ARRIVE IN CASABLANCA, MOROCCO Check into your hotel. Later, meet your Tour Director and fellow travellers. (D)
2
CASABLANCA-RABAT-MEKNES-FEZ. A short ride along the coast to Rabat, once a lair of the corsairs and now the country's capital. Sightseeing includes the Royal Palace, Hassan Tower, and the Kasbah of Oudayas. You are reminded of the time when Morocco was the Roman province of Mauretania as you visit the fine Roman relics of Chellah and its gardens. Next stop, Meknes- see its monumental gates, mosque, palace, and kilometres of protective walls. Travel east towards Fez, Morocco's most enchanting city. (B,D)
3
FEZ. At leisure in ancient Fez, which occupies a position of outstanding scenic beauty. Visit the exotic ancient Medina on the optional sightseeing tour, a maze of narrow bustling streets and alleys that make up the old Medina with its colourful souks. (B)
4
FEZ-IFRANE-ERFOUD. Travel today into the very heart of Morocco. Morning break in the quiet, French-built alpine resort of Ifrane. Verdant cedar forests give way to volcanic mountains and wind-swept plains as you motor across the Middle Atlas range to Midelt. Pass fortified mud-and-straw villages. Descend into the spectacular Ziz Gorges and arrive in Er-Rachidia, an important crossroad once controlled by the French Foreign Legion. Afterwards, the landscape becomes progressively more arid and you enter a stony desert. On your last stretch to Erfoud, an unexpected and breathtaking surprise: the miraculous and peaceful oasis of Ziz Valley. (B,D)
5
ERFOUD. The best choice today is an included excursion to Rissani to see the Mausoleum of Moulay Ali Sharif, the first ruler of the Alaouite Dynasty. This evening, enjoy an optional excursion in the desert. (B,D)
6
ERFOUD-THE ROAD OF A THOUSAND KASBAHS-OUARZAZATE Enjoy the drive through the eastern slopes of the Atlas Mountains and arrive at the Tinerhir oasis with its green valley of palms and local villages. Drive north to the impressive Todra Gorge, then west along the Dades Valley to the film capital of Morocco, Ouarzazate, for an overnight stay. (B,D)
7
OUARZAZATE-AIT BENHADDOU-TIZI-N-TICHKA PASS-MARRAKESH Enjoy an orientation drive this morning in Ouarzazate, famous for its film studios and a visit of the Kasbah de Taourirt. Next to Ait Benhaddou, a Kasbah famous as a film location for Lawrence of Arabia and Gladiator. Pass through picturesque villages surrounded by craggy mountains while motoring towards the 2,260-metre (7,414-foot) high Tizi-n-Tichka Pass in the heart of the High Atlas Mountains. Each new twist in the road leads to a different, more dramatic landscape. Leaving the pass behind, the landscape gradually changes to a tapestry of red ochre. Afternoon arrival in the red-coloured imperial city of Marrakesh, justly reputed the most fascinating of all Moroccan cities. (B)
8
MARRAKESH The included city sightseeing starts this morning with an orientation drive followed by a walk through the ancient quarters to the fascinating Jemaa-el-Fna square and its exotic bazaar. You'll really feel as if you've stopped the march of time. Marrakesh has always been a meeting place-first just a group of nomad tents, now a bustling city. (B,D)
9
MARRAKESH-CASABLANCA Leave Morocco's magical city of Marrakesh for the journey northwest back to Casablanca. In the afternoon, see the sights in the company of a Local Guide. (B)
10
CASABLANCA. Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
SIGHTSEEING: Visits to Fez, Ifrane, Erfoud, Rissani, Ouarzazate, Ait Benhaddou Kasbah
SCENIC HIGHLIGHTS: Atlas Mountains, Ziz Gorges and Oasis, Road of 1000 Kasbahs, Dades Valley, Todra Gorge
GUIDES: Local Guides for city sightseeing in Rabat, Meknes, Marrakesh, Casablanca. Services of a professional Tour Director while touring
TRANSPORTATION: Touring by private first-class air-conditioned motorcoach
HOTELS: Rooms with private bath or shower, hotel taxes, porterage, tips, and service charges
Meals: Buffet breakfasts (B); 6 dinners (D)
Meals Breakfast - 9 Lunch - 0 Dinner - 6
Optional Excursions
To help plan your leisure time, as well as your pre-tour budgeting, here is a list of optional excursions that may be offered on this tour.
Availability is subject to sufficient participation, weather conditions, seasonal suitability, group interests, and general feasibility for your tour. Please note prices may be based on the previous year and are subject to change. Full terms and conditions are contained in the important travel documents.
Cost
Description
20
EUR
Name:IMPERIAL MEDINA OF FEZ Location:FEZ Details:Fez is famous for its old feudal quarter with narrow winding streets, native markets, the Mederas and grand palaces, such as the Royal Palace and the Mousoleum of Moulay Idriss II. Also see the Jewish quarter and the oldest tannery.
45
EUR
Name:TRADITIONAL MOROCCAN EVENING Location:FEZ Details:Your programme gets under way with an illuminated tour of this Imperial city. The evening continues with a typical four-course Moroccan dinner at the "Al Fassia" restaurant located in the old part of the town - an ideal setting to soak up the exotic atmosphere. The dinner includes wine and local mint tea. Arabian and Berber entertainers will complete your "Moorish" experience.
30
EUR
Name:SAHARA DUNES AT SUNSET Location:ERFOUD Details:An exciting trip to the 137.16 metre (450-foot) high Erg Chebbi sand dunes. Time here to visit a Berber shepherd's family tent and possibly climb to the top of the dunes for unforgettable views at sunset.
40
EUR
Name:"1001 NIGHTS" Location:MARRAKESH Details:An illumination drive of Marrakech, a four-course dinner with delicious Moroccan specialities and wine and a spectacular oriental folklore show with music and dancing.
Optional Excursions
