MOROCCO – MAGIC OF THE ORIENT

Morocco is an initiation into the magic of the Islamic, Arabic, African world of medinas, minarets, desert and mountain, and yet retains a European patina. Imbibe the spirit of Morocco; wander the streets of the great cities. Fez is a stunning array of medieval buildings; the world-famous souk of Marrakech sells a bewildering array of goods; Casablanca, is a thriving commercial center, and Rabat reflects its modern French origins. The snow-capped Atlas Mountains lie inland. Beyond them are the fringes of the parched Sahara. Whether scaling distant ridges, haggling for exotic artifacts, gazing at ancient wonders or marveling at the pink of a desert dawn, you will be mesmerized.

Full Itinerary

Day 1 Monday May 24, 2010 Casablanca – Marrakesh

Arrival to Casablanca, meeting and orientation. We'll take the scenic route from Casablanca to Marrakesh, Pearl of the South. If there's time after dinner we'll visit one of the first jewels of our tour, the lively, bustling Jemaa el-Fna Square. Here food stalls are jammed together, water sellers, snake charmers, story tellers and "healers" of every type and kind. Alternately, we recommend taking a carriage ride through the city.

Day 2 Tuesday May 25, 2010 Marrakesh

"The Red City" or the "Pearl of the South" are but two of the names given to Marrakesh – the most beautiful city in Morocco that lies at the foot of the Atlas Mountains. The city is divided in two: the new and the ancient. We'll visit the Almanara Gardens and the city center with its lively markets. We'll pass through the Melah, and stop by the Koutoubia Mosque, visit a Berber pharmacy and the Bahia Palace. We'll visit a Melah where Jews no longer live, but where there is an ancient synagogue that is more than 500 years old. We'll tour the "medina" – the market quarter of the city. The market is a mass of colors, voices and smells, a polyglot of all the treasures that exist in this country. The "medina" is divided according to type of product: an area for silver houses silversmiths and silver dealers, while gold is dealt in a different area, and rows upon rows of stalls sell leather, copper and jewelry. We'll end the day with a visit to the Ourika valley also known as 'Valley of the Jews' and enjoy the view of the red wild scenery and the picturesque villages among the mountains. Then we'll return to the Marrakech. In the evening, we recommend seeing "Fantasia" – a Berber folklore show.

Day 3 Wednesday May 26, 2010 Marrakesh – Aït Benhaddou – Ouarzazate

After breakfast we'll head to the French built regional city Ouarzazate. Along the way we'll stop at Aït Benhaddou, a Kasbah built in the 16th century and considered one of the most beautiful in Morocco. Upon arrival to Ouarzazate, we'll start with a panoramic tour of the city. We'll then continue through beautiful scenery, traditional villages and picturesque Kasbahs which are often used as backgrounds in the production of Hollywood movies.

Day 4 Thursday May 27, 2010 Ouarzazate – Tenerir – Todra Gorge - Erfoud

After breakfast we'll start making our way toward the desert. We'll pass the city of Tenerir as we travel to the Todra Gorge at the southern edge of the High Atlas Mountains. We'll see some magnificent scenery, dotted with orchards and Berber villages. We'll examine how the locals store water for the long dry season. Toward evening we'll arrive at Erfoud, the place from where the famous Abu Hatzeira rabbinic dynasty originates.

Day 5 Friday May 28, 2010 Erfoud – Midelt - Ifran - Fes

We'll get up very early this morning and head out by Jeep to the Merzouga dunes, the largest dunes in the world, part of the western Sahara, from where we'll view a fantastic desert sunrise (weather permitting), and then return to Erfoud for breakfast. After breakfast we'll cross two important rivers, the Ziz and the Riche which lie along the Middle and High Atlas Mountains, an area of magnificent scenic vistas. We'll stop at a cedar nature reserve where we'll see towering cedar trees. From the mountain tops we'll see the oasis of Tafilalt palm groves in the Sahara Desert; this amazing oasis runs for 50 kilometers, all along dotted with millions of date palm. We'll stop for lunch at the town of Midelt. We'll travel along the oasis until we reach Ifran, a Swiss-type Moroccan town, located at 1600 meters above sea level. The entire area is surrounded by magnificent monkey-inhabited cedar forests. The town also hosts the Peace University, where members of the three monotheistic religions were supposed to have studied together. After the tour continue to Fes, transfer to hotel to prepare for Shabbat. Shabbat prayers and meals in Fes.

Day 6 Shabbat May 29, 2010 Fes

After Shabbat services and lunch we'll taking a walking tour to the new city areas of Fes. After Shabbat we'll enjoy a typical Moroccan folklore evening and possibly a Moroccan wedding.

Day 7 Sunday May 30, 2010 Fes

Today will be mostly devoted to this, the religious and cultural capital of Morocco, which combines old and new. There will be a guided tour with a local English-speaking guide. The area of Fes is today a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its narrow lanes with their workshops remain as they have been for hundreds of years. We'll visit the square of the Royal Palace, which is alongside the Jewish quarter – the oldest Melah in Morocco, as well as the Jewish cemetery and the Abu Danan Synagogue in the Melah. We'll view the Dynastic Tombs and city as a whole from the green roofs and walls of Fez. From the rooftops we'll see the tannery quarter where hides are treated, and we'll visit a ceramics factory where we'll learn about this unique local craft. The city's ramparts surround a maze of winding alleys and a bustling market divided according the guilds of its artisans.

Day 8 Monday May 31, 2010 Fes – Meknes – Ouezzane - Shafshwan

After breakfast we'll head to the city Meknes, built by Sultan Mulai Ismail in the 17th century. Meknes was a lively Jewish center until its Jewish inhabitants made aliyah with the founding of the State of Israel. We'll tour the many sites that adorned the city in the times of Sultan Ismail, including the famous Mansur Gate. We'll visit the Melah, the former Jewish quarter, and see the old Talmud Torah (if it's open we'll be able to enter the building as well). We'll continue to the town of Ouezzane in the Rif Mountains where we'll visit the tomb of the sacred Tzaddik of Morocco, Rabbi Amram ben Diwan. From here it's on to the town of Shafshwan, where we'll spend the night.

Day 9 Tuesday June 1, 2010 Shafshwan – Rabat – Casablanca

Today, we'll start with a tour of the town which was considered so special that until the 18th century, non-muslims were not permitted entry to its precincts. We'll visit the unique springs here that by power of gravity supply power to the local mills and laundries. We'll stroll through the medina and through the colorful local market. Then we'll head west to the capital city of Rabat, where we'll visit the royal palace, built in the 18th century; the mausoleum of Muhammad V, and the tombs of the kings of Morocco. From there we head to Casablanca, the financial capital of Morocco. The city is modern and developed, but maintains its historical features, including an old city with its various quarters. We'll tour the "Habous" district, see the Royal Palace with its beautiful reception forecourt and magnificent gates, and continue to the upscale "Anafa" neighborhood and the boardwalk along the Atlantic Ocean. The "Habous" district was built long after the original old city near the Royal Palace of Muhammad V. The area is home to numerous striking sites in Neo Moorish style, such as Law Courts, the post office etc. It has a bazaar filled with small colorful businesses alongside picturesque white houses. Our tour next takes us to the United Nations Square, renowned for the Neo Moorish buildings that surround it, and for the fountain, which sprays water all around. From there we'll head to the Jewish Historical Museum of Morocco.

Day 10 Wednesday Casablanca – Home Gateway

Today we'll visit the Great Mosque. The mosque is built half on land and half above the sea. Many of Morocco's finest artists and artisans worked for many years to create this magnificent edifice. In fact, every Moroccan citizen donated funds for the project in one way or another to ensure that the project's costs, which soared to over $800 million, would be covered. The mosque's minaret rises to a height of 200 meters, and its central prayer hall can contain thousands of worshippers. This is a true architectural wonder. We'll then bid a sad farewell to Morocco. Our tour is now over and we take our memories with us as we head to the airport from where we take our flights home.

Start date	End date	Days	Price	Single supplement	Guide
24/05/2010	02/06/2010	11 days	$1930	$430	David Sondervan

Important:

• There may be changes to the schedule and hotel reservations dependent upon internal flights. We will make every effort to visit every location mentioned.

PRICE INCLUDES

• First tourist class hotels or the best available locally
• Comfortable air-conditioned touring coach for travelling
• Breakfast and dinner daily and supplies for making sandwiches for lunch
• Professional experienced Israeli guide
• Local Guide as required
• Entrance to all sites mentioned in the tour plan

PRICE EXCLUDES

• International Flights
• International Airport and security taxes
• Travel and baggage Insurance
• Evening entertainment that are not included in the tour plan
• Personal expenses
• Moroccan Visa
• Tips for local service providers: $100
• Changes in air fares due to increases in fuel airport tax and security tax surcharges
• Tip for our tour guide (Recommended: $3 per person per day)

Deposit, Cancellation Fees & Policy:
A $500 USD Deposit per person must be received at the time of booking in order to confirm your reservation. Payment in full is due 90 days before departure. A minimum number of participants are required to operate tour dates. If a minimum number has not been reached prior to tour departure and the tour is cancelled you will receive a FULL refund.

• 90 days before departure bookings are refundable less a $100 administration fee
• 60-90 days prior to departure: $500 + $100 per passenger
• 30-60 days prior to departure: $1,000 + $100 per passenger
• Less than 30 working days prior to departure: 100% of total - no refund
• We strongly recommend purchasing Travel Insurance.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance encompassing both cancellation and medical insurance is very important and we can not stress that enough. We strongly recommend that our clients are adequately insured when travelling. It is crucial to purchase the travel insurance within 14 days from the 1st payment that you make for this trip (flights/cruise/tour etc). Your payment is made directly to the insurance company.

We highly recommend the 'cancel for any reason' upgrade option.

Our preferred policies are Travel Safe (USA & Canadian residents), Travel Select (USA residents) and Global Trip Protection Elite (All other Nationalities).

For an obligation free quote and further details email Yonah insurance@eddiestravel.com