In
the footsteps of our mystics
April 15: JFK – Casablanca
Your journey begins with a non-stop flight
on the national
carrier Royal Air Maroc, from John
F. Kennedy Airport,
in New York,
to Mohamed V in Casablanca.
April 16: Casablanca – Fez
You will find your host waiting for you upon
your arrival in
Casablanca
airport. From there, you will travel to Fez. Your day
will
culminate with your arrival in Fez,
traveling
through the Roman capital of Northwestern Africa,
Volubilis. In addition, you will pay a
visit
to Moulay Idris, a venerated citadel founded in the 8th
century by
Moulay Idris Al Akbar, grandson of the Prophet Mohamed (s.a.w.s). It is considered both the cradle of Sufism to
Moroccan society, as well as the first Islamic capital for the premier
Arab
dynasty. Created primarily for the
indigenous population, Moulay Idris has become a central destination
for those
who cannot afford to make the pilgrimage to Mekkah for the Hajj duty. Your day will conclude with sightseeing in Fez, including
the ramparts,
the gates and the Borjes (Moorish Forts), and finally, a dinner at your
hotel.
April 17: Fez
You will
spend your day exploring the majestic city of Fez,
beginning with visits to the Mellah, the King’s
palace, and the Bat’ha museum
of Moroccan Arts. The remainder of your morning will be spent
on a walking tour of the Medina,
a walled city with a maze of medieval twisting alleys, blind turns,
mosques,
shrines, fountains, workshops, and numerous markets.
You will break for lunch at a typical
Moroccan restaurant, and will continue to explore and shop for the
remainder of
the afternoon, ending with dinner at your hotel. Later you will be
transferred
to Shehrazad
Palace for
festival grand opening.
April 18: Fez
Festival activities are at Medersa Bouanania
in the heart of
the Medina.
April 19: Fez
Festival activities will be at Medersa
Bouanania.
April 20: Fez
Festival activities are at Museum Dar Batha.
With an evening
Samaa with the Ensemble Ibn Arabi and
Flamenco spiritual at Batha Museum.
April 21: Fez
Festival activities are Medersa. An evening of Samaa and chants is with
Boutshishya
/and Shadhilia Tarikas.
April 22: Fez
–
Sidi Ahmed Al Barnoussi – Fez
Your morning will be spent on an excursion
to the Rif
Mountains,
where you will visit the Sidi Ahmed al Barnoussi shrine and enjoy a
picnic
lunch over the red poppy fields with local scribes and a typical
couscous
meal. The Jajouka musicians and dancers
will enchant you with haunting sounds of their oboes and drums – a
ceremony
that you will treasure for the rest of your life. After
lunch, you will return to Fez
for the afternoon
Festival activities, dinner, and evening events. Samaa
and dance will be with Ouazzania
Tarika.
April 23: Fez
Festival activities are during the day. In the evening there will be a closing
ceremony with concerts of Sufi dance and chants.
April 24: Fez
Festival activities and closing ceremony.
April 25: Fez – Azrou – Khenifra – Marrakech
You will spend your day en route to
Marrakech, traveling
through Azrou, across the middle Atlas Mountains,
and pausing for lunch in Khenifra before descending the foothills
overlooking
the magnificent oasis of Marrakech Alhamra, a city that captivates the
imagination and provides satisfaction for every possible taste. Detours will include visits to Berber
villages, scenic views, and traditional markets, and you will conclude
your day
with dinner at your hotel.
April 26: Marrakech
You will spend your day exploring the
majesties and wonders
of Marrakech, including a visit to the historic Menara, a magnificent
pool
surrounded by flowerbeds, which reflects the image of a beautiful
Moorish
edifice. The construction, built in
1866, was designed for the dignitaries, so that they could enjoy
glorious
sunsets with the snow-capped Atlas Mountains
providing an ethereal backdrop. The pool
is also an innovative, functional irrigation system belonging to an
ancient
architectural style adapted to the desert lifestyle.
In addition, you will visit several
impressive sights, including the Koutoubia Minaret (identical to la
Giralda, a
tower located in Sevilla,
Spain),
and the Saadian tombs,
which demonstrate Moorish architecture at its greatest.
The tombs, a collection of sixteenth century
mausoleums, were hidden behind walls until their discovery in 1917. Lunch will take place at your hotel, and the
afternoon will consist of a tour of the colorful souks (markets) of
Marrakech. After a drink at sunset,
overlooking the bustling Jamaa
El Fna Square, you will conclude your day
with dinner
at a typical Moroccan restaurant including local entertainment.
Other interesting sights will include:
-The museum
of Dar Si Said, equipped with
a display of Berber arts
and crafts from all over Morocco.
-The remains of the Badii Palace,
a historical monument which is host to the Annual National Festival of
Popular
Art, beginning the second Friday in June.
-The Bahia Palace,
which exemplifies
Moorish splendor at its finest. It is
situated in the heart of the Mellah, and continues to host dignitaries
to this day.
April 27: Marrakech – New York
You will take an early morning flight from Marrakech Airport
to Casablanca, and will fly directly
from there
to John F.
Kennedy Airport,
in New York.
Includes:
-Round trip airplane tickets on Royal Air
Maroc flights from
New York
to
Cassablanca
-Ten nights accommodation in 4-star hotels
-Breakfast and dinner daily
-Land transportation in chauffeured vehicles
-Services of English-speaking guides and
tour leaders
-Entrance fees to monuments and museums
-Hotel tax and service charges
Hotels Include:
-Fez:
Riad Dar Masmoudi, 7 nights
-Marrakech: Hotel El Andalous, two nights
Cost per person based
on double occupancy:
$2285.00
Contact :
Hamid Mernissi
Tél. :
703-619-0777 – 800-267-0036
Fax :
703-619-9399
Email :
sarahtur@erols.com
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