mystical morocco

21 day fully escorted tour TOUR HIGHLIGHTS... th • Relive the movie “Casablanca” in an old time Departs 4 April 2018 piano bar • Listen to bygone tales as told by a traditional “This tour has been Moroccan Storyteller – exclusive to Andrew Jones personally hand-crafted Travel by me. It is unique in content, and I would be • Learn the art of Moroccan cuisine with a hands-on delighted to have you cooking class join me.” • Enjoy a Berber lunch in the Todra Gorge Cathi Burnett-Cosgrove • Ride a camel through the dunes of the Sahara Desert • Meet with the local Taureg known as the ‘Blue Men’ of the Sahara • Slip back in time to witness life of a bygone era day 1: WEDNESDAY 4 APRIL artefacts such as archaeological with the Jmaa El Square including tasmania - casablanca finds from the islands of Mogador an “Authentic Moroccan Storyteller” Today we depart Australia for our or the Berber ethnic jewellery from experience. discovery of mystical morocco. neighbouring tribes. Climb up the DAY 8: wednesday 11 april B,L DAY 2: thursday 5 aPRIL d Portuguese fortress, which were in Marrakech casablanca the 16th century one of the explorers After breakfast, we meet our We will be met on arrival at Casablanca ports of call. We stop to visit the fishing mountain guide and driver, then head Airport and transferred to our hotel, harbour and enjoy lunch at one of the north towards the foothills of Atlas where we will enjoy our first glass seafood stalls. Mountains. Stop in the village of Imlil of mint tea. We have the rest of the DAY 5: sunday 8 aPRIL B,L where we start a gentle walk through day free to explore Morocco’s lively Essaouira the remote village of Mzik and then to commercial capital at leisure. This Day at leisure to absorb this wonderful Armed village. Savour a cup of mint tea evening we visit the iconic Rick’s Cafe, fishing port. in a local Berber house, before we walk famous for its association with the film DAY 6: monday 9 april B,D down to meet our driver and transfer to Casablanca. Essaouira - Marrakech Kasbah Tamadot. After lunch leave Imlil DAY 3: FRIDAY 6 aPRIL B,D We start our drive from Essaouira to for Marrakech. Casablanca - Essaouira Marrakech, crossing the Argan tree DAY 9: thursday 12 april B,L Today we start our walking tour to see forest where we will visit a cooperative Marrakech the port and old city area where we of women making this famous Today we enjoy our cooking class, visit the impressive Hassan II mosque. Moroccan oil from the Argan fruit starting with a comprehensive Admire one of the most interesting kernels. On arrival, we will check-into introduction of the importance of architectural achievements in modern our hotel. cooking in Moroccan society, and Morocco. We then explore some of DAY 7: tuesday 10 aPRIL reviews the variety of recipes created the main streets down town that date B,L by Dadas (traditional female cooks) back to the French protectorate. The Marrakech over the centuries for special occasions buildings here are made in the art- This is an exciting and most interesting such as marriages, holy days, and deco style, built and designed back exploration of the deep and authentic family festivals. We then proceed to an in 1920’s. Visit the old French food side of the old city of Marrakech, where overview of the most traditional recipes and flower market before we stop on we will see the traditional activities such as pastilla, couscous, and the Mohamed V square, one of the main of the inhabitants of the old city and broad variety of tajines (stews usually squares of Casablanca, to admire understand their way of life as well made with lamb or chicken), while the neo-Moorish style architecture of as some remains of the glorious past reviewing some of the basic pillars several official buildings such as the of this medieval capital of Morocco. of Moroccan cuisine; a ‘spices and town hall and the court of justice built Start through one of the historical herbs’, technique of cooking. Then visit in 1930’s. Visit the largest church in gates of the old Medina and walk to a nearby spice market and communal Casablanca, “Notre Dame De Lourdes”, discover the traditional way of life of its bread oven, where neighbourhood and see one of the most impressive inhabitants and their daily occupations. families bake their bread. The works in stained glass. Continue to the Along the way, we will hear children remainder of the day is at leisure. new Medina to see the elaborate court from the Koran schools reciting verses, DAY 10: FRIDAY 13 aPRIL house with its traditional Moroccan see old fountains, historical gates, B,D architecture before we make our way to visit an old bakery and taste the local Marrakech the fishing port or Essaouira. bread. We will visit the 16th century This afternoon we embark upon a DAY 4: saturday 7 aPRIL Ben Youssef theological school along cultural exploration led by a Dada. B,L with the Moorish Museum to admire A Dada is a lady who specializes in Essaouira besides the marvellous Moorish private Moroccan traditional cooking Essaouira is a charming fortified architecture, an interesting collection and practices at wedding ceremonies town with remains of a 16th century of antiques going from the art of and other important family events. Portuguese fort and a complete embroidery to ethnic jewellery and Walk inside the old Medina and stop Medina of the mid-eighteenth century, the fine blue and polychrome pottery. at one of the traditional bakeries; constructed according to the principles Next, see the archaeological site of see the furnace that heats the local of European military architecture, in the Almoravid dynasty and discover public steam bath and where locals a Moroccan context and in perfect some of the hidden quarters and the occasionally bring to the keeper a harmony with the precepts of historical caravanserai called Fondouks sealed pot of stewed lamb or beef Moroccan architecture and town- used once as hotels for the caravan called “Tangia”, to be slow cooked in planning. Essaouira has played a major traders. In the afternoon, we will walk the ashes for many hours. Dada will role over the centuries as a caravan through the maze of narrow colourful give detailed explanations on how this trade market, linking Morocco with sub- streets, taking you back in time through recipe is prepared. We explore local Saharan Africa and as an international this active and bustling part of town. food markets and stop at the spice trading seaport linking Morocco with We will venture to the heart of the square to learn about the herbs and the rest of the world. The town is a traditional markets to see the different spices used in the Moroccan cooking. multicultural and multi confessional alleyways, districts and the bright A short break on this square has centre, with the coexistence of Muslim, colours of the shops displaying all sorts been planned in order to taste some Jewish and Christian people. Explore of garments, shawls and fabrics made traditional Marrakech “herbal tea” on its traditional colourful streets, food of wool, cotton or vegetable silks; feel one of the roof terraces overlooking markets and artisan workshops. We the texture of all these fabrics and the square. Our guide will continue will stop at the Museum of Essaouira, learn about their quality. Talk to the the tour showing us different food bearing the name of the founder of the crafts people and ask them questions markets selling preserved meat, dry city, King Sidi Mahemed Ben Abdellah. in order to learn more about their fruits and nuts, olives, preserved Here, find an interesting display of traditions and skills. End the tour lemons, and mint before we stop by the shops preparing and selling steamed impenetrable warren of alleys; before prepare Tagine, preserve lemon, and and roast lamb. As we arrive on the we enjoy our afternoon at leisure. make a mean Moroccan marinade main square of Jemaa El Fna, we will DAY 14: TUESDAY 17 APRIL B,D and other staples of a hearty Fez find a large space dedicated to local Erfoud - Midelt - Fez feast. Hasananaprovejo– enjoy – as people and visitors seeking delicious After breakfast, we depart on our drive the locals say. After a mint tea-making and rare traditional recipes. Stroll to Fez. We travel north through the lesson, try out your newly-learned around the stalls offering different lush oases of the Ziz valley, through Arabic on your host family and ask sorts of local specialities from freshly the French Foreign Legion outpost of them what they really thought of your squeezed Moroccan orange juice to Er- rachidia and on to Midelt, renowned cooking the special hot spiced tea, and from for its minerals and fossils where we DAY 17: FRIDAY 20 APRIL B,D different Moroccan soup and stew will stop for lunch. We continue through Fez - Meknes - Rabat stalls to the snail bars. After exploring the Middle Atlas mountain range Considered as one of the Imperial this square, classified by UNESCO as stopping at the alpine resort of Ifrane cities of Morocco, Meknes offers the a World Heritage Site we arrive in DAR for refreshments before the final leg of visit of various monuments: El Heri MOHA, the former home of the French the journey. Souani: the granary and the stables designer Pierre Balmain and which is DAY 15: WEDNESDAY 18 APRIL B,L built by the soldiers of Moulay Ismail now run as a Moroccan restaurant. next to a huge pool supplied by Here we will taste an amazing culinary FEZ We start our day today with a walking underground channels that bring the festival, introducing you to Moroccan water from the mountains, the mosque Nouvelle Cuisine. tour in the Old town. Step back into the middle Ages to visit the largest living and mausoleum of Moulay Ismail. DAY 11: SATURDAY 14 APRIl B,D medieval medina-city of Fez, El Bali, Bab El Mansour gate, built in 1680, Marrakech - Ait Ben haddou - the cultural heart of Morocco. Founded is considered as the most beautiful Ouarzazate in the 8th century AD by Moulay Idriss in North Africa. At the end of your After an early breakfast, we will check I, the Imperial capital was a renowned visit take a walk in El Hdim square out of the Marrakech Hotel and drive centre of medieval learning. At its and visit the Haras of Meknes. Drive over the high Atlas mountain range heart lies the Karaouine, one of the towards the mountain of Zerhoun to along one of the most spectacular oldest still functioning university. Next- visit Moulay Idriss, the holiest town roads in Morocco via the pass of door is the Attarine Medersa (Koranic in Morocco where Idriss I is buried. Tizi–N-Tichka Pass, to the UNESCO college), a jewel of Hispano-Moorish This town is a pilgrimage destination classified Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, architecture, built in the 14th century. where thousands of faithful Muslim one of the fortified villages of the We visit the Nejjarine Square and its Moroccans go once a year to pray on Glaoui tribes who once controlled this beautiful fountain with elaborate tile- the tomb of this descendant of the important passage for caravans. We work mosaics and the nearby Fondouq prophet. Continue to Volubilis which will explore the kasbah and take tea in (Caravanserail), now converted to a is the most interesting place through a Berber home. We continue through museum of carpentry artifacts. After which you will discover the Roman part Ouarzazate to visit its Kasbah, once lunch we visit Dar Batha, the Museum of the Moroccan history. Built 2000 inhabited by the last Lords of the of Moroccan Arts, housing historical years ago, Volubilis was the capital Atlas. Ouarzazate has become the film and artistic collections of wood of Morocco at the time when it was a making capital of Morocco, where such carvings, embroidery, tribal carpets Roman province. Here you will see how films as Gladiator, Babel, and Prince of and ceramics. Continue by Minibus rich this part of the world was at that Persia have been filmed. to Fez El Jedid, built by the Merinid time from the different monuments DAY 12: SUNDAY 15 APRIL B,L,D Dynasty in the 13th century, along with of the city and the lovely mosaics that Ouarzazate - Todra Gorge - a Royal Palace, mosques, medersas, were discovered in the early 1900’s. Erfoud souks and city wall. Most notably, it Continue your drive toward Rabat After breakfast, we leave for Erfoud, is home to the Mellah, the old Jewish where we stay overnight. via Skouka Oasis and El Kelaa M’goun. quarter, provides an interesting insight DAY 18: SATURDAY 21 APRIL B We continue on through Valley of into Jewish architecture. Wrought RABAT - CASABLANCA the Roses, then along the route of iron decorated windows and splendid After breakfast, depart from Rabat for a Thousand Kasbahs, a region of carved wood balconies of the old transfer to Casablanca Airport. Late fortresses with elaborately decorated mansions are outstanding. The this evening we will arrive into Doha, facades, before stop in Tinghir for medieval Medina is a UNESCO world our home for the next two nights. Like lunch. After lunch we visit the Todra heritage site. so many places in the Middle East, you Gorges Pass, before continuing our DAY 16: THURSDAY 19 APRIL B,D will see origins and connections with drive to Erfoud. FEZ North Africa. DAY 13: MONDAY 16 APRIL B,L,D Don your apron and your sense of DAY 19: sunday 22 april Erfoud humour! Today we are going to cook DOHA This morning we start our day with an lunch for a Fez family in their own Today we have a sightseeing tour with early morning 4WD excursion into the private kitchen. We will get a crash a difference as we explore the City and Sahara Desert to enjoy the sunrise course in Arabic phrases as our guide ‘taste’ the local foods of Doha. at the breathtakingly beautiful sand leads us through the Medina to meet Day 20: Monday 23 April dunes at Merzouga on the edge of the our hosts and prepare for the first doha Sahara erg. In the enormous silence challenge of the day: making bread A day at leisure before we transfer to we watch the sunrise over the desert and taking it up the street to bake in the airport for our evening flight back to as we take a camel ride along the a public oven. Get your haggling head Australia. Morocco’s only Saharan dunes before on as we head to the food stalls for enjoying some breakfast in Bedouin fresh ingredients, much more fun Day 21 Tuesday 24 April Camp. On the way back to the hotel, than supermarket shopping! Then Arrive Australia we visit the holy city of Rissani, with it’s back to the kitchen for an Arabic Today we arrive home and say goodbye its 18th-century KSAR, a virtually cookery class when you’ll learn to to our new found friends. TERMS AND CONDITIONS TOUR PAYMENTS A non-refundable deposit of $3000 per person is payable within 7 days of booking. The TOUR PRICE balance of payment is due not later than 05 February 2018. Travel Insurance is recommended at the time of Twin Share $12760 per person deposit. CANCELLATIONS Deposits are strictly non-refundable. Cancellation fees may also apply to any additional ex Australia services, reserved prior to, during and after the tour. Notice of all cancellations must be made in writing to Single $15660 Andrew Jones Travel on or before final payment due date 05 February 2018. Loss of deposits. After final payment due date: 100% of total price. Cancellation fees also apply to any additional services, reserved prior (strictly limited availability) to, during and after the vacation. While this pricing is current as of May 2017, If flight changes, including flight cancellations, are requested, revision fees or airline cancellation fees will fluctuating fuel surcharges, currency exchange apply. Andrew Jones Travel and the carriers, accommodations, and other suppliers providing tour services rates and taxes may result in an increased shall all be known as the ‘Operators’ and reserve the right to cancel or re-schedule any vacation departure. If cancellation is made prior to departure of the tour, the only responsibility of the Operators will be to refund to cost. Available business and mixed class airfare the passenger the amount we have received for the reservation. We will try to re-book the same vacation with upgrades available. Price on application. a different departure date, or a similar tour. Where the Operators have confirmed flights, we will try to confirm Business class upgrade available, price on air seats for the selected new dates, subject to availability. The Operators cannot assume responsibility for application. any additional costs or any fees relating to the issuance and/or cancellation of air tickets or other travel arrangements. REVISION FEES A fee of $250 per transaction will be charged for any alteration or revision made to a reservation, plus any additional costs from Operators. Airline penalties may also apply. A change to traveller INCLUDED IN THE TOUR COST* name, vacation date or tour itinerary at any time will be treated as a cancellation and new reservation; • Economy class airfare ex Hobart standard cancellation fees apply. PARTICIPATION For the benefit of everyone on your holiday, the Operators reserve the right to accept or reject including all fees, taxes and levies any person as a holiday participant, and to remove from the tour any participant whose conduct is deemed • Tour Escort from Hobart incompatible with the interests of the other participants. • Meals as specified TRAVELLERS WHO NEED SPECIAL ASSISTANCE You must report any disability requiring special attention (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner) to Andrew Jones Travel at the time the reservation is made. All travellers must be able to handle their own suitcase. The Operators will make reasonable attempts to accommodate the special needs of disabled • Entrance fees to all specified travellers, but is not responsible in the event it is unable to do so, nor is it responsible for any denial of attractions services by carriers, hotels, restaurants, or other independent suppliers. Most transportation services, • Gratuities including the touring motor coach, are not equipped with wheelchair ramps. We regret that we cannot provide individual assistance to a tour participant for walking, dining, getting on and off motor coaches and other • All excursions as stated in the vehicles, or other personal needs. A qualified and physically able companion must accompany travellers who itinerary need such assistance, and must assume total responsibility for the handicapped participants well-being. Motorised scooters are unsuitable for touring vacations in this brochure. SMOKING Smoking is not allowed on transportation or accommodations. NOT INCLUDED IN THE TOUR COST PRICE GUARANTEE Air tickets booked via Andrew Jones Travel are guaranteed when we receive full payment. • Meals other than mentioned This does not include any Government/airport tax increases and currency fluctuations. Vacation prices are per • Local airport departure taxes (if person, based on two persons sharing a room. Single room supplements are listed where applicable. ACCOMMODATIONS The accommodations listed in this brochure are intended to be used on this departure; applicable) however, if a change becomes necessary for any reason, the accommodations substituted will be equivalent • Laundry, telephone calls, in standard to those shown. Every effort is made to reserve your preferred room request. It may occasionally beverages, and other expenditure of happen that an accommodation provides some double-bedded or twin-bedded rooms, as room configuration is at the discretion of individual hotels. Please note that accommodation check-in times vary worldwide. a personal nature Paying for a single supplement ensures own room, not necessarily a twin bedded room. • Any services other than mentioned BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE Porterage for one suitcase on vacation is included in the tour price. Airport porterage • Travel Insurance at beginning and end of the vacation is not included. Due to limited coach capacity, this single bag should • Visa costs (if applicable) have dimensions not exceeding 76x53x28cm (30x21x11”). We regret we are unable to accept a second suitcase, or any luggage exceeding these limits. Please talk to your agent for baggage weight restrictions. We • Passport recommend you consult your air carrier as size and weight limitations vary from airline to airline and even according to destination, and are becoming more restrictive. The Operators are not responsible for additional fees imposed by air carriers. Regulations within most airports require that travellers handle their own luggage through customs. Your carry-on bag should not exceed the dimensions of 30x28x14cm (12x11x6”). For safety reasons wheeled carry-on bags are not suitable as hand luggage on motor coaches and mini-buses. No responsibility is accepted for loss of or damage to baggage or any of the tour participant’s belongings. Baggage insurance is recommended. DINING A restaurant or date of a dinner may be substituted at any time due to reasons beyond the Operators’ control. NOT INCLUDED IN THE TOUR PRICE Airport taxes which are payable directly at the airport: passports; visas and vaccinations, tips to local city guides or staff; laundry, telephone, mini bar, alcohol beverages and food not on the regular table d’hote menu (these extra items will be billed to you before leaving the hotel or restaurant); optional excursions; travel insurance, excess baggage fees; all other items of a personal nature. HOLIDAYS During local or national holidays, certain facilities such as museums and restaurants, sightseeing tours and shopping may be limited or not available. Alternatives will be offered whenever possible. SAFETY Please be aware that during your participation in vacations operated by the Operators, certain risks and dangers may arise beyond our control including, but not limited to, the hazards of travelling in undeveloped areas; travel by boat, train, automobile, aircraft or other means of transportation; the forces of nature, political unrest and accident or illness in remote regions without means of rapid evacuation or medical facilities. The Operators will not have liability regarding provision of medical care or the adequacy of any care that may be rendered. It is understood that the Operators will use its best efforts to ensure that adequate measures are taken. TRAVEL INSURANCE Passengers are strongly advised to take out travel insurance to cover any unforeseen circumstances which may arise (including, but not limited to; cancellation fees, loss of luggage, early return HOBART following death of a relative as defined in the respective proposal forms). We recommend passengers 6221 3499 investigate all Department of Foreign Affairs warnings regarding the safety of travelling to certain destinations. Level 1, 61 Salamanca Place, Hobart 7000 The Operators will not be held liable for any act of government, terrorism, revolution or other act. The Operators reserve the right to cancel the tour at any stage due to an act of government or terrorism. [email protected] PASSPORTS AND VISAS All passengers must have a valid passport with at least 6 months validity from return date. It is the responsibility of each passenger to ensure any applicable visas for all countries visited have LAUNCESTON been obtained prior to departure. Failure to obtain correct documentation will mean the passenger will be 6331 1214 unable to participate in particular shore excursions and may be denied boarding and/or entry into certain countries. Meeting necessary passport and visa entry requirements and costs is the sole responsibility of 44 Charles Street, Launceston 7250 passengers. [email protected] TOUR ESCORT The inclusion of an Andrew Jones Travel tour escort is subject to minimum passenger numbers. A substitute tour escort may be used without notice if unforeseen circumstances arise. * Conditions apply. Price is per person, twin share. Price is correct at time of publication April 2017 but may fluctuate due to changes in taxes, charges, surcharges and currency. Airfare included is based on a group airfare and all passengers will need to fly on these flights, dates and destination only. Price does not include taxes imposed directly by third parties. Tour is subject to availability and terms and conditions as listed. Minimum tour numbers apply, see booking conditions for more details. A service fee and credit card surcharge will apply. www.ajtravel.com.au