Tangier & the Rif Mountains to Marrakech

The adventure begins in Casablanca, a modern port city and business hub on the edge of the Atlantic. We have a welcome briefing in the evening, in which we gather for the first time as a group and you can ask any questions you may have. Stay: Oum Palace (or similar).

We couldn’t leave Casablanca without first visiting the Hassan II Mosque, an intricately decorated place of worship with room for 105,000 people. A picturesque position on a promontory in the Atlantic is complemented by exquisite Moroccan stylings, including wood and stone carvings, marble floors and fine local tiles known as zellige. It’s also one of just two Moroccan mosques that non-Muslims can visit. Please note, knees and upper arms must be covered to enter.

After, we travel two hours’ north by high-speed train (TGV) to Tangier, a coastal city perhaps best known for being a one-time favourite for artists, counter-culturalists, Beat writers and rock stars, before investment brought economic development and a more modern sheen to the city. We visit the medina this afternoon, where an ancient kasbah and stalls selling food, spices, rugs, textiles are wrapped by the walls of an ancient Portuguese fortress. Stay: Hotel Challa (or similar) Drive time: One hour and a half hours Train time: Two hours (B).

Today we head across the coast; if it's a clear day, we may even be able to see Spain across the Strait of Gibraltar. We head to the rocky promontory of Cape Spartel, which marks the extreme northwest of Africa, to visit the atmospheric Cave of Hercules where the ancient hero is said to have rested after dividing the European and African continents. We also visit Parc Perdicaris, a tree-filled green space with Mediterranean views, for a gentle stroll. Next, we transfer to Chefchaouen (2hr 30min), a painted-blue city layering a slope in the Rif Mountains.

On arrival, we have a short orientation tour around the narrow vibrant streets, stopping outside the 15th-century Grand Mosque, and (dependent on time) walking to the hilltop Spanish Mosque for sunset and beautiful views. Stay: Dar Mounir, Hotel Ziryab, Puerta Azul (or similar) Drive time: Four and a half hours (B).

We have the choice today of exploring Chefchaouen on our own or taking an optional guided walk to Akchour Waterfalls. (extra cost). For the latter, we explore the area around the falls, where mountains, rivers and waterfalls create an idyllic landscape. We also take a detour to the God's Bridge rock formation before walking through the cool, verdant forest to visit the Akchour Waterfalls. Stay: Dar Mounir, Hotel Ziryab, Puerta Azul (or similar) Optional tour drive time: Three hours (B).

Following free time in Chefchaouen this morning, we leave the Rif Mountains and drive to Fez, a scenic journey of about 4hr 30min, passing through rural landscapes that become increasingly agricultural. In Fez, we enjoy a pastilla for dinner, a pastry-wrapped savoury dish and a Moroccan delicacy. Stay: Riad Dar Tafilalet (or similar) Drive time: Four and a half hours (B/D).

Today we discover Fez, the intellectual and religious centre of Morocco. Founded more than 1,000 years ago, the city has many mosques and medersas (theological colleges), including the ninth-century al-Karaouine University, said to be the oldest still-running university in the world.

We join our city guide on an intriguing exploration, cutting through the souks where vendors sell leather, brass, copper and ceramics, and visiting the tanneries. We also journey outside the medina to visit the Jewish District and admire the elaborately decorated doors of the Royal Palace, before driving to a viewpoint for vistas over the medina. Stay: Riad Dar Tafilalet (or similar) (B).

After breakfast we travel to Volubilis, a Unesco World Heritage site housing the largest and best-preserved Roman ruins in North Africa. Despite damage caused by an earthquake in 1755, this important Roman town retains detailed (and very beautiful) mosaics. We travel to Meknes for lunch (not included) and explore the medina, where we see Lahdim Square (a scaled-down version of Djemma el Fna in Marrakech) and the monumental Bab El Mansour gates. We continue by road (two hours) to Rabat, the capital of Morocco. Stay: Imperial Hotel (or similar) Drive time: Six hours (B).

We have the morning in Rabat, a city that feels calmer than many in Morocco and is less visited by tourists. We start with a visit to the Kasbah of the Udayas, originally a small Arab fortification, later settled by Andalucians. Next is the unfinished (yet still impressive) Hassan Tower, a 140ft (43m) tall red-stone minaret dominating the Rabat skyline.

Adjacent is the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, the resting place of the eponymous king and his two sons, Hassan II and Prince Abdallah. From Rabat, we take a late afternoon train, travelling in first-class compartments to Marrakech, a journey of just under four hours. Stay: Hotel Meriem (or similar) Train time: Four hours (B).

In Marrakech, we have a half-day guided tour to soak up the atmosphere of this amazing city. Our guide will take us to the Bahia Palace, the Saadian tombs, and end in Djemma el Fna, where the town becomes a maze of bustling bazaars, palaces and mosques. It is also worth visiting at night when this renowned landmark comes to life with food stalls, snake charmers, juice sellers and acrobats. Stay: Hotel Meriem (or similar) (B).

Our tour ends after breakfast in Marrakech. If you'd like to spend more time in this electric city, speak to your sales representative to extend your stay (B).