Congregation B'nai Amoona's Jewish Heritage Morocco Tour led by Rabbi Carnie Shalom Rose February 10 - 18, 2020
(Version: April, 02nd, 2019; subject to change)
Monday, February 10, 2020: -l, D-
Arrival at Marrakech’s Menara Airport.
VIP airport services include being met upon arrival, expedited through passport control and escorted to meet your guide & driver. You will be escorted to town to check-in at the Barrière Le Naoura Marrakech
Lunch
The Riad Barrière Le Naoura Marrakech - At the gates of the Medina and a few minutes from the souks, Jemaa El-Fna square and Marrakech's city centre, Hotel & Ryads Le Naoura offers absolute tranquility. Experience a complete change of scenery and absolute privacy.
Your guide will give you a brief introduction of Marrakech.
Rest & Refresh at your Hotel before dinner.
Dinner Reservations will be made
Overnight at: Barrière Le Naoura Marrakech.
Tuesday, February 11, 2020: -B, L, D- Breakfast at your Hotel.
Begin exploring Marrakech. Visit the famous Majorelle Garden, created by the orientalist painter Jacques Majorelle. The garden was a gift to Marrakech from Yves-Saint Laurent. Purchased from the painter Jacques, the garden is adorned with Majorelle blue, the color named for him.
Continue to the Yves-Saint Laurent Museum, opened in October 2017. The museum highlights the life work of the designer, his works and his connection to Marrakech. The museum also includes a hall for temporary exhibitions, a research library with over 5,000 volumes, a 140-seat auditorium, bookshop and terrace café. The museum itself has been recognized by architectural as unique and innovative design.
This afternoon, a cooking class in the legendary restaurant at La Maison Arabe - The workshops are conducted by a dada (traditional Moroccan cook) or a chef from our Moroccan restaurant, and are held at the hotel. Small groups of maximum 10 participants work alongside a translator (Arabic/English/French), using easy- to-use modern equipment found in everyday kitchens. At the end of each workshop, participants savor the meal they have prepared. At a typical half-day workshop, one learns to prepare an appetizer and a main dish, or a main dish and dessert.
After lunch, explore Marrakech's enormous marketplace. Each trade and specialty clusters together over alleyways and squares. The colorful spice souks lead down the metalworkers clanging away. Experience the
Djemaa El Fna Square, one of the most colorful and mysterious sites in all of Africa, with its snake-charmers, street vendors, musicians, jugglers, fortune-tellers and storytellers.
Return to the hotel. Rest & Refresh before dinner.
Dinner
Overnight at: Barrière Le Naoura Marrakech.
Wednesday, February 12, 2020: -B,L,D- Breakfast at your hotel then take an excursion to the coastal city of Essaouira, it’s about 3 hours’ drive. A former Portuguese town on the Atlantic Ocean, it has become something of an artists’ colony. Start by exploring the enchanting streets and alleys of laid-back Essaouira. Once known as Mogador, Essaouira’s blue and white medina is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
We will have lunch of freshly caught fish at one of the stands by the bustling port or one of the many restaurants overlooking the busy Place Moulay Hassan.
After lunch, Visit the street of the thuya workers, the ocean-side ramparts, and the numerous art galleries scattered about town. Once a Portuguese outpost, now a hip art community known for such visitors as Jimmy Hendricks and Cat Stevens. Most recently the film location for several episodes of “Game of Thrones”.
Visit the old Jewish cemetery and synagogue of Rabbi Ḥaim Pinto (1748–1845) Rabbi Pinto was the leading rabbi in the seaport city of Essaouira, Morocco, known in his lifetime as Mogador, Morocco. Rabbi Pinto, himself born into a distinguished rabbinic family, had four sons, Rabbi Yehouda also known as Rabbi Haddan, Rabbi Yossef, Rabbi Yehoshiya and Rabbi Yaacov. Annually, on the anniversary of Rabbi Pinto's death, (26 Elloul 5605, in the Hebrew calendar) Jews from around the world come on pilgrimage to pray at the rabbi's grave. Head back to Marrakech.
Dinner
Overnight at: Barrière Le Naoura Marrakech.
Thursday, February 13, 2020: -B,L,D- Breakfast at your Hotel. Then enjoy a guided tour of Marrakech, starting by Bab Agnaou, one of the gates of the Medina. It functions as the main entrance to the Kasbah which is the site of the El Badi Palace. It is perhaps the most unique of Marrakech’s nineteen gates and its original function, as a royal entrance, is perhaps the reason for this.
Visit the Saadian Tombs, built in the 16th century as a mausoleum for many Saadian rulers and entertainers.
Visit the Slat al-Azama Synagogue, the synagogue of the Mellah.
Visit the 19th-century Bahia Palace. It is one of the masterpieces of Moroccan architecture, one of the major monuments of the country’s cultural heritage and one of the main places of tourism in Morocco.
Lunch
After lunch, meet with your Shopping Expert for an excursion this afternoon. Your host for the day is an expat designer who has been living in Marrakech for almost 20 years. Gain access to shops and artists who are “off the beaten path”, and direct to wholesalers and artist you would otherwise not see. Your afternoon will be planned around your own interests. Return to the hotel.
Rest & Refresh before dinner.
Dinner then Show at Chez Ali - After dinner at a restaurant, see the spectacular Chez Ali, a true Moroccan Nights’ experience, providing an enchanting atmosphere under Berber tents
Overnight at: Barrière Le Naoura Marrakech.
Friday, February 14, 2020: -B, L,D-
Breakfast at your Hotel then check out and head inland to Fès, approximately 6 Hours’ drive.
Lunch on route.
Upon arrival, check in at Marriott Jnane Palace Fès – The Marriott Hotel Jnan Palace is a known respite for discerning travelers and a walking distance to the synagogue.
If you are ready, your guide & driver will give you a brief introductory of Fès. Take in a panoramic view of the Medina from Borj Sud Fortress.
Rest & Refresh at your hotel and get ready for Shabbat.
Shabbat Services & dinner with members of local Jewish Community who will join the group to discuss their life in Fes.
Overnight at: Marriott Jnane Palace Fès
Saturday, February 15, 2020: -B, L- Breakfast at your hotel then Shabbat services at the Roben Ben Saadoun Synagogue
Shabbat lunch.
After Lunch a guided visit on foot through the Mellah (Jewish Quarter) of Fes and visit the 17th century Ibn Danan Synagogue, the oldest existing synagogue in the city. The Synagogue underwent a restoration as part of a UNESCO project in 1999.
You will cross through an area known for its goldsmithing, and continue across the street to Fes Jadid past ancient homes to the entry called Bab Semmarine, built by the Marinid Dynasty in the late 13th century. Continue through the famous public Jnane Sbil gardens to the Blue Gates of the old city (known as Bab Bou Jeloud).
Follow a different route back to enjoy the scenery.
Return to your Hotel, and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Dinner at Leisure. (Independently)
Overnight at: Marriott Jnane Palace Fès
Sunday, February 16, 2020: -B, D- Breakfast at your Hotel.
Guide and driver with luxury bus are at your disposal.
Start your day by a visit into the University of Al-Qarawiyyin, considered by the Guinness Book of Records, UNESCO and many historians as the oldest continuously operating, academic degree-granting university in the world.
Visit the Attarine Madrasa, near the Al-Qarawiyyin. It was built by the Marinid sultan Uthman II Abu Said (r. 1310-1331) in 1323-5. The madrasa takes its name from the Souk al-Attarine, the spice and perfume market.
Visit the Dar Batha Museum, which has a particularly impressive pottery collection that dates to the 16th century.
Lunch at Leisure.
After lunch, see the stunning gates of the Royal Palace of the Alaouite sultan in the city of Fez, Morocco. The palace is located in Fes el Jdid quarter. It has an area size of 80 hectares, and known for the brass gate ornamented with zellige tilework and carved cedar woods. The palace is not open to the public.
Take the rest of your day at leisure. Rest & Relax at the Hotel before dinner.
Dinner
Overnight at: Marriott Jnane Palace Fès
Monday, February 17, 2020: -B, L, D-
Breakfast at your Hotel.
Guide and driver with luxury bus are at your disposal.
Check-out from your Hotel. Head inland to Casablanca, approximately Three Hours & Half’s drive, making the following stops:
Volubilis, the ruins of the late Roman era capital of the province of Mauritania. A UNESCO World Heritage site, Volubilis overlooks the fertile plains of the Meknes region near the foot of Mt. Zerhoun. Intact mosaics, restored arches and olive oil presses give one a sense of the importance of this outpost on the fringes of the empire. At Volubilis, your expert guide will arrange for a local guide to take you through the site. This is required by local regulations.
Continue to Rabat.
Upon arrival, begin with a city tour that includes a drive around the walls of the Royal Palace and a visit to the Mausoleums of Mohammed V & Hassan II, two rulers who worked hand-in-hand with the Jewish community.
Take a guided walk through the Old Walled City and the marvelous Kasbah des Oudayas. Built by the Almohad Dynasty in the 12th century, is worth serious exploration. Stroll the narrow streets to the Andalusian gardens that sit on the site of the former palace and are something of a town square .
Lunch
After lunch, Chellah, the roots of which go back to Phoenician times. The Romans and the corsairs of later eras operated from this fortress located above the banks of the Bouregreg River. Today, Chellah is a collection of ruins, a citadel and lush gardens.
When you are ready, continue on your route to Casablanca.
Upon arrival, check in at Kenzi Tower Hotel Casablanca - The Kenzi Tower Hotel is a true emblem of Morocco that asserts its stunning position in the 28 storey B tower of the Twin Center of Casablanca. Since 2009, the luxury hotel impresses with its size, the magic of its sight and the quality of its services. Its luxurious comfort and the elegance of its decoration make it Casablanca’s address of customized service and the hotel to be when in search of excellence.
Rest and refresh at your Hotel before dinner.
Suggested dinner reservations at Cercle de l’alliance Restaurant – serving kosher food and has been known as a center for gathering of the Jewish community in Casablanca.
Overnight at: Kenzi Tower Casablanca.
Tuesday, February 18, 2020: -B-
Breakfast at your Hotel. Check-out from your Hotel and transfer to the Airport for departure to USA
If time permits, begin your journey home with a panoramic tour of Casablanca and its diverse attractions.
Guided visit to the Hassan II Mosque. Completed in 1993, the Mosque can accommodate up to 25,000 worshippers making it the second largest in Islam today. Visitors must be on time for scheduled visits.
Guided visit through the museum of the Jews of Morocco, for a glimpse into the rich and colorful world of Moroccan Jewry. It is the first Jewish museum in a Muslim country. The museum tells the story of a community that once numbered 250,000 strong. It documents two millennia of Jewish heritage, both in the Imperial Cities as well as in the lesser-known Berber Jewish communities spread throughout the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara.
You will be escorted to Mohammed V International Airport of Casablanca for your departure flight.
PRICES FOR THE ABOVE TOUR
(All Prices USD)
"Land only" cost per passenger in double occupancy:
Proposed hotels:
Barrière Le Naoura, Marrakech Marriott Jnane Palace, Fès
Kenzi Tower, Casablanca (or similar based on availability)
20-24 25-29 30-34 35-39 40+
$2495 $2450 $2380 $2360 2345
Single Supplement - $965
Please Note: Rates are based on attached itinerary and are valid only for the dates specified in this itinerary.
Flights (NB: Rates are estimates. Actual prices depend on when booked and contract received from the airline; fuel surcharges are subject to fluctuation; ITC can only hold group space up until 90 days before departure, after which air prices are subject to change; tour companies have only very limited control over group seating on flights.)
Estimated Roundtrip Airfare St. Louis -Morocco $1440.00- $1600.00
Please book flights directly with ITC’s NJ office: 800-2-ISRAEL, 973-535-2575.
Terms & Conditions
. The above rates are per person based on double occupancy.
. Pricing is United States Dollars
. Prices are per bus and are based on number of full-paying travelers.
. The tour selling price is based on a minimum number of passengers, as per above chart, and the above itinerary. If the total number of participants falls below the minimum number used for the selling price, the selling price can be recalculated to accommodate a smaller number of tour participants. If the total number of participants should be fewer than 20, group rates may not be available through hotels, airlines, and tourist sites, resulting in additional expenses.
. Offer is for indicated or similar hotels, depending on availability; prices subject to dollar fluctuation.
. ITC pricing reflects a 4% discount for cash and checks. For credit card usage please add 4%.
. Single supplement applies only when a passenger is allocated a single occupancy room.
Airline utilization & deposit requirements will be advised at time of confirmation.
. Price for airline seats are not guaranteed until airline receives seat deposits.
Included in your land package:
. Transfers from & to the Airport . Nine nights’ accommodation. . Hotel service charges and taxes. . Breakfast every morning . Guide services. . Shopping Excursion. . Bus & Driver. . Water on bus. . Meals mentioned in the itinerary. . Cooking Class. . All admissions while accompanied by your guide. . The services of our Marrakech office and 24/7 emergency contact.
Not included:
. International air transportation. . Drinks during the meals. . Gratuities, tips for porters, drivers, and guides. . Items of a purely personal nature . Insurance . Private rooms for group meetings
Insurance: We strongly recommend that all clients purchase a comprehensive travel package that includes trip cancellation protection and emergency medical evacuation.
Important Information For All Travelers:
Please be aware that you may not fly to a foreign country if your passport has fewer than 6 months remaining. Be sure that your passport, and those of all members of your traveling group, has an expiration date that is at least six months later than your day of departure. If this is not the case, please take immediate steps to renew your passport! Your Friends at ITC
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