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| Explore — Worldwide 2008/09 |
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Page Text Content
AFRICA
MOROCCO
Typical rooftop sight/Moroccan National Tourist Board Kasbah of southern Morocco/Kate Plummer
Imperial Cities & Desert
15 DAYS HOTELS VIBRANT SOUKS, OLD MEDINAS & DESERT OASES
Ref MR
JFMAMJJASOND JFMA
We visit the ancient Royal Cities of Rabat, Meknes, Fes and Marrakech; explore the towering Saharan Sand Sea of Merzouga; discover the wild Todra Gorge on foot and relax in the lovely Atlantic coastal resort of Essaouira. Well enjoy drinking mint tea with the locals, eating cous-cous, socialising and simply soaking up the legendary magic of Morocco.
Rabat, Meknes, Volubilis & Fes From Casablanca we drive to Rabat, the present imperial capital, where we take a stroll around the Kasbah des Oudaias. We spend time in the old Moorish city of Meknes, wandering around the sites and medinas and exploring the impressive remains of Roman Volubilis and the holy city of Moulay Idriss. Two days are spent in the exotic town of Fes where we explore the souks and crowded alleyways of the Medina. Merzouga Sand Sea & Todra Gorge Heading south across the flanks of the Middle Atlas, we stay on the edge of the Sahara, close to the great shifting Sand Sea of Merzouga, where there is a chance to use 4WD vehicles to explore the area and the option to take a camel ride and camp out in the desert. Continuing past tiny palmeries and mud-brick villages, we make for the dramatic Todra Gorge hemmed in on all sides by vertical limestone cliffs which rise up 400m. Well take time to explore these deep chasms on foot. The Atlantic Coast & Marrakech Crossing the Jebel Sahro Massif, well explore the Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs. We then cross the Tizi nTichka Pass through the High Atlas and relax at the Atlantic resort of Essaouira a delightful blend of Southern European, French and Arab cultures. Finally we spend two fabulous days in Marrakech. Its animated Djemma-el-Fna Square is the Heart
Imperial Cities & Desert Ref MR/DMR DMR
AT L A N T I C OCEAN
Kings residence
Strait of Gibraltar
RABAT CASABLANCA
Volubilis
FES
Old medina
MEKNES
Imperial city
MOROCCO
ESSAOUIRA
H
MARRAKECH AIT BENHADDOU OUARZAZATE
km 0 250
IGH
AT
LA
S
Midelt
TODRA GORGE
ERFOUD
Optional 4WD & camel ride
Valley of 1000 Kasbahs Rissani
MERZOUGA
Sand Sea of Merzouga SAHARA DESERT
ALGERIA
Traditional Riad interior
of Morocco a focal point where Berbers and Arabs come to exchange news, haggle and trade in jelabahs, carpets and spices.
FACTFILE
Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/Casablanca. 2 Visit Hassan II Mosque (optional tour); drive to Rabat; sightseeing. 3 Drive to Meknes; tour. 4 Visit Roman Volubilis and Moulay Idriss; drive to Fes. 5 In Fes; sightseeing. 6 Drive to Erfoud via Midelt and Gorge du Ziz. 7 Visit Rissani and drive to Merzouga (with option to spend night camping at Erg Chebbi dunes). 8 Drive Todra Gorge. 9 On foot in Todra Gorge. 10 Drive to Ait Benhaddou via Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs. 11 Drive to Essaouira via Tizi nTichka pass. 12 In Essaouira; free. 13 Drive to Marrakech; optional tour. 14 In Marrakech; free. 15 Fly London. Accommodation & Meals: 14nts hotels, optional night Bedouin camping; 14 breakfasts included. See insert p2. Mode of Travel: Chartered bus/On foot. Comment: An appreciation of the varied aspects of Moroccan life, its evocative culture and medieval cities, as well as the varied topography desert, coast and mountain ranges. Tour Staff & Support: Explore Tour Leader plus driver(s). Group Size: Approx. 16 to 20.
Imperial Cities & Desert
15 DAYS CHARACTERFUL RIADS/VILLAS/MOROCCAN STYLE HOTELS
Ref DMR
J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A FACTFILE
The Imperial Cities of Morocco boast a number of particularly attractive and characterful hotels, often family run and offering the warmest of welcomes. Several of the hotels on this Explore In Style tour are converted riads (traditional town houses) where the rooms overlook a central courtyard, often with fountains, plants and mosaic decorations. At the end of a busy day exploring the souks, theres no better way to relax than in the riads courtyard which is an an oasis of calm in the bustling city.
Itinerary Day 1 to 15 As Ref. MR (see right), except that on Day 10 we stay in Ouarzazate instead of Ait Benhaddou. Accommodation & Meals: 14nts in a combination of characterful hotels and riads; 14 breakfasts & 1 dinner included. See insert p2. Mode of Travel: Bus/On foot. Comment: All the highlights of Moroccos Imperial Cities & Desert, with the added bonus of accommodation with extra character. Explore by day and relax in style at night! Tour Staff & Support: Explore Tour Leader plus driver(s). Group Size: Approx. 12 to 16.
Sand sea of Merzouga/Peter Eshelby
100
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