A tale of two cities - Marrakech & Casablanca

Day 1: Arrival in Marrakech – Lanterns, Rooftops & Street Food

Your Moroccan adventure begins with a morning British Airways flight from London Gatwick to Marrakech. As you descend into Menara Airport, the snow-capped peaks of the Atlas Mountains rise behind the terracotta city, setting the scene for the days ahead. A private car is waiting on arrival, ready to whisk you away from the bustle of the airport straight into the heart of the medina.

As the streets narrow and the sounds of the city surround you, you arrive at your sanctuary: Riad Karmela. Hidden behind traditional wooden doors, this riad opens into tranquil courtyards, carved archways and leafy terraces where mint tea is served as a welcome ritual. After time to settle into your Suite with private terrace and perhaps freshen up with a cool shower, Marrakech begins to reveal itself through its flavours. In the early evening you join a “Street Food by Night” tour, a guided exploration of the city’s culinary soul. As the sun sets, the medina glows under warm lantern light and the air fills with the smoke of sizzling grills. Following your local guide through winding lanes, you sample seven different tastings: from fragrant harira soup and pillowy messmen pancakes to smoky brochettes and sticky pastries drenched in honey. It is an immersive introduction to Moroccan life, where every bite tells a story. Return to your riad under a blanket of stars, the distant call to prayer echoing softly over the rooftops.

Day 2: Coastal Charm in Essaouira – A Breath of Atlantic Air

After breakfast on the terrace, you set out early for a full-day tour to Essaouira, one of Morocco’s most enchanting coastal towns.

The journey from Marrakech reveals an ever-changing landscape: argan trees, tiny villages and glimpses of rural life. As you reach the Atlantic, the air becomes cooler and carries the scent of sea salt. Essaouira greets you with whitewashed walls, blue shutters and a relaxed, bohemian atmosphere that feels a world away from the intensity of Marrakech.

Your day here is yours to enjoy at your own pace. Stroll along the ramparts, watching the Atlantic waves crash against the old Portuguese fortifications. Lose yourself in the medina, where artisans carve thuya wood, weave textiles and craft jewellery in tiny workshops. The harbour is a photographer’s dream, with vivid blue fishing boats bobbing gently in the water and seagulls circling overhead. Seafood is a must: choose your catch from the day’s haul and have it grilled to order, enjoyed simply with lemon and a view of the ocean. In the afternoon, perhaps wander the breezy beach or linger in a café with a mint tea before returning to Marrakech by evening, where the glow of your riad and the hum of the medina welcome you back.

Day 3: The Flavours of Marrakech – Tajine, Spices & Slow Living

Today is all about slowing down and savouring the details that make Moroccan cuisine so special. After a relaxed morning, you join a small-group tajine cooking class, a hands-on experience that lifts the lid on one of the country’s most iconic dishes. Guided by a local chef, you will learn how to balance spices, marinate meats or vegetables, and build flavour layer by layer. From chopping fresh herbs and preserved lemons to arranging olives and tomatoes just so, this is cooking as an art form.

While your tajine simmers gently, you might brew traditional mint tea or prepare simple Moroccan salads to accompany your meal. The reward, of course, is sitting down to enjoy the meal you have created, often shared with fellow travellers and your hosts, accompanied by stories of family recipes and the rhythms of daily life in Marrakech.

The rest of the day is free. You might:

• Wander through the souks in search of handwoven rugs, leather slippers or metal lanterns.

• Escape to a rooftop café for a freshly squeezed orange juice overlooking the medina.

• Indulge in a traditional hammam and spa treatment, emerging relaxed and revitalised.

As night falls, Marrakech once again transforms into a tapestry of colour and sound: drummers, storytellers, and the ever-present aroma of spices drifting through the air.

Day 4: From Marrakech to Casablanca

By Rail Across Morocco

After breakfast, it is time to bid farewell to Marrakech.

A transfer brings you to the station where you board your First Class rail journey from Marrakech to Casablanca. Travelling by train in Morocco is both comfortable and scenic.

From your First Class seat, you watch as the ochre tones of Marrakech give way to open plains, small towns and glimpses of everyday Moroccan life: farmers in the fields, children playing by the tracks, and the occasional herd of goats dotting the landscape.

By early afternoon, you arrive in Casablanca: modern, coastal and effortlessly cool, with a distinctly different energy to Marrakech. Your base here is the Boutique Hotel Aruba Casablanca, where you check into a Luxury Suite with city view. Floor-to-ceiling windows, sleek design and thoughtful touches create a chic retreat high above the urban buzz.

The remainder of your day is at leisure. Perhaps take a gentle stroll to get your bearings, enjoy a coffee in a stylish café, or simply relax in your suite, watching the city lights flicker to life as evening falls.

Day 5: Discovering Casablanca’s Medina & Local Life

Today you step beneath the skin of Casablanca with a “Discover the Medina Inside” small group tour.

While Casablanca is often associated with its iconic Hassan II Mosque and its modern business district, its older quarters reveal a more traditional side. Your guide leads you through the narrow lanes of the medina, where local markets brim with produce, fabrics and everyday essentials. There is a wonderful authenticity here: this is a place where people truly live, shop and socialise. As you go, you will hear stories of Casablanca’s history and its evolution into Morocco’s commercial heart.

The contrast between old and new is ever-present: traditional shops rubbing shoulders with contemporary boutiques, historic arcades lining wide boulevards, and Art Deco facades recalling the city’s colonial past. After the tour, you have time to explore at your own pace. You might: • Visit the spectacular Hassan II Mosque from the outside, set dramatically on the Atlantic shore. • Wander along the seafront corniche, pausing for coffee or fresh seafood with ocean views.

• Seek out Casablanca’s Art Deco architecture in the city centre, from grand theatres to elegant old hotels.

Return to your boutique hotel for a relaxed evening in the city, perhaps with a nightcap overlooking the skyline.

Days 6–7: Casablanca at Leisure – Ocean Views & City Secrets

Your remaining days in Casablanca are all about choice. With the structure of your trip already in place, you can shape this time to suit your style. Ideas for how to spend your time:

• Seafront strolls and sunsets: Wander the corniche, feel the Atlantic breeze and watch the sun dip below the horizon.

• Café culture: Embrace Casablanca’s European-influenced café scene, lingering over coffee and pastries as the city flows around you.

• Shopping and design: Explore modern malls and concept stores for contemporary Moroccan fashion, homeware and design-led souvenirs.

• Day trips: If you wish, you could consider a day trip to nearby coastal towns or simply deepen your exploration of the city’s neighbourhoods.

Evenings are perfect for enjoying Casablanca’s dining scene, with everything from relaxed bistros to stylish restaurants serving Moroccan and international cuisine.

Each night you return to the comfort of your Luxury Suite, the hum of the city below and the ease of knowing everything has been taken care of.

Day 8: Farewell to Morocco

Home from Casablanca

On your final morning, enjoy a leisurely breakfast with city views before checking out.

A transfer takes you to Mohammed V International Airport, where you board your Royal Air Maroc flight back to London Gatwick.

As the plane climbs above the coastline, you leave with memories of two very different faces of Morocco: the vivid colours and sensory overload of Marrakech, and the cool, coastal confidence of Casablanca.

Between them: shared tajines, Atlantic breezes, medina alleyways and the warmth of Moroccan hospitality.

This Morocco journey is ideal for travellers who want to experience the country’s rich culture and flavours in style, pairing authentic local encounters with handpicked boutique stays, private transfers and curated small-group experiences.