OVERVIEW
Morocco has long been home to people with a fine sense of beauty and hospitality. Blending the bold, tribal influence of the indigenous Berber people with the refined sensibilities of the Arab conquerors and the pan-Mediterranean influences of the Andalusian period, when southern Spain and Morocco joined resources as a single wealthy empire, the country has richly exotic traditions of architecture, design, crafts, cuisine, and music.

With visits to six Moroccan cities, including Casablanca and Rabat, Fez the mysterious, the red city of Marrakech, and exotic Ouarzazate, gateway to the Sahara, this tour will offer participants opportunities to sample the varied geography and diverse urban environments of this fascinating country. While Casablanca and Rabat are among the country's most modern cities, Fez offers one of the most intact ancient walled cities in the world, its labyrinthine streets filled with mystery and surprise. Marrakech blends the antique and modern with vital, cosmopolitan energy; Ouarzazate speaks of the ancient history of trans-Saharan caravans passing through the Atlas mountains.

As a participant, you will not only observe the beauty and learn of the history of Morocco, but also directly experience its living culture. Tours of famous antique sites will be complemented by visits to modern architectural triumphs; accommodations will range from elegant new hotels to intimate riads, as the grand urban homes that have been transformed into luxurious guesthouses are called; cooking lessons, traditional Moroccan feasts in private homes, riad courtyards, and beneath tents, visits to contemporary artists and craftspeople's shops and studios, and live musical entertainments will create an unforgettable experience. Each tour participant will bring home not only memories, stories, and beautiful souvenirs of Morocco, but also new ideas about hospitality, cuisine, and decoration that will enrich their lives forever.

PROGRAM ITINERARY

DAY 01: CASABLANCA / RABAT (60 Miles)
Arrival at Casablanca Mohammed V airport. Welcome, assistance and transfer to the hotel for check-in. Free time to relax until lunchtime. After a lunch at La Fibule, a seafood restaurant overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, sightseeing tour of Casablanca, the economic capital of Morocco. This will include an interior visit of the Hassan II Great Mosque, one of the world's greatest monuments. Proceed with a visit of the Place Mohammed V, the United Nations Square, and the surroundings of the Royal Palace before strolling along the Ain Diab. After Lunch at La Fibule restaurant overlooking the Atlantic ocean, departure to Rabat, the administrative capital of the Kingdom of Morocco. Upon arrival, brief sightseeing tour featuring the splendid Mohamed V Mausoleum and the Hassan Tower. Overnight stay in Rabat. (L,D)

DAY 02: RABAT / MEKNES / FES
After breakfast, departure to Fes with a stop at the Imperial City of Meknes or "the Moroccan Versailles" which was founded at the end of the 17th Century by the Sultan Moulay Ismail with its monumental gates and city walls. Visit of Bab el Mansour (perhaps the finest gateway in Africa), the "Dar Jamai" Museum, and the old Medina, Moulay Ismail mausoleum, old granaries and stables. Then stop at the impressive Roman ruins of Volubilis and the sacred town of Moulay Idriss 1, before heading to Fes for dinner and overnight stay. (B,D)

DAY 03: FES
The whole day will be devoted to the sightseeing of Fes, the oldest cultural and spiritual imperial city of Morocco, which was founded in 790 B.C by Moulay Idriss II. Highlights will include the Medieval Medina, the Medersas, the El Qaraouiyyin Mosque and the sumptuous Nejjarine fountain. Dinner at La Maison Bleue, former family home of the Abbadi family where we learn about the history of the archetypal Andalusian style building, as well as the traditional cuisine served in its grand entertaining rooms. Highlights of the dinner will include the native specialty of pigeon pie, which represents the ancient blending of North African and Spanish culinary traditions. The dinner will also feature traditional Andalusia Music. (B,D)

DAY 04: FES
After breakfast, you will visit the Arabian House to observe various craftsmen performing their work using ancient techniques. Our expert guide who will lead a shopping and tasting tour of the Fes medina, including stops at her favorite craft studios, antique shops, and the outdoor food market where freshly made goat cheese, olives, and dates are among the delicious offerings. In the afternoon, we will visit the beautiful DAR BATHA MUSEUM, a traditional Hispano-Moorish palace dating from the end of the XIXth century which houses a magnificent collection of Moroccan ceramic, wrought iron, sculpted plaster and wood, embroidery, carpets, jewellery and much more. A late afternoon tea featuring infusions of mint, absinthe, or vervaine and the sweets for which Fes is famed will greet guests upon their return to their riad. A Moroccan feast followed by traditional Gnawa music will be served that evening at the Riad. (B,D)

DAY 05: FES / BENI-MELLAL / MARRAKESH
After breakfast, departure to Marrakesh passing by Immouzer El Kander and Azrou, a Berber village known for its handicrafts cooperative. Continuation through the wooded and mountainous region. Arrival to Beni-Mellal. Lunch and continuation to Marrakesh. Check-in, dinner and overnight stay in Marrakesh. (B,D)

DAY 06: MARRAKESH
The morning will be devoted to the sightseeing in Marrakesh, the second oldest imperial city known for its antiquities, its chic nightlight, and contemporary style movement. The sightseeing will include a guided tour of historical highlights, including the Saadian tombs, the Koutoubia Mosque, the Bahia Palace, and the Majorelle Gardens. In the afternoon, we will visit Dar SI SAID MUSEUM, a sumptuous palace housing an impressive collection of Hispano-Moorish decoration and elegant furniture in cedar wood. A remarkable collection of door and window frames is to be found around the courtyard, all encrusted with the most delicate and refined ornamentation. Dinner at "Yacout", with traditional Arabic Music. (B,D)

DAY 07: MARRAKESH
Free morning or you may want to enjoy a traditional wood-fired sauna and scrub that cleanses, purifies, and relaxes the body (optional not included). In the afternoon, our tour manager will lead a special shopping and crafts tour that will feature our favorite antique and jewelry shops as well as the studios and boutiques of the city's contemporary designers. Later on, an entertainment dinner will be provided under caidal tents at the famed "Chez Ali" restaurant. Enjoy the fantasia spectacle that includes camel and horse shows, folkloric troops from different Moroccan regions and belly dancers. Return to the hotel for overnight stay. (B,D)

DAY 08: EXCURSION TO ESSAOUIRA
Today, enjoy an excursion to the romantic seaside town of Essaouira. Our visit will feature Essaouira's typical Portuguese harbor portraying influences of both Moorish and Portuguese design. Highlights will include the fishing harbor and the Skala (the Battery) left by the pirates. Suggested Seafood lunch; Free afternoon. Return to Marrakesh for Overnight. (B,D)

DAY 09: MARRAKESH / OUARZAZATE
After breakfast, we will depart early for Ouarzazate, a caravan town in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains known as the Gateway to the Sahara. Our trip will take us through the dramatic landscape of the High Atlas Mountains passing the Berber town of Taddert and over the 2260-meter high Tiz-in-Tichka pass. We will stop at the famous Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, one of the intriguing red earth castles lining the ancient Route of the Kasbahs, before continuing to our hotel in Ouarzazate for check-in. After lunch, we will visit the Taourirt Kasbah of the famous Pasha Glaoui. Painted ceilings, arches everywhere, beautiful small windows in ironworks and woodwork, world classified monument by Unesco. The local guide will explain the lifestyle of the pasha, stressing the status of his women, the favorite and the common law wives and the slaves. Later on, we will be transported in land rovers to the Oasis of Fint for a festive Berber feast served beneath tents and accompanied by a performance of several local Berber Troops (Aaouach group, Dekka Marrakchia and Gnaoua). (B,D)

DAY 10: OUARZAZATE / TINEGHIR / OUARZAZATE
After breakfast, we will depart to Tineghir through the One Thousand and One Kasbah road. Our guide will explain the history of the trans-Saharan trade that enriched the local warlords and shaped the history of Morocco. We will stop at the village of Tineghir to visit the local crafts and antiques market, where Berber carpets and carved wooden implements and decorative objects are among the traditional items available for sale. Lunch at the Gorges of Daddes, a breathtaking spot between two mountains. Dinner and overnight stay. (B,D)

DAY 11: OUARZAZATE / CASABLANCA / NEW YORK
After breakfast, departure to Ouarzazate Airport for a return flight to the US via Casablanca. Assistance with all the boarding formalities. End of our services. (B)

PROGRAM INCLUSIONS
•  Greeting, assistance and transfer to/from airports by Gateway2Discovery's staff. Includes airfare from Ouarzazate to Casablanca on the last day.
•  Accommodations for 10 nights in a double occupancy rooms on a half board basis (all breakfasts and dinners) at 5-star deluxe hotels.
•  Special entertainment dinner nights in Fes, Marrakesh and Ouarzazate.
•  Excursion to the beautiful seaside town of Essaouira.
•  Ground transportation in deluxe air-conditioned motor coach.
•  Entrance fees to all sightseeing as indicated in the program itinerary.
•  Assistance of government certified tour guides throughout the itinerary.
•  Baggage handling and tips at airports and hotels.

NOT INCLUDED
•  International airfare from the US to Morocco. We offer competitive round-trip airfare from JFK to Casablanca with Royal Air Maroc.
•  Meals not specified in the itinerary.
•  Passport and visa fees.
•  Individual transfers; any deviations from the scheduled program.
•  Excess baggage charges, medical expenses.
•  Beverages: mineral water, alcohol and soft drinks.
•  Travel insurance (recommended but not required) is available upon request.

•  Any other items of a purely personal nature.

ACCOMMODATION INFORMATION:

# Night	City	Class	Hotel & Riads
1 Night	Rabat	Gold: 5-Star Hotel Deluxe	La Tour Hassan
		Platinum: Luxury Riad	Villa Mandarine
2 Nights	Fes	Gold:5-Star Deluxe	Sofitel Palais Jamai
		Platinum: Luxury Riad	Riad La Maison Blue
2 Nights	Marrakesh	Gold: 5-Star Deluxe	Mansour Eddahbi
		Riad: Luxury Riad	Riad La Maison Arabe
1 Night	Ouarzazate	5-star Deluxe	Berbere Palace

NOTE: We will exercise our best efforts to secure the accommodations listed above, however, during busy seasons we may only be able to offer similar category accommodations.  In this case, clients will have the option to agree or cancel their booking.  In some instances, a request for a higher grade accommodation will result in an extra fee to compensate for the difference in price.

PROGRAM PRICE PER PERSON ($):

GOLD OPTION: 5 STAR
With 2 people: $4,250.00
Families & Friends (3-5 people): $3,900.00
Small Groups (5-9 people): $3,675.00
Corporate Groups (10 and up): $3,355.00

PLATIMUM OPTION:
With 2 people: $4,700.00
Families & Friends (3-5 people): $4,250.00
Small Groups (5-9 people): $3,990.00
Corporate Groups (10 and up): $3,775.00