5* Signature Morocco

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Phyllis Sims
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5* Signature Morocco November 14 th 24 th, 2018 Including Casablanca, Meknes, Fes, High Atlas Mountains, Merzouga Desert Camp, Ouarzazate, Marrakech and more.

Here we'll find epic mountain ranges, ancient cities, sweeping deserts and warm hospitality.

Lyrical landscapes carpet this slice of North Africa like the richly coloured and patterned rugs we ll discover in local cooperatives.

1 5* Signature Morocco November 14 th 24 th, 2018 Including Casablanca, Meknes, Fes, High Atlas Mountains, Merzouga Desert Camp, Ouarzazate, Marrakech and more... A series of exotic trips escorted by Vivek Khanna & Wendi Morocco is a gateway to Africa, and a country of dizzying diversity. Here we'll find epic mountain ranges, ancient cities, sweeping deserts and warm hospitality. From Saharan dunes to the peaks of the High Atlas Mountains, Morocco could have been tailor-made for travelers. Lyrical landscapes carpet this slice of North Africa like the richly coloured and patterned rugs we ll discover in local cooperatives. The mountains offer simple, breathtaking pleasures and Morocco's cities are some of the most exciting on the continent. We will join the centuries-old trail of nomads and traders to their ancient hearts, and journey from the winding medina maze of Fes to the carnivalesque streettheatre of the Djemaa el-fna in Marrakesh. Join Vivek & Wendi on this 2nd journey in a series Small group exotics that we are planning... Starting with our group to India in 2017, Wendi & Vivek, President of Tourcan Vacations, are beginning a series of 5* Signature Small Group Tours for the traveler who does not just want to see the sights but truly experience the destination. All tours, naturally, include the must sees but also include a promise of something special...an event, or visit which often take us behind the scenes, includes unique dining at quality restaurants, meeting the locals in their natural environment and much more. In a small group you will travel with like-minded people and you will have more quality time with our expert guides. We limit the numbers from 15 to 20 and we will rarely make an exception to these numbers. All tours are professionally escorted and include first class accommodation or better, most meals, domestic airfares and tipping. We hope you join us in Morocco!

Wednesday November 14 th, 2018 Group members fly from Toronto to Casablanca. Depart Canada Thursday November 15 th, 2018 Dinner Casablanca Welcome to Morocco!

during our 2 night stay. The late afternoon is for relaxing and dinner will be enjoyed tonight at the hotel.

This is the heart of the city s second medina, built long after the original old town standing near Mohamed V place.

We will also visit the Mohammed V square which is a majestically built government complex around a beautiful fountain.

2 Wednesday November 14 th, 2018 Group members fly from Toronto to Casablanca. Depart Canada Thursday November 15 th, 2018 Dinner Casablanca Welcome to Morocco! The 5* Sofitel Tour Blanche Hotel Casablanca looks out over the rooftops of Morocco and is located opposite the Hassan II Mosque and close to the medina, making it ideal for exploring Casablanca during our 2 night stay. The late afternoon is for relaxing and dinner will be enjoyed tonight at the hotel. Overnight: Sofitel Tour Blanche Casablanca Friday November 16 th, 2018 Casablanca Our morning tour of Casablanca starts with the Habous Quarter. This is the heart of the city s second medina, built long after the original old town standing near Mohamed V place. It includes beautiful Moorish monuments, hundreds of well stocked colourful bazaars, shops and picturesque white houses. We will also visit the Mohammed V square which is a majestically built government complex around a beautiful fountain. Also, on our list is United Nations Square famous for its neo Moorish Monuments and the musical fountain which splashes multi-coloured water to the sounds of Strauss and andalousian music. Lunch and the afternoon are at leisure. Dinner is included tonight at Rick s Café. It may be as cliché as they come, but this tribute bar and restaurant is both endearing and enjoyable. Branded from the movie, it has loads of atmosphere and serves good Moroccan and international food. American crooners dominate the soundtrack when pianist Issam takes a break...we really need to go! Overnight: Sofitel Tour Blanche Casablanca

Saturday November 17 th, 2018 Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Casablanca/Meknes/Fes Today we depart for Fes with stops en route to visit Meknes and Volubilis.

) It s more laid-back with less hassle, yet still has all the winding narrow medina streets and grand buildings that it warrants as an imperial city and one-time home of the Moroccan sultanate.

After an included lunch we continue about 33km north of Meknès to the Roman ruins of Volubilis, which is the best-preserved archaeological site in Morocco and was declared a Unesco World Heritage

We will enjoy included dinner at our hotel tonight.

3 Saturday November 17 th, 2018 Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Casablanca/Meknes/Fes Today we depart for Fes with stops en route to visit Meknes and Volubilis. Quieter and smaller than its grand neighbour Fes, Meknès feels rather overshadowed and receives fewer visitors than it should. (We like that!) It s more laid-back with less hassle, yet still has all the winding narrow medina streets and grand buildings that it warrants as an imperial city and one-time home of the Moroccan sultanate. It s known for its imperial past with remnants including Bab Mansour, a huge gate with arches and mosaic tiling. After an included lunch we continue about 33km north of Meknès to the Roman ruins of Volubilis, which is the best-preserved archaeological site in Morocco and was declared a Unesco World Heritage site in Its most amazing features are its many beautiful preserved mosaics. We arrive in Fes in the late afternoon and check into the luxury Hotel Sahrai, our home for the next 2 nights. We will enjoy included dinner at our hotel tonight. Overnight: Hotel Sahrai Sunday November 18 th, 2018 Breakfast Fes Today we explore the religious capital of Morocco with its ancient mosques in the old medina. The medina of Fez El Bali is one of the largest living medieval cities in the world and the most interesting in Morocco. We have also made special arrangements at Dar Batha Museum. Housed in a wonderful 19th-century summer palace and converted to a museum in 1915, the Batha Museum houses an excellent collection of traditional Moroccan arts and crafts. We can explore the interior of a spectacular privately-owned 18th century Riad - traditional Islamic courtyard house - once one of the wealthiest mansions in Fes. We will also visit the Mellah (Jewish district) once housing 40 synagogues. In the afternoon, after lunch at leisure, we visit Fes J did, the newest part of the city, where the chic café-lined avenues provide a jarring contrast to the ancient city. Dinner is at leisure this evening. Overnight: Hotel Sahrai

Monday November 19 th, 2018 Fes/Midelt/Erfoud After breakfast this morning we embark on our journey to Erfoud.

On our way the landscape will change to a stony desert.

Late day we arrive in Erfoud, one of the largest oases in all of Morocco, famous for its almost one million date palm trees.

enjoy an early morning jeep excursion to see the sunrise over the sand dunes of Merzouga.

4 Monday November 19 th, 2018 Fes/Midelt/Erfoud After breakfast this morning we embark on our journey to Erfoud. We will drive through the gorgeous mountains and cedar woods that give way to the volcanic mountains of the Middle Atlas. Herein lies the soul of Morocco. We will pause mid route for lunch at leisure as we continue to the high Atlas Mountains via the Ziz Gorges and Errachidia. On our way the landscape will change to a stony desert. Before we reach Erfoud we will see another miracle of desert life - the stunning serene oasis of Ziz Valley. Late day we arrive in Erfoud, one of the largest oases in all of Morocco, famous for its almost one million date palm trees. We have reserved overnight accommodation in a private encampment at the foot of the dunes of Merzouga (we travel by 4 wheel drive vehicles from Erfoud). Our home for tonight is the Merzouga Luxury Desert Camp where we will enjoy a Berber Dinner under the stars and a camel ride to see the sunset if you like. Overnight: Merzouga Luxury Desert Camp Tuesday November 20 th, 2018 Merzouga/Tinghir/Dades & Todra Gorges/ Ouarzazate We enjoy an early morning jeep excursion to see the sunrise over the sand dunes of Merzouga. We return to the hotel in time to enjoy breakfast. Afterwards we depart for Tinghir via the holy city of Rissani, the last village on the Ziz River. We will visit a Kasbah cirqa 17th century and the Ksar Abbar ruins, which was used as a place of exile for the wives of dead sultans and unwanted family members. (hmmmm...) Our next stop is Tinghir before continuing on to Dades valley and Ouarzazate via the road of the Thousand Kasbahs'. Our hotel in Ouarzazate is the 5* Berbere Palace. We enjoy dinner at our Palace! Overnight: Berbere Palace

Wednesday November 21 st, 2018 Ouarzazate/AÏt Benhaddou/Marrakesh This morning we venture off into the edge of Ouarzazate and discover one of Morocco s most spectacular historical legacies of wealth

We will also visit Ait Benhaddou, a village made up of several small fortresses & kasbahs, each stretching some ten meters into the air.

We arrive in Marrakech and check into our hotel for the next 3 nights The Hivernage Hotel & Spa where we enjoy dinner.

We will visit Jardins Majorelle Gardens, one of the most delightful places in Marrakech.

5 Wednesday November 21 st, 2018 Ouarzazate/AÏt Benhaddou/Marrakesh This morning we venture off into the edge of Ouarzazate and discover one of Morocco s most spectacular historical legacies of wealth and power. Taourirt Kasbah is a citadel set against the backdrop of the Atlas Mountains. As far as fortifications are concerned in Morocco, this is one of the most impressive of its kind. We will also visit Ait Benhaddou, a village made up of several small fortresses & kasbahs, each stretching some ten meters into the air. The effect of this has attracted movie makers from far away, and parts of the film Lawrence of Arabia were shot here. We arrive in Marrakech and check into our hotel for the next 3 nights The Hivernage Hotel & Spa where we enjoy dinner. Overnight: The Hivernage Hotel & Spa Thursday November 22 nd, 2018 Breakfast & Lunch Marrakech Today is a full day tour of Marrakech. We will visit Jardins Majorelle Gardens, one of the most delightful places in Marrakech. It is a small, meticulously planned botanical garden created in the 1920s by the French painter Jacques Majorelle and is now owned and maintained by Yves Saint Laurent. In the artist s former studio is a museum of Islamic arts and exhibits of Saint Laurent s personal collection of North African carpets, pottery and furniture. We will also visit The Koutoubia Mosque, one of the best examples of the Hispano-Moresque art, with its minaret rising 252 feet into the sky. It is certainly one of the most impressive sights in Marrakech. Another stop will be to visit El Bahia Palace, both a palace and a set of gardens situated in the medina of Marrakech just along the northern edge of the Mellah, also known as the Jewish Quarter. While the exact dates for the construction of this palace are not known, indications are that it was commissioned between 1859 and 1873, and completed in After enjoying an included lunch in a local restaurant we will visit the Souks of Marrakech. The Souks are a riot of colour, noise and activity, a wealthy storehouse of all the treasures Morocco. You will find all the silver merchants in one corner, gold merchants in another and rows of stalls selling exclusively leatherwork, copper goods or jewellery. The real fascination is to watch these craftsmen at work, gilding on leather, inlaying the sheaths of ornate silver daggers with enamel, hammering out copper, embroidering silks or smoothing out the surface of cedar wood table.

Thursday November 22 nd, 2018 Breakfast & Lunch Marrakech The last stop on our busy day is at The Djemaa El Fna Square. The name literally translated is the Mosque or Assembly of death.

for public meetings and even riots. Today it provides constant ever-changing entertainment- snake charmers, acrobats, folkloric bands and story tellers. Dinner tonight is at leisure.

6 Thursday November 22 nd, 2018 Breakfast & Lunch Marrakech The last stop on our busy day is at The Djemaa El Fna Square. The name literally translated is the Mosque or Assembly of death. It is taken to refer to the custom of displaying the heads of vanquished rebels or criminals, and this square was known to be a place of public execution even up to the last century and then a centre for public meetings and even riots. Today it provides constant ever-changing entertainment- snake charmers, acrobats, folkloric bands and story tellers. Dinner tonight is at leisure. Overnight: The Hivernage Hotel & Spa Friday November 23 rd, 2018 Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Marrakesh Moroccan Cooking School This morning we will enjoy a traditional Moroccan cooking school workshop at Lotus Chef Riad. In the heart of Marrakech s medina, following a traditional Moroccan welcome at the doors, we will meet the chef, who is ready to teach how to cook local recipes. (Hopefully Wendi won t be cooking as we will eat lunch from the things we have prepared!) Our afternoon is at leisure. Farewell dinner is included tonight at Dar Zellij. Once upon a time Dar Zellij was a guesthouse, in fact one of the first traditional houses to be converted into a maison d hote, and was partly responsible for kick-starting the whole riad boom that has infected Marrakech ever since. Located in the heart of Marrakech, this superb 17th century Riad, surprisingly well preserved, is one of the most beautiful in the medina. Overnight: The Hivernage Hotel & Spa Saturday November 24 th, 2018 Breakfast Marrakesh/Casablanca/Toronto This morning after breakfast we have an included flight back to Casablanca to connect with our homeward bound flight.

Our 5* Signature Morocco Tour Includes: 2 nts accommodation in Casablanca/ 5* Sofitel Tour Blanche Casablanca 2 nts accommodation in Fes/ 5* Sahrai Fes 1 nt accommodation in Merzouga/ Merzouga Luxury

from Marrakech to Casablanca on November 24 th English speaking private guide from day 1 till day 10 Private (small) coach with driver for the duration Entrance fees to monuments and sightseeing as

Personally escorted by Vivek, President of Tourcan Vacations All land taxes included The package price does not include: International Airfare - We will be happy to book flights in economy, premium

7 Our 5* Signature Morocco Tour Includes: 2 nts accommodation in Casablanca/ 5* Sofitel Tour Blanche Casablanca 2 nts accommodation in Fes/ 5* Sahrai Fes 1 nt accommodation in Merzouga/ Merzouga Luxury Desert Encampment 1 nt accommodation in Ouarzazte at the 5* Berbere Palace 3 nts accommodation in Marrakech/ 5* Hivernage Hotel & Spa Meals: all breakfasts, 3 lunches and 7 dinners Domestic Airfare from Marrakech to Casablanca on November 24 th English speaking private guide from day 1 till day 10 Private (small) coach with driver for the duration Entrance fees to monuments and sightseeing as listed in the itinerary Hotel taxes Gratuities throughout for all guides and our driver a $ value 2 bottles of mineral water per person per day on our private coach...invaluable! Personally escorted by Vivek, President of Tourcan Vacations All land taxes included The package price does not include: International Airfare - We will be happy to book flights in economy, premium economy and business class as is your choice. Items of a personal nature The tour price is based on a US exchange rate valid at the time of booking and we may have to adjust the cost if the exchange rate fluxuates when the balance of payment is due. The tour cost is based on a minimum of 15 participants. If participant numbers fall between 11 and 14 the cost will go up by $ per person Tour Cost Only $5,495 CAD Based on per person/double occupancy - land taxes included Single Supplement $1,250 CAD This small group tour will not exceed 20 passengers and will be sold on a first come first serve basis. The deposit required to reserve your spot is $ per person. To reserve or inquire about this small group tour please call or Wendi ext 15 or Shelley ext or wendi@battlefieldtravel.com Battlefield Travel. 826 Queenston Road. Stoney Creek. L8E 1E5

A C A C I A H O L I D A Y S

A C A C I A H O L I D A Y S Splendors of Morocco 2013-2014 I T I N E R A R Y Splendors of Morocco 2013-2014 TRAVEL DAY DEPARTURE Depart your hometown for Morocco. Though airfare is not included in the