Discovering Morocco - 15 Days Itinerary
Day 1: New York/ Casablanca
Evening departure on Royal Air Maroc for Casablanca. Dinner and wine served on your flight.
Day 2: Casablanca/Rabat
Morning arrival in Casablanca followed by a brief tour of this commercial capital of Morocco; the on to Rabat for check-in at your hotel. Afternoon visits include the Medina (old city), whose stone-and whites washed buildings bear great, dark-wood studded doors; the Great Mosque, entirely rebuilt in the late 19th century; the Hassan Tower, dominating the skyline with its intricate stonework; the Mohammed V Mausoleum housing the onyx tomb of the late king; and the ramparts of Mechouar encircling the Royal Palace.
Day 3: Rabat/Meknes/Volubilis/Moulay Idriss/Fes
Morning departure for Meknes, the Imperial City of Sultan Moulay Ismail, with visits to its Medina, or old city, and Bab el Mansour, the monumental gateway and main entrance into this 17th century city. Next, stop at the Roman ruins of Volubilis—the finest archaeological site in Morocco –with its mosaics, temples and triumphal arch, on your way to the village of Moulay Idress, the holy founder of the first indigenous Islamic kingdom of Morocco. Continue to Fes for check-in at your hotel.
Day 4: Fes
Entire day sightseeing in Fes, the oldest of the Imperial Cities, founded in 790 A.D. Visit the medieval Medina; the Karaouiyne Mosque, whose central aisle is embellished with elaborate floral and Kufic script carved into the plaster; and the colorfully tiled Nejjarine Fountain. And don’t miss the fascinating Islamic universities, including the Abou Anania and the Attarine. Finally, browse the souks (markets) of Fes, the most fascinating in all of Morocco.
Day 5: Fes
A citadel of magnificence, this age-old city is irresistible as it unfolds– in every narrow alley, wide street, old or new medina, palatial houses or hillsides– the story of a whole civilization’s treasure, similar to Florence or Athens. From being Morocco’s first capital in 808 AD to becoming the Imperial of all Imperial cities, Fez is a spiritual and cultural center with many facets. Your two-day stay in this unmatched splendor will take you back in time while visiting the oldest university in the world (before even Oxford or the Sorbonne).
Day 6: Fes/Midelt/Er-Rachidia/Erfoud
Morning stops at Midelt affording dramatic views of the High Atlas Mountains and modern, urban Er-Rachidia on your way to Erfoud for afternoon check-in at your hotel; the remainder of your day is free. Or if you prefer, live forone night like the Bedouins, in a tent on the dunes of Merzouga, with thousands of stars filling the sky above you.
Day 7: Erfoud/Tineghir/Boumalne/Ouarzazate
Awake before dawn to witness the incomparable magic of a desert sunrise over the Merzouga Dunes. Morning sightseeing in Erfoud includes the hilltop Bordj East Fort for a panoramic view of the town and the vast Sahara. Depart Erfoud for stops at Tineghir to view the spectacular pink Todra Gorge, Morocco’s “Grand Canyon,” and at rose-perfumed Kelaa des M’Gouna and Boumalne. Evening arrival at Ouarzazate, gateway to the Sahara. Check-in at your hotel.
Day 9: Taroudant
Entire day in medieval Taroudant, a town encircled by spectacular 20-foot-high ancient red walls, with battlements and fortified towers. Constructed of reddish earth, it turns to hues of gold, pink and orange at dusk. Olive and orange groves, eucalyptus and palm tress thrive all around town, and the peaks of the High Atlas Mountains rise up to the north. Visit the colorful souks and silver markets.
Day 10: Taroudant/Agadir/Essaouira
Early departure for Essaouira stopping for lunch on the way at the luxury seaside resort of Agadir, where pink flamingoes watch as children build sandcastles and sunbathers delight in the rhythm of the lapping waves.
Day 11: Essaouira
Explore this old Portuguese fishing port with its 16th century harbor walls and 18th century French-designed fortifications and colorful houses. The main entrance to the harbor is through the Porte de la Marine, built in 1184 and decorated with two columns of a classical triangular pediment. A sandy bay sweeps to the south of this enchanting town, and wooded hills dominate the eastern skyline.
Day 12: Essaouira/Marrakech
After breakfast, travel to your hotel in Marrakech, “Pearl of the South,” for a day of luxury and leisure by the pool.
Day 13: Marrakech
Daylong sightseeing in Marrakech. For more than 800 years, the city has awakened every morning to the call of the mouadin emanating from the Koutobuia Mosque, spiritual beacon of Marrakech. Visit the Tombs of the Saadien Kings, the Bedii and Bahia Palaces, and the Dar Si Said Museum, featuring an important collection of decorative arts from southern Morocco. Wander through the Agdal and Manara Gardens and the tanners’ and dyers’ quarters, and discover the fascinating Djemma El Fna Square, alive with storytellers, fire-eater’s, acrobats, and more. A gala Moroccan dinner is the finale to this fullday.
Day 14: Marrakech/Ourika Valley
Morning at leisure. After lunch, take an excursion to see the natural sights of the Valley of Ourika at the foot of the Atlas Mountains and discover the charm of a Berber village. The clear water of the Ourika River flows by orchards, vegetable gardens, and green terraced fields.
Day 15: Marrakech/Casablanca/New York
Morning flight from Marrakech to Casablanca for connecting flight to New York.
[rev_slider alias="hotels"]The chosen hotels are In Casablanca: Four Seasons - Hyatt Regency - Sofitel Tour Blanche. In Fes: Riad Fes - Palais Faraj - Palais Karajan - Riad Maison Bleue - Palais Amani and Hotel Sahrai. In Marrakech: Royal Mansour, La Mamounia - the Mandarin Oriental - Amanjena - The Fairmont Royal Palm, Riad Farnatchi - villa des Orangers
INCLUDES
Accommodations in the category of hotel chosen
Buffet breakfast
Guided city tours and monument fees
Private car
English-speaking driver
Tips at the hotels
Porterage of luggage
Taxes and service charges
EXCLUDES
All Flights
Airport taxes, fees & Sep 11th security fee
Drinks & meals not mentioned in the itinerary
Personal Expenses
Any other items which is not mentioned above
Tips to the tour guide & driver
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MOROCCO JEWISH HERITAGE TOUR
For the interested traveler, Casablanca Tours offers a "Jewish Heritage" tour following the same schedule as above, but with particular emphasis paid to Jewish historical points of interest. There is no additional charge.
DURATION: 10 DAYS