best of morocco tour 9-05-09

7/29/2019 Best of Morocco Tour 9-05-09

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- WELCOME TO MOROCCO -

CASABLANCA - FES - MEKNES - MARRAKECH- OUARZAZATE

KOUTOUBA MOSQUE VISITTHEMAJORELLEGARDENS SHOPPING IN MARRAKECH

TRAVEL EXPLORATION 11-DAYTHE BEST OF MOROCCO

CULTURAL TOUR

Travel Exploration specializes

in tailor-made Tours to Moroccowith a distinctly authenticMoroccan flavor.TravelExploration Moroccoprovidesunique itineraries that offer anunparalleled diversity of travel

and terraine through a people

that are naturally hospitable,warm and friendly. You can counton Travel Exploration's benefitsof an Anglo-Moroccanpartnership: On this tour youwill visit Casablanca, then head

to Fes, Meknes, Volubilis,

Marrakech, Ouarzazateand Zagora.

At Travel Exploration we guarantee

you will discover the best of

Morocco on this music and cultural

tour. WELCOME - MARHABA


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DAY 1: CASSABLANCA

Pick up from Casablancaairport and transport to Fes.

Check in your 4 star hotel whichhas a spa, gym and wireless internet.Relax for a couple hours.

Have a relaxing lunch at theCorniche- Casa by the sea.

Spend the rest of the afternoonexploring Casbalanca.

Visit the Hassan II Mosque.

Visit the famous residentialblocks: the Glaoui, theBessonneauand the Asayag. TheBoulevard links Place desNationes with the railway stationand is the gateway to the centralmarket. C With the help of your

End the day with a visit to TheParc de la Ligue Arabe(formally called Lyautey) which is thecity's largest public park. On its edgeis situated the Cathedrale du SacrCoeur, which is disused, but is asplendid example of Mauresquearchitecture.

Have dinner by at Ricks Cafe, afamous piano bar and place to dine.The owner is American and was

inspirired to created Ricks Cafefrom the film Casablanca.

Have dinner and return to yourhotel for the evening.

Spend the night in Casablanca.

11 - Day Tour Itinerary

EXPLORE

ANCIENT KASBAHS

BERBER VILLAGES

MOROCCAN CUISINE

SPICE MARKETS


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DAY 2: CASSABLANCA - FES

Rise early, breakfast at your hotel

and take the road to Fes.

Arrive in Fes, check in at yourriad and relax until dinner.

Dinner at your riad or Palais DMedina, a traditional Fassisrestaurant.

Spend the night in Fes at atraditional Moroccan 3 Star Riadthat boasts beautiful zellij tile and

views of the old city medina.

DAY 3: FES

(Guided Tour)Start your tour by visiting theMerenid Tombs of Fs.Continue along the old curtainwall of the medina and make a stopat the Muse des Armes, afortress that once protected Fs.

Next, enter the Fs el- Balithrough the symmetrical horse shoearches at Bab Boujeloud (TheBlue Gate).

Visit the Kisseria in the oldmedina and witness the colorfulTanneries,, Berber Weaving, Woodworking and Metalsmiths.

Stop for lunch within the

medina at one of the fine

Moroccanpalace-restaurantsthat serves anextravaganza ofmezas:Choukchouka salad, Zaalouksalad, Carrots with Cumin Seed,raisin and orange salad, Cold radish,

and Fennel Salad. The mezas aretraditionally followed by the mainmeal which will include a: Lamb andPrune or Chicken Tagine with

Olives and Preserved Lemons. Fordesert you will be served with fruit/

or local Moroccan pastries alongwith Mint Tea.Within the medina, we will

the following historical sites:Medersa Bou Inania:An (Islamic school) founded by AbuInan Faris that is highly decoratedfromfloor to ceiling. The medersa isone of the few religious places in

Morocco that is accessible to non-Islamic tourists.Kairaouine Mosque:Moroccos second largest mosque.The Kairaouine Mosque became thehome of the West's first universityand the world's foremost center oflearning at the beginning of the

second millennium.University of Al-

Karaouine: Founded in 859, thisuniversity is one of the leadingspiritual and educational centers ofthe Muslimworld.Zaouia Moulay Idriss II:Azaouia (shrine) dedicated to andthe tomb of Moulay Idriss II, whoruled Morocco from 807 to 828 andfounded the city of Fs for the

second time in 810.Dar Batha: A Hispano-Moorishpalace dating from the end of the19th century that houses admirablecollections of traditional art fromFs

Have dinner and Spend the nightin Fes at a traditional Moroccan 3Star Riad.


DISCOVER

THE BLUE GATE

THE BATA MUSEUM

BERBER WEAVING

RIAD FES


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DAY 4: FES - VOLUBILIS-

MEKNES

(Guided Tour)Rise early, have breakfast and take

the road for a one day excursion to

Voulubils and Meknes. Volubilis

also referred to by Moroccans as

Walili (Arabic) is considered one

of the most important

archaeological sites in Morocco.

Once occupied by the Romans,Volubilis has been recognized byUNESCO as a world heritagesite and gained international acclaimwhen Martin Scorsese made it afeature location for his film, TheLast Temptation of Christ.Begin your visit by discovering thefascinating Romanruins adornedwith beautiful mosaics and colorfultiles depicting Romanmythology. You can view how

the Roman Empire transformedthe original Carthaginian settlementinto a typical Roman city. Volubilisonce functioned as a final stop ofthe Roman imperial roads that wentacross France, Spain, downMoroccos northern city ofTangier and into Volubilis.

Depart Volubilis and take the roadto Meknes.

Lunch in Meknes.

Often referred to as the

Versailles of Morocco,Mekns is located between thefertile plain of Rharb and the

Middle Atlas. The historicalimportance of Meknes is reflectedin its grand Moorish buildingsand in Meknes close relationshipwith Volubilis, a nearby city

known as the most importantarcheological site in Morocco.

Mekns is the fifth largestcityin Morocco and has adynamic economic centerthat thrives on olives, wine andmint tea.

We will stop and visit the maincity center, Square Le Hadkimand then visit the palaces and

mosques located within the heart ofKsar Dar el-Kebira, the heartof the Imperial city.

Next, we will visit the well known

Haras de Mekns, the largestnational stud that can accommodateup to two-hundred and thirty onehorses. It's the home ofnobleArabian and Berber Horses.Created in 1912, Haras deMekns promotes the best breedsof horses to be used during afantasia or competitive horseraces.

Visit the grand gate named afterthe architect, El-Mansour, aChristian renegade who convertedto Islam.

Return to Fes,

Dinner at your riad and Spendthe night in Fes.


EXPERIENCE

VOLUBILIS- ROMAN ARCH

VOLUBILIS- ROMAN RUINS

HISTORIC MEKNES

THE GATES OF MEKNES


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DAY 5: FES - MARRAKECH

Rise early, have breakfast and

begin your journey to Marrakech.Stop for lunch on the road toMarrakech.

Arrive in Marrakech, check inat your traditional Moroccan 3 starriad and visit Djema El FnaSquare.

Dinner in Djema El FinaSquare - Beneath the foothills ofthe Atlas Mountains in the city

center of Marrakesh lies Djemma elFna, a famous UNESCOrecognized citysquare, whereyou will discover a world ofmysterious bazaars and a set amidstthe ancient city walls of Marrakechsmedina. Djemma El Fna is a uniqueL- shaped square best described asa labyrinth of mazes. In theevening, snake charmers, fortunetellers, monkeys & musicianstransform this city Center into amedieval circus.

Return to your riad for theevening. Spend the night inMarrakech.

DAY 6: MARRAKECH

(Guided Tour)Rise early, have breakfast at yourriad and begin your one-day tour ofMarrakech.

First we will travel to the newcity, French, Gueliz also referredto as the garden district and thehome of Morocco's MajorelleGardens. The Majorelle Gardensare a lush, garden estate designed by

Jacque Majorelle and maintained by

Yves Saint Laurent. The Majorelle

Garden is filled with colorfulwalkways, ponds, cactus and

plants as well as a beautiful shopwith hand-made goods.

Next we will drive to the LowerMedina to explore more ofMarrakechs secrets: El Mansourmosque, the sixteenth centurySaadian Tombs with its starktowers, the ruined 16th century ElBadhi palace and the Mosque ofKoutoubia.

Pass by the La MammouniaHotel Garden (where Alfred

Hitchcockwrote the famous filmThe Birds) We will stop at LaMammounia to visit the hotel andgardens that has recently openedsince renovation.

Lunch in the heart of Marrakech.

Visit the Artisinale, where

crafts are made and sold.

Next we will visit thecontemporary Moroccan ArtMuseum and the Tiskiwin, aprivate museum in Marrakech thatis dedicated to popular arts &crafts, styled as a beautiful Spanish-Moroccan house, next door to DarSi Said palace, a smaller versionof the Bahia.

Return to Marrakech, havedinner at La Marrakeshi whichoverlooks Djemma El Fna Square,Le Comptoir with a bellydancingshow or at a local restaurantsfrequented by Marrakeshis.

Spend the night in a 3 star riad inMarrakech.


ENJOY

PALMARY OF ZAGO RA

ZAOUIA SPIRITUAL SITE

CAMEL TREK

ANCI ENT TAMAGROUTE


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DAY 7: MARRAKECH -

OUARZAZATE

Rise early, take the road toOuarzazate.

During your journey to

Southern Morocco you will alsopass the olive groves of theOued Zat, as you ascend onto theTizi-N-Tichka Pass Road. Builtby the French in the 1920s, the

Tizi-N-Tichka Pass can bedescribed as having mountainousbarriers, Mediterranean and oceanicinfluences and desert borders.

Along the route you will see

panoramic views of the HighAtlas Mountains as wellas sights offertile valleys, blueand red colored pise villagesand other striking mineralenvironments. The higher up youdrive you will notice the mountainsbecoming more rounded and the

crops turning into bare red soil.

For lunch we will stop in thevillage of Tadart where you willdine in a local restaurant withincredible views and enjoy atajine made with fresh local oliveoil.

Once we arrive in Ouarzazette the road will take us on a visit tothe Kasbah Taorirt was built by

the Glaoui . Its location wasstrategic for trading routes and inthe 1930s when the Glaoui ruledthe South it was then one ofMorocco s largest Kasbahs. Exploreits nooks and crannies and discoversome local female painters who selltheir art inside as well as the manyquality silver shops just stepsoutside the Kasbah.

After visiting Kasbah Tourirt,you will settle in at a local riad for a

relaxing evening by the pool. Youare welcome to explore the localmarket or visit Spices Maria toreceive a local massage with rose,almond or argan oil and a spiceexperience.

Dinner at your riad. Spend thenight at a 3 star Riad in Ouarzazate.

DAY 8: OUARZAZATE -

ZAGORA

Rise early, have breakfast anddepart for Zagora.

Pass by Skoura and visit the 17thCentury Amerhidil Kasbah.This fortified residence oncebelonged to this most powerfulfamily responsible for protecting thevillage and its lands called theGlaoui.

Take a camel excursion for 1hour across the Dunes of Tinfo. Atthe end of the main road you willfind the famous road sign toTimbuktu that reads 52 jours

52 hours by camel.

Visit the Tamegroutepottery cooperative and seehow the local, forest green, glazedpottery is made and

fired using regional henna.

Explore the famous SpiritualZaouia site and the Koranic Library.

Have dinner, watch the stars andand Spend the night in RiadLiamane, which boasts beautifulpalms in a secluded location of theSahara.


INDULGE

AMIRIDRL KASBAH

RIAD LAMANE

THE DRAA VALLEY

52 DAYS TO TOMBOC TU


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DAY 9: ZAGORA -AIT-

OUZZINE- OUARZAZATE

Rise, have breakfast and take the

road through the Draa Valley to theBerber Village of Ait Ouzzine.

Arrive in Ait Ouzzine, have lunchin the village, explore its gardens, itswater irrigation system, visitthe fields of henna, the village of AitOuzzine and see how a local familylives.

Enjoy having your hands paintedwith henna or saffron placed in yourhair, an ancient Berber tradition.

Have couscous with a Berberfamily and partake in theirbreadbaking tradition in an earthenoven.

Return to Ouarzazate and Spendthe night in a 3 Star Riad.

DAY 10: OUARZAZATE -

MARRAKECH

Rise early, have breakfast and takethe road to Marrakech.

Enroute visit the Kasbah of AitBenhaddou. Located 32 km fromOuarzazate lies the picturesquevillage. At Benhaddou of AtBenhaddou is situated in Souss-Massa-Dra on a hill along the

Ouarzazate River. Lawrence ofArabia was filmed here and

Orson Welles used it as alocation for Sodome andGomorrah; and for Jesus ofNazareth the whole lower partof the village was rebuilt. In recentyears more controlled restorationhas been carried out underUNESCO auspices. At Benhaddou

is one of many locations in thisregion used for shooting Hollywood

films.Your guide will lead you on aprivate tour through thisBerber village of towered andcrenulated Kasbahs that onceguarded the lucrative caravan routethrough the Atlas Mountains.Explore the Kasbahs by foot withthe option to ride a donkey across ariver. At Benhaddou whichonce served as the former

caravan route between theSahara and Marrakech inpresent-day Morocco. Most of thetown's inhabitants now live in amore modern village at the otherside of the river; ten familieshowever still live within the ksar. AtBenhaddou was once a significantstop for traders carrying gold, saltand slaves along the famousSouthern Caravan route movingthrough the Sahara.

After visiting Ait Benhaddou,continue the road to Marrakech.

Arrive in Marrakech in lateafternoon. Evening free.

Spend the night in a 3 Star Riad inMarrakech.

DAY 11: MARRAKECH

Departure from MarrakechsMenara Airport.


SHARE
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Souss-Massa-Dra%C3%A2http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caravan_(travellers)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moroccohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moroccohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marrakechhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marrakechhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saharahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saharahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caravan_(travellers)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caravan_(travellers)http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ouarzazate_River&action=edit&redlink=1http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ouarzazate_River&action=edit&redlink=1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Souss-Massa-Dra%C3%A2http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Souss-Massa-Dra%C3%A2http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Souss-Massa-Dra%C3%A2http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Souss-Massa-Dra%C3%A2


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TRAVELING IN MOROCCO WHAT TO BRING

In preparation for your Moroccan adventure, thefollowing is a list of things to consider packing that willmake your trip as smooth and comfortable as possible.

Pre-departure EssentialsPersonal Identification (drivers license)

Passport and visa if requiredAirline Tickets

Travellers Checks

Credit CardsTravel InsuranceHealth DocumentationEmergency InformationGuide books & maps

Photocopies of Documentation: (passport and tickets).You can also scan these, upload them to the internet andemail them to yourself. Internet access is widely available

in all major cities and most small ones in Morocco).

MedicinesWhile no shots are required to enter Morocco, it isrecommended that you come prepared with a personal medicalkit, as you do not to spend time looking for a pharmacy andrisk that they do not carry what you need. Morocco does haveFrench pharmaceutical shops widely available throughout thecountry in all major cities and many villages therefore if basicthings such as cold medicine, Imodium, allergy creams or overthe counter medicine is needed you can visit one of them.Depending on your health condition, you may want to consultwith your doctor before your trip. The climate in Morocco isdiverse and different from what travelers are used to, so comeprepared with the following:

Antibiotic for travelers diarrhoeaAntibiotic cream & disinfectant for scrapes and cutsBand-AidsDisposable antibacterial wipes or cleanserPepto-Bismol or Imodium for travellers diarrhoea.Insect repellent with DEET 30%

Iodine purifying tablets

Re-hydration tablets

Aspirin, Tylenol or other Pain relievers

Skin Lotion (especially for Eczema)

Salt tablets

Sunscreen (SPF 30Motion sickness medicine

Cold medicine: Decongestant, antihistamine, coughsyrup

Aspirin, Tylenol or other Pain relieversSkin Lotion (especially for Eczema)-Sunglasses (orprescription glasses/ contact lenses, and solution)-Hydrocortisone cream

ToiletriesFeminine hygiene products (tampons, etc.)Hairbrush

Shampoo, ConditionerSoap

Shaving Cream, razor

Toilet paper/ Mini-Tissues (12 pack)

Tooth brush, tooth pasteTravel ClothingConservative clothing is worn throughout Morocco(clothes should not be tight or too revealing)Bathing suit (for beach resorts, hotel)Brimmed Hat, Visor, Hat, headscarf

Long skirts, dresses or pants (for women)

For summer: light weigh clohting

Windbreaker or warm sweater for cooler months anddesert cool air.

Travel Footwear: broken in sneakers or hiking shoes,sandals, socks.ElectronicsCamera & Film (Kodak and Fuji is easy to find inMorocco but expensive)Video Camera & TapesExtra Camera Batteries

International Electrical plug adapter and or converterTravel AlarmFlashlight / extra bulbs

best of morocco tour 9-05-09

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