Marrakech Express
For
the Independent Traveler
10
Days edition with a stay at the seaside town of Essaouira
This 10-day Friends Abroadsm adventure
to Essaouira, 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, and also so you can learn some useful
phrases to ease your way.
WE MAKE THE IMPORTANT ARRANGEMENTS FOR YOU.
We'll
make all of the basic travel arrangements for you: reserve hotel accommodation
(including continental or buffet breakfast, tax and service); buy your
first-class train tickets 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.
As well as the domestic air Fez/ Casablanca. All of this is included
in the Friends Abroadsm 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 - CASABLANCA
You arrive in the Kingdom of Morocco, landing at Casablanca,
our staff greets you at the airport and escorts you to your hotel.
When
you arrive by ferry to Tangiers , we'll meet you at the pier: Transfer
and first class train ticket : Tangiers/ Casablanca: Please add $95.00
Per person , to add a tour of Tangiers before you board the train, please
add $40 per person. Sample air fare from Spain: Malaga one way :
$335.00 , or Madrid Marrakech round-trip : $ 460.00
DAY
2 - Atlantic Coast to EASSAOUIRA (BLD)
Morning tour of the Grand Mosque of Hassan II, a panoramic tour
of 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, before we drive along the Atlantic coast heading south
for Essaouira. Lunch enroute. Late afternoon arrival . With the remainder
at leisure to enjoy exploring with guide at hand, this sleepy seaside
town. Complimentary dinner is included to welcome you at the hotel.
DAY
3 & DAY 4 - ESSAOUIRA (B)
Essaouira is yours for these two days , a charming fishing harbor. Renowned
for generations for its production of "Murex", a small shellfish used
to make the purple dye for Roman togas, Essaouira is now a very active
fishing harbor , with some Portuguese character who settled here in
the 16th century. Later on Sultan Mohamed Ben Abdellah used it
as a base for his corsairs. Today, protected from the sea and the wind
behind its commanding fortified medieval walls, Essaouira shelters a
flourishing craftsmanship in marquetry, working wood with ebony, mother
of pearl and silver thread to make tables, chessboards, caskets and
bracelets. Enjoy a seafood lunch, before heading back to the hotel.
DAY
5 - MARRAKECH (B)
Drive north east to Marrakech, and your hotel. Then, this afternoon
take your first plunge into this wonderful, exotic city. With your guide
book at hand.
DAY
6 - 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
7 - MARRAKECH
Culinary Experience and a home hosted dinner (BLD)
This morning you'll ride through Marrakech in a horse-drawn carriage.
One
of the special ways of understanding a culture is through its cuisines--not
only sampling exotic tastes, but experiencing the preparation of dishes,
how they figure in ritual and ceremony, and how they have grown out
of the earth and traditions, we'll proceed to the Ecole Hotelière,
Marrakech's own hospitality & Culinary Academy and training school,
for a demonstration of the preparation of pastry-style doughs. We'll
stay for a lunch of salads, tagine of Maghdour kebab, and refreshing
fruits.
Later, we'll call on you to take you for your sunset camel ride, in
the 13,000 acres of palm groves around Marrakech. You'll finish the
day with a memorable experience of Moroccan hospitality, dinner in the
home of a Marrakech family in the old Medina.
Complimentary
Dinner is included at a local home:
Meet the locals,
you may wish to bring token gifts to exchange with the host family (
T shirt , small souvenirs of your home town):
This
evening we'll venture where few ordinary visitors ever tread . . . right
into the homes of some of the people of Marrakech l! You'll be invited
to a family dinner, and while you enjoy wholesome home-cooked specialties,
you'll learn about and appreciate the outlook, aspirations, and way
of life of your hosts. Be assured, as curious as you may be about your
new friends, they're sure to have questions about your own background.
Once the ice is broken, you'll enjoy a lively evening, and find that
you have more in common than you ever suspected. Of course, you may
enjoy a quiet evening with your travel companions, by letting us know
your preferences.
DAY
8 - MARRAKECH TO CASABLANCA & FEZ (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 then escorts
you by car 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
9 - 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
10 - DEPARTURE (B)
Very early morning departure, air conditioned private sedan , heading
for Casablanca's Airport , connecting with your international flight
homeward. Bon Voyage
Rates
per person in US $
| Rates
per person |
Deluxe
|
First Class
|
| In
Triple Occupancy |
US$
3760.00
|
US$
2951.00
|
|
In Double Occupancy |
US$
3808.00
|
US$
31968.00
|
| In
Single Occupancy |
US$
4370.00
|
US$
3890.00
|
DEPARTURE
DATES
You may begin your Marrakech Express Friends Abroadsm
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).
For
Dec 20 - Jan 3 :Please add 20 % to the listed rates.
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)
Your
Friends Abroadsm tour includes:
- Hotel
accommodation at a carefully-selected hotel in the class of your choice
(Deluxe, First Class), including tax and service.
- First-class
train transportation ,as per itinerary.
- Consultation
and referral services of our local Friends Abroadsm
representative in each city on your tour.
- Private
car/driver guide for the drive Casablanca/Essaouira/Marrakech &
FEZ CASABLANCA .
What's
not included:
- International
airfare to or from Morocco
- 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 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.
Upgrade
to a Suite - Dar Ayniwen Riad , Marrakech
Luxury
stay & Spa Experience at the new & luxurious Sofitel Essaouira
|
