ITINERARY

Day 1
Welcome to our Morocco cooking tour! Prepare yourself for one of the most fascinating, colorful and culture-rich countries on the planet. Also prepare for some of the world's best food! We will pick you up at Casablanca’s Mohammed V International Airport and drive you to our hotel. If your flight arrives before dinner you’ll get your first taste of delicious Moroccan cuisine at one of Casablanca’s popular restaurants. Or, if you’re inclined toward international cuisine and a trip into Hollywood lore, head to Rick’s Cafe, the real-life incarnation of the mythical saloon from the 1942 film “Casablanca.”

Day 2
Casablanca is the most cosmopolitan of all Moroccan cities, a vibrant economic hub with the largest port in the Maghreb. After breakfast at our hotel we’ll set off to see the highlights of this modern city. We’ll visit the majestic Hassan II Mosque, the third largest religious monument in the world, and the only mosque in Morocco that non-Muslims are permitted to enter. Since we will be there on a Friday, you will get to see how the devout worship on the Muslim holy day. Next we will tour the lively squares of Place des Nations Unies and Mohammed V, which host some of the city’s most impressive architecture – a blend of Moorish, French colonial and traditional Moroccan styles.

After lunch, we’ll take a scenic 4-5 hour drive through the coastal countryside to Essaouira. We’ll spend the night in an exquisite riad, which will be our base in Essaouira.

Day 3
You’ll wake up in the charming fishing village of Essaouira, with its relaxed and artistic vibe. Today we’ll explore the town’s impressive medina, whose massive ancient fortifications are a mixture of Portuguese, French and Berber architecture overlooking the emerald sea. Next we’ll enjoy a spectacular seaside lunch, where freshly caught fish is grilled to perfection before your eyes. Top it off with famous Moroccan mint tea and delectable French pastries at one Essaouira’s many cafes. In the afternoon ride a camel or a horse, try your hand at windsurfing, or simply soak up the atmosphere on the town’s magnificent beach. Late afternoon you’ll experience your first cooking class, where you’ll prepare a fresh Mediterranean salad and fish tajine using the fresh catch of the day. And then you’ll enjoy the scrumptious meal you just created!

Day 4
This morning you can awake at your leisure and spend the morning strolling through Essaouira’s serene squares, browsing artisan workshops and perusing art galleries. After lunch, we will take a three and a half hour drive to the Berber village of Anrar, in the High Atlas mountains. The stunning and incredibly hospitable riad Kasbah Omar will be our home for the next three days. We’ll stretch our legs with a walk around the village, and stop in for a cup of tea with a local Berber family before heading to the Kasbah for dinner.

Day 5
After a delicious Berber breakfast, we will head to the souk lathnine the traditional Monday market where Berber villagers from throughout the valley come to trade. We will walk with our donkey for about thirty minutes through olive and fruit groves, along the river and through the ancient Jewish village of Algjii. At the souk we’ll select organic vegetables, meat and chicken – everything we need for our cooking classes at the Kasbah. Then we’ll visit the local blacksmith before heading back to the Kasbah with our groceries loaded onto our donkey. At the Kasbah we’ll prepare our food for a delicious Berber barbeque. The afternoon is yours to explore, or relax and enjoy a traditional Moroccan hammam, hot bath. In the late afternoon we’ll have our next cooking workshop, where we’ll learn to prepare Berber salads and several kinds of tajine, just in time for dinner.

Day 6
This morning we’ll have a brief cooking class to make our delicious breakfast of Berber crepes. After breakfast we’ll explore the Ourika Valley, one of the most beautiful and traditional valleys of the High Atlas. We’ll drive to the ancient Jewish village of Algjii, where we’ll meet with the last Jew in the valley, who has dedicated his life to guarding the 500 year old tomb of a legendary Rabbi. We will then visit an organic herb garden before driving to the Berber Village of Moulay Ibrahim, perched on a mountain top. This is wonderful place to see Berber village life, amidst the stunning backdrop of the High Atlas. Last, we’ll tour the Kik Plateau, with its magnificent views of Jebel Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa. We’ll return to the Kasbah for an early evening cooking class, where we cook (and eat!) Moroccan soup and traditional couscous.

Day 7
Today we take a short drive to exotic and mystical Marrakech, an enchanting palm oasis set against the snow-capped peaks of the High Atlas mountains. We’ll visit the Bahia Palace with its expansive harem quarters. Next we’ll enter the ancient royal Saadian Tombs, and then explore the vibrant and historic Jewish mellah (quarter) and the majestic Koutoubia Mosque before entering the 9th century walled medina. In the afternoon, we will learn how to make our dinner of delicious lemon chicken, beef with prunes and almonds, and a Moroccan desert. Accommodation tonight is at our charming riad inside the Marrakech medina.

Day 8
We’ll spend another full day exploring the majestic Imperial City of Marrakech. As we explore the medina, we’ll wind our way through the serpentine labyrinth of the ancient bustling souk, where we’ll see traditional Moroccan craftsmanship at its finest. In the evening, thrill in the magic that emerges from heart of the famed square, Djemaa el-Fna. Mystical snake charmers, hustlers and mischievous monkeys are part of the nightly drama that unfolds, as Berber acrobats, fortune tellers, musicians and engaging storytellers seduce rapt crowds.

Day 9
Our Moroccan cooking tour ends today as you transfer to the airport for your return home. Depending on your flight plans, we will either drop you off at the Marrakech airport or arrange for a private car transfer to Casablanca's airport. Or ask us about our exciting extensions in Marrakech and Fez!

Please note: This itinerary is designed to give you an idea of what to expect during our trip but is not set in stone. What we actually do on a given day is flexible and can be tailored to the interests of the group.