Gardens Of Marrakech And The Atlas Mountains Tour
Holiday Highlights
Marrakech’s atmospheric Medina
Majorelle Gardens – once owned by Yves St Laurent
Ourika Valley – home to the traditional Berber people
Anima Gardens - an enchanting fusion of art and nature
The extraordinary lunar landscape of the Agafay Stone Desert
What's Included
INCLUDED
Return scheduled flights from London Gatwick to Marrakech
Six nights’ bed and breakfast at the four-star
Grand Plaza Hotel, Marrakech, based on shared occupancy of a twin/double room
Welcome dinner at the hotel
Three dinners at local restaurants or the hotel
Three lunches at local restaurants
Tea at a Berber Home
Transfers and full touring itinerary
David Hurrion throughout
Tour manager throughout
NOT INCLUDED
Holiday insurance
Double for sole use supplement
Meals other than those stated Items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, telephone calls
Porterage and gratuities
Itinerary
Day 1 to day 7
Day 1:
Fly from London Gatwick to Marrakech and transfer by coach to the hotel. Rest of the afternoon at leisure before a welcome drink at the hotel followed by a group dinner together.
Day 2:
Menara Gardens, Bahia Palace, Secret Garden and Dar El Bacha Our first visit on this delightful tour is to the beautiful Menara Gardens, dating back to the 12th century and featuring an expansive pool, olive groves and picturesque views of the Atlas Mountains. Next on the agenda is the 19th century Bahia Palace, intended to be the greatest palace of its time, capturing the essence of Islamic style, with a series of rooms opening onto beautiful tiled courtyards and traditional riad garden. After the palace a short walk through the souks at the Medina will lead us to the atmospheric Café Arabe for lunch (included) featuring a menu of Moroccan specialties. This afternoon we continue with a visit to the Secret Garden located in the Medina, a peaceful hideaway with exotic and traditional Islamic gardens. We finish our touring for the day with a guided tour of Dar El Bacha which offers an insight into Moroccan history and artistry with its grand interiors and cultural exhibits. This evening we will have a dinner at Dar Zellij restaurant.
Day 3:
Atlas Mountains – Ourika Valley, Bio-Aromatic Gardens of Ourika, Agafay Stone Desert and tea at a Berber home Another glorious day in prospect as we depart after breakfast to travel by 4x4 to the Atlas Mountains. Here we will visit the beautiful Ourika Valley, home to the traditional Berber people. Our first stop is at the Bio-Aromatic Gardens of Ourika, the first of its kind in Morocco, which cultivates some fifty medicinal plants used in cosmetics and natural cures. Lunch (incuded) will be taken as we head into the mountains at the traditional Kasbah Beldi with terraces overlooking the mountains. We will take a short walk through the gardens to a glass-blowing workshop where artisans transform recycled materials into unique handcrafted pieces. We return to Marrakech via the extraordinary lunar landscape of the Agafay Stone Desert with an en-route stop to enjoy tea at a Berber home. Evening at leisure.
Day 4:
Majorelle Garden, Thiemann Cactus Garden and Aman Museum Our first visit today is one of the highlights – the two-acre Majorelle Garden and Cubist villa, designed by French artist, Jacques Majorelle (son of Art Nouveau pioneer Louis Majorelle) in the 1920s with a villa painted a vivid blue (Majorelle blue, which he patented) added in the 1930s. The garden fell into disrepair in the 1950s until its rediscovery by fashion designers, Yves St Laurent and Pierre Bergé in the 1980s, who restored it and whose foundation continue to manage it. Next onto the Cacti Garden of Marrakech, created in the 1960s by Hans Thiemann, one of North Africa’s largest cacti farms, with fields of giant aloe, agave and prickly pear - the largest cactus, at 8m high, is 80 years old. We continue to the Beldi Country Club for a look around the beautiful landscaped grounds before enjoying lunch (included). This afternoon we visit fascinating Aman Museum, which shows the importance of water management in the creation of gardens in Morocco. Dinner included at the hotel this evening.
Day 5:
Anima Gardens, Koutoubia Mosque and Parc Lalla Hasna and the Medina This morning we visit the magical Anima Garden, an exuberant four-acre garden, created by artist, André Heller with statues by artists such as Picasso and Rodin, exotic planting and stunning views of the surrounding mountains. We continue our morning with a visit to the gardens surrounding the Koutoubia Mosque and Parc Lalla Hasna which offer a peaceful retreat in the heart of Marrakech. The afternoon is dedicated to exploring the souks of Marrakech winding through hidden alleyways filled with traditional workshops, vibrant market stalls and historic Fondouks. We will stop along the way at a bakery and also a traditional hammam to show daily life in the Medina. Evening at leisure.
Day 6:
Day at leisure and farewell dinner Your final day is free to soak up more of the city’s unique atmosphere at your own pace. This evening we will have a farewell dinner at Narwama Restaurant.
Day 7:
Free time and return flight to London Gatwick Free time to spend in Marrakech before afternoon transfer to the airport for the return flight to London Gatwick.
NB: Exact order of the itinerary may vary according to local conditions and tour manager’s discretion. This tour has been listed as Demanding due to the amount of walking tours and potential uneven grounds at the gardens visited. The touring days are very busy, and the group need to be together at all times for visits. Please note the maximum group size is 25 passengers.