Castle ruins sink into the sand as high-tide wraps around the historic ramparts. The whitewashed walls of a coastal city shine brightly against azure water and the surrounding golden sands. Legendary storytellers spin tales enchanting tales of princesses and flying carpets. Experience Old World ambiance in contemporary luxury. Discover snake charmers and camel trains, lavish palaces, and mouth-watering cuisine. Your custom tailored Moroccan tour through Casablanca, Marrakech, and Essaouira shows...
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Casablanca – Cosmopolitan Welcome
Casablanca is a city set on the Atlantic Ocean. Contemporary culture abounds, thriving along the wide, palm-lined boulevards. The ocean spray mists into the air around La Corniche. The aromas of fresh seafood and indulgent spices emanate from restaurants around the esplanade. Locals stroll along the coastal walkway dressed up and ready to be seen. Men play pétanque in Parc La Ligue Arabe, a game similar to bocce ball. Small cafes fill with locals sipping strong, fresh brewed coffee and engaging in passionate conversation.
It is easy to imagine the gilded walls and conical light fixture fading behind the beauty of Piaf’s voice as she filled the house with eager listeners. Casablanca maintains a contemporary momentum deeply in touch with its historic roots. Hassan II Mosque sits on the coastline and boasts the largest minaret in the world, standing 690 feet tall. The mosque was built in the 1990s but is decorated with the traditional, opulent Islamic and Moorish styling that has enchanted visitors from across the globe for centuries. Basking in the splendor of Casablanca and Morocco continues on the next day.
What's Included:
Day 2
Marrakech – Withstanding Walls
Day 3
Marrakech – Legendary Wonder
Day 4
Marrakech – Swaying Palms
Day 5
Essaouira – Coastal Ramparts
Day 6
Essaouira – Castles of Sand
Day 7
Essaouira – Treasuring the Day
Day 8
Essaouira – Following the Breeze
Trip Highlights
- Enjoy a morning hot air balloon ride above the marvelous scenery
- Witness the legendary castles made of sand that adorn the coast
- Visit a local celebrated winery offering European wines with a Moroccan touch
- Explore Marrakech and Essaouira on private guided city tours
- Discover the energetic charm of legendary Djemaa el Fna Square
- Indulge in the renowned flavors of Moroccan cuisine
Detailed Description
Palm trees rise out of oases and look like unintentional forests. The High Atlas Mountains rise out of fertile valleys and separate the coastal plains from the Sahara Desert. The scent of mint tea is always close by - emanating from rooftop cafes and hidden restaurants. Your 8-day tour of Morocco takes you from the capital of Casablanca, through the old walls of Marrakech, and the charming beachside city of Essaouira. Culture abounds and landscape lusters. From the foothills of the Atlas Mountains to the crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean, the predictions of fortunetellers to the silken drapes of local vendors, your time in Morocco will shine with the excitement of endless discovery.
Your Moroccan vacation begins with your arrival in Casablanca. The city embodies Morocco’s contemporary culture, filled with luxurious hotels, decadent restaurants, lush parks, and Art Deco architecture that hearkens back to French colonialism. Spend time exploring the city and its hidden delights. Your private transfer escorts you to Marrakech where you can explore the tremendous historic culture that continues to thrive inside the old city walls. Your private guide takes you along the city’s treasures, from the Bahia Palace to the Saadian Tombs.
Djemaa el Fna Square has established itself as the heart of the city, filled with ancient and contemporary activity. With a day in the city at your leisure, you can make your way into the desert for a stunning hot air balloon ride at sunrise. As the sunlight spreads across the landscape the exquisite world of mountain foothills and oases come into view. Your private transfer takes you to the coastal city of Essaouira, where your guide awaits to show you around the ancient, winding streets.
Waves crash against the lower reaches of the city wall and the laid back ambiance around the medina is captivating. With two full days at your leisure, you can spend time exploring the surrounding desert coast, discovering castle ruins on horseback or sliding down sand dunes while sandboarding. Enjoy a camelback trek along the scenic gleaming sea or unwind in the cool breeze on a rooftop café. The beauty of the beaches and cultural charm of Morocco are yours to relish. Soon your private transfer will take you to Agadir for your flight home, but you could always extend your vacation to experience more of marvelous Morocco.
To see what other who have used Zicasso have to say about their trips, read the Morocco tour operator reviews.
Starting Price
$3,000 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service
4.87 stars based on 752 reviews.
I'm not sure it's possible to be any more satisfied with the service provided by the Zicasso travel partner's team.
Ahead of the trip, our travel designer was in constant contact, by phone and email. In terms of the itinerary and the logistics/preparation for the trip, we discussed the right locations, iterated on the excursions, and ultimately planned out a wonderful holiday in celebration of our 25th wedding anniversary. He listened (for example, that we wanted more food experiences vs wine), suggested (for example, Segovia vs Toledo, Nerja vs Marbella), and coordinated all of the details.
And our concierge was amazing once we were on the ground. Coordinating with drivers and guides (especially since our inbound flight was delayed), making suggestions for restaurants and booking reservations, and providing guidance for myriad logistical situations (for example, the best route to take while driving from Sevilla to Ronda).
The travel company's team really delivered for us and we cannot thank them enough for our incredible Spain experience!
Reviewed By Alex G.
Our trip to Morocco was absolutely perfect from start to finish. Our driver was excellent and an excellent companion throughout the journey—reliable, friendly, and always helpful.
The guided tour through the medina in Marrakech with our guide was a standout experience, especially with the bonus of dining at a fantastic restaurant he recommended. Two major highlights of the trip were the unforgettable hot-air balloon ride and our magical night in the desert.
Although our time in Casablanca was brief, we thoroughly enjoyed it. Our guide in Rabat was knowledgeable and made the experience engaging and informative. We ended our trip in the stunning town of Chefchaouen, where another guide provided an exceptional tour—he was informative and passionate about his city.
The accommodations were perfect at every stop, and we truly appreciated the welcome gifts and meals provided by Zicasso's travel specialist and his team. Their attention to detail made all the difference.
I would highly recommend him and his company to anyone planning a trip to Morocco. It was an unforgettable experience that I will be sharing with friends and family for years to come.
Reviewed By Joan F.
We had an amazing time in Morocco. The entire trip went very smoothly and we truly felt immersed in the Moroccan culture. Our guide and driver were efficient, knowledgeable, and friendly.
Reviewed By Jeff E.
We enjoyed a spectacular journey encompassing Marrakech and the Atlas Mountains. Our guide and driver were very professional, knowledgeable, and entertaining. Each of the special events enabled us to interact extensively with everyday Moroccans. Our accommodations were superb and gave us a real feel for the country. We loved every moment of the adventure!
Reviewed By Ryan D.
If you are looking for a white-glove, red-carpet experience, Zicasso's tour planner and his company are your go-to. He created an amazing itinerary that fit our budget. He was terrific with communication and follow-up. The minute we set foot in Morocco, his team was there, ready to go. They were 10 to 15 minutes early every day. We traveled through four cities, with wonderful stops, sights, commentary, and tours.
Our tour guide first introduced himself as the fixer. I was wary. Four days later, it proved true. He saved me and my dresses. I left my dresses in the Casablanca hotel room. Five hours later, I discovered the "Oh no!". Our guide hopped on the phone, called the hotel numerous times, contacted several colleagues, and found someone to drive my dresses three hours to our Marrakech hotel. The dresses arrived by noon the next day.
Most of all, our tour planner created and delivered a magical, memorable experience, without mishap. My 80-year-old mother said it was the best vacation she's ever taken. We are truly grateful.
Reviewed By Tracey R.
We had the most amazing time in Morocco, thanks to our wonderful Zicasso trip planners. From the very beginning of the planning stages, our agents were not only super-accommodating, but provided great ideas to make our trip as special as could be!
Once we landed, our guide and driver made sure we were comfortable throughout our trip. We visited Marrakech, Merzouga, Fes, and Chefchaouen. Each of these destinations were special in their own way and we had amazing tours in the medinas, visited gardens and museums, had a cooking class and, of course, a wonderful night in the desert.
None of this could have been possible without the expertise of the entire team at the travel agency. The logistics were impeccable, the hotels so beautiful, and suggestions for shopping and meals were perfect as well!
We cannot thank the team enough for such a special experience and we hope to work with them in the future! Thank you so much!
Reviewed By Florencia T.