Meknes – Middle Atlas towns (Imouzer, Ifrane, Azrou) – Meknes
Following the footsteps of Morocco’s glorious kings, we will travel from Morocco’s first capital to its stately present-day one: Rabat. If fez is the roots of Morocco, telling it where it came from, then Rabat stands as its bright future. Our professional driver will pick you up after breakfast from your accommodations in Meknes at an already appointed time. Then, we will hit the highway and drive directly to Rabat. It is a sprawling modern city. Upon our arrival in Rabat, our car will be easier to drive in this city’s wide and modern streets to make the most of our time. Depending on how early we start, we can spend more time visiting certain sights than others. Our time journey will begin with a visit to the Hassan Tower and Mausoleum of Mohamed V. A veritable complex of Moroccan royalty and history. They will give us a glimpse of Morocco’s past and bright future. In 1199, the Almowahad king Jacob al-Mansour constructed the Hassan Mosque. After a massive earthquake half of the Hassan Tower and its 200 persist. The UNESCO considers it a world heritage. The site is a symbol of royalty and power in Morocco for the past 800 years. Our next site is the ornately decorated Mausoleum of Mohamed V. He is the grandfather of the present king and the founder of modern Morocco. We will drive to the Oudaya Kasbah. This fortified neighbourhood has sat perched over the crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean and the invading canons coming from the Iberian Peninsula since its completion in 1269. Its maze-like small streets and ancient stone houses gives an atmosphere of the Mediterranean. The picturesque doors, views over the Atlantic Ocean and the sky-blue houses entrances the Oudaya Kasbah in a Mediterranean psychedelic vibe lost in the Atlantic shore. Its UNESCO status as a world heritage is not merited merely by its rich history, but also by its calm beauty. Lunch will be in a local restaurant with a menu stuffed with varieties from all over the world. Our next stop will be in Challah. It is an ancient Roman port city and a Moorish outpost witnessing the glorious days of both Empires. Later it became a fortified necropolis enclosing corsairs from all over the world. It was a fortified centre for a strong rebel navy once invaded Iceland for two years. Challah is now a destination for all those fascinated by the history of human kind in this region. Its winding ruins, streets, unkempt assembly of houses, and gardens makes it a strong attraction for families of white storks. We will give the Royal Palace an opportunity to fascinate us with its luxurious vibes taking us into its mesmerising corridors. Leaving the quarter of the Royal Palace open to public, we will proceed to discover Rabat’s new town where Morocco meets the modern world. Once built by French architects during the protectorate (1912-1956), Rabat’s new town features many remarkable sights. A sleek brand-new tram system connects all of them. Rabat encloses the Central Bank of Morocco, the Postal Museum, and the Saint Peter Cathedral. Rabat’s old city lays not far from these sites. It was built over centuries on top of a Roman settlement. Its street are the straightest and most orderly of any old city in Morocco. We will enjoy exploring the vibrant markets and the stately Street of Consuls. For flexibility purposes, we have the option of uncovering the mystical vibes of these sites with a local guide or by our own. At the end of our time journey in Rabat, we will take the highway directly back to your accommodations in Meknes.