MOROCCAN ITINERARY THE FOOD OF MOROCCO A CULINARY ADVENTURE WITH MEREDITH MORSCHEL 12-26 OCTOBER 2018 Day 1 Friday 12 October Arrival Depending on your arrival date and time, we may organise an individual, or a shared transfer to Villa Mandarine (not included in the price). You may choose to arrive at Casablanca or Rabat airports (we can also organise a transfer from Marrakech airport, but the drive is longer). The tour starts in the evening, with a welcome dinner in the gardens of Villa Mandarine in Rabat, a charming Auberge surrounded by lush gardens bursting with Mandarine, Orange, lemon and grapefruit trees. Overnight: Villa Mandarine, Standard rooms Meals included: Dinner Day 2 Saturday 13 October Rabat After breakfast our local guide will join us to visit the charming Oudayas where the young artists hang out together, the Tour Hassan II and the Mausoleum of Mohamed V. Lunch at a wonderful seafood restaurant on the marina, El Massa. Dinner will be at a newly opened ryad in the medina, called Dar Shaân. Overnight: Villa Mandarine, Standard rooms
Day 3 Sunday 14 October Fes via Meknes and Voloubilis Leaving Rabat behind us, we will travel to the thousand-year-old imperial city of Meknes, founded at the end of the 11 th century, for a short tour. Sightseeing in Meknes, once the capital of Morocco during the reign of the reverent tyrant Moulay Ismail, will include the Bab El Mansour gate and the old Medina. Drive onto Moulay Idriss situated about 33 km north of Meknes, for lunch at Scorpion House, that sits on the steep hillside over 5 levels, offering iconic views over the mausoleum of Moulay Idriss as well as the Roman ruins of Volubilis. With numerous terraces and a wide selection of rooms it offers an eclectic vibe, unique decor and World Class views. Next is a visit to the amazing Roman ruins of Volubilis, dating back to the 1 st and 2 nd centuries. Situated about 33 km north of Meknes, Volubilis is the best-preserved archaeological site in Morocco and was declared a Unesco World Heritage site in 1997. Its most amazing features are its many preserved beautiful mosaics. Then onto Fes, the spiritual capital of Morocco. You will be staying in a private riad, Ryad Salama, which is for your exclusive use during your stay. Ryad Salama is owned by Michel Trezzy, a charming Frenchman who is a fine cook and connoisseur of Australian wine. The aristocrat Mohammed Chergui built this Ryad at the beginning of the last century and it since has been restored in the traditional way, using craftsmen from the Medina. It is fairly unique because every room and suite overlooks the garden, either by private balcony or simply at garden's level. Michel, a professional in the hotel industry, has tastefully arranged all the rooms to offer the best luxurious comfort. After the long journey today, a light dinner will be served this evening, in the garden at Ryad Salama. Overnight: Ryad Salama Day 4 Monday 15 October Fes This morning, our tour escort and our local English-speaking guide will collect us for our Historical tour of Fès with a visit to the beautiful doors of the Royal Palace, the Mellah (Jewish quarter) followed by a walk through the Unesco World Heritage, mind boggling ancient medina and Fes El-Bali. Fes has various claims to nobility as one of the most prestigious cities in the Muslim world and is also the oldest of the imperial cities and the capital of the first Arab dynasty of Morocco. We will pass the Medersas and the Al Karaouiyine University, which has existed for the past thousand years and see craftsmen working in the narrow lanes much as they had done for centuries, stopping at one of the Carpet Palaces to learn about all the different types of carpets made in Morocco while sipping a glass of traditional mint tea. A short visit to the Tanneries holding your bunches of mint to keep the smells at bay! Our guide will take you to some hidden Art Galleries so you can see the amazing craftsmanship that Fes is famous for. We will also visit the not to be missed Tanner's quarters, small Moroccan art and craft museums, the water clock, the most colourful Souk el-attarine, Fondouk el- Nejjarine and the Medersa Bouanania, a dazzling example of architectural refinement. A light lunch will be in the garden of the beautifully eclectic restored Palais Amani, where we can relax before continuing our tour of Fes, with a late afternoon visit to the Potteries on the edge of the city. Return to our Ryad to relax before dinner at Jardin des Biehn, only a stroll away from the ryad. Overnight: Ryad Salama
Day 5 Tuesday 16 October Fes This morning Meredith and Michel will be taking us to the food markets to buy the ingredients for our special cooking class with her and Michel, later in the day. The rest of the day is for you to relax or continue exploring Fes. We have booked lunch at Café Clock, owned by Englishman Mike and famous for its camel burgers. Our special cooking class will begin at 4pm, and you will be preparing typical Fesian dishes. Overnight: Ryad Salama (you cooked) Day 6 Wednesday 17 October To the Agafay desert Today we leave for La Pause and your Agafay desert experience. We will stop on the way for a light lunch at La Grillardière and reach the luxury eco-friendly Berber camp by midafternoon. The drive from the main road to the camp is a 15mn journey by 4x4 s. This peaceful retreat in this unique desert wilderness provides a perfect spot to relax after the bustling city of Fes. Accommodation is in romantic, beautifully prepared cabanes with mud walls, and rooms in the Kasbah, illuminated by lanterns and adorned with local textiles. There is no electricity at La Pause and lighting is by candlelight when darkness falls. Torches will be provided for you. Overnight: La Pause Day 7 Thursday 18 October La Pause At leisure in the Agafay desert. Relax by the pool, visit the kitchen to see a special lunch being prepared. You can also take a light trek with a local guide, or a camel-ride at sunset (book and pay direct). Traditional Berber dinner under the stars. Overnight: La Pause Day 8 Friday 19 October To Essaouira Leave the Agafay desert for the charming fishing port of Essaouira on the Atlantic coast. You will stop on the way for lunch at the restaurant of the Domaine Val d Argan, a winery started in 1994 by Charles Melia, a winemaker who learnt the trade in France in Châteauneuf du Pape. It was a difficult challenge for Charles to produce such beautiful wines in this hot part of the Kingdom, and where no other winemaker had settled before him; he achieved this by implementing strict organic methods, picking the wine by hand, and adapting the manufacturing practice. He has largely expanded over the years, producing marvellous reds, whites and rosés. Maybe you will meet Goliath the dromedary who helps him weed! Continue onto Essaouira via an Argan co-operative (the Argan nut is used to produce Argan oil -this tree is only found in Morocco and only in the area between Essaouira/Marrakesh and Agadir). Check into the luxurious L Heure Bleue situated on the edge of the Medina with views over the city to the coast. Afternoon at leisure before setting off for dinner at Taros Bar. Overnight: L Heure Bleue, single Classic rooms and double Deluxe rooms
Day 9 Saturday 20 October Essaouira Enjoy a morning guided walk in Essaouira with a local guide. Abandoned by the Portuguese in 1541, it was not until 1765 when the Alaouite Sultan Sidi Mohammad Ibn Abdullah transformed Mogador into a fortified city. The ramparts were never that effective in keeping out the marauding tribesmen but now a charming artist s town with it old port and cannons overlooking the fishing fleet, Essaouira invites you to wander through the narrow alleyways which make up the Medina to witness artisans at work making their wooden tables, boxes and sundry items in lemon or Thuya wood inlaid with mother of pearl. Lunch in a local café before an afternoon cooking class and dinner. Overnight: L Heure Bleue, single Classic rooms and double Deluxe rooms Meals included: Breakfast lunch and dinner Day 10 Sunday 21 October To the Atlas Mountains After breakfast, leave for the two hour and a half drive to the Atlas Mountains to a charming Auberge, Domaine Malika, an eclectically designed property with amazing views nestling in the valley of Ouirgane at the foothills of Mount Toubkal, the highest peak of the Atlas range. We may stop at the Jarjeer mule and donkey refuge to see the outstanding work Susan Machin is doing with rescuing working mules too old or injured to work. Lunch locally. Afternoon at leisure at Domaine Malika by the pool. Soufiane can pre-book a hammam for you if you wish (own cost). Dinner is at the Domaine, which uses vegetables from their own garden, and local produce. Overnight: Domaine Malika Day 11 Monday 22 October Atlas Mountains Today we set off with a most charming guide for a very special day in the Atlas Mountains, riding mules or walking in the National Park to the tiny village of Anraz, where you will have a traditional lunch on the roof terrace of a Berber home, with stunning views over the peaks of the High Atlas. The village is self-sufficient and you see how everything works a very special experience. Return to your accommodation mid-afternoon. Dinner at the Domaine. Overnight: Domaine Malika Day 12 Tuesday 23 October To Marrakech Leave for the hour-long journey to Marrakech and check in at Dar Les Cigognes, which faces the gates of the Royal Palace in the heart of the medina -a very convenient location to visit Marrakech. Enjoy a cooking class at the Ryad and the fruits of your labour for lunch! Late afternoon, you will set off with Abdellah your local Marrakech guide, who will take you for a stroll through the Souks in the Medina arriving at the famous Djemma El Fna Square in time to watch the sunset from one of the café rooftops. Dinner at La Maison Arabe tonight. Overnight: Dar Les Cigognes
Day 13 Wednesday 24 October Marrakech After breakfast set off for your Historical tour of Marrakech with your guide Abdellah, visiting the major historical monuments and food treasures of the Souks the Bahia Palace and the Saadian Tombs, before going onto the famous souks where you will see everything from exquisitely embroidered shoes and belts to every type of spice, woodwork, brass and copperwork, kaftans ranging from the simple cotton to the very elaborately embroidered all enhanced by the smiles of the shop owners, to the Medrasa and Marrakech museum with a light lunch at the tranquil Le Jardin. Return to the Riad to relax, before leaving for the Palmeraie and the delightful Jnane Tamsna for dinner. Overnight: Dar Les Cigognes Day 14 Thursday 25 October Marrakech Following breakfast, calèches (horse-drawn carriages) will take you to the spectacular Jardin Majorelle, with its abundance of giant bamboo, yucca, papyrus, palm, cypress and banana trees, philodendrons and bougainvillea and amazing cacti with natural colours that contrast vividly with the bright blue façade of the villa. Lovingly restored by the late Yves St Laurent and where he spent much of his creative and leisure time. You will see some interesting designer boutiques and a new museum of Islamic Art and Culture. Those who wish can visit the newly opened Yves Saint Laurent museum, just a stone throw away from Majorelle, a 4000m2 building hosting a permanent exhibition devoted to the work and heritage of the couturier. Lunch is own arrangements today, and the guide available for a shopping tour in the modern part of Marrakech or to return to the souks. This evening we will have a special Farewell Marrakech dinner at the beautiful Villa des Orangers. Overnight: Dar Les Cigognes Meals included: Breakfast and dinner Day 15 Friday 26 October Depart Time to say goodbye! Various transfers to Marrakech or Casablanca airports, depending on departures. COST: $9390 per person in twin or double share $10690 per person in single accommodation RECEIVE A $500 EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT FOR BOOKINGS PRIOR TO MARCH 31 ST, 2018*.
Inclusions: Accommodation for 14 nights Meals included as per itinerary, with local wine at dinners (1/2 bottle per person) Transportation throughout in a luxury air-conditioned vehicle Transport by 4X4 for off road excursions/transfers Bottled mineral water in the vehicle daily Professional experienced English-speaking driver throughout including related expenses English-speaking Historical local guides in Rabat, Meknes, Volubilis, Fes, Essaouira and Marrakech, with all entrance fees included to the sites visited with the guides Caleches and entrances to Jardin Majorelle and the Berber Museum Atlas excursion including lunch and mules and the specialist trek guide Three Cooking Classes Camel trekking Local Tourist Taxes Porterage Gratuities for guides and drivers Restaurants tips where meals are included Bank transfer and currency fluctuation fees Exclusions: Meals other than those specified in itinerary All items of a personal nature, telephone, laundry Any alcoholic drinks/wine or beer and soft drinks unless specified as included International air arrangements and all applicable taxes Tourist Visa if you do not have an Australian passport Camera fees at some Historical sights and museums Massages, hammams, activities other than those listed in Inclusions Entrance to the Yves Saint Laurent museum Any extra transport other than included Airport transfers (we will share the transfers with others in the group wherever possible to keep the cost down) The price is based on a minimum number of 8 travellers joining the tour. It may vary if there are less than 8 guests; we will re-cost and advise if required. A 20% deposit will be required at the time of booking, and the balance 45 days prior to departure, on August 30 th, 2018. Terms and conditions available on request. We can arrange any pre and post tour arrangements, please contact us for itineraries and prices. Room upgrades are possible at extra cost at Villa Mandarine, L Heure Bleue and Dar Les Cigognes, and are subject to availability. Please let us know if you wish to upgrade. *The early bird discount is applicable if the booking form and the deposit are received prior to March 31 st, 2018 By Prior Arrangement has the right to change the accommodation, restaurants and aspects of your itinerary, if necessary, due to unforeseen circumstances. A similar level of standard will of course be offered instead. All pricing and itinerary content is subject to change due to currency fluctuation, availability and unforeseen circumstances beyond the control of our company.