Marrakech Express

Imagine "traveling the train through clear Moroccan skies...."

An 8 day FRIENDS ABROAD^sm TOUR

Start in Marrakech ANY DAY or from Costa Del Sol *

Click here for the Spa Edition. 5 day or 10 Day with a stay at the sea side Essaouira
or the 12 days with a one night stay in the Sahara

Now you can, with Travel in Style's Marrakech Express! This seven-day/six night Friends Abroad^sm adventure to Casablanca, Fez and Marrakech allows you to go at your own pace, establishing your own itinerary.

We'll send you a copy of the Lonely Planet guide to Morocco, so you can read up on this romantic destination.

WE MAKE THE IMPORTANT ARRANGEMENTS FOR YOU.

We'll make all of the basic travel arrangements for you: reserve six nights' hotel accommodation (including continental or buffet breakfast, tax and service); buy your first-class train tickets one-way between Casablanca and Marrakech, and Casablanca and Fez; meet you at airports and train stations and transfer you to and from your hotel; and give you contact numbers for our local Friends Abroadª representative whom you can call with any questions or requests. All of this is included in the Friends Abroad^sm program.

International airfare is not included in the rates, so feel free to use frequent flyer tickets, or ask us about our special fares.

Come with us! As Crosby, Stills & Nash sing, "We're riding on the Marrakech Expressly taking us to Marrakech!"

SUGGESTED ITINERARY

DAY 1 - MARRAKECH
You arrive in the Kingdom of Morocco, landing at Marrakech, our staff greets you at the airport and escorts you to your hotel. Then, take your first plunge into this wonderful, exotic city.

Ferry Algeciras or from Gibraltar:
When you arrive by ferry to Tangiers , we'll meet you at the pier: Transfer and first class train ticket : Tangiers/ Marrakech , overnight , sleeper car, leaving Tangiers at 10:30 PM, arriving Marrakech 07:50 AM next day : Please add $115.00 Per person , to add a tour of Tangiers before you board the train, please add $40 per person .

DAY 2 - MARRAKECH (B)
There is much to see in this great city which Winston Churchill called "the most beautiful place in the world at sunset." Grab your guidebook and explore! The top sights include the stately Koutoubia Minaret, the hidden tombs of the Saadian dynasty, the Menara pavilion and gardens, the ruins of sprawling Badi Palace, the Bahia Palace Museum, the Ben Yousef medersa, and the Koubba (chapel) of el-Ba'adiyn. If you'd like an orientation tour (optional at extra cost), just contact our local representative, who will be happy to make your reservation.

DAY 3 - MARRAKECH (B)
Why not devote today to Marrakech's fabulous medieval souk (bazaar)? Penetrating the labyrinthine souk, you'll see some of the age-old guilds at work, including the dyers and tanners. Save an hour--and bring your camera--for famous Djemaa el-Fna square with its circus atmosphere of itinerant dancers, jugglers, acrobats, storytellers, soothsayers, snake charmers, medicine men and public scribes. Find a cozy bistro for lunch, and perhaps an elegant restaurant for dinner--it's all up to you.

DAY 4 - MARRAKECH TO CASABLANCA (B)
Today you board the Marrakech Express bound for Casablanca! Roll across the beautiful Moroccan countryside, admiring the towering Atlas Mountains in the distance, and the timeless scenes of North African village and town life right beside the rails. When you arrive in Casablanca, our staff meets your train and escorts you on a panoramic tour the old souks & local vegetable markets in the old Medina with the Witches Market , where herbs and spices used in traditional cures, magic spells, talisman and potions are sold, Olives souks and the market of Bab Marrakech. Tour the Grand Mosque of Hassan II the largest in the world after that of Mecca, then on to your hotel.

DAY 5 - CASABLANCA TO FEZ (B)
After breakfast, board your first-class train to Fez, another of Morocco's four royal cities. When you arrive in Fez, our staff will escort you to your hotel, and the city is yours to explore, guidebook in hand. The Lonely Planet guide includes all the important things to see, and recommendations for restaurants in all price ranges, so you'll never be at a loss for advice.

DAY 6 / 7 - FEZ (B)
Oldest of Morocco's four Imperial Cities, Fez is endlessly fascinating, and today it's yours. Top sights include the medina (old city), the 15-century Borj Nord Arms Museum, the gateway of the royal palace, the fortifications of the Kasbah, the 9th-century Karaouine Mosque and University, the medersas (theological seminaries) of Bou Inania and Attarine, the shrine of the city's founder Moulay Idris II, the Nejjarine Fountain, the monumental gateway of Bab Boujelloud, the old harem gardens, Dar Batha Museum, and the artisans' guilds in the souks.

DAY 8 - DEPARTURE (B)
Our staff escorts you to the airport for your flight back to Casablanca (Included in the rate) , connecting with your international flight homeward.

Rates per person

	Deluxe	First Class
Triple	US$ 2360	US$ 2161
Double	US$ 2498	US$ 2298
Single	US$ 3070	US$ 2740

DEPARTURE DATES
You may begin your Marrakech Express Friends Abroad^sm tour in Casablanca on any day of the week. If you plan to take advantage of Royal Air Maroc's nonstop flights from New York to Casablanca, you should plan to depart New York on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday or Sunday, and begin your tour in Casablanca on the following day (DAY 1 in the Sample Itinerary, above).

Your Friends Abroad^sm tour includes:

• Seven nights' accommodation at a carefully-selected hotel in the class of your choice (Deluxe, First Class, Tourist Class), including tax and service. Sample of hotels used for First class (or similar):
  Marrakech : Tichka / Kenzi Farah. Casablanca : Idou Anfa Fez : Menzah Zalagh

• Breakfast daily

• One-way first-class train transportation Marrakech-Casablanca and Casablanca-Fez, or vice-versa

• Lonely Planet guidebook to Morocco, and Moroccan Phrasebook

• Consultation and referral services of our local Friends Abroad^sm representative in each city on your tour.
• One way domestic air fare FEZ/Casablanca.
• Panoramic tour of Casablanca. Including entrance fees to the Grand Mosque ( except on Fridays no tours of the mosque on Fridays).

What's not included:

• International airfare to or from Morocco

• Lunch or dinner

• Escorted tours and local guides, which are always available at extra cost if you would like them

• Admissions fees to sights, museums, etc.

Henna party ( For ladies only ) :
One of the "insiders" excursions into Moroccan culture, a chance to attend a henna party, the painting of hands and body r with this natural red dye is a symbol of joy at weddings and regarded as a way to enhance one's beauty , if interested in attending a Henna party , please let's know in advance.

Luxury stay & Spa Experience at the new & luxurious Sofitel Essaouira

Sample First class;

Fes : Riad Perle Medina , Merinides or similar

Casablanca : Idou Anfa

Essaouira : Villa Quieta

Marrakech : Riad Slitine , Medina & Spa , Maison Rouge , Tikida Garden or Kenzi Farah

Sample Deluxe Hotels:

Fes : Riad Fes (Deluxe Room)


Casablanca : Royal Mansour


Essaouira : Villa Quieta

Marrakech : Riad Mehdi ( Suite)