Art and Soul of Morocco Luxury Tour

Five stars is usually the top review, but that’s not enough stars for the trip we just took. This tour needs eight stars, or ten stars. The point is: if you have the opportunity to go to Morocco, do this tour. Don’t waste your time looking elsewhere. Book your tour with this travel agency and call it a day!

Now that we’re home, the entire trip feels like a dream, another world altogether and a great way to cleanse your mind leaving your day-to-day thoughts and concerns behind. 

We spent twelve days in Morocco. Our trip started in Tangier where we were picked up by our personal driver, a great guy. He was very well mannered, with a terrific sense of humor, always punctual, and who knew the lay of the land like the back of his hand. A guy like him is essential to the success of your tour because you spend a lot of time with him traveling.  He shook our hands, grabbed our luggage and off we went, always feeling totally taken care of and safe with him at the wheel. He made sure everything we had planned happened on time and made himself available to our every need. As the days progressed we learned bits and pieces of his personal life, so far removed from ours in the Sahara Desert, and fascinating, even the Moroccan music he played for us in the van created a wonderful background. 

From the first hotel, historic and beautiful with a great spa and pool, hidden from the street (as are all gorgeous structures in Morocco), we were met by an incredibly educated Guide who showed us around the streets where The Borne Identity and several Bond films were shot.  We learned the history of the city, the logic of its architecture and the system of its design, and how various peoples co-existed for centuries. The sounds of the languages heard, the smells of the food, the rhythm of the culture were immediately foreign, yet intoxicating. Not to mention the music and belly dancing in the hotel restaurant during dinner, like you were in an old movie and Humphrey Bogart was at another table.

From there we traveled to Chefchaouen “the Blue City” where our guide was an eighty-year-old Islamic scholar with a larger-than-life personality who taught us about its culture and history. Everything was interesting to see (much of it painted several shades of blue), and to hear about- from why fish arrived in the night, to a past Queen that inhabited a small building thru a narrow nook and cranny, to evidence of Jews, Christians, and Muslims co-existing in peace.

We could go on and on, but in short, we had very well-educated guides escorting us, each fluent in 3-4 languages, and we experienced everything from Roman ruins to the Sahara Desert.  A highlight was the sunset camel ride across the sand to a gorgeous tent village hidden away from civilization. An added bonus was that our guides had great personalities and knew how to take pictures and videos that will blow your socks off! 

We learned first-hand about Medinas in Fes, learned about their spices, pottery, and ceramics, had specially prepared meals, hiked into fortresses and caves where they shot Gladiator, and took an amazing cooking class. Additionally, every hotel or Riad we stayed at was another hidden treasure that enabled us to get plenty of rest and relaxation. We enjoyed the souks in Marrakech and our tour there. 

I’m not a typical tourist walking around taking pictures, but on this tour I took hundreds, videos too. It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime trip and I feel very lucky to have had the great fortune to do so.

It was very easy to work with Hassan to plan this trip. He listened to my needs, was very responsive and helped craft a perfect trip for us.  He checked in during the trip to make sure it was going well and met up with us at the end of the trip in person.  A+.

Our two-week trip to Morocco, arranged by Zicasso’s travel company, was simply magical! We (a party of four over-70 Americans) found it very easy to book a customized adventure with the founder that met and exceeded our desired goals.

Our journey began with a four-night stay in Marrakech, which included a day trip to the Ourika Valley in the High Atlas Mountains. We then traveled overland to the desert (Erg Chebbi), making an overnight stop on the way to and from the luxury tented camp in Merzouga. Following a night's stay in the desert, we continued on to Fes, Chefchaouen (the “Blue City”), and Tangier. We were accompanied by an experienced English-fluent Berber driver who provided the epitome of service. Once we arrived at our destination, our driver ensured we were connected with a local guide for walking tours that were informative and fun. We were free to wander on our own as well.

To Americans contemplating a similar trip, we had two main concerns prior to leaving: the earthquake damage in and south of Marrakech, and the Middle East political situation. We encountered no problems whatsoever related to either. While in Marrakech and the Ourika Valley, we saw evidence of earthquake damage, but experienced nothing we considered a threat to our safety. Meanwhile, the beautiful Ourika Valley was one of many highlights, so we were very glad it was possible to go there. We discovered the wonderful hospitality Morocco is known for during each part of our journey.

As far as personal safety, follow the advice you would in any large city or tourist area: keep valuables safe and don't carry your cellphone in such a way that it could be easily snatched. The same goes for physical health. We followed general advice to enjoy things that were offered to us in restaurants serving tourists or as part of arranged street tours, while avoiding the temptation to try “exotic”, uncooked things we might find on our own. We ate well, enjoyed lots of mint tea, occasional alcoholic drinks, and had no major problems.

In addition to the Ourika Valley, other highlights included visiting the desert region (camel riding is optional, but a fun-filled 45 minutes if you are game), having a meal of delicious couscous in a Berber home, taking a cooking lesson in Marrakech with a chef, shopping in city souks and at the Fes leather and pottery-making establishments, and learning interesting historical facts during guided walking tours of Marrakech, Fes, Chefchaouen, and Tangier.

If heading north, arrange to stop, if only briefly, at the seaside community of Asilah, which holds a festival each year featuring colorful street murals that remain in place until the following year. While in Tangier, tour the American Legation Museum. Among other things, you will learn about the long history of good relations between the US and Morocco, which, in 1777, was the first country to recognize the US. I could go on!

Speaking for our group, the trip was one that will remain in our memories for years to come thanks to all who were involved!

All accommodations were satisfactory. My favorite city lodgings included the riads in Marrakech and Chefchaouen, where I enjoyed a swim in the indoor pool, and the palace in Fes.

I recently completed a ten day tour of Morocco which was all arranged by this travel company. I am an avid traveler and fortunate to have been on several tours throughout many countries. I have to say that this was by far one of my best trips! We had a remarkable time and will always remember this experience.

During the tour we visited Casablanca, Fes, Marrakech, Chefchaouen and the dessert camp. The package that was arranged by the travel company allowed us to truly EXPERIENCE Morocco's finest. Everything from the culture, history, food, shopping, businesses, mountains, deserts and wildlife….Our private tour guide was PHENOMINAL. He was kind, professional, a wealth of knowledge, patient and should honestly do some standup comedy on the side as he was fun and super funny. Additionally our driver was also amazing. He was super professional, accommodating and a truly skillful driver. Last but not least his car was squeaky clean and comfortable. They made us feel welcome, safe and ensured that we were always comfortable and having a good time.All of the Riads we stayed in were beautiful, elegant and truly all inspiring. Some of my favorites included the one in Marrakech and the one in Chefchaouen.thank you for providing my friends and I with a truly memorable experience. Your attention to detail, patience and true dedication to meeting all of our needs did not go unrecognized. I must have sent our tour organizer over 50 emails over the last few months and I am truly grateful for her assistance. You rock girl!Overall A++ 

This was the trip of a lifetime! There were two couples and all of us felt it was fabulous.

Our driver, with his comfortable, friendly, funny personality, and tremendous wealth of knowledge, made us feel like family.

While making arrangements with Zicasso’s travel agent, we told him what was important to us. We wanted to not only see Morocco, but learn all about its history, culture, food, geography, and people. Our travel team provided us with everything on this list.

Here is what we got: professional, timely service from our agent, our driver, and every one of the local guides. Our guide in Chefchaouen and our hiking guide were both completely familiar with the history and contemporary information of the area. In Fes, our guide was obviously very educated and presented a wonderful walking tour of the city. She is someone I feel blessed to know.

Our accommodations were perfect. Each riad was well-located, beautiful, and welcoming. Let me share a particularly poignant time at our riad in Marrakech. The owner always greeted us on sight. He also spent a good hour or so with us sharing his private art collection across the street – beautifully displayed cultural pieces, antiquities, and the stories behind them. It was so much more than a place to stay. We felt honored to be his guests. I can’t say enough! If you are planning to visit Morocco, call our travel team!