Enchanting Marrakech & Coastal Charms

Upon arrival at Marrakech Airport, meet your dedicated driver who will pick you up from the airport with a sign with your name on it. Drive into the city center, check in to the hotel, and take some time to relax. Lunch will be at your leisure and dependent on your arrival time, but your guide can give you some local recommendations. Spend the afternoon at leisure to get settled in.

Approx. Driving time: ~ 0.5 hours

Overnight at Riad El Hara

After breakfast at your hotel, head out for a jam-packed day of sightseeing in Marrakech! Visit the Koutoubia Mosque (the iconic sight of Marrakech), the Bahia Palace (a stunning example of traditional Moroccan architecture), and the Saadian tombs (an ornate resting place). Afterwards, head to the medina for lunch, followed by afternoon visits of the medina and the souks.

Delve into the myriad pathways of the Souk (which refers to the markets). The markets of Marrakech are located in a serpentine set of alleyways which your expert guide will lead you through. You’ll see the different sections, including clothing, leather, rugs, lamps, spices, and more.

In the evening, visit the famous Djemaa el Fna square, which becomes especially lively at night. Browse the stalls where juice vendors sell fruit juice of every flavor imaginable, and wander among the food stalls serving steaming tagines, roasted meats, and more. Dinner tonight is at your leisure, and if you choose to dine in the square, listen for the storytellers and musicians that perform there.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Overnight at Riad El Hara

After breakfast, head to the stunning Majorelle Gardens. Global fashion icon Yves Saint Laurent made his second home in Marrakech for many decades, and his vision drove every detail behind the lush Gardens, accompanied by a small but must-see Berber Museum. Next door, the Yves Saint-Laurent Museum honors the fashion icon’s love of Marrakech and builds upon the collections housed at the Majorelle Gardens. Take in the beauty of the gardens and museums before enjoying lunch at your leisure.

In the afternoon, roll up your sleeves for an immersive and fun cooking experience! Accompanied by a local “dada”, or expert cook, dig into all of the key components of a Moroccan meal, starting with how to prepare the famous Moroccan mint tea and bread. From there, the hands-on portion of the course begins as you prepare a main course of a chicken and preserved lemon tagine, along with a tomato and cucumber salad and an eggplant salad. The class ends with a dinner where you eat your very own masterpiece!

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner (as part of the cooking class)

Overnight at Riad El Hara

Drive west to Morocco’s Atlantic coast for a stay in the charming coastal city of Essaouira. Stop en route at a local argan oil co-op and see the tree goats, followed by lunch at a vineyard on the outskirts of the city. Check in to your property and have dinner on the property, with the rest of the evening at leisure.

Approx. Driving time: ~ 3 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight at Dar Maya

Explore the city’s old remparts, the medina, the artisan cooperatives, and the Jewish heritage sites. Learn all about the city's history and the influence left over the centuries by the Carthaginians, Romans and Portuguese. Visit the harbor, which is a photographer’s dream, with fishing nets laid out on the quayside, boats unloading their catches and the smell of freshly-grilled sardines and lobster in the air.

After lunch by the harbor, spend some free time at the medina or an afternoon relaxing by the pool of your hotel. Dinner tonight is at your leisure.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Overnight at Dar Maya

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and drive to Marrakech Airport for your departure flight.

Approx. Driving time: ~ 3 hours
Meals: Breakfast