Rabat
Iberia Excursions
- £30-40
- 5.5 hours
- Medium/Hard
CASABLANCA, MOROCCO
We begin our tour with a drive north to Rabat – one of the four imperial cities of Morocco, and the imperial capital, founded in the 12th century.
We begin our tour with a drive north to Rabat – one of the four imperial cities of Morocco, and the imperial capital, founded in the 12th century.
Upon arrival here, we shall drive through Victory Avenue to the King’s Palace. As we view the exterior of the palace, we can savour its impressive arches, an example of fine Islamic architecture.
Next, we drive to the Mohammed V Mausoleum, which contains the tombs of the Moroccan king who achieved independence for the country in 1965, and his two sons. The mausoleum is situated on the southern edge of the Great Mosque. The minaret of the Great Mosque is the famous Hassan Tower, which was intended to be the largest minaret in the world. Due to the death of Sultan Yacoub-al-Mansour, construction on the mosque came to a halt, and the tower only reached approximately 44 metres (140 foot) – almost half of its intended height. The unfinished tower has overlooked Rabat for eight centuries.
The Kasbah des Oudayas is at the heart of the military history of Rabat. The fortress was the site of the original R’bat from which generations of Calvary rode out to bring the heretic Berber tribes to obedience. It has also been a government bastion against repeated attacks by the sea. Originally named ‘Kasbah Andaluse’ following the arrival of the Andalusians, the name was changed when an Arabic tribe called the Oudayas established themselves here. Today the Kasbah is a delightful whitewashed Andalucian village.
We leave Rabat for our return journey to Casablanca, where if time permits we will have some free time at United Nations Square to do some shopping.
TOUR NOTES: This tour includes approximately one hour of walking, with approximately 15 steps to negotiate at the Mausoleum. Please note we will view the outside of the King’s Palace ONLY. The drive from Casablanca to Rabat takes approximately one and a half to one and three quarter hours – a comfort stop will NOT be made. The return journey to Casablanca will be via the motorway. Toilet facilities are available at the Kasbah des Oudayas. For reference, Euros and British Pounds are accepted at the United Nations Square bazaars; in other shops and cafés only Moroccan Dirhams are accepted.
DESCRIPTION CORRECT FOR 2010 CANARIES & MEDITERRANEAN CRUISES
Next, we drive to the Mohammed V Mausoleum, which contains the tombs of the Moroccan king who achieved independence for the country in 1965, and his two sons. The mausoleum is situated on the southern edge of the Great Mosque. The minaret of the Great Mosque is the famous Hassan Tower, which was intended to be the largest minaret in the world. Due to the death of Sultan Yacoub-al-Mansour, construction on the mosque came to a halt, and the tower only reached approximately 44 metres (140 foot) – almost half of its intended height. The unfinished tower has overlooked Rabat for eight centuries.
The Kasbah des Oudayas is at the heart of the military history of Rabat. The fortress was the site of the original R’bat from which generations of Calvary rode out to bring the heretic Berber tribes to obedience. It has also been a government bastion against repeated attacks by the sea. Originally named ‘Kasbah Andaluse’ following the arrival of the Andalusians, the name was changed when an Arabic tribe called the Oudayas established themselves here. Today the Kasbah is a delightful whitewashed Andalucian village.
We leave Rabat for our return journey to Casablanca, where if time permits we will have some free time at United Nations Square to do some shopping.
TOUR NOTES: This tour includes approximately one hour of walking, with approximately 15 steps to negotiate at the Mausoleum. Please note we will view the outside of the King’s Palace ONLY. The drive from Casablanca to Rabat takes approximately one and a half to one and three quarter hours – a comfort stop will NOT be made. The return journey to Casablanca will be via the motorway. Toilet facilities are available at the Kasbah des Oudayas. For reference, Euros and British Pounds are accepted at the United Nations Square bazaars; in other shops and cafés only Moroccan Dirhams are accepted.
DESCRIPTION CORRECT FOR 2010 CANARIES & MEDITERRANEAN CRUISES
-
Snack or meal provided
-
Refreshments available
-
Free time
-
Shopping opportunity
-
Wheelchair access
-
Swimming opportunity
All prices are based on operating costs, tariffs and rates of exchange and are subject to change without notice.
