MOROCCO & SOUTHERN

OCTOBER 9-25, 2017 TOUR LEADER: SUE ROLLIN

MOROCCO & Overview

SOUTHERN SPAIN Discover the cultural and historic connections between North Africa and Spain on this exciting new tour, which offers the opportunity to explore the Tour dates: October 9-25, 2017 art and architecture, gastronomy, gardens and picturesque landscapes of Morocco and Al-Andalus. Tour leader: Sue Rollin Roman domination of Morocco, as witnessed by the splendid ruins of Tour Price: $9,645 per person, twin share Volubilis, capital of Mauretania Tingitania, gave way to rule by the Vandals and the Byzantines until in the early 8C the Arab conquest brought Islam. Single Supplement: $1,925 for sole use of Local Berber tribes flocked to join the Arab banners and in 711 the double room conquering army landed in Spain, where they defeated the Visigoths. A blend of Berber and Arab culture produced the Moorish art of both Spain Booking deposit: $500 per person and Morocco.

Recommended airline: Emirates In Morocco, we visit the kasbahs and medinas of , and Fes, renowned for its labyrinth of market streets and workshops where Maximum places: 20 traditional trades and crafts, including colourful mosaic tilework () are practised. A drive through the Rif mountains via the beautiful medieval Itinerary: Rabat (2 nights), Fes (2 nights), town of Chefchaouen with its red-tiled roofs takes us to the Mediterranean Chefchaouen (1 night), Tangier (2 nights), Arcos coast and Tangiers, where we cross the straits to Spain.

(2 nights), Seville (3 nights), Cordoba (2 nights), Here, in the heart of Al-Andalus, where Islam, Christianity and Judaism Granada (2 nights) interacted, we explore the magnificent architecture of Seville, Cordoba and Granada, enjoy the passion of flamenco and admire the rugged Sierra Date published: February 16, 2017 Nevada. Along the route of the ‘pueblos blancos’ we see charming whitewashed towns and villages amid a landscape of hills clad with cork oaks, walnut and olive trees and valleys where citrus and cherry orchards vie with cotton and wheat. Your tour leader Sue Rollin holds degrees in Near Eastern history and archaeology, South Asian studies and in conference interpreting. She has tutored and lectured in Assyriology and Ancient History at London and Cambridge Universities, has participated on several archaeological excavations in Europe, had a post as staff interpreter at the European Commission and currently works as a freelance interpreter, lecturer and tour guide. Sue has led many cultural tours in India, Central Asia, the Middle East and the Mediterranean for leading travel companies. Sue lectures for NADFAS, the Art Fund and the V&A and she has done three ADFAS lecture tours in Australia. She speaks French, German, Spanish and Italian and works regularly as an interpreter for the European Parliament, Enquiries and Council of Europe and the United Nations. bookings For Sue, Morocco and southern Spain are compelling destinations. “A journey to Morocco and southern Spain is a rewarding and exciting For further information and to experience that awakens all the senses. Moorish art and architecture with secure a place on this tour its decorative stonework, delicate wood carving and colourful tiles is a please contact Kathy Wardrop feast for the eyes, and in the bustling markets, the cries of the traders at Academy Travel on 9235 mingle with the clip-clop of donkeys’ hoofs on the cobbles. The exotic 0023 or 1800 639 699 (outside flavours of the region combined with spectacular landscapes, the rhythm Sydney) or email of flamenco, and the friendliness and hospitality of the people make for an [email protected] unforgettable experience”.

Tour Highlights

FES Explore stunning in the labyrinthine warren of narrow lanes and covered bazaars of the World Heritage-Listed medina of .

VOLUBILIS Survey the Roman ruins at Volubilis, the best preserved archaeological site in Morocco with its many temples, villas, public building and spectacular mosaics.

SEVILLE Admire Seville’s vast Gothic cathedral and exquisitely decorated Real Alcázar, an outstanding of Mudéjar (Moorish influenced) architecture.

GREAT OF CΌRDOBA Marvel at Cordoba’s breathtaking mosque, one of Islam’s finest legacies in Spain.

ALHAMBRA Experience the Alhambra, last stronghold of the Moors in Spain, with its fine backdrop of The Sierra Nevada mountains.

THE GREAT MOSQUE OF CORDOBA

Cordoba’s most iconic building, the Great Mosque, above the churches and bands of coloured stone hark back to Byzantine Guadalquivir River, is a unique architectural masterpiece. tradition.

Known locally as ‘La Mezquita’, it is the only mosque in the The private prayer room of the caliph, emphasised world which contains a cathedral and it is an expression in architecturally by ribbed domes supported on elaborately stone of over 1700 years of Roman, Christian and Muslim decorated multi-lobed arches, looks towards the , the history. Originally there was probably a Roman temple on the culmination of the Great Mosque. Both mihrab and prayer site and when the Visigoths arrived in the late 6C they built room are incrusted with glittering gold, red and blue glass there a Christian basilica dedicated to San Vicente. In 711 mosaic, showing Koranic inscriptions and floral and foliate Muslim conquerors took over southern Spain and in Cordoba designs, intended to invoke paradise. Tradition holds that this they initially shared the church with the Christians, until in 756 superb glass mosaic decoration was executed by a mosaicist it was purchased by Abd al-Rahman I, grandson of Umayyad sent specially by the Byzantine emperor. caliph Hisham, who made Cordoba his capital. In line with In the heart of the hall is the most surprising feature the city’s new status a grand was built of all, a 16C cathedral inserted into the mosque at the time of over the church, a symbol of Islamic supremacy and inspired Charles V. After Ferdinand III of Castile had conquered by the great Umayyad mosque in Damascus, where the family Cordoba in 1236 the mosque was declared a Catholic had once held power. Over the next 200 years the mosque cathedral, but apart from the conversion of sections of the was enlarged by Abd al-Rahman’s successors. building into chapels, little else changed. The new cathedral, Entered through the Patio de los Naranjos, pervaded by the which rises high above the roof of the mosque, was altogether scent of orange blossom in springtime, and where the different. When he visited Cordoba, Charles was fountains were once used for ablutions, the prayer hall is a disappointed: ‘They have taken something unique in the world forest of over 850 marble, granite and jasper columns and destroyed it to build something you can find in any city.’ supporting two tiers of red and white banded horseshoe True, perhaps, but it is worth considering that the mosque arches, creating an impression of height and space. Historical may have survived precisely because a Christian church was allusions abound: many columns and capitals are Roman or built within it. Visigothic, horseshoe arches are adopted from Visigothic

Detailed itinerary

Included meals are shown with the symbols B, L and D.

Monday 9 October Arrive The tour commences at Casablanca Airport. Your tour leaders will be waiting in the arrivals hall to meet the Emirates Airlines flight at 12.30pm, before departing by coach for the ninety-minute journey to Rabat. Upon arrival we visit the archaeological museum and its collection of Neolithic carving and small bronzes from Volubilis and . Overnight Rabat (D)

Tuesday 10 October Rabat This morning we visit the archaeological site of Chella, which combines a Merenid necropolis built over the Roman city. We then continue to the elaborate mausoleum of Mohammed V which houses the tombs of the nation’s recent kings; considered a masterpiece of Alawite architecture. After lunch, we explore the cliff top Kasbah les Oudaias, which features 12th century fortifications, narrow streets and whitewashed houses that are still inhabited today. Overnight Rabat (B, L)

Wednesday 11 October Meknes & Volubilis

Above: standing guard at the Mohammed V Mausoleum in Rabat; beautiful Heading east we travel to Meknes. Our touring includes Bab mosaics are preserved in situ in the ruins of the villas at Volubilis el-Mansour, Meknes main gate, the medina, the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail and the . After lunch we Below: Bab Boujeloud gate at the entrance to the labyrinthine, Fes el Bali explore Volubilis, an important Roman trading post and administrative centre on the south-western border of the empire before travelling to Fes in the afternoon. Overnight Fes (B, L, D)

Thursday 12 October Fes This morning we visit the excellent collection at the Museum, a converted 19th century Moorish Palace. We see the displays of carved wooden furniture, clothing, musical instruments and carpets. The pottery room has a superb display of ceramics from the 14th century. Entering Fes medina, we pass through Bab Boujeloud gate and visit the Bou Inania . We continue past the Fondouks, used as workshops and warehouses to the Chaouwara Tanneries. Leaving the medina, we head to a tile factory to see the Zellij tiles being made by hand. Overnight Fes (B, L, D)

Friday 13 October Chefchaouen Today we travel through the Rif Mountains to Chefchaouen, a delightful mountain village defined by the blue washed buildings lining the cobbled streets. The old medina here has Moroccan and Andalusian influences, with red-tiled roofs and bright blue walls adorned with flower pots. We explore the compact medina and the Kasbah, that now contains a lovely garden and small ethnographic museum. Overnight Chefchaouen (B, L)

Saturday 14 October To Tangier Continuing towards Tangier, we stop at the world heritage listed town of Tetouan which served as the capital of the Spanish protectorate when it encompassed much of Northern Morocco. We wander through the Islamic medina and restored Spanish colonial buildings and boulevards that give the town its unique Hispano-Moorish character. After lunch, we travel to Tangier and do a short orientation walk before checking in and enjoying dinner. Overnight Tangier (B, L, D)

Sunday15 October Tangier We spend the morning exploring the sights of Tangier commencing with the American Legation Museum. This houses an impressive art and furniture collection and has a section dedicated to American expatriate composer and author, Paul Bowles. We continue to the Medina and wander through the Mendoubia gardens and visit the Moorish style Above: The blue buildings of Chefchaouen show Moroccan and Andalusian St Andrew’s Anglican Church. (B) influences Below: the dramatic pueblos blancos (white villages) of Arcos de la Frontera; bridge over the gorge at Ronda Monday 16 October To Spain

From the port at Tangiers we embark on the ferry for the short trip across the Straits of Gibraltar to Spain. Upon arrival, we head to the sherry producing town of Jerez for a walk through the old town and a tasting at a bodega, or cellar door. Our destination is Arcos de la Frontera, one of Andalusia’s most dramatically positioned ‘pueblos blancos’ (white villages), perched high on a limestone ridge. Here we stay in a traditional Parador for two nights, with dinner provided each night. (B, D)

Tuesday 17 October Pueblos Blancos. Today we tour the other fabulous white hillside villages around Arcos, like Grazalema and Ubrique. These charming and timeless villages were founded by the Berbers from Northern Africa, who felt particularly at home in these mountainous regions. For lunch, we stop at the city of Ronda which is famous worldwide for its position above a huge gorge with unparalleled views across the surrounding mountains. (B, D)

Wednesday 18 October To Seville Vibrant and theatrical Seville, the city of Carmen, Don Juan and Figaro is regarded as the quintessential Andalusian city. After checking into our hotel, which is a selection of converted traditional houses linked by patios and passageways, we set off on foot to explore the cobbled streets of the surrounding Jewish Quarter, plus the city’s magnificent cathedral, the largest Gothic church in the world. Those who are keen can climb the 12th-century Giralda, a beautiful 98 metre which was once part of the original mosque on this site. (B)

Thursday 19 October The Alcázar and Flamenco The Real Alcázar, or Royal Palace, is a highlight of any trip to Seville. It dates from the 12th to 14th centuries and is an exquisite example of the highly decorated Mudéjar style, a symbiosis of Christian and Islamic influences. The afternoon is free for sightseeing around Seville. This evening we regroup for a Flamenco performance in an intimate location, followed by a tapas dinner. (B, D)

Friday 20 October Roman Italica This morning we take a short transfer out to Santiponce to see the Roman remains at Italica. a superb amphitheatre, well preserved mosaics and evidence of a once thriving civilisation from 200 BCE. On the way back to Seville we stop at the Plaza de España to view the huge decorated square with tiles representing all the regions of Spain. The afternoon and evening are at leisure. (B)

Saturday 21 October To Cordoba We depart Seville for Cόrdoba this morning, stopping at Carmona, a small picturesque town with many heritage buildings. On the outskirts of Cόrdoba we stop at the Medina Azahara, the site of a once sumptuous palatine city built by caliph Abd al-Rahman III in the 10th-century. Today we can see parts of the palace and mosque and a section of reconstructed gardens, and visit the award-winning museum. (B, D) Above: Seville’s magnificent Gothic cathedral with its 12th-century Giralda; Sunday 22 October magnificent detail showing the Mudéjar decorations from Seville’s, Real Alcázar Cordoba Below: the splendid patios of Córdoba are filled with attractive pots of flowers Our hotel is the ideal base to take a walking tour of the winding streets of the historic centre, where we marvel at the world famous Mezquita, or mosque, and the beautiful gardens of the Alcázar palace. The afternoon is at leisure to explore Cόrdoba’s other attractions- the archaeological museum or the splendid patios of the Palacio Viana. (B)

Monday 23 October To Granada Our drive to Granada is enriched by the small towns of Baeza and Ubeda where we can admire Renaissance Palaces and beautiful town squares. In Ubeda we stop for an opulent lunch at a local restaurant before continuing on to Granada. In the late afternoon, we are transported up to the lookout of San Nicolás for a sunset view of the Alhambra palace before a walk back down to the centre along the narrow cobbled streets of the former Moorish quarter, the Albaicin. (B, L)

Tuesday 24 October Alhambra Today is dedicated to visiting the Alhambra, palace fortress of the Nasrid sultans, rulers of the last Spanish Moorish kingdoms. This magical site with its walled gardens and decorated patios is one of the highlights of our trip. In the evening, we gather for a farewell dinner in the centre of Granada. (B, D)

Wednesday 25 October Departure Our tour finishes after breakfast today. Transfers are included to the airport for those who have booked their flights with Academy Travel.

Hotels Hotels have been selected principally for their central location. Above: A manicured courtyard in the Alhambra

 Rabat, Kalaa (2 nights) Below: the famous Patio de los Leones

www.riadkalaa.com

 Fes, Hotel Sahrai (2 nights) www.hotelsahrai.com

 Chefchaouen, Riad Lina (1 night) www.linaryad.com

 Tangier, Grand Hotel Villa de France (2 nights) www.leroyal.com/ghvdf/new

 Arcos, Parador de Arcos de la Frontera (2 nights) www.parador.es/en/paradores

 Seville, Hotel Casas de la Judería (3 nights) www.lascasasdelajuderiasevilla.com/en/

 Cordoba, Hotel NH Amistad (2 nights) www.nh-collection.com/hotel/nh-collection-amistad- cordoba

 Granada, Hotel Villa Oniria (2 nights) www.hotelvillaoniriagranada.com/EN/hotel/

Tour cost Fitness Requirements

The tour price is $9,645 per person, twin share (land content of THIS tour only). The supplement for a single room is $1,925 per person. A non-refundable deposit of $500 per person is GRADE TWO required to secure a place on the tour. It is important both for you and for your fellow travellers that Tour Inclusions you are fit enough to be able to enjoy all the activities on this tour. To give you an indication of the level of physical fitness Included in the tour price required to participate on our tours, we have given them a star grading. Academy Travel’s tours tend to feature  16 nights’ accommodation in carefully selected 4-star extended walking tours and site visits, which require greater hotels fitness than coach touring. We ask you to carefully consider  All breakfasts, plus lunches and dinners as noted in the your ability to meet the physical demands of the tour. itinerary  Travel by air-conditioned coach and ferry to Tarifa Participation criteria for this tour  Extensive background notes and talks This Grade Two tour is designed for people who lead active  Services of an expert tour leader and tour manager lives and can comfortably participate in up to five hours of  All entrance fees to sites mentioned on the itinerary physical activity per day on most days, including longer  Qualified local guides where appropriate walking tours, challenging archaeological sites, climbing  Porterage of one piece of luggage at all hotels stairs, embarking and disembarking trains and/or boats, and  Tips for all services included in the itinerary a more demanding tour schedule with one night stops or Not included in the tour price several internal flights.

 International airfares, taxes and surcharges (see below) You should be able to: and airfare or bus from Granada to Madrid or Barcelona  keep up with the group at all times at the end of the tour.  walk for 4-5 kilometres at a moderate pace with only  Travel insurance (highly recommended) short breaks  Meals not stated as included in this itinerary  stand for a reasonable length of time in galleries and  Items of a personal nature such as laundry museums  tolerate uncomfortable climatic conditions such as cold, Air travel humidity and heat  walk up and down slopes The tour price quoted is for land content only. For this tour,  negotiate steps and slopes on archaeological sites, we recommend Emirates into Casablanca and out of Spain which are often uneven and unstable (either Madrid or Barcelona). A one-way flight from Granada  get on and off a large coach with steep stairs, train or to Madrid or Barcelona with Vueling or Iberian airlines would boat unassisted, possibly with luggage be needed in addition to the international airfare. Please  move your luggage a short distance if required contact us for the best possible prices on economy, business or first class fares. Transfers between airport and hotel are A note for older travellers included for all passengers booking their flights through If you are more than 80 years old, or have restricted mobility, Academy Travel. it is highly likely that you will find this itinerary challenging. You will have to miss several activities and will not get the Enquiries & bookings full value of the tour. Your booking will not be accepted until after you have contacted Academy Travel to discuss your For further information and to secure a place on this tour situation and the exact physical requirements of this tour. please contact Kathy Wardrop at Academy Travel on 9235 While we will do our best to reasonably accommodate the 0023 or 1800 639 699 (outside Sydney) or email physical needs of all group members, we reserve the right to [email protected] refuse bookings if we feel that the requirements of the tour

are too demanding for you and/or if local conditions mean

we cannot reasonably accommodate your condition. CONNECT THIS TOUR WITH…

Academy Travel’s Barcelona & Madrid commencing on the last day of this tour. More details over the page. Full details at academytravel.com.au