IMPERIAL CITIES OF MOROCCO tour 2025
7-days / 6-nights luxury group tour
October 1 – 7, 2025
Private tour version – Anytime.
They are called “Imperial” cities because they were each, at some point in time, historical capitals of Morocco, ruled by powerful dynasties.
Marrakech. Fez. Meknes. Rabat.
Each city still has significant reminders of the country’s rich heritage. Explore. Absorb. Experience the beautiful and the unique.
These qualities make Morocco an outstanding destination. This will be a more luxury tour than usual, so indulge.
BOOKINGS CLOSE April 1, 2025
DAY 1 – October 1: Casablanca (Wednesday)
Meals: Dinner (D)
Although our starting point, Casablanca, is not an imperial city, it is a port city dating back to the 7th century BC. It is Morocco’s “economic capital” and a fitting entry point for our tour of Morocco’s imperial cities.
Airport pick-up by our tour driver, who will take you to Le Doge Hotel (or equivalent) in Casablanca where we’ll stay for three nights. Le Doge is a 5-star hotel befitting of royalty, and every room has its own art deco artist theme and facilities include a spa with traditional hammam, steam bath and de-stressing massages.
We’ll have our welcome dinner in the hotel tonight.
King Hassan Mosque, at night. Has a nice public hammam too, which few seem to know about.
DAY 2 – October 2: Casablanca (Thursday).
Meals: Breakfast (B) Lunch (L) & D
After breakfast, we’ll take a day-long guided tour of this port city with a certified guide taking us to the key sites of Casablanca. There is the tour inside King Hassan’s mosque – the largest in Africa. A seafood market tour and seafood lunch are also on the agenda.
Dinner tonight will be at our hotel – another gastronomic indulgence to anticipate.
DAY 3 – October 3: Marrakech (Friday).
Meals: B L & D
The first imperial city we visit is Marrakech, which was the capital in the early 11th century.
Following breakfast today, we will take a day trip to Marrakech, about 2.5 hours by road. There’ll be a half-day guided tour of the medina and we will lunch at Jemma El Fna in the main square – this is where slaves were once sold, and criminals executed. At the end of the row of stalls where local food tours go, there is a lovely mosaic-laden interior where they serve you roasted lamb on butcher paper, with Moroccan bread. Simple, but satisfying.
We then return to Casablanca, where there may be a bit of free time before we meet up again for a late dinner.
Koutoubia mosque, that reminds many of the Seville Cathedral in Spain, reflecting the links of the old Andalusian empire.
DAY 4 – October 4: Fez (Saturday).
Meals: B L & D
The second imperial city is Fez – the oldest city in Morocco. It replaced Marrakech as the capital in the 13th – 14th centuries. It is now known as the artisanal, religious and culinary capital of Morocco.
After breakfast, we’ll travel 3.5 hours to Fez and stay at Riad Toyour – the Riad of Birds (or equivalent). The theme here is inspired by the medieval Sufi poem, “The Conference of the Birds” an allegory of a soul’s journey to find self. In the poem, the birds of the world gather to learn how to find their true king, and each bird has a weakness, for example, the peacock’s was vanity.
In the courtyard at Riad Toyour, birds sing from traditional cages – the owners of the riad say captivity protects the little birds from predators. In keeping with the theme, each room is named after a bird.
You may have time while in Fez for a luxury hammam this afternoon (additional to the tour fee). Let us know when you book if you are interested, so we can pre-book your session.
Tonight we will dine out together at a quality restaurant.
Heating water for the Hammam, in Fez
Volubilis, which often has wildflowers dotted throughout it.
DAY 5 – October 5: Fez > Meknes > the holy city(Sunday).
Meals: B L & D
The third imperial city is Meknes, which became the capital towards the end of the 17th century.
After breakfast, there will be a morning tour of Fez, and then we leave for Meknes where you’ll take a short guided tour of the sites and landmarks. You’ll see the gate Delacroix used as the backdrop in his famous painting of the Sultan of Morocco on horseback. Bab Mansour – a fine example of Hispano-Moorish art – is the gateway to the medina.
Then onto a special late lunch at a farm with numerous peacocks and an olive grove, with a menu on the theme of Andalusian royalty, dating back to when the Moors were at the height of their royal power.
This afternoon we go on to explore the former Roman settlement of Volubilis. Then tonight, we’ll be staying nearby in the holy city of Moulay Idriss Zerhoune where the mausoleum of the first Islamic ruler of Morocco, is located.
(If on tour, we decide it is better use of time to do some of today’s activities tomorrow instead, we will let you know and adjust accordingly).
The famous gate at Meknes
DAY 6 – October 6: Rabat (Monday).
Meals: B L & D
The fourth imperial city is Rabat – the current capital since Morocco achieved independence from the French in 1955.
After breakfast, we’ll drive to Rabat and have an afternoon tour of some of the royal sites. Hopefully, there’ll also be time to visit the Mohamed VI Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art and spend an hour or so wandering through that, too.
We’ll stay at Dar Shaan (or equivalent) for our final night together.
There will be a farewell dinner tonight – the perfect close to a memorable tour.
Ceremonial guard at the mausoleum of Mohammed V, Rabat
DAY 7 – October 7: Rabat > Casablanca (Tuesday).
Meals: B
After breakfast (if you’re not departing too early), you’ll be dropped off at the train station in Rabat, or at Casablanca airport (an hour away by road).
(Please note that you need to be at Casablanca airport at least 3 hours before departure, so you may prefer not to book a flight that leaves too early.)
Et voila! The luxury tour of Morocco is done – for now.
CONSIDER combining this tour with one of the others we have on offer. Or, you could arrange for a private tour to see other places of interest before or after.
PLEASE NOTE that quoted prices do not include drinks (or bottled water), meals not specified to be covered, airfares to, from and within Morocco, some tips and any personal expenses, or anything else not specifically included. If something is not specified to be included, please assume it is excluded even if it is suggested, although feel free to seek clarification too.
We now cover venue entry fees on some group tours such as this one, to maximise group cohesiveness on tour.
Your diary checklist
April 1, 2025: Bookings close. However it is first in first served and to get on the list you need to have paid at least the deposit.
April 1, 2025: 40% deposit received by AIMT™ ($2,100 per person, twin/double share & $2,500 single price)
August 15, 2025: Final payment received by AIMT™ – Note: all prices are shown in Australian dollars.
Remember: to enquire about doing a version of this anytime as a private tour, please contact AIMTours™ at holidays@aussiesinmoroccotours.com.au
Think about making the most of your time while in Morocco.