MOROCCO GARDENS TOUR

Casablanca is one of the largest ports in North Africa, and its traffic in a day is more than in Marseille. Leave your hotel to drive through the palm-lined avenues to the city center via Mohamed V Square, known as the United Nations Square. Then we make our way to the sacred heart Cathedral before continuing down to the Hassan II mosque on the Corniche. The mosque was built under the command of the late King Hassan II, and it is one of the largest Mosques in the world outside of Mecca and one of only two in all Morocco where non-Muslims can venture inside. Here you can spend time exploring and photographing the magnificent insides with a guide before proceeding forward for a walk in the Habbous area of the old town with its small, twisted paths and stop for photos at the Royal Palace before returning to your hotel.

Depart for the Imperial capital of Morocco, Rabat. The city carries the perfect mixture of the past era and the contemporary present.

Here, we shall pass by the Royal Palace exteriors, the Jewish Quarter, the Mohamed V Mausoleum, Hassan Tower, and the Kasbah des Oudayas. In keeping with its remarkable past, the Kasbah is today one of Rabat’s proudest features. Perfectly blending historical sites with modern establishments, and the place where you will find the capital’s most modern cafés and shops. To the left of the main entrance, walk down a twisting path marked with picturesque houses to reach the edges of the river and enjoy a pleasant stroll through the beautiful Jardin des Oudayas. The formal structured Andalusian-style gardens have red hibiscus, hedges, morning glories, brugmansias, date palms, and orange trees with a long harbored walkway hidden in grapevines.

The Kasbah is one of the many types of Moroccan architecture with historical paths that easily combine ancient features with modern establishments and friendly people ready to welcome you into their little corner of the world.

After your break lunch, you’ll be heading to Sidi Bouknadal Exotic Gardens, created by Marcel François, a French horticulturalists, who design his fantasy in the surroundings of Salé. This childhood dream come to reality after he traveled and collected plants from all over the world. The four acres of exotic gardens are listed among the wonders of nature and now classified as a national cultural heritage site since 2003.

The gardens are a composition of exuberant creativity and technical ability and divided into three areas: a reception area, a horticultural production area, and finally, by far the most impressive, the garden area. All through the garden, there are secret passages, an aviary, waterfalls, swamps, pools, fountains, bridges, and walkways to lead you through the various gardens. 

After breakfast, you will say goodbye to Rabat and head to your next city, the old capital of Sultan Moulay Idriss – Meknes – his stables there once housed 12,000 horses! Make a Stop at the famous Bab Mansour before continuing to the Roman city of Volubilis, renowned for its remarkably preserved mosaics, finishing in Fez hotel.

Today starts with a stroll in the alleys of the old Medina with Fez El Bali, the Andalusian, and the Karaouine quarter. It is a chance to see the dyers, tanners, and artisans who work in their small workshops with the same old methods. Lunch is at the Ruined Garden cafe and restaurant, which is in the ruins of a courtyard house in the ancient imperial city of Fez. The emphasis here is on fresh local produce, some of which is grown in the garden. As the day progress, we take in the Mellah – the Jewish quarter, with its old cemetery visiting Jnan Sbil Gardens en route to the Royal Palace. These lush gardens are a breath of fresh air after the intensity of Fez’ medina. Although over a century old, extensive renovation and replanting have reinvigorated the gardens’ splendor, and locals come in droves to promenade the leafy trails, cool off around the grand central fountains, and lounge beside the bird-filled lake – especially at dusk. The main entrance is on Ave Moulay Hassan, but there’s another at the opposite end of the park. A fascinating day that you will be finishing back at your hotel.

A day contrast, leaving behind Fes and its Medina stopping at Ifrane with its Alpine type scenery and the Cedar Forests of Azrou. Continuing through the Middle Atlas to the fruit-growing region of Beni Mellal where you make a stop at the fortress of Aîn Asserdoun perched atop a mountain with beautiful gardens below. Continue to finish in Afourer for overnight

Morning drive to visit one of the most breathtaking places in Morocco, the Cascades d’Ouzoud. Afternoon drive to Marrakech for dinner and overnight in your hotel.

Today explore the most famous city of Morocco. The first stop is the Menara – a large landscaped garden constructed under the Almohad dynasty. A very peaceful place away from the hustle and bustle of the red city, At the heart of Menara sets a deep basin at the foot of a building serving to reserve the water for irrigation. It is supplied with water through a 700-year-old hydraulic system, bringing water from the mountains. Now, tour some of the famous sights and monuments that make Marrakech so popular such as the 19th century Bahia Palace, which was built over six years at public expense. It belonged to Bou Ahmed, the first minister to Sultan Abdelaziz, who resided with his four wives, and was named after his favorite. Now continue exploring the ancient Medina, a labyrinth of small alleys filled with stores and workshops with a perfumed aroma of saffron and orange blossom among sacks of almonds piled high as mountains!

In the heart of the Medina is Le Jardin Secret, with origins dating back to the Saadian Dynasty, more than four hundred years ago. Rebuilt in the mid-19th century at the behest of an important kaid of the Atlas Mountains, Le Jardin Secret has been the home of some of Morocco and Marrakech’s most important political figures that you can fully appreciate thanks to recent renovations. 

Finally, your day is complete with a visit to the famous Djemma El Fna square with its’ fortune tellers, dancers, snake charmers, and water sellers. This square is the heart of Marrakech. You will have time to wander around or sit in one of the rooftop cafes surrounding the square. Sit and enjoy this picture-postcard – a living theatre with the Atlas Mountains as a backdrop before returning to the hotel. Evening at leisure.

Leave the city for the foothills of the High Atlas Mountains; our first stop is ANIMA Gardens, which is one of the most artistic and creative extensions to the gardens in Morocco. André Heller has transformed two-hectares of botanical staging into a magical place of emotion, wonder, joy, healing, and inspiration for people of all ages who want to experience the exceptional. You may walk under the shady trails, between magnificent trees and plants, flowers and aromatic sensations, arcades, and statues, in the glory of African nature with views of the frequently snow-capped Atlas Mountains. Continue to the green valley of Ourika for lunch at the Bio-aromatic gardens of Nectarome. This garden more than fifty aromatic plants, therapeutic and ornamental, predominantly originating from the region. Nectarome, with its products, proves the use of plants in the field of beauty and health, uncovers and raises awareness about their virtues, and creates the want to discover and learn more about them. Diverse workshops around beauty, health, and cooking are offered to allow you to gain experience of utilizing nature’s provisions. Return to the hotel with the evening at leisure. BLD

Meet your guide for a horse carriage ride to the botanical garden of Majorelle, designed by Jacques Majorelle during the french colonial days. In the eighties, Majorelle was possessed by Yves Saint-Laurent and Pierre Bergé until he died in 2008. The garden also houses the Islamic Art Museum of Marrakech, whose collection covers North African textiles from the YSL collection, ceramics, jewels, and portraits by Majorelle.

Continue to Cactus Thiemann, one of North Africa’s largest cacti farms, with fields of giant aloe, agave, and prickly pear. The 8m high cactus plant is 80 years old. It was brought to Morocco overland from Europe in a souped-up military vehicle by Hans Thiemann, the garden founder, and designer. The tours of the 17-acre nursery and its 150 cacti varieties are fascinating. Thiemann, created by an agricultural engineer and cacti lover who grew tired of growing in Germany’s greenhouse conditions. His farm now operates as a garden and research facility and has provided expertly grown cacti to the botanical beds of famous green yards throughout Marrakesh, including Jardin Majorelle.

Leaving Marrakech south beyond the Atlas mountains and over the Argan tree growing region, we arrive at our Riad in Taroudant. After a long journey beyond the high hills, your lunch will be served in the gardens of the Riad before enjoying a small guide tour with the owner to show you the rich plant collections. Enjoy the sunset on the roof with the beautiful views of the Atlas mountains before dinner.

A full day in the surrounding of Taroudant to visit nearby privately-owned gardens with succulents and yards, water rills, and courtyards designed by Ossart and Maurières. We leave for the southern slopes of the Atlas for lunch.

Discover a wide array of aromatic plants from Ouirgane Valley, cultivated traditionally, with an old irrigation system. The garden has more than thirty different aromatic plants known for their healing therapy used by the locals in their daily life as Saturéoïde thyme, Sage, Inula Montana also called « Ija Oumghar » by Berbers.

Morning at leisure before check-out at noon. Returning north today to the metropolis of Casablanca tonights farewell dinner is in the infamous Rick’s Café a harbourside property on the edge of the old Medina that has

In accordance with your flight schedule depart to Casablanca International Airport for your return flight check- in.