Imperial Cities of Morocco

Seven nights from £829 per person

Selected departures September to November 2012

Although just ten miles from European borders, Morocco seems a world away and simply never fails to amaze visitors with its mesmerising and refreshing culture. It is a country of outstanding natural beauty with the scenery ranging from unbelievably beautiful  Tuscan-like lush countryside to meadows covered with colourful wild-flowers, then cedar-covered rolling hills leading up to the snow-capped, majestic Atlas Mountains punching high into the azure-blue sky. Further south, arid plains studded with mud-brick villages stretch into the horizon, whilst the haunting deserts remain little changed since biblical times. The people are very different too: the smart and sophisticated intermingled with the wandering nomads who tend their sheep as they have for centuries, always clothed in the vibrantly coloured traditional robes of the Berber tribes. A delightful common denominator though, is that most endearing tradition of hospitality, with even the smallest of transactions accompanied by a refreshing cup of mint tea. Once a protectorate of France, this influence is still very much in evidence in its food, language, architecture, and even its road signs!

Without doubt though, the jewels in Morocco’s crown are Rabat, Meknes, Fez and of course Marrakesh: its four Imperial Cities, so called because each of them was once capital city of this amazing country and its wealth of different things to experience.

Fully escorted price includes:

• Return Flights to Casablanca or Marrakesh

• Seven nights, four-star accommodation with dinner

• Visit to Casablanca and the amazing Hassan II Mosque, second largest in the world

• Walking tour of Rabat, founded by the Carthaginians

• Walking tour of Meknes and its 17th century Royal Palace

• Tour of the ancient city of Volubilis, westernmost outpost of the Roman Empire

• Tour of the medieval capital of Fez, and its teeming medina, with a staggering 9,000 streets  and home to a 9th century university, the world’s oldest

• See the majestic Atlas Mountains

• Guided tour of Marrakesh and its famous souks

• Visit the Saadian tombs, final resting place of the descendants of Mohammed

• Visit to the beautiful Majorelle gardens restored by Yves Saint Laurent

• Stunning scenery

• Escorted by experienced Tour Manager

• The price of this holiday is per person based on two people sharing a twin room

• Single rooms are subject to availability at a supplement of £139 per person

Visa and Health Matters:

UK passport holders do not require a visa, but other passport holders should check with the relevant embassy. Please consult your GP regarding the appropriate inoculations at least a month before departure.

Terms and conditions:

The code must be quoted at time of booking to receive offer prices

Prices are per person, based on two sharing and subject to availability. Operated by Riviera Travel Atol 3430 protected, Abta V4744, a company independent of Independent Print Ltd. Single rooms are subject to availability and at a supplement. Optional insurance available at a supplement. When you respond to offers we may use your information to contact you with offers/services that we believe will be of interest. Please give your mobile or email details if you wish to receive offers by sms or email. We will not give your data to other companies without your permission; please let us know if you are happy for us to to so. Prices are correct at the time of publishing. Please call or email for details. 0844 calls charged at 5ppm from BT landlines

Supplier info: Riviera Travel

Since their inception 25 years ago, Riviera Travel have endeavoured to exceed the expectations of the discerning traveller, on their fascinating and innovative European and Worldwide escorted tours.

They have passion for quality and looking after all their guests in the most personal manner possible and really ‘go the extra mile'. Over the years they have received many commendations from many household names in the publishing industry. They have recently been voted by the members of one of the country's most respected consumer organisations in their biannual survey of travel companies, as one of the UK's top two Tour Operators and the most outstanding of all in terms of value for money - by some considerable margin.

Riviera Travel offers European and Worldwide Escorted Tours by Eurostar and by Air.

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Call: 0844 571 1980

Offer Code: The Independent website

The code must be quoted at time of booking to receive offer prices

independent@rivieratravel.co.uk