MOROCCO IMPERIAL CITIES Self Driving Tour

MARRAKECH, Imperial City and turistic capital

Jama El f´na square, Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity since 2001, the most lively square in Africa, especially in the late afternoon. Tireless handicrafts vendors, food stalls, folkloric groups, snakes enchanters,... and a multitude of tourists !

MARRAKECH, the "southern gate"

The Seven Saints of Marrakesh (Sab´atu Rijal), an institution created in the early 18th century to attract pilgrims when Sufism was at the height of its popularity, and firmly established today...

MARRAKECH, the "red city"

The walls of Marrakesh, 19 km around the medina, built by the Almoravids in the 12th century with lime and red-orange clay, originating the nickname "red city". Maximum height of 5.8m, 20 doors and 200 towers !

MARRAKECH, the "southern pearl"

The Menara gardens were built in 1130 by the Almohad caliph Abde Almumine, west of the medina. The lake is supplied with water from the mountains carried by a hydraulic system over 20 km, and irrigates gardens and orchards with a sophisticated system of underground channels called qanat.

MARRAKECH, مراكش in Arabic, ⵎⵕⵕⴰⴽⵛ in Berber

The medina of Marrakech, a World Heritage Site since 1985, is the primitive city, surrounded by walls, fortified, with streets full of shops and street vendors, with the largest Berber souk (traditional market), in addition to 18 specialized souks, where the most various products are made and sold, from traditional Berber rugs to modern consumer electronics.

ESSAOUIRA, a antiga Mogador

In 1506, the Portuguese under the command of Diogo de Azambuja built a fort here : Castelo Real de Mogador. Soon attacked by the Berbers, it started to be occupied by the Moroccans in 1525.

ESSAOUIRA, more than a small port...

Named Essaouira since the 18th century, when it became the country's exporting port, under the decision of the Sultan of Morocco.

ESSAOUIRA, الصويرة in Arabic, Amegdul in Berber

18th century city with a medieval town, surrounded by fortified walls, flower beds and the Atlantic Ocean. The medina is a Unesco World Heritage since 2009.

ESSAOUIRA, the "Wind City, Afrika"

Considered the most pleasant beach resort in Morocco, due to its extensive sands, dunes and the historic center. Known by windsurf lovers for its winds.

CASABLANCA, the economic capital and 3rd turistic city of Morocco

Largest city (5.5 million inhabitants), port and industrial and commercial center in Morocco ! With many places to visit : the Mohammed V square, the old medina (Bab Marrakech), the Art Deco facades, the Sidi Abderrahman marabout,...

CASABLANCA, الدار البيضاء in Arabic, ad-Dār al-Bayḍā ’, the White House

The great Hassan II mosque, the 3rd largest in the world (after the mosques in Mecca and Medina), built over the sea between 1986 and 1993. Famous for the large 200m minaret.

CASABLANCA, a symbol of the French protectorate

Casablanca became an important economic center and the largest port in Africa during the colonization that began in 1907, when French troops disembarked to help French workers attacked by Moroccans while building a railroad passing through a cemetery.

RABAT, Imperial City and the capital of Morocco

Founded in 1150 by the Almohad caliph Abde Almumine, who built a fortress, a mosque and a residence there. Imperial city since 1660 and capital of the French Protectorate in Morocco between 1912 and 1956.

RABAT, a rich cultural heritage

Since 2012, Rabat has 9 sites registered on Unesco's World Heritage Site as cultural goods : Hassan Tower (minaret above) and mosque, new city (built at the beginning of the French Protectorate in Morocco), Casbá dos Oudaias, Essais garden, medina, Almohad walls and doors, Chellah, mausoleum of Mohammed V and habous district of Diour Jamaâ.

RABAT, الرباط in Arabic, ar-Ribaāṭ, literally "fortified place", Errbaṭ in Berber

Completed in 1971 and considered a masterpiece of modern architecture from the Alawite dynasty, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V contains the tombs of the Moroccan king and his two sons, King Hassan II and Prince Mulai Abdalá.

CHEFCHAOUEN, شفشاون, Shafshawan or Shawan in Arabic, ⵜⵛⴻⴼⵜⵛⴰⵡⴻⵏ, Accawen in Berber

Founded in 1471 by Mulei Ali Ibn Rachid, the 1st mayor, a descendant of Saint Moulay Abdeslam and Maomé, nicknamed Barraxe, also the city's initial name.
Chefchaouen means "the horns" for the Kelaa and Megu mountains, in which it is located, in the foothills of the Rife mountains.

CHEFCHAOUEN, sacred city

Chefchaouen houses 20 mosques and oratories, 11 zauias and 17 mausoleums, including the tomb of the patron saint of the Jebala region, the Sufi Moulay Abdeslam Ben Mchich Alami (1140-1227), one of the "four pillars of Islam": seven visits to his tomb in consecutive years are equivalent to a pilgrimage to Mecca.

VOLUBILIS, وليلي in Arabic, Oualili or Walila

Ancient Roman city, founded in the 3rd century BC, taken several times by local tribes, never regained by Rome due to its remote location, and finally in the 8th century capital of the Idrissid dynasty, the 1st Muslim state of Morocco. Destroyed by the 1755 earthquake, rediscovered in the 20th century through excavations. Unesco World Heritage Site since 1997.

MEKNES, Imperial City, the "Versailles of Morocco" or "little Paris"

Located on the Saïs plateau, between the Middle Atlas and Rife mountains. Named after the Meknassa Berber tribe that established its camp in the 9th century. Surrounded by a triple belt of walls that houses the sultan's palace and a citadel of the caliphate of Almohada.

MEKNES, "the city of a hundred minarets"

Imperial City since it was the capital during the reign of the prominent Alawite sultan Mulei Ismail (1672-1727) who used the confiscated money of Christian sailors captured at sea and imprisoned in the huge underground prison under the Meknes medina, to build gardens, monumental doors, fortifications, giant walls (40km perimeter) and numerous mosques with beautiful minarets.

MEKNES, مكناس in Arabic, ⴰⵎⴻⴽⵏⴰⵙ, Ameknas literally "warrior", in Berber

The population is mostly young and of Berber origin, mainly from the Atlas tribes, although there is a considerable percentage of Rifians.
The historic center of Meknes with the medina, the most popular area, has been classified as a World Heritage Site by Unesco since 1996.

FEZ, Imperial City and 2nd largest city of Morocco

Founded in 789 by Mulei Idris. Capital of Morocco on several occasions. Fez has 3 distinct parts : Bali (Fez the Old, the medina, classified as World Heritage by Unesco since 1981), Fez Jdid (Fez the New, designed and built by the French during the colonial period), Méchouar (complex of the royal palace)

FEZ, famous for its secular craftsmanship

Tourism is the main economic sector of Fez and supports the rich local craftsmanship, whose traditions have been carefully preserved from father to children for many generations.

FEZ, a labyrinth surrounded by walls and doors

Incredible Fez, where you can get lost in the medieval labyrinth inside the medina, very rich in heritage, or go around the walls that surround it, admiring the various doors, all with their own characteristics : Bab el Guissa, Bab Ftouh, Bab Jdid, Bab Boujloud,...

FEZ, فـاس in Arabic, ⴼⴰⵙ in Berber

Fez houses the University of Quaraouiyine, supposedly the oldest in the world still in operation, created in 859, one of the most important religious and cultural centers of the golden Islamic era, attracting numerous scholars and mystics, including Christians like Gerbert d 'Aurillac, future Pope Silvestre II.

MARRAKECH, Imperial City and turistic capital

MARRAKECH, the "southern gate"

The Seven Saints of Marrakesh (Sab´atu Rijal), an institution created in the early 18th century to attract pilgrims when Sufism was at the height of its popularity, and firmly established today...

MARRAKECH, the "red city"

MARRAKECH, the "southern pearl"

MARRAKECH, مراكش in Arabic, ⵎⵕⵕⴰⴽⵛ in Berber

ESSAOUIRA, a antiga Mogador

In 1506, the Portuguese under the command of Diogo de Azambuja built a fort here : Castelo Real de Mogador. Soon attacked by the Berbers, it started to be occupied by the Moroccans in 1525.

ESSAOUIRA, more than a small port...

Named Essaouira since the 18th century, when it became the country's exporting port, under the decision of the Sultan of Morocco.

ESSAOUIRA, الصويرة in Arabic, Amegdul in Berber

18th century city with a medieval town, surrounded by fortified walls, flower beds and the Atlantic Ocean. The medina is a Unesco World Heritage since 2009.

ESSAOUIRA, the "Wind City, Afrika"

Considered the most pleasant beach resort in Morocco, due to its extensive sands, dunes and the historic center. Known by windsurf lovers for its winds.

CASABLANCA, the economic capital and 3rd turistic city of Morocco

CASABLANCA, الدار البيضاء in Arabic, ad-Dār al-Bayḍā ’, the White House

The great Hassan II mosque, the 3rd largest in the world (after the mosques in Mecca and Medina), built over the sea between 1986 and 1993. Famous for the large 200m minaret.

CASABLANCA, a symbol of the French protectorate

RABAT, Imperial City and the capital of Morocco

RABAT, a rich cultural heritage

VOLUBILIS, وليلي in Arabic, Oualili or Walila

MEKNES, "the city of a hundred minarets"

Summary

MOROCCO 9 days, 8 nights

Imperial Cities & Atlantic Coast

Marrakech (2 nights) ↠ Essaouira ↠ Casablanca ↠ Chefchaouen ↠ Fez (2 nights) ↠ Casablanca

Forget the stress of everyday life, take a little break to spend a few days in fabulous landscapes !

The four Imperial Cities of Morocco (Marrakech, Rabat, Meknes, Fez), but also the pearl of the Atlantic coast Essaouira, the economic capital Casablanca, the sacred city of Chefchaouen, the Roman ruins of Volubilis,…

It is a complete program to discover Morocco, its very rich history, its famous and typical cities, its mosques and monuments, its local crafts,...

The landscapes of the cities, plains, seaside, mountains,... scroll before your eyes between site visits.

The hospitality of the Moroccans, the delicious cuisine,... complete to make this trip exceptional and unforgettable.

HIGHLIGHTS

This self driving tour is centered on the discovery of 7 Moroccan cities (including the Imperial Cities), all as beautiful as interesting : Marrakech, Essaouira, Casablanca, Rabat, Chefchaouen, Meknes and Fez.

But not only !

It intends to make you discover many other facets of this fabulous country :

* the variety and beauty of the landscapes : the light-flooded plains where ancestral agriculture is perpetuated, the rugged ocean coastline between Essaouira and Rabat, the pretty fishing ports of Safi and El Jadida, the towns and villages nestled in the mountains,...

* splendid and unexpected natural sites like the Roman ruins of Volubilis

* the ancestral traditions

* the welcoming, kind and helpful people

* the comfortable and superbly decorated riads, with patios and terraces where it is good to relax and spend a privileged moment

* the gastronomy full of flavors and delights : tagines, couscous, kebabs, pastries and of course the ritual of mint tea

* the typical and colorful craftmanship, in search of the souvenir object that you will bring back to decorate your interior

Route Map

M - Itinéraire Maroc Cités impériales.jp

C

D1 Arrival in Marrakech A

D2 Sightseeing day in Marrakech (35 km)

D3 Marrakech - Essaouira B (170 km)

D4 Essaouira - Casablanca C (370 km)

D5 Casablanca - Rabat - Chefchaouen D (340 km)

D6 Chefch. - Volubilis E - Meknes F - Fez G (265 km)

D7 Sightseeing day in Fez (20 km)

D8 Fez - Casablanca C (305 km)

GUIDE AND ASSISTANCE VEHICLE : Yes or No ?

* The guide is permanently at the disposition of the group.

* The guide speaks several languages, including necessarily English and the language of the country, this can be very helpful if you do not master it enough.
* The guide knows the route and opens the convoy with the assistance vehicle, stopping at the best points of view.

* The assistance vehicle carries the first aid kit, any excess baggage,...
* If necessary, the guide activates external services (insurance, mechanical repair, rescue,...).
* The guide takes care of check-in and check-out in hotels, restaurant orders, access to national parks, tourist sites entrance fees and any other means of transport (local taxis, boat, plane),...

* Last but not least... the guide tells you about the country, the regions crossed, or even the places visited (when there is no local professional guide).

PRIVATE LOCAL DRIVER : Yes or No ?

* If you do not choose the Executive Van option, the Private local driver is an option, that will allow you to rest during the journeys (sometimes long) by car, to appreciate the landscapes, to easily ask your way if you get lost, ... for a reasonable additional cost.

* The local private driver speaks Arabic, generally French, more rarely another language.

But ... If you like to drive and prefer to stay between yourselves, the local private driver is not necessary, especially since the guide and the assistance vehicle accompany you throughout the journey.

Accomodation

Enchanting places in the heart of the medina, with typical decoration, superb patios and terraces, comfortable suites, warm welcome, impeccable service, delicious breakfast,...

Welcome to the riads and luxury hotels of our journey to discover the Imperial Cities !

Local History & Culture

History & Culture

Imperial cities is the name given to the four cities in Morocco that were

capitals of the ancient reigning dynasties :

Fez, founded by the idríssida caliph Idris I in 789
Marrakech, founded by Emir Almorávida Ibne Taxufine in 1062
Rabat, founded by the Almohad Caliph Abde Almumine in 1150
Meknes, founded by the Alawite Sultan Mulei Ismail in 1672

The other four cities on our tour are also definitely worth a visit :

Essaouira
Casablanca
Chefchaouen
Volubilis (Roman ruins)

Fez

Fez has several ETYMOLOGIES, some originating from popular legends and others resulting from the work of historians.

According to the "classical" etymology, it dates back to the discovery in the 10th century, during excavations of the foundations of the city under construction, of a pickaxe or alvião (Fä's in Arabic), which gave rise to the name of Madinat Fäs. But according to a popular legend, Idris I, the founder of the city, participated in its construction and helped in the excavations of the foundations with a pick of gold and silver and that is why the city took its name.

Marrakech

ETYMOLOGY is debate!

"Land of God", from berber mur(n)akush? "Country of the sons of Kush" according to the manuscript of the library Quaraouiyine de Fez (11th century)? In Latin Berber alphabet, it is Mṛṛakc, and in Moroccan Arabic the pronunciation sounds something like "mer-reqx".

From the Middle Ages until the beginning of the 20th century, Morocco was known as "Kingdom of Marrakech" and Marrakech as "City of Morocco", due to the city having often been the historical capital of the country or its most important kingdoms. The name of Morocco in Persian (مراكش), Urdu and many South Asian languages is still the same today as the city, and in Portuguese, it derives directly from the Berber Murakush. Marrakech and Morocco “fell apart” first when the Fez Treaty made Morocco a French and Spanish protectorate, then definitely on the country's return to independence when it was officially called al-Mamlaka al-Maġribiyya (المملكة المغربية in Arabic, "Kingdom of Maghreb "or" Kingdom of the West ").

The city is known by various nicknames, such as "Red City", "Ocher City" or "Daughter of the Desert" and was used in poetic analogies, for instance comparing the city to "a drum that drums an African identity in the complex soul of Morocco ".

Rabat

ETYMOLOGY is clear for the capital and 2nd largest city in Morocco : ar-Ribaāṭ means literally "fortified place", since the founder, the Almohad caliph Abde Almumine, built a fortress in 1146 (with also a mosque and a residence).

HISTORY tells that Rabat existed before as Chellah, and then Sala de Colonia when the Romans took over in AD 40. Only in 1146 did Abde Almumine build the great fortress to use as a point of attack against Spain. In 1170, the city was renamed Ribatu l-Fath ("fortress of victory"). Iacube Almançor, another Almohad caliph, transferred the capital of his empire to Rabat. He built walls from Rabat to Kasbah Udayas. When Iacube died, the construction stopped (the ruins of a large unfinished mosque, and its imposing minaret, the Hassan Tower, are still there today), the Almohad Caliphate lost control of its possessions and much of Rabat's economic power fell apart. Only in the 16th century, the Nasrids colonized the region, and re-boosted Rabat's growth.

Meknes

ETYMOLOGY refers to the name of the Berber tribe Micnasa, whose members are called Imknassen in the plural and Ameknas (warrior or combatant) in the singular. Even today, Berber activists call the city Ameknas.

HISTORY of Meknes dates back to the 9th century when the Berber tribe of Meknassa established their camp north of Wadi Boufekrane, giving the city its name. The Almoravids made Meknès a military place in the 11th century. The Almohad Caliphate destroyed the city because it resisted them, rebuilding it bigger and more beautiful, with mosques (Grand Mosque), between 1199 and 1213, and powerful fortifications. In the 14th century, the city is taken over by the Merinids, who build madrasas (Bu Anania), kasbahs (fortresses) and mosques. During the Oatacid period, the city was prosperous.

Essaouira

Located on the southwestern Atlantic coast of Morocco, Essaouira (الصويرة in Arabic, Amegdul in Berber), formerly Mogador, is one of the most pleasant beach resorts in Morocco, for its extensive sands, dunes but also for its historic center, a Unesco World Heritage Site since 2009. It is a 18th century city with a medieval town, surrounded by walls, open to the winds that gave it the nickname "Wind City, Afrika" among windsurf lovers.

HISTORICALLY, the Portuguese under the command of Diogo de Azambuja built a fort in 1506, Castelo Real de Mogador, but abandoned it to the Berbers in 1510. In 1525 this castle was occupied by the Moroccans. The small port developed in the 18th century when the Sultan of Morocco chose the location to be the country's exporting port, henceforth called Essaouira.

HERITAGE consists of walls and ramparts, in addition to the old Portuguese artillery pieces, the primitive church and the fortifications on the small island of Mogador, bordering the port.

Casablanca

The ETHYMOLOGY of the name Casablanca (الدار البيضاء, Dar el Beida, White House in Arabic) dates back to the village, called "Casa Branca", which grew around the fortress built by the Portuguese in 1515 on top of the ruins of Port Anfa (or Anafé) destroyed by themselves in 1468.

According to HISTORY, the area was first colonized by the Berbers in the 10th century BC, later used as a port by the Phoenicians and the Romans, and then as the seat of the small independent kingdom of Anfa that resisted until the conquest by the Almoravids in 1068.

Chefchaouen

ETHYMOLOGY (Accawen, Berber name of the city) means "the horns" in Rifarian Berber, in reference to the peaks of the Kelaa and Megu hills on the slopes of which it is located. The city was officially called Xauen in Spanish during the Spanish protectorate. The Portuguese used to call the city Barraxe or Barraxá in reference to the first mayor Mulei Ali ibne Raxide.

HISTORICALLY, Chefchaouen was founded in 1471 by Jbel La'lam's most famous sheriffs. Mulei Ali Ibn Rachid (Barraxe in Portuguese), the first mayor, descendant of Saint Moulay Abdeslam Ben Mchich Alami and Muhammad, built a small fortress (which still exists today). From this stronghold in the mountains, he and his successor son (after his death in 1512) Mulei Abrahem fought against the Portuguese in Morocco, sometimes allied with the Tetouan, Larache Jazém and Alcácer mayors, to regain Tangier and, mainly, Arzila. For a time, Chefchaouen was a semi-independent emirate capital that controlled much of northwestern Morocco in alliance with the Oatacids of Fez. But it lost its strategic position against the Portuguese to Tetouan, better positioned for attacks against Tangier and Ceuta, still in the hands of the Portuguese.

Volubilis (Roman ruins)

ETHYMOLOGY (وليلي, Walili or Walila in Arabic) is controversial. In Latin, volubilis means "in rotating movement". It may also be a Latinization of the Berber Walili or Walila, which designates the alendron plant or its flowers, which are particularly abundant on the banks of the wadi.

HISTORICALLY, Volubilis was a Roman city, whose partially excavated ruins have become a Unesco World Heritage Site since 1997. The area has been inhabited since at least the Late Atlantic Neolithic, around 3000 BC (according to Neolithic ceramics with designs similar to pieces found in the Iberian Peninsula). The ancient city would have been born during the Kingdom of Mauritania, in the IV or III century BC, and it developed from the III century BC as a Phoenician-Carthaginian settlement.

Local Gastronomy

While discovering exceptional cities and landscapes, we can also feast on delicious local gastronomy !

Lamb tagine with vegetables

Beef tajine with prunes

Mutton tajine with olives

Chicken tagine with lemon

Chicken tagine with grapes

Vegetarian tagine with vegetables

Tagine with fish and vegetables

Fresh baked fish, Moroccan style

Moroccan couscous, another great Moroccan gastronomic specialty known worldwide

Merguez and Semolina, essential in Moroccan couscous

Beef skewers marinated with parsley and chilli

Kefta skewers

Lamb skewers with cumin

Typical breakfast buffet in hotel

Moroccan pastries, sweet, tasty, delicious...

Mlowza, Moroccan almond pastry

Chebbakia, Moroccan honey pastry

Mancha, Moroccan almond pastry

Mint tea

Wherever you arrive in Morocco, you are greeted with a cup of mint tea. A civility, a tradition, a pleasure,...

Lamb tagine with vegetables

Beef tajine with prunes

Mutton tajine with olives

Chicken tagine with lemon

Chicken tagine with grapes

Vegetarian tagine with vegetables

Tagine with fish and vegetables

Fresh baked fish, Moroccan style

Moroccan couscous, another great Moroccan gastronomic specialty known worldwide

Merguez and Semolina, essential in Moroccan couscous

Beef skewers marinated with parsley and chilli

Prices & Conditions

Prices 2024

If you are interested in this trip, contact us directly, we will be happy to answer all your questions !

PRICE PER PERSON (With accommodation in double/twin suite)

1 person in the rental vehicle (Single suite included)

2 persons in the rental vehicle

3 persons in the rental vehicle

4 persons in the rental vehicle

Supplement for Single suite

PRICE FOR THE GROUP (Optional)

Guide-coordinator in the rental vehicle

Guide-coordinator in Assistance Vehicle

$ 8.420

$ 4.570

$ 3.490

$ 2.950

$ 561

$ 4.125

$ 5.880

* Fixed prices established in $ (USD)

** Payment by bank transfer directly to our account (amount converted into your local currency at the daily exchange rate)

The invoice for your purchase will be sent to you by e-mail after your payment.

Included

All activities inside the program
Accomodation with breakfast
Rented car (with/without driver) or Executive van with driver
Radio/GPS (if private car)
Local guides and Entrance fees in the 8 cities
Travel File, organization, coordination
Permanent guide & Assistance Vehicle

Not Included

Flight ticket to RAK/from CMN
Drinks, lunches and dinners
Rented car fuel, parking fees and tolls (if private car)
Entrance fees of optionnal visits
Local taxis & Personal expenses
Private Travel insurance

CANCELLATION POLICY

Rescheduling or Cancellation by Customer

Rescheduling (according to availability) :

- Free of charge up to 45 days before the start of your package

- With 25% increase less than 45 days before the start of your package

Cancellation :

- Refund of 50% up to 45 days before the start of your package

- No refund less than 45 days before the start of your package

Rescheduling or Cancellation by Dream Sports Adventure

Dream Sports Adventure reserves the right to cancel the package in case of insufficient registration, force majeure or any other valid reason, and in such circumstances will propose to reschedule according to availabilities or to fully refund the packages already purchased, without however giving entitlement to compensation.