Casablanca to Meknes and Volubilis: Private day trip

Founded in the 11th century as a military settlement, Meknes rose to prominence in the late 17th century when Sultan Moulay Ismaïl made it the imperial capital of Morocco. He transformed it into an impressive stronghold with high walls with grand gates protecting a Spanish-Moorish style city. While today it’s overshadowed by neighbors like Fez, its UNESCO-listed medina offers some of the finest historical monuments in the country without the mass of crowds that clog other cities. A sign of its former stature, the main imperial gate, known as the Bab El Mansour, was built using materials from palaces taken during Ismail’s sack of Marrakesh. While impressive the gate doesn’t hold a candle to the incomparable craftsmanship at Ismail’s tomb. Then there’s the the king’s cavernous fortified granary, which could house 12,000 horses, mosques dating back to the 12th century, and plenty of other sites to discover in its winding alleys.

Founded around the 3rd century BC, Volubilis flourished as a Roman outpost from the 1st to 3rd centuries. After being reclaimed by local tribes it remained inhabited for another 700 years, even serving as the seat of the Idrisid dynasty before they relocated to Fez. Amazingly, Volubilis remained in good condition until the mid-18th century, when it was devastated by an earthquake and subsequently quarried for to build Meknes. Even so, Volubilis is recognized by UNESCO for being being so well preserved. Though only half the site has been excavated, visitors can still find the remains of a 3rd century basilica and a triumphal arch, and plenty of other building foundations. However, the highlights are the beautiful mosaics that have been preserved in-situ. While some have been moved to archaeological museums, the ‘Labors of Hercules’, and remaining mosaics at the House of Venus or stunning.