Jan Musgrave - your personal Travel Manager

11 days | 17 - 27 October 2016

Mystical Morocco

During my travel career I have been very fortunate to travel to some of the world’s most exotic destinations.

One of my favourite places to visit is Morocco, a country steeped in a fascinating history and culture.

Wandering through the ancient medinas you will uncover the true essence of this country, It is a site for all of the senses; bustling marketplaces with local vendors hawking their colourful wares, the aroma of the spice stalls and a superb cuisine to tantalize the tastebuds.

Join me and go beyond the beaten paths to discover the true Morocco.

Jan Musgrave.

Meet Jan Musgrave

A  riad  is a traditional  Moroccan house or palace with an interior garden or courtyard. The word  riad  comes from the Arabian term for garden, “ryad”. Throughout Morocco undoubtedly the best way to experience the sites and sounds of the medinas is to stay in a riad, a little guesthouse which is accessed from the medina and hidden behind the walls of the narrow laneways. I have chosen two special riads in Fes and Marrakech for us to stay.

In Fes I have chosen Ryad Salama which is owned and operated by Michel who came to Fes in the year 2000. The riad is in a perfect position located next to one of the main laneways of the medina, however staying at Michel’s is not just about location he is also a magnificent French chef and is sure to create one of the most delicious French meals you will ever eat!

In Marrakech I have chosen Riad Daria, again location is perfect, it is a 15-minute walk from Jamaâ El Fna Square and features a rooftop terrace with seating area, a plunge pool and a massage room. The hosts at Riad Daria are warm and welcoming and treat you as part of the family. With a traditional decor, each air-conditioned room at Riad Daria has a private bathroom and a view of the patio.

Travel throughout Morocco by a luxury air conditioned vehicle with English speaking driver

10 nights accommodation in boutique hotel and riads, perfectly positioned to explore each of the places visits

Meals included: 10 Breakfast, 3 lunches, 6 dinners

Local English speaking hosts who will guide us through the labyrinth of laneways and bring to life the history of these ancient medinas

Spend time exploring the ancient cities of Fes, Meknes and Marrakech

Visit the cosmopolitan cities of Casablanca and Rabat

Explore the ancient ruins of Volubilis

All entrance fees, tips and touring as outlined in the itinerary

Send two nights in the Atlas mountains and travel by donkey into a tiny berber village to enjoy lunch with a local family

Moroccan Riad Inclusions

Jan Musgrave - your personal Travel Manager

Day 1, Monday 17 October Arrive Casablanca

Arrive at Casablanca Airport where we will be met by our English speaking driver and transferred to our hotel in the heart of Casablanca to refresh after our long flight. Later this afternoon enjoy the sites of Casablanca including dinner at Rick’s Café, made famous by the movie Casablanca. Overnight: Sofitel, classic rooms or similar | Meals included: Dinner

Day 2, Tuesday 18 October Casablanca to Fes

This morning visit the extraordinary Casablanca Mosque after breakfast, before heading to Fes. The great Mosque of Hassan ll, completed in 1993 after great expense and artistic labour is one of the largest and most beautiful mosques in the world. Its gleaming newness and tremendous wealth is in stark contrast against the rest of Casablanca.

Our journey begins by road to Fes stopping on the enroute at Rabat, Morocco’s political and administrative capital since independence in 1956. Rabat is a charming city with stunning colonial architecture, the palm-lined boulevards are well kept and relatively free of traffic, and the atmosphere is as cosmopolitan as its economic big brother down the coast.

Continue on to Fes, Morocco’s modern capital until 1925, our accommodation for the next three evenings will be at the charming Ryad Salama which is located in the heart of the ancient medina. Our host Michel has lovingly restored this boutique Ryad to its former glory which provides the perfect vantage place to explore this amazing city.Overnight: Ryad Salama | Meals included: Breakfast, dinner at Ryad Salama

Day 3, Wednesday 19 October Fes

This morning, our English speaking guide will join us to uncover the true essence of Fes. We will visit the Royal Palace, the Mellah (Jewish quarter) followed by a walk through the Unesco World Heritage, mind boggling ancient medina and Fes El-Bali. The medina is an assault on the senses, a warren of narrow lanes and covered bazaars bursting at the seams with aromatic food stands, craft workshops, mosques and an endless parade of people. Old and new constantly collide – the man driving the donkeys and mules, which remains the main form of transport in the medina

is likely to be chatting on his mobile phone, while the ancient skyline is punctuated equally with satellite dishes and minarets.

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. You will 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. You will pass the Medersas and the Al Karaouiyne University, which has existed for the past 1000 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 our 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.Overnight: Ryad Salama | Meals included: Breakfast

Day 4, Thursday 20 October Meknes & Volubilis

Leave early for the drive to Volubilis, dating back to the 1st and 2nd centuries, which 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. Stop for lunch at a local farm house, we will be welcomed by the family and invited to join them for lunch and learn first hand about their traditional lifestyle.

Onto the Imperial City of Meknes, founded at the end of the 17th 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.

Returning to Fes, tonight s guests of Michel, he will share his culinary skills by providing a gourmet French dinner.Overnight: Ryad Salama | Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 5, Friday 21 October Fes - Atlas Mountains

Leave for the Atlas Mountains after breakfast. The journey will take 6-7hrs and you will stop on the way for a picnic lunch. Nestled in a large valley abundant in pine trees and olive groves, surrounded by the peaks of the High Atlas Mountains and bordering Toubkal National Park, Domaine Malika welcomes

Itinerary

Jan Musgrave - your personal Travel Manager

you to their authentic charming boutique hotel in Ouirgane.Overnight: Domaine Malika or similar | Meals included: Breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner - It is possible to upgrade on the next two evenings to Richard’s Bransons Kasbah Tamadot, true luxury in the Atlas Mountains. A surcharge for the upgrade applies.

Day 6, Saturday 22 October Atlas Mountains

Day in the Atlas Mountains with your specialist trekking guide, Mohamed, riding mules or walking through the National Park where you will see small Berber villages. This will take a couple of hours riding or walking before reaching Mohamed’s Berber village situated at the foothills, where you will have a specially prepared tagine lunch in a traditional Berber house, surrounded by the glorious Atlas Mountains.Overnight: Domaine Malika or similar | Meals included: Breakfast, tagine lunch and dinner

Day 7, Sunday 23 October Marrakech

Leave for Marrakech after breakfast. The journey is less than 1hr. Relax at Riad Daria, a traditional, charmingly restored ryad at the heart of the Medina. Take a late afternoon stroll to Djema El Fna Square to see the jugglers, story tellers, snake charmers, acrobats and vendors performing at sunset much as they have done for centuries.

Overnight: Riad Daria or similar | Meals included: Breakfast

Day 8, Monday 24 October Marrakech

Our English speaking local guide will join us this morning for a walking tour of this historic city, with all the delights this fascinating city can offer. Some of the most interesting places to visit are the Saadian Tombs in the Kasbah, onto the Bahia Palace, located in the Jewish quarter known as the Mellah, the Palais Badii and the Dar Si Said Museum of Moroccan Art, then into the Medina to visit the Medrasa and the new Marrakech Museum, lunch in the Medina in a local cafe before walking through the souks where you will see everything from exquisitely embroidered shoes and belts to every type of spice, woodwork, brass and copper-work, kaftans ranging from the simple cotton

to the elaborately embroidered - all enhanced by the smiles of the shop owners. Overnight: Riad Daria or similar | Meals included: Breakfast

Day 9, Tuesday 25 October Marrakech

Today is at leisure, with an array of choices. For those interested in learning the culinary secrets of the Moroccan cuisine there is an opportunity to join a cooking class. For those interested in outdoor pursuits Marrakesh is rapidly becoming the new golfer’s destination. There are no less than six golf courses within a 20-minute drive of downtown Marrakesh, a game can be organised at one of the most prestigious courses. Or simply spend time wandering through the medina to pick up a bargain! Overnight: Riad Daria or similar | Meals included: Breakfast

Day 10, Wednesday 26 October Marrakech

Morning at leisure.

3.30pm departure to ‘La Pause’ for your desert experience. It is situated in the arid desert region called Agafay about 45 minutes drive outside Marrakech. Nestled in an oasis of olive trees and palms, this stylish hideaway is truly magical and entirely lit by candlelight (please note there is NO electricity). Wander around this amazing eco-friendly oasis. Dinner is served under the stars by the fire. Overnight: Riad Daria or similar | Meals included: Breakfast, dinner at La Pause

Day 11, Thursday 27 October Depart

Pending onward travel destinations, a transfer has been arranged to Marrakech airport. Meals included: Breakfast

For more details on this tour or for any enquiries, please contact Jan Musgrave, your personal Travel Manager

P: 1300 080 816 E: jan.musgrave@travelmanagers.com.auW: travelmanagers.com.au/JanMusgrave

Itinerary (continued)

Commences: Casablanca 17 October 2016 | Concludes: Marrakech 27 October 2016 Price: AUD$4,350 per person twin share.

Please enquire for pricing upgrades for Kasbah Tamadot. International airfares are not included in the price, please enquire for competitive airfare prices. This journey combines with a 9 Day journey to Portugal providing a perfect 20 day exploration of

Morocco and Portugal please enquiry for journey details.