| |||||||
| |||||||
|
|||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 | ||||
|
|
Experience the mysteries of the Sahara and the magic of Marrakech and Fes. Overview
|
|
Morocco: Magic & Mystery Morocco has a natural seductiveness, a charisma which attracts travelers like an exotic lover. Its power has attracted a number of people with discerning tastes: great writers and poets, painters and film directors, rock stars and movie idols. But Morocco's arms are open for all who recognize the romance and the richness of this fascinating country. During our first two days we will immerse ourselves into Moroccan history starting in the modern metropolis of Casablanca, walking around the ancient Roman town of Volubilis, and the once- prominent religious center of Moulay Idriss, before arriving in Fes. Fes is one of Morocco's four "imperial cities" and it retains much of its traditional architecture within the walls of its medina, or marketplace. We'll spend a day learning the essence of Fes, then drive south over desert mountain passes and stark valleys to the city of Erfoud, one of Morocco's Sahara desert outposts. Our lodging for a night in Erfoud will be at a hotel inspired by the "kasbah" architecture of the region. Kasbahs are huge earthen buildings that can house an entire village inside their walls. The following day we leave the city behind and head off into the desert. We start out on a 4x4 vehicle, then transfer to a camel for the final stretch of our day's journey to a very special tented camp in the Merzouga Dunes, our home for the night. Unlike Scout tents that many of us remember, these tents are large, lavish affairs complete with carpets. Dinners in the desert are often accompanied by music from Berbers, reflecting their nomadic background. The next morning we return to Erfoud, then enjoy a spectacular drive that includes the Todra Gorges and the Dades Gorges. Eventually we follow the palm groves of the Dra'a valley to Ouarzazate, once a remote French Foreign Legion post, and now home to a magnificent casbah and the movie studio where Mankiewicz's Cleopatra, starring Elizabeth Taylor, was filmed. From Ouarzazate, we drive up into the High Atlas Mountains where we stay two nights at a very comfortable kasbah-style remote mountain lodge. We'll spend enough time there to allow time for some great hiking deeper into the mountain valleys. For our last two days in Morocco, we drive down from the High Atlas Mountains to another imperial city, that great pearl of Marrakech. The city is known for its magnificent mosques, palaces and the famous Djemaa F’na Square. And we experience the city from a local perspective, by staying in a small riad (restored mansion), rather than in a large, impersonal hotel. Although it is small compared to some of the vast countries of Africa, Morocco contains within its borders a great variety of scenery, from the blue Atlantic coast, to the snow-capped High Atlas Mountains, to the treeless Sahara desert with lovely oases of palm groves. Morocco’s original inhabitants were the Berbers, who still represent a significant portion of the population. They established their kingdom of Mauritania in the north around 200 BC. Later the region became a Roman province, and in the 7th Century the Arabs arrived and brought with them the benefits of their faith, language and arts. France took control of the country early in the 20th Century and remained in control of Morocco until 1956. The French left behind an excellent road system (albeit with most 2-lane roads having only one paved lane down the middle), schools, hospitals and a tradition of fine cuisine which the Moroccans lost no time in adapting to their own tasty cooking. French is also spoken fluently by most educated Moroccans. Due to its unique blend of nomadic Berber culture, Arab influences, and French colonial legacies, Morocco is - and has been for a hundred years - a tourist paradise. There are few health problems for travelers, and visitors are made comfortable in pleasant hotels and, as the members of our previous tours have found, truly welcomed by the friendly, cheerful people. Highlights of this trip include:
Dates: Travelling Alone?
Location: Starts in Casablanca, ends in Marrakech Price includes: Accommodations at deluxe hotels and riads for nine nights, plus one night in a tented camp, in double occupancy; Subject to availability we offer single rooms for an additional supplement, but please note that at some hotels this may be a single room in a 2-bedroom suite, and all tents are shared for our one night in the desert; All transportation by motorcoaches or vans, cars, camels, jeeps and other modes during the trip; Airport transfers for those arriving in Casablanca and departing from Marrakech on group arrival and departure days; Breakfast each day, 8 lunches, 9 dinners; Wine or soft drinks at the Welcome and Farewell dinners; Services of a knowledgeable Hanns Ebensten Travel tour director and local Moroccan guides; Gratuities for included meals and baggage porterage; Admissions to sites, museums and attractions that are shown in the itinerary. Not included: Airfare to Casablanca and from Marrakech; Airport departure taxes; Airport-hotel transfers if not arriving or departing on group travel days; Meals not included in itinerary; Tips to guides and hotel staffs; Personal items such as alcoholic beverages, telephone calls and laundry. |
|
| ||
 |
 |
 |
|
Trip calendar | HOME | Reserve a trip Copyright © 2003-2010 by Hanns Ebensten Travel, Inc. | |
| ||
| ||
