After arrival we will head straight to the Riad for check in and rest. Around noon everyone will check into their rooms and be given the time to shower and change if they desire. The group will then have lunch and be provided with a short Darija (Moroccan Arabic) course and program orientation by their program leaders! This afternoon we'll do a bit of exploring around our neighborhood before enjoying a delicious dinner.

After breakfast students will start their Moroccan adventure by visiting the Hassan II Mosque; the largest mosque in Morocco and the 13th largest in the world (its minaret is the world's tallest at 689 ft.). The walls are composed of handcrafted marble and the roof is retractable; it also stands on a promontory looking out to the Atlantic Ocean, allowing worshippers to pray over the sea. Students will take a guided tour inside the mosque and then have the chance to pair off to photograph and explore the stunning exterior architecture. Afterwards, the group will be privately transported to Meknes (4hrs drive).

After breakfast we will be transported to the Archaeological Site of Volubilis. Volubilis contains essentially Roman vestiges of a fortified municipium built on a commanding site at the foot of the Jebel Zerhoun. Covering an area of 42 hectares, it is of outstanding importance demonstrating urban development and Romanisation at the frontiers of the Roman Empire and the graphic illustration of the interface between the Roman and indigenous cultures. Because of its isolation and the fact that it had not been occupied for nearly a thousand years, it presents an important level of authenticity. It is one of the richest sites of this period in North Africa, not only for its ruins but also for the great wealth of its epigraphic evidence. Students will discover the archaeological vestiges of this site and bear witness to several civilizations. (A group reflection will be held here.) Afterwards, the group will head back to Moulay Idriss Zerhoun and take an afternoon guided tour though the old city. This holy town holds a special place in the hearts of Moroccans; it was here that Moulay Idriss I arrived in 789, bringing with him the religion of Islam, and starting a new dynasty.

After breakfast the group will be privately transported to Marrakech. The drive will be broken up by lunch in Rabat and a quick stop for students to view Hassan Tower. Upon arrival to Marrakech, dinner will be served at Nomad. Nomad is an old carpet store off the famed Rah Lakdima rooftop which offers fantastic views of the surrounding Medina.

After breakfast the students will be taken on a guided tour through Marrakech's old medina! Come afternoon everyone will have the opportunity to shop and browse through the souk. Marrakech's marketplace is the largest in Morocco and famed throughout the world as one of the most exotic places to shop. This will be the perfect time to pick up a few souvenirs and for the students to bargain with artisans in Arabic!

Mid-morning students will depart for Ourika Valley! This blooming valley a little more than 50km south of Marrakech is the city's escape hatch from the soaring summer heat. The valley is especially mood-altering in March, when almond and cherry orchards bloom manically and wildflowers run riot! The group will do a little hiking and then have picnic next to Ourika's river.

The group will depart after breakfast for Essaouira. Essaouira is a beautiful coastal city's medina is built up like a fortress from the sea and protected by 18th-century ramparts. After checking-into the Riad, everyone will walk to the main square to enjoy Moroccan mint tea on a rooftop terrace to watch the sunset and discover Essaouira!

After breakfast the group will set out for the day, starting with a local guided tour of the medina. After lunch the group will head back to their riad and regroup for their afternoon activity. Due to Essaouira's small and quaint medina, it is indefinitely the perfect setting for the students to have a scavenger hunt! This activity will give them the opportunity to interact with local artisans and use their arabic skills! Upon finishing this exercise, a reflection meeting will be held on the beach. The group will end their last day taking a camel ride down the beach at sunset!

After breakfast, the group will be transported back to Casablanca for the flight back to the US.