Morocco, 8 days: Marrakech + Casablanca + Agadir

About the destination: Gateway to the desert and the south, Marrakech is overwhelming like no other imperial city of Morocco. Its reddish-pink streets and alleys are full of sounds, sights, smells and life. The mid-summer heat is enough to prostrate most tourists. The best times to explore Marrakech are early morning, early evening, and winter, during winter temperatures are mild, but fall significantly at night, due to the cold air from the High Atlas. The Djemaa El-Fna, Assembly of the Dead, is anything but what its name suggests. A hot and crowded market by day, the Djemaa really gets rolling at sunset when the entertainers invade. This chaotic outdoor circus offers a microcosms of Morocco at its most exotic. The huge audience clusters in tight circles around the diverse cast of performers. Almost every tour of Marrakech begins at the 12th century Koutoubia Mosque, with its magnificent minaret presiding over the Djemaa. The minaret, crowned by a lantern of three golden spheres, is the oldest and purest surviving example of the architecture of the Almohads. The city’s two most breathtaking monuments date from the 16th century. Feast your eyes and cool off at the ornate Ben Youssef Madrassa, the largest Qur’anic school in North Africa. Even more lavish are the dazzling Saadian Tombs, modelled upon the interior of the Alhambra in Granada. The view from the terrace at the Badi Palace, now in ruins, is majestic. Close by we find the 19th century Bahia Palace. It is an ornate and beautiful palace with restful fountained gardens. To escape from the relentless midday sun, wander in the lush Menara Gardens and lounge in the charming lakeside pavilion. Marrakech is noisy, busy, dusty and chaotic. It is a visual and sensory banquet of colour, diverse cultures, architecture and design. Marrakech delivers an exotic and exciting taste of Africa and the best part is that it is only a few hours away from Europe by plane.

About the destination: Situated on the Atlantic coast, Casablanca is Morocco's largest city and economic center. Casablanca is a contemporary city with bustling boulevards and numerous street cafes, giving it a distinctly European ambiance. The city is a fusion of tradition and modernity, with traditional buildings influenced by Moorish, Roman, Jewish, Spanish, and French styles standing alongside modern skyscrapers. Despite being relatively modern by Moroccan standards, the city boasts numerous historical sites and striking white colonial architecture. The city's oldest section, the medina, is smaller compared to other medinas in Morocco, but it's still worth exploring its narrow lanes. Near the Medina, you'll find the City Hall, renowned for its beautifully carved roofs. The King Hassan II Mosque, Casablanca's main attraction, is situated in a stunning location on the Atlantic Coast. It's the largest mosque in Morocco and the third largest in the world, boasting the world's tallest minaret. A visit to Casablanca is a must for many travelers to Morocco. With its blend of Oriental and modern influences, Casablanca is a city of many facets.

About the destination: Just a 3-hour journey from the capitals of Europe, you'll find a paradise of pristine golden beaches and over 300 days of blissful sunshine each year, with an endless beach stretching along the ocean shoreline... Known as the Miami of Morocco, this destination offers a wide range of mid to high-end accommodations and a plethora of outdoor activities. Here, you can enjoy days filled with golfing, sailing, tennis, horseback riding, and surfing, including windsurfing and kite surfing. Agadir is also home to a multitude of international dining options. Everything you need for an amazing seaside vacation.