Step back in time as you discover the ancient cities of Morocco, inhale the exotic spices at the souks and experience the captivating desert landscape. Situated on the northwest corner of Africa, Morocco is the closest African nation to Europe. Its imperial cities reflect many years of influence, beginning in the 12th century B.C. with the Phoenicians, on through the French colonization, and ending in 1956. Morocco is a fascinating mix of Islamic, Arab, African and Berber cultures, as well as retaining the influence of its former French occupation.

Exclusively for Women

• Round-trip regularly scheduled air transportation from JFK to Casablanca. Fuel surcharges included (valid at time of printing).
• Roundtrip airport/hotel transfers in Morocco based on the group air schedule.
• 6 nights hotel accommodations at 4- and 5-star hotels, with breakfast daily, including taxes and service charges.
• 4 delicious lunches and 6 dinners, many in local restaurants.
• Special folkloric evening with dinner in Marrakech.
• Professional tour manager throughout the program.
• All sightseeing excursions as listed in the program, via deluxe coach, and with entrance fees included where applicable.
• Gratuities for group meals at the hotels and restauants.

Not Included:

• 2 lunches and cocktails– refer to the codes B, L, D in the itinerary to see what’s included.
• Personal Incidentals and optional activities.
• Tips to bus driver and the tour guide
• Airport taxes, government fees and September 11th Security Fee.

Morocco Entry Requirements:

*** Valid passport required. U.S. citizens do not need a Visa or Inoculations***
You must present a valid passport that will not expire for at least 6 months after arrival, plus a roundtrip airline ticket. Passports must be in good condition and not damaged in any way. For citizens of other countries, please check your specific entry requirements.

Day 1 - Saturday, February 13: Depart the U.S. for Morocco on overnight flights.

Day 2 - Sunday, February 14: Arrive Casablanca – Rabat. Arrival at Mohamed V Airport in Casablanca with welcome and assistance by our professional Tour Manager/Escort. Our Moroccan journey begins with a Tour of Casablanca. Discover the charm and decadent languor of this shimmering city of white. Like a dreamy mirage, it appears against the azure of the surrounding sea. Steeped in romantic mystique and intrigue, Casablanca’s whitewashed dramatic Hispano-Moorish homes lay scattered amid Art Deco jewels and an elegant city center. Its ancient Arab quarter and new medina, with undeniably French influence, mark the passage from past to present. Casablanca’s modern attitude and big-city edge makes it today the most cosmopolitan of all Moroccan cities, a vibrant economic hub with the largest port found anywhere in the Maghreb. Some of the highlights we’ll explore include the outside of the majestic Hassan II Mosque, the United Nations Place, the Medina, the Royal Palace surroundings, the Central Market, and the lively square of Mohammed V.

Lunch is served in a seafood restaurant on the Corniche drive to Rabat.

We then continue on to Rabat, a one hour drive away. Upon arrival we will have a Tour of Rabat. You will see Rabat’s enormous Almohad Gate to the Kasbah des Oudaias, situated on a bluff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, with magnificent views. Inside the gates discover artisan galleries, an ornate 17th century palace now part of the Musée des Oudaia (Museum of Moroccan Arts), and the beautiful Andalusian Gardens near the famous Hassan Tower, a 12th-century minaret intended to be the highest and the largest in the Muslim world. And not to be missed is a visit to the Mausoleum of Mohammed V and King Hassan’s stately official palace.

Welcome dinner and overnight at our hotel, the Hotel Rabat. (L, D)

Day 3 - Monday, February 15: Rabat – Volubilis – Meknes – Fez.  This morning we embark on a day’s excursion, stopping first at Volubilis, the Roman capitol of Northwestern Africa. Considered the most important Roman ruins in Morocco, the impressive and well-preserved ruins of Volubilis include nearly 30 mosaic floors dating back to 25 B.C.

Enjoy lunch at the Volubilis Inn. Later, we visit the sacred town of Moulay Idriss, and then continue on to the Imperial City of Meknes. This “Moroccan Versailles,” is a breathtaking city founded at the end of the 17th century by Moulay Ismail. It is enclosed by 25 miles of triple walls with bastions. Here you will see the monumental gates of Bab Mansour, Place El Hedim, the Royal Granaries and Stables, and the City Ramparts.

From Meknes, it is just a one hour’s drive to Fez, where we will check into our hotel, the 4-star Jnan Palace, for dinner and overnight. (B, L, D)

Day 4 - Tuesday, February 16: Fez. Enjoy a full-day tour in the 1,000-year-old city of Fez, the oldest of the Imperial Cities. The Holy City of Fez is a jewel of Spanish-Arabic civilization. Fez does not reveal its secrets easily. It’s to be discovered little by little, with reverence. Only in this way can the splendours of Medrsa architecture be fully appreciated. Only in this way will the walls of the medina – with its twisty, winding streets and crumbling facades – tempt you. Bustling with artisans and merchants, its captivating sounds, fragrances and colors mesmerize the visitor with a constant swirl of activity. This is the city founded in 808 A.D. by the great Moroccan ruler, Moulay Idriss 1st, as a sanctuary of human and moral sciences. The great Karaouiyne University has for eleven centuries been a religious and intellectual center whose influence has spread far beyond the Kingdom's boundaries. In 789, a pick-axe of silver and gold -"fas" in Arabic - was presented to Idriss 1st to use in tracing the outlines of the city. Hence the name of the city, which lies at the far eastern end of the plain of Saïss, bordered to the south by the hills outlying the Atlas Mountains.

Fez is a cradle of religious, cultural and artistic traditions. The Medersas around the Karaouiyne Mosque, former lodging houses for students coming from outside the city, attest to the importance of its thousand years of history. In the Medina, a labyrinth of shopping, winding alleyways are crammed full of stalls and workshops. This is the famed Kissaria - the commercial center. A multitude of locally produced goods are on sale in this incredible maze-cotton fabric, silk, brocade work, slippers, and much more.

Your tour includes a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Medina, and the old coranis school, Bou Annania. We will pass by the Karaouyine Mosque (closed for renovations), the dayers district, Najjarine Place and other districts of manual handicrafts. After lunch at your hotel, you will enjoy an afternoon visit to the modern part of the city and the ramparts.  Return to the hotel later for dinner and overnight. (B, L, D)

Day 5 - Wednesday, February 17: Fez – Marrakech.  After an early breakfast and hotel check-out, we depart from Fez and drive through some of the most stunning countryside in the region. Our coach will pass through little villages and small towns as the road winds through the surrounding countryside and across bridges (5 hours driving). The beauty of this tour is freedom! En route we drive through the Swiss-like town of Ifrane, a charming ski resort, and then through Azrou, an important handicraft center.

Lunch is on your own at a wonderful Moroccan House/Restaurant in Beni-Mellal. It is owned by a husband and wife team, and the food is fabulous. After lunch, we continue to Marrakech (2.5 hours driving) during which we will cross the picturesque Middle Atlas Mountains. In the late afternoon we will arrive for check-in, dinner and overnight at our hotel, the Le Meridien N’Fis.  (B, D)

Day 6 - Thursday, February 18: Marrakech Today we enjoy a full day sightseeing tour of historic Marrakesh. The second oldest Imperial City known as “the Pearl of the South,” Marrakech is an oasis set upon the fertile plains at the foot of the High Atlas Mountains and reflects a strong Andalusia influence. Tour the Saadian Tombs, the Koutaoubia Mosque and Minaret (from the outside), the Bahia Palace, the Dar si Said Museum and the Menara Gardens.

At mid-day we return to our hotel for lunch.

In the afternoon, it’s time to explore the wonderful and colourful labyrinth of souks, the traditional Moroccan markets, in the medina. Explore the famous Jemaa El Fna Square with its medieval open-air entertainment, with curious actors and all kinds of sellers of food, merchandise and souvenirs. You will see innumerable offerings of Moroccan cuisine specialties, including the national dish of couscous. It is often served on a huge platter with exotically spiced chicken or lamb. Try the tasty tagine, a vegetable stew, or the elaborate bisteeya, a flaky three layered pie filled with tender chicken or squab, with eggs and almonds. Delicious! Make sure to sample the traditional mint tea and one of the many delicious sweet almond paste desserts.

Special Folkloric Evening Event:  Tonight we transfer from the hotel for the Fantasia Dinner Show at Chez Ali Restaurant. At a palm grove near Marrakech, guests are seated comfortably on rich cushions under one of the various “Caidales” tents. Traditional Moroccan cuisine, quite wonderful, is served while folkloric troops, musicians and acrobats from all over the region compete for the pleasure to entertain, to astonish, to captivate and surprise you. After dinner, the spectacle increases with the dances, the songs, the caravan, the incredible cleverness of the horsemen on their pure Arab steeds, all to leave you with the feeling of having experienced 1001 Nights, and the best surprise of all is the sultan and his wife on their flying carpet overhead! Overnight at the hotel. (B, L, D)

Day 7 - Friday, February 19: Marrakech – Casablanca
Enjoy a free morning for last minute shopping. In the afternoon we will transfer to Casablanca for dinner and overnight at the
Le Royal Mansour Meridien. (B, D)

Day 8 - Saturday, February 20: Casablanca – Airport.  After breakfast we bid farewell to the “Land of Moors” and then transfer to the Mohammed VI Airport for your return flight home. (B)

*Itineraries subject to minor changes- fuel surcharges included in trip prices where airfare is included. Not included: airport taxes, government fees and September 11th Security Fee. Prices per person based on double occupancy.

To book this trip please fill out our new member application if applicable and then the booking form.
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The Women's Travel Club (USA), Inc.
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E-Mail: info@womenstravelclub.com

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