Highlights of Morocco Tour

March 27 - April 5, 2020 Leader: Audrey Voth Petkau

Ait Ben Haddou. Photo credit: Xiquinho Silva. Marrakech Market

Itinerary

Friday, March 27 Casablanca Arrive in Casablanca and meet your tour leader. Saturday, March 28 Casablanca In Casablanca, Morocco’s largest city, meet your travelling companions. Discover some of the city’s wonders on a tour, beginning with a walk around the Hassan II Mosque, the largest mosque in Africa, with the world’s tallest minaret. Then continue to the Ain Diab Corniche for a stroll along the beautiful coastline. Visit the Habous Quarter, the oldest part of Casablanca, which houses the Royal Palace. Then continue to the Mohammad V Square in the heart of the city centre. Tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner at Rick’s Café. Sunday, March 29 Chefchaouen After breakfast, enjoy a scenic drive to Chefchaouen as the flat plains and rolling hills transform into the mountainous landscape of the Rif range. Chefchaouen is a city well known for the striking blue-painted buildings in its Old Town. Discover Plaza Oputa el-Hamman, the main square, as well as the red-walled Kasbah, a 15th century fortress and dungeon. Visit the

Chefchaouen Ethnographic Museum, and see the octagonal minaret of the Great Mosque that rises nearby. Monday, March 30 Volubilis / Fes Visit Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage site that contains Morocco’s best-preserved Roman ruins, including some exceptional mosaics. Continue to Fes, the oldest of Morocco’s four imperial cities, considered to have the most complete medina in the Arab world. Relatively untouched since it was founded over 1,000 years ago, the haphazard streets provide a sense of what it was like to live during medieval times in Morocco. Tuesday, March 31 Fes Enjoy a guided full-day city tour of Fes, Morocco’s spiritual and intellectual capital. Visit the Jemaa El Karaouine, the world’s first university, and the Madrasa Bou Inania, known for its outstanding Marinid style architecture. See tanneries, artisan quarters, fascinating souks, and much more. Wednesday, April 1 Merzouga

Join TourMagination President Audrey Voth Petkau on a special tour to one of her favourite destinations! Morocco is home to spectacular landscapes, a vibrant cultural history, and welcoming people. On this unforgettable tour, you’ll experience firsthand why Morocco is so irresistible. See Africa’s largest mosque in Casablanca. Discover Morocco’s spiritual and intellectual history in Fes, including the world’s first university. Stay overnight in a luxurious camp in the Sahara Desert and take a sunrise camel ride through the sand dunes. Get a taste of local culture in marketplaces and city centres.

Leave behind the fascinating history of Fes as you head to a totally different part of Morocco—the Sahara Desert. On the way, pass through many Berber cities and villages. Board your 4×4 vehicle and continue on to Merzouga, a small village in the Sahara Desert, for your overnight stay in a luxurious desert camp. Thursday, April 2 Merzouga / Tinghir / Kalaat M’Gouna / Ouarzazate From the back of a camel enjoy a magical sunrise on the golden sand dunes in Merzouga. Return to camp for breakfast. Later, admire a contrasting landscape on a short walk through Tinghir. Tinghir is a beautiful green valley more than 40 kilometres in length, rich with palm trees, olives, almonds, and many other crops. Just north of Tinghir is Todra Gorge, a deep cut wall in the mountains of the High Atlas, and an incredible sight. Continue on to Kalaat M’Gouna along the Dadès Valley, famous for cultivating roses—expect to find many fine, rose-infused products here. End the day in Ouarzazate, Morocco’s version of Hollywood. Friday, April 3 Ouarzazate / Marrakech Today’s city tour of Ouarzazate includes a stop at Taourirt Kasbah, considered one of the most

beautiful in Morocco. You will also visit Tifoultoute Kasbah with remarkable views over the valley. Visit the cinematographic studios where many great films were and are still being shot. Continue on to the wonderful fortified village of Ait Ben Haddou, the most spectacular fortress village in the south of Morocco and where many great movies were filmed, including Lawrence of Arabia and Jesus of Nazareth. Cross the High Atlas Mountains via the spectacular Tiz-In Tichka Pass to Marrakech. Saturday, April 4 Marrakech Take a tour of Marrakech, the capital of the south. Marrakech is a charming city with its famous Jemaa El Fna Square brimming with food stalls, snake charmers, musicians, and fortune tellers. The 12th century Koutoubia Mosque, Bahia Palace, and Menara Gardens are just a few of the architectural highlights of the city. Also enjoy walking along the charming narrow streets of the old Medina. During free time, explore the square at your own pace. On your last evening together, share memories over dinner and watch a Fantasia Show at Chez Ali. Sunday, April 5 Marrakech Say farewell and depart for home from Marrakech.

Fare per person:

CAD: Double Occupancy $3,654; Single Supplement $795

USD: Double Occupancy $2,924; Single Supplement $636

Fare includes • Transportation by coach and ferry within Ireland • Airport transfer at end of tour • Hotel accommodations • Entrance fees included in the itinerary • All breakfasts • 1 lunch, 8 dinners, farewell dinner with show • Expert tour leaders & local guides • Gratuities for drivers, guides, and group meals

Fare excludes • International airfare • Airport transfer at beginning of tour • 10 lunches, 2 dinners, drinks with meals • Travel medical (out-of-country emergency) and

cancellation/interruption insurance Insurance

Travel medical (out-of-country emergency) and cancellation/interruption insurance are not mandatory but are highly recommended.

Payments Rates shown are in effect 03/19. Though every effort is made to maintain established prices, TM reserves the right to adjust prices should it become necessary. The price is guaranteed when paid in full. We accept cheque and credit card payments. Credit card payments are charged a 3% fee.

Important note: Costs could increase if you sign up less than 90 days before a tour begins

Canadian contact: USA contact: 501 - 20 Erb St W 2308 Wood Street Waterloo, ON N2L 1T2 Lancaster, PA 17603

Telephone: 519.885.2522 Fax: 519.885.0941 Toll-free: 800.565.0451 office@tourmagination.com

www.tourmagination.com TICO # 5001432