Morocco’s Mosaic: Oases, Souks & Sahara (12-14 Days) We love road journeys. They are by far our favourite way of traveling. And when curiousity perks and we’re in the mood for the more exotic and diverse – yet in the comforts of amazing cuisine and delightful quaint accommodation - no place beats to Morocco!

Ever loved a destination so much, yet not able to articulate why - except there is a wonderful mix of the familiar with new adventures just waiting to be discovered that changes your perspective each time. That’s Morocco for us. We discover something amazing and new each time we are here!

Few places in the African continent offer as much variety of landscapes, cultures and a friendly people that embrace diversity as Morocco. The lands that make up Morocco – Mediterranean north, High Atlas mountains, Sahara, to name just a few – are a treasure trove of hidden gems best experienced in the comforts of your own car. We therefore take great pleasure in introducing you to our first, carefully crafted Moroccan driving journey itinerary that is without equal. Now turn the page and find out what we’ve come to love ourselves so much…

p2 p3 Itinerary Map …where you will travel… p. 006 Morocco is a place you may fall in love with… p. 008 Journey of Discovery… p. 010 Day-by-day... p. 072 Choice of Cars... p. 107 Adventures & Discoveries in Local Cuisines... p. 108 What’s Included / Best Months to Go... p. 110 Photo Credits p. 113 p4 Itinerary Map Optional Extension: Day6 Erfoud into the Erg Chebbi – A Extension Day1 Desert Camp experience - sand Arrive in Casablanca (Morocco) to dunes, camels and your own luxury Tamouda Bay – Your 4WD will await tent you in Casablanca. Get a taste of Moroccos’ northern coastline Day7 Extension Day2 Erg Chebbi to Gorges du Dades – Around Tamouda Bay and Tetouan Stay in the Gorge du Dades and – Experience art and culture in the experience the warm hospitality of an artisan town of Tetouan amazing home chef & his family

Extension Day3 Day8 To Fes – A day in blue city of Gorges du Dades to Skoura – A bit Chefchaoen and the Rif mountains, of off-road to the Valley of Roses and and onward to Fes. Today is also Day then to the Oasis of Skoura 1 of the main itinerary Day9 Day1 Skoura to the High Atlas – Head into Casablanca to Fes – Leisurely first the High Atlas mountains drive from Casablanca to Fes Day10 Day2 In the High Atlas – A day around the In and around Fes – Discover this High Atlas Mountains and meet a culinary capital of Morocco through a Berber nomad family Food Tasting Trail Day11 Day3 In Marrakech, the red city – In Fes – A free day to explore the Experience local trades in the medinas or relax medina, and a stroll through the beautiful gardens of YSL Day4 Volubilis to Ifran – Volubilis and all Day12 things Roman; then enjoy your alpine Farewell – Fly home - or - extend lodge in the Middle Atlas your stay in Marrakech Day5 Ifran to Erfoud – Drive across International Brands Shopping p6 nomad ‘homeland’ and toward the Local/Handicraft Shopping Sahara Morocco is a place you may fall in love with…

Morocco first whets guests’ appetites with its colourful cities. To meander through a bustling medina, or to sip mint tea in a peaceful riad, is to sense the diverse historical influences that converge here. Add traditional aesthetics, a rich culture of skilled craftsmanship, and a warm, friendly people, and you have a recipe for a wonderful journey.

As you peel back each layer of the Moroccan “onion”, you will discover that this country enjoys more than its fair share of beauty and ancient drama. This past is written on the peaks and valleys of the Atlas Mountains in the form of abandoned earth-coloured kasbahs, or fortified palaces; and in the form of Berber villages and the nomads that still tend their livestock in the vast sand seas of the Sahara.

Private car is the best way to discover Morocco, whether you are admiring a Saharan sunset or meandering through mountain villages in the High Atlas. Driving offers the privileges of freedom, privacy and comfort; soak up the sunshine, feel the sea spray, stop for mint tea breaks when you need refreshment. The Salt Road and caravan routes of old can today be travelled in the comfort of a sturdy SUV.

Above all, this journey gives you a chance to become acquainted with and enjoy a Moroccan insider’s view of the world. From the Sahara and the Berbers, to the first traders who travelled the Salt Road, Morocco has long welcomed travellers – a hospitality we look forward to extending to you on this journey.

p8 p9 p11 On your FIRST DAY… Along MOROCCO’S ATLANTIC coast…”

Atlantic Ocean from the town of Assilah p13 The COLOURS of Morocco…in EVERY MARKET…”

Natural pigment paint colours p15 Waking up… YOUR VIEW (and breakfast) over the MEDITERRANEAN…”

Your boutique hotel by the Mediterranean coast p17 A BEAUTIFUL DRIVE across the northern HIGHLANDS…”

Landscape view of Rif Mountains p19 Just like Moroccan spaces, CITIES come in ALL COLORS…starting with WHITE…”

Rooftops in Tetouan p21 HANDICRAFTS EVERYWHERE… there is nothing like WANDERING through Moroccan MARKETS…”

An artistan’s silverware in Tetouan p23 p24 p25 Next colour up: CHEFCHAOUEN, Morocco’s BLUE CITY…”

p26 p27 Even the HORSES are DRESSED in BLUE…”

Chefchaouen p29 BEAUTIFUL ROADS… meandering through the ROMAN empire’s BREADBASKET…”

p30 p31 FINELY ADORNED architectural TREASURES throughout FES…”

p32 p33 ARTISTRY everywhere… WITHOUT as well as…”

Fes p35 … WITHIN…Your RIAD for THREE NIGHTS in FES…”

p36 p37 DATES, SPICES, HONEYS, DELICACIES… in Fes’s Medina…”

p38 p39 STEAMED COUSCOUS ...fluffy, fragrant and like tiny individual JEWELS…” ”

Lady making couscous in Fes p41 ONE of many STEPS in MAKING LEATHER goods…”

p42 p43 The COLOURS of FES…”

p44 p45 The COLOURS of FES…”

p46 p47 FES is not only about markets…STEALING A QUIET MOMENT… while exploring the MEDINA...”

p48 p49 On the ROAD SOUTH in SPRING TIME… when the DESERT BLOOMS…”

On the way to the Middle Atlas p51 …MOROCCO or SWITZERLAND?”

Tree-lined streets in Ifran p53 …SIGNS of getting CLOSER to the sea of DUNES...”

p54 p55 A GOLDEN sea of sand dunes...”

Erg Chebbi p57 ONE NIGHT in the DESERT, under the STARS, in GREAT COMFORT…”

p58 p59 The most BEAUTIFUL COUNTERPOINT in the world one can imagine: DESERTS dotted with OASES!”

Gorges du Dades p61 A bit of OFF-ROAD fun... to Valley of Roses...”

p62 p63 ...and ENCOUNTERS with BERBER NOMADS that live in the MIDDLE OF NOWHERE...”

Visit a nomad family...on the way to Valley of Roses p65 p66 p67 TRADITIONAL BREAD MAKING... HEAT, FIRE, SMOKE, LIGHT... an UNFORGETTABLE experience...”

p68 p69 p70 p71 The “QUEEN OF SPICES”, Ras el Hanout... a blend eight to 80 spices - from FRAGRANT ROSE PETALS to BITTER CLOVES, cumin, coriander and cardamom...”

p72 p73 A MOMENT of REST at your hotel in Skoura…”

p74 p75 Meet the ODD LOCAL and their bright SMILE...”

p76 p77 In the HIGH ATLAS mountains...ANCIENT KASBAHs turned into BOUTIQUE HOTELS...”

p78 p79 Finish with the colorful red city of... MARRAKECH...”

p80 p81 BEAUTIFUL HOTELS for every TASTE IMAGINABLE...”

Your luxury hotel in Marrakech p83 Your last chance to be CHARMED by the medinas of Morocco... any color that you like!”

Marrakech p85 Sip tea in STYLE?... Tea will never be the SAME again!”

Marrakech p87 p89 Extension Day1 Your 4WD will await you in Casablanca. Get a taste of Moroccos’ northern coastline

We will meet you at Casablanca history that has transformed airport. Here, you will take itself into an important cultural possession of the car you’ve and artistic hub. Assilah is requested. Inside, you will find particularly well-known for some On the Road Experiences the quality of its seafood, and ‘goodies’ that will make your it is here that we will stop for Driving Distance & Duration* journey and the time on the lunch. After your meal, a stroll Distance: 446 km road even more enjoyable… in the laidback medina is an prepare for a surprise! option. Duration: 5 hours

Once you have familiarized The afternoon’s drive will Hotel yourself with the car that will take you through northern A luxury boutique hotel by the be yours for the next 14 days, landscapes of Morocco with Mediterranean Sea (*****) you will head north towards occasional views of the the Atlantic coast. You will Mediterranean Sea reminding *All Driving Distances & Duration first sense that you have you how close you are to arrived in Morocco when you Europe. are approximate see bilingual road signs in Arabic and French, and pass You can expect to arrive at communities of low-rise white- your hotel in the late after- washed Moroccan houses with noon. Our selected hotel flat roofs. offers spacious rooms, full of Moroccan elegance. A delicious The easy drive north will take Moroccan dinner will await you to the coastal village of you in the hotel dining room to Assilah. Assilah is a quaint, celebrate your first day on the small fishing village with a long road. p91 Extension Day 2 You will return to your Extension Day 3 farmland to the beautiful blue- Tamouda Bay hotel after lunch. painted town of Chefchaouen, Experience art and There is the option to stop en A day in blue city of nestled within the Rif culture in the artisan route at M’Diq to taste freshly- Driving Distance & Duration Chefchaoen and the Mountains. Driving Distance & Duration caught sardines. Distance: Rif mountains, and Distance: town of Tetouan 56 km You will have time to wander 320 km Spend the rest of the day Duration: 1 hours onward to Fes around this lovely town. Lunch Duration: 5.5 hours After breakfast, you will drive at leisure, until it’s time for will be arranged in a friendly, south to the nearby city of sunset drinks and dinner by Hotel Today is your chance to explore small restaurant owned by a Hotel Tetouan. the Mediterranean Sea. A luxury boutique hotel by the the Rif, a region well known for lively chef and his family. Best boutique riad in Fes its cultural and scenic diversity. Mediterranean Sea (*****) (*****) Tetouan’s medina is a UNESCO Geographically, the Rif After lunch, you will continue World Heritage Site. Take a Mountains that surround the south to Fes where you will slow stroll through the old “Blue City” of Chefchaouen are stay for the next three nights. medina, and discover arti- where Africa and Europe meet. sans’ workshops producing Chefchaouen is also known as Today is also Day 1 of the beautiful, genuine crafts that the “Jewel of the Rif”. main itinerary. Upon arrival in are not easily found elsewhere. Fes you will meet your fellow The narrow streets are full of Your route will take you south travellers who will be arriving life, and offer a tantalising first along the Mediterranean directly from Casablanca glimpse of everyday Moroccan coastline and then inland, airport. life. meandering through fertile

Then, you will visit the School of Arts and Trades. Here you see the craftsmen of the future learning to craft wood, embroidery, silk and tiles with typical Tetouan techniques.

Complete your time in Tetouan with a local lunch in a restaurant that was an Arab palace and Grand Viziers’ residence in its former incarnations. p92 p93 Day 1 Day 2 people work in 80,000 shops in almost 10,000 alleys dedicated Leisurely first drive Discover this culinary to food and crafts, both from Casablanca to Driving Distance & Duration capital of Morocco traditional and modern. Driving Distance & Duration Fes Distance: 330 km through a Food • Discover the huge range of Distance: 0 km Duration: 3.5 hours Tasting Trail local spices and produce on Duration: 0 hours We will meet you at Casablanca Once you have familiarized sale, including honey, dates airport. Here you will take yourself with the car which will This morning will be your and nuts. possession of the car you’ve be yours for the next 12 days, it Hotel introduction to the many Hotel requested. In it you will find will be an easy drive to Fes, one Best boutique riad in Fes smells, flavours and textures • Try traditional Moroccan Best boutique riad in Fes some On the Road Experiences of Morocco’s oldest imperial (*****) that make up Moroccan street food, including milawi, (*****) ‘goodies’ that will make your cities with well-preserved cuisine. You will discover the harsha, briwats, spicy journey and the time on the medina, fascinating regional old medina of Fes – the food sardines, olives and more. road even more enjoyable… culture and strong local identity. capital of Morocco – on a • Visit a few artisan souks and These experiences will prepare for a surprise! tasting trail. Fes’s 9th-century Fes el Bali medina is the learn about their traditions, heighten your appreciation of largest carfree urban area time-honoured skills and Moroccan foods throughout the in the world. Some 160,000 family stories. remainder of your trip.

p94 p95 Day 3 • Pamper yourself within the Day 4 Enjoy an alpine evening in the hotel grounds, enjoy a comfort of a hotel that combines A free day to explore hammam spa experience, or Volubilis and all things the rustic and the elegant in a the medinas or relax relax in one of the court-yards Driving Distance & Duration Roman; then enjoy most unexpected way – just like Driving Distance & Duration or by the pool with a good Ifran itself! Distance: 0 km Distance: 180 km to Ifran book. your alpine lodge in Aside from having one of the Duration: 0 hours Duration: 3 hours most interesting medinas the Middle Atlas • If yesterday’s experience in the in Morocco, Fes also plays a medina left you eager to Hotel This morning, you will go back Hotel central role in the country’s explore further, there are Best boutique riad in Fes in time and discover what living Best boutique hotel in Ifran spiritual and intellectual life. many more streets and souks (*****) in this part of Morocco was like (*****) The city is home to Africa’s to discover… largest mosque, and oldest when it was part of the Roman Empire. Volubilis (or Walili in university in the world (es- We will help you make your Berber) was the capital of the tablished 859AD). arrangements and guide you as Roman province of Mauretania, you like. and the southernmost city in The city is the ideal place for a the Empire. After exploring day of rest or sightseeing. Today the archaeological site, you you will have many choices: will enjoy lunch on a shaded farmhouse patio, where we have arranged a spread of foods that were eaten during those long- ago times.

After lunch, you will drive to Ifran. It’s hard to imagine a greater contrast between Fes and this spacious, modern town, with its wide tree-lined streets, alpine gardens and chalet- style houses. Also known as Morocco’s “little Switzerland”, Ifran sits at an altitude of 1650 meters. Surrounded with cedar and oak forests, this is the cold- est city in all Africa. p96 p97 Day 5 After lunch, you will continue Day 6 Erg Chebbi is one of Morocco’s towards Errachidia where you largest Saharan ergs – a sea Drive across nomad will have an afternoon tea break A Desert Camp of dunes formed by windblown ‘homeland’ and before driving another hour to Driving Distance & Duration experience - sand sand. Stretching 22km long by Driving Distance & Duration your hotel. 5km wide and reaching 150m toward the Sahara Distance: 340 km dunes, camels and Distance: high, Erg Chebbi is celebrated 60 km Upon arrival at your hotel, if the Duration: 5 hours your own luxury tent for its unique golden-orange Duration: 1 hours Today you will set out for the weather is clear, you have the that start here and ripple south Sahara. Your route soon leaves Today you will drive on to one of option to take a 20-minute drive Hotel across Morocco to Timbuktu in the lush alpine landscape the Sahara’s most extraordinary Hotel to the Borj East for an amazing Mali. behind. Vegetation will become Best kasbah in Erfoud (****) natural wonders, Erg Chebbi. A luxury-in-the-desert camp view from the top of this boulder sparser and the landscape (****) that looks over both Erfoud As you are just 60km from Tonight, you will sleep under flattens as you approach the and the surrounding oases. this destination, the first part the wide desert sky in a luxury edge of this immense desert. will see the Sahara’s first sand of the day will be free to enjoy tent. Upon arrival at the desert The Tizimi palm grove extends dunes, stained pink by the as far as the eye can see along the comforts of your hotel in camp, you will have the option You will stop for lunch in a sunset. the Ziz and Rheris oueds (river Erfoud. to ride a camel across the simple family-owned local channels). In the distance you dunes at sunset. restaurant in Midelt.

p98 p99 Day 7 in Berber), quenched their Day 8 of land. Over three thousand thirst at natural springs, slept tonnes of rose petals are Stay in the Gorges du peacefully in well-fortified A bit of off-road to the harvested here each Spring. ksour (forts) in Ferkla oasis Dades and experience Driving Distance & Duration Valley of Roses and Driving Distance & Duration and conducted business at the You will then drive on to a tiny the warm hospitality then to the Oasis of Distance: 111 km town’s medieval commercial Distance: 265 km village outside Skoura and of an amazing home centre that once housed Duration: 4 hours Skoura experience traditional Berber Duration: 2.4 hours chef & his family an mosque and a sizeable This morning, you will do a hospitality with lunch prepared Jewish community. Water, bit of off-road driving, with by a local Berber family, enjoyed Hotel Hotel Today’s drive, from Erg Chebbi shelter, business and baraka the opportunity of seeing in the cool shade of the oasis. Beautiful boutique lodge (blessings): what more could a to Tinejdad and on to Gorges du A traditional family home nomads, camels and other (****) nomad need? Dades, will be an opportunity converted into a small kasbah wildlife en route. This drive will This evening your to go back in time to the days take you through the Valley of accommodation will be a lovely when nomads were the only Tonight, your hosts will be with exceptional cuisine (****) Roses where during April and bou-tique hotel designed and people who passed through this a very warm, friendly and May each year, you will pass owned by friendly local family. rugged country. These caravan hospitable Berber family who hundreds of rose-lined plots tribes arrived loaded with will serve you the best dinner in gold at Tinejdad’s caravanse- the Gorges de Dades! rai (Tinejdad means ‘nomad’

p101 Day 9 Day 10 You can visit mountain villages to experience the local way Head into the High A day around the High of life – sip mint tea, watch Atlas Mountains Driving Distance & Duration Atlas and meet a pottery being made and Driving Distance & Duration meet some local people, Distance: 243 km Berber nomad family Distance: 0 km Today will be an earlier start afternoon, with time to relax meet a Berber nomad family Duration: 4.4 hours Duration: 0 hours to drive over a mountain pass and enjoy the beautiful kasbah Today you will have the or immerse yourself in the with beautiful views into the hotel that will be your home for opportunity to explore the High beautiful national parks in the High Atlas Mountains and allow the next two night. Hotel Atlas mountains to whatever High Atlas. Hotel plenty of time to stop. You will A luxury mountain kasbah extent you wish, from a short A luxury mountain kasbah two-hour village trip to a full Your evening meal will be at arrive at your hotel late in the (*****) (*****) day spent hiking. the hotel.

p102 p103 Day 11 Experience local trades in the medina, Driving Distance & Duration and a stroll through Distance: 40 km the beautiful gardens Duration: 1 hour of YSL Hotel Day 12 After breakfast, you will drive Fly home - or - to Marrakech and drop off your Best luxury hotel in Marrakech luggage and car at the gorgeous (*****) extend your stay in hotel where you will stay for the Marrakech last night on this journey. We will arrange your transfer Then, you will head straight from the hotel to Marrakech out to experience the magic of airport. Marrakech’s souk. Lunch will be in the hidden courtyard of a If you are not pressed for time, lovely riad. why not consider a few more days in Marrakech? In the afternoon, stroll through Yves Saint Laurent’s stunning However you choose to finish Majorelle Garden, and further your journey, we are happy explore Marrakech by carriage to help you make further or on foot. arrangements.

p104 p105 Choice of Cars

We include in the package price Also, they reinforce the feeling an SUV we procure from Avis of adventure, exploration and or Hertz or another reputable discovery...which is, in the car rental company. Most of end, the mood of journeys in the SUVs are Toyotas, but on this region, no matter how occasion other brands may also comfortable or even luxurious make an appearance. the night’s hotel may be.

We wish the car rental markets What’s more, they offer of Africa would be more sufficient clearance when developed and we could give required and thus add a sense you more choice, but this of safety and all-round ability. is not so: since we want to provide well-maintained and And so, SUVs from reputable well- insured cars, the choice brands are our car of choice! is rather limited. That said, a small selection of other cars are available for upgrade.

SUVs are in fact the right ANY car, choice for driving journeys in this part of the world because as long as they are spacious enough to accommodate a lot of luggage, it is an SUV” good-and-bad-weather gear.

p106 p107 Adventures and Discoveries in Local Cuisines

While this itinerary is not one of our ‘Foodie’-themed journeys, we do believe that each one of our journeys should introduce you not only to hidden gems of cultural and scenic beauty, but that sampling local cuisines is also a must.

We will therefore arrange for you ‘tasting menus’ such that you can try out a variety of specialties during each meal. While alcoholic beverages are not included in the price, on certain occasions, when we believe that a particular dish is best enjoyed when combined with a local drink, we will make it part of the experience!

For private journeys, we can, of course, tailor the meal experience to your taste (and budget).

p108 p109 What’s Included / Best Months to Go...

Best months to go...

Generally speaking, our journey described in this Journey • All accommodations • Walky-talkies to stay in touch wet towels, daily picnic, • Visas (if required) packages and prices are all- Dossier with fellow travelers and your basket containing fresh fruit, • A modern SUV is provided • Alcoholic drinks (unless inclusive. Once you’ve paid and crew fruit juice, water, and a • A crew existing of a journey for all driving days, expertly explicitly included) you arrive at the starting point, mixture of sweets and nibbles) host, subject matter experts/ maintained and serviced • All toll fees and parking fees you really won’t have to take • Activities, Meals, Transport destination guides in various by reputable car rental • All tips out your wallet again except for • Entrance fees for all attended during ‘free times’ as indicated locations and a lead car companies, and covered by liquids (alcoholic drinks and activities driver. Depending on group the best insurance available in this Journey Dossier petrol) and presents to take What’s Not Included size, we will add additional • Top-up Collision Damage home! • All ground transportation and • Lead car for your crew • Your transport to Casablanca crew members. airport transfers & from Marrakech Waiver insurance • Hand-crafted On the Road in • On the Road in Africa • Petrol for your car Africa – Back Roads. Hidden • All meals in ‘tasting menu’ • Pre-programmed GPSs and service (goodies basket and Gems. – Itinerary design as (or omakase) style other treats along the way: • Personal shopping printed maps p111 Photo Credits

© Air France - page 8 © Angie Koong - pages 20, 40, 48, 91(bottom), 98(left), 108(top&bottom), 109(top&middle) © Banyan Tree Tamouda Bay - page 16 © Dar Ahlam - page 110 © Dar Jnan Tiouira Dades - page 60 © Hôtel Michlifen Ifrane Suite & Spa - page 97(top) © Kasbah Bab Ourika - pages 78, 102(left & middle), 104(top&left bottom) © L’Ma Lodge Skoura - pages 74, 101 © Maana Travel - pages 56, 80, 97(middle) © Marrakech Mamounia - page 82 © Merzouga Luxury Desert Camp - pages 58-59, 99(bottom) © Morocco Tourism - pages 104(right), 105 © Peter Schindler - Front & back cover, pages 10, 12, 22, 30, 32, 34, 38, 50, 52, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 90(bottom), 92, 93(right), 94(right), 95(left), 96(left), 97(bottom), 99(top), 100, 103, 106, 115 Pixabay - Creative Commons © Anna Zuc - page 108(big image) © Beejees - page 88 © Christoph Zimmermann - page 54 © Greg Montani - pages 44, 84 © Hassan Nhiri - page 91(top) © Hnhiri - page 24 © Kdaubon - page 73(top) © MAK1950 - pages 73(bottom), 108(middle) © Malacalac - page 46 © Manolo Franco - page 47 © Monica Volpin - page 76 © Nabil Najem - page 18 © Sarah Loetscher - page 28 © Toubibe - page 98(right) © Weimer Jessica - page 86 © Riad Fes Relais & Chateaux Hotel - pages 36, 93(left), 96(right) © Ron Yue - pages 2, 4, 14, 26, 42, 93(left), 112 p112 Unknown - pages 41, 72, 95(right), 109(bottom) Contact Us

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A picture is worth a thousand words. True, but when it comes to a road journey, moving images are priceless. Please visit : http://www.ontheroadexperiences.com/en/video-gallery” p114 p115