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13th World Sacred Music
Tour Itinerary
14th World Sacred Music Festival
Fez, Morocco
June 3- June 17, 2008
June 3: New York / Casablanca
Depart on your overnight Royal Air Maroc non-stop flight leaving New
York (JFK) at 8:30pm and arriving Casablanca Mohamed V airport at
7:10am.
Dinner & breakfast served on board.
June 4: Casablanca / Rabat
Upon your arrival at Casablanca airport and after formalities, your
host will find your host waiting for you to greet you and then transfer
you to Rabat. 2nd Day: Casablanca / Rabat. Rabat is an imperial
city
with a rich history of kingdoms that have swept through it for many
centuries;
leaving behind a collage of different architectural styles and a unique
legacy. Afternoon sightseeing will highlight the Mellah (Jewish
quarter),
the Mohamed V mausoleum, the Oudaya Kasbah and the Andalous gardens.
Dinner
at the well centered Hotel Chellah.
June 5: Volubilis / Meknes / Fes
Travel to Fez via Volubilis, the Roman capital of Northwestern
Africa.
Walk through the narrow streets of Moulay Idris: this venerated
8th
century citadel is considered to be the first islamic for the first
Arab
dynasty and the cradle of Sufism to the Moroccan society.
Founded
in the 8th century by Moulay Idris Al Akbar the grand son of Prophet
Mohamed.
Ultimately for locals, its Holiness make out of it a pilgrimage place
for
those who can not afford to make it to Mekkah for the Hajj Duty.
Continue exploring the region on to Fez with sightseeing of the
ramparts,
the gates, and the Borjes (Moorish Forts). Dinner at the Hotel.
June 6: Fez
Start your day with a colorful Mediterranean buffet breakfast, then
take off to explore the largest and most authentic Medina in the
world. The historic tour will feature the mellah, the King's
palace,
the walking tour of the Medina, the fascinating walled city with its
incredible
maze of medieval twisting alleys, blind turns, mosques, shrines,
fountains,
workshops and every conceivable kind of market. After lunch in a
typical
Moroccan restaurant, you will continue visiting and shopping. Dinner at
the hotel. Evening, Festival Grand Opening.
June 7: Fez / Moulay Yacob
Morning optional excursion to the venerated hot springs of Moulay Yacob
- known for their healing powers - located in a small,
charming
Berber village at the foothills of the Rif mountains (admittance to the
Spa is optional). Return to Fez for afternoon concerts. Dinner
then
at the hotel then Evening: Festival events.
June 8: Fez / Sidi Ahmed Barnoussi / Fez
Morning excursion to Sidi Ahmed al Barnoussi shrine in the Rif
mountains
for a typical couscous lunch in the open air with local scribes. A
picnic
over the red hills of poppies flower to treasure for a life time.
Return
to Fez for the afternoon festival activities.
June 9: Fez
Morning at leisure. Afternoon concerts. Evening: Festival events.After
dinner we will
go out for evening festival events.
June 10: Fez / Volubilis / Fez
Morning excursion to Volubilis for the Festival concert, after lunch
we will visit the Roman ruins of Volubilis -- ancient capital of
Mauritania Tingitana dating back to 300 BC. Then the site of
Moulay
Idris Zerhoun, the first Islamic city in Morocco and home of many Sufi
orders. A small city hidden in the hinterland surrounded with
centuries-old
olive groves that have supplied the country with the best olives oil
since
the Punic time.
June 11: Fez
Morning Film screening. Afternoon and evening: Festival events.
June 12: Fez / Sefrou / B'Halil / Fez
Optional excursion to the ancient Jewish city of Sefrou, this city
predates Fez for a thousand years. It has played a large role in
antiquity
as the last stop of subsaharan caravans transporting goods for the
European
markets then the visit to the shrine of Sidi Lahcen Al Yussi a
well
venerated Sufi master considered to be the custodian of this ancient
outpost.
Other Rabbis Mausoleums and synagogues will also highlight this journey
to antiquity. On our way back to Fez we will stop to visit the
ancient
Christian village of Bhallil known for its fascinating troglodytes
dwellings.
Evening: Festival events.
June 13: Fez
Morning lecture, Afternoon festival at dar Batha. after dinner,
festival
events at Bab Makina.
June 14: Fez
Morning visit to the Andalucian part of the Medina to discover the
history of the Settler Moors who came from Spain in the 13th century.
Evening:
Afternoon concerts at Dar Batha. Evening:
Closing ceremony of
the Festival.
June 15: Fez / Khenifra / Marrakech
Morning departure to Marrakech via Azrou and Khenifra across the Middle
Atlaas Mounatains. Visit Berber villages and wards, scenic views
and classical markets. Lunch in Khenifra. Dinner and
accommodation
at the Hotel in Marrakech.
June 16: Marrakech
Our guide and driver will help you explore the marvels of
Marrakech.
Historic visit of Marrakech will include the Menara, a magnificent pool
surrounded by flower beds, reflecting the image of a beautiful Moorish
construction built in 1866 for the dignitaries to enjoy glorious
sunsets
with the snow capped Atlas mountains provide an ethereal backdrop. The
pool is also a unique and functional irrigation system that
belongs
to an ancient architecture adapted by life in the desert. The tour will
cover several impressive sights: The Koutoubia Minaret (the twin tower
of la Giralda in Sevilla, Spain), the Saadian tombs demonstrating
Moorish
architecture in its perfection. The tombs, consisting of splendid
mausoleums
built in the sixteenth century, were walled for some time, not to be
discovered
until 1917.
Other sites include:
The museum of Dar Si Said with the best display of Berber arts and crafts from all over the country. The remains of the Badii Palace, a historical monument chosen to host the Annual National Festival of Popular Art, beginning the second Friday in June. The Bahia Palace, the apogee of Moorish splendor situated in the heart of the Mellah (Jewish quarter) still hosts dignitaries today. Lunch at the hotel then a walk through of the colorful souks of Marrakech in the afternoon. Conclude the day with a sunset drink overlooking the exciting Jamaa El Fna Square.
June 17: Early morning transfer to Casablanca Airport, connect to New York (JFK) with a memorable trip of a life time.
Please note that all events are subject to change.
13th Annual World Sacred Music Festival Tour
What is included:
· Round Trip from New York to Casablanca/Fez.
· Accommodation in hotels, with Full-Board (breakfast, lunch
& dinner).
· Land transportation to specified events in deluxe motor coach.
· Assistance from Sarah Tours guides and escorts.
· Fees of monuments museums and the Festival activities.
· Sufi music gatherings in Moroccan homes at the labyrinth of
the Medina of Fez.
· Baggage handling, taxes in the tour restaurants.
Cost per person based on double occupancy:
Accommodations in 3 star
hotel:
$2,685.00
Fez: Hotel Tghat ****
or Riad Dar Masmoudi
Single
Supplement:
$ 385.00
Accommodations in 4 star
hotel:
$2,885.00
Fez: Hotel Jnane Fez (5*)
Single
Supplement:
$ 485.00
Accommodations in 5 star deluxe
hotel:
$4,135.00
Fez: Palais Jamai,
Single
Supplement
$ 680.00
Upgrade for Business Class
ticket:
$1,860.00
Sarah Tours can arrange for connecting air tickets if you are departing from a city other than New York. Ask about our add-on fares.
Available extensions:
Retreats & Expeditions in the Sahara
Man & Traditions (5
days)
$875.00
Great South & Kasbahs (6 days)
$975.00
Spain, Legendary Andalucia (8
days):
$950.00
Our expeditions & retreats are a marvelous way to discover the
beauty
and mystic of the Sahara desert oases and Kasbahs, and the Atlas
Mountains
plateaus. We travel in a slow pace with the rhythm of nature,
almost
in silence. You can walk holding the harness of your camel if you
wish, or ride it when you feel like it. The camel caravan,
conducted
by a professional chief and his assistants transporting your tents and
all your necessities for the journey, will progress four to five hours
a day.