Spice Odyssey

Morocco Food Tour

As you embark on a gastronomic journey on this Morocco food tour, let your taste buds unravel the mysteries of a cuisine steeped in history and tradition. From the aromatic blend of spices in the tagines to the flaky layers of the pastries, each dish whispers secrets of the land, the people, and their stories. Follow the tantalizing scents through bustling medinas and quiet alleyways, and discover the hidden gems that await you at every turn.

Long lunches and dinners await at some of Morocco’s most famed restaurants, as well as cooking classes to learn the basics of this unique and fragrant cuisine. Walk the streets on tasting tours of Marrakesh’s Jemaa el-Fnaa, the tightly packed medina of Fes and the more modern marketplace of enigmatic Casablanca. Enjoy tastings at Morocco’s surprising wineries and revel in the hospitality of its people over a glass of mint tea.

In addition to the culinary delights this Morocco food tour has to offer, explore some of its extensive Roman sites, including the last outpost of the empire at Sala’a Colonia and the intricate mosaics of Volubilis. Visit a donkey retirement village, explore the UNESCO listed ksar of Ait Benhaddou and spend a night among a thousand stars in a desert camp at Agafay.

In this culinary adventure, let the food be your guide, and the enigma of Morocco will unfold before you.

21 Days

CASABLANCA – CASABLANCA

$9895 AUD*

Departure dates: 20 November 2024

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Trip code: SOCC *from

MOROCCO FOOD TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Explore the blue village of Chefchaouen and dine at one of its most luxurious riads with a table famed for its gastronomy
Spend ‘a day in the life’ of a Berber family. Learn about their culture, how to cook their dishes and about their relationship with the land and its produce
Dine under the stars at Desert D’Agafay, enjoy the solitude of this desolate place while swapping stories and feasting at a luxury Berber camp
In addition to Morocco’s culinary delights explore its maze-like medinas and colourful shops, archaeological sites and give back with a visit to a donkey refuge that acts as a retirement village for the hardest workers in the country
On this Morocco food tour stay in some of the country’s most traditional and architecturally inspiring riads, locally owned and operated hotels as well as a stay in a luxury desert camp.

The Basics

Start: Casablanca

Finish: Casablanca

Trip style: Special Interest

Max group size: 15

Reasons you’ll love this tour

You love trying new food and love getting to know a destination through its ‘food culture’
You enjoy everything about food from eating in the best restaurants on offer, to experiencing the local street food.
You enjoy staying in accommodation with a traditional local flair
You like meeting local people and giving back to the communities you visit
You want to visit the most iconic sites of a destination as well as some off the beaten path wonders too.
You prefer trips that allow you to explore on your own and give you time to stop and smell the roses.
Authenticity is important to you when travelling

As seen in TravelTalk Magazine!

ITINERARY

Welcome to mighty Casablanca, a jewel on Morocco’s Atlantic coast, historic and timeless. Arrive at the international airport and make you way to the hotel for a welcome meeting and introduction to your Morocco food tour at 17.00.

Our voyage of flavours begins tonight as we meet our fellow culinary connoisseurs, then get jazzed up in our finest ‘fits as we head to the seaside promenade for a classic dinner at iconic Rick’s Café.

You’ll be forgiven for thinking you’ve stepped right onto the set of Casablanca, or at the very least back in time.

As time goes by, listen to the tinkle of jazz tunes on the piano and enjoy the atmosphere and buzz of the roaring 40s.

With a multi-layered history spanning French, Portuguese and Moorish occupation, Casablanca’s food scene is diverse as its architecture.

Today is all about savouring the delights that the Atlantic offers, starting with breakfast at La Sqala, a leafy oasis famed for its fish dishes.

Take a tasting tour through the old medina, then pick up some freshly-caught seafood at the bustling local markets. Watched it cooked before your eyes, and then fill up – because the day’s not yet done!

We’ll need the full afternoon to explore the city’s most beloved landmark, the breath-taking Hassan II Mosque which commands an impressive clifftop position and towers over the city.

The Mosque is a marvel of endlessly detailed architecture, the 7^th largest in the world and the largest in Morocco.

We continue our journey along the Atlantic coastline as we transfer to the laidback coastal seaside town of El Jadida.

Break bread with a local family – literally – with a visit to a community oven.

For many Moroccans, baking bread is a communal activity, and these ovens are a way to share resources and get to know your neighbours. There’s something special about a staple that’s prepared to share, hot out of the oven to warm your cockles.

Lunch with a view at the ocean terrace of Hotel L’Iglesia, a seaside restaurant set in a 19^th century Spanish church.

Morocco’s cities and buildings are instantly memorable from its brightly coloured tiles, and ceramics are a huge part of the landscape. Visit the National Ceramics Museum today in the walled city of Safi, once a Portuguese colony.

Head out in the early evening and dine by the sea in the coastal resort city of Essaouira. Take in the ocean breeze as you enjoy the fresh seafood on the open-air terrace at Il Mare restaurant, whose food is as fresh as the catch from the local fishermen who head out over the waves early each morning.

Thankfully, you can relax as you don’t have to get up with the sun, but as it goes down, ease your muscles and let down your guard as you share a traditional hammam experience with the group.

You’ve sampled the city’s seafood delights, now get a taste for its streets as you wander the promenade and explore the medina with a local guide in the morning. Allow yourself to slip into the unhurried pace of Essaouira, a favourite city for Moroccan holidaymakers and where Moroccan time is truly in place. The sandy-hued walls of the ramparts surrounding the city offer a stunning contrast to the jewel tones of the Atlantic.

We’ll prove to you this afternoon that Morocco offers more than just scenery and food, as you’ll have a chance to discover some of its liquid delights (and not just the mint tea that by now you’ll be very familiar with).

As an Arabic country, many are surprised to discover that Morocco has a thriving wine industry. Swirl, sip and savour some of the country’s best wines with a tasting at Val D’Argan Winery, which specialises in varietals from the Rhone valley. With a unique terroir that gets its characteristics from the desert and the nearby ocean, the country’s most southern vineyard offers some great drops. Chin chin!

Our next stop on the Atlantic route is Agadir, home to some of the country’s best beaches and some of the coolest surfer dudes (and dudettes).

Admire some smooth surfing moves, or watch some wipe-outs as you enjoy a lunch en plein air at the outdoor terrace of Scala, a restaurant specialising in traditional French cuisine.

If lunch was classic and historic cuisine, dinner will be prehistoric, as we’ll be eating at one of Morocco’s quirkiest spots, Dinosaures Restaurant. This iconic cliffside spot is known for its tasty Moroccan cuisine as well as its unusual décor: the grounds and rooms of the restaurant are home to several dinosaurs. Don’t worry, you’ll be doing the eating – they’re just statues (but maybe don’t turn your back on the T-rex).

Good morning, Agadir – maybe today will be your chance to push pineapples and shake some trees – or at the very least try some dried fruit and tree nuts at the Souk El Had food market, which we’ll explore this morning.

A feast of the senses, tickle your taste buds with samples of traditional Moroccan sweets and small goods, and niggle your nostrils with the dizzying aroma of spices. Stalls feature wares of every colour of the rainbow, so your eyes will not go hungry either.

This afternoon is yours to do as you wish – perhaps you’ll brave the waves and attempt some surfing moves of your own. Whether you’re hanging ten or taking ten minutes to relax and soak up the atmosphere in one of the cities pubs or cafes, there’s oodles to explore.

Share the day’s stories over the table at Restaurant Les Blancs, whose food reflects a Mediterranean influence with a plethora of tapas dishes on the menu to share.

Rise early this morning to learn where your breakfast is from. Tour a permaculture farm on the outskirts of the city and learn about some of the contemporary farming practices in the country and eat food straight from the source.

For a true paddock to plate experience, continue with a fuller breakfast at Domaine Villate Limoune, a citrus orchard and café within the same complex.

Leave the sea in the rear-view mirror and head inland along the caravan route to the historic ksar of Ait Bennhaddou.

Along the way, stop for snacks in the walled market city of Taroudant, and lunch at Dar Zitoune, an upscale Moroccan restaurant set amidst the grounds of an olive grove.

Overnight in Ait Bennhaddou, a UNESCO site and an iconic example of clay architecture. You’ll truly feel like you’ve stepped back in time and joined a historic caravan at the gateway between the Sahara and the coast.

A country’s food and its culture are inseparable and it is no different in Morocco. On this Morocco food tour a huge tile in the complex Moroccan mosaic is Berber culture, which you’ll get to immerse yourself in today as you spend a day in the life of a Berber family.

Having farmed the remote areas of Morocco and North Africa for centuries, these families have a unique understanding and relationship with the land and its produce.

Alongside Berber people who occupy this area, you’ll learn to bake bread, cook Tagine and process olive oil – all evidence of the self-sustaining practices the ethnic groups here have practiced for generations.

Observe traditional weaving practices with a visit to a carpet factory, and use your free time in the afternoon to explore the historic site, or get to know the locals better over tea.

Tonight’s guesthouse, Fibule D’or, affords a stunning view over the clay-roofed dwellings of the city. We’ll dine here tonight and watch the sun set over the saffron-hued walls of the old Ksar.

Continue along the Caravan route today to Mighty Marrakesh. Leave the farming lifestyle behind as we head to the big city, the centre of the Berber empire in centuries past, and still a hugely important centre today.

A sprawling mix of mosques, palaces and gardens surrounding the tightly-packed (and pink!) central Medina, Marrakesh is a maze of hidden corners and hidden gems that is yours to explore for the remainder of the day.

Lose yourself in a lush tropical oasis this morning at Anima, a paradise garden on the fringes of Marrakesh populated by quirky sculptures courtesy of Austrian artist Andre Heller.

Lunch will be in the cliffside village of Ourika, named after the river on which the hilly town is precariously purched. Listen to the sounds of the rushing river as you dine, before heading to a donkey and mule refuge.

These noble pack animals take up so much of the burden of the rural lifestyle in Morocco, from carrying supplies to ferrying tourists. Inverted Atlas will make a donation on the group’s behalf to ensure that the retired animals in the refuge are cared for in their respite.

This evening’s meal takes place under the stars in Desert D’Agafay, a vast stony plain where you can enjoy the solitude and the food at La Boheme, a luxury Berber camp. Swap stories and share plates as you experience the nightlife of Morocco’s desert nomads.

Today’s is ours to become intimately familiar with magnificent Marrakesh. Delve deep into its alleyways, visit some of the city’s iconic sites alongside the crowds, then duck into secret corners that we’ll have all to ourselves.

Sip tea at Riad Yma, an unassuming tea shop and art gallery hidden in the depths of the medina. Let Marrakesh make its mark on you and get painted at the Henna Art Café over lunch. Explore awe-inspiring mosques and palaces with their towering minarets and endlessly intricate mosaics, and take a breather in some of the city’s lush gardens.

Your feet and eyes may have done most of the sightseeing during the today, but tonight we’ll take your tastebuds on a tour as we go on a food walk through the medina and Djnema El Fina, the city’s main square where street vendors, snack stands and hole-in-the-wall outlets await you with delectable treats both sweet and salty.

After a big day, you’ve certainly earned your first – and maybe several cocktails at Barometre, the city’s only bar dedicated to the art of mixology. It may feel like a New York speakeasy from the prohibition era, but the family atmosphere and impressive bartending acrobatics here will make the dark hours fly by.

You may feel like a connoisseur of Moroccan cuisine by this point, but now you can put your newfound expertise to the test with a group cooking class. There’s something special about sharing food you’ve made together, so settle in for an easy camaraderie over lunch.

Make sure you leave room for dessert with a stop at Patisserie des Prince on the way back into Marrakech. As the name suggests, this European-style patisserie makes intricate sweets fit for royalty – as pastry gleams at you tantalisingly from the counters, you’ll have a hard time deciding which bonbon to choose!

Dinner tonight is as entertaining as it is delicious, as you’ll be wowed by an incredible show as you chow down on fine dining at Camptoir Darna. Featuring traditional music, colourful costumes and belly dancing, Marrakesh’s comptoirs are an essential night out pairing vivid spectacle and gourmet cuisine.

Leave Marrakech behind and head to Rabat for a capital time – the country’s capital, Rabat rests along the shores of the Bouregreg River and our old friend, the Atlantic. Its architecture speaks to its mixed Islamic and French Colonial heritage, but Rabat is a modern and cosmopolitan centre known for its museums and galleries.

The city’s twin icons, the Kasbah of the Udayas, a Berber-era royal fort surrounded by French-style gardens; and the Hassan II Tower, a 12^th century minaret standing guard over the picturesque mosque ruins, will form the backdrop of our lunch in the sky at Legend Club.

After a legendary lunch, it’s only fitting that we spend the afternoon at a site whose history spans mighty empires from the Phoenicians to the Berbers. We take a tour of the Sala Colonia, or Chellah, an archaeological site whose ruins include a medieval necropolis.

Cool down with some ice cream as you are guided through some of Rabat’s main sites, then check in to the hotel before heading back out to a dinner with a difference at Le Dhow, a unique restaurant located on an historic wooden yacht in Rabat’s harbour.

We travel northwards, on our Morocco food tour, to the dreamy azure-coloured city of Chefchaouen, whose buildings are uniformly painted in regulation blue.

Soak in the Sapphire-hued scenery over coffee with a view at Panoramic café, then head into the city proper for a walk through the medina. Take your time to hunt down some insta-worthy shots of aquamarine alleyways and cerulean streetscapes with an afternoon at leisure to wander and pose.

Lunch today will be at a traditional Riad famed for its gastronomical delights. Restaurant Hicham will put one of the most reputed tables of Chefchaouen at your disposal.

In addition to its famed restaurant, Hicham Riad will be our host tonight. Spend the afternoon in the riads traditional luxury or continue your exploration of the blue village.

Enjoy a sleep in this morning or take some more time to explore the blue village of Chefchaouen. Check out the villages local restaurants and grab some lunch before we head to the sprawling medina of Fes where we will check in to our local riads.

The medina of Fes is tightly packed and local riads are small, hence depending on the number of travellers on the tour, we may need to spread our group over two of them. Never fear both are amazing local experiences and they are very close to each other.

Today we will embark on a walking tour that will take in the sights, sounds and most importantly, the tastes of Fes. On our walk we will see the enigmatic blue gate, visit the Bouanania Madrassa, stroll through the Jenan Sbil Gardens and stand before the gates of the Royal Palace.

We will also the explore Mellah, the historic Jewish Quarter of Fes where we will taste fish sandwiches, Bisara, beans and pastries.

After our morning walking tour, the remainder of the day is yours to become pleasantly lost in the sprawling medina.

We will move a little further afield today as we begin with a drive to the southern fortress for a panoramic view of the medina. It is only from a high vantage point that the exact ‘sprawl’ of the medina can be understood.

After we have spent some time enjoying the view, we will visit a Moroccan mosaic factory to see the process by which Morocco’s beautiful, colourful tiles (with which by now you should be infinitely familiar) are made and fitted together.

Our next stop will be the famous Fes tanneries where leather is placed in colourful pots of dye and then sold as one of the cities prime exports. We will rest our feet at Qaraouine University, and perhaps stop for pastries and juice.

After our short break we will visit the Mausoleum of Molay Idriss who ruled Morocco from 807 to 828 and is widely considered to be the founder of Fes.

For lunch today we will embark on another tasting tour through the city stopping to try Harira, Msemen and local bread straight from the oven.

At the conclusion of the food walk we will make our way back to our riad. The evening is yours to enjoy as you wish.

This morning we are in for a real treat as we head to the riad of Dar Settash for a lesson in cooking traditional ‘Fesbian’ cuisine. Our cooking class takes place on the roof of the riad and we will be able to enjoy a fantastic view of the city while cooking, learning and tasting this riads amazing cuisine.

After we have eaten the marvellous repast cooked by our own hands, we will tip our hats to Fes and head for the city of Meknes.

On arrival we will visit the archaeological site of Volubilis, Morocco’s premier ancient Roman city. The city was originally of ancient Berber origin and is thought to have been the capital of the ancient kingdom of Mauretania. It’s remains are primarily Roman owing to the cities conquest in the first century CE. We will explore this amazing lost city and see the intricate mosaics for which it is famous, the Tingis Gate, Basilica and Roman Baths.

After we have had our fill of exploring the ruins we will check into our traditional riad for the night.

This morning we will take a stroll around the old medina of Meknes before a visit to a local winery to taste some more of Morocco’s best oenological delights.

In the afternoon we will head back to Casa as the locals call it and check into our hotel for the evening.

This evening join your trip leader and travelling companions for a special farewell dinner to reminisce about your culinary adventure through fantastical Morocco.

Your Morocco food tour comes to an end today after breakfast.

Trip map - Morocco Food Tour — Trip Map – Spice Odyssey

Details – Morocco Food Tour

Duration: 21 Days

Trip style: Special Interest – Food & Wine

Group size: Minimum 6 / Maximum 15

Trip code: SOCC

Cost: $9895.00 AUD twin share

Single supplement: $2197.00 AUD

Inclusions

20-nights accommodation in local hotels, riads and luxury desert camp
Meals and tastings as specified in itinerary (B = Breakfast / L = Lunch / D = Dinner)
Some drinks with meals
Wine tastings as specified in the itinerary
All entrance fees and transportation
Services of your Inverted Atlas trip leader and local guides

Trip price does not include

International airfares or domestic airfares
Airport transfers on arrival and departure
Visa for Morocco (if required)
Meals not included as per trip itinerary including some drinks and mini bar
Additional accommodation before or after the tour
Items of a personal nature including but not limited to laundry, souvenirs, porterage etc.
Travel insurance – please note comprehensive travel insurance is a condition of travel with Inverted Atlas

Journey Rating – Journey

This is a Morocco food tour and while Morocco is a well-trodden tourist path people in some areas will still be curious about you and where you come from. Accommodation on this trip is of a good standard and has been locally sourced. Most meals are included along with tastings where specified in the itinerary. There is some free time to rest or explore on your own so you are unlikely to get worn out by rigorous sightseeing you might find on other trips.

Please note that Morocco is an Islamic country and men and women should dress appropriately to avoid causing cultural offense and attracting unwanted attention. Men should come prepared with long pants and women should bring either a long dress/skirt or long kaftan and long light pants (not jeans). At any time should you wish to enter a mosque this dress code will be a requirement and women should have a scarf to cover their hair.

People following vegan, vegetarian and gluten free diets can be accommodated on this Morocco food tour, provided this is advised to Inverted Atlas at the time of booking.

A note about fitness

This Morocco food tour requires a moderate level of physical fitness. You should be able to walk up to 3km during sightseeing and manage uneven surfaces. You may also run into an eastern style squat toilet in public areas occasionally (beware if you have knee issues). Amenities in Morocco will be a bit different to what you would find at home and elements could be out of the comfort zone of a few travellers.

You will need to be able to carry your own luggage to and from the vehicle and into the accommodation, as well as on and off the train. (Due to OH&S regulations our trip leaders are not able to assist with luggage.)

In addition, you should be in good health, with no major chronic conditions requiring frequent medical attention. While all our trip leaders are required to have a valid first aid certificate, they are far from doctors and any assistance they are able to provide will be limited to basic first aid. For more information please see our booking conditions.

Single supplement

Traveling by yourself? No problem, we love single travellers and don’t believe in penalising them by charging half the trip price again for our single supplement. With us you are only paying the actual cost to have a room all to yourself. If you’re up for making a new friend, you can elect to share with another single traveller of the same sex and only pay the twin-share price. The choice is yours!

Trip leader description

Accompanying you along your Morocco food tour will be your Inverted Atlas trip leader. Your trip leader is a logistics extraordinaire, keeps the trip running smoothly and ensures you have the best time possible on your trip. It is important to know that while your trip leader has the best job in the world, they aren’t actually on holidays, but rather they are there to make sure you have the best time while you are on your holiday!

Your trip leader may at times need some time out so that they can complete back of house tasks that ensure everyone continues to enjoy the trip. It is also your trip leaders’ job to handle any issues (heaven forbid!) that come up while you’re on your trip like:

If you lose your passport or other travel documents
If there is a problem with your room at the booked accommodation – seriously please tell your trip leader don’t wait until you leave
If you become unwell and need to find a pharmacy
Assisting with restaurant recommendations or additional sightseeing during free time
Questions regarding the itinerary

Your trip leader will have some good local knowledge about the destination in which you are traveling, however they are not a ‘local guide’. You’re welcome to ask your trip leader anything about the trip and if they don’t know they will find out and get back to you.

Other people you will meet along the way are ‘local guides’ who are generally available to the group in specific towns or at specific sites like national parks, temples or archaeological sites. These people are the local experts and will be able to answer any questions you may have about the history and culture of a specific site.

Itinerary disclaimer

This itinerary for this Morocco food tour is correct at the time of upload to our website and we have composed it in good faith. From time to time we may elect to make changes before departure, if we are making a big change we will of course notify you, however if it is a small change this will be reflected in the final trip notes.

So, make sure you download the notes for your Morocco food tour prior to departure. Small changes prior to departure are usually made with the groups best interests in mind and come about due to liaising with our best resources – our past travelers and of course our trip leaders! The ability to change and evolve depending on what our travelers enjoy is what makes us such a great trip operator.

While we strive to operate our trips exactly to the letter of the itinerary, sometimes we may need to make changes on the ground while the group is on the road. This is all part of the adventure of traveling and we would ask that you come on your trip with an open mind and a good sense of humour because as much as we want it to, everything doesn’t always go to plan. In fact, these impromptu situations often make the best stories that you can have a laugh with your friends about later.

Age requirements

Minimum Age: 18 years

Due to the theme of this trip (Food & Wine) we are only accepting travellers 18 years or older on this Morocco tour.

There is no upper age limit for this trip, but you should consider the above fitness requirements prior to booking. If you are 75 years or over, you will be asked to complete our Health Check Form and have your medical practitioner sign it to confirm you are in good health and able to participate safely on this trip.

Travel insurance

Please note that comprehensive travel insurance is a condition of travel with Inverted Atlas on this Morocco food tour. Insurance must include provision for medical situations, emergency medical repatriation to your home country and personal liability at a minimum. Proof of valid travel insurance will be requested by your trip leader on arrival at the pre-departure meeting. Please have this paperwork available for them. If you are unable to provide proof of comprehensive travel insurance, you may not be allowed to join the trip and no refund will be payable.