Morocco
Day 1: After a short journey from Europe, we begin our tour in Casablanca. After checking into the hotel, we embark on our first sightseeing tour of the city. Unfortunately, here in Casablanca, we don't find that famous charm of the Orient at all. The city and the surrounding area are a highly modern industrial center with excellent infrastructure. But to anticipate, there are also the wonderful souks, camel herders, agriculture using donkey plows, and in many towns, that delightful Arabian flair. Now we're here, and naturally, our first stop is the Hassan II Mosque.
Day 2: This morning in Casablanca , a comprehensive tour of the city's main attraction awaits. The Hassan II Mosque is the second largest mosque and the tallest religious building in the world (significantly taller than the Sagrada Familia). Built on cliffs jutting out into the sea, it can accommodate up to 100,000 worshippers. A visit is truly impressive and an unforgettable experience. The same day continues to Rabat , the imperial city and current capital of Morocco. Hiring a city guide is highly recommended for a tour. The itinerary should definitely include the Medina and the nearby Kasbah of the Udayas fortress . Outside the Medina stands the Hassan Tower , the city's iconic landmark. This 44-meter-high minaret is part of a mosque begun in the 12th century but never completed. Adjacent to the tower is the Mausoleum of Mohammed V , which can also be visited. Further south, a visit to the Chellah , the burial site of the Marinid sultans, is worthwhile.
Day 3: The journey continues along the coast to Tangier , the oldest continuously inhabited city in Morocco. With its French, Italian, and Spanish colonial architecture, the city has a pleasant charm and invites you to stroll around. A stop at one of the many cafes on the Grand Socco in the Medina is highly recommended. And don't miss the view from the city's hillside overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and the Strait of Gibraltar .
Day 4: We continue towards the Rif Mountains . In Tetouan, a stop in the still largely untouched medina is worthwhile. In the late afternoon, we reach our destination , Chefchaouen , where we still have fantastic light for photography and to gather our first impressions. Please note that some tours do not include Chefchaouen in their itinerary . However, in our opinion, Chefchaouen is one of the highlights of Morocco. Chefchaouen is particularly worth seeing both for its beautiful location and for its picturesque alleyways in the medina with its blue and whitewashed houses and blue-painted doors. Don't miss the magnificent photo opportunity at an old mosque perched on a hilltop .
Day 5: The entire day is reserved for Chefchaouen . You could wander through the narrow streets for ages and simply spend a wonderful day in this charming old town. In the blue old town, one photogenic alleyway truly follows the next, interspersed with small squares and cafés. It's a must-see, and we find it incomprehensible that some tours don't include this town.
Day 6: After a long drive, today's destination is Fes . From Chefchaouen, we first stop in Mulay Idriss , arguably the oldest city in present-day Morocco, to visit the excavations of the Roman ruins of Volubilis . Shortly after, we reach Meknes . The smallest of Morocco's four imperial cities has retained much of its original character, which is particularly evident in its beautiful old town. Adjacent to the old town lies the Sultan's City, built in the 17th century under Mulay Ismail, with one of the most famous landmarks in the entire country: the Bab el-Mansour Gate. From Meknes, we continue on to Fes.
Day 7: It's worthwhile to book a city guide again for exploring Fez. Fez is considered the center of Islam and Islamic culture in Morocco. The medina, Fez el-Bali , is the best-preserved old city district in Morocco and is home to many historical buildings. Of particular importance are the Kairouine Mosque and its associated university , the second oldest university in the world, and the Mausoleum of Mulay Idrriss . The colorful artisan streets extend across almost the entire old city. Here, coppersmiths, tanners, dyers, tailors, and metalworkers produce and sell their wares in a very small space. A visit to the tanneries is especially impressive. From the terraces of the leather goods merchants, we can observe the processing methods dating back to the Middle Ages. And, of course , the famous image of the paint pots is a must-see (see main page).
Day 8: Today we continue our long drive south to Erfoud . A stop in Infrane is recommended along the way; you'll be surprised to find it resembles a European winter sports resort. On the way to Zeida , we'll stop in the cedar forests to look for the famous Barbary macaques and give them a healthy snack. Along the Ziz Valley, we'll see small mud-brick villages and the last foothills of the High Atlas Mountains. We'll also see the old kasbahs, the traditional fortified residences, all the way to our destination, Erfoud.
Day 9: Why travel so far south in Morocco? ... only for Erg Chebbi , one of the most beautiful deserts in the world, with its stunning red-gold sand dunes. So, from Erfoud , we head into the desert with a highly recommended stop in the former caravan town of Rissani . The still-inhabited mud-brick complex is impressive and also a little eerie. Shortly after Rissani, the sand dunes appear on the horizon. We grab a quick bite to eat, and while my better half falls asleep, I help our driver prepare the car for the tour. After my nap, we set off towards Merzouga , and the panorama of Erg Chebbi becomes more breathtaking with every kilometer. We've booked the typical package, including an overnight stay in the desert. Once we arrive, the guides lead us with their camels through the desert to the camp... a dream, especially as clouds gather and the unique, ever-changing light creates a fantastic atmosphere. Unfortunately, we're so exhausted that we miss the evening's entertainment at the desert camp. Tired, we retire to our tent.
Day 10: After breakfast in the desert and "catching" the camels, we return to Merzouga. In the afternoon, we reach the Todra Gorge on our way to Boumalne . The walls of this narrow gorge rise several hundred meters high. We continue along the "Road of the Kasbahs" to Boumalne in the Dades Valley . Here, we drive through the impressive Dades Gorge , winding our way up breathtaking switchbacks to ever-changing and stunning views. The highlight is undoubtedly the zigzag road with its view of the Timzzillite Hotel . Overall, a fantastic drive and a magnificent experience in Morocco.
Day 11: We travel along the " Road of the Kasbahs " and through Ouarzazate (home to Atlas Studios) to Agdz . A detour to the Kasbah Ait Benhaddou is a must. This Berber village, parts of which are still inhabited, is the most impressive example of traditional Berber kasbah architecture and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987. Ait Benhaddou has served as a film location on several occasions, including for Lawrence of Arabia, James Bond's The Living Daylights, The Mummy, and Game of Thrones. We arrive in Agdz in the evening, unfortunately not in the best of shape. It feels like we have a bout of COVID-19, but we can't confirm it. By the way, the Berbers are the indigenous people of North Africa; the Arabs only migrated to North Africa during the Islamic expansion.
Day 12: After a very strenuous night, accompanied by feverish symptoms in a very warm accommodation, we drive along impressive vistas of the surrounding mountain landscape to Tazenakht and Taliouine with its abandoned kasbah, which Pasha El Glaoui had built. Afterwards, we continue on small side roads via Igherm to the Ammeln Valley . Due to its unique character (more on that later), this valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Day 13: Today's hike is a guided day trip in the Ammeln Valley . The Ammeln Valley is a must-see for landscape lovers. We'll first hike to the small village of Asguine , where Mr. Massoud is responsible for the very special distribution of the scarce water for agriculture and domestic use in the village – truly fascinating. Afterwards, we'll hike to the springs of Anameur . Along the way, we'll also learn a lot about argan oil. We'll return with many new impressions. It's particularly worth mentioning that our guide, along with other volunteers, cleans the valley of litter and tries to teach children in the schools about the importance of preserving nature.
Day 14: Ahead of us lie the lightly trafficked roads of the Anti-Atlas Mountains. Although the name of the mountain range suggests that it belongs to the High Atlas, it is geologically a separate mountain range. It is of volcanic origin and characterized by open granite landscapes. The route leads via Igherm to Taroudant . The medina (old town) is almost completely surrounded by an approximately 8-meter-high wall and lies picturesquely at the foot of the High Atlas peaks. The souks (markets and craft stalls) are among the most beautiful in the country. The heart of the medina is the squares of Assarag and El Alouine, where small cafes are located.
Day 15: Today's destination is Marrakech . On the way, we cross the High Atlas Mountains at the Tizi-n-Test Pass (2092 m). Slightly off the route to Marrakech lies Mount Toubkal , at 4167 m the highest mountain in North Africa. It's definitely worth making a detour to Imlil , taking a short hike, and enjoying the fantastic views of the summit. Afterwards, we continue to Marrakech, where accommodation in the Medina is a must. Since cars aren't allowed in the Medina, luggage must be carried on foot through the narrow streets to the riad, or you can use one of the many helpers with a luggage cart . In the early evening, we'll visit the ultimate square, Jemaa el-Fna . Here, musicians, jugglers, snake charmers, and acrobats create an impressive oriental atmosphere. Furthermore, food stalls are set up and taken down every evening in the square, offering a wide selection of local specialties to sample. As impressive and fascinating as this square is, and as high on many people's bucket lists as it is, the atmosphere is somewhat marred by the constant approach of people trying to buy food, take photos, etc. You have to be prepared for that, otherwise you'll quickly become annoyed.
16. In Marrakech, we also booked a local tour guide and are visiting the sights together.
We'll visit some of the many historical buildings, such as the Koutoubia Mosque, the Bahia Palace, and the Saadian Tombs. We'll stroll through the large souks (markets and craft stalls) and, of course, end the tour in Jemaa el-Fna square.
Days 17-19: Relaxation in Essaouira (photos on the main page) is on the agenda . Before heading to Essaouira, we'll use our time in Marrakech to visit the Jardin Majorelle , considered one of the most beautiful gardens in the world. It's one of Morocco's top attractions and truly an experience. In the afternoon, we'll travel to the Atlantic coast and the Portuguese-influenced fishing town of Essaouira. The town is photogenically situated on a rocky promontory and, thanks to its authenticity, is equally popular with locals and independent travelers. A long stretch of sandy beach extends from the fishing port, inviting leisurely strolls. In the old town, artists have settled in the blue and white houses. Their paintings and wood carvings are offered in numerous galleries and small shops. The culinary scene is also fantastic. After dinner and a wander through the charming alleyways, the view from the fortress walls offers a breathtaking sunset. In Essaouira, we again have a local city guide, and during a half-day tour we get to know the old town of Essaouira more intensively, afterwards enjoying free time and looking back with great memories on a fantastic tour through Morocco, a country with magnificent landscapes, rich art and cultural treasures, great food and, in large parts, this wonderful oriental flair.