Road to Morroco – 9 Days from $3,790

New for 2009! From Casablanca to Marrakech, discover a kaleidoscope of cultural treasures, brilliant colors, treasured architecture and centuries of world history on Tauck’s Morocco tour.
 
Your Tauck journey reveals the essence of Morroco through first-hand experience, “insider" access,
and exploration of the area’s history, culture, cuisine and more – with the added convenience of having all your travel needs handled by a friendly, knowledgeable and professional Tauck Director.

 
Upscale, 9-Day Escorted Coach Tour

Itinerary:

Day 1: Welcome to Morocco!
Tauck’s Morocco tour commences at the Hyatt Regency Casablanca at 6:00 pm wherein a transfer from the Casablanca Mohammed V Airport to the Hyatt Regency Casablanca is included.  Tonight, Cocktails and dinner will be served to welcome all of Tauck’s guests.
*Dinner inclusive
*Lodging at the Hyatt Regency Casablanca, Casablanca, Morocco

Day 2: Modern-day Casablanca and ancient Rabat
To start off your tour, a visit to the Hassan II Mosque is first up; after the Mecca, it is the largest mosque in the world.  Its most unique characteristic are its glass floors (for royal use and off limits to visitors) which was built over the Atlantic which has views of the ocean for worshippers to see as they kneel and pray; it also features a sliding ceiling which is opened on special occasions to allow marvelous views of the sky above.  As this mosque was completed in 1993, it took over 6,000 artisans and craftsmen whose talent is highly evident due to the intricate decorations and embellishments.  Built in 1195 let the  Oudaya Kasbah, take you  through a travel in time as it reveals what life was like in the past and is like in the present.
*Breakfast, lunch, and dinner inclusive
*Lodging at The La Tour Hassan, Rabat, Morocco

Day 3: Remarkable Rabat
The city of Rabat is sure to offer any keen traveler intrigue at every corner, this city is the highlight of any Morocco tour with views of the Dar el Makhzen, the Royal Palace residence of King Mohammed VI, home to various government offices and approximately 2,000 inhabitants.  As you walk through Chella Necropolis, be dazzled by the ruins of the ancient Roman town of Sala Colonia as well as the remains of a 13th-century mosque and an ancient royal burial complex.  It doesn’t end there, the Rabat public market will send you swirling with its fast paced and diverse atmosphere; visit the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, the father of Moroccan independence; and view the huge Hassan Tower, begun in 1195 AD.  The afternoon is given to your leisure, followed by a lesson in Arabic.
*Breakfast and lunch inclusive
*Lodging at La Tour Hassan, Rabat, Morocco

Day 4: An imperial city and a World Heritage Site
The Imperial city of Meknes was the capital of Sultan Moulay Ismaïl in the late 17th and early 18th centuries, it was named afer a Berber tribe that once inhabited the area.  The Sultan transformed Meknes into an impressively extravagant city by putting his subjects to work; this city is well known for its babs, or gates, and its Spanish-Moorish style.  As you walk through the huge structure that held the city’s water supply as well as the Heri es-Souani, stables and granary he built to house 12,000 horses, considered to be the finest amongst all his projects.  Marvell at the Bab Mansour, embellished with marble pillars colored tiles and skillfully carved stucco; visit the Musee Dar Jamaï which was built in 1882 as the home of the wealthy Jamaï family which now houses the Museum of Moroccan Arts.  The archaeological site at Volubilis will be toured with at guide to explore the Roman ruins which is best-preserved in Northern Africa. Remains of a roman town are extensively preserved, as well as relics of an early medieval town; this town is considered to be a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
*Breakfast, lunch, and dinner inclusive
*Lodging at The Sofitel Palais Jamaï Fes, Morocco

Day 5: Fascinating Fes
With the oldest of Morocco’s four Imperial cities and the country’s spiritual and religious capital, it wouldn’t be a complete tour if you didn’t get to see this UNESCO World Heritage Site.  The tour includes the Fes el-Jadid, the “new” section of the city built by the Merenids in the 13th century where you’ll see the old Jewish quarter and see the impressive gates of the Dar el-Makhzen, the Royal Palace.  Travel back in time to the city believed to be the largest car-free urban area in the world; Fes el-Bali, the ancient medina, or the walled city.  Here you will find endlessly twisting streets, buzzing shops, tanneries, workshops and stalls selling fruit or spices; to this day it is the largest living medieval city around.  The beautifully decorated theological college of Bou Inania Medersa is up next; built in the 14th century and the Karaouiyine Mosque, founded in 859 AD and one of the oldest mosques in the western Muslim world.  La Maison Bleue, an elegant riad greets you with an scrumptious dinner this evening, one of the highlits of your Moroccan tour.
*Breakfast, lunch, and dinner inclusive
*Lodging at The Sofitel Palais Jamaï Fes, Morocco

Day 6: Through the mountains to Marrakech
As you journey from the Fes to Marrakech, you will travel through the spectacular of the Middle Atlas mountains.  Here you will find diverse landscapes, from abundant orchards and fertile farmland to mountainous terrain, and through many villages and towns that reveal more of the varied lifestyles in present-day Morocco.  Tonight something special awaits as you board a horse-drawn carriage for an intriguing introduction to this fascinating city of Marrakech.  In the largest city square on the African continent, the Djemâa el Fna Square you’ll witness dancers, snake charmers, acrobats and magicians entertaining the crowds who gather here to join in on the festivities. 
*Breakfast, lunch, and dinner inclusive
*Lodging at The Sofitel Marrakech, Marrakech, Morocco

Day 7: The “Pearl of the South"
Marrakech has mesmerized travelers for centuries; here you will explore the souks of the medina where you’ll find market stalls and shops selling almost anything and everything that you could ever think of.  The highly esteemed Koutoubia Mosque is the largest in Morocco, the next stop of today’s tour.  Later in the day,  indulge yourself in the cool, turquoise oasis of the Le Jardin Majorelle and the eye-catching garden of Villa Marjorelle which is home to the French painter, Jacques Majorelle.  In the afternoon, discover Morocco at your own leisure.
*Breakfast and lunch inclusive
*Lodging at The Sofitel Marrakech, Marrakech, Morocco

Day 8: Meet the Berbers
Undertake a tour into the lush Ourika Valley, once home to the nomadic Berbers, the indigenous people of Morocco who now live in villages on the banks of the Ourika River.  Here you will be invited into a typical Berber home and experience their warm hospitality.  At lunch, local villagers that manage a restaurant will be there to heighten your Moroccan encounter.  This evening, a farewell reception will be held followed by an elegant dinner at an exquisite, exclusive restaurant.
*Breakfast, lunch and dinner inclusive
*Lodging at The Sofitel Marrakech, Marrakech, Morocco

Day 9: Homeward bound
Tauck’s Morocco tour ends in Marrakech with an included transfer from the Sofitel Marrakech to Marrakech-Menara Airport. Please allow a minimum of 2 ½ hours for airport check-in formalities.
*Breakfast inclusive

Departure Dates:

Tour Inclusions:

• An evening carriage ride aboard a horse-drawn caleche around the ochre-colored ramparts of Marrakech
• Traditional tea ceremony in a private home in a Berber village in lovely Ourika Valley
• Guided exploration of the maze of souks in ancient Fes
• A lecture on Moroccan customs 
• Dinner in an elegant riad, the blue-tiled La Maison Bleue
• Private Arabic lesson
• Tour of Le Jardin Majorelle, owned by designer Yves Saint-Laurent, with admission to Villa Majorelle
• 21 meals (8 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 6 dinners) with gratuities to dining staff
• Gratuities to local guides, service charges, admissions fees, taxes, porterage and airport transfers