.. Experience the delights of exotic North Africa combined with visits to stunningly different gardens including Majorelle Gardens once owned by Yves St. Laurent and in Taroudante,  a hotel set in over 15 acres of inspirational gardens ..

Tour summary

The delights of exotic Morocco form a backdrop to two of the most special gardens we have discovered on our travels. 

In Marrakech a doorway on a side road leads to one of the city's hidden wonders - Majorelle Garden. An amazing botanical garden. The vision of French artist Jacques Majorelle and bought by Yves Saint Laurent in 1980. At is heart a vivid blue building surrounded by cacti and plants suited to Morocco. 

In Taroudant, 50 miles south of Agadir, our chosen hotel, Dar Al Hossoun, is set in extensive olive groves and a unique array of ’dry’ gardens. Once described as ’Kew Garden’s Desert Conservatory with the roof off’ the gardens are truly unique.  Wandering through the interconnected courtyards you come across a new garden at every turn.
 

Example Itinerary

Day 1 Wednesday:
Flights from UK to Marrakech and transfer to 5* Jardins De La Medina Hotel, centrally located in the old part of the city. Welcome dinner.
Day 2 Thursday:
Today we explore Marrakech. After breakfast we take a walking tour of the central area and El Badi Palace. After lunch in a local restaurant (included) we visit Majorelle Garden and the Palm Groves. Majorelle is hidden off a side street. Once you pass through its gate you are transported into a stunning botanical garden, the vision of French artist Jacques Majorelle, which was bought by Yves Saint Laurent in 1980. Dinner in local restaurant in Marrakech.
Day 3 Friday:
Visit to Ourika Valley and its bio-aromatic gardens followed by a drive through the picturesque Atlas Mountains to La Roseraie, known for its production of rose petals. You will enjoy a barbeque lunch in a local restaurant. After lunch we visit Beldi Country Club. Only a few miles from the centre of the Pink City, the Beldi feels a million miles away from the dust and chaos of the medina. Among rose gardens, olive groves and a vegetable patch lies this 27-room hotel built in the Berber rammed earth style. We then visit La Maison Arabe followed by the luxury 5^ Hotel La Mamounia, where we take a mint tea and visit its gardens, en route back to Marrakech. Dinner in local restaurant in Marrakech.
Day 4 Saturday:
After breakfast we leave Marrakech for Taroudante by private minibus. The journey takes about 31/2 hours. We stop for lunch (own arrangements) and arrive at Dar Al Hossoun in Taoudante in time for check in and relaxation before dinner in the hotel. Dinner at Dar Al Hossoun.
Day 5 Sunday:
Breakfast in hotel. Guided tour of Dar Al Hossoun gardens with the owner, taking in the Sunken Garden and rose field. We then visit the palm groves of Tiout, where we take lunch (included). After lunch we visit an argan oil workshop before returning to the hotel for dinner. Dinner at Dar Al Hossoun.
Day 6 Monday:
Today we gain an insight into life in Morocco when we visit private houses and their gardens in Taroudante. We take tea in a traditional riad with its courtyard garden, before returning for lunch at Dar Al Hossoun. Then time to visit several gardens near the hotel. There is time at leisure before dinner in the hotel. Dinner at Dar Al Hossoun.
Day 7 Tuesday:
After breakfast we depart for Agadir airport for return flights to UK.