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Moroccan
Escapade
Experience
the romance of old Morocco everywhere on this Tour
An
11-day tour, in ancient kasbahs standing sentinel against invaders,
along the winding lanes of the medinas of Fez and Marrakech, the
seaside towns of Essaouira & Agadir , and in your very lodgings,
palaces and venerable homes that have been brought to life again
as Riads, combining the best of Arab hospitality with the appointments
of fine boutique hotels
We have even included all the tips
Click here for the 14
day version with
a longer seaside stay at Essaouira
Compare with the Imperial City 9
day tour with an overnight camping in the Sahara
Day 1 - Marrakech - Daily arrival - Private Tour. Choose
your own date
You'll land at the airport of fabled Casablanca, clear customs and
immigration formalities, and board your connecting flight to Marrakech.
Our local staff will greet you and usher you directly to your accommodations
at your Riad / Boutique hotel , Riad Mehdi or similar : www.riadmehdi.net,
or
Jardin de Medinah or La Maison Arabe, Marrakech where a
traditional welcoming mint tea and a fruit basket await you. Your
personal requirements and relaxation are foremost. Take in your surroundings
Day 2 - Marrakech (B)
This morning you'll take a private tour of Marrakech by horse-drawn
carriage. You'll see the Koutoubia, the landmark of the city, and
perhaps you'll note its similarity to its sister tower, the Giralda
of Seville, in Spain. You'll continue to the Bahia palace, built in
the nineteenth century, with room after stately oriental room of intricate
plaster work and finely detailed columns, and sedate hidden gardens.
Finally, you'll see the Majorelle Botanical Gardens of Yves Saint
Laurent, planted with trees and flowers from all over the world. In
the afternoon, you'll discover the old city and always-lively Djemaa
El Fna Square, populated by water sellers, magicians, peddlers, politicians,
and animal tamers, who carry on an endless flurry of activities straight
out of the middle ages. If you have a spare moment, the souks of Marrakech
will always keep you entertained.
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 ! 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 3 - Marrakech (BD)
Morning at leisure. Late afternoon,we'll escort you to the Palm grove
on the outskirts of Marrakech for a wonderful experience of camel
riding at sunset. Before we head for our gourmet Moroccan dinner at
the Yacut restaurant: we are captivated by the charm & ambiance
of the facility . The entrance, lit by lanterns and high candelabra
leads to a beautiful fountain with roses whose heady perfume blends
with the pleasant smells of the amber and musk. The corridor runs
into a Riad .
Gourmet Moroccan dinner
with staff in traditional dress, Gnaouas singers and dancers , their
music reflect both Arabic and African influence-, Arabo-Andalusian
music well serenade us , the evening will culminate with the traditional
Belly dancer performance.
On both sides of the courtyard,
an arcade allows the access to the glass Moroccan pavilion lounges.
A spiral staircase leads to the terrace with a luxurious outdoor setting
of an oriental lounge fit for a Sultan , with a fantastic panorama
on the Medina. Gourmet Moroccan food, pre-dinner drinks and wine included.
Day 4 - Marrakech/ Taroudant (BD)
In the morning we drive to Taroudant crossing the Tizi N’Test pass.
Upon arrival in we check-in at the Gazelle D'Or , or similar . In
the afternoon tour the charming old town of Taroudant . We'' enjoy
dinner tonight at the hotel.
Day 5 -TAROUDANT / AGADIR / IMOUZZER IDA OUTANANE (BD)
Morning departure for Imouzzer Ida Outanane. We cross the Anti Atlas
mountain range, with palm groves, green valleys and narrow gorges
- before reaching the village & waterfalls of the "Bride's Veil"
with its small lake surrounded by olive groves. Dinner and overnight
accommodation at the Cascades hotel 4 stars .
Day 6 - IMOUZZER IDA OUTANANE / ESSAOUIRA (B)
Drive to Essaouira, a 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.
Overnight accommodation in a suite at Riad Al Madina ( suite) for
4 stars .
Upgrade to Riad Bleu for an additional $130 USD per person for this
5 stars Riad ( www.heure-bleue.com)
.
Day 7 - Essaouira - Safi - El Jadida - Casablanca - Rabat
(BD)
We'll escort you by private air -conditioned car /van heading for
Casablanca, continuing on to Rabat and Hotel Farah or similar 5 stars.
Dinner at the hotel.
Day 8 - Rabat / Fez (BD)
Breakfast at the hotel. Panoramic tour of the capital of the
Kingdom, before we head for Meknes and then Fez, and your hotel or Riad
Fes or similar ( www.riadfes.com) .
You'll be welcomed with a traditional mint tea,and a fruit basket. Your
dinner is at your hotel or Riad.
Day 9 -Fez (BD)
Put on your walking shoes this morning for a trip in time back to
the ninth century, as you explore the old city of Fez. Its Medina
and its labyrinth of souks have been declared a world cultural treasure.
Your afternoon is free for relaxation or shopping or further exploration
as you wish.
In the evening it's dinner and a show, with a difference. The food
is Moroccan-style, of course; and the show is a fascinating view into
Moroccan life, including a traditional wedding ceremony, Arabo-Andaluisan
music, and an enticing performance by a belly dancer.
Day 10 - Fez - Cooking Class (BL)
Spend a day in appreciation of Moroccan pleasures. In the morning,
you'll join a demonstration of Moroccan cuisine, known around the
world. You will have tasted Tajine, couscous, and much more. Now you'll
learn more about how these plates and sauces are prepared, and of
the many influences that have created the national cuisine. In the
afternoon, we head for Casablanca and the Royal Mansour Hotel or similar
Day 11 -Departure from- Casablanca (B)
You'll be escorted to the airport . Bon Voyage
Choice
A :
Marrakech
: Riad Slitine : web site :
www.riad-slitine.com
Taroudant : Dar Zitoune : www.darzitoune.com
Imouzzer : Les Cascades Hotel
Essaouira : Riad Loussia
Rabat : Farah Hotel
Fes: Merinides Hotel
Casablanca : Place d'Anfa Hotel
Rate
per person in double in US$ 3455.00
Rate
per person in single in US$ 4270.00
Choice
B :
Marrakech
: Jardin de Medina
Taroudant : Gazelle D'Or
Imouzzer : Les Cascades
Essaouira : Riad Loussia
Rabat : Villa Mandarine
Fes: Riad Fes
Casablanca: Royal Mansour Hotel
Rate per person in double in US$ 4255.00
Rate
per person in single in US$ 5160.00
Your
tour includes:
-
All airport transfers on a private basis .
-
Accommodation as described, ( always subject to availability, we
keep the right to use alternative hotels within same category).
- Welcome
mint tea, roses, and fruit basket upon arrival in Marrakech &
Fes.
- Meals
as indicated: cB = Continental breakfast; L = set-menu lunch; D
= set-menu dinner
- Ground
transportation in chauffeured, air-conditioned Mercedes Benz automobile
or where applicable chauffeured four wheel drive Turbo Land Rover.
Half-day horse-drawn carriage tour in Marrakech. Services of licensed
English-speaking guide and entrance fees to sites visited. Camel
ride in Marrakech palm grove.
- Hammam
session ( where its available at your hotel) .
- Gratuities
for local personnel
The hamam is a treu Moroccan tradition
Click
here for the 8 day edition with 2 nights camping
in the Sahara
Not included:
- Personal
expenses .
- Trip
interruption and cancellation insurance .
- International
air fare from/to your home country .
Riad
slitine - Marrakech
"Category
1 Guesthouse"
Location
and description of the riad
Riad
Slitine is in the heart of the Old City, just a couple of minutes
on foot from Jemaa El Fna square and the bazaars, close to the Bahia
and Badi Palaces, the Tombs of the Saadian Kings and the Royal Palace.
The
riad has its own dedicated parking spaces in an attended car park
nearby.
Formerly the dwelling-place of important dignitaries in the seventeenth
and eighteenth centuries,this magnificently restored riad covering
an area of over 1000m2 has conserved its original architectural features
and is built around four patios filled with white roses, palm trees,
orange trees and banana plants.
Opening
onto the main patio
A
dining room with open fireplace
A sitting room with open fireplace, large screen TV, satelite channels,
DVD player and multimedia outlet.
In the centre of the main patio
Tiled
swimming pool 9 metres by 4 metres , solar heated and equipped with
counter-current swimming lane. Breakfast, Meals can be served around
the pool practically all year round.
Near the main patio
A
hammam
A massage room
A beauty treatment room.
Riad
Slitine comprises 12 rooms : 7 rooms have an additional bed and sleep
three people
6
rooms opening onto a second patio.
4 rooms on the third patio* (one of which is a family room).
2 rooms opening onto a private terrace.
1 large hall for seminars etc.
Description of the rooms:
2
standard rooms (15 m2, 18 m2) with bathroom with shower and wc,
Air-conditioning and ventilation, safe, mini bar.
3
superior rooms (22 m2, 26 m2, 37 m2) with bathroom with a bath-tub
and separate wc.
Air-conditioning and ventilation, safe, mini bar.
7 luxury room (25 m2, 28 m2, 28 m2, 30 m2, 45 m2, 44 m2, 54 m2)With
bathroom with
bath-tub, shower and separate wc.Air-conditioning and ventilation,
safe, mini bar
On
the roof terraces:
Solar-heated
jacuzzi
Sun-bathing area
Caidal tent.
Dining area shaded by a pergola for breakfasts, lunches and dinners.
The third patio :
The
Volubilis room:. double family rooms (with communicating doors) 37
m2 (Patio)
The Arfoud room: 45m2 (Patio)
The Marzouga room : 44m2 (Balcon)
The Zagoura room : 54m2 (Balcon)
Lounge : 70m2
Address: Riad
Zitoun Jdid, n°42 Derb Zenka Deika - 40 000 - Marrakesh - MOROCCO
Phone: ++ 212 (0) 24 38 58 10 - Fax: ++ 212(0) 24 38 58 01
Email: info@riad-slitine.com - Web http://www.riad-slitine.com
Dar Zitoune - Taroudant :
In the heart of the region of Souss, in the south of Morocco, and
just a few miles away from the city of Taroudant, Riad Dar Zitoune
"house of the olives" welcomes you. Once
through the gate you are in the land of "a thousand and one nights",
in a setting that is typically Moroccan. Relax on the locally made
berber furniture, enjoy doing nothing in the beautiful gardens, shaded
by olive and citrus trees, or swin in the magnificient pool, designed
in the shape of a moorish gate.
Tucked
away amongst the trees and the 14 air conditioned Bungalows and 8
Suites, ideal for anyone seeking peace and quiet . Our elegant restaurant
offers a fusion of Moroccan and European dishes and special males
can also be catered for.
In
the evening, enjoy a cocktail and live moroccan music in our pleasant
cellar bar.
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