|
Description
Morocco’s dazzling mosaic of Arab and Berber cultures – with a dash of African and European influence – is at once strange and romantic, alluring and disconcerting. Exotic souks, the dramatic Sahara, veiled women, laughing children and exquisite scenery – we invite you, the inquisitive traveler, to join us on this special photographic journey through Morocco. We’ll visit native villages, ancient souks, and craftsmen’s workshops, sharing experiences and sipping mint tea, symbol of the warm and sincere Moroccan hospitality.
We will capture life in vibrant Marrakesh, ancient Fes, we’ll enjoy rug shopping with the Blue Men of the desert, palace visits, an unforgettable journey into the Sahara on camelback at sunrise, and so much more. The scenery is wild and varied; we will travel through tiny Berber villages, beautiful cultivated valleys, lush palm-filled oases and explore numerous crumbling Kasbahs.
Particular hotels have been chosen for their architectural and historical interest; we’ll enjoy the comfort of our private, airconditioned coach for land transportation, as well as four wheel drive vehicles in the desert; many delicious and classic meals are included. Our specially chosen local Moroccan guide will add his unique touch to this extraordinary trip, sharing his insights and love of this exotic land.
|
| Itinerary
Highlights Of Our Trip
- The imperial city of Fes and its ancient medina
- The Grand Canyon of Morocco
- Sunset and sunrise in the Sahara
- The ancient city and souk of Marrakech
- Alluring Essaouira
- Visits to local villages and private homes
- Markets
- Private Gnaoua music presentation
April 30- May 11, 2008
DAY 01 April 30
CASABLANCA- FES
At 9 a.m. the group will meet at a designated place in Casablanca; as many come in a day or two early, it probably will be at a hotel. Our 3 ½ hr. drives to Fes will get us into the city in time for lunch. In the afternoon, we’ll begin our exploration of this fascinating city with an orientation tour and a visit to a workshop where some of the world-famous Fes pottery is produced. You’ll see ancient technique used, which continues their craft heritage.
HOTEL JNAN PALACE BLD
DAY 02 May 01
FES
Today we enjoy a full day guided tour of Fes, the most intact Islamic city in the world. It is also Morocco’s oldest imperial city and the center of intellectual and religious learning. The intricacies of the medina, the brilliant colors of the dye makers, the mounds of spices, the vats of tanners and the palaces of merchants beckon us. A visit to a Berber pharmacy teaches us of the curative practices, medicines and spices used from ancient times until today.
After lunch in the medina, we’ll continue our explorations, with time to shop if desired, for the beautiful crafts and caftans. Dinner is on our own, with our guide to make recommendations.
HOTEL JNAN PALACE BL
DAY 03 May 02
FES-MERZOUGA
We begin our 8 hour drive south to Merzouga, to the magical dunes of the Sahara, with plenty of stops. We climb into the Middle Atlas Mtns., and begin to experience the ever-changing landscape. Here, the moorlands, granite outcrops , brooding skies and sheep pastures may put you In mind of the British Isles. We’ll walk through majestic cedar forests, where troops of Barbara Apes forage and bird songs fill the air. With luck, we’ll spot a Berber famiy camped in their classic woven camel hair tents along the road, tending their sheep and goats. We may visit with them and be invited into the tent for mint tea. We descent from the mountains along a road that winds through the stunning Ziz Valley. Often called the “Grand Canyon of Morocco’, it offers sweeping vistas and dramatic rock formations. Lunch will be en route.
In the former French Foreign Legion outpost of Erfoud, we change to four wheel drive vehicles and drive into the Sahara, where we spend the next 2 nights. We may choose to sleep in the Berber tents adjacent to the small auberge, or in the auberge itself, which has simple but comfortable rooms with bathrooms en suite.
The tents offer beds, carpets on the sand, with shared bathroom facilities nearby. Our dinner is highlighted by the local Blue Men, of the Tuareg tribe, in their bright blue robes and turbans, playing music and inviting us to join them around the outdoor fire.
HOTEL BELLE ETOILE BLD
DAY 04 May 03
MERZOUGA
Today we enjoy a full day in the Sahara, with a camel ride, if desired at sunset or sunrise, and visit local villages. There will be time for walks in the dunes, to enjoy the unique shapes formed by the sand and the shifting colors as the light changes.
HOTEL BELLE ETOILE BLD
DAY 05 May 04
MERZOUGA-SKOURA
We bid farewell to the dunes and drive back to Erfoud, where we change back to our comfortable bus. We head west along the Route of One Thousand Kasbahs, stopping in the Berber town of Tinerhir, where we are introduced to the famous Moroccan carpets. We’ll learn about the techniques and stories woven into any of the unique pieces by the women weavers, and have the opportunity to buy, if desired. The blue-robed men of the desert serve us the ubiquitous mint tea and almonds, as is the custom, as we see the different styles and designs from the mountains, deserts and other areas of Morocco. Lunch will be in the dramatic Todra Gorge, where soaring cliffs and massive walls intercept the path of the sun. We return to the main road lined with many villages and Kasbahs, where we might see women swathed in dark robes embroidered with vivid colors, children playing soccer in the stony desert and Berbers tending their camels or sheep. We arrive at our own Kasbah style hotel in Skoura, where we have dinner and spend the night.
HOTEL BEN MORO BLD
DAY 06 May 05
SKOURA-MARRAKECH
We have the unique opportunity to spend several hours in the local village of Zawiya Tidrhest this morning, visiting the people and learning about their lives. We can see the children’s Kordanic school, women’s literacy center, weavers and a charrning small museum they have created. The women will prepare a delicious couscous lunch for us before we bid them goodbye.
Our drive to Marrakech takes approximately 4 hrs., crossing the High Atlas Mtns. at 7,400’, with stunning views of mountains and lush oases shadowing the rivers far below. Dinner is at our hotel.
HOTEL RYAD MOGADOR MENARA BLD
DAY 07 May 06
MARRAKECH
Ah Marrakech! The red city! In contrast to the European flair of Casablanca and the Arab flavor of Fes, Marrakech follows the beat of an African drum. Framed by the wall of the High Atlas Mtns., this imperial city has been almost continually occupied since Neolithic times, and was once the Berber capital.
We spend the day exploring the amazing souk with overflowing stalls selling attractive produce, jewelry, caftans, dried fruits, spices, leather and iron work. Strolling through the narrow streets, we get a glimpse of daily life, as we see a young boy taking his family’s bread to the neighborhood bakery, veiled women purchasing food for the next meal, kids playing in the street, while delicious smells waft from open windows in the walls sheltering living quarters.
We end our exploration of this fascinating city with a visit to the famous Jemaa el Fna Square. We see snake charmers, magicians, acrobats and dancers, storytellers, and purveyors of ancients medicaments, delighting and attracting children and adults alike. At night, the square comes alive in a rich and exhausting carnival, where one can see and feel the pulse of Morocco. Dinner is on our own, with recommendations from our guide.
HOTEL RYAD MOGADOR MENARA BLD
DAY 08 May 07
MARRAKECH
ACTIVITY TO BE DETERMINED.
HOTEL RYAD MOGADOR MENARA BLD
DAY 09 May 08
MARRAKECH-ESSAOUIRA
We drive west for approximately 3 hrs. towards the Atlantic coastal town of Essaouira. En route, we stop at a co-op formed by women to produce argan oil and other products from this nut indigenous only to this area. We’ll see them shelling and grinding the nuts on stones, by hand, in the ancient way, to produce the oil. Continuing our drive, we spy Essaouira from the top of a hill as we drop down to the coast below.
Essaouira is a charming place of white shops and houses, set against a clear blue sky. Over the centuries, it has been home to Phoenicians, Romans, Portugese and a large Jewish population. After a delicious seafood lunch on the oceanfront, our guide will accompany us as we stroll through town and along the colorful harbor, enjoying the unique flavor of the old town and meeting the friendly people. There are many picturesque angles ad sights so attractive to photographers Dinner tonight is at our delightful small hotel, a connected series of previously private homes.
HOTEL RIAD AL MADINA BLD
DAY 10 May 09
ESSAOUIRA
This morning we are welcomed at a private home where we will be entertained by local Gnaoua musicians, playing music classic to the sub-Saharan Africans who have migrated north; the music has become world famous and is part of the international music festival held here every June. Our host family will prepare lunch for us, and the rest of the afternoon is free.
HOTEL RIAD AL MADINA BL
DAY 11 May 10
ESSAOUIRA-CASABLANCA
Driving approximately 5 hrs. north along the Atlantic coast, we stop for lunch at a charming restaurant right on the beach. We’ll arrive in Casablanca late afternoon. Our farewell dinner is at our hotel.
HOTEL SHERATON BLD
DAY 12 May 11
CASABLANCA-USA
Our journey ends after breakfast at the hotel. B
Please Note: content, hotels, etc. are subject to change due to circumstances beyond our control. We always strive to provide the same level or higher of experience, hotel, etc.
|
