Morocco: a Culinary Crossroads

Feb 25

Written By Claudia Royston

From your host, Madelaine Bullwinkel

I fell in love with Morocco when I was there in 2021, and nowhere is the history and culture of a country to be found more in its food than Morocco. This itinerary traces the full arc of Moroccan history and identity in a single journey: Morocco's medieval past in Fez and Meknes, its African trading roots in Marrakech, its Atlantic and European connections in Rabat and Essaouira. And at every stop, we immerse ourselves in the kitchens, the markets, and the daily life of the people who live there.

Moroccan culture is best described as a layered patchwork of fascinating cuisines and historic places. Since antiquity it has been a two-way highway connecting Asian and African trade routes with the Mediterranean world. On this trip, we will experience a panorama of its layered character as we cook traditional dishes, tour three royal cities and visit six UNESCO World Heritage sites.

From the medieval to the modern, we will discover its food, wine and people. We will dip our feet in the ocean, lounge comfortably in the desert and wander Fez’s labyrinthian Medina. Come join us. It’s going to be an unforgettable experience.

Tour inclusions and exclusions can be found here. Meals are annotated Terms and conditions can be found here. Please don’t travel without travel insurance.

Madelaine Bullwinkel has been teaching the ‘how to’s and whys’ of French cooking at Chez Madelaine Cooking School for almost 50 years and has led culinary tours to France since 1995.

DATE
October 2-13, 2026

Price;
Double: $6,190
Single: $7,960

Book Here

Tour price includes flight from Fez to Marrakech on Day 6 on RyanAir.

Hotels:

Rabat: La Tour Hassan

Meknes; Roslane Boutique Hotel

Fez: Palais Amani

Essaouira: Le Golf d’Essaouira Hotel & Spa

Marrakech: Ryad Dyor

Sample Itinerary

Day 1: Rabat

Rabat is easily accessible from several European gateway cities. Please note: the tour begins in Rabat and ends in Marrakech. You can buy an open-jaw ticket into Rabat and out of Marrakech via Paris on Air France. Alternatively, you can fly into Casablanca and add a transfer to Rabat (about an hour, not included). Transfer from Rabat airport is included.

In the late afternoon, take a tour of Rabat, the capital of Morocco and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit the Hassan Tower, which is the towering minaret of the Hassan Mosque built in 1195, the Kasbah of the Udayas in Rabat’s Medina. This fortification is erected on a mountain, overlooking the ocean, and was constructed during the realm of the Almohads. Inside the Kasbah one can come across Andalusian gardens full of fountains, orange trees, flowers, and palms. Continue to the ancient necropolis ofChellah. After the tour, enjoy the welcome dinner then overnight at the hotel. Expect drive time: 40 min.

Overnight: La Tour Hassan Palace (D)

Day 2 Rabat -> Meknes

After breakfast, journey to the magnificent imperial city of Meknes, a UNESCO World Heritage site and former seat of the Moroccan sultanate. This captivating city blends its storied past with vibrant present-day life, its ancient medina a labyrinth of narrow streets lined with grand buildings that bear witness to its imperial legacy.

Explore the remnants of three impressive fortifications ingeniously incorporated into the modern road network—testament to the city's importance during Sultan Moulay Ismail's 17th-century reign. The sultan's ornate tomb sits at the heart of the original imperial city, flanked by two striking monuments: the almighty royal granary and the magnificent Bab el-Mansour, considered one of North Africa's most beautiful gates. Adorned with intricate tilework and carved inscriptions, this monumental entrance epitomizes Meknes' architectural splendor.

Overnight: Chateau Roslane (B, D)

Day 3: Volubulis

After breakfast, drive to Volubilis to explore one of North Africa's best-preserved Roman cities. Stone arches and columns — some toppled, others still standing — mark what was once a thriving imperial outpost at the edge of the empire.

Only half of this 100-acre UNESCOsite has been excavated. The Capitol, Basilica, and Forum date to the 3rd century AD, but the real treasures are underfoot: intricate tile mosaics depicting Orpheus, Hercules, and other mythological scenes, their colors astonishingly vivid after centuries exposed to wind and sun.

Afterwards, visit the nearby Villa Volubilia vineyard for a tour and tasting. Located in the heart of the Meknès region — the historic cradle of Moroccan wine with viticultural dating back to 2000 BCE — the tasting is accompanied by local olive oils, dried fruit, and goat cheeses from the region. Return to Meknes for some shopping and then dinner at the hotel.

Overnight: Chateau Roslane (B, L, D)

Day 4: Meknes -> Fez

After breakfast, drive to Fez where we will embark on a culinary tour with private guided exploration of three distinct souks, each specializing in different culinary traditions. Visit spice merchant, honey vendors, and traditional food artisans. We continue to the 400 year-old communal oven where you will witness traditional bread-making and bake your own loaf. The afternoon features an advanced spice blending workshop where you learn to create complex spice blends (ras el hanout etc..).

After lunch start your visit to one of the most imperial, timeless, and untouched cities in the world, the cultural heart of Morocco, Fez El Bali (Old Fez). Enjoy exploring some of the 9,000 narrow lanes and alleys in the souks (open air markets) that make-up the labyrinth of the city's old quarter, originally founded in the 8th century. The Imperial capital was a renowned medieval learning center, and at its heart remains the Karaouine, one of the oldest, still functioning universities in the world. Nearby is the Attarine Medersa (Koranic college), a jewel of Hispano-Moorish architecture, built in the 14th century. Then you’ll visit the Nejjarine Square, with its beautiful fountain, a mosaic of elaborate tile work, and the fondouq (Caravanserai) that has been converted to a Museum of Carpentry. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Overnight: Palais Amani (B, D)

Day 5 Fez

After breakfast, continue exploring Fez with your guide. The city unfolds in layers: Fez El Jdid (New Fez), built in the 13th century, centers on the Royal Palace and the Mellah — the old Jewish quarter with its distinctive enclosed balconies and interior courtyards.

But the real heart of Fez is the medieval medina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world's largest car-free urban areas. You'll visit the Chouara Tannery, which has been dyeing leather using the same methods for nine centuries. The smell is unforgettable, but the views from surrounding balconies are spectacular. You'll also watch potters shaping traditional Fassi ceramics in the artisan quarters.

During the tour, we will gather our ingredients for a cooking class at the Palais Amani — a meticulously restored 19th-century palace with carved cedar ceilings and hand-laid zellige tilework. The class moves to a rooftop kitchen with views over the medina's rooftops and minarets. You'll learn the techniques behind dishes that can't easily be replicated at home without knowing the how: the layering of spices in a slow-cooked tagine, the paper-thin pastry of a bastilla, the right balance of preserved lemon and fresh herb. The chef teaches hands-on, adjusting and explaining alongside you. Afterwards, enjoy the fruits of your labors!

Overnight: Palais Amani (B, D)

Day 6 Fez -> Essaouira

This afternoon, we will fly to Marrakech, from where we will travel to Essaouira. Nestled along the Atlantic coast, Essaouira is a fortified port that became the most important trading center in Morocco in the 17th century. Today it remains the country's third-largest fishing port.

The walled medina was added to UNESCO's World Heritage list in 2001 for its unique orderly grid layout rather than the usual labyrinth of narrow lanes found elsewhere in Morocco.

Upon arrival, a brief guided tour introduces you to this charming seaside town — its history and architecture shaped by Portuguese fortification in the 16th century, French design in the 18th century, and a thriving Jewish merchant community that once dominated the city's trade in sugar, textiles, and spices between Europe, Africa, and the Sahel. After lunch on a rooftop overlooking the medina and port, wander the narrow streets lined with colorful shops. Its relaxed creative spirit that has long drawn artists, musicians, and expats gives it an unhurried atmosphere, making it a perfect place to explore at your own pace. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Overnight: Le Golf d’Essaouira Hotel & Spa (B,L)

Day 7 Essaouira - Dinner by Candlelight

This morning there are a couple of options:

Early risers: 7:00 AM departure to the fish market and harbor. Watch the boats come in, the catch being sorted, and the morning bustle. Return to hotel by 9:00 AM for breakfast.

For everyone: Relax by the pool, book a spa treatment, walk the private beach, or shuttle into town around 10:30 to walk the ramparts and browse the souks.

In the late afternoon (leaving from the hotel), we’ll head north up the coast for a special hands-on cooking class at a small auberge. Upon arrival, you'll have time for a guided camel walk along the beach — the wide Atlantic sands stretching in both directions, Back at the restaurant, you'll learn to prepare the catch of the day in the traditional coastal style. Your local chef will guide you through the region's distinctive approach: lighter spice blends that enhance the fish, using chermoula marinade with its blend of cilantro, garlic, cumin, and lemon, and grilling over charcoal to achieve the perfect char. Afterwards, sit down to eat what you've made by candlelight. After dinner, return to the hotel.

Overnight: Le Golf d’Essaouira Hotel & Spa (B, D)

Day 8 Essaouira -> Marrakech

After checking out of our hotel, our first stop will be the Val d’Argan winery. Started in 1994, Morocco's southernmost vineyard specializes in Rhône varieties and uses camels instead of tractors. After a tasting an lunch, we’ll continue to Marrakech.

Discover the magic of Marrakech, the "Red City," with visits to its most iconic landmarks. Stand before the majestic Koutoubia Mosque with its towering 12th-century minaret, then explore the ornate 19th-century Bahia Palace, a masterpiece of Moroccan craftsmanship featuring intricate tilework and carved cedar throughout its 150 rooms and courtyards.

Dive into the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage medina as we navigate the vibrant artisan quarters and legendary souks. In the aromatic spice souk, discover pyramids of colorful spices—saffron, cumin, ras el hanout, and more—while learning about their culinary and medicinal uses from local merchants. Experience the sights, sounds, and scents that have defined Marrakech's bustling marketplace for centuries.

Overnight: Ryad Dyor (B, L, D)

Day 9 Marrakech morning, PM farm cooking class

This morning, we'll visit the Majorelle Garden and Yves Saint Laurent Museum. The garden was created in the 1920s by French painter Jacques Majorelle — a botanical refuge of exotic plants arranged around reflecting pools and his Art Deco studio painted in electric cobalt blue. Yves Saint Laurent bought it in 1980 to save it from demolition. Within the grounds, the Berber Museum displays his personal collection of Amazigh jewelry and textiles. The YSL Museum traces the designer's career through sketches and haute couture in a striking modernist building. Lunch on your own.

In the late evening, head into the Ourika Valley to The Bennounas Farm for an evening that's equal parts cooking class and mountain retreat. Chef Azzeddine Bennouna and his wife Marie welcome you to their villa, perched against the Atlas Mountains. The afternoon begins with mint tea and a walk through the gardens to pick seasonal produce. A local Berber woman leads you through making couscous the traditional way using the two-tiered couscoussière. While it steams, swim in the pool or sit with the view. Then eat what you've made — dinner on the terrace as the mountains turn pink, with wine and the kind of quiet that only comes this far from the city. You'll be back at your hotel by late evening.

Overnight: Ryad Dyor (B, D)

Day 10 Into the Mountains

After breakfast, head south into the High Atlas to the Imlil Valley — one of Morocco's most beautiful mountain landscapes. At almost 6,000 feet, the valley is a patchwork of terraced walnut and fruit orchards and pink-hued Berber villages, with the snow-capped peaks of Mount Toubkal rising behind.

You'll meet your mountain guide over mint tea in Asni, then continue up to the village of Imlil. From there, it's an easy hike through traditional settlements and into the hills — cool air, wide views, paths that wind between stone houses and walnut groves. (Mules available for those who just want to enjoy the view.) The morning ends at the home of a local Amazigh family, who'll welcome you in for a traditional lunch: tagine, warm bread from the clay oven, and mint tea. Through your guide, a conversation opens up — daily life, farming, the seasons.

You'll be back in Marrakech by mid-afternoon, with the mountains you left behind visible in the distance.

Overnight: Ryad Dyor (B, L)

Day 11 - Escape to the Desert

This morning is at leisure for final sightseeing, shopping and packing. This afternoon presents a unique opportunity to experience a desert in Morocco. About 40 minutes from Marrakesh is the White Camel is nestled in the breathtaking landscapes of the Agafay Desert and blends traditional Berber charm with modern elegance . We’ll spend an enchanting afternoon and evening enjoying he camp, an oasis of low tents, billowing canvas, handwoven carpets, and lantern-lit spaces.

Our visit will be perfectly timed to catch the late afternoon light. The pool is the heart of the afternoon — its panoramic oasis area gives wide-open views of rolling desert hills, olive trees, and unforgettable sunset views and there will be cocktails to enjoy as the sun sets.

If you want to be more active, there's a good menu of experiences to book on-site. Activities include camel rides, quad biking, buggy rides, horseback rides, yoga, and hiking (not included). As the sun drops, dinner is served in one of their atmospheric tents as well look back on and celebrate our amazing journey together.