Morocco's Imperial Cities: Islamic Art & Architecture and Roman North Africa

Itinerary

In collaboration with the trip scholar for this tour, Dr Allan, we have improved this itinerary since it was first advertised. Please note that we shall now travel straight to Tetouan on arrival in Morocco, rather than having a night in Tangier. This means we can add an extra night in Marrakech later in the itinerary, which will mean we can fit in visits to the Menara and Majorelle gardens. Extra sightseeing has been included in Rabat, and we are looking into optional extra visits in Marrakech to places recommended by Dr Allan.

Day 1

Check in at London Airport for flight to Tangier. Founded by the Carthaginian colonists in the 5th Century BC, the city is situated at the entrance to the Straight of Gibraltar, where the Mediterranean meets the Atlantic. Transfer on arrival to Tetouan, 50 km away, arriving mid-afternoon to check into our hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure to relax or explore. Dinner and overnight at the Hotel Barcelo,Tetouan.

Day 2

After breakfast, we shall explore the seaside town of Tetouan. Originally founded by Berbers in the 3rd century BC, the town was pivotal during the Islamic period from the 8th Century onwards, as it served as the main point of contact between Morocco and Andalucia. Tetouan's small but almost completely original Medina has been designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. After the Reconquest, the town was rebuilt by Moorish refugees who had been expelled by the Spanish and this is well illustrated by its art and architecture, which reveal clear Andalusian influence. Everywhere in the city there are artisans plying their craft such as weavers, jewellers, leather workers and carpet makers. Today we are also lucky to be able to make a private visit to an important family archive curated by a former student of Dr Allan's in a lovely old house. We also hope to visit the new Awqaf Museum, a restored 18th century madrasa and museum of Islamic heritage. Dinner and overnight at the Hotel Barcelo.

Day 3

After breakfast, travel the short distance to Chaouen, originally built as a fortress by Moors exiled from Spain. Its medina is a photographer's delight with its bright blue and white-washed walls and here you may get a chance to see some Berbers in their unique style of dress. After lunch in a local restaurant, continue to Fes and check into Les Mérinides Hotel for dinner and overnigh

Day 4

Full day discovering Fes, the cultural heart of Morocco and the oldest of its Imperial cities. Its large medieval medina is now a World Heritage site and standing in it feels like stepping back into the Middle Ages. The city was founded in the 8th Century AD by Moulay Idriss I and was Morocco's capital until the French moved it to Rabat. A renowned centre of medieval learning, at its heart still lays the Karaouine, one of the oldest functioning universities in the world. Sightseeing also includes a visit to the Nejjarine Square, Dar Batha and the Museum of Moroccan Arts, which houses historical and artistic collections of wood carvings, embroidery, tribal carpets and ceramics. Also visit Fez El Jedid (New Fez), built by the Merinid Dynasty in the 13th Century to see the Royal Palace, mosques, medresas (schools), souks and the city wall. Overnight at Les Mérinides Hotel.

Day 5

Drive to Meknes, another of the Imperial cities of Morocco where the monuments reflect the splendour of this 17th century city. Visit Bab Mansour gateway, the granaries and stables of the great Moulay Ismail and his mausoleum. Bab Mansour is one of the best known and admired of Meknes' grand gates that leads from the Imperial City and Lalla Aouda esplanade to El-Hdim Square. After lunch continue to the ruins of Volubilis, once one of the westernmost outposts of the Roman Empire, with beautifully preserved mosaics dating from the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD. Dinner and overnight at Les Mérinides Hotel.

Day 6

Drive to Rabat, arriving in time for lunch. The capital of modern Morocco, Rabat means 'fortified palace' in Arabic. Afternoon at leisure to stroll through the streets, perhaps stopping at one of the numerous cafe for a delicate pastry and some mint tea . Overnight at the Le Diwan Hotel, Rabat

Day 7

Sightseeing in Rabat to explore the superbly preserved relics of its Moorish past. The city's most famous site is the Tour Hassan, the incomplete minaret of the great mosque begun by Yacoub al-Mansour. Alongside is the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, the present king's grandfather. The Kasbah des Oudayas, built on the bluff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, houses a former palace which is now a museum of traditional art. Beyond the city walls is Chellah, the location of the remains of the ancient Roman city of Sala Colonia, which has Morocco's best archaeology museum. Here we shall also see Merinid monuments and a gateway added in the 14th Century. Nearby is Salé, where we can visit the 14th Century Medersa of Abou el Hassan and the Complexe des Potiers, a centre of pottery making. Overnight at the Le Diwan Hotel, Rabat.

Day 8

After breakfast, depart for the port city of Casablanca and enjoy a sightseeing tour of Morocco's largest metropolis, with a mixture of Hispano-Moorish, art-deco and modernist architecture in the city centre, We shall visit the ornate Hassan II Grand Mosque, amongst the largest in the world and housing as many as 25,000 worshippers. Lunch in the medina in Casablanca then continue to bustling Marrakech in the foothills of the Atlas mountains. The most important of the imperial cities, Marrakech experienced its greatest period under the leadership of Yaqub al-Mansur, the third Almohad sultan. A number of poets and scholars entered the city during his reign and he began the construction of the Koutoubia Mosque and a new Kasbah. Overnight at the Atlas Asnii Hotel.

Day 9

A full day to explore Marrakech. Visit the Ben Youssef Medersa, one of the jewels of the city. The current structure of this Koranic School was built around 1570. We shall also stroll through the old medina with its labyrinth of souks. This maze of colourful alleys and small squares is home to a bewildering number of stalls and ateliers devoted to specific crafts. Emerging, you we find ourselves in the famous Djemaa ed Fna, the city's main square, where fire eaters, mime artists, snake charmers and street musicians perform at every turn. Right in front of the square is the 12th Century Koutoubia Mosque, its minaret the inspiration for the Giralda of Seville and the Hassan Tower of Rabat. Other sights we shall try to include, time permitting, are the sumptuously decorated Badii Palace and the Bahia Palace, a remarkable example of 19th century Moroccan architecture. Overnight at the Atlas Asnii Hotel.

Day 10

This morning, we shall discover the gardens of Marrakech, starting with the Menara gardens, a tranquil escape just outside the centre, built in the 12th century and surrounded by orchards and olive groves. Here the much photographed reflective artificial lake irrigates the surrounding gardens and orchards. Back in the city, discover the Majorelle gardens, hidden behind large walls. Created by French painter Jacques Majorelle in 1924 and opened to the public in 1947, the garden was purchased after his death by designer Yves Saint Laurent. He founded a small Islamic art museum located on the premises in a bright blue house, once Majorelle's painting studio. These peaceful garden settings offer a variety of exotic plants such as bamboo, cacti, bougainvillea and palms. Streams and fish filled pools also flow through the gardens. Rest of the day at leisure to sightsee, shop or rest. Overnight at the Atlas Asnii Hotel.

Day 11

10 A full day excursion will today take us along the winding mountain roads of the stunning High Atlas to Tin-Mal, which became the spiritual and artistic centre of the Almohad empire after the seizure of Marrakech in 1147. We will visit the massive fortified mosque, now restored to its 12th-century splendour. After lunch, we will continue to the medieval town of Aghmat, the Almoravid capital before the foundation of Marrakech. The town was where vast camel caravans trading gold, slaves and goods such as necklaces and woollen clothes used to gather before their long journeys to and from sub Sahara countries. Here some of the city ramparts are still evident and a monumental hammam is being excavated. Return to Marrakech for farewell dinner and overnight.

Day 12

Transfer to Marrakech Airport to board the return flight to London.

Tour Details

DATE:

15-26 October 2011

PRICE:

£2750 from London

INCLUDES:

Airfare from London, twin or double bedded rooms with private bathroom, full board, all excursions with local guides, all entrance fees, UK departure tax, transfers, expert leader.

Single supplement £595.

NOT INCLUDED:

are regional connecting flights if not departing from London, other airline taxes (UK passenger service charge, security tax, insurance, foreign departure tax, fuel surcharges), drinks, tips to drivers and local guides.

*May be joined without flights. Ask us for the land-only price

ACCOMMODATION:

4 star. This tour uses comfortable and well-located hotels throughout. Please note that the hotels listed are subject to confirmation and one or more may be substituted for another of a similar standard.

FITNESS LEVEL:

Moderate/Active - We have graded the fitness level required for participation in this tour as Moderate. This is quite a full itinerary, with some long days and a reasonable amount of travelling by road requiring multiple hotel stays. Whilst sightseeing we may be on the go for several hours at one time, in some places without the guarantee of somewhere to stop and rest. It is important that everyone is able to keep up with the group as we need to keep together on walks. For these reasons we feel this tour is unsuitable for the frail or for anyone who routinely uses a walking frame or wheelchair. If unsure, please check with us.

Trip Lecturer

Professor James Allan, Emeritus fellow of St Cross College and lecturer in Islamic Art and Archaeology, Oriental Institute, University of Oxford.

Professor Allan's research interests include a study of Islamic metalwork and ceramics, and Shiite art.

Fast facts

• Sovereignty: Morocco is a Constitutional Monarchy.
• Language: Arabic
• Currency: Dirrham (MAD)
• Timezone: Morocco is in the same timezone as the UK
• Visas: Visas are not required for US, Australian, UK and other EU passport holders, however some nationalities do require a visa in advance, including South Africans. Please check with your local consulate.
• Flying time: 3 hours to Tangier direct from London. Flights with stopovers will take longer.
• Will my phone work: Morocco uses the 900 MHz bandwidth so almost all UK phones will work there as long as your provider has authorised its use abroad. Note however that coverage may be limited in rural areas.

Extensions in Morocco

For those with more time, we recommend extending your stay in Morocco either in a Berber Kasbah in the Atlas Mountains or at the beautiful coastal town of Essaouria, with its historic architecture and curving sandy beaches Visit our tailor-made North Africa pages for more information.