MOROCCO HIGHLIGHTS
ITS GRAND JEWISH HERITAGE

This special program allows you to experience Morocco and its wonderful and intriguing famous sites at the same time focusing on its rich Jewish heritage. Our special and expert guide in Morocco history and its Jewish heritage will accompany our small group at all time.
Or if you prefer , you may arrive any day and enjoy you own private tour , private guide and private Mercedes, then you will have the flexibility to adapt and change the program to fit your desires. We have selected accommodations of traditional Moroccan Riads and hotels so that you are immersed in the “real” feel and culture of this true " Magic Kingdom" and country. This itinerary highlights sites of Jewish cultural significance but includes as well the highlights of the important Morocco tourist sites. Due to its unique heritage , Morocco has always played an important role in mediating between the Arab states and Israel, and this link was crucial in the secret negotiation between King Hassan II , President Sadat and Shimon Perez , before Sadat decides to announce his peace plan with Israel.

Day 1: Casablanca
Arrival at Casablanca Mohamed V airport Welcome and assistance at the airport.
Breakfast, tea and coffee is served , before we head for panoramic tour of Casablanca, including the Habbous quarter, the United Nations square, visit to the great Hassan II mosque, one of the Islamic world's stunning monuments. Casablanca is home to the largest Jewish community in Morocco and has numerous congregations, active communal institutions, and many highly recommended kosher restaurants. Visit of the Mellah (Jewish Quarter) with its temples and synagogues such as Beth-El, Em Habanim and Neve Shalom. Dinner and overnight in Casablanca

Day 2: Casablanca – Sale - Rabat
Breakfast. Departure for Rabat and Sale. Visit the Chellah and Kasbah of Oudayas located next to the Medina within the ramparts of the old city. The Mellah, with its narrow lanes and colorful courtyards, is now the home of a few Jewish families. Continue on to Sale, the twin city of Rabat and the birthplace of Rabbi Hayyim Ben Moses Attar, the famous 18th century scholar and cabbalist, known throughout the Jewish world for his bible commentary, the " Or Ha-Hayyim ". Return to Rabat for overnight at hotel. Tonight you may explore Rabat’s many restaurants with dinner on your own. (B)

Day 3: Meknes – Volubilis - Fez
Breakfast. Departure to Meknes, " the Moroccan Versailles " which was founded at the end of the 17th Century by Moulay Ismail, where the Jewish presence is evidenced by Hebraic epitaphs dating from the Christian era as well as Greek inscriptions that still appear in local Synagogues and a place of pilgrimage where the tomb of Rabbi' David Benmidan, "The Patron of Meknes" is located. The crowded old Mellah, known for its historic Jewish street names is not to be missed. There is also the new Mellah (Jewish quarter), which harbors eleven Synagogues, eight of which are still in use. Highlights will also include Bab El Mansour, the Hedim square and the mosque of Moulay Ismail. Continue to Fez via Volubilis, a well-preserved remains of a Roman city. Check-in at your hotel and overnight. Tonight you will enjoy a wonderful Moroccan feast and entertainment at the palatial Palais Medina (B, SD)

Day 4: Fez
Breakfast, Fez is among the best-known cities in medieval Jewish history. Indeed, it was one the home of one of the most influential Talmudic scholars of all times, Rabbi Isaac Alfasi, as well as of Maimonides in the years 1160 to 1165. Highlights will also include the Mellah with all its Synagogues. Optional, visit of Bhalil and the cemetery of Safroud where Rabbi Lahou Harroch and Rabbi Raphael Moshe Elbaz are buried, return to the hotel in Fez for overnight stay. Tonight you may choose, on your own, to have a relaxing dinner prepared especially for you at your Riyadh (discuss in the morning with the host) or explore one of Fes’ many fine restaurants. (B)

Day 5: Fez / Midelt - Erfoud - Merzouga
After breakfast, departure for Erfoud via Azrou and Ifrane city, it is said that Ifrane was the capital of a Jewish Kingdom in the faraway past. Not to be missed: the village's only Synagogue and the cemetery has been for centuries a centre of pilgrimage for Moroccan Jews. Stop in Midelt and continuation to Erfoud. From there, you will ride in a land rover off road with a driver to take you to witness the sunset and enjoy your Deluxe Private Bivouac at the Dunes of Erg Chebbi, largest desert dunes in Morocco. Here you will enjoy a camel trek around the dunes area followed by a special Berber dinner and entertainment. You will spend overnight under the stars, where your staff will attend to you, in your fully equipped Berber style tent (mattress, blankets, candles, carpets, etc.), a special tent for dining with folkloric musicians and dancers to entertain you, as well as, a special mobile building with personal facilities. (B, Special dinner)

Day 6: Merzouga - Erfoud - Tinghir
After another breathtaking view of the sunrise, return to Erfoud for orientation tour and continue on to the Todra Gorges known for their impressive bare escarpments. Continue to Tinghir and visit its Mellah gateway and the ancient and colorful Jewish quarter. Dinner and overnight at Kasbah Lamrani a boutique Kasbah style hotel (B, D)

Day 7: Tinghir - El Kelaa des M'Gouna - Ouarzazate – Marrakech
Breakfast. Departure to Ouarzazate via El Kelâa des M'Gouna and visit of Tiliit (5 miles from El Kelaa Des M'Gouna), known as the Ancient City of the Jews of the Dades The fortress of Tiliit has been the centre of a Jewish region ruled by the Spanish-Jewish family of Perez from the end of the fifteenth century until the reign of Moulay Ismail in 1672. Continue to Ouarzazate, visit of the Taourirt and Tifoultout Kasbahs, ancient residences of Glaoui (The former Pacha of Marrakech) Afternoon continue to Marrakech via the Tiz-in-Tichka pass (2260m) and Taddert. Late afternoon arrive in Marrakech then transfer to your hotel for overnight. Tonight you will enjoy a Moroccan dinner and entertainment at Tanjia restaurant. (B, Special dinner)

Day 8: Marrakech
Breakfast. The day will be devoted to sightseeing of Marrakesh, the second oldest Imperial City known as the " Pearl of the South " and home to the Saâdian tombs, the Koutoubia Mosque, the Bahia Palace and the Menara Garden. Return to the hotel for lunch. In the afternoon, exploration of the souks and the world's famous Djemaâ El Fna place which offers various entertainment (story tellers, acrobats, snake-charmers, magicians, etc.). Visit to Mellal " Jewish quarter " which became home of a thriving community of native and Spanish Jews, famed for their rabbinical schools and scholars. Visit the Rabbi Hanania Hacohen cemetery, which is also the burial place of Rabbi Mordekhai Ben Attar and Rabbi Pinhas Hacohen Azough known as the " Patron of Marrakech Optional: In the afternoon, excursion to the Ourika valley to visit the famous tomb of Rabbi Shlomon Ben Hens. Tonight you can enjoy dinner on your own in Marrakech, John will recommend many wonderful places from moderate to fine dining. (B)

Day 9: Marrakech
Breakfast. Today is your day in Marrakech at leisure to choose to do as you wish. There are so many additional sites to see. Your car/driver/guide services are not included today but you are in the city centre and everything is very accessible. Tonight you have a grand farewell dinner and show at the famous Kasbah Tassarout, a grand folklore show featuring tribesmen and women from different parts of the country. You will enjoy a Moroccan dinner with local salads, cous cous, lamb and other specialties. Then a highlight feature of Fantasia by Arabian horses (B, SD)

Day 10: Departure
Breakfast. Departure to Marrakech Menara airport, assistance for check-in and boarding formalities. End of our services

Hotel Listings :

Category A :
Five star category selected hotels or similar subject to availability at time of booking :

Casablanca Idou Anfa
Fes Jnan Palace
Marrakech Atlas Medina
Rabat: Farah
Erfoud : Deluxe bivouac
Tinghir : Kasbah Lamrani

Category B:
Deluxe category selected hotels or similar subject to availability at time of booking :

Casablanca : Idou `Anfa
Fes : Palais Jamai – Remparts side
Marrakech : Hivernage & Spa – Deluxe room
Erfoud Deluxe bivouac
Tinghir: Kasbah Lamrani
Rabat : Tour Hassan
Marrakech: Riad Slitine

Category C :
Ultra Luxe - Heritage category hotels or similar subject to availability at time of booking

Casablanca : Royal Mansour
Fes Palais Jamai : Room Medina side
Marrakech : Jardins de la Koutoubia – Patio room
Erfoud : Deluxe bivouac
Ouarzazate: Berber Palace – Deluxe room

• Continental or buffet breakfast daily.
  
• Pre - set menu meals as indicated .
  
• Hotel accommodation including tax, and continental breakfast daily.
  
• All transfers in Morocco, with a private air-conditioned Mercedes or similar. Private English speaking chauffeur
  
• All guided sightseeing in air conditioned vehicle as per itinerary, including all entrance fees
  
• Porters and luggage handling in Morocco
  
• Overnight in deluxe Bivouac at Merzouga includes: Land rover off road transfer, camel trek
  
  
• List of Dinners included - Pre-set menu
  Day 1: Dinner at your hotel
  Day 3: Special dinner and entertainment Palais Medina, Fes
  Day 6: Dinner at Hotel Kasbah Lamrani
  Day 7: Special dinner and entertainment Tanjia, Marrakech
  Day 9: Special dinner and show Kasbah Tassarout Fantasia, Marrakech