From Marrakech we head north into the Atlas mountains.  We will pass through the towns of Beni Mellal and Khenifra on route to Azrou.  This region is will known for its towering cedars, oak forests as well as mountain streams and lakes the dot the fascinating geography.  This is also the cultural centre of the M’guild Berbers.  Many amazing knotted rugs are available here from the artisans themselves.  The next stop is Ifrane, in many ways Morocco’s youngest city built in 1929, during the French protectorate period.  Delighted by the alpine climate, low temperatures and snowy winters for skiing the French laid out and built a European village, in Morocco.  This one of a kind resort town is where you will spend your first night in a hotels lodge.

After breakfast we set out for a short drive to Fèz, another of Morocco’s UNESCO protected world heritage sites.  The medina here contains shops selling good that simply cannot be found anywhere else. After seeing the textiles, leather goods, ceramics and metal work its easy to see why Fèz is known as the cultural hub of Morocco.  Priority has been given to the preservation of the 13th-15th century Islamic architecture making Fèz a wonderful place to spend the day.  An old world Riad bed and breakfast is where you will spend the night, right in the heart of the medina.

After breakfast in the Riad we head out for Idriss a town named after Morocco’s first Islamic ruler.  This 7th century holy city is home to the mausoleum of Idriss, the main attraction.  After a tour of this amazing hilltop village we make our way to the Saiss plain and the archaeological site of Volubilis.  This imperial Roman city dates back to the 3rd century BC and is also a UNESCO world heritage site.  Also located in the Saiss is one of Morocco’s 4 imperial cities, Meknes.  This military stronghold with its combination of Spanish and Islamic architecture is known as the Versailles of Morocco or the city of a hundred minarets.  Here in the old Meknes medina you will stay in a Moroccan Riad bed and breakfast, complete with tea service.

After breakfast we set out for Rabat, the fourth and final imperial on our check list.  Rabat was founded in the 12th century as a military stronghold.  Used as a haven for Barbary pirates in the 17th century.  These pirates and the problems they created lead to Morocco being the first nation to recognize the United States as a sovereign nation.  You will be able to tour monuments from dating back to the Romans in this Atlantic port town.  The accommodations for the night are in a traditional Rabat Riad bed and breakfast complete with tea service.

After breakfast in the Riad we travel down the Atlantic coast to Casablanca.  This is the economic heart of Morocco.  Many European manufactures have set up shop in Casablanca making this city an industrial power house.  Here along the coast we will visit the Great Mosque of Hassan II, which is open to non-Muslims.  Towards the evening we return to Marrakesh.