Your perfect first trip to the Mediterranean: Morocco
Perhaps your travel plans are temporarily on hold. But it won’t remain that way. The thrill of visiting a new place and the adventure of travel might not be happening this very second. But your dreams of a first trip to the Mediterranean certainly do not need to remain just dreams. You can start thinking about a future or first-time trip to one of the amazing countries that we can help you discover. And though there are so many incredible places we would love to show you, there are a special few that our clients just can’t help but fall in love with. Many of our clients are (rightly so) taking the moment to reevaluate current plans. To think about future travel. We believe there is no time better than right now to start planning your next vacation.
Let us introduce you to one of our favorites, the sensory feast that is Morocco!
The colors, sounds, smells, and tastes of this country are enough to make a first-time visitor (or second or third!) remain completely awestruck. Perhaps one of the most amazing things about Morocco is the amount of incredibly diverse experiences one can have. From the vibrant cities of Marrakesh and Casablanca to the Sahara desert and the Sufi monks, the magical coastal city of Essaouira. There is truly something for everyone.
Morocco is special for the very same reasons it can be challenging for first-time visitors. These dazzling colors, scents, and experiences can be overwhelming. The culture is very different from what we might be used to at home. Bella Vita has taken all of these considerations to heart. And with our local guides and drivers, we can put together a 2-week trip that is a well-organized adventure leaving you wanting to come back for more!
Casablanca (arrival): 1 night
Upon arrival in Casablanca, you’ll be met directly when you step off the plane. Your VIP escort will take you through passport control, baggage claim, and customs. You will then meet your private driver who will accompany you to your hand-selected luxurious 5-star hotel.
En route to the hotel, your private guide and driver will take you on a short tour of the city of Casablanca. The city was called ‘Casablanca’, or White House, by Spanish and Portuguese sailors who marveled at the white houses facing the ocean in the Anfa district. Today Casablanca (“Dar El Beida” in Arabic) is a bustling city of boulevards and modern infrastructure. If you have a morning arrival, you will be able to visit one of only two mosques in Morocco open to foreign visitors.
All of our clients will also have at hand our Bella Vita Travels Personalized Travel Packet. This contains detailed information regarding our recommended restaurants and on-your-own activities for each destination on your itinerary.
For novice or veteran travelers, this is the perfect, seamless arrival day in Morocco and the best way to set the tone for the rest of your vacation!
Fes: 2 nights
This morning your private driver and local private expert guide will meet you at your hotel and accompany you first to the spectacular Roman ruins of Volubilis. You’ll enjoy a private guided tour of the ruins which date back to the 3rd century AD. Following your tour, you’ll drive to a local winery where you’ll have a tour and delicious wine-paired lunch. After lunch, you’ll continue on to the Imperial city of Meknès, founded in the 17th century by King Moulay Ishmail and known as the ‘Moroccan Versailles’.
Many guests are surprised at the distance from one destination in Morocco to another. It’s not a small country. Sometimes these transfers can take more time than you’d assume. Therefore, we find that coupling a transfer together with some fantastic “pit stops” is a great way to maximize your experience. This lets you see some interesting cultural sites you might have missed otherwise.
Afterward, your driver will bring you directly to your 5-star accommodations in Fes. And the Moroccans do not kid around with luxury! Some of the 5-star hotels in Morocco are among the best in the world, they take hospitality very seriously.
Your second day in Fes will start with a private guided tour of one of the most beautiful medinas in the country. A guide is indispensable for weaving your way through these narrow streets. It can be confusing and more than a little overwhelming on your own. Another incredible benefit for first-time visitors: your guide will be able to help you with bartering for your souvenirs. It’s almost a national pastime in Morocco. And it can be intimidating for foreigners. But with our experts to accompany you, you’ll be able to buy anything you want without worries.
You’ll have a few free hours to enjoy your hotel before your guide escorts to enjoy a truly exclusive and unforgettable evening. You will visit a private local home where you will enjoy a 3-course private dinner with the friendly and mystical Sufi monks. Sufi musical entertainment will entrance you during your meal. It’s an amazing way to sample and experience the local culture.
Sahara Desert: 1 night
Today will be a day that will be hard to ever forget! This morning you will leave the hustle and bustle of the city for the tranquillity of the Sahara Desert. Your guide and driver will transfer you to the town of Erfoud. Erfoud is a base from which to explore the vast dunes of the desert. Then experience a spectacular drive through the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas to Midelt where you’ll enjoy lunch in a local restaurant. When you arrive in Erfoud, you’ll be met by 4×4 SUVs that will accompany you to the dramatic dunes of Merzouga. You’ll arrive in time to witness the changing colors of the sunset over the dunes within the silence of the sand. You’ll then continue on to your camp in the desert where you will have a surprisingly comfortable private tent for your stay. A delicious dinner will be prepared for you and served by candlelight under the stars.
Skoura: 1 night
You’ll have an early wake-up call this morning. The reason being, so that you can meet your camels and trek out to the dunes to see the glorious sunrise over the desert. As the sun approaches the horizon, the colors of the desert come to life. Thus, creating an unforgettable experience. You’ll then get back on your friendly camel and trek back to your desert camp where a tasty breakfast will be waiting for you.
In the late morning, your 4×4 SUV will collect you and take you back to Erfoud. Here you’ll meet your car and driver. From here, you’ll continue on to the oasis of Skoura and your 5-star hotel with a luxurious hammam spa. The perfect place to relax after your desert adventure.
Marrakech: 4 nights
After a leisurely breakfast and checkout, your private driver and guide will accompany you to the Palace of Glaoui Kasbah Ait Ourirt and the Ait Ben Haddou. The ksar was classified as one of the World Heritage sites in Morocco.
You’ll then continue on to the imperial city of Marrakech. This city is home to snake charmers, spice vendors, and anything else you can imagine of a city famed for its exoticism! Here you’ll be accompanied to your luxury accommodations in the heart of the city. Your evening is free for you to enjoy at your leisure.
During the rest of your stay in Marrakesh, we can arrange a host of activities for you based on your travel dreams and style. A historical walking tour of the city. A visit to the souks is possible. Trekking in the Atlas mountains on a day trip or a visit to the local Berber market is special. A private cooking class on Moroccan cuisine is exquisite. This is your vacation, and we will work with you to tailor your holiday to your interests and desires!
Essaouira, 2 nights:
Today you’ll head to the sea! You’ll have time for a leisurely breakfast before meeting your private driver for the 2.5 drive to the coast. Your destination is the charming seaside city of Essaouira. Once arrived, you’ll check in to your luxury hotel and enjoy a free afternoon and evening at your leisure.
The next morning, your private guide will meet you for a half-day tour of this coastal city and its historical sites. Essaouira is also a haven for artists. Handmade works of art are abundant. Being a fishing port, fresh fish is readily available and lunch on the port is a must as the day’s catch is cooked in front of you.
Your afternoon is free to enjoy on your own. The wide sweeping beach offers windsurfing, kite-surfing, camel and horse riding, and quad bike excursions.
Casablanca: 1 night
After breakfast and check out this morning, you will start your journey to back Casablanca. En route, you’ll visit the city of Safi with its fortress facing the Atlantic Ocean. You’ll continue on to Oualidia, a sleepy fishing village, for lunch. Afterward, travel to El Jadida. Here you will have some time to explore this beautiful town. Its famous citadel was built by the Portuguese in ancient times. In the late afternoon, you will arrive in Casablanca and your luxury hotel. Your last evening in Morocco is free for you to enjoy on your own.
The next morning, your driver will meet you at your hotel to bring you to the Casablanca airport for your flight home.
This itinerary is just an idea of what we can arrange for you on your first trip to Morocco. We can tailor these ideas to your interests, pace, and travel style. Then we will put together the perfect trip to one of our favorite destinations for first timers. If this looks like your dream holiday, contact us to learn more about how we can help you experience your perfect trip to Morocco!
