Sephardic Judaism in Morocco (13 Days)

The first organized religion in Morocco came 3000 years ago.  The Berber indigenous embraced Judaism and the two communities have lived side-by-side since the first Jewish settlers arrived in Morocco. They have coexisted two communities within the greater “Moroccan” people. Because of the openness that each community had towards the other, Morocco has become a unique place for Jewish heritage, culture and history. Join us to explore a society rooted in Jewish rituals and beliefs!  

Day 1: New York / Casablanca
Your tour to Morocco begins with a non-stop, overnight flight on the Moroccan national carrier Royal Air Maroc, from John F. Kennedy Airport in New York to the Mohamed V Airport in Casablanca; your flight is around 6 1/2 hours. 

Day 2: Casablanca
You are expected to arrive at 7:10 AM at Mohamed V airport in Casablanca, where you will be greeted by your guide. Check in and refresh at your hotel. Afterwards, we'll visit recently-completed Mosque Hassan II, the largest mosque in the world other than Mecca. We will tour the French-built Quartier Habous, Law Courts, and the Gates of the Royal Palace. See the Island of the Marabout Sidi Abderrahman (at low tide)! At the end of the day, dinner will be served at your hotel Riad Salam. 
    
Day 3: Casablanca / Rabat / Fez
You'll begin the day with breakfast at your hotel, then we'll drive to Rabat, which is about an hour away. We'll visit Hassan Tower, the Chellah Necropolis, and the Kasbah des Oudaias, which overlooks the Atlantic ocean. We'll also visit the Mausoleum of Mohamed V. It was Mohamed V, the Grand Father of the ruling King Mohamed VI, who achieved independence for Morocco in 1961. Revered by Muslim and Jew alike, it was his bravery in the face of the occupying Vichy regime during WW2 that saved Moroccan Jews from the fate of their European brethren. Next, we'll go on an excursion to a just-opened private museum outside Rabat. We'll see some of the finest collections of Moroccan crafts and relics in the world, opened by a third-generation craftsman and collector, who is responsible for restoring the 27 domes of the mosque at Medina. This gentleman is the recipient of the 1991 prestigious Prix díOr from His Majesty King Hassan II. His collection includes a number of items of Jewish interest. We'll enjoy tea and sweets at the museum. Next, we'll continue east, about 2 hours, to Moulay Idriss: the holiest Muslim site in Morocco. For those without the means to make the pilgrimage, the hajj, to Mecca, five trips to Moulay Idriss is of equal merit. We'll experience Roman ruins at nearby Volubulis: among the most extensive in the world. We'll reach Fes in the evening, where you will check-in at your hotel in the Ville Nouvelle. After check-in, you'll enjoy dinner at the hotel. 
    
Day 4: Fez
Today, we'll explore Fes J'did and the mellah, the Jewish district. We'll visit synagogues, which are typically unmarked on their exteriors and date from the 17th century, making them among the most unique in the world. The mellah of Fes once had 40 synagogues! We'll experience the vast and picturesque whitewashed Jewish cemetery adjacent to the gates to the Royal Palace and the nascent Jewish Museum at the Em HaBanim synagogue.

Tour Fes el-Bali: We'll visit the medressa (koranic university) Bou Inania, the Fondouk Nejjarine, the Zaouia (mausoleum) of Moulay Idriss II, the Medressa Attarine, the famous tanneries, and countless other sites, including the House of Maimonedes with its mysterious water clock. The narrow and cobbled streets of Fes are filled with ancient mosques, towering minarets, crumbling fondouks (inns for medieval travelers and their animals). Narrow openings invite you into the private world beyond: an architecture of carved cedar portals, brilliantly colored mosaic tiles, delicately carved stucco ornament, and green glazed roofs. In Fes, veiled women still hurry through the streets; donkeys, laden with their wares, take their time, and craftsmen forge objects much as they have for centuries. We make arrangements to visit the interior of a spectacular privately-owned 18th century Riad, traditional Islamic courtyard house, which was once one of the wealthiest mansions in Fes. 
    
Day 5: Fez / Meknes
We'll have a morning excursion to Imperial Meknes, including its famous City Gates and the Tomb of Moulay Ismail. These are magnificent examples of Islamic architecture in North Africa. We'll visit the Imperial Quarters of Moulay Ismail, including the renowned Imperial Stables, then return to Fez for dinner and accommodation.

Day 6: Fez / Khenifra / Marrakech
Today, we depart Fes for the scenic Middle Atlas mountains and Ifrane for your drive to Marrakech. We'll also visit the Cascade of Ouzoud. We plan to arrive in Marrakech in the late afternoon. First, we'll check-in at your hotel. Next, we'll spend the early evening at Djemaa el Fnaa; around this time, the square comes alive with storytellers, snake charmers, magicians, and street performers: a unique spectacle. We'll end our day with dinner at your hotel. 
    
Day 7: Marrakech
You'll begin the day with breakfast at your hotel. Then, we'll have a morning visit to Mellah (Jewish district), visiting the synagogues and cemetery.

Explore exotic Marrakech! We'll see the towering Koutoubia minaret, the Saadien Tombs, the Menara Gardens, the Medersa ben Youssef, the domed Koubba, and the Dar Si Said Museum. Then, we'll visit the Maison Tiskiwin, the Bahia Palace, and the Majorelle Gardens of Yves St. Laurent. We'll break for lunch at the hotel. Afterwards, we'll visit the colorful souks of Marrakech filled with spices, carpets, jewelry, artisantry produced in some cases the same way it has been for hundreds of years. Optional services will be provided. We'll have shabat dinner, then our overnight in Marrakech. 

    
Day 8: Marrakech / Eurika Valley / Seti Fadama / Marrakech
You'll begin the day with breakfast at your hotel. Optional services will be provided as well as an optional morning excursion to the scenic Ourika Valley of the High Atlas mountains. On this excursion, we'll walk through earthen adobe villages decorated with bas-relief indigenous patterns, a culture with millennium Jewish heritage. Afterwards, we'll return to Marrakech and have lunch at the hotel. The afternoon will be free for continued sightseeing or at leisure. In the evening, we'll have an optional dinner at Yacout - Moroccoís finest restaurant. 
    
Day 9: Marrakech / Essaouira

You'll begin the day with breakfast at your hotel. The rest of the morning will be at leisure. In the early afternoon, we'll transfer to nearby Essaouira and check-in at your hotel. Explore this charming whitewashed town and former Portuguese colony. This small town was once 33% Jewish and had over thirty synagogues. An 18th century synagogue may still be visited. Visit the tomb of Rabbi Chaim Pinto in the vast Jewish cemetery built adjacent to the Atlantic ocean. Rabbi Pinto is the object of an annual pilgrimage in the week preceding Rosh Hashana. Explore the town, its ramparts, and its lovely street of thuya craftsman! Then, you'll finish your day with dinner at the hotel. 
    
Day 10: Essaouira / Taroudant
You'll begin the day with breakfast at your hotel. In the morning, we'll continue to explore picturesque and romantic Essaouira.
In the afternoon, we'll drive to Taroudant. Upon arrival, you will check-in at your hotel: a former palace built against the city ramparts where peacocks roam through the colorful, scented gardens. You'll have dinner at the hotel in Taroudant. 
    
Day 11: Taroudant / Arazan / Taroudant
You'll begin the day with breakfast at your hotel. Afterwards, we'll have an excursion to the nearby village of Arazan. We'll visit the newly-restored adobe-synagogue: believed to be the only adobe synagogue in the world! Hebrew prayers are painted on its earthen walls; this little gem is one of the best-kept secrets in Morocco. We'll explore this village and visit a private home. This is a rare and amazing opportunity: to see a real Berber house in a typical earthen village. Afternoon you can choose to explore Taroudant or be at leisure by hotel pools and gardens. You'll have dinner at hotel and your overnight at Taroudant. 
    
Day 12:  Taroudant / Tafrout / Ameln Valley / Ait Baha / Taroudant
You'll begin the day with breakfast at your hotel. Afterwards, we'll have a morning excursion to Tafraoute and the beautiful Vallee des Ameln. Witness a weekly souk (Wednesdays) in the village of Ait Baha, one of the stable institutions of the economy in rural Morocco. Explore the village of Tafraoute and walk to "Les Pierres Bleues," which was a 1984 project by Belgian artist Jean Verame. Verame used over 18 tons of paint in this landscape! The afternoon will be at leisure. In the evening, you'll return to the hotel for dinner and accommodation. 
    
Day 13: Taroudant / Agadir / Casablanca / New York
You'll begin the day with breakfast at your hotel. Transfer to Agadir airport (1 hour) for your departure to Casablanca, where you will change plans for your 10:00 AM return home. 

What's Included:

• 11 nights accommodation (double occupancy).
• Breakfasts daily. 
• Five-star deluxe packages include Buffet or American
• Special Shabat dinner (with drinks).
• Transportation in deluxe chauffeured vehicle
• English speaking driver/guide at your disposal.
• Special local guides at Volubulis, Fes, and Marrakech medinas.
• Airport transfers and assistance.
• Admission fees.
• Hotel gratuities, taxes and service charges.
• Special touches, such as flowers and Moroccan pastery upon arrival.

Hotels Used:

• Casablanca - Royal Mansour (1 night)
• Fes– Riad Anebar (3 nights)
• Marrakech - Hotel Mogador (3 nights)
• Essaouira - Riad Loussia (1 night)
• Taroudant - Palais Salam - Riad II. (2 nights)

Cost per person based on double occupancy: $3265
Single supplement: $685