Casablanca | Rabat | Tangier | Fes | Meknes | Marrakesh
Ouarzazate | Agadir | Essaouira

Casablanca (Between the sky & the ocean)



Welcome to Casablanca, the economic capital of the country one
of the greatest african agglomeration with more than 3 millions habitahts.
Casablanca has been choosen to receive the great monument
of the century the dream of the all nation
(the Hassan II mosque)
one of the most dazzling mosques in the world

Rabat



The capital of a modern nation, Rabat symbolises the infinite variety of Morocco. Set in a rich, amber coloured landscape, dotted with distinctive nettle trees, it elegantly combines an ancient history with modern culture.

The Kingdom's capital, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, has roots buried deep in a millenium of history-a city so often coveted by invaders in search of a strategic retreat. Yacoub El Mansour, the Almohad, erected his tents there in the 12th century, before the Merinids left their stamp there in their turn, raising the necropolis of Chellah upon the ancient Roman city of Sala. In the heart of the city stands the Tour Hassan, the last vestige of an unfinished mosque. Behind its marble columns, the Mohammed V Mausoleum engenders solemn respect and serene contemplation.

Tangier (The Gateway to Africa)



At the crossroads of civilisation, where the Mediterranean meets the Atlantic Ocean, Tangier flaunts its magnificent bay below lush green hills. From the "Place de la Kasbah", the highest point in the medina, you can visit the sultan's palace where every aspect of moroccan art can be seen in the rooms round the courtyard. Or you can stroll down alleyways of the medina to the terrace overlooking the straits of Gibraltar. Close by, various excursions can be made including Cape Spartel -the extreme north- westerly point of Africa, close to the famous Caves of Hercules and Cape Malabata.
Its strategic position making it a crossroads of t civilisations, Tangier, gateway to the African continent, looks across at Europe from the shores of Atlantic and Mediterranean alike. As a meeting-point of routes to so many different destination, Tangier has inevitably been marked by the of History-Phoenicians, Berbers, Portuguese and Spaniards had all left their indelible mark on the city before it passed into Moroccan hands.

Fes


The Holy City of Fez is a jewel of Spanish-Arabic civilisation. Fez does not reveal its secrets easily. Secretive, shadowy, they need to be discovered little by little, with reverence. Only in this way can the splendours of Medrsa architecture be fully appreciated. Only in this way will the call of the medina temt you. Bustling with artisans and merchants, its captivating sounds, fragrances and colours mesmerise the visitor with a constant swirl of activity.

The city of Moulay Idriss lst, sanctuary of human and moral sciences. The great À Karaouiyne University bas for eleven centuries been a religions and intellectuel centre whose influence bas spread far beyond the Kingdom's boundaries. In 789, a pick-axe of silver and gold -"fas" in Arabic - was presented to Idriss lst to use in tracing the outlines of the city. Hence the name of the city, which lies at the far eastern end of the plain of Saïss, bordered to the south by the hills outlying the Atlas Mountains. Cradle of religions, cultural and artistic traditions, Fes, the double city, is the kingdom's spiritual capital. The Andalousian mosque, dating from the 9th century, and further embellished by successive rulers, is accessed through a mighty door of sculpted cedar. An imposing minaret decorated with green faiences crowns the Rsif Mosque. The medersas around the Karaouiyne Mosque, former lodging houses for students coming from outside the city, attest the importance of its thousand years of history.

Meknes (Volubilis)


One of the kingdom's imperial cities, Meknes was founded in the 11th century and was chosen by Moulay Ismaïl in 1672 as capital of his empire. The city's unity of style lends it undeniable charm, enhanced still further by the beauty of the surrounding countryside. Moulay Ismaïl's creation was to be much talked of in the East and in Europe, most especially at the French court of King Louis XIV. The period was one of the high points in the city's rich history.

As well as its fabulous monuments, such as Dar El Makhzen palace, the Sidi Saïd mosque, Bab El Berdaine, Bab El Khémis, Bab El Mansour, Bab Jemaâ En Nouar, the Moulay Ismaïl Mausoleum and the Kouba El Khayatine, Meknes offers impressive views of the Agdal basin.
Not far from Meknes, the Roman city of Volubilis is an unforgettable treat for the tourist. The city is surrounded by 2,5 kilomètres of ramparts, entered by six gates.

Marrakesh (the red city)



A city of a million faces, with a rich and glorious history.Marrakech is an explosion of colours and emotions.
Lying at the foot of the snow-capped Atlas mountains in the midst of a spectacular palmgrove is the magical city,
the red pearl, Marrakech. More than an imperial city, Marrakech boasts the sumptuous relies
of its glorious past; palaces, tombs, gardens and minarets compete
with eachb other for the pleasure of the visitors.

Ouarzazate (Come to see Land of Blue Men)
(The Thousand Kasbahs & The Famous Dune of Merzouga)


The Ait Benhaddou Kasbah has been
registered by Unesco as belonging
to the world patrimony of mankind

Travel down the road to the great south crossing the Atlass mountain to Ouarzazate gate of the desert which is now an important touristic center and gateway to the deep south where the sand is all invading, these are the cases of life; Orchards, fields, palmgroves and rose gardens, streching out along a strip of fertile land where men work miracles.
These are the wadis of Drâa, Dades and Ziz. Where the landscape is a succession of vivid contrasts burning sand and snow-covered mountain tops, breathtaking canyons opening onto lush green country side. and wherever you go, emerging from the midst of a palmgrove, perched on a rockyh outcrop or by the side of an emerald green lake rise the ornate kasbahs, the fairytale citadels of earth or the unique beauty of the ksour, fortified villages the colour of the sand.
These are the Drâa, Dades and Ziz valleys.
And as you follow the course of the wadis, take a journey back into time: along the kasbah trail in a natural setting that literally stuns the senses.

Agadir (360 days of sunshine a year)



One of newly independent Morocco's greatest challenges must surely have been the reconstruction of a city totally destroyed by the earthquake of February 1960. The will and détermination of a young King, Hassan II, on the throne for scarcely a year, gave reality to the hopes of an entire nation in seeing Agadir reborn form the ashes.

These days it is a fine modern city with a host of excellent hotels, wide avenues, gardens in bright bloom, a magnificent port and a first-rate airport-and, above all, a splendid beach stretching for six kilometres, the air scented by pine, eucalyptus and tamarisk.

Agadir's réputation as a beach resort has spread worldwide. From a cliff-road flanking the hill, the Old Kasbah, dating from the 16th century, overlooks the azure spread of the ocean, the verdant valleys of the Great Souss and the majestic slopes of the Anti-Atlas. Agadir is not only the kingdom's main fishing-port, it is also its first holiday haven, and the city is very much organized around seeing to the comfort of its visitors.

Essaouira



Essaouira is one of the most attractive cities along Morocco´s Atlantic coast, this is most certainly due to its year-round temperate climate, the good-naturedness of its inhabitants, its cultural and architectural heritage and, above all, to the unique atmosphere of its streets and alleys, a swarm with fishermen, tradesmen, craftsmen and mere idlers, among which crowd mingle artists from the world over.

For more informations about Cities, please consult :
http://www.mincom.gov.ma/english/reg_cit/cities/cities.html

Classic Voyages
15 Angle Bd Med V & Rue Laon, Résidence Sofia
Casablanca, Morocco
Phone : (212) 22 54 16 90 Or (212) 22 54 16 91
Fax : (212) 22 54 16 92

Email : classicvoyages@iam.net.ma