Most people associate Morocco with mountain ranges and desert rather than its 1,300 miles of magnificent Atlantic coastline. Within the past few years, however, sleepy Essaouira has started to attract growing numbers of travelers looking for a breath of salt air, some excellent seafood and good shopping.
This 11-day Moroccan itinerary covers all of the top places to visit in the area. From Marrakech, take an astonishing drive over the Atlas Mountains via the dizzying Tizi n’Test pass to the old walled market town of Taroudant at the edge of the Sahara.
Our itineraries are for your inspiration. Please contact a travel advisor to customize this itinerary to fit your needs.
Fly into Marrakech and check in at La Mamounia or the evocative Riad l’Orangeraie, set in the heart of the medina. Before dinner, experience a hammam ritual — a combination of steam, exfoliation and massage that is the perfect antidote to jet lag.
Take a full day to explore Marrakech with a guide. View the Almoravid Koubba, the inspiration for much of Morocco’s architecture, and the richly decorated Ben Youssef madrassa. Dive into the famed souks, a labyrinth of markets offering an incredible profusion of local crafts. Shop for ornate lanterns, leather slippers, inlaid boxes of rare thuya wood and Berber kilims — this is craft-shopping at its best. Finish in the exotic Djemaa el-Fna, a central square where snake charmers, acrobats, musicians and storytellers entertain a largely local crowd.
Tour El Badi Palace, the ornate Saadian Tombs and the former Jewish Quarter. After lunch, take horse and carriage to the lush Majorelle Garden, owned by the estate of Yves Saint Laurent.
Head out to the poolside teaching kitchen of La Maison Arabe to learn the secrets of Moroccan cooking. After dining on your creations, take the afternoon to explore the souks on your own.
Enjoy the morning in Marrakech, then check in at either Amanjena or Ksar Char-Bagh. Both resorts are a few miles outside the city, and offer an oasis of tranquility and luxury.
Make a day trip into the Ourika Valley, where Berber villages line the river beneath green hillsides.
Hike or bike in the countryside, play a round of golf, indulge in a treatment at the hotel’s spa, shop for more treasures in the souks or make a day trip to seaside Essaouira.
Transfer with a driver through the sensationally scenic Atlas Mountains, crossing over the spectacular Tizi n'Test pass. Half-forgotten kasbahs, mountain villages and snowcapped peaks line the unforgettable route. Continue to the unspoiled market town of Taroudant and check in at the serene La Gazelle d’Or.
Explore the city walls and souks of Taroudant with a guide and have lunch in a 19th-century palace.
Enjoy a day to unwind at sumptuous La Gazelle d’Or. Go for a horseback ride, wander the alleys of roses, lounge by the pool, play a round of croquet or continue exploring the city.
Transfer 45 minutes to the Agadir airport and depart.
Contact a travel advisor to book your custom itinerary. Fill out the form or call (630) 734-4610.
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