|
DAY 1: ARRIVE MOROCCO, CASABLANCA - MARRAKECH Upon arrival in Casablanca, you will be transferred to Marrakech, where you will be met and brought to your hotel for two nights. After resting from your journey and freshening up, set out on a relaxing tour by caleche, an open horse-drawn carriage. Ride out to the Menara Park, where a 19th century pavilion is set amid a sprawling olive grove with the Atlas Mountains in the distance. Continue on to the Jardin Majorelle, one of the highlights of Marrakech; these stunning gardens were created by the French painter Jacques Majorelle, whose bold combinations of tropical plants, delicate alpine flowers, and dramatic blue buildings are unforgettable. The gardens are now owned and maintained by Yves Saint Laurent, whose personal collection of Moroccan objet d’art are on display in a small museum. Round off your tour with a short ride to the palmery, a massive region on the outskirts of the city, which provides a soothing contrast to the hustle and bustle of the city. Return to your hotel later this afternoon. DAY 2: MARRAKECH Set out this morning for a historical tour of Marrakech’s medina. Start at the Koutoubia Mosque, whose minaret is one of the city’s key landmarks. Visit the Ben Youssef Medersa, a classic example of the Koranic universities that flourished in Marrakech. The Medersa is lavishly decorated with rich examples of Andalucian-style motifs: parts of the building are near mirror images of the Alhambra in Granada, Spain. Proceed to the Saadian Tombs, with its transcendentally beautiful mausoleums and the Dar Si Said museum, which houses an exceptionally fine collection of Berber jewelry, woodwork, and carpets. Finish your tour at the famed Djemaa El Fna, where musicians, acrobats, snake charmers and fortunetellers will entertain you. This evening, we recommend that you have dinner at one of Marrakech’s superb, stylish restaurants. (B,L,D) DAY 3: MARRAKECH - SKOURA After breakfast, set out on your journey south to Skoura, a beautiful drive that takes you across the High Atlas Mountains. For centuries, these mountains have created a near-impenetrable barrier between the northern plains and the pre-Sahara, with a distinctly less Arabicized, and more Berber culture existing south of the mountains. The journey winds over the dramatic Tizi n’Tichka Pass, where you are surrounded by towering mountains. As you drive off the Atlas, you will notice a dramatic difference in the landscape: this pre-Saharan desert is a sprawling land of rock, scrub, and scree slope. Isolated houses were used by traders who walked the same route for centuries. On the trip, visit Ait Ben Haddou, a kashbah with archetypal desert architecture that has been featured in Lawrence of Arabia, Jesus of Nazareth, Gladiator, and other classic films. Continue on to Skoura, where you will spend the next three nights at Dar Ahlam. This restored 19th century kasbah provides its own oasis of landscaped gardens, hamamm and spa facilities, and world class cuisine fusing French and Moroccan influences. (B,D) DAY 4: SKOURA Spend a day exploring the Skoura oasis, one of the wealthiest and loveliest in the country. Like many Moroccan oases, it is a thin strip of palm, almond, fig and olive trees irrigated by a river and surrounded by stark rocky hills. The area has several interesting kasbah, dating back to the 17th century. These fortified tribal villages are mud-built and last only as long as they survive the rains. Kasbah require regular maintenance or they will dissolve into the ground. As you explore the area, you will see kasbah in varying stages of renovation and decay. The most elaborate are adorned with bold designs painted onto or carved into the mud bricks. (B,L,D) DAY 5: SKOURA Spend today exploring the surrounding region. You will have the opportunity to visit Berber villages, Todra or Dades gorges, or simply enjoy the peaceful beauty of the surroundings and facilities at Dar Ahlam. (B,L,D) DAY 6: SKOURA - MARRAKECH Return to Marrakech by road. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for a three-night stay. Spend the remainder of the day at your leisure. You may wish to have dinner at one of Marrakech’s exquisite palace restaurants, where multi-course banquets are served in luxurious quarters to the sound of traditional live music. (B) DAY 7: MARRAKECH Enjoy a day at leisure in Marrakech. Options for how to spend the day are limitless: two suggestions are a hot air balloon ride over the city or a culinary tour of the souks. (B) DAY 8: MARRAKECH Today’s touring takes you to the Atlas villages in the Ourika Valley, a lush region about one hour from Marrakech. The valley is populated by Berbers, and has a distinctly different, relaxed atmosphere. There are two weekly souks, which attract Berber traders from miles around. Ourika is also famed for its pottery. Visit local workshops and enjoy the scenery; optional horseback riding can be arranged. Return to Marrakech later this afternoon. (B) DAY 9: MARRAKESH - FES Travel to Fes, the breathtaking imperial city of northern Morocco, and transfer to La Maison Bleue for a three-night stay. This stunning property was once the home of a highly respected judge and theologian. The building is beautifully decorated with wood and plaster carvings, and fine furnishings. After settling in, set out on an introductory tour of Fes El Bali. This is the most complete medieval city of the Arab world, with over 200,000 people living within the labyrinthine corridors of Fes El Bali, the medina. Fes came to international prominence in the 9th century, and rapidly became a center for scholarship and artistic excellence. This atmospheric city was the inspiration for many of Paul Bowles’ most memorable stories, notably The Spider House. Visit the Bou Inania Medersa, the finest of all Moroccan Merenid monuments. Explore the area surrounding the Kairaouine Mosque; while the mosque itself is closed to non-Muslims, the surrounding area boasts a staggering array of architectural monuments, adorned with fine woodcarving, zellij, or mosaic tilework, and carved plasterwork. Nearby, the Medersa El Attarin is one of Fes’ loveliest colleges, lavishly decorated with a fantastic array of zellij, wood, and stucco. As well as the buildings of Fes El Bali, it is the souks that are so memorable of the city. Wander among stalls purveying dried fruits, carved wooden furniture, and leather slippers; found throughout Morocco, babouches from Fes are considered the finest. Fes also produces lovely ceramics, and a wide array of leather goods. A visit to the city’s tanneries is an unforgettable experience. This evening, enjoy dinner at the award-winning restaurant at Maison Bleue, located in a converted palace. (B,D) DAY 10: FES This morning, set out on a tour of Fes El Djedid, or “ Fes the New,” built in the mid-13th century as the imperial capital for the Merenid dynasty. This area is dominated by the Royal Palace and the nearby Mellah, or Jewish ghetto. The houses here are distinctly un-Arabic in design. The surrounding area is a maze of souks specializing in textiles and produce. Nearby is the Royal Palace; while most of the palace is closed to visitors, its awesome brass doors are a spectacular sight. Visit the Dar Batha Museum of Moroccan Art, where a stunning selection of fine woodcarvings, Middle Atlas carpets, and pottery is displayed in rooms surrounding a delightful garden. Spend the afternoon at your leisure. (B) DAY 11: MEKNES, VOLUBILIS & MOULAY IDRISS DAY EXCURSION Set out this morning for a full day tour that covers millennia of Moroccan history. Start at Meknes, one of the most stylistically coherent of Moroccan cities. Developed as a capital city by Sultan Moulay Idriss from 1672-1727, the city is famed for the Bab Mansour, an awesome city gate that incorporates Roman marble columns brought from nearby Volubilis. Moulay Ismail’s mausoleum is the only active Moroccan shrine open to non-Muslims. The Dar Jamai palace has been converted into a museum housing excellent examples of pottery and Middle Atlas carpets. Proceed to Moulay Idriss, where the tomb of Morocco’s most venerated saint is a major pilgrimage site. After lunch, explore Volubilis, the largest Roman city of ancient Morocco. Even for those uninspired by ancient history, the site itself is divine, on the edge of a high plateau, with wildflowers flourishing amid the remains of ancient houses and temples. Volubilis was the furthest outpost of the Roman Empire, connecting the region to France, Spain, and eventually Rome. While direct Roman rule lasted for only two centuries, Latin was still spoken here until the 7th century. The mosaics here are exceptionally fine and illustrate a unique blend of classic Roman motifs and typical Berber abstract designs. Return to Fes later this afternoon. (B,L) DAY 12: DEPART MOROCCO Travel to Casablanca for your international departure. (B) |