Accommodation
Hotel Villa des Orangers Relais & Chateaux
Marrakech is considered as one of Morocco’s most cosmopolitan cities and boasts a spectacular location surrounded by
farmlands and snow capped mountains including the highest peak in North Africa rising at 14,000 ft. As we start our visit this morning we will discover an exciting blend of modern architecture and an ancient walled medina. We will first stand by the Koutoubia Mosque with its 282 ft minaret, an architectural landmark dating back to the late 12th century. We will then enter the Kasbah from Bab Agnaou gate to visit the historical and beautifully ornate Saadian necropolis of the 16th century. Our walk through the 12th century Kasbah and its food market, bakeries and narrow alleyways will lead us to the Badii palace built in the 16th century. Here we will admire the marvelous pulpit of the Koutoubia mosque made in 1137 in the city of Cordoba by the best cabinet making artisans of that time. We will continue to the 19th century Bahia palace and discover the intricate work done by the local artisans to decorate this splendid home built by a powerful Vizir for his Harem. We will end our exploration with a stroll inside the Jewish quarter and visit the historical synagogue built in 1492 by Sephardic Jews expelled from Spain.
After a break for lunch we will be guided through the “Hidden sides of Marrakech” where we will admire the architectural
beauty of Medersa Ben Youssef, a medieval theological school dating back to the 16th century as well the oldest building in
the city called the Koubba of the Almoravids, a dynasty who ruled in the 12th century. From there we will start exploring
artisan quarters and the colorful Souks to interact with the real life of Marrakech people. Before sunset, we will be strolling in the square of which the city is so famed, Jemaa El Fna, where hundreds of locals and tourists come to spend the end of the day watching jugglers, dancers, fortune-tellers, story tellers and traditional musicians.
Overnight at your accommodation