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Home , Fes el Bali, Meknes, Riad (architecture), Skoura, Volubilis

- WELCOME TO - TRAVEL EXPLORATION 11-DAY THE BEST OF MOROCCO CULTURAL TOUR

CASABLANCA - FES - - MARRAKECH-

Travel Exploration specializes and terraine through a people to Fes, Meknes, , in tailor-made Tours to Morocco that are naturally hospitable, Marrakech, Ouarzazate with a distinctly authentic warm and friendly. You can count and Zagora. Moroccan flavor. Travel on Travel Exploration's benefits At Travel Exploration we guarantee Exploration Morocco provides of an Anglo-Moroccan you will discover the best of unique itineraries that offer an partnership: On this tour you Morocco on this music and cultural unparalleled diversity of travel will visit , then head tour. WELCOME - MARHABA

KOUTOUBA VISIT THE MAJORELLE GARDENS SHOPPING IN MARRAKECH 11 - Day Tour Itinerary

DAY 1: CASSABLANCA ▶ Pick up from Casablanca ▶End the day with a visit to The EXPLORE airport and transport to Fes. Parc de la Ligue Arabe (formally called Lyautey) which is the ▶Check in your 4 star hotel which city's largest public park. On its edge has a spa, gym and wireless internet. is situated the Cathedrale du Sacré Relax for a couple hours. Coeur, which is disused, but is a splendid example of Mauresque ▶ Have a relaxing lunch at the architecture. Corniche- Casa by the sea. ▶Have dinner by at Rick’s Cafe, a ▶ Spend the rest of the afternoon famous piano bar and place to dine. exploring Casbalanca. The owner is American and was ANCIENT inspirired to created Rick’s Cafe ▶ Visit the Hassan II Mosque. from the film “Casablanca.”

▶ Visit the famous residential blocks: the Glaoui, the ▶Have dinner and return to your Bessonneau hotel for the evening. and the Asayag. The Boulevard links Place des ▶Spend the night in Casablanca. Nationes with the railway station and is the gateway to the central market. C With the help of your BERBER VILLAGES

MOROCCAN CUISINE

SPICE MARKETS 11 - Day Tour Itinerary

DAY 2: CASSABLANCA - FES and Preserved Lemons. For ▶Rise early, breakfast at your hotel desert you will be served with fruit/ and take the road to Fes. or local Moroccan pastries along with Mint Tea. DISCOVER ▶Arrive in Fes, check in at your and relax until dinner. ▶Within the medina, we will the following historical sites: ▶Dinner at your riad or Palais D Medina, a traditional Fassis ▶Medersa Bou Inania: restaurant. An (Islamic school) founded by that is highly decorated ▶Spend the night in Fes at a from floor to ceiling. The medersa is traditional Moroccan 3 Star Riad one of the few religious places in that boasts beautiful and Morocco that is accessible to non- THE BLUE GATE views of the old city medina. Islamic tourists.

DAY 3: FES ▶Kairaouine Mosque: (Guided Tour) Morocco’s second largest mosque. ▶Start your tour by visiting the The Kairaouine Mosque became the Merenid Tombs of Fès. home of the West's first university Continue along the old curtain and the world's foremost center of wall of the medina and make a stop learning at the beginning of the at the Musée des Armes, a second millennium. fortress that once protected Fès. ▶University of Al- THE BATA MUSEUM ▶Next, enter the Fès el- Bali Karaouine: Founded in 859, this through the symmetrical horse shoe university is one of the leading arches at Bab Boujeloud (The spiritual and educational centers of Blue Gate). the .

▶Visit the Kisseria in the old ▶Zaouia Moulay Idriss II: medina and witness the colorful Azaouia (shrine) dedicated to and Tanneries,, Berber Weaving, Wood the tomb of Moulay Idriss II, who working and Metalsmiths. ruled Morocco from 807 to 828 and founded the city of Fès for the BERBER WEAVING ▶Stop for lunch within the second time in 810. medina at one of the fine Moroccan palace- ▶: A Hispano-Moorish restaurants that serves an palace dating from the end of the extravaganza of 19th century that houses admirable mezas: Choukchouka salad, Zaalouk collections of traditional art from salad, Carrots with Cumin Seed, Fès raisin and orange salad, Cold radish, and Fennel Salad. The mezas are ▶Have dinner and Spend the night traditionally followed by the main in Fes at a traditional Moroccan 3 meal which will include a: Lamb and Star Riad. Prune or Chicken Tagine with RIAD FES 11 - Day Tour Itinerary

DAY 4: FES - VOLUBILIS- MEKNES (Guided Tour) EXPERIENCE ►Rise early, have breakfast and take known as the most important archeological site in Morocco. the road for a one day excursion to Meknès is the fifth largest Voulubils and Meknes. Volubilis city in Morocco and has a also referred to by as dynamic economic center Walili () is considered one that thrives on olives, wine and of the most important mint tea. archaeological sites in Morocco. ▶We will stop and visit the main ▶Once occupied by the Romans, city center, Square Le Hadkim Volubilis has been recognized by and then visit the palaces and VOLUBILIS- ROMAN ARCH UNESCO as a world heritage located within the heart of site and gained international acclaim Dar el-Kebira, the heart when Martin Scorsese made it a of the Imperial city. feature location for his film, The Last Temptation of Christ. ▶Next, we will visit the well known Haras de Meknès, the largest ▶Begin your visit by discovering the national stud that can accommodate fascinating Roman ruins adorned up to two-hundred and thirty one with beautiful and colorful horses. It's the home of noble depicting Roman Arabian and Berber Horses. mythology. You can view how Created in 1912, Haras de VOLUBILIS- ROMAN RUINS the transformed Meknès promotes the best breeds the original Carthaginian settlement of horses to be used during a into a typical Roman city. Volubilis fantasia or competitive horse once functioned as a final stop of races. the Roman imperial roads that went across France, Spain, down ▶Visit the grand gate named after Morocco’s northern city of the architect, El-Mansour, a and into Volubilis. Christian renegade who converted to Islam. ▶Depart Volubilis and take the road to Meknes. ▶Return to Fes, HISTORIC MEKNES

▶Lunch in Meknes. ▶Dinner at your riad and Spend the night in Fes. ▶Often referred to as the Versailles of Morocco, Meknès is located between the fertile plain of Rharb and the . The historical importance of Meknes is reflected in its grand Moorish buildings and in Meknes’ close relationship THE GATES OF MEKNES with Volubilis, a nearby city 11 - Day Tour Itinerary

DAY 5: FES - MARRAKECH Garden is filled with colorful ▶Rise early, have breakfast and walkways, ponds, cactus and begin your journey to Marrakech. plants as well as a beautiful shop ENJOY Stop for lunch on the road to with hand-made goods. Marrakech. ▶Next we will drive to the Lower ▶Arrive in Marrakech, check in Medina to explore more of at your traditional Moroccan 3 star Marrakech’s secrets: El Mansour riad and visit Djema El Fna mosque, the sixteenth century Square. with its stark towers, the ruined 16th century El ▶Dinner in Djema El Fina Badhi palace and the Mosque of Square - Beneath the foothills of Koutoubia. the in the city PALMARY OF ZAGORA center of lies Djemma el ▶ Pass by the La Mammounia Fna, a famous UNESCO Hotel Garden (where Alfred recognized city square, where Hitchcock wrote the famous film you will discover a world of The Birds) We will stop at La mysterious and a set amidst Mammounia to visit the hotel and the ancient city walls of Marrakech’s gardens that has recently opened medina. Djemma El Fna is a unique since renovation. L- shaped square best described as a labyrinth of mazes. In the ▶Lunch in the heart of Marrakech. evening, snake charmers, fortune tellers, monkeys & musicians ▶ Visit the Artisinale, where ZAOUIA SPIRITUAL SITE transform this city Center into a crafts are made and sold. medieval circus. ▶Next we will visit the ▶Return to your riad for the contemporary Moroccan Art evening. Spend the night in Museum and the Tiskiwin, a Marrakech. private museum in Marrakech that is dedicated to popular arts & DAY 6: MARRAKECH crafts, styled as a beautiful Spanish- (Guided Tour) Moroccan house, next door to Dar ▶Rise early, have breakfast at your Si Said palace, a smaller version riad and begin your one-day tour of of the Bahia. CAMEL TREK Marrakech. ▶Return to Marrakech, have ▶First we will travel to the new dinner at La Marrakeshi which city, French, Gueliz also referred overlooks Djemma El Fna Square, to as the garden district and the Le Comptoir with a bellydancing home of Morocco's Majorelle show or at a local restaurants Gardens. The Majorelle Gardens frequented by Marrakeshis. are a lush, garden estate designed by Jacque Majorelle and maintained by ▶Spend the night in a 3 star riad in Yves Saint Laurent. The Majorelle Marrakech. ANCIENT TAMAGROUTE 11 - Day Tour Itinerary

DAY 7: MARRAKECH - ▶After visiting Tourirt, OUARZAZATE you will settle in at a local riad for a ▶Rise early, take the road to relaxing evening by the pool. You INDULGE Ouarzazate. are welcome to explore the local market or visit Spices Maria to ▶During your journey to receive a local massage with rose, Southern Morocco you will also almond or argan oil and a spice pass the groves of the experience. Oued Zat, as you ascend onto the Tizi-N-Tichka Pass Road. Built ▶Dinner at your riad. Spend the by the French in the 1920’s, the night at a 3 star Riad in Ouarzazate. Tizi-N-Tichka Pass can be described as having mountainous DAY 8: OUARZAZATE - barriers, Mediterranean and oceanic ZAGORA AMIRIDRL KASBAH influences and desert borders. ▶Rise early, have breakfast and ▶Along the route you will see depart for Zagora. panoramic views of the Mountains as well ▶Pass by Skoura and visit the 17th as sights of fertile valleys, blue Century Amerhidil Kasbah. and red colored pise villages This fortified residence once and other striking mineral belonged to this most powerful environments. The higher up you family responsible for protecting the drive you will notice the mountains village and its lands called the becoming more rounded and the Glaoui. RIAD LAMANE crops turning into bare red soil. ►Take a camel excursion for 1 ▶For lunch we will stop in the hour across the Dunes of Tinfo. At village of Tadart where you will the end of the main road you will dine in a local restaurant with find the famous road sign to incredible views and enjoy a Timbuktu that reads “52 jours” tajine made with fresh local olive – 52 hours by camel. oil. ▶Visit the Tamegroute ▶Once we arrive in Ouarzazette – cooperative and see the road will take us on a visit to how the local, forest green, glazed THE DRAA VALLEY the Kasbah Taorirt was built by pottery is made and the Glaoui. Its location was fired using regional henna. strategic for trading routes and in the 1930’s when the Glaoui ruled ▶Explore the famous Spiritual the South it was then one of Zaouia site and the Koranic Library. Morocco ’s largest Kasbahs. Explore its nooks and crannies and discover ►Have dinner, watch the stars and some local female painters who sell and Spend the night in Riad their art inside as well as the many Liamane, which boasts beautiful quality silver shops just steps palms in a secluded location of the outside the Kasbah. . 52 DAYS TO TOMBOCTU

11 - Day Tour Itinerary

DAY 9: ZAGORA -AIT- is one of many locations in this OUZZINE- OUARZAZATE region used for shooting Hollywood films. SHARE ►Rise, have breakfast and take the road through the Draa Valley to the ▶Your guide will lead you on a Berber Village of Ait Ouzzine. private tour through this Berber village of towered and ▶Arrive in Ait Ouzzine, have lunch crenulated Kasbahs that once in the village, explore its gardens, its guarded the lucrative caravan route water irrigation system, visit through the Atlas Mountains. the fields of henna, the village of Ait Explore the Kasbahs by foot with Ouzzine and see how a local family the option to ride a donkey across a lives. river. Aït Benhaddou which once served as the former ▶Enjoy having your hands painted caravan route between the with henna or saffron placed in your Sahara and Marrakech in hair, an ancient Berber tradition. present-day Morocco. Most of the town's inhabitants now live in a ▶Have couscous with a Berber more modern village at the other family and partake in their side of the river; ten families breadbaking tradition in an earthen however still live within the ksar. Aït oven. Benhaddou was once a significant stop for traders carrying gold, salt and slaves along the famous ▶Return to Ouarzazate and Spend Southern Caravan route moving the night in a 3 Star Riad. through the Sahara. DAY 10: OUARZAZATE - ▶After visiting Ait Benhaddou, MARRAKECH continue the road to Marrakech. ▶Rise early, have breakfast and take the road to Marrakech. ▶Arrive in Marrakech in late afternoon. Evening free. ▶ Enroute visit the Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou. Located 32 km from ▶Spend the night in a 3 Star Riad in Ouarzazate lies the picturesque Marrakech. village. Aït Benhaddou of Aït Benhaddou is situated in Souss- DAY 11: MARRAKECH Massa-Draâ on a hill along the ▶ Departure from Marrakech’s Ouarzazate River. Lawrence of Menara Airport. Arabia was filmed here and

Orson Welles used it as a location for Sodome and Gomorrah; and for Jesus of Nazareth the whole lower part of the village was rebuilt. In recent years more controlled restoration has been carried out under UNESCO auspices. Aït Benhaddou TRAVELING IN MOROCCO WHAT TO BRING

In preparation for your Moroccan adventure, the ▶ Skin Lotion (especially for Eczema) following is a list of things to consider packing that will ▶ Salt tablets make your trip as smooth and comfortable as possible. ▶ Sunscreen (SPF 30 ▶ Motion sickness medicine Pre-departure Essentials ▶ Cold medicine: Decongestant, antihistamine, cough ▶ Personal Identification (drivers license) syrup ▶ Passport and visa if required ▶ Aspirin, Tylenol or other Pain relievers ▶ Airline Tickets ▶ Skin Lotion (especially for Eczema)-Sunglasses (or ▶ Traveller’s Checks prescription glasses/ contact lenses, and solution)- ▶ Credit Cards Hydrocortisone cream ▶ Travel Insurance ▶ Health Documentation Toiletries ▶ Emergency Information ▶ Feminine hygiene products (tampons, etc.) ▶ Guide books & maps ▶ Hairbrush ▶ Photocopies of Documentation: (passport and tickets). ▶ Shampoo, Conditioner You can also scan these, upload them to the internet and ▶ Soap email them to yourself. Internet access is widely available ▶ Shaving Cream, razor in all major cities and most small ones in Morocco). ▶ Toilet paper/ Mini-Tissues (12 pack) ▶ Tooth brush, tooth paste Medicines While no shots are required to enter Morocco, it is Travel Clothing recommended that you come prepared with a personal medical ▶ Conservative clothing is worn throughout Morocco kit, as you do not to spend time looking for a pharmacy and risk that they do not carry what you need. Morocco does have (clothes should not be tight or too revealing) French pharmaceutical shops widely available throughout the ▶ Bathing suit (for beach resorts, hotel) country in all major cities and many villages therefore if basic ▶ Brimmed Hat, Visor, Hat, headscarf things such as cold medicine, Imodium, allergy creams or over ▶ Long skirts, dresses or pants (for women) the counter medicine is needed you can visit one of them. ▶ For summer: light weigh clohting Depending on your health condition, you may want to consult with your doctor before your trip. The climate in Morocco is ▶ Windbreaker or warm sweater for cooler months and diverse and different from what travelers are used to, so come desert cool air. prepared with the following: ▶ Travel Footwear: broken in sneakers or hiking shoes, ▶Antibiotic for traveler’s diarrhoea sandals, socks. ▶Antibiotic cream & disinfectant for scrapes and cuts ▶Band-Aids Electronics ▶Disposable antibacterial wipes or cleanser ▶ Camera & Film (Kodak and Fuji is easy to find in ▶Pepto-Bismol or Imodium for traveller’s diarrhoea. Morocco but expensive) ▶Insect repellent with DEET 30% ▶ Video Camera & Tapes ▶Iodine purifying tablets ▶ Extra Camera Batteries ▶Re-hydration tablets ▶ International Electrical plug adapter and or converter ▶Aspirin, Tylenol or other Pain relievers ▶Travel Alarm ▶Flashlight / extra bulbs