Chefchaouen is known as “the blue city,” with its blue washed walls. You’ll have time to rest and leisurely explore this fascinating city and enjoy its charming people in their traditional dress.

After an early breakfast in your riad we’ll start driving to Fes via Volubilis and Meknes. The first stop will be Volubilis, to explore a large Roman ruin where your local guide will lead you through the history of the n ruins and the mosaics that date back to the 2nd century B.C. Then it’s on to Meknes, which was the capital during the 17th century and one of the Imperial cities of Morocco. You’ll see the famous gate of Bab Mansour, the Sahrij, the Souani basin used for irrigation and the Mouly Ismail mausoleum. After lunch overlooking the medina, we’ll head to Fes and overnight at Riad Yacout/ Riad Ahlam in the heart of the medina.

After breakfast in your riad, our local guide will pick you up to start an explorative journey of the oldest medina in Morocco that dates back to the 9th century. You’ll explore the narrow winding cobblestone streets of the medina, where donkeys are the main mode of transportation. Your tour will include historical sites of the medina, including the University of Al Karaouine, the oldest university in the world started in 851 by a woman (Fatima Fhriya), the Moulay Idriss mausoleum, the Nejjarine fountains, the famous (and odiferous) tanneries, as well as the King’s Palace and the Jewish quarter where, if you like, you can visit a synagogue in the mellah. Lunch will be in the medina. The tour ends around 3-4 p.m. at your riad.

In the morning we’ll drive toward the Sahara desert, stopping first in Ifran, known as Little Switzerland. Then we’ll continue through the Cedar Forest where, with luck you’ll see Barbary apes. Most of the drive will be through the scenic Atlas Mountains and the Ziz Valley. After lunch in Midelt, we continue the drive through the scenic Ziz Valley, stopping at scenic views along the way. We’ll arrive in the village of Merzouga on the edge of the desert by the afternoon and check into your riad, Riad Madu/Riad Nezha.

After breakfast you can explore Merzouga and see how the villagers irrigate their crops in an oasis. Then it’s on to the village of Khamila, home to the black people who were brought to Morocco as slaves decades ago. You’ll be treated to a performance of their unique Gnawa music and have lunch in the village. Return to your riad for a rest before heading out on camels into the Sahara Desert where you will become more than just a tourist. You’ll spend the night in tents in our comfortable desert camp, equipped with flush toilets and showers. Dinner will be served under the stars

In the morning, your camel guide will awaken you to enjoy the beauty of the sunrise over the sand dunes. This experience is considered one of the trip’s highlights. After your breakfast in the middle of the Erg Chebbi dunes, you’ll ride your camels back to the village of Merzouga. Our next stop will be at the city of Erfoud, known as the Paradise of Geology. If you are interested, a tour can be arranged to one of the fossil factories and showrooms before heading out to the Todra Gorges and Todra Valley Once in the Gorges, you can hike around old kasbahs and then enjoy lunch by the Gorges, considered the highest and narrowest gorges in the country where rock climbers from all over the world come here to test their skills. You’ll spend the night at Hotel Xaluca Dades.

After breakfast at your riad, we’ll drive to Marrakech via the Dades Valley, with its dramatic rock formations and ancient kasbahs, and then on to the Rose Valley, known for its damask roses that are harvested in April. Continuing on our journey, we’ll head to Ouarzazat, known as African Hollywood, where you can see the Taourirt Kasbah and tour the movie studios. You will get to see the Taourirt Kasbah and then check into your accommodations at Riad dar Chamaa.

After breakfast at your riad we’ll travel to Marrakech via the Ait ben Haddou Kasbah, the largest kasbah in Morocco where movies such as The Gladiator, Game of Thrones, Lawrence of Arabia and The Jewel of the Nile were filmed. Then on to Marrakech through the Tichka Pass that is considered as one of the highest mountains in Morocco. We will arrive in Marrakech and overnight at Riad Princess du Desert /Ksar Anika.

After breakfast, our local guide will take you through some of the historical sites of “The Red City,” including the Bahia Palace, the Saadienne tombs, Jamaa Lafna Square and Ben Youssef Medrasa. Walking through the souks, you’ll enjoy the sights, sounds and bright colors of the market. The city tour ends around 3 p.m. Then on to the new part of Marrakech and the beautiful Majorelle Gardens, created by Yves St. Laurent, before heading back to your accommodations. After sundown, we suggest you walk to Jamaa el Fna, the main square in the old city that comes alive at night with snake charmers, storytellers, merchants and tourists enjoying the sights and sounds of Marrakech.

After breakfast at your riad, you’ll leave for Essaouira and Mogador, the City of Wind where surfers from all over the world come to enjoy their favorite sport. Along the way we’ll drive through the Land of Argan, the only place in the world where argan trees grow. You can visit one of the women’s cooperatives to see how the argan oil is made, by hand, the old fashioned way. When we arrive in Essaouira you’ll have time to explore this blue and white city on the Atlantic Ocean, where, for centuries, many different cultures lived side-by- side. Enjoy lunch in one of the local restaurants before we head back to your accommodations in Marrakech.

We will transport you to the airport in Casablanca where your trip ends. You’ll return home with a heart full of happy memories? The