Fez holidays centre around the vibrant city, brimming with history and buzzing with life, acknowledged to be the most important of the four Imperial cities in Morocco (the others being Rabat, Marrakech and Meknes).
Surrounded by the lush Zalagh mountains, on the banks of the river of the same name, Fez was founded in 808 AD by Idris II, and has served as the capital of Morocco on three separate occasions. Andalucian Arabs, Kerouans and Ottoman Turks are among those that have settled or passed through, leaving a spectacular legacy of palaces, mosques and museums, jam-packed with treasures.
Fez city breaks are an excellent choice because the city warrants at least two to three days of exploration. It consists of two main areas, each distinct in feel. Fez el Bali, the 'old town' or medina is home to the architecturally rich Andalucian Quarter. It is here you will find the oldest and most esteemed of Fez's mosques and madrasas (religious schools), including the 1,200 yearold Al-Karaouine, which stakes a claim to be the oldest university in the world, and the magnificent El Qaraouiyin Mosque, famed for its dazzling emerald-coloured tile roof.
During your holidays in Fez, you could easily spend days exploring this labyrinthine district alone. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, rumoured to have 9000 or so streets, and is equally impressive if not more so than the medina of Marrakech. It's less touristy for one and its streets are narrower. You could wander here for days quite happily, simply soaking up the sights and sounds of the medina. Fez is famous for its tanneries, with their brightly coloured dyes and pigments, but the sights - and in particular the smells - of the leather souks and tanneries are not for the faint-hearted. Locals recommend that you take a sprig of fresh mint along to combat the pungent odours. They do, however, provide a thoroughly fascinating insight and paint a vivid picture of what life would once have been like here in Fez - here is a craft that has probably remained unchanged for centuries.
When they came to power in the 13th century, the Merindes had grand plans for Fez and with little space remaining in Fez el Bali, construction outside the city walls began. And so Fez el Jedid or 'New Fez' came to be. Look out for the magnificent golden doors that guard the entrance to the royal palace complex, the Dar el-Makhzen; soak up the atmosphere in the Jewish Quarter, traversed by the bustling metalworkers' enclave the Grande Rue des Merinides; and seek solace in the gardens of the Old Mechouar, once alive with grand, royal parades.
Broken down into chunks, it's possible to explore Fez mostly on foot. There are even colour-coded walking routes especially designed for tourists - you'll almost certainly get lost at some point, but then that is all part of the experience, and there's usually a friendly local on hand to point you in the right direction.
Whether you are interested in Fez city breaks or want to visit this wonderful city as part of a longer trip to Morocco, speak to our friendly reservations team who can help you plan the holiday of a lifetime.