, visiting the seaside Corniche, the city hall and tribunal, and the magnificent Hassan II Mosque—one of the few mosques open to non-Muslims. Tonight, celebrate your Moroccan adventure during a festive farewell dinner at lively restaurant. (B,D)

Day 14 — Casablanca and the U.S.

Depart Casablanca for the U.S. on individual flights. (B)