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Goway Travel
OFFER ID 1722396
Iconic Landmarks, Near the Beach Discover a captivating blend of ancient traditions and lively culture on this journey through Morocco and Tunisia. Visit iconic cities, markets, and historic ruins.
Trip Overview:
This 14-day North African vacation takes you across Morocco to see Casablanca, Fez, and Marrakech before visiting Tunisia from Tunis to Carthage to Matmata. It features first-class accommodations and private tours.
Your journey begins in Casablanca, the largest city in Morocco and a name made famous by the old Hollywood movie. Upon arrival, you’ll do a bit of sightseeing to get your bearings in the metropolis. Head to the old French quarter of Habous to see the beaches along the green-blue waters of the Atlantic and to the outside of Hassan II Grand Mosque, the city’s definitive religious landmark. Hit the road and head to Rabat, the Moroccan capital, where you’ll learn about the country’s Moorish past and see landmarks, including Hassan Tower and Oudaya Kashab, located on a bluff over the ocean. Connect onwards to Fez, a city that transports you back to the Middle Ages with its preserved medina. Explore some of the 9,000 lanes, alleys, and souks of Fez El Bali (Old Fez), dating back to the 8th century, before heading into Fez El Jedid (New Fez) from the 13th century to see the Royal Palace and the Jewish Quarter. Cap off your tour in the medina, which seems to keep the traditions of the Middle Ages alive in its tightly-packed corridors.
Outside Fez, you’ll explore the well-preserved stone arches, mosaics, and ruins of Volubilis, an ancient Roman city, and see the white-washed avenues of Moulay Idriss in the mountains before you reach Meknes, the imperial city that’s home to the Moroccan sultan. Continue into the mountains and through cedar and oak forests, spotting Barbary macaques in the largest cedar forest in the world, before reaching Ifrane, an alpine resort that makes you feel like you’re in the Swiss Alps. Enjoy the resort atmosphere before connecting to Marrakech, the city that perhaps defines imperial Morocco more than any other. Explore the thousand-year-old medina and see Koutoubia minaret and Bahia Palace before learning about North African arts and crafts in the Tiskiwin Museum. Close out the tour in Djemaa el-Fna, the main square, where musicians, street performers, and snake charmers keep the intoxicating atmosphere alive at all hours of the day. You’ll have another day at leisure in Marrakech before connecting back to Casablanca and flying into Tunisia.
Touch down in Tunis, the Tunisian capital, and explore the city’s medina and markets and the Bardo Museum, known for its Roman mosaics, before heading to the Roman ruins of Carthage to see its ancient villas and bathhouses. Continue to the Moorish village of Sidi Bou Said before connecting back to Tunis and heading on to Kairouan to see the Grand Mosque and Berber Mausoleum. Tour a 250ac palm grove in Tozeur before seeing the city’s medina and learning about its culture of art and handcrafts at the Eden Palm. Head onwards, stopping off at Tamerza Canyon Waterfall and the salt desert of Chott el Jerid before reaching Douz, the “Gateway to the Sahara.”
On your final few days in Tunisia, you’ll visit Matmata, famous for its inclusion as Luke Skywalker’s Tatooine home in several Star Wars films. Explore the Berber troglodyte homes and meet a local Berber family to learn about their cultural traditions before connecting to Djerba on the coast and seeing the handicraft village of Guellala. Continue back up the Mediterranean Coast and visit the spice markets of Gabes before reaching Sfax and connecting to the ruins of the Roman amphitheatre in El Jem, considered one of the best-preserved amphitheatres in the entire world. Then connect back to Tunis by way of Monastir.
After a final night in Tunis, connect to the airport for onward travels.
14 nights from $6,197 per person
Day 1: Arrive in Casablanca
Upon arrival in Casablanca, please proceed through customs and immigration formalities. Our representative will meet
you outside of the Arrival Terminal with a sign under your name. We start a brief drive sightseeing of Casablanca,
Morocco's largest metropolis and its industrial hub. Highlights include the old French quarter of Habous with its beaches
lapped by green-blue water. During your tour, you’ll visit the Hassan II Mosque (exterior visit). The mosque is among the
largest in the world with its minaret, the tallest religious structure in the world, and its dimension as it can house as many
as 25,000 worshipers! Continue to your hotel for dinner and overnight. Approx drive time: 45 min.
Hotel: Idou Anfa Hotel (4 Star Rating)
Idou Anfa Hotel is situated in the heart of the big metropolis of Casablanca close to the economic centers of the city.
This luxurious hotel offers 220 rooms among which 12 are suites. There are a variety of dining options available including a bar. The hotel also offers a beautiful outdoor swimming pool surrounded by a pleasant terrace featuring a snack bar as well as a fitness center, a sauna and a hammam.
Meal(s): Dinner
After breakfast, depart towards Rabat, driving along the main highway which links these two major cities. Embark on a
brief tour which highlights Rabat's cultural influences and the superbly preserved relics of its Moorish past. Rabat's most
famous site is the 12th-century Hassan Tower (an excellent example of the gorgeous Moroccan style), the incomplete
minaret of the great mosque built at the beginning of 12th century. Alongside is the mausoleum dedicated to Mohamed
V, the grandfather of the current king. You’ll also enjoy a visit of the Kasbah of the Udayas, which was built on a cliff
overlooking the city and the Atlantic Ocean. Its gate is one of the most beautiful illustrations of the Moorish architecture.
Within its walls, you'll discover a wonderful Moroccan garden, with melodious fountains and sweet-smelling orange trees.
At the conclusion of your sightseeing, continue inland to Fez (~3-hour drive) and to your hotel for dinner and overnight.
Approx. drive time: 4 hours.
Hotel: Barcelo Fes (4 Star Rating)
Barcelo Fes Medina is a contemporary 4-star hotel conveniently located in central Fez, within easy reach of the city's UNESCO-listed historic medina. Modern guest rooms provide a comfortable retreat after a day of exploring, while the hotel features an outdoor swimming pool, terrace and fitness facilities. Guests can also enjoy a selection of restaurants and bars offering Moroccan and international flavours, making it a comfortable base from which to discover the cultural and historic treasures of Fez.
Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner
Today you take a step back in time into the Middle Ages with the visit of one of the most imperial, timeless, and untouched
cities in the world, the cultural heart of Morocco, Fez El Bali (Old Fez). Enjoy exploring some of the 9,000 narrow lanes
and alleys in the souks (open air markets) that make-up the labyrinth of the city's old quarter, originally founded in the
8th century. The Imperial capital was a renowned medieval learning center, and at its heart still remains the Karaouine,
one of the oldest, still functioning universities in the world. Nearby is the Attarine Medersa (Koranic college), a jewel of
Hispano-Moorish architecture, built in the 14th century. Then you’ll visit the Nejjarine Square, with its beautiful fountain,
a mosaic of elaborate tilework, and the fondouq (Caravanserai) that has been converted to a Museum of Carpentry. In
the 13th Century the Mérinides Dynasty built Fez El Jdid (New Fez) with its Royal Palace, mosques, madrasas (Koranic
schools), souks and the city walls. Most notably, Fez El Jdid is home to the Mellah (Jewish quarter), which provides an
interesting insight into Jewish architecture. The wrought iron decorated windows and splendid carved wood balconies
of the old mansions are particularly outstanding. One of the most interesting sites in Fez is the leather souk with the
oldest leather tannery in the world. The tannery dates back nine centuries. In addition to the tannery, you will visit a clay workshop, the artisan quarters, and other souks. The medieval Medina is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Return to your
hotel for dinner and overnight.
Hotel: Barcelo Fes (4 Star Rating)
Barcelo Fes Medina is a contemporary 4-star hotel conveniently located in central Fez, within easy reach of the city's UNESCO-listed historic medina. Modern guest rooms provide a comfortable retreat after a day of exploring, while the hotel features an outdoor swimming pool, terrace and fitness facilities. Guests can also enjoy a selection of restaurants and bars offering Moroccan and international flavours, making it a comfortable base from which to discover the cultural and historic treasures of Fez.
Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner
After breakfast, we drive to the ancient Berber city of Volubilis (Oualili in Berber) to explore its stunning ruins. Impressive
stone arches and columns, some tumbled down and others still standing tall against the vivid blue sky. Only about half of
the 40-hectares UNESCO World Heritage site has been excavated. The better-known monuments are in the northern part
of the site, farthest from the entrance in the south which are: the Capitol, dedicated to the Triad of Jupiter, Juno and
Minerva, dated 218AD, the Basilica, and the 1,300 m2 Forum. Pay attention to the floors of what were once family
dwellings that are still covered with decorative tile mosaics depicting mythological beings, such as Orpheus charming
animals with his lyre and Hercules performing his legendary 12 labors. That so many of these tiles are still in place and
exhibiting their colors after centuries of exposure to the elements, is astonishing! Next, we will visit the whitewashed
town of Moulay Idriss, about two miles from Volubilis. It sits astride two green hills in a cradle of mountains, where
Morocco's first Arab conquerors settled. Then off to the Imperial city of Meknes, the one-time home of the Moroccan
sultanate with its Medina all-winding narrow streets and grand buildings that justify its stamp of Imperial City. Remnants
of three sets of fortifications, ingeniously incorporated into the city roads network, emphasize its past importance and
glory. The king's tomb sits at the heart of what remains of the original city, flanked by an almighty royal granary, and the
magnificent Bab el-Mansour. Drive back to Fez for dinner and overnight to the hotel. Approx. drive time: 3 hours.
Hotel: Barcelo Fes (4 Star Rating)
Barcelo Fes Medina is a contemporary 4-star hotel conveniently located in central Fez, within easy reach of the city's UNESCO-listed historic medina. Modern guest rooms provide a comfortable retreat after a day of exploring, while the hotel features an outdoor swimming pool, terrace and fitness facilities. Guests can also enjoy a selection of restaurants and bars offering Moroccan and international flavours, making it a comfortable base from which to discover the cultural and historic treasures of Fez.
Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner
Today we experience the natural and wilder landscapes outside Fez: Drive to the high alpine region of Ifrane, filled with
cedar and oak forests, and home to the world’s largest population of Barbary macaques, hundreds of animals, birds and
the oldest tree in Morocco’s Middle Atlas, the 130-feet Gouraud’s Cedar. The largest cedar forest in the world is found in
this park, and several lakes or Dayats abound in the nearby area. The Lion of Ifrane sits majestically in the city center and
is certainly one of the most photographed sites of the region. Ifrane feels more like Switzerland with its clean air,
scrubbed streets, and leafy outlook. The French built this city in 1930, deliberately trying to re-create an alpine-style resort.
It is a popular day trip for picnickers during summer, and the site attracts skiers in the winter. Stop for lunch (own
expense). Continue to Marrakech via highway for dinner and overnight at the hotel. Approx drive time: 7 hours.
Hotel: Grand Plaza Hotel Marrakech (4 Star Rating)
Ideally located across from the train station and the Royal Theatre, Grand Plaza welcomes you for a stay in the heart of Marrakech. Just 5 minutes from the Medina and 10 minutes from the airport, the hotel also offers underground parking for its residents.
Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner
After breakfast, enjoy the city tour of Marrakesh, the “Red City”, a majestic place filled with palaces, gardens, markets,
and mosques. Upon arrival, you will first stand by the Koutoubia Mosque with its 282 ft minaret, an architectural landmark
dating back to the late 12th century. You will continue to the 19th century stunning Bahia Palace and discover the intricate
work done by the local artisans to decorate this splendid home built by a powerful Vizir for his Harem. The building
includes one hundred and fifty rooms, countless courtyards and interior gardens, a veritable labyrinth of corridors, a
Koranic school, hammams, a harem, stables. From there we will start exploring artisan quarters and the colorful Souks
to interact with the real life of Marrakech people. Continue to Dar El Bacha Museum of Confluences, built in 1910 and
was the residence of Thami El Glaoui, named Pasha of Marrakech by Sultan Moulay Youssef in 1912. It is one of the
medina's finest examples of Riad architecture, dripping with Moroccan Zellige (colorful geometric tilework), intricate
white plasterwork and heavy carved cedar-wood lintels. Before sunset we will be strolling in the square of which the city
is so famed, Jemaa El Fna. Located at the entrance of the Medina, this triangular square is surrounded by restaurants,
stands and public buildings, and provides everyday commercial activities and various forms of entertainment. It is a
magical circus where fortune tellers, henna artists, fire eaters, snake charmers, dancing wild costumed monkeys, story
tellers, hypnotic medicine-men, cross dressers, tooth pullers, musicians including real Gnaoua, and acrobats gather in a
cacophonic feast. After the tour, head to your hotel to freshen up. When you are ready, transfer to a local restaurant to
enjoy your dinner. Back to your hotel for overnight.
Hotel: Grand Plaza Hotel Marrakech (4 Star Rating)
Ideally located across from the train station and the Royal Theatre, Grand Plaza welcomes you for a stay in the heart of Marrakech. Just 5 minutes from the Medina and 10 minutes from the airport, the hotel also offers underground parking for its residents.
Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner
Day at leisure or wander on your own. You may want to sign in for one of the following optional activities:
Retreat at a modern Berber-style villa and Cooking Class
This retreat experience will start by a pickup from your hotel at 10:00AM by our English-speaking driver aboard
a deluxe car for a 20-min. drive to the Valley of Ourika. Upon arrival at the entrance to the trail you will switch to
a camel/donkey/mule -depending on availability- for transfer to the Bennounas Farm. A welcome drink is served
by the Farm hosts, followed with a tour of the property that is surrounded by a spectacular décor with the Atlas
Mountains in the background. Enjoy a 20-min. meditation under the tent or in the meditation room (yoga class
optional upon request on your own expenses). Light lunch will be served. Swimming pool is available for use (if
season permits) and fresh drinks are at your disposal (extra charge for alcohol drinks and wine) or enjoy a
breathtaking walk in the surroundings. We will start to prepare for the cooking class at 4PM. First, we’ll pick up
vegetables from the garden if season permits, then bring them to the kitchen to begin an immersed experience
with the New York Times 3-stars Executive Chef. You will dine on the food you cooked. After dinner, witness the
sunset on the terrace of the villa. Moroccan tea or coffee will be served. Return to your hotel.
Traditional Hammam and Massage
A hammam is a traditional Moroccan Spa. Historically, the hammam was a public bathhouse for the locals to
clean off the dirt and grime invariably accumulated after traveling through the desert. Today, the hammam still
serves this purpose for the locals, and is brought to a higher level for the tourists. In the hammam, you’ll be
submerged by a complete relaxation experience within an authentic oriental décor where you’ll be listening to
your own body in an atmosphere filled with water, oils, essences and perfumes. Enjoy a 30-min. scrub done by
expert hands with black soap or soothing spices eliminating toxins from your body. After Hammam, sway to the
massage room where you will experience a 30-min. traditional Moroccan massage to eliminate tensions and gain
energy and vitality. A tea is served in the relaxing room before you leave.
Cooking Class and Dinner
At 4PM, you’ll be picked up at the hotel for a unique gastronomic experience, at The Bennounas Farm, in the
Ourika Valley. The cooking class takes place on the terrasse of a modern Berber-style villa, in a spectacular setting
with the Atlas Mountains in the background. The 3-stars New York Times Chef Azzeddine Bennouna and his wife Marie will greet you in their property where you will discover the secrets of the Moroccan cuisine. The food you
prepared will be served for dinner with a glass of wine. This activity includes a tour of the property with picking
fresh produces from the garden if season permits; a traditional welcome tea session; a bread making
demonstration done by a native Berber woman; and the preparation of a Moroccan dish. While the food is
cooking, you are welcome to jump in the pool -if season permits! After dinner, back to your hotel for overnight.
Hotel: Grand Plaza Hotel Marrakech (4 Star Rating)
Ideally located across from the train station and the Royal Theatre, Grand Plaza welcomes you for a stay in the heart of Marrakech. Just 5 minutes from the Medina and 10 minutes from the airport, the hotel also offers underground parking for its residents.
Meal(s): Breakfast
After breakfast, we will assist you to the airport for your return flight.
Meal(s): Breakfast
Upon arrival into Tunis International Airport, you will be met by Goway's local representative and transferred to your hotel.
Hotel: El Mouradi Hotel Africa (5 Star Rating)
Set on Avenue Habib Bourguiba in the heart of Tunis, El Mouradi Africa offers a convenient city-center base for exploring the Tunisian capital. Its air-conditioned, soundproofed rooms provide a comfortable retreat, with select accommodation offering panoramic views across the city.
Dining options include Le Kilimandjaro, serving Tunisian and international specialties, as well as Le Buffet and Le Mont Kenya restaurants. Guests can also relax at La Brasserie café or the lobby bar. With the historic medina and central Tunis within easy reach, the hotel is well positioned for discovering the city's cultural attractions.
Meal(s): Dinner
Enjoy a delicious breakfast at your hotel before heading on your day of sightseeing, beginning with a visit the ancient Medina of Tunis. Discover the bustling markets, filled with a variety of colours and scents to invigorate your senses. Enjoy lunch in Tunis at a local restaurant before you continue your journey to visit Carthage, with its Roman villa and ancient baths. Lastly, head to the charming Moorish Village of Sidi Bou Said for stroll through town before returning to Tunis.
Hotel: El Mouradi Hotel Africa (5 Star Rating)
Set on Avenue Habib Bourguiba in the heart of Tunis, El Mouradi Africa offers a convenient city-center base for exploring the Tunisian capital. Its air-conditioned, soundproofed rooms provide a comfortable retreat, with select accommodation offering panoramic views across the city.
Dining options include Le Kilimandjaro, serving Tunisian and international specialties, as well as Le Buffet and Le Mont Kenya restaurants. Guests can also relax at La Brasserie café or the lobby bar. With the historic medina and central Tunis within easy reach, the hotel is well positioned for discovering the city's cultural attractions.
Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch
Depart for Kairouan where you'll have the opportunity to visit the Grand Mosque and Berber Mausoleum. After lunch in a local restaurant in Kairoun, travel to Tozeur and marvel at its 250-acre palm grove that produces some of the finest dates in Tunisia. Continue to the Medina of Tozeur and the Eco-museum "EDEN PALM", where you'll discover the region's handcrafts and a boutique of pastries to taste cake made with dates of the region.
Hotel: El Mouradi Tozeur (4 Star Rating)
Set amid the palm groves of Tozeur, El Mouradi Tozeur offers a comfortable base for discovering the landscapes and cultural attractions of southern Tunisia. Guest rooms and bungalows are air-conditioned and feature private balconies, with views overlooking the palm grove, gardens or swimming pool.
The hotel provides a relaxing setting between days of exploration, with a swimming pool and fitness center among its leisure facilities. Dining options include a restaurant, coffee shop and traditional Moorish café, along with a central bar and pool bar.
Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch
After breakfast, journey to the Oasis Mountains to bear witness to the waterfalls in Tamerza and the canyons in Chebika & Mides. Continue to back to Tozeur for a tour and lunch. Tozeur is home to an abundant natural water supply that made a richly inhabited oasis. Next,cross the Chott El Jerid salt lake enroute to Douz known as the "Gateway to the Sahara". A highlight of the day is a camel ride at sunset (optional at additional cost).
Hotel: Sun Palm Douz (4 Star Rating)
Hotel Sun Palm Douz is a 4-star property located in the tourist zone of Douz, known as the gateway to the Sahara Desert. The hotel features 131 rooms with options that include balconies or terraces, offering comfortable accommodation with free Wi-Fi and a pool bar for relaxation. Guests can enjoy a swimming pool, fitness facilities and breakfast service, with multilingual staff on hand to assist. The property is well situated for exploring local attractions such as the Palmeraie and the Douz Museum, both within walking distance. Its setting makes it a convenient base for desert excursions and cultural experiences in southern Tunisia.
Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch
Enjoy Breakfast at your hotel before departing for the Oasis of Ksar Ghilane before continuing to Matmata, the site of several scenes from the Star Wars film. Explore the fascinating underground dwellings of the Berber Troglodytes. Visit a typical local home and meet a Berber family. After a delicious lunch in one of the hotels in Matmata, continue to Djerba Island for overnight.
Hotel: Hotel Djerba Resort (4 Star Rating)
Set on the beautiful island of Djerba, Djerba Resort offers a relaxed Mediterranean escape designed exclusively for families and couples. This welcoming 4-star retreat combines elegant architecture, friendly service, and a peaceful atmosphere, making it an ideal choice for a carefree holiday. Its 416 comfortable rooms range from inviting couples’ accommodations to spacious options for families, ensuring a stay suited to every guest. Unwind in tranquil surroundings, enjoy the resort’s range of amenities, and leave the everyday behind. With attentive staff on hand throughout your visit, Djerba Resort provides a comfortable and memorable base for discovering the charm of Tunisia’s island paradise.
Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch
This morning, explore the island of Djerba with a visit Houmt Soukq with its souks and squares. Next, a brief stop at the handicraft and pottery village of Guellala before continuing onward to Gabes. Here, visit the spice markets, brings the senses alive. Continue to Sfax with lunch along the way at El Mahres restaurant. Enjoy a panoramic tour of Sfax before continuing to your hotel for the evening.
Hotel: Les Oliviers Palace (5 Star Rating)
Located in central Sfax, Les Oliviers Palace is an elegant hotel combining traditional neo-Moorish architectural influences with modern comforts. Its convenient city location provides a comfortable base for exploring Sfax and its historic medina.
Guest rooms offer a refined retreat after a day of sightseeing, while the hotel features a selection of dining and leisure facilities. Guests can enjoy local and international cuisine, relax in the lounge or piano bar, or unwind at the hotel's wellness facilities and indoor swimming pool.
Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch
After breakfast, depart for El Jem. Enjoy a visit to the imposing Roman amphitheater, dating back some 1,700 years. This amphitheater is one of the best-preserved ruins in the country. Continue your journey to Monastir to visit the Ribat, the most prominent monument of the city. Next, you'll make your way to Sousse for a visit to the mosaics museum and lunch at a local restaurant. Visit the Medina of Sousse and Port El Kantaoui before continuing along to Hammame.
Hotel: Sol Azur Hotel (4 Star Rating)
Sol Azur Beach & Congrès is a 4-star beachfront hotel located in Hammamet, Tunisia, offering direct access to its private sandy beach and sweeping views of the Mediterranean. The property features outdoor swimming pools, tennis courts, spa and wellness facilities, and a variety of dining options including buffet-style meals and bars for relaxed drinks by the pool or beach. Rooms are air-conditioned and come with private balconies or terraces, free Wi-Fi, and modern amenities suited for couples, families, and leisure travelers alike. The hotel’s location places it just a short distance from Hammamet’s town center, local attractions, and vibrant markets, making it a convenient base for both relaxation and exploration.
Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Tunis Airport for your onward flight.
Meal(s): Breakfast
All fares are quoted in US Dollars.
(317) 626-0939