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9-Nights Best of Morocco - Small Group from $4,050
Insight Vacations
OFFER ID 1503921
Best Of Morocco - Small Group, Winter
Discover the spectacular sites of Morocco on this 10-day guided tour. View Morocco's largest mosque in Casablanca and indulge in a feast of aromatic tagines and exotic fruits inside the ancient palace in Fes. Then take time to watch the enticing art of belly dancing. Be awed by the rugged red mountains of Dades Valley, then sip wild-herb tea alongside local nomads. Before you reach Marrakesh, walk around one of Morocco's most impressive kasbahs at the gate of the Saraha, an earthen clay fortress and UNESCO World Heritage Site. And of course, you won't leave Morocco without seeing the snake charmers, storytellers and acrobats in Marrakesh's markets and souks, where you can buy anything from a cashmere scarf to a woven rug.
Dining Summary
- 2 Dinner (D)
- 9 Breakfast (B)
- 4 Dinner with Wine (DW)
- 2 Lunch (L)
- Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
- Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
- We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
- From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
- Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
- If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.
- Fes: Join in the fun at a colorful Moroccan feast, complete with music, belly dancers and an array of local delicacies.
- Casablanca: You must remember this...a fabulous 4-course dinner with drinks at Rick's Café, made famous by the 1942 film.
- Dades Valley: Stop at a traditional Nomad house and meet the locals as you sip Berber tea.
- Marrakesh: Visit Dar El Bacha, a beautiful palace that has been standing since the 18th century and is a symbol of the city’s rich history and culture.
- Fes: Visit the non-profit American Fondouk founded in 1927 and speak with the volunteer veterinarians who care so passionately for the welfare of the animals and the families who are so dependant on their labor. Your visit supports United Nations Global Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life on Land.
- Rabat: See the Royal Palace and Hassan Tower.
- Casablanca: See the Hassan II Mosque and the Corniche.
- Meknès: Admire the Bab el-Mansour Gate on Place El-Hedim in the heart of the Medina.
- Fes: Led by your Local Expert, wander the maze of streets that make up the ancient Medina. See one of the world's oldest universities and pass hidden courtyards, mosques and workshops. Continue through the souks, an array of vendors selling food, clothes, leather goods and beautiful lights.
- Erfoud: Enjoy the beauty of this little oasis with the backdrop of the Sahara desert whilst you explore the red walled streets.
- Tinghir: Visit Todra Gorge to marvel at this fascinating ravine, created by a fault that split the orange-colored limestone as deep as 300 meters.
- Dades Valley: See the castellated mud houses and oases.
- Ouarzazate: Learn more about this quiet town in a city orientation and see why it has been the backdrop to many films as you wander its red sandy streets.
- Aït Ben Haddou: The Ksar is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the finest examples of South Moroccan architecture. See the crowded houses within the defensive walls that are reinforced by the corner towers and explore one of Morocco's finest kasbahs.
- Marrakesh: Your Local Expert guides you past Jemaa el-Fnaa Square with its intriguing characters and through the seemingly entangled streets of the Medina with its many souks. See the protruding Koutoubia Minaret.
- Essaouira: See the beauty of this bohemian coastal town as you explore the many spice-scented streets of the medina.
- Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.
- Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.
9 nights from $4,050 per person
Insight Vacations: Best of Morocco - Small Group, Winter
Day 1 - Welcome to Casablanca
Join your Travel Director and fellow guests for your Welcome Dinner, with the opportunity to mingle over a pleasant evening of good food.
Accommodations: Grand Mogador City Center, Casablanca
Meals: Dinner
Day 2 - Rabat, Imperial Meknes and Fes Relaxed Start
During an exploration of the sights of Casablanca, view the magnificent Hassan II Mosque, the third largest in the world. Venture to the très chic seaside strip known as the Corniche, which stretches to the west and is lined with trendy restaurants and cafes. Depart for the capital of Rabat to see the Royal Palace, Hassan Tower and visit one of the few holy places open to non-Muslims, the lavish Mausoleum of King Mohammed V. This site is both an architectural marvel and a monument to a great ruler. Travel to Meknes, one of the kingdom's great imperial cities where little has changed since its founding in the 11th century. Stand before the Bab el-Mansour, the monumental entrance to the imperial city and focal point of Square El-Hedim, before continuing to Fes. You'll be delighted with a superb Moroccan Highlight Dinner in an ancient palace at the entrance to the Medina. A colorful array of meze plates, aromatic tagines, exotic fruits and wine will be laid before you while you are entertained with a traditional folklore show. Enjoy the carnival-like atmosphere of belly dancers, drums and authentic music.
Accommodations: Marriott Jnan Palace, Fes
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 3 - Fes Sightseeing Relaxed Start
Led by your Local Expert, wander the maze of streets that make up one of the largest thriving ancient Medina's in the world, here you can admire traditional Moroccan handiwork during a visit to a carpet cooperative. Pass one of the world's oldest universities and see the hidden courtyards, mosques and workshops. Continue through the souks where an array of vendors sell food, clothes, leather goods and beautiful lights.
Accommodations: Marriott Jnan Palace, Fes
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 4 - The Ziz Gorges to Erfoud
Leave the bustle of the city behind and head for the spectacular snowcapped High Atlas Mountains. Pass through Ifrane before reaching the great cedar forests of Azrou. After stopping for lunch at Midelt, continue through the magnificent Ziz Gorges, past palm-fringed towns to Errachidia, built by the French at an important crossroads. Your destination is Erfoud, where the red sand buildings stand in stark contrast against the patches of greenery and surrounding desert. In the evening, there is an Optional Experience to meet the nomadic desert dwellers and marvel at the glorious Sahara sunset on a four-wheel drive vehicle.
Accommodations: Kasbah Hotel Xaluca Arfoud, Erfoud
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 - Spectacular Ouarzazate
Venture towards the oasis of Tinehir and explore the Todra Gorge, known as the Grand Canyon of the Sahara. At Boumalne du Dadès you will encounter the dry and rugged Dades Valley, dotted with oases of figs, olives, date palms and castellated mud houses—hugging the slopes. Meet the locals of the region when you visit a traditional Nomad house to try authentic Berber tea. The Road of a Thousand Kasbahs concludes at Ouarzazate, also known as the film capital of Morocco. Many blockbusters have been filmed here, including Lawrence of Arabia and Star Wars.
Accommodations: Le Berbère Palace, Ouarzazate
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner with Wine
Day 6 - To Marrakesh
Marvel at and photograph the architectural wonder of Ksar of Aït Benhaddou, a UNESCO WorldHeritage Site that boasts one of Morocco's finest kasbahs. Your journey continues via the spectacular Tizi n’Tichka Pass, before descending past charming mountain villages, dense woods and green fields to the ochre-colored city of Marrakesh. Meet the inspiring ladies of a local women’s cooperative over tea and snacks on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. With the rest of the day at your leisure, why not relax and enjoy the immaculate facilities of your hotel?
Accommodations: Mövenpick Mansour Eddahbi, Marrakesh
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7 - Marrakesh, Pearl of the South Relaxed Start
In the morning, visit Dar El Bacha - an iconic landmark in the city of Marrakech. Meet your Local Expert and wander the maze of the Medina and see the Koutoubia Mosque, with its minaret dominating the Marrakesh skyline. Next, to the bustling Jemaa el-Fnaa Square, where you can take a moment to watch the dancers, snake charmers and storytellers. With time at leisure, you are free to continue exploring: enjoy the sensorial experience of strolling through the souks or maybe visit a museum. In the evening, perhaps choose to join fellow guests at a vibrant restaurant on Jemaa el-Fnaa Square. Here, you will enjoy a slew of classic Moroccan dishes as you absorb the ambience and watch twirling belly dancers balance plates of lit candles on their heads.
Accommodations: Mövenpick Mansour Eddahbi, Marrakesh
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8 - Elegant Essaouira Relaxed Start
Venture to the west coast of Africa to reach the laid-back fishing town of Essaouira. After an orientation with your Travel Director why not spend the afternoon navigating the narrow alleyways, exploring the busy fishing port or maybe just relaxing on the beach? In the evening, you could sample the local seafood and wine at a waterside restaurant.
Accommodations: Atlas Essaouira & Spa.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 9 - Return to Casablanca Relaxed Start
Once you’ve experienced the traditional charms of the country, Casablanca is a fascinating place to return to and offers a unique insight into modern Morocco. Perhaps visit the magnificent Hassan II Mosque famous for its intricate Islamic architecture and one of the largest in the world. In the evening 'of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world' there really is only one place to be. Join your Travel Director at Rick's Café, recreated from the famous movie. Enjoy a hearty dinner with drinks and no doubt a rendition of ‘As Time Goes By'. Here's looking at you kid!
Accommodations: Grand Mogador City Center, Casablanca
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 10 - Au revoir Casablanca
Today, bid farewell to your journey through Morocco as you transfer to the airport.
Meals: Breakfast
Vacation Details
* This departure has been designated a guaranteed departure by the operator, meaning that the minimum number of guests has been met, although still subject to weather and other conditions.
Fine dining, on-site bars or lounges and room service with extended hours are characteristic of deluxe establishments. Guest services usually include valet parking, concierge services, baggage assistance and laundry services. Other on-site facilities often include shops and boutiques, full service spas, full fitness facilities with pools and tennis courts. Business amenities may include available up-to-date technology and support staffs available for services. Attention to detail is apparent in the guestrooms which typically have stylish furnishings, quality bedding and bath products and often provide an evening turn down service.
All fares are quoted in US Dollars.
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Kathleen Stahl Travel Services
529 36th Street
Des Moine, IA 50312
USA
(515) 271-8091