Le Grand Maghreb
Northern Morocco,Tetouen, Marrakech, Fes & Sea-side Essaouira

10 Days - Tour starts weekly on Saturdays in Casablanca

This 10-day Friends Abroad^sm adventure to Northern Morocco, Tetouen, Chefchaouen, 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 the Lonely Planet Moroccan Phrasebook, so you can learn some useful phrases to ease your way.

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 or TANGIER
You arrive in the Kingdom of Morocco, landing at Casablanca, our staff greets you at the airport and escorts you to your hotel. Sheraton for deluxe, or Littoral for first class.

For Guests arriving at Tangier, we'll simply reverse the order of the itinerary, and there is a saving of $100 per person in this case when you arrive in Tangier.

DAY 2 - Atlantic Coast to EASSAOUIRA (BD)

Morning tour of the Grand Mosque of Hassan II, 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 & DAY 4 - ESSAOUIRA (BD)
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 (BD)
Drive north east to Marrakech, and your hotel: Imperial Borj/Sheraton for Deluxe, Kenzi Faraha for Fist Class. . Then, this afternoon take your first plunge into this wonderful, exotic city. With your guide to tour :

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.

Riad L'Escale ( Boutique Moroccan Mansion Hotels)

DAY 6 - MARRAKECH (BD)
Full day tour of Marrakech :
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.

DAY 7 - MARRAKECH TO CASABLANCA & FEZ (BD)
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 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 8 - FEZ (BD)
Oldest of Morocco's four Imperial Cities, Fez is endlessly fascinating, and today it's yours. Or join our tour fro $25 per person :
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 9 - FEZ, Northern Morocco (BD)
After the fall of Granada in 1492 and during the Inquisition time in Spain, all the Moslem "Moros" and Jewish population were expelled from Spain, and seek refuge in the Northern Morocco. We head for Tetouen via Ouzzane, Chefchaouen. In the afternoon we tour the old Medina. Dinner is included at your hotel. Farah Tetouen ( 4 stars, we'll use this hotel for both of the listed price categories).

DAY 10 - DEPARTURE (B)
Depart Tetouen , traveling along the Atlantic coast. Visit Hercules Caves in Cap Spartel - the confluence of the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Arrive in historic Tangiers for a quick tour , (Time Permitting & depending on your ferry schedule we may be able to tour to Asilah, the fortified Portuguese village 46 kilometers south of Tangiers on the Atlantic coast. In Asilah visit The Bab Homar, the Berber kasbah, the Palace of Raisouli and enjoy the relaxing ambiance and quaint beauty of the town. If visiting in August you will have the added enjoyment of the International Festival, a month-long cultural event encompassing art exhibitions and musical performances. En route back to Tangiers, stop at the beach for a short camel ride. Evening departure to Gibraltar or Algeciras. (Ferry ticket is not included)

Rates per person in US $

For Guests arriving at Tangier, we'll simply reverse the order of the itinerary, and there is a saving of $100 per person in this case when you arrive in Tangier.

DEPARTURE DATES
Weekly, year round on Saturday in Casablanca.

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

• Breakfast and dinner daily, meals as listed : B = Breakfast, (D) = dinner.

• First-class train transportation ,as per itinerary.

• 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.
• Air-conditioned car/van, escorted at all times for the drive and the listed tour of Tangiers & Tetouen , with local guides, including the entrance fees.
• Tour of the Grand Mosque including entrance fees ( Not open 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.
• Trip cancellation / travel insurance, please ask for the flyer

Suite - Dar Ayniwen Riad , Marrakech