Magical Marrakech
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Port
Casablanca, Morocco
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Activity Level
Strenuous
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At
$269
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 12½ Hours
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Meals Included
Meals included
Marrakech, founded almost a thousand years ago, nestles at the foot of Morocco's mighty Atlas Mountains. Set off by motorcoach today for the 160-mile trip with a rest stop en route. Once in Marrakech, you will pass the Koutoubia Minaret -- a 12th-century Moorish monument.
At the 19th-century Bahia Palace, you will see the rooms that once housed the Sultan's harem. They open off a vast and beautiful courtyard decorated with a central basin.
Also located in the heart of the medina of Marrakech, our next stop is the renovated Medersa Ben Youssef; one of the jewels of Marrakech – “The holy site of Medersa Ben Youssef”. The current structure of this Koranic school was built around 1570. It is the biggest medersa (school) in the whole of the Maghreb (west). Opposite the entrance to the Ben Youssef Mosque, the Qoubba Almoravides was the cleansing area (Christian washing ritual) for believers going to the mosque.
Lunch is served at a local restaurant before you visit the famous Jamaa el F'na Square, where soothsayers, acrobats, snake charmers and water sellers mingle with locals and visitors like you. Time permitting, stroll about the Square before you return to Casablanca.
Notes:
Travel time to Marrakech is approximately four hours each way. Monuments and shops are closed on religious holidays. Modest attire is required; knees, shoulders and midriffs must be covered. Wear comfortable walking shoes. Considerable walking is required, and the pace is steady. Please realistically assess your physical fitness and ability prior to booking, as the walking is uphill, over uneven surfaces and cobblestones, and covers some distance. Not advisable for guests using a wheelchair or for those with mobility limitations. Bring a hat and sunscreen. Bring bottled water from the ship. Do not take photos of military personnel without their consent. Always mind your belongings, particularly at points of interest or in crowded places.