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Moroccan
Escapade
Experience
the romance of old Morocco everywhere on this
An
11-day tour, in ancient kasbahs standing sentinel against invaders,
along the winding lanes of the medinas of Fez and Marrakech, the
seaside towns of Essaouira & Agadir , and in your very lodgings,
palaces and venerable homes that have been brought to life again
as Riads, combining the best of Arab hospitality with the appointments
of fine boutique hotels

Click here for the 14
day version with
a longer seaside stay at Essaouira
Compare with the Imperial City 9
day tour with an overnight camping in the Sahara
Day 1 - OFF TO MOROCCO!
Board a comfortable wide-body jet at New York's John F. Kennedy International
Airport for your flight to Casablanca ( Via Europe) . For West Coast
passengers, you will fly non-stop to Europe and connect onward to
Marrakech.
Day 2 - Marrakech
You'll land at the airport of fabled Casablanca, clear customs and
immigration formalities, and board your connecting flight to Marrakech.
Our local staff will greet you and usher you directly to your accommodations
at your Riad / Boutique hotel , Riad Mehdi or similar : www.riadmehdi.net,
where a traditional welcoming mint tea and a fruit basket await you.
Your personal requirements and relaxation are foremost. Take in your
surroundings
Day 3 - Marrakech (B)
This morning you'll take a private tour of Marrakech by horse-drawn
carriage. You'll see the Koutoubia, the landmark of the city, and
perhaps you'll note its similarity to its sister tower, the Giralda
of Seville, in Spain. You'll continue to the Bahia palace, built in
the nineteenth century, with room after stately oriental room of intricate
plaster work and finely detailed columns, and sedate hidden gardens.
Finally, you'll see the Majorelle Botanical Gardens of Yves Saint
Laurent, planted with trees and flowers from all over the world. In
the afternoon, you'll discover the old city and always-lively Djemaa
El Fna Square, populated by water sellers, magicians, peddlers, politicians,
and animal tamers, who carry on an endless flurry of activities straight
out of the middle ages. If you have a spare moment, the souks of Marrakech
will always keep you entertained.
Complimentary
Dinner is included at a local home:
Meet the locals,
you may wish to bring token gifts to exchange with the host family (
T shirt , small souvenirs of your home town):
This
evening we'll venture where few ordinary visitors ever tread . . . right
into the homes of some of the people of Marrakech ! You'll be invited
to a family dinner, and while you enjoy wholesome home-cooked specialties,
you'll learn about and appreciate the outlook, aspirations, and way
of life of your hosts. Be assured, as curious as you may be about your
new friends, they're sure to have questions about your own background.
Once the ice is broken, you'll enjoy a lively evening, and find that
you have more in common than you ever suspected. Of course, you may
enjoy a quiet evening with your travel companions, by letting us know
your preferences.
Day 4 - Marrakech (BD)
Morning at leisure. Late afternoon,we'll escort you to the Palm grove
on the outskirts of Marrakech for a wonderful experience of camel
riding at sunset. Before we head for our gourmet Moroccan dinner at
the Yacut restaurant: we are captivated by the charm & ambiance
of the facility . The entrance, lit by lanterns and high candelabra
leads to a beautiful fountain with roses whose heady perfume blends
with the pleasant smells of the amber and musk. The corridor runs
into a Riad .
Gourmet Moroccan dinner
with staff in traditional dress, Gnaouas singers and dancers , their
music reflect both Arabic and African influence-, Arabo-Andalusian
music well serenade us , the evening will culminate with the traditional
Belly dancer performance.
On both sides of the courtyard,
an arcade allows the access to the glass Moroccan pavilion lounges.
A spiral staircase leads to the terrace with a luxurious outdoor setting
of an oriental lounge fit for a Sultan , with a fantastic panorama
on the Medina. Gourmet Moroccan food, pre-dinner drinks and wine included.
Day 5- Marrakech/ Taroudant (BD)
In the morning we drive to Taroudant crossing the Tizi N’Test pass.
Upon arrival in we check-in at the Palais Salam hotel , a charming
former Pacha’s palace - 4 stars . In the afternoon tour the charming
old town of Taroudant . We'' enjoy dinner tonight at the hotel.
Upgrade to the legendary " Gazelle D'Or" for an additional
: $ 120 Per person in double
Day 6 -TAROUDANT / AGADIR / IMOUZZER IDA OUTANANE (BD)
Morning departure for Imouzzer Ida Outanane. We cross the Anti Atlas
mountain range, with palm groves, green valleys and narrow gorges
- before reaching the village & waterfalls of the "Bride's Veil"
with its small lake surrounded by olive groves. Dinner and overnight
accommodation at the Cascades hotel 4 stars .
Day 7 - IMOUZZER IDA OUTANANE / ESSAOUIRA (B)
Drive to Essaouira, a a charming fishing harbor. Renowned for generations
for its production of "Murex", a small shellfish used to make the
purple dye for Roman togas, Essaouira is now a very active fishing
harbor , with some Portuguese character who settled here in the 16th
century. Later on Sultan Mohamed Ben Abdellah used it as a
base for his corsairs. Today, protected from the sea and the wind
behind its commanding fortified medieval walls, Essaouira shelters
a flourishing craftsmanship in marquetry, working wood with ebony,
mother of pearl and silver thread to make tables, chessboards, caskets
and bracelets. Enjoy a seafood lunch, before heading back to the hotel.
Overnight accommodation in a suite at Riad Al Madina ( suite) for
4 stars .
Upgrade to Riad Bleu for an additional $130 USD per person for this
5 stars Riad ( www.heure-bleue.com)
.
Day 8 - Essaouira - Safi - El Jadida - Casablanca - Rabat
(BD)
We'll escort you by private air -conditioned car /van heading for
Casablanca, continuing on to Rabat and Hotel Farah or similar 5 stars.
Dinner at the hotel.
Day 8 - Rabat / Fez (BD)
Breakfast at the hotel. Panoramic tour of the capital of the
Kingdom, before we head for Meknes and then Fez, and your hotel or Riad
Fes or similar ( www.riadfes.com) .
You'll be welcomed with a traditional mint tea,and a fruit basket. Your
dinner is at your hotel or Riad.
Day 9 -Fez (BD)
Put on your walking shoes this morning for a trip in time back to
the ninth century, as you explore the old city of Fez. Its Medina
and its labyrinth of souks have been declared a world cultural treasure.
Your afternoon is free for relaxation or shopping or further exploration
as you wish.
In the evening it's dinner and a show, with a difference. The food
is Moroccan-style, of course; and the show is a fascinating view into
Moroccan life, including a traditional wedding ceremony, Arabo-Andaluisan
music, and an enticing performance by a belly dancer.
Day 10 - Fez (BD)
Spend a day in appreciation of Moroccan pleasures. In the morning,
you'll join a demonstration of Moroccan cuisine, known around the
world. You will have tasted Tajine, couscous, and much more. Now you'll
learn more about how these plates and sauces are prepared, and of
the many influences that have created the national cuisine. In the
afternoon, you will savor the benefits of the, the Hammam traditional
relaxing and restorative steam bath. Your farewell dinner will be
set at La Maison Bleue.
Day 11 -Departure from Fez (B)
You'll be escorted to Fez Saiss airport, where you'll board your Royal
Air Maroc flight for Casablanca, and onward travel to arrive in New
York the same day.
This tour operates daily. At your option, you may fly any day on
British Airways via London, Air France via Paris, or use the direct
service of Royal Air Maroc from New York to Casablanca on Tuesday,
Thursday, Saturday, or Sunday. Bon Voyage
| Rate
per person in double in US$ 3815.00 |
Rate
per person in single in US$ 4300.00 |
Air
fare note:
*
For June/July/August, please note that a $250 airfare supplement
is to be added to the above rates. This doesn't apply when you handle
your own air fare.
Please deduct $500 when your handle your own air fare.
*
For Fri / Sat / Sun travel please add : $25 Weekend travel supplement.
Moroccan
Sojourn

Your
tour includes:
-
Round-trip airfare from New York City (JFK) to Casablanca and
domestic air within
Morocco , in economy class , including tax
-
All airport transfers in Morocco as described in the tour itinerary
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Accommodation as described, ( always subject to availability, we
keep the right to use alternative hotels within same category).
Welcome mint tea, roses, and fruit basket upon arrival in Marrakech
& Fes.
- Meals
as indicated: cB = Continental breakfast; L = set-menu lunch; D
= set-menu dinner
- Ground
transportation in chauffeured, air-conditioned Mercedes Benz automobile
or where applicable chauffeured four wheel drive Turbo Land Rover.
Half-day horse-drawn carriage tour in Marrakech. Services of licensed
English-speaking guide and entrance fees to sites visited. Camel
ride in Marrakech palm grove.
- Hammam session ( where its available at
your hotel) .

Not included:
Personal expenses Gratuities for local personnel Trip interruption
and cancellation insurance (please see our insurance brochure).
Upgrade to Jardin de Medinah or La Maison Arabe, Marrakech,
for $200 per person.
Luxury
stay & Spa Experience at the new & luxurious Sofitel Essaouira
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