In a nutshell

A walking tour to explore the heart of the city with its architectural treasures and its colours and its aromas of life among its alleyways and souks.

Main stops

* Medina
* Koutoubia Mosque
* Typical traditional lunch
* Bahia Palace
* Medina: Riad and Foundouk
* Talaa Square
* Ben Youssef Mosque
* The souks
* Jemaa el Fna Square
* Berber Pharmacy

The programme

* As we arrive in Casablanca we leave our coach in the vicinity of Marrakech's **medieval bastions** and we proceed on foot in the oldest part of the city, the **medina**. Marrakech, the capital of the province of Marrakech, is the city that has always epitomized the "Moroccan dream" of inquisitive travellers and incurable romantics. Located at the foot of the High-Atlas Mountains in a fertile region, it is Morocco's most famous imperial city.
* Accompanied by our guide, we reach the **Koutoubia Mosque** (or the booksellers mosque), that was built in the 12th century and owes its name to the fact that in the past the area around the building was a focal point for booksellers. The muezzin calls the city's faithful to prayer every day from its splendid and impressive minaret, a masterpiece of Hispano-Moorish art. * At lunchtime we have the opportunity to taste some **typical dishes** of the local cuisine. * Our excursion proceeds with a visit to the **Bahia Palace**, built around 1880 by the Vizier Ba Ahmed, Prime Minister of the Sultan of Marrakech. This lavish building is a true masterpiece of Moroccan art, so much so that its architectural charm has been chosen as the set for many famous films including "Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves", "Lion in the Desert" and "Casablanca".
* We now go into to the heart of the **medina** and, together with our guide, venture into the maze of its thousand and one alleyways teeming with frenetic daily activities to discover the **riads**, the old dwellings of the Moroccan gentry with lush courtyards and refined decorations which render Marrakech a city of unrivalled charm beyond. It is impossible not to remain spellbound by the succession of striped multi-coloured walls, doors inlaid with decorations from a thousand and one nights and scenes of daily life where time seems to have stopped centuries ago.
* As we cut across the **Talaa Square**, we can view the **Ben Youssef Mosque** from outside. * From here we venture into the world of the Marrakech **souks** where we are welcomed and embraced by rich colours and aromas. As we go from the blacksmiths' souk to the *babouches* souk and all the way to the Semmarine souk in the alleyways covered with canes and lanterns we can admire the rich local crafts and the colourful setting created by a myriad of spices, mountains of dried fruit, typical sweets and delicious olives.
* At our last stop we go to Morocco's most famous square: **Jemaa el Fna Square**, a true "Court of Miracles" teeming with a heterogeneous and multicoloured crowd; dancers, singing storytellers, snake charmers and monkey trainers. This square, which is the beating heart of the city, was designated a Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2001. A true synthesis of the many facets of Marrakech, the image of this square will be our last impression of Morocco, an authentic and fascinating image indeed!
* Before boarding the coach for our return to Casablanca we have some free time for some *shopping in a typical Berber Pharmacy**.

Good to know

* This excursion lasts approximately 12 hours, of which 8 hours are spent travelling by coach.
* As this excursion is conducted mainly on foot, you are advised to wear comfortable shoes.
* This excursion is not recommended for guests with mobility problems.
* The itinerary may be subject to change.