Signature Series: Exclusive 11-Day Best of Morocco with Celebrity Chef & Maha Founder Shane Delia

After breakfast, join your expert local guide to discover Casablanca on a city tour. Stops include the Hassan II Mosque – one of the largest in the world, and indisputably one of the most beautiful. Partially suspended above the sea and fitted with an enormous retractable roof that opens to beaming sunlight on special days of worship, this feat of architecture – with its hand-carved stone and detailed marble floor – pays tribute to the former King of Morocco.

After catching Casablanca’s highlights, continue towards Morocco’s coastal capital of Rabat, where you’ll embark on a guided tour of the city’s must-see sights. Witness the Hassan Tower, a massive 12th-century minaret built to be the largest of its kind in the Islamic world; see El Mechouar Assaid, Morocco’s Royal Palace, the official residence of King Mohammed VI; and wander through the Kasbah of Oudayas. The surrounding neighbourhood, with alleyways splashed in bright blue and white, is now a residential area teeming with lush gardens and picturesque alleyways.

Signature Highlight: Lunch at Le Dhow Restaurant with Shane Delia

For lunch, meet Shane at a boat restaurant moored on the Bouregreg River for an exceptional dining experience unlike any other. Against the backdrop of the riverside and the Kasbah of the Oudayas  – a UNESCO World Heritage Site  –  enjoy a thoughtfully prepared three-course meal. As dishes arrive, take the rare opportunity to speak with Shane about his restaurants, SBS television projects and industry insights. Sip, savour and connect over the universal language of good food with your small group.

Continue towards Chefchaouen. Here, blue-washed buildings tumble along winding cobblestone lanes, their colours reflecting centuries of Moorish, Jewish and Andalusian heritage. Check into your luxury accommodation at Taj Chefchaouen Luxury Hotel & Spa, a sanctuary perched on a hillside overlooking the city. Gaze over Chefchaouen from the azure waters of the indoor pool, immerse yourself in age-old Moroccan bathing rituals in the hammam and sauna, and after days of adventure, unwind in the opulence of your private suite with a city-view terrace.

Tonight, enjoy a later dinner at the hotel, then let the evening unfold as you wish.

Travel time: Driving – approx. five hours

After a delicious breakfast, it’s time to discover Chefchaouen alongside your local guide, known as Morocco’s ‘Blue City’. With its striking array of buildings in cobalt, sky-blue, indigo and countless other hues, Chefchaouen is a city of narrowly winding cobblestone streets and historic workshops.

Fall in love with this town as you visit the picturesque kasbah with its 15th-century fortifications, as well as the Grand Mosque – the city’s oldest, found in the nearby Place Outa Hammam.

Signature Highlight: Guided goat’s cheese tasting with Shane Delia

Next, Shane will join you for a guided goat’s cheese tasting. Enjoyed in most households, Moroccan goat cheese – otherwise known as jben – is a key part of Morocco’s culinary identity. Here, alongside Shane, you’ll visit a local cheese shop or artisanal farm for the chance to sample a selection of the city’s finest offerings. Learn about the skilled production processes, then follow the guidance of an expert as you taste the nuances of aged goat cheese. Pair your samples with fresh bread, dried fruits and golden-sweet honey, discovering the versatile uses of this staple.

Enjoy lunch at Chez Hicham, a traditional restaurant in the heart of the medina known for its authentic Rif cuisine from the mountain communities of northeastern Morocco. Delight in dishes like lamb tagine with prunes, fresh salads and warm bread. Then, continue to a panoramic viewpoint overlooking the blue city and its mountain backdrop – the perfect place to capture Chefchaouen’s magic.

Enjoy the afternoon at leisure and tonight’s dinner at the hotel.

Check out of your hotel after breakfast, then meet with your guide to depart for the old imperial city of Meknes. Along the way, stop at Volubilis, the well-preserved ruins of a once-prosperous Roman settlement. As you walk through the streets and admire traditional Roman mosaics, gain insight into the Roman citizens who lived there.

Carry on to Meknes and see the final resting place of Moulay Ismail, Morocco’s longest-reigning sultan. As the mausoleum is one of the few spiritual places within Morocco with areas open to the public, embrace this opportunity to admire its representation of intricate Islamic design. Your guide will lead you through the city’s highlights, sharing insight into its fascinating history and cultural treasures.

Signature Highlight: French-style wine tasting with Shane Delia

Visit the acclaimed Château Roslane, one of the city’s most prestigious wineries, where you’ll indulge in a leisurely lunch paired with a tasting of Moroccan wines. Shane joins you for this elegant afternoon as you discover the remarkable convergence of French winemaking tradition and North African terroir. Seated together around the table with Shane, this is your chance to discover his favourite wines and the role they play in shaping his restaurant menus. Under the radiant African sun, take in the sweeping vineyards and ancient olive trees, and settle in for an extraordinary feast for the senses.

Later, continue to Fes and check in at your opulent accommodation.

Signature Accommodation: Riad Fès – Relais & Châteaux

At the five-star Riad Fès – Relais & Châteaux, intricate Moroccan craftsmanship and baroque elegance converge. This meticulously restored palace is a cut above the rest – from The Rooftop with its sweeping views over the imperial city, to the designer spa adorned with stone and tiles, to the sumptuous accommodations. With its One MICHELIN Key award in 2025, this exceptional property promises a world-class experience.

Tonight, enjoy dinner at the hotel’s Gayza Restaurant, where elevated Moroccan classics await.

Travel time: Driving – approx. 4.5 hours

After breakfast this morning, prepare for an exciting cooking class alongside Shane.

Signature Highlight: Cooking class at Riad Salam Fes with Shane Delia

Immerse yourself in Fes’s culinary traditions with a hands-on cooking class led by local chefs in a traditional riad, with Shane by your side. Prepare traditional Moroccan dishes like pastilla – a delicate sweet-and-savoury pie encased in crisp layers of warqa pastry – and watch as Shane adds his own interpretation to the techniques.

Signature Experience: Fes guided tour

This afternoon, delve into Fes’s medieval history as you explore its twisting alleyways on a guided tour. Gaze upon mosaic fountains and breathe in alluring spices as you pass aromatic food stands offering bowls of earthy harira soups and lamb sausages stuffed with paprika.

Walk back through time through Fes Medina, the city’s old town; its cobbled streets are lined with ancient mosques, soaring minarets and historic fondouk hotels. Peek into peaceful courtyards and marvel at the brightly coloured tiling. You’ll stop at Al Attarine Madrasa – an intricate architectural masterpiece  –  and the Karaouiyine  – otherwise known as the University of al-Qarawiyyin.

Signature Highlight: Dinner at L’Amandier in Palais Faraj with Shane Delia

Perched in Palais Faraj, overlooking Fes’ cityscape, L’Amandier offers a seasonal Moroccan feast. Your group and Shane will indulge in some of his favourite Moroccan flavours – think fresh seafood, acclaimed Moroccan olive oil, couscous and dishes like T’faya and Rfissa. Continue to savour every moment alongside Shane and your like-minded companions.

Depart Fes and travel to Merzouga for a change of pace – today you head deep into the Sahara. Pass through cedar forests and cross the Middle Atlas Mountains to the town of Midelt. After a brief stop, descend into the desert wilderness, spellbound by the magic of Erg Chebbi, a truly spectacular ‘Sea of Dunes’.

Along the way, enjoy lunch at Xaluca Boumalne Sidi Ali, where a three-course menu awaits.

The village of Merzouga feels wonderfully isolated, as if the modern world has left it behind; legend has it the settlement was once a lush oasis before being punished by God. Historically, it has been a vital trading post for spice-laden caravans making the trek southward to Timbuktu.

Signature Accommodation: Imperial Glory Lodges

Check into your luxury Berber camp on the edge of the Sahara Desert. While different from the hotels on your journey, this camp is an extraordinary experience  –  with fabric draping from the ceilings, towering dunes all around, an air-conditioned lounge area and a private terrace. During your stay, you’ll find yourself at the centre of a sprawling nature reserve, and at the heart of local Berber culture.

Signature Experience: Medfouna experience at Berber Camp with Shane Delia

Next, enjoy a medfouna preparation workshop alongside Shane, led by a local expert. Otherwise known as ‘Berber pizza’ or ‘desert pizza’, medfouna is a rustic dish originating from Morocco. It’s prepared from round-shaped dough stuffed with fillings like spiced mushrooms, goat cheese, or nuts – soft inside and crispy outside.

Tonight, enjoy a traditional Berber meal by the campfire, complete with the tribal folk music of your hosts. As darkness falls, gaze up at the vast shroud of stars above – a celestial display unmatched by any city skyline. This is the Sahara at its most enchanting, yours for one magical night.

Travel time: Driving – approx. eight hours

Signature Experience: Erg Chebbi sunrise camel safari

Few experiences compare to watching dawn break over the Sahara’s endless dunes. As the sun begins its ascent, it’s time for another bucket-list experience. With the help of your expert guide, mount a camel and set off for the Sahara to experience the changing colours of the sands, watching as the dunes are cast in the morning glow.

Enjoy breakfast at the campsite and then journey toward Todra Gorge. Considered one of Africa’s most spectacular canyons, the views over lush palm groves at the gorge’s floor are breathtaking.

Join a local family for lunch and share a traditional homemade meal that might include rfissa (chicken with msemen, lentils, and fenugreek sauce), Moroccan salad, traditional bread and mint tea – an authentic cultural exchange over food and conversation.

Drive through the Valley of Roses and pass Kelaat M’Gouna, where thousands of Berbers travel for the annual Rose Festival. This springtime celebration honours the fragrant harvest and production of treasured rose water with parades and dancing.

Then, visit Kasbah Taourirt, a 17th-century fortress in the middle of town built by a wealthy local family to control vital trade routes through the Sahara.

Signature Experience: Atlas Studios guided tour

Continue to the city of Ouarzazate, nicknamed the ‘door to the desert’ and home to the world-famous Atlas Studios. Measured by acreage, Atlas is indisputably the largest film studio in the world; movies and television filmed here include Prison Break, Gladiator and the 1999 smash hit The Mummy. Enjoy a guided tour of this blockbuster studio, spotting familiar scenes along the way.

Finally, check into your Ouarzazate hotel for the evening. Nestled in the foothills of the High Atlas Mountains, this luxury hotel feels like a royal village – an ancient kasbah faithfully restored into a magnificent 80-room riad. In downtime, bask under the Moroccan sun by the mosaic-lined swimming pool, or experience traditional cleansing rituals in the hammam.

Tonight, savour dinner at the hotel’s restaurant, where fresh vegetables and herbs from the Riad’s kitchen garden meet regional meats and goat’s cheese crafted at the local dairy.

Travel time: Driving – approx. six hours

After breakfast at your luxury hotel, set out for Ait Benhaddou. A UNESCO World Heritage-listed fortified village (or kasr), Ait Benhaddou is a perfect example of authentic Moroccan mudbrick architecture. In its millennia-long existence, it has served as a trading post, fortress and actor – the location has popped up as a backdrop for countless films and television shows, including Lawrence of Arabia and Game of Thrones.

Once you’ve spent some time exploring, it’s time to venture through the High Atlas and on to the city of Marrakech. Check into your hotel, where you’ll later enjoy dinner.

Signature Accommodation: Sofitel Marrakech Palais Impérial & Spa

Sitting majestically in soft pink hues along a palm-lined avenue in the heart of Marrakech, this palatial retreat reflects Sofitel’s world-renowned French elegance alongside Moroccan grandeur. Moorish arches frame views of the Atlas Mountains, while courtyards are dressed in traditional zellige tilework. Your home for the next three nights, indulge across seven diverse restaurants and bars, a luxurious spa and dreamy pools.

Travel time: Driving – approx. three hours

Set out this morning for a horse-drawn carriage ride through the streets of Marrakech. Learn about the French-influenced architecture of renowned fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent’s one-time residence in Majorelle Garden. Marvel at the magnificent minarets of Koutoubia Mosque – a 12th-century masterwork and one of Marrakech’s most widely recognised structures.

Walk by the buildings of the 15th-century Mellah and wander the streets of this historic Jewish quarter before entering the colonial-inspired Bahia Palace, which housed sultans and the French government until the late 20th century.

This afternoon, meander through the powder-pink ramparts of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Medina of Marrakech. Lose yourself in the bustling bazaars that flank the streets of Old Town, and haggle for a colourful souvenir from one of the open-air souks.

Signature Highlight: Street food experience with Shane Delia

After wandering the Medina of Marrakech, meet Shane for a tasting of iconic Moroccan delicacies. Shane has an intimate understanding of Marrakech’s local culture and an unerring eye for exceptional street food – flavours he often takes home and weaves into his own culinary repertoire. Visit local vendors to sample Méchoui – tender lamb slow-roasted over open flames until it falls from the bone – and Tangia – a stew simmered in traditional urn-shaped terra cotta vessels with saffron, cumin, garlic and lemon. Along the way, taste fresh orange juice, escargots (snails), and Moroccan olives from local food vendors.

Signature Highlight: Tea tasting at Restaurant 1112 with Shane Delia

Step into a meticulously restored riad alongside Shane as you are guided through Morocco’s rich tea heritage. At 1112 – named for the Islamic date carved into its wooden ceiling – discover 12 distinct teas representing the 12 regions of Morocco, each blend telling the story of its terroir. Beneath intricate zellige tilework and hand-carved cedar, learn the art of proper tea preparation while discussing the nuances of each blend.

Spend the evening at leisure – sip mint tea under the stars or get out to experience the city’s electrifying nightlife.

After breakfast at your luxury hotel, prepare for a final day of culinary discoveries, with Shane’s expertise and genuine passion bringing each experience to life.

Signature Highlight: Couscous cooking class at Dar Rhizlane with Shane

Roll up your sleeves alongside Shane in Dar Rhizlane’s professional kitchen where talented chefs reveal the secrets behind Morocco’s most beloved dish. Learn the traditional technique of hand-rolling couscous – a meditative process passed down through generations – before mastering the art of steaming it to fluffy perfection. With the hotel’s chefs leading the way and Shane by your side, prepare accompanying dishes before coming together to enjoy your creations in the riad’s lush garden or sun-drenched terrace.

This afternoon is yours to get to know Marrakech at your own pace.

Signature Highlight: Farewell Dinner at Bô Zin with Shane

Tonight, celebrate the perfect finale to your journey at one of Marrakech’s most iconic nightlife destinations: Bô Zin. Gather with Shane in this ultra-chic space where live performances and DJs set the tone, and savour Asian and European fusion cuisine by candlelight. Reflect together on the tour’s highlights, discover what inspired Shane most, and share the moments that will stay with you long after you return home. Raise a glass as you toast to the memories made and the flavours discovered across Morocco’s most captivating landscapes.

Return to your hotel for a final night in Morocco, carrying with you the warmth of exceptional food, newfound friendships and memories that will linger long after the adventure ends.

After breakfast, it’s time to say goodbye to Morocco as you transfer to Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK) with fast-tracked assistance for your journey onward.