Itinerary: Ten Days of Moroccan Sights and Tastes

Group shot at Madrasa Bou 'Inania in Fes.

Jacqueline and I developed an ambitious plan for my mom and sister's ten-day Morocco visit. Such a packed itinerary was bound to hit some bumps in the road, as this one did. While we were lucky to enjoy unseasonably sunny weather in Fes, Maggie drank some bad orange juice in Marrakech that put her out of commission for several days.

All things told, the trip was a great success. Our itinerary—as it truly occurred—is posted below for the benefit of anyone else planning a trip to Morocco, or just curious to know where we visited, dined, and relaxed during this vacation.

Saturday, December 20: Casablanca

• 2:55pm: Monica and Maggie arrive at Casablanca's Mohamed V airport, are greeted by Jacqueline and Andrew
• 5:00pm–5:40pm: Train from airport to Casa Voyageurs train station
• Taxi to Hotel Guynemer, check in
• Dinner at La Bodega

Sunday, December 21: Casablanca / Fes

• Breakfast at Hotel Guynemer
• 9:00am: Hassan II Mosque guided tour
• 11:15-3:10pm: Train from Casablanca to Fes
• Taxi to Bab Boujloud
• Check in at Riad Hala
• 7:30pm: Drinks followed by dinner at Dar Roumana

Monday, December 22: Fes

• Breakfast at Riad Hala
• Medina tour: Tala'a Kbira, tanneries, Moulay Idriss Mausoleum, Qarawiyine Mosque and University, Place Seffarine, Madrasa Seffarine, Madrasa as-Sahrij, Andalus Mosque, Place Rsif
• 1:00pm: Lunch at Fes et Gestes
• 3:00pm: Visit to Dar Bennani, Palais Mnebhi
• 7:00pm: Dinner at Café Clock

Tuesday, December 23: Fes / Ifrane

• Breakfast at Riad Hala
• Day trip to Ifrane (via grand taxi)
• Dinner at Dar Seffarine

Wednesday, December 24: Fes

• Breakfast at Riad Hala
• Walk up to visit Merenid Tombs
• Shopping along Tala'a Kbira
• 1pm: Madrasa Bou 'Inania
• Taxi to Hotel Ibis Moussafir and check in
• Visit American Language Institute in Fes (ALIF)
• Fruit salad at Frutas de Palmeras
• Shopping at Ensemble Artisanale
• Dinner at Chez Vittorio

Thursday, December 25: Fes / Marrakech

• 6:50am-2:05pm: Train from Fes to Marrakech (Breakfast and lunch on train)
• Taxi to Bab Taghzoute
• Check in at Riad Beldi
• Walk through medina to Jemaa el Fna, Koutoubia Mosque
• 8pm: Christmas dinner at Le Tobsil

Friday, December 26: Marrakech

• Breakfast at Riad Beldi
• Exploring, shopping in the northern medina
• Lunch at Café des Epices
• Dinner at Riad Beldi

Saturday, December 27: Marrakech

• Breakfast at Riad Beldi
• Move to Dar Zayan
• Lunch at Bougainvillea Café
• Sightseeing in the southern medina: Bahia Palace
• Shopping at Warda La Mouche, other boutiques along Rue des Zeitoun Jedid
• Shopping in Souq Semmarine
• Dinner at Café Arabe

Sunday, December 28: Marrakech / Casablanca

• Breakfast at Dar Zayan
• Sightseeing in northern medina: Madrasa Ben Youssef, Musée de Marrakech
• Shopping in Souq Semmarine
• Henna tattooing in Djemaa al-Fna
• Horse-drawn calèche ride to Le Jardin Majorelle
• Lunch at Jardin Majorelle café
• 3:00pm-6:10pm: Train from Marrakech to Casablanca
• Check in: Hotel Ibis Moussafir

Monday, December 29: Casablanca

• 8:00am-8:40am: Train from Casablanca to airport
• 10:00am: Goodbye hugs as Mom and Maggie return to DC

Thank you, Mom and Maggie, for your visit! I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. And thank you, Jacqueline, for all your help with planning and guiding the trip!