• Iconic Imperial Cities

  • Iconic Imperial Cities

  • Iconic Imperial Cities

Dive into the history of Morocco’s iconic imperial cities on this private, curated adventure.

Days: 12 | From: $7,850/per person

  • Includes accommodations at best-in-class hotels and charming, luxurious Riads
  • Travel with an expert private guide in a comfortable vehicle all your own
  • Journey through history and natural beauty on a series of curated private excursions

From coast to desert and over the mountains, this journey will show you the beauty and history of Morocco’s famous imperial cities: Tangier, Fez, Menkes, and Marrakesh. Each of these former seats of power and influence will reveal their secrets and unique charm and style as you explore with your private guide, staying in beautiful, traditional riads along the way.

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+1 (844) 881-1305

We tailor itineraries to your dates and interests, adjusting hotels, excursions and length as desired.

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At a glance

  • Tangier
    2 nights: Arrive in this coastal port city with Mediterranean vibes, a slower pace of life and a charming mix of European and Moroccan influences.
  • Chefchaouen
    1 night: Wander the blue-hued streets of this iconic, historical city
  • Fez
    3 nights: Explore this ancient walled city with your private guide, from breathtaking viewpoints to the most intimate corners of the souk where traditional crafts thrive and time slows down.
  • Rabat
    2 nights: Enjoy this laid-back coastal capital and tour famous mosques, palaces, forts, and even a pirate stronghold.
  • Marrakesh
    3 nights: Dive into the Red City, a haven for art, design, and culture. Explore with your private guide, sample local cuisine, and discover a world of markets, fine dining, museums and gardens.

  • All itineraries are fully customizable. We will send you a personalized variation that reflects your interests and travel dates at no extra cost. Call to discuss your travel plans with one of our Specialists who know this region firsthand.

Customize this trip
+1 (844) 881-1305

Sample itinerary

Day 1:

Welcome to Morocco

Arrive to Tangier, a sleepy port on the Mediterranean coast. This city is a meeting point of Europe and Africa that offers beautiful beaches, excellent seafood, and a vibrant café culture made famous by the various musicians, writers and artists who have passed through in search of inspiration. Tangier has offered a strategic port of call for civilizations from the Phoenicians to the Romans and the Vandals. Settle into your luxury riad for the next two nights with a welcome drink on the roof.

Accommodations: Riad Mokhtar, 2 nights

Ten airy, contemporary rooms face the traditional central courtyard of this beautiful riad. Situated at the top of Tangier’s whitewashed medina, this restored boutique riad offers rooftop views of the sea and surrounding area, an award-winning French chef, and an art collection that makes each room come alive.

*Includes: Breakfast

Day 2:

Mediterranean Tangier

Navigate the vibrant medina with its café filled squares, and duck into the ancient weaver’s market where traditional methods and equipment still produce incredible textiles. Make your way through parks and gardens and pay a visit to the Cap Spartel lighthouse, the northwest point on the continent of Africa. Your private guide will show you the best of the city and cater to your interests.

Accommodations: Riad Mokhtar, 2 nights

*Includes: Breakfast

Day 3:

The Blue City of Chefchaouen

Explore the iconic Blue City with your private guide. Chefchaouen is made up of narrow steps and cobblestone streets, its lanes flanked by historic leather and pottery shops and stores overflowing with spices and herbs. The ancient medina is a feast for the senses and is an idyllic place to wander around for an afternoon.

Accommodations: Lina Ryad

Nestled in the heart of the medina, this luxurious riad enjoys a privileged position in one of Morocco’s most unique destinations. Many of the bright and spacious suites enjoy views of the surrounding peaks and the bustling medina.

300 square meter terraces offer spectacular views, making Lina Riad and Spa a haven of tranquility within one of the most peaceful places in the world. Special attention has been paid to the harmonious shapes and colors of the mountains, with dim lights and aquatic scents captivating your every glance.

Day 4:

On the road to Fez

Hit the road with your private guide. Enjoy the scenic ride and stop for a spectacular lunch at the private Scorpion House, at the highest point of Moulay Idriss. This is the oldest town in Morocco and was founded by Moulay Idriss I in 789, after he fled Mecca due to religious and tribal conflict. It was here that the Idrisid dynasty was founded, and the town boasts the only round minaret in the country. After lunch, cross the valley to the nearby Roman ruins of Volubilis. This exceptionally well-preserved Roman outpost has detailed and colorful mosaics and elaborate arches and columns, all set with spectacular views of the surrounding countryside. Your journey continues through picturesque hills and endless olive groves until your arrive to Fez and your luxurious boutique riad, nestled in the heart of the ancient Medina.

Accommodations: Karawan Riad, 3 nights

This beautifully restored boutique riad is located in the Andalous Quarter of the Fez Medina. Comprising just seven spacious guest suites situated around a traditional courtyard, each room has its own unique design that combines modern touches with traditional charm. Lavish common areas and a rooftop bar with panoramic views offer plenty of space to relax and enjoy your time here.

*Includes: Breakfast

Day 5:

Dive into Fez

Morocco_Fez_ Medina

Explore winding souks and sample the freshest food whenever you pass by a stall that catches your fancy. Stop for a steaming cup of mint tea, and get a sense of daily life as you watch the world go by and chat with friendly locals. Gaze out at the walled city from a hilltop fort, wander the unique Mellah, and see how architecture and culture are intertwined. Visit the world-famous tanneries, still using ancient methods, tucked away in a hidden courtyard. Opt for a cooking class, or wind down at the end of your day with a relaxing traditional Hammam spa experience at your hotel.

Accommodations: Karawan Riad, 3 nights

*Includes: Breakfast

Day 6:

A day of exploration in ancient Fez

Bab Bou Jeloud gate (The Blue Gate)

Let your private guide curate the day for you in Fez, offering tours and activities to suit your interests, or opt for a relaxing day at a traditional Hammam spa, sit poolside as you sip a glass of traditional mint tea, or lose yourself in the winding streets of the market.

Accommodations: Karawan Riad, 3 nights

*Includes: Breakfast

Day 7:

Fez to coastal Rabat

Journey to a hidden gem ancient capital, the less-visited city of Menkes, and dive into its history with your private guide. From there, continue to Rabat, Morocco’s modern capital and seasonal home of the monarchy. This whitewashed city sits on the windy Atlantic coast and offers a relaxed atmosphere. Unwind at your boutique riad and enjoy dinner on the roof or a dip in the pool as you settle in.

Accommodations: Euphoriad, 2 nights

This luxurious boutique hotel has 8 rooms and suites, a rooftop infinity pool on the panoramic terrace, a spa and an exceptional restaurant, all housed in the former residence of the Pasha de Rabat. Traditional Moroccan craftsmanship mixes with contemporary furniture and designer pieces; a subtle blend that is sure to seduce your senses during your stay.

*Includes: Breakfast

Day 8:

Tour the capital where ancient and modern meet

Morocco_Medina-or-Market.

Wander the blue and white lanes of the Kasbah des Oudayas, enjoying the ocean views. Sample traditional pastries over a cup of Moroccan tea as you contemplate the former pirate stronghold across the mouth of the river. Check out some of the art galleries and the beautiful Andalusian Gardens, and visit an art deco cathedral on your way to the unfinished Hassan Towner and the remnants of a great mosque destroyed by an earthquake in 1755. Your private guide will be there to tailor the day to your interests.

Accommodations: Euphoriad, 2 nights

*Includes: Breakfast

Day 9:

Marrakesh via Casablanca

Travel to Casablanca and visit the incredible Hassan II mosque, the second largest functioning mosque in Africa and the seventh largest in the world. From there, continue to Morocco’s most iconic city: Marrakesh. The Red City, as its known, is a fascinating blend of ancient and modern. Watch as donkey carts compete with modern taxis, and street vendors set up shop outside luxury boutiques. You will be guided through the complex network of streets to the oasis of calm that is your luxury hotel for your time here. Enjoy dinner on the roof as you enjoy the sunset and the evening call to prayer echoes around you. This is the essence of Morocco.

Accommodations: Riad L’Orangeraie, 3 nights

This ancient Moroccan riad is located in the souk (market), with a convenient location for exploring Marrakesh. Situated around a courtyard full of fragrant fruit trees, you will find seven beautiful rooms, a mosaic pool, well-appointed seating areas, and a sun-drenched terrace for al fresco dining. Relaxed and intimate, this quiet boutique riad is just a five-minute walk from the famed Jemaa el Fna square.

*Includes: Breakfast

Day 10:

Magnificent Marrakesh

Dive into the hidden beauty of Marrakesh with your private guide. Wander the narrow alleys of the Medina, encountering hidden squares and markets in this impossible-seeming warren of activity. Visit the leather, brass, carpet, straw and spice areas with your expert guide. You may also opt to explore the El-Bahia Palace, known for its ornate tiles and peaceful courtyards, or to take in the history of the Saadia Tombs. See the secret garden, the Museum of Photography and the 12th century Koutoubia Mosque, and sample exquisite local cuisine.

Accommodations: Riad L’Orangeraie, 3 nights

This ancient Moroccan riad is located in the souk (market), with a convenient location for exploring Marrakesh. Situated around a courtyard full of fragrant fruit trees, you will find seven beautiful rooms, a mosaic pool, well-appointed seating areas, and a sun-drenched terrace for al fresco dining. Relaxed and intimate, this quiet boutique riad is just a five-minute walk from the famed Jemaa el Fna square.

*Includes: Breakfast

Day 11:

Marrakesh in depth

A plethora of options awaits you on this free day to enjoy the city: Explore Marrakesh and the surrounding area from a vintage motorcycle sidecar; take a cooking class with a local chef and learn the complexity of Moroccan food from market to table; embark on a street food tour to discover the incredible variety of Moroccan cuisine. Explore the city’s parks and gardens by e-bike, or simply lose yourself to a day of wandering in the Medina.

Head for the tranquil Marjorelle Gardens built by Pierre Berger, partner of Yves Saint Laurent, and wander through a maze of cactus and bamboo. Visit the Berber Museum before you pop next door to the YSL museum, a shrine to his work and life in Morocco. You could also visit a traditional Hammam spa or just relax with some Moroccan tea in the comfort of your rooftop oasis.

Accommodations: Riad L’Orangeraie, 3 nights

*Includes: Breakfast

Day 12:

Farewell Morocco

Bid farewell to Morocco as your guide takes you to Marrakesh or Casablanca Airport to connect with your international flight home.

*Includes: Breakfast

More Photos From This Trip

Popular Ways to Customize This Itinerary

  • Choose from a carefully-curated selection of traditional, luxury riads and boutique hotels to ensure this trip fits your travel style and budget.

  • Ask us about the variety of tours and experiences we can curate to make your Moroccan journey truly come to life. From cooking classes to vintage side car tours, there is something for everyone.

  • Include some downtime for rest and relaxation! Adding free time along the way to unwind or have a massage will allow you to feel refreshed and ready for the remainder of your trip. Many of our properties include excellent traditional Hammam spas or wellness centers.

  • Mix and match with other cities, experiences and iconic locations in Morocco to tailor your trip perfectly.

  • Contact us to learn about more options for designing and customizing your trip.

Call us to start planning your journey today:

+1 (844) 881-1305

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Why Travel with Vaya?

We're TRUE specialists

We’ve not only traveled there, we’ve lived there. Our smart and engaging specialists are all current or former expatriates with years of experience in the region.

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From the first phone call to after you get back, we're here for you every step of the way. We listen, create, customize and advocate for you, and design experiences that go beyond the expected.

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