Ultimate Morocco

DAY 1 To Tangier

Start your Moroccan adventure in Tangier, the gateway to Africa. It's just over eight miles from Europe across the Strait of Gibraltar - and one of Morocco's most up and coming destinations with new direct flights from the UK. Your driver will be waiting to meet you at the airport arrivals and whisk you to your hotel in under 20 minutes.

Tangier is busy throwing off its slightly seedy reputation, attracting an eclectic and cool crowd who are giving this city a new lease of life. Spend your first afternoon and evening soaking up the atmosphere on the white washed streets and eating and drinking in the sun. Moroccan cuisine is undeniably good and we will recommend our favourite restaurants in the city.

DAY 2 To Chefchaouen

This morning pack the bags and meet your driver for the drive to Chefchaouen, which will take just over two hours and pass through pretty countryside and olive groves. One of our guides will meet you at your hotel just after you arrive and then take you out for an afternoon walking tour. Chefchaouen is a quaint and colourful town perched 2000ft above sea level between the two peaks that gave it its name. The city is famous for its shady valleys, medina (old town) and perhaps most of all, its azure painted houses.

The local markets of Chefchaouen are animated with traditionally dressed locals and colourful shops with beautifully displayed local crafts, so in between snapping some supremely Instagramable shots, take some time to simply soak up the atmosphere. Alternatively, we can arrange a half-day guided hiking trip in the stunning 240 square-mile Talassemtane National Park outside Chefchaouen boasting beautiful mountains, waterfalls and trekking trails. A particular highlight is a privately guided visit to the small unspoilt village of Akchour, from where you can walk to a lovely waterfall and also 'God's Bridge', a beautiful natural archway across the river gorge. Then, retire to your hotel for dinner and a good night's sleep.

DAY 3 To Fez

This morning it's back on the road, this time headed to Fez. The drive is around three and a half hours but passes through some beautiful countryside; make sure you spend plenty of the journey gazing out of the window at the rivers, olive groves and shepherds with their bright Berber hats. You'll share the road with goats and sheep and of course the odd donkey, usually buried beneath a mountain of hay.

When you arrive in Fez your driver will have to stop the car on the outskirts of the Medina and help you navigate to the riad hotel with your bags on foot. Don't worry though, this is common practice in Fez as the medina streets are far too narrow for cars to fit through.

Once settled into your hotel we will arrange for a guide to meet you and take you on an afternoon wander through the medina - we seriously recommend that you do use a guide because it's almost impossible not to get lost here. Plus, with a local on hand to offer interesting titbits and take you to the best stalls and workshops you'll get a far greater appreciation of the hustling, bustling life in the oldest working medieval medina in the world.

Tonight our detailed destination Dossier should come in handy with recommendations for the best spots to enjoy an authentic Moroccan dinner.

DAY 4 Meknes and Volubilis

This morning you'll be met by a private guide at your hotel for a full day excursion to the ruins of Meknes and Volubilis. You'll first drive across the Saiss plain for about an hour until you reach the medieval city of Meknes, which was rebuilt in the 17th century to become the King's capital and is now UNESCO protected.

Your guide will take you to see various monuments, including El Heri Souani, the King's grandly designed granary and stables; the mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, with its harmonious Moorish design; and Bab El Mansour gate, the most beautiful in North Africa and an amazing example of tile work. At the end of your visit take a walk to El Hdim square and visit its food market and Dar Jamai Museum.

After lunch, drive north towards the mountains of Zerhoun to visit Moulay Idriss, a sacred Muslim town where the first King of Morocco is buried. After that, start a walking tour of Volubilis, built over two thousand years ago when this part of the country was a Roman province. Discovering the Roman part of the Moroccan history, you can admire one of the most beautiful collections of mosaics which have never been moved from their original site since their discovery in the early 20th Century.

Late in the afternoon drive back to Fez where, after all that culture, you can enjoy a much deserved relaxing dinner.

DAY 5 To Marrakech

Today you'll leave the medieval medina of Fez for the equally famous souqs of Marrakech. A driver will meet you at your hotel in the morning to help carry your bags to the car which will take you to the airport. Catch an hour long domestic flight to Marrakech, where another driver will be waiting to meet you and take you to your hotel in the city centre.

DAY 6 To Dar Ahlam

This morning it's time to say goodbye to Marrakech as you head to the edge of the Southern Desert and the luxuriously restored Kasbah, Dar Ahlam. Your driver will collect you from your hotel straight after breakfast as the drive is a fairly long one at four and a half hours. Though, since you'll be crossing the Atlas Mountains, the scenery more than makes up for the hours in the car.

Arriving at Dar Ahlam, settle into your room and let the fact that you are staying in one of the most remote areas of the country sink in. With over 100 staff and just 14 rooms this is a residence fit for royalty, so expect to be pampered.

DAY 7 To Essaouira

Head to your final destination of the trip this morning with a three and a half hour drive to the coast. When you arrive in Essaouira you'll be greeted with sea views and a refreshing coastal breeze, so drop your bags and then head out to explore the area. The harbour is a great place to start with its Portuguese styled fort and collection of little fishing boats offering a charming seaside atmosphere that feels more Mediterranean than African.

We suggest staying here for dinner where you'll find numerous restaurants offering freshly barbequed seafood.