IMPERIAL MOROCCO – TANGIER – CHEFCHAUEN 2025

Meeting at the airport and direct flight with Aegean to the "Red City", the cosmopolitan Marrakech. Upon arrival we will depart for the financial capital of Morocco, Casablanca (Dar-El-Beyda). Arrival and check-in at the hotel. Dinner. Overnight.

During our tour today, we will see, among other things, Mohammed V Square - the largest square in the city with the French Embassy, ​​the City Hall and the Super-Prefecture - the United Nations Square, the central market, the Corniche promenade, the King Hassan II Mosque (exterior) - one of the largest mosques in the Islamic world - and the wealthy Anfa district. We continue by road to the capital of Morocco, Rabat. Upon arrival, we will visit the Palace of King Hassan II, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, the Hassan Tower and the Oudaya Kasbah. We will then go to the train station and board the bullet train, the first ultra-modern high-speed train in Africa, for a journey of approximately two hours to the legendary and extremely mysterious Tangier, one of the most important cities and ports in Morocco. It is located on the coast of North Africa, west of the Strait of Gibraltar and was inhabited by Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs, Portuguese, Spanish, British and French. Arrival and check-in at the hotel. Dinner. Overnight.

Morning tour of the Kasbah and the souks of Tangier. Then we will depart for the famous Chefchaouen, the "Blue Village", as it is called, due to the color of most of its houses. Free time to walk through the streets and souks of this beautiful village. We continue to the "empress of cities", the stately Fez, located in the heart of Morocco. The city was founded by the Indrisids in the 8th century as the first imperial capital. The Almoravids and Almohads endowed it richly, although they made Marrakech their capital, and the Merinids again gave it the title of administrative center of the kingdom. A theological, cultural and artistic center. An atmospheric city, full of workshops (tanneries, carpet factories, ceramic studios, textile factories, etc.). A journey through space and time. Fez is a traveler's best first contact with Africa and probably with the soul of Islam. Arrival and check-in at the hotel. Dinner. Overnight.

Morning departure for the old imperial capital of Meknes. Upon arrival, we will visit the historic La Khedim Square, also known as the "square of destruction", we will see the exterior of the palace of Moulay Ismail with the magnificent Bab El Mansour gate, the royal stables, the city walls, etc. Return and guided tour of the country's most sacred city, the "Mecca of Morocco", Fez, which was founded in 791 AD by Moulay Idris I - that is, it is the oldest of all imperial cities. It was founded almost immediately after the conquest of North Africa and Spain by the Arabs and soon became the cultural and religious center of the region. All the great dynasties left their mark here. We will see (from the outside) the Dar Al Makhzen palace of the Merinids - the dynasty that gave glory and prestige to the city. It is the oldest palace in the country (1276) and covers an area of ​​800 hectares. We continue with the Jewish quarter of Mellah, one of the most beautiful and richest in the country and we end up in the labyrinthine Medina of the 11th century, which is filled with specialized shops and workshops - the craftsmen of Fes are famous throughout the Maghreb. It is a real labyrinth with 9,202 alleys, in which we will see, among other things, the Karaouine Mosque (externally) with its 270 columns, 14 gates and the tallest minaret in the Muslim world, home to the Muslim University of Fez, founded in the 10th century and perhaps the oldest in the world, the mausoleum of Moulay Idris II (externally) and the Bou Inania madrasa. Inside the Medina we will also have the opportunity to see the tanneries, which still operate in the traditional way. We conclude our tour with the ruins of the Merinid necropolis. Afternoon free to wander the city's amazing bazaars. Dinner. Overnight.

This morning we will cross towns and villages of the Middle Atlas, such as the Berber village of Imouzer di Kanter and Ifrane, which is located at an altitude of 1665 meters in the heart of a cedar forest and has a ski resort, hence the name "the Switzerland of Morocco". This city was founded by the French in 1929 to become a recreation station for themselves and their families. We continue to the "Red City", the cosmopolitan Marrakech. Arrival and check-in at the hotel. Dinner. Overnight.

Our city tour today will begin at the Koutoubia Mosque, which we see from the outside, as non-Muslims are not allowed to visit. The minaret of this mosque is the symbol of the city. We will continue with the El Bahia Palace, that is, the palace of the favored one, built at the end of the 19th century. We will also visit the beautiful Majorelle or Yves Saint Laurent gardens. Return to the hotel. In the afternoon, a walk with the leader to the famous Jemaa El Fna square or "Square of Miracles". According to UNESCO, this square is a masterpiece of oral and intangible world heritage. There, on a daily basis, a magical spectacle unfolds, composed of the outdoor improvised stalls-restaurants, snake charmers, storytellers and witches, in combination with the hundreds of shops that emerge from the most unlikely corners of the souks. Dinner at the hotel and in the evening we will enjoy the folklore show "FANTASIA" with a drink at the world-famous Chez Ali. Return to the hotel. Overnight.

Morning departure for Essaouira, a city on the Atlantic coast, dressed in white and blue, which today is an important center of Moroccan artistic creation. Climb the castle and enjoy the magnificent view, walk along the ocean and listen to the chirping of seagulls... Essaouira will certainly leave you with beautiful images. In the area of ​​Essaouira and Marrakech, argan trees grow, from which the very expensive argan oil is obtained. The branches of argan trees bear wild thorns, which prove to be an effective deterrent for those who wish to collect their fruits - for everyone, except for the intrepid goats, who climb these trees! Return to the hotel. Dinner. Overnight.

Check out from our hotel, transfer to the airport and boarding the direct flight to Athens. Arrival the same day.