Imperial Cities of Morocco Pre-Trip Extension

Arrive in Morocco and travel onward to Rabat on the Atlantic coast, the country’s current political capital and one of its quieter imperial cities. Settle into your riad, where the shaded courtyard and tiled walls offer a cool respite after your journey. Join your Expedition Leader for a guided walk through Rabat’s historic core, stopping to admire and learn about two of its most important monuments, the Hassan Tower and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V. Continue through the kasbah and along narrow medina lanes as evening begins to descend over the the city. Tonight, gather for a welcome dinner and your first immersion in Moroccan hospitality, where tea is poured and local fare is shared over convivial conversation.

Travel inland, heading east through rolling countryside to the Roman ruins of Volubilis, the largest, best-preserved Roman archaeological site in Morocco. At its peak, it was a diverse, cosmopolitan city with a population between 10,000 and 20,000, including Berbers, Romans, Syrians and Jews. Featuring 3^rd- century B.C. ruins and stunning, intact mosaics, this Mauretanian capital and UNESCO World Heritage Site once thrived as an agricultural exporter of olive oil and grain before being abandoned around 285 A.D. when the Roman Empire lost the ability to control the region. Walk through the triumphal Arch of Caracalla and among fallen columns and intricate mosaics that are a testament to Morocco’s deep connections to the ancient Mediterranean world, long before the rise of today’s cities.

Continue to Moulay Idriss, named for the great-grandson of Prophet Muhammad, who died and was buried here in 792 A.D. One of Morocco's most sacred towns, Moulay Idriss is considered the "poor man's Mecca," and a pilgrimage here is highly significant for devout Moroccan Muslims. Narrow, steep alleys in this quiet town lead to dramatic hilltop views over the surrounding foothils and agricultural landscape. After lunch, journey onward to Fez, arriving in time to settled into your riad within the old city walls, as dusk falls over one of the world’s great living medinas.

Spend a full day immersed in the wonders of ancient Fez. The oldest of the imperial cities, Fez was founded in the late 8th century and is regarded as the spiritual, cultural and intellectual heart of Morocco. At its medieval heart is the world's largest car-free urban area, Fez el-Bali, the 9th-century walled medina. This living, labyrinthine "city within a city" is home to 150,000 residents and is one of the best-preserved historic towns in the Arab-Muslim world. With multiple mosques and a university within its walls, not to mention literally thousands of narrow lanes and alleyways, some barely wide enough for a donkey to squeeze through, the Fez medina is best known for its specialized souks selling spices, produce, perfumes and ceramics, and traditional craftmaking like woodcarving, copperware and silk weaving. A highlight is the pungent Chouara Tannery, where leather has been produced in outdoor vats without interruption for over a thousand years. On a guided walk through the maze, color, scent and sound converge in a blast for the senses. We visit artisan workshops, produce stalls, historic madrasas (schools of Islamic learning), and the mellah, Fez's historic Jewish quarter, breaking for lunch along the way. Late in the day, return to the serene space of our riad to rest for a bit before dinner at a local restaurant.

Travel west toward Morocco’s Atlantic plain, stopping in Meknes, the quietest of the imperial capitals. Monumental gates, royal granaries and broad ceremonial spaces speak to the vision of Sultan Moulay Ismail, whose ambition once reshaped the city. Continue on to Casablanca, Morocco’s modern economic heart. This evening, enjoy dinner amid the city’s refined Art Deco architecture, a reminder of Casablanca’s layered identity at the crossroads of tradition and modernity.

Begin the morning with a visit to the Hassan II Mosque, rising above the Atlantic in a dramatic union of craftsmanship, faith and setting. Its scale and detail reflect Morocco’s enduring architectural legacy, reinterpreted for the modern era. Continue south toward Marrakesh, watching the landscape shift as you approach the Red City. Arrive by afternoon and settle into your riad, tucked within the medina’s winding lanes. As evening falls, gather for a rooftop dinner, listening as the city’s many voices blend beneath the glow of lantern light.

Spend the day exploring Marrakesh’s historic medina, tracing layers of history through palaces, tombs and religious schools that anchor the old city. Walk through the souks where craft, commerce and conversation intertwine, pausing to learn how everyday objects carry stories of place and lineage. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before returning to your riad to relax. This evening, meet your fellow guests and gather for a collective welcome dinner, seamlessly joining the main journey as shared experiences begin to unfold.