Marroccan Fantasies & Honeymoon Wishes

A FRIENDS ABROAD ^sm TOUR - For the Independent Traveler

A 12 Day Moroccan Tour : Marrakech, Casablanca, Fez, Ourzazate
Essaouira and one night in the Sahara

Morocco offers some of the most sophisticated Golf courses.

Compare with the : 5 Day , 7 day or 10 day edition

This 12-day Friends Abroad^sm adventure to Essaouira, Ourzazate Casablanca, Fez , the Sahara, and Marrakech allows you to go at your own pace, establishing your own itinerary in the major cities, yet join our pre arranged camp in the Sahara.

We'll send you a copy of the Lonely Planet guide to Morocco, so you can read up on this romantic destination, and also the Lonely Planet Moroccan Phrasebook, 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); meet you at airports and train stations and transfer you to and from your hotel; and give you contact numbers for our local Friends Abroad representative whom you can call with any questions or requests. Provide all logistics listed for the Sahara camp. As well as the domestic air Fez/ Casablanca. 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. "

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

DAY 2 - Atlantic Coast to EASSAOUIRA (BLD)
Morning tour of the Grand Mosque of Hassan II,  and escort you on 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 Eassaouira . 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 and 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 (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 8 - OURZAZATE (BD)
Morning at leisure. Early afternoon departure to Ouarzazate crossing the Atlas Mountains and its striking scenery through the Tizi N'Tichka Pass at an altitude of more than 2000 meters Before reaching Ouarzazate, visit of the Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, a wonderful site now protected by UNESCO, having served as natural decor to numerous films shooting. It is an area of crumbling Kasbahs grouped among patches of wheat fields, terraced orchards, olives and date palms. It ascends a small mountain and is surmounted by an « Agadir » (grain storage tower) giving it an epic scale. Dinner at hotel.

DAY 9 - OUARZAZATE / TODRA GORGE / ERFOUD / MERZOUGA (BLD) From Ouarzazate explore the wonderful Road of 1000 Kasbahs in the direction of Boumalne du Dades through Skoura and El Kelaa Des Mgouna . Upon arrival in Boumalne we'll drive by impressive Ksours (fortified villages) and fabulous rock formations and fantastic geological landscape. Continue on the Road of 1000 Kasbahs towards Tinerghir, a former military outpost built on terraces above a magnificent palm grove and the way into the awesome Todra Gorge. The Todra Gorge is a massive fault in the plateau dividing the High Atlas from the Jebel Sarho with a crystal-clear river running through it. Lunch is included at the "End of the Earth," in the awesome gorge, between 300 meter cliffs. Then on to Erfoud crossing impressive palm groves and oases. On arrival in Erfoud you will then take chauffeured four-wheel-drive vehicle (Turbo Land Rover) to go to Merzouga, There will be a bonfire and an entertainment by the locals during the evening. Dinner and overnight in a Bedouin tent in the Sahara, offering a magical sight of the sunset over the majestic dunes.

DAY 10 - MERZOUGA / ERFOUD / MIDELT / FEZ (BLD)
After breakfast we drive back (private 4 X 4) to Erfoud , where we pick up a private sedan or air-conditioned motorcoach. And on to FEZ You'll head north via Errachidia and Talghimt pass. Lunch is included at the foot of Djebel Ayachi in Midelt at Kasbah Asmaa. Continue through the Middle Atlas Mountains in the direction of Fez. Late afternoon arrival in Fez for dinner and overnight accommodation at hotel. 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 11 - 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 12 - DEPARTURE- FEZ (B)
Our staff escorts you to the airport , connecting with your international flight homeward. Bon Voyage

Program is also available with Essaouira at the end of the program rather than at the start of the program : supplement of $50 per person applies.

Rates per person in USD $

	Deluxe	First Class
Triple	US$ 4460.00	US$ 3101.00
Double	US$ 4508.00	US$ 3218.00
Single	US$ 5056.00	US$ 4562.00

DEPARTURE DATES
You may begin your Marrakech Express Friends Abroad^sm tour in Casablanca on any day of the week.
For Dec 10 - Jan 3 , arrivals : please add a 10 % supplement to any of the rates

Your Friends Abroad^sm tour includes:

• Hotel accommodation at a carefully-selected hotel in the class of your choice (Deluxe, First Class), including tax and service. If you prefer to stay at a Riad, please let's know

• Breakfast daily

• Lonely Planet guidebook to Morocco

• Consultation and referral services of our local Friends Abroad^sm representative in each city on your tour.
  
  
• Private car/driver guide for the drive between cities as per itinerary.
  
• Tour of the Grand Mosque including entrance fees ( Not open on Fridays)
  
• Deluxe Bevouac ( Tented camp with facilities for your convenience) , camping with all of today's comfort and convenience
  
  

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.

 

Some of the Riads we work with ( or similar )	Deluxe	First Class
casablanca	Royal Mansour & Royal Anfa	Idou Anfa
Marrakech	Jardin de la Medina Jardin de la Kotubia	Riad Atta or Riad Hamonie
Ourzazate	Berber palace	Fint
Fes	Dar Ghalia Maison Bleu	Riad Luna , Riad mabrouka
Essaouira	Riad Al Madina , Sofitel Mogador	Riad Al Madina, Riad Zohra

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