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MOROCCO A TOUR NOT TO BE MISSED Day

1

28 Sep 2016

Johannesburg - Casablanca

We meet at OR Tambo airport, in Johannesburg, from where we depart for Casablanca. Overnight

Aircraft

Day

29 Sep 2016

2

Casablanca

On arrival in Casablanca, we are met and start with an orientation tour of the city. After we have checked in to our hotel you have some time to explore the city further on our own, stroll through the medina or to rest before we enjoy dinner in the hotel. Overnight

Casablanca

Breakfast and Dinner

Day

30 Sep 2016

Casablanca - Rabat – Meknes - Rabat

3

After breakfast we depart for Rabat, one of the four imperial cities. Rabat, which means fortified palace, is the capital and second largest city of Morocco. Situated on the Atlantic Ocean, this cosmopolitan city has a laid-back atmosphere with palm-lined boulevards and colonial architecture. Another highlight is the visit to Meknes an UNESCO site. It was founded in the 11th century by the Almoravids as a military settlement; Meknes became a capital under Sultan Moulay Ismaïl (1672–1727), the founder of the Alawite dynasty. The sultan turned it into an impressive city in Spanish-Moorish style, surrounded by high walls with great doors, where the harmonious blending of the Islamic and European styles of the 17th century Maghreb are still evident today. Lunch is included today We return to Rabat for a well-deserved dinner. Overnight

Rabat

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day

4 1 Oct 2016

Rabat – Beni Mellal - Marrakech

We depart for Marrakech, driving through Beni Mellal, a farming village, situated at 625 meters high, between the middle Atlas and the vast cereal-growing plain of Tadla. Benni Mellal is the market centre for this agricultural region. Because of its geographical location, it has become a favourite stop-over point for local and international tourists. We arrive to the north of the foothills of the Atlas Mountains, in the afternoon. Welcome to the city of Marrakech! Founded in 1062, Marrakech was once the capital of an empire that stretched from Toledo to Senegal. It is probably the most important of the four former imperial cities. Marrakech compromised fortified city walls, in which vendors and their stalls were contained. Our panoramic city tour of Marrakech. The famous Koutoubia, with its minaret a beautiful display of Hispano- Mauresque art. We continue to El Bahia Palace, which was built in the late 19th century. It boasts with a two acre garden and a haphazard arrangement of secret luxury apartments, opening to inner courtyards. Approximately one thousand craftsmen, from the Fez region, worked on the palace. This took them seven years. The only sections, open to the public, are the apartments of the sultan’s favourite concubine, the council chamber and the great courtyard, paved with marble and decorated with zelliges and fountains. The city is best discovered in an intricate maze of narrow streets in the world of souks. Discover basketwork, dried fruit, spices, clothes, wool, Berber carpets, leatherwork, ironwork, jewellery and much more. This afternoon you will have time to explore on your own. Late evening we learn more about the famous Koutobubia, the Bahia Palace and Djemaa El Fna. Djemaa El Fna square, the beating heart of Marrakech. In the mornings the square is crowded with fruit and spice sellers, ironmongers and barbers. In the afternoon, the Gnaoua dancers, descendants of former Guinean slaves, musicians, story-tellers and snakecharmers come out to entertain Overnight

Marrackech

Breakfast and Dinner

Day

2 Oct 2016

Marrakech - Ouarzazate

5

We enjoy breakfast, before our departure through the High Atlas Mountains, to Ouarzazate At this time of the year the scenery is stunning and the air crisp. The majority of the population, in this region, is the proud Berber people, who still live in earth-toned adobe houses in remote villages. We stop at the little village of Aït Ben Haddou. It is one of the best preserved kasbah’s (fortified settlement) and has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is also famous for the filming of Lawrence of Arabia. We continue to Ouarzazate, the most developed city south of the Atlas. Here a panoramic city tour will introduce us to the small city, which used to be a French garrison and has become famous for cinema studios and the film industry. Overnight

Quarzazate

Breakfast and Dinner

Day

6

3 Oct 2016

Ouarzazate – Tinghir – Erfoud

After breakfast we depart to Erfoud, via by Kelat Megouna, an oasis in the Dades Valley, the country of roses. The Damask Rose was brought here, by the French, in 1938. The first rose water distillery was opened. Liters of rose water are produced, which is used in the nation’s cooking and perfumeries. Our journey takes us to Tinghir, a wonderful oasis where olive trees, pomegranate trees and wheat grow. We then continue to the fabulous Gorges of Todra, where the canyons of pink rose and ochre coloured rock formations promise unforgettable scenery. Later we arrive at our hotel in Erfoud, an oasis town in the Sahara Desert. Overnight

Erfoud

Breakfast and Dinner

Day

4 Oct 2016

Erfoud – Midelt – Fes

7

Today we head off, through the Middle Atlas Mountains, to Fes. We drive through vast cedar forests, via the rural towns of Midelt and Ifrane. Fes is the spiritual and cultural heartland of Morocco. This vibrant and fascinating city is Morocco’s oldest Imperial City. Medieval Fes was one of the world’s greatest centres for education and culture. Its libraries and religious institutions are legendary. Inside the high walls of old Fes (Fes el Bali) is the bustling medina. Tomorrow we explore the city. Overnight

Fes

Breakfast and Dinner

Day

5 Oct 2016

Fes

8

After breakfast we start with our city tour. We visit the Karaouine University and Mosque, one of Africa’s oldest mosques and probably the world’s oldest university. We continue to medersa Attarine , designed as an annex to the nearby Karaouine, and located in the heart of the medina. The central courtyard displays the traditional patterns of Merenid artisanship, with magnificent zellji, carved plaster and cedar wood. The Medersa Bou Inania and the museum of Dar Batha are also on our programme. The first was built in the 1300’s and is another good example of the typical Moroccan interiors. Dar Batha museum is housed in a 19th century palace and displays interesting artwork, especially the beautiful blue pottery for which Fes is famous. The cobalt glaze responsible for the colour is developed from a special process discovered in the 10th century. This afternoon you will have free time in Fez, for shopping in the medina. Overnight

Fes

Breakfast and Dinner

Day

9

6 Oct 2016

Fes – Chefchaouen – Tangier

We have breakfast before departing to Tangier, via Chefchaouen. In Chefchaouen, the blue and white washed city of the Rif Valley is one of Morocco’s most majestic places to visit. Here we walk around in the medina and discover the souk. The town has a distinct Hispanic flavour and the little balconies, tiled roofs and patios decorated with citrus trees, is a photographers dream! We continue to Tangier, where an orientation tour will introduce us to this town, a popular ferry-station for ferries to Spain. This enigmatic city has charmed many writers, musicians and artist of the course of time. Why not let yourself be charmed, as you explore it on your own, later this evening. We check-in to our hotel for dinner and overnight. Overnight

Tangier

Breakfast and Dinner

Day

7 Oct 2016

Tangier - Casablanca

10

Early morning departure to the airport for our flight to Casablanca. We enjoy a city tour of Casablanca and visit United Nations Place, Corniche Boulevard and the big and the big mosque Hassan II. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure to enjoy the facilities of the hotel or walk around for a last but of shopping and sightseeing. We enjoy our farewell dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight

Casablanca

Breakfast and Dinner

Day

8 Oct 2016

Casablanca - Johannesburg

11

Morning at leisure before we transfer to the airport for our flight home. Overnight

Aircraft

Day

9 Oct 2016

12

Johannesburg

Arrive home after a memorable holiday

BON VOYAGE

DATE OF DEPARTURE:

28 Sep -09 Oct 2016

COST Based on 15 paying passengers Land arrangements Single Supplement

€ 1700.00 per person sharing € 450.00

PLUS International airfare from Johannesburg

R2160.00 per person

Domestic flight in Morocco

€ 120.00

INCLUDED · 9 nights in 4* or 5* hotels. · Daily breakfasts in hotels · Modern air-conditioned coach · Local guides in English at each panoramic city tour, as mentioned in the itinerary · All monument entrances as mentioned in the itinerary · Dinners & Lunches which are mentioned in program EXCLUDED Airport taxes All lunches (except 1) All Tips and Porterage All items of a personal nature Visa costs for: Morocco Insurance:

± R7500 ± €100pp ±R300 ± R450

GENERAL We request R3 000.00 deposit per person and completed booking form to guarantee a place on the tour. It will be on a first come first serve basis. The balance of payment is due 2 months prior to departure unless otherwise notified. Please be aware that if you do not make use of the exact same flights as the group fare a penalty will apply RATES ARE SUBJECT TO CURRENCY FLUCTUATIONS, INCREASES, SIZE OF THE GROUP AND FLIGHT SCHEDULES UNTIL FINAL PAYMENT HAS BEEN RECEIVED BY SEAGULL TOURS. NO CREDIT CARD PAYMENTS ARE ACCEPTED FOR GROUP BOOKINGS.