Morroco, 8 days

Meeting at the airport and we take the flight to the beautiful metropolis of southern Morocco, the exotic Marrakech. The vibrant colors of the bustling souk, the red color on the walls of the Medina (old city), the mingled aromas of thousands of spices and the sounds of storytellers, fire eaters and snake charmers make Marrakesh the most exotic place in the world. On the other hand, just beyond the exotic melody of the Medina, in Giliz or Ville Nouvelle (New Town), as the locals call it, couples book tables in trendy restaurants, groups stay up late sipping mojitos in bars and shiny convertibles drive up and down its boulevards city. Marrakech is a destination by itself. So East and so West, so Europe and so Africa, so near and so far at the same time. Marrakech is everything that reminds you of oriental fairy tales, but at the same time it is also a very cosmopolitan destination, with its cafés, modern art galleries, wonderful parks, artistic bars, where people stay up late until the early hours of the morning. and the excellent restaurants. It is no coincidence that the second language of the country is French. All this cosmopolitan air leaves no traveler unmoved. So after settling into our rooms at the traditional RIAD hotel and getting to know the rest of our travel group, we will have a first acquaintance with the "red city", taking a walk in the central square Jemaa El Fna where our hotel is also located. Then (optionally) we will discover the different face of Marrakesh at night with a traditional carriage ride, passing through the modern districts inside the old Medina. Our wonderful evening will end with the return to our traditional RIAD hotel, where we will spend the night

After breakfast during our guided tour we will admire the city walls and Bahia Palace. In Marrakech, moreover, there are several of the most beautiful buildings in the whole Morocco, such as the famous mosque with the impressive Koutoubia minaret, (Koutoub means "books" in Arabic). The biggest attraction, however, is one of the most beautiful parts of the city, where are the garden and the two buildings that once belonged to the French painter Jacques Majorelle, who also gave them his name. Mazorel had settled in Marrakesh in 1917 and gradually began to create a magnificent grove of rare plants. Such was his passion that he became an expert in horticulture and created an area that took the breath away with its beauty. Inside it was built a house according to the traditional Moorish architecture. The Majorelle Gardens were bought by the famous fashion designer Yves Saint Lorent, where his ashes were scattered after his death. Next, we will visit the labyrinthine souks and, of course, the legendary central square Jemaa el Fna, which is the largest square-market in the Arab world. For many centuries this city was a famous trading center. Berbers, Arabs, Nomads and natives from the nearby Atlas Mountains flocked to the chaotic central square. Today it seems that little has changed and shopping is always a good reason to visit the Medina of Marrakech, i.e. the old quarter. We will let ourselves into the maze of this area and the dark narrow alleys, where the sky is hidden behind carpets hanging from above, we will mix with the numerous peddlers, jugglers, gnawa musicians and drug pushers. We'll be mesmerized by the spinners and skillful traders huddled side by side selling everything from traditional babus (colorful yellow pasumi) to decorative iron lanterns. If you are a lover of spices and herbs, in their markets you will find the most sophisticated and hard-to-find spices. Herbalists offer elixirs and lotions that cure all ailments. After all this feast of the senses, with our machines full of experiences, we will have lunch (on our own) at one of the traditional steakhouses in the square. Then we will monitor argan production. The traditional technique for producing the oil requires grinding the roasted seeds, with a little water, in a stone rotary hand mill. The resulting paste is pressed to extract the oil. This paste is still rich in oils and is also used as animal feed. The reason that makes it so hard to find and rare is that it bears fruit in a very specific area. It has miraculous properties when it comes to skin and hair health. In Morocco, Argan tree forests now cover approximately 8,280 km² and are officially protected by UNESCO. In the afternoon return to our RIAD. Then, and for those who wish, we optionally put on our good clothes to go early in the evening, to the famous "Chez Ali", where we will have dinner and watch the fantastic folklore Fantasia Show, taken from Arabian nights with belly dances and shows with Arabian horses and camels.

After breakfast we will transfer to the beautiful coastal city of Casablanca. Upon arrival we will have the opportunity to take a guided tour of the city. We will start from the Habous quarter, where we will have the opportunity to walk the small squares and narrow streets, which give us a typical example of the traditional Μedina (old town). We will continue to the United Nations Square and the majestic Mohammed V Square. Then we will continue to the Central Market and the outskirts of the Royal Palace. We will visit the Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes and the famous Hassan II Mosque and in this way we will admire the 2 religious centers of the city. Then return to Marrakesh. Then follows the unique experience of hospitality in a local Moroccan house, where a typical Moroccan family will welcome us and kiss us with traditional tea, food, a feast with lots of dancing and henna for those who wish. We will see the everyday life, the habits, the personal relationships and stories of the neighborhood and we will also feel like Moroccans for a day. The experience will remain etched in our memory for many years, as the level of hospitality and warmth of the locals will impress us. Then return to our traditional RIAD where we will spend the night.

After our breakfast and for those who wish, we depart for the city of the Atlantic Ocean, Essaouira. With intermediate stops in one of the most photographed places in Morocco with the Argan trees with the goats on the branches of the tree being photographed daily by thousands of tourists. Essaouira is a coastal area of the Atlantic ocean reminding us of a Greek Cycladic island. It is famous for its excellent seafood and elaborate markets. City tour and self-catering at a local restaurant. Late afternoon return to the traditional RIAD hotel.

But our trip to Morocco will not be complete if we do not mix with the Sahara desert. The country becomes even more exotic and otherworldly when one wanders through the impressive landscapes of the vast sand dunes. Our route to the east has been marked so that it necessarily passes through the Atlas Mountains, the largest mountain range in North Africa, which divides Morocco in two. The road axis we will travel was originally built by the French Foreign Legion and will lead us to the highest road crossing Tizin Tiska, at an altitude of 2,260 meters, through landscapes of wild beauty, through villages and half-demolished Kasbahs. We continue by minibus to the fortified village of Ait Ben Haddou - protected by UNESCO - with its characteristic brick-built kasbahs. An incredible representative setting of the warlike past of the many and diverse tribes of southern Morocco. The brown-red castle-state of Kasbah, perched on the hillside, is unsettlingly familiar, and the grandest city that has ever been or will ever be. The ghostly Qarth in Game of Thrones was actually Ait Ben Hadu. We will climb to the highest point of the castle, zigzagging its uphill dirt streets, between the low brown-red houses. Then we will admire the breathtaking view of the impressive palm grove that stretches out on one side, and the vastness of the desert on the other. Our local guide will proudly show us the arena where the movie "The Gladiator" was filmed. This earthen castle, parts of which have the style of Yemeni buildings, was also the scene of the films "Jesus of Nazareth" and "The Diamond of the Nile". Lunch on your own in a traditional village restaurant. In the continuation of our route we will see the famous city of Ouarzazate. Here the desert coffee dominates everywhere, even in the earthen kasbahs (mansions, castles) where we will have time for a tour. Continuing on the old caravan road, we will proceed east, along its bed, following the path of the "thousand kasbahs", as the locals call this route. We will find ourselves in oases, in local settlements and in villages with the characteristic brick-built houses, which spring up among scattered coconut palms. Our route will end by reaching the city of Dades where our hotel is located. Check in and dinner at our traditional hotel. Overnight

After our breakfast we will depart towards the majestic desert. On our route we will meet the city of Tingir where we will be guided to the palm forest (Berber). Then we head to Todra Valley. From the narrow passage we will find on our way we will enter the gorge on foot and admire the rocky steep slopes, but above all the power of nature. Lunch on your own in a traditional restaurant of the area. We then head to the city of Merzouga, which is considered the springboard for our Sahara desert adventure. We will board the camels for a unique Camel Ride experience in the desert to evoke memories of Lawrence of Arabia. With the camels we will cross the rocky area, with the reddish sand dunes. On our way we will admire the heavenly hues on the endless sand dunes that stretch before us as dusk falls. An experience of a lifetime just to be there in the stillness and immensity of the unpredictable Sahara or sink into the endless sand, with the amazing costumes of the Berbers, their sun-drenched faces and eyes that reflect the whole desert. There the Berbers will welcome us with local tea and songs of special joy and honor in their country. Then we will have dinner in one of the tents of the camp. But our night doesn't end here because then there is a feast with a fire lit in the middle, right under the moon (a phenomenon that only happens in the desert) and billions of stars to accompany us. Overnight in a traditional camp under the stars of the desert, undeniably a unique life experience.

Early in the morning we wake up to enjoy this unique landscape at sunrise. After living another unique experience we board a 4x4 jeep and return to the entrance of the desert, the city of Merzouga, to the hotel where we will have our breakfast. Our route, for our return to Marrakesh, will again follow the road of caravans to the North and the Great Atlas. The Berbers, the indigenous inhabitants of the country, live there, so that we end up again in the lively Parisian city of Morocco, Marrakesh. Check-in at our traditional RIAD hotel. In the evening, we go out for a meal and a walk.

Breakfast and free time in Marrakech for the last walks and shopping. Then departure for the airport Menara of Marrakech, boarding the plane returning to our homeland full of colors, aromas and unique life experiences