Morocco "Tales from 1000 and One Nights" - Places to Visit with Pictures Part I

From about 300´000 BC First traces of settlement in NorthAfrica

from about 2,000 BC Berber settle whole North Africa

146 BC destruction of Carthage by the Romans

in 40 AD Large Berber uprising

42nd AD Northern Morocco is a Roman province

2nd and 3 century Christianity

End of 3rd Century. Disintegration of the Roman domination

533 Byzantium conquered Ceuta and Tangier

622 escape of Mohammed from Mecca / Hegira), the early Islamicera

683 arabisher first foray into Morocco

711 Arab Umayyad conquer Morocco, the beginning of the Islamization

788 I. Idris founds the first Moroccan empire

1061 accession to power of the Almoravids dynasty (Moroccan first major empire)

1147 accession to power of the Almohad dynasty Morocco achieved the largest expansion in its history

1415 The Portuguese capture Ceuta

1493 fall of Granada (last Arab stronghold in Spain)

1667 start of the Alaouiten regime, the dynasty ruled until today

1830 French in Algeria

1859/1860 Spanish-Moroccan War

1903/1904 French occupy the eastern border area

1912 French colony of Morocco (the northern part of the countryis Spanish)

1930 Berber edict

1934 "appeasement" of Morocco finished

1942 The Allies land on the Atlantic coast

1953-55 Sulatn Mohammed V in exile

1956 Independence Morocco

1961 death of Mohammed V, new King Hassan II

1963 First elections, border war with Algeria

1976 occupation of the former Spanish Sahara throughMorocco, the

Polisario resistance

1977 First elections since 1963

1984 (September) elections

1st Day, Sunday
Flight from Zürich / Kloten with Royal Air Maroc to Marrakech.Reception and transfer to hotel. Dinner and overnight.

2nd Day, Monday
Safi on tour (the walled old town worth seeing, Cathedral in manueline stil, Kechia fortress from the 16th century) and El Jadida to Rabat direction. Lunch in Casablanca, Morocco's largest city, business center, the most important industrial port and the "secret capital" of the country. In addition to modern architecture, you can also find here a lively old medina and bazaars. A short tour of the Corniche (famous beach promenade) and the center. Continuation to Rabat. Dinner and overnight. Trip distance: approximately 450 km.

3rd Day, Tuesday
After breakfast visit to the state capital. You will see the Royal Palace, Hassan Tower, the Kasbah and the necropolis Chellah. After lunch, we drive via Volubilis, an ancient city that was built by the Romans, to Moulay Idriss, holy city with the mausoleum of the patron saint and founder of the first Arab dynasty. This town can be seen from one hill, it is only available to Muslims. Continuation to Fes. Dinner and overnight. Trip around 190 km.

4th Day, Wednesday
The day is to visit the city of Fes: there are three districts from different eras with thick walls and mosques in and around the old town, the gardens of Sidi Boujida and the famous "Blue Gate". Lunch. Continuation of sightseeing in this fascinating city. The rest of the afternoon is at free leisure. Dinner and overnight.

5th Day, Thursday
Ride from Fez to Meknes. The city is divided by the Wadi Boufekrane in two parts, the Old and New Town. Meknes was the former residence of kings. We see among other things the grand gate of Bab Mansour, the surrounding walls of the Old Town with big Mosque and the bazaar streets. In the new town, modern busines buildings were erected. After lunch continue drive to Kenifra. This town has about 30,000 inhabitants. Known Berbertown in the mountains. Dinner and overnight. Trip distance:approximately 220 km.

6th Day, Friday
Drive through the fertile valley of Beni Mellal. Panoramic view of the road. For lunch we reach Marrakech. Then first city tour: Kutubiya Mosque with its 67 m high Minareti.Saadi Tombs (tombs of the ruling sultans from the 16th and 17th century). Ruined Badi Palace, tannery. Return to the hotel. Dinner in the restaurant of an ancient Moroccan palace (with folklore). Overight. Trip distance: approximately 280 km.

7th Day, Saturday
We experience the hustle and bustle of the people of Marrakech, the "Pearl of the South". The famous souks of the dyers, the merchant district with all kinds of crafts, who join in the huge Djemaa el Fna, on the oriental market bustle (storytellers, magicians, snake charmers, jugglers and musicians). Lunch in a Berber tent and participate in a famous "Fantasia" (equestrian Games). The afternoon is at leisure. Dinner and overnight.

8th Day, Sunday
After breakfast transfer to hotel in Agadir. Spa vacation for a week with half board.

15th day Sunday
Transfer from hotel to airport Agadir. In deadline at the airport.Departure from Agadir Royal Air Maroc via Geneva to Züprich /Kloten.

My great thanks to Mr. Jürgen Reichmann for allowing me to use some of his wonderful pictures of the beautiful places in Morocco.