Morocco Cultural Tours 


Luxury Group Tour

The Majestic Imperial Cities Tour of Morocco

Nothing could be more representative of Morocco’s captivating qualities than its Majestic Imperial cities Tour.  With a powerful history thousands of years old, exceptional cultural and social diversity, and immeasurable intellectual depth, Morocco’s distinctive nature enriches all who experience it.   Join us for this great tour to Morocco ancient history, art and architecture.  Enrich your holidays in Morocco. 

 

 Day 1: JFK – Casablanca
Your travel journey to Morocco begins with a non-stop flight on the national carrier Royal Air Maroc, from John F. Kennedy Airport, in New York, to Mohamed V in Casablanca.

Day 2: Casablanca – Rabat
Upon your arrival at the Mohamed V Airport in Casablanca you will be met by your guide who will take you to check in at your hotel in Rabat.  This scenic drive of about 45 miles passes through lush farmland and nurseries growing a variety of flowers and exotic plants. After your check in you may choose to do the half-day city tour of Rabat (as the monuments are open until 7:00 PM) or alternatively take the tour in the morning.  Overnight is at your hotel for dinner and accommodations.  

Rabat is laid out in a spaciously elegant European grid style.   Slightly self-conscious of its modernity, Rabat and its twin city, Sala Colonia, are separated by only a river but historically they are worlds apart with an ancient legacy spanning hundreds of generations.  Each civilization that has inhabited both of the cities has left its mark resulting in a wide variety of architectural styles including those from the Phoenician and Roman eras.  The city tour, historical and lively, will start at the Jewish quarter in the Mellah.  In the Heart of the city at Place Sidi Makhlouf the 12th century ramparts are best seen.  Next you will go up to Bab Chellah and visit the medina across from Sidi Fateh Street.  This will lead you to the traditional Souk Laghzel (Yarn market). Your guide will introduce you to the importance of the textile guild and its role in Moroccan society.  Later you will cross to the citadel of the Oudaya Kasbah entering from its 12th century main gate to explore an extraordinary Medieval Moorish marvel overlooking the delta of the Bourgreg River.  You will have the opportunity to visit the Moorish old-fashioned gardens, a traditional coffee house, and in between, the Oudaya museum of tribal arts and crafts.  A docent will introduce to you to the traditional Berber Textiles.  You will continue your quest exiting the Oudaya Kasbah and proceeding up the hill to visit the Hassan Tower and see samples of the real Moroccan architecture at its best at Mohamed the V Mausoleum.  From here we will drive through the boulevards and Gardens of Rabat visiting the Saint Pierre Cathedral, the Parliament, the Sounna Mosque, and the Royal Palace through the magnificent Ramparts and by the tower standing proud and glorious to reach the Necropolis of Chellah at the end.

 
 Day 3: Volubilis – Meknes – Fez
After breakfast in the morning you will depart for Fez which is about a 2.5 hour drive.  However, the whole day will be spent touring major points of historical interest between the two cities.  You will travel first to Meknes on an excursion that embodies a large part of Morocco’s early history.  En route to Meknes you will travel through the Zaer confederation where fertile, large- scale farms and vineyards are in abundance.  You will also see the Zemmour Berber tribes starting at Tifelt who are known for wearing their colorful Moroccan hats as a sign of wealth among farming communities.  You will then see the hills of Zemmour starting at Khemisset, a city known for its exquisite Kilims.  You will proceed on to Meknes, a city that was originally created in an effort to rival Fez.  Meknes is what Moroccans call the Versailles of Morocco.  Just ten miles outside of this city you will find the ruins of Volubilis, Morocco’s Roman provincial capital.  It is a roman city that survived in its authentic style until the 17th century earthquake of Lisbon.  It is still one of the largest and most complete Roman sites in the world.  Less than a mile east on the other side of the hill you will discover the gem of Morocco, Moulay Idris, a creation of the country’s premier Arab dynasty.  It is an 8th century town that has stayed faithful to its existence.  Crossing the hills of Zgotta, you will then continue onward to Fez where you will begin your 3-night stay at the famous Palais Jamaii Hotel overlooking the Medina of Fez. Dinner will be provided at the hotel.

 Day 4: Fez
 

You will spend the entire day exploring the Medina of Fez and discovering its fascinating Souks.  Fez stimulates the senses with its haunting yet beautiful sounds, visual splendor, and evocative smells.  The most ancient of imperial capitals and the most complete medieval city of the Islamic world, Fez is reminiscent of a city suspended in time.  It is unfazed by the constantly evolving world outsides its walls and owes nothing to the Western world save electricity.  Time spent in Fez will reveal much about the sophistication of the Moroccan artisan, providing an unparalleled learning experience to those who cross its path.  Our specialized guide will take you on a historic discovery of the city of Fez starting at the Kings Palace and its Meshwar with ramparts and majestic gates in the Jewish quarter, a 15th century citadel with its Moorish maze architecture and medieval glory. Visits to Sephardic synagogues and mausoleums of holy Rabbis will be the highlights of this part of town.  Then we will drive to the Merinids hill to visit their necropolis where you will enjoy the best panoramic view of the Old Walled Medina, brimming with all its countless minarets calling the faithful to prayers in a city that has responded to these calls for 12 centuries.  Drive down the hill to the gate of Bab Guissa to leave your vehicle and enter a world that belongs to an ancient time.  Fez has conserved its integrity and the Medina is still as it was centuries ago. Not even a bicycle is able to be used as a tool of transportation.  Only donkeys, mules and horses are able to help move everything the city produces and needs as supplies.  The first guilds you will immediately encounter are the cobblers, then the saddlers and black smiths interlaced by some caravansaries for tribesmen who come from the surrounding areas to trade and supply their needs.  Down the hill to Juteya you will encounter all sorts of crafts but noticeably carpenters and leather workers as one of the traditional tanneries is not far.  This walk will lead you to El ashabine square with its different activities. From there we will wind our way to the Sgha square which will lead us to Attarine, then souk el henna and the Mausoleum of Moulay Idris, the founder of Fez.  Next to it, you will visit the Nejjarine square with its famous fountain, its guild of carpentry, the museum of folk arts at the Fondouk, the tannery, and on to visit the great Mosque university of Al Quarrawiyyine.  You will then pass by the market of dried fruits, the Medersa Attarine to the Sbetryyine book binders, the Seffarine Square where the tapping of metalworkers is still deafening to passersby as it has been for centuries.  You will break for lunch and then continue exploring the marvels of the Fez Medina.  These will be highlighted by the Dyers souk, Foundouk Tetouani, the shrine of Sidi Ahmed Tijani, and then on to foundouk Lihoudi where a family will host you for a traditional mint tea in their home.  Return to your hotel for dinner and accommodations. 

Day 5: Fez – Azrou – Khenifra – Marrakech
You depart Fez in the morning enroute to Midelt which is about a 4-hour drive.  Your day including your drive and the afternoon in Midelt will be spent discovering the rural environs of the Berbers in the Atlas Mountains covered with evergreen pines, tall cedar trees, and poplars, and laced with flowing streams.  Your first view of the Middle Atlas will appear oddly un-Moroccan. Passing by Imouzzer, with a break stop at the Suisse-like town of Ifrane, you will soon come across the first real town of the Middle Atlas, Azrou, an important market center for the region’s Berber tribes located at a major junction of mountain routes.  Your driver will take a little detour in the cedar forest to introduce you to one of the oldest inhabitants of this region, the Berber apes.  If you are lucky you will also encounter a nomadic family in its temporary encampment.  As nomads are very hospitable people, whenever we encounter them they usually invite us for a mint tea under their tents.  You will  pause for lunch in Khenifra before descending the foothills overlooking the magnificent oasis of Marrakech Alhamra, a city that captivates the imagination and provides satisfaction for every possible taste.  Detours will include visits to Berber villages, scenic views, and traditional markets, and you will conclude your day with dinner at your hotel.

 Day 6: Marrakech
You will spend your day exploring the majesties and wonders of Marrakech, including a visit to the historic Menara, a magnificent pool surrounded by flowerbeds, which reflects the image of a beautiful Moorish edifice.  The construction, built in 1866, was designed for the dignitaries, so that they could enjoy glorious sunsets with the snow-capped Atlas Mountains providing an ethereal backdrop.  The pool is also an innovative, functional irrigation system belonging to an ancient architectural style adapted to the desert lifestyle.  In addition, you will visit several impressive sights, including the Koutoubia Minaret (identical to la Giralda, a tower located in Sevilla, Spain), and the Saadian tombs, which demonstrate Moorish architecture at its greatest.  The tombs, a collection of sixteenth century mausoleums, were hidden behind walls until their discovery in 1917.  Lunch will take place at your hotel, and the afternoon will consist of a tour of the colorful souks (markets) of Marrakech.  After a drink at sunset, overlooking the bustling Jamaa El Fna Square, you will conclude your day with dinner at a typical Moroccan restaurant including local entertainment.

 Other interesting sights will include:

-The museum of Dar Si Said, equipped with a display of Berber arts and crafts from all over Morocco. 

-The remains of the Badii Palace, a historical monument which is host to the Annual National Festival of Popular Art, beginning the second Friday in June. 

-The Bahia Palace, which exemplifies Moorish splendor at its finest.  It is situated in the heart of the Mellah, and continues to host dignitaries to this day.

 Day 7: Marrakech
Your last full day in Morocco will be spent continuing your exploration of Marrakech, including a visit to the botanical gardens.  The gardens, initially designed by a well-known painter, Mr. Majorelle, were remodeled by their owner, designer Yves Saint Laurent.  Other activities will include shopping in the colonial district, Guelize, and dinner at your hotel.

 Day 8: Marrakech – New York
You will take an early morning flight from Marrakech Airport to Casablanca, and will fly directly from there to John F. Kennedy Airport, in New York. 

 

What is Included:

-Round trip airplane tickets on Royal Air Maroc flights from New York to Casablanca

-Six nights accommodation in 4-star hotels

-Breakfast and dinner daily

-Land transportation in chauffeured vehicles

-Services of English-speaking guides and tour leader

-Entrance fees to monuments and museums

-Hotel tax and service charges

 

Hotels Include:

-Rabat: Hotel Mercure, one night

-Fez: Hotel Mirage Fez, two nights

-Marrakech: Hotel Royal Mirage, three nights

             

Cost per person based on double occupancy:                      $1885.00

 

The Group Tour departs every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday with a maximum of 12 participants.
Our customized itineraries are best way to see real Morocco


Visiting, walking the imperial cities escorted guided tour of Morocco, Trekking the Atlas mountains, hiking Morocco

For Tour Information and Reservations contact:
Sarah Tours, Inc.
Call: (800) 267-0036 or (703) 619-0777
Fax: (703) 619-9399
Email: sarahtur@erols.com  


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