In March of 2020, I was supposed to visit Marrakech as part of my Spain and Portugal adventure. It was to be my first time in Morocco, and my first time on the African continent. Well, that didn’t happen, for obvious reasons. Covid forced the early termination of that trip, and it has taken me until now to schedule a visit to Morocco.
But this 2025 iteration is much more than just a few days in Marrakech. Over the course of three weeks I will see much of the country, as well as hop over to Tunisia for a few days. And rather than do it on my own, I have decided to do the majority of this trip via a tour with G Adventures.
On the plus side, I will be seeing just about everywhere in Morocco that I really wanted to (only Rabat and Meknes jump out as places I will be sad to miss). On the down side, it is fast-moving, jamming a lot of stuff into a fairly brief period. I figure worst case, I’ll absolutely love a city, want more time there, and plan a return.
Below is the itinerary for the trip. I’m not 100% sure what I will do on some of the less-scheduled days as of this writing, but that will get sorted out. The normal caveats (weather, illness, exigencies of travel) apply, as always.
Day One – Los Angeles to Casablanca
The flight gets in around 7am, meaning I have a day to get through before going to sleep. Coffee will be first, then lunch, and then a tour of the Hassan II Mosque, one of the world’s largest, and the top thing I wanted to see in Morocco’s largest city.
Day Two – Casablanca to Tunis
It’s a quick flight to Tunisia’s capital, where my hotel in the Medina awaits!
Days Three through Five – Tunis
Three days isn’t enough, but I’m going to try to make it count by booking some private tours to see the things I most want to see. The first full day is Carthage. Yes, that Carthage of Hannibal fame. Tunis sits on top of that old city, and the archaeological park is my first stop after my guide shows me more of the Tunis Medina. Then we will head to the seaside neighborhood of Sidi Bousaid.
Day two in Tunis takes me out of the city to some of the most notable sights in Tunisia. The highlight is El Jem, one of the best preserved Roman amphitheaters. We also visit the Muslim holy city of Kairouan.
And finally I’ll have a day on my own in Tunis. The Grand Mosque awaits, as does the Bardo Museum, which holds one of the largest collections of Roman artifacts.
Day Six – Tunis to Casablanca
My early morning flight was canceled, so now I’ll get back to Casablanca in the afternoon, just in time to check in to my group’s hotel and get dinner.
Day Seven – Casablanca to Chefchaouen
While we end in Chefchaouen, today is all about Tangier, where the day itself will be spent. This coastal city just across the Straight of Gibraltar from Spain is said to be chaotic and fascinating, so I’m glad we get a guided tour!
Day Eight – Chefchaouen
Chefchaouen is Morocco’s “Blue City,” so called for the blues its buildings are painted in. This is actually fairly new, only being a 20th century phenomenon, but it’s beautiful enough to make it a top destination.
Day Nine – Chefchaouen to Fes
As with the last travel day, the highlight today is something on the way: the Roman ruins of Volubilis.
Day Ten – Fes
We will tour the Medina, see the famous tanneries, and explore the artisan culture in the city. And with a free afternoon, I’m sure more fun stuff is in order. Or a nap from all the excitement!
Day Eleven – Fes to Merzouga
This is actually a long travel day as we head south into the Sahara.
Day Twelve – Merzouga
This is our day to explore the mighty Sahara Desert, both by ATV and by camel. And maybe by foot, though sand dunes don’t make for the easiest hiking.
Day Thirteen – Merzouga to Todra Gorge
From the description, Todra Gorge seems to be an oasis between massive cliff walls. Sounds pretty!
Day Fourteen – Todra Gorge to Ait Ben Haddou
Ait Ben Haddou is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the best preserved of the kasbah, trading route market towns, that line the routes through the desert.
Day Fifteen – Ait Ben Haddou to High Atlas Mountains
Today we climb upwards into some of the highest mountains in Africa, leaving the desert behind for the altitude and cooler air.
Day Sixteen – High Atlas Mountains to Essaouira
Back down, and this time we head to the coastal city of Essaouira. After two weeks of fast moving, it’s time to relax by the beach, have some seafood, and unwind for a few moments.
Day Seventeen – Essaouira
A free day, beaches, mint tea, and hopefully sunshine. And a sunset would be lovely!
Day Eighteen – Essouira to Marrakech
Finally, five years later, I get to make my triumphant visit to Marrakech! Today is a guided tour of the Medina as an orientation.
Day Nineteen – Marrakech
Today is free, but there is so much I want to see. My highlight will be the Jewish Quarter, but I also want to make certain to get as much street food as possible.
Day Twenty – Marrakech to Casablanca
After a morning to stroll, it’s a train back to Casablanca.
Day Twenty-One – Casablanca to Los Angeles
Farewell, Morocco. I’m sure it will have been an amazing visit.
So yeah, it’s going to be a whirlwind trip, but hopefully an incredible one. For those of you who like maps, below you’ll find all the places mentioned above marked. (Except Tunis, which is off to the east.)
To orient, Casablanca is on the coast just to the right of what is labeled El Jadida. Working clockwise from there, we have Chefchaouen in the north, with Fes just south of it. From east (right) to west (left) in the south is Merzouga, Todra Gorge, Ait Ben Haddou, and High Atlas Mountains, before getting to Essouira on the coast in the bottom left. Marrakech is just north of the High Atlas Mountains, due east along a road you can see on the map from Essouira.
