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Ze Casbah
Intimate Morocco
February 17 – 28, 2006
“COME WEEZ ME TO ZE CASBAH”
The word “Casbah” refers to any old fortress city in North
Africa. It is one of the great myths of the movies that Charles Boyer
(as Pepe Le Moko) uttered these classic words to Hedy Lamarr in the
movie “Algiers.” In actuality Pepe Le Peuw, a parody of
Boyer's character, said the phrase in a 1949 cartoon. Whatever the source,
the word “Casbah” suggests a place of mystery, excitement
and romance. The image that comes to mind is of Humphrey Bogart and
Ingrid Bergman spooning and swooning in “Casablanca,” a
movie set in a coastal city in exotic Morocco. Toto Tours invites you
to Ze Casbah, where there is infinitely more to see and do
than visit Rick’s Café.
Morocco offers a tremendous diversity of atmosphere
and activities, and is vastly different from north to south. The most
popular destinations are the Imperial Cities of Casablanca, Fez, Meknes
and Marrakech. These cities are dominated with “medinas”
or walled cities dating back hundreds of years. Many have magnificent
villas, but most astonishing are the palatial dwellings restored by
Europeans and Americans. Walking through these walled cities transports
you back in time to understand the history and culture of these wonderful
people.
Moroccans are immeasurably friendly and hospitable.
Shopkeepers will typically invite you to sit and have traditional mint
tea, or a new acquaintance may invite you to his home for a special
meal featuring couscous. Moroccan cuisine is held in high regard worldwide,
and this is certainly not the place to diet. Morocco is truly a feast
for both the eyes and the palette.
There is something intangibly magnetic about
Morocco. This has been proven over and over by the numbers of people
who have chosen it as a second home, or who visit it regularly. It is
the playground of distinguished writers, sophisticated bohemians, artists,
showbiz stars, and great film directors.
Toto Tours offers a magical journey to
Morocco with a wide range of activities as diverse as the country itself.
Travel to the Imperial Cities, careen over Saharan sand dunes in four-wheel
drive vehicles, thrill to a sunset camel ride to a desert oasis, and,
most of all, experience the sultry allure of the casbah. This is an
adventure unlike any other, and one you don't want to miss. Come
weez us to . . . Ze Casbah!
ITINERARY
Friday, February 17, 2006
Depart from New York City
Depart New York City's JFK International Airport today on Royal Air
Maroc Flight AT201 at 6:40pm. Your tour cost includes the price of this
flight.
Saturday, February 18, 2006
Arrive in Casablanca
The Royal Air Maroc flight arrives in Casablanca at 6:40 this morning.
Pass through simple customs formalities (no visa required for US passport
holders), then enjoy a sightseeing tour of Casablanca, Morocco’s
business capital, from its seaside and port to the bustling city center.
Check in at our hotel occurs as soon as rooms are available, and the
remainder of the afternoon is free to rest or explore on your own. This
evening the festivities begin with introductions and an orientation
over cocktails, followed by a Welcome Dinner at the fabulous Rick's
Cafe. (Dinner Included)
Sunday, February 19, 2006
Casablanca to Rabat
After breakfast this morning, check out of our hotel and visit the
amazing new Hassan II Mosque on the ocean. It is the second largest
Mosque in the world (Mecca has the largest), and the only Mosque in
Morocco which is open to non-Moslems. This site is a magnificent example
of true Moroccan architecture and hand-crafted opulence.
Continue one hour by motorcoach to Rabat, Morocco’s
capital. A tour of the city includes the Kasbah of Oudaya, the 12th
century Hassan Tower and Chella, built in the 12th century. Visit the
mausoleum of Mohammed V (father of Morocco’s present king), and
view the Royal Palace and other government buildings. After dinner at
our hotel the evening is free. (Breakfast
/ Dinner)
Monday, February 20, 2006
Rabat to Fez via Meknes and Volubilis
Enjoy many wonderful sights today as en route to Fez. First on the
list is a former Imperial City of Morocco named Meknes. Here we see
its old ramparts, the Agdoul Basin (which was used to water the royal
gardens and amuse the favorite concubines), the Moulay Ismail royal
stables, granaries and Dar el Ma (House of Water), built in the 17th
and 18th centuries to house, feed and water the sultan’s 12,000
horses. Also visit the Bab el Mansour, one of the most beautiful gates
in Morocco, and the Moulay Ismail mausoleum, one of the few holy sites
open to non-Moslems.
Continue on to Volubilis, the Roman capital
of northwestern Africa, with its impressive and well-preserved Roman
ruins, including approximately 30 mosaic floors dating back to 25 BC.
Tonight in Fez enjoy a multi-course Moroccan dinner with music and entertainment
in the medina (a medina is the oldest section and the historic heart
of any Moroccan city) at a beautifully preserved palace, Palais
Medina. (Breakfast / Special Dinner)
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
Fez
Today enjoy a full day guided sightseeing tour of this famous Imperial
City, highlighting the old and new medinas. Fez has been the religious
capitol of Morocco, and we visit the 14th century religious schools
(madrassas) of Bou Inania and Attarine. Wander the bewildering labyrinths
of the city's souks (open air marketplaces), a Unesco World Heritage
Site. Enjoy wonderful photo opportunities at the imposing gate of Bab
Boujloud, the splendid fountains at Palais Nejjarine, the ancient ramparts
and the beautiful front entrance of the royal palace. Dinner is provided
tonight at the casual international restaurant Zagora. (Breakfast
/ Dinner)
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Fez to Erfoud / Desert Adventure
We get an early start this morning for a very full day driving through
the Middle Atlas Mountains to the desert. Pass through Ifrane, known
as Morocco's ski resort (noting its distinctive and uniquely un-Moroccan
atmosphere), through Midelt with its dramatic views of the peaks of
the High Atlas, continuing on through the town of Errachidia to Erfoud.
In Erfoud we are met by our caravan of 4x4
vehicles and proceed about an hour off-road to the desert, and the Dunes
of Erg Chebbi—said to be the largest in Morocco. Here we mount
camels for a dramatic ride around the dunes at sunset. We arrive at
a specifically prepared campsite for dinner and entertainment, enjoying
local Berbere music around a campfire followed by a multi-course Berber
dinner. The desert gets cold in winter, so we bid our Berbere hosts
farewell after dinner and return to Erfoud to our hotel and warm bed. (Breakfast
/ Desert Camp Dinner)
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Erfoud to Ouarzazate
Rise early again today and come with us to Ze Casbah—many of
the, in fact, as we drive the Route of 1000 Casbahs. Pass by countless
palm grove oases and casbah dwellings, through the Dades Valley, along
the Gorges of Todra (with its impossibly high cliffs), and through the
Skoura Casbah. Arrive in dramatic Ouarzazate. When you see it you will
understand why it has long been Morocco’s center for international
filmmaking. After dinner at our hotel the remainder of the evening is
free. (Breakfast / Dinner)
Friday, February 24, 2006
Ouarzazate to Marrakech
This morning visit the impressive Ait Ben Haddou, an 11th century
edifice designated a UNESCO historical treasure and every photographer's
dream come true. Continue up the High Atlas Mountains over the breathtaking
Tiz N’Tichka Pass, then through the fertile Haouz Plain to the
“pink city” of Marrakech, our home for the next four nights.
Tonight enjoy a grand folklore show featuring tribesmen and women from
different parts of the country, a lavish Moroccan feast, and a parade
of cavaliers and acrobats astride magnificent Arabian horses. (Breakfast
/ Special Dinner)
Saturday, February 25, 2006
Marrakech
Plunge into this famous Imperial City today with a full day guided
tour beginning at the Menara Gardens, its Saadian Pavilion and olive
groves. Visit the old medina with its wondrous old world exotic charm,
wandering through the labyrinth of back streets and alleyways to the
foot of the famous Koutoubia Minaret. Continue to the Saadian Tombs
and Bahia Palace with its lush, Moorish-style gardens. Finally, stroll
through the Djemaa el Fna Square, the ancient meeting place of North
African tradesmen, entertainers, musicians, snake charmers and storytellers
and today one of the world’s liveliest marketplaces. It is truly
a sight to behold during the day and also at night! Dinner this evening
is on your own, and we can recommend a host of wonderful restaurants
with a wide variety of cuisines to sample. (Breakfast)
Sunday, February 26, 2006
Essaouira
After breakfast enjoy a full day excursion to the Atlantic coast and
the gorgeous fishing village of Essaouira. You'll understand why Orson
Welles selected it as the backdrop for many scenes from Othello.
Tour Essaouira’s medina, famous for its works of local artists
in paintings, pottery, and carvings from Thuya wood. Take time on your
own to enjoy a lunch of fresh grilled fish on the pier, wander the dramatic
sea wall and capture stunning photographs. In the afternoon return to
Marrakech for a free evening. (Breakfast)
Monday, February 27, 2006
Free Day / Farewell Dinner
The final day in Marrakech is free to do some last-minute souvenir
shopping, additional sightseeing, or relaxing at our hotel. A group
might decide to pay a visit to a local hammam to experience the cultural
bonding of an ancient communal bathing ritual. On our own we would be
totally at a loss, but, thank goodness, someone has taken the time to
write down the Unwritten
Rules of the Hammam.
This evening Toto Tours hosts a festive
Farewell Dinner at the Douriya restaurant. It will be a multi-course
feast in the ambience of a traditional Moroccan riad. (Breakfast
/ Farewell Dinner)
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Departure
The tour ends officially after breakfast this morning. We provide
a transfer to the Marrakech Airport for our return flight departing
Marrakech at 9:55am and returning to New York (via Casablanca) at 3:30pm
the same day. (Breakfast)
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