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8
DAY IMPERIAL CITIES
Day 1: We
board our Royal Air Maroc jet at JFK airport New York for our nonstop 6
hour flight to Casablanca.
Day 2: Upon
arrival at Mohamed VI Airport in Casablanca, our driver will meet you
and assist you with the customs officials. After a short tour
of the Mohamed VI Square, the central market, and the Hassan II Mosque.
You will on continue to Rabat where you will visit the Oudaya
Kasbah,which is the "heart of the military history" of Morocco. The
kasbah is named after a Bedouin tribe that came into Morocco in the
13th century. We continue our tour, visiting the Hassan Tower with its
Mausoleum and see the beautiful Chella Gardens which houses a famous
historical ruin in Morocco. The Chella Gardens are also home
to many interesting bird species. The city tour will be with an
official English speaking guide who will take to visit the Old Town
(Ancient Medina) and the Mellah (old Jewish Quarter) .
Day 3:
Depart for Fes. The road to Fes takes us along a beautiful
stretch of farmlands where olives, grain, vegetables and grapes are
grown. Before arriving to Fes you will visit Meknes and Volubilis.
Volubilis is the sight of the famous Roman ruins left from the Roman
Empire's most southern outpost. Meknes is the site of the
first Arab dynasty created by Moulay Ismail and has the Medersa Bou
Inania and the Bab Mansour, the Gateway to Moulay Ismail
Palace. This leads us into the Heri es-Souani, the horses
stable and graneries. Upstairs is a rooftop garden and cafe
with a great view of the city. Arrive into Fes, check into
the hotel.
Day 4:
After breakfast, you will begin your visit of "the oldest living Medina
in the world"with a local official tour guide. You will tour
the Medina with its "souks" (markets), stopping at the gateway of the
Royal Palace, the 9th century Karouine mosque and University.
You will visit also the tomb of the city founder "Moulay Idriss II".
Lunch will be at one of the traditional restaurants in the old
Medina. After lunch you will continue your tour to visit the
Najarine Fountain, the old Harem Garden and the Batha Museum.
On the way back to the hotel, you will stop to enjoy a panoramic view
of the city.
Day 5:
Depart for Marrakech, you will take a leisurely drive along the flanks
of the mighty Atlas Range, stopping at the mountain village of Azrou to
see the Berber Monkeys in the cedar forests. Descending to
the Kasbah Tadla plain you will stop for lunch in the capital province
of Beni-Mallal. Driving past the Ouzoud Waterfalls and over
the Bin el-Ouidan Lake, you will drive through the palm
groves of Marrakech on the outskirts of the city. Check into
the hotel.
Day 6: You
will start exploring the imperial city of Marrakech.There is much to
see in this great city which Winston Churchill called "the most
beautiful place in the world at sunset". You will visit the Kotoubia
Mosque and its Minaret, the hidden tombs of the Saadian Dynasty, the
Menara Gardens and its Pavilion, the Bahia Palace, the BenYoussef
Medrassa and Chapel of el-Baaiyn. Entering into the souk you will see
some of the age old art guilds at work. Finally, you end up
in the famous place "Djemaa-el-Fna" with its circus atmosphere of
itinerant dancers, jugglers, acrobats, storytellers, soothsayers, snake
charmers, medicine men and public scribes.
Day 7: One
more day in Marrakech to explore the rest of this exotic city walking
through the souk. Tonight you will enjoy a traditional
Moroccan dinner and the Fantasia show at Chez Ali.
Day 8:
Arise early for breakfast, and depart for Manara Airport where you will
bid farewell to Morocco and return home.
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