OVERVIEW
The Fes Festival of World Sacred Music is widely acclaimed as one of the world's great musical events and has earned media accolades from the world's most prestigious publications. This festival brings together performers from every corner of the globe for a week of artistic excellence in Fes, Morocco's oldest and first imperial city founded in 790 B.C by Moulay Idriss II and best known for its spiritual and educational contribution to the history and culture of the Kingdom.

This festival celebrates the world's spiritual traditions and it dissolves musical boundaries. We have crafted a program around the Festival dates (June 06-June 14, 2008) that will deepen your understanding of the rich cultural heritage of Morocco. You will bring home not only memories, stories and beautiful souvenirs from Morocco, but also new ideas about music genres, hospitality, cuisine and design that will forever enrich your life.

PROGRAM ITINERARY (SUBJECT TO CHANGE BY THE PROGRAM COMMITTEE)

DAY 01 (Wednesday June 04, 2008): CASABLANCA / RABAT (56 Miles)
Warm greeting upon arrival by Gateway2Discovery's staff. As we depart from Casablanca, the economic capital of Morocco, we will stop at the magnificent Mosque of Hassan II, situated by the Atlantic Ocean and heralded as the third largest mosque in the world. We will then continue on to Rabat, the administrative capital of Morocco. Upon arrival in Rabat, our sightseeing will feature the outside of the Royal Palace, the Mohammed V Mausoleum, as well as the remains of the Hassan Tower built in 1196, which provides an excellent introduction to Moroccan history. As we walk through the narrow passageways of the Ouddaya, you will glimpse at the daily life of the local inhabitants, smelling freshly baked bread and admiring the decorative doors leading to family homes. Dinner and overnight hotel at your selected accommodation in Rabat.

DAY 02 (Thursday June 05, 2008): RABAT / MEKNES / MOULAY IDRISS / FES (123 Miles)
Today, we will drive east into the countryside to continue our discovery of Morocco's Imperial Cities starting in Meknes. Our sightseeing will include famous gate of Bab El Mansour, Dar Jamai Palace and the remains of the Royal Stables and the tomb of Moulay Ismail. Continue to Fes, arrival, check-in and overnight at your selected accommodation.

DAY 03 (Friday June 06, 2008): FES / FESTIVAL GRAND OPENING
This morning, we wake up hearing the sound of the 'Moudan' prayer call emanating from the numerous minarets within the walled city of Fes. Fes, the first Imperial City of Morocco, is a leading intellectual, religious and cultural center. The Medina of Fes, a UNESCO world heritage site, is simply dazzling! With its narrow passageways, spice shops, shopkeepers and craftsmen still using ancient crafts techniques, the Medina has a world of its own. We will discover the Qaraouine University and the Koranic school.After breakfast, we will explore the Medina and visit the Arabian House to observe various craftsmen performing their work reminiscent of ancient techniques. Lunch will take place at a Moroccan restaurant. Free time at leisure. In the evening, get ready for the Fes Festival of Sacred Music Grand Opening.

Festival Program Schedule:
Jessye Norman (USA) with the Orchestre Lyrique Régional Avignon, Provence (France), directed by Racael Worby

DAY 04 (Saturday June 07, 2008): FES / SIDI AHMED EL BERNOUSSI / FES
After breakfast, you can either skip the morning program events or depart for our excursion to the Sidi Ahmed El Bernoussi shrine located in the Rif Mountains where we will enjoy a tasty and memorable couscous lunch overlooking Fes. Sidi Ahmed El Bernoussi is a marabout (where a religious person is buried) of the 17th century. He was a sophist frequently visited by the Arab inhabitants of the village. This region is popular for Fantasia riding. Return to Fes and get for the Festival events.

Morning Festival Program Schedule: Songs of the Christian Churches of the East
Ghada Shbéïr (Lebanon) (BBC World Music Award 2007)

Evening Festival Program Schedule: Night of Sacred Afro-American and Sufi Songs.  Spirituals/Hymns/Qawwali/Gospel (Pakistan/USA)
Faiz Ali Faiz Ensemble and Bernice Johnson Reagon and the Sacred Sound Ensemble

DAY 05 (Sunday June 08, 2008): FES / MOULAY YACOUB / FES
After breakfast, you can either attend the festival events or opt for our morning excursion to the venerated hot springs of Moulay Yacoub known for their healing powers (spa fees not included). Moulay Yacoub is located in a small, peaceful and charming Berber village at the foothills of the Rif Mountains. The landscape dominates the Pre-Rifian hills abundant in green and colorful blossoms in spring and autumn and in grey and ochre in winter and summer. We will then return to Fes to attend the evening Festival events.

Morning Festival Program Schedule: Sacred Songs of the Lapps from Northern Scandinavia
Mari Boine (Norway)

Evening Festival Program Schedule: Peace Songs
Joan Baez (USA) (to be confirmed)

DAY 06 (Monday June 09, 2008): FES

Morning Festival Program schedule: Traditional Sacred Songs
Huong Thanh (Vietnam)

Evening Festival Program Schedule: Dibujos Flamenco Dance Creation
Belen Maya (Spain)

DAY 07 (Tuesday June 10, 2008): FES 

Morning Festival Program Schedule: Jesus Meine Freunde (JS Bach)
Ensemble Cantus Cölln (Germany)

Evening Festival Program Schedule: Traditional Sacred Dance from Bali
I Made Djimat Ensemble (Indonesia)

DAY 08 (Wednesday June 11, 2008): FES
Morning Festival Program Schedule:
The Seven Last Words of Christ (J Haydn)
Quatuor Ysaÿe with soloist Michel Serres (France)

The rest of the day is at leisure.  We suggest you explore Fes El Bali where several hundred Muslim families settled on the right bank of Wadi Fes, after having been expelled from Andalucia in 818. Seven years later, 300 Kerouan families established their homes on the opposite bank. The Andalusian Arabs brought with them their art and the experience of a civilization at the very peak of its glory. The Andalusian quarter is particularly impressive for its splendor and its profusion of fine arts.


DAY 09 (Thursday June 12, 2008): FES / SEFROU-AIT BAHIL / FES
This morning, you can either skip the Festival events or participate in our excursion to Sefrou.

Morning Festival Program Schedule: Traditional Sacred Sephardic songs
La Rosa Enflorese (Belgium)

Evening Festival Program Schedule: Evening of Moroccan music (to be confirmed)

Morning Excursion:
Our excursion takes us to the ancient Jewish city of Sefrou located in the Middle Atlas Mountains. During the first century, missionaries converted the local population to Judaism. Sefrou served as an important stop for sub-Saharan caravans transporting goods to be sold in the European markets. We will visit the shrine of Sidi Lahcen Al Yussi, a well venerated Sufi master considered to be the custodian of this ancient outpost. Other highlights will include Mausoleums and synagogues. On our way back to Fes, we will stop at the ancient Christian village of Ait Bahil, a village of fascinating troglodyte dwellings cut into the limestone hills dating from a settlement begun by Christian elements of the Roman Second Legion. Return to Fes to attend the Festival activities.

DAY 10 (Friday, June 13, 2008): FES

Morning Festival Program Schedule:
Popular Sacred Songs of the Tuaregs
Ensemble des Femmes Tartit (Mali)

Evening Festival Program Schedule: Mohamed Abdou (Saudi Arabia)

DAY 11 (Saturday June 14, 2008): FES

Morning Festival Program Schedule:
Hindu Devotional Songs in the Tradition of Northern India
Madhup Mudghal (India) (to be confirmed)

Evening Festival Program Schedule: From Dakar to Fez: from Heart to Soul
Ismael Lô (Senegal) with the Tijaniya Sufi Brotherhood or the Hamadcha Sufi Brotherhood of Fez (Morocco)

DAY 12 (Sunday June 15, 2008): FES / BENI-MELLAL / MARRAKESH (303 Miles)
After breakfast, we will depart 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. Independent lunch then and continuation to Marrakesh. Check-in, dinner and overnight stay at your selected accommodation.

DAY 13 (Monday June 16, 2008): MARRAKESH
The day will be devoted to the sightseeing of Marrakesh, the second oldest imperial city known as the "Pearl of the South" and home to the Saadian tombs, the Koutoubia Mosque, the Menara Gardens, the Bahia Palace and Dar Si Said Museum. Return to the hotel for lunch. In the afternoon, exploration of the souks and the world's famous Djemaa el Fna place with its various entertainments (story tellers, acrobats, snake-charmers, magicians, etc). Later on, a Diffa Fantasia 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.

DAY 14 (Tuesday June 17, 2008): MARRAKESH / CASABLANCA
After an early breakfast, transfer to the airport in Marrakesh for your domestic flight to Casablanca Mohammed V airport to connect with your flight back home. End of our services.

After breakfast, transfer to Casablanca Mohammed V International airport for your return flight. Assistance with the boarding formalities. (B)

PROGRAM INCLUSIONS
•  Accommodation for 10 nights in Fes at your selected accommodation on bed and breakfast
•  Accommodation for 1 night in Rabat and 2 nights in Marrakesh at your selected accommodation on bed and breakfast
•  Transportation in deluxe air conditioned vehicles throughout the program
•  Entrance fees to all sightseeing as indicated in the program itinerary with the assistance of English speaking guides
•  Excursions as indicated in the program itinerary
•  Fes Festival entrance fees
•  Luggage handling, tips at hotels and airports.

NOT INCLUDED
•  Meals, alcohol drinks, mineral water, and other items of personal nature
•  Deviations expenses from the itinerary and any special handling.
•  International and domestic airfare. We offer competitive airfare from New York to Morocco

ACCOMMODATION INFORMATION:

Silver Choice: 4-star Hotels:

Gold Choice: 5-star Hotels

Platinum Choice: Riads & Deluxe 5-star Hotels

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 ($):

Silver Choice: 4-star Hotels
With 02 people: $2,990.00.
With 04 people: $2,650.00.
Single supplement: $350.00.

Note: Rates are subject to change without notice due to fluctuations in currency exchange rates beyond our control.

Gold Choice: 5-star Hotels
With 02 people: $3,955.00.
With 04 people: $3,395.00.
Single supplement: $950.00.

Note: Rates are subject to change without notice due to fluctuations in currency exchange rates beyond our control.

Platinum Choice: Riads & 5-star Deluxe Hotels.
With 02 people: $5,800.00.
With 04 people: $5,475.00.
Single supplement: $1,300.00.

Note: Rates are subject to change without notice due to fluctuations in currency exchange rates beyond our control.