Enjoy a tour of the city's highlights. Most shore excursions include a visit to the Hassan II Mosque. Completed in 1993, this ultramodern structure, with its retractable roof and laser light pointing the way to Mecca, boasts the world's tallest minaret, soaring to almost 700 feet. Visitors are advised to dress respectfully by covering their shoulders and wearing either long trousers or skirts, and to be prepared to take off their shoes. Be aware that not all excursions include a tour of the interior of the mosque. Other Casablanca tours include a visit to Mohammed V Square, with its colonial French architecture, shopping in the central market and having a meal at Rick's Café, a re-creation of the bar made famous in the movie, "Casablanca."
This imperial city is the home of Morocco's royal family and is approximately an hour's drive from Casablanca. Shore excursions to Rabat can include a visit to the ornate Mohammed V Mausoleum, burial site of Morocco's previous two kings. Plain white on the outside, the mausoleum interior contains mosaic walls and gold leaf ceilings. Visitors are advised to dress respectfully by covering their shoulders and wearing either long trousers or skirts. Close to the mausoleum lie the ruins of a 12th century mosque and its remaining minaret, the Hassan Tower. Tours can also include a visit to the plants and flowers of the Andalusian Gardens, first built in the 17th century.
The ancient city of Marrakech has much to offer those who wish to wander the alleys of the medina (old town) and haggle for bargains in the souks (marketplaces). The distance from Morocco is approximately a 3- to 3 1/2-hour drive, one way. Some shore excursions include an overnight stay. Excursions can include a tour of the 19th century Bahia Palace, where visitors can enter the rooms of the former harem. Other sites may include the 12th century Koutoubia Mosque, the Saadian tombs -- burial place of the Saadian dynasty -- and Jamaa el Fna Square, with its fortune tellers, snake charmers, acrobats and musicians.
