“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, experience the High Atlas Mountains and a swim in the ocean, but, best of all, absorb the sensual 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, May 18, 2012
The Adventure Begins

Begin the journey today from your home city to Casablanca, Morocco. Airfare is not included in this tour, so use the airport code CMN when searching for flights. Royal Air Maroc has a non-stop flight from JFK International Airport in New York, departing at 6:45pm and arriving at 6:10am tomorrow morning. The flight number is AT201. We expect that the majority of the group will be on this flight, and are timing our activities tomorrow accordingly. Feel free to arrive in Morocco a day early if you would like more time in Casablanca. We will be happy to make your hotel arrangements for you.

Saturday, May 19, 2012
Casablanca Sightseeing

Try to time your arrival in Casablanca as close to 6:00am as possible if you are flying on a different airline than Royal Air Maroc. Our guide will meet our group in the arrivals area just outside baggage claims and customs. We check in at our hotel and enjoy the remainder of the morning at leisure to recover from the seven-hour flight.
     In the afternoon, take a city tour of Casablanca, the business capital of Morocco. We visit the new Hassan II Mosque on the ocean, second only in size to the Mosque in Mecca, and the only Mosque in Morocco open to non-Moslems. This site is a magnificent example of true Moroccan architecture and hand crafted opulence. We meet in the hotel bar this evening for a cocktail and introductions, followed by our Welcome Dinner.     (Welcome Dinner Included)

Sunday, May 20, 2012
Rabat, The Capital City

After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy the short drive to Rabat, Morocco’s capital. Our tour of Rabat includes a visit to the Kasbah of Oudaya, Hassan Tower and Chella built in the 12th century, a stop at the mausoleum of Mohammed V, and a view of the king’s palace and other government buildings. Enjoy some free time this afternoon for shopping and independent sightseeing. Dinner is at our hotel, and the remainder of the evening is at leisure.     (Breakfast / Dinner)

Monday, May 21, 2012

Meknes / Volubilis / Fez

After breakfast, travel to Fez making several stops along the way. The first is in Meknes, a former Imperial city of Morocco. Our panoramic highlights tour will show us the old ramparts; the Agdoul Basin (used to water the royal gardens and amuse the favored concubines); the Moulay Ismail royal stables, granaries and House of Water (Dar el Ma) which were built in the 17th and 18th centuries to house, feed and water the sultan’s twelve thousand horses; Bab el Mansour, one of the most beautiful gates in Morocco; the Moulay Ismail mausoleum, one of the few holy sites in Morocco which may be visited by non-Moslems; and the beauty of the Meknes landscape.
     Continuing on our route, our next visit is to Volubilis, the Roman capitol of Northwestern Africa, with its impressive and well-preserved Roman ruins, including approximately 30 mosaic floors dating back to 25BC. Arriving in Fez, we check in at our hotel and get ready for a festive occasion. Tonight we enjoy a multi-course Moroccan dinner inside the old medina at a beautifully preserved palace.     (Breakfast / Dinner)

Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Fez Sightseeing

Enjoy a full-day guided tour of Fez today, highlighting the old and new medinas of this famous Imperial City. Fez was at one time the religious capitol of Morocco. We visit the 14th century religious schools (madrasas) of Bou Inania and Attarine. Wander through the impressive labyrinths of the souks, which have been declared by UNESCO to be one of the world’s cultural treasures. You will have wonderful photo opportunities at the imposing gate of Bab Bajloud, the splendid fountains at Palais Nejjarine, the ancient ramparts, and the beautiful front entrance of the royal palace. Dinner tonight is at Maison Blanche restaurant.     (All meals)

Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Midelt / Erfoud / Sand Dunes of Merzouga

We get an early start this morning, driving through Midelt, with its dramatic views of the peaks of the High Atlas Mountains, and continuing on through the town of Errachidia to Erfoud. We are met in Erfoud by our 4-wheel drive vehicles, and we continue driving into the desert. We arrive at our private campsite with comfortably outfitted tents and full staff.
     Enjoy a camel trek into the dunes around our camp to experience the magic of a desert sunset. Our tents are equipped with mattress, blankets and carpets. The toilet facilities are shared. A restaurant tent is decorated in authentic desert camp style. Here our cooks prepare our meals, and local musicians delight us as we sit on cushions and dine Bedouin style. Tonight we feast at a specially prepared Berber dinner before retiring to our tents for a night under the countless desert stars.     (All meals)

Thursday, May 24, 2012
Route of 1000 Kasbahs / Ouarzazate

Start your day with a picturesque drive along the Route of 1000 Kasbahs. Pass by palm grove oases and Kasbah dwellings; through Dades Valley; along the Gorges of Todra where you will marvel at the cliffs of these gorges towering high above where you stand; through the Skoura Kasbah area, and finally arriving at Ouarzazate, a film industry center where many American and European films have been made. Dinner is at our hotel this evening.     (Breakfast / Dinner)

Friday, May 25, 2012 Ait Ben Haddou / Marrakech

After breakfast this morning, we visit the impressive Ait Ben Haddou, an 11th century structure declared by UNESCO as an historical treasure. It is also a photographer’s wonderland. We continue up into the High Atlas Mountains, over Tiz N’Tichka Pass, then through the fertile Haouz Plain to the “pink city” of Marrakech. We will spend a total of 4 nights in this fascinating and enticing Moroccan city.
     Marrakech is one of Morocco’s Imperial Cities that will leave you with the fondest memories imaginable. Tonight we enjoy a dinner featuring Moroccan Inventive cuisine at the restaurant La Cour des Lions on the top floor of the Es Saadi Palace in the heart of Marrakech.     (Breakfast / Dinner)

Saturday, May 26, 2012
Marrakech Sightseeing

Today we enjoy a full day guided tour of this famous city. The tour includes the Menara Gardens, its Saadian Pavilion and olive groves. We visit the “old medina” and its wondrous, old world, exotic charms, where our guide takes us on a fascinating wander through its labyrinths, stopping at the foot of the famous Katoubia Minaret. Continuing on, we visit the Saadian Tombs and Bahia Palace, with its lush Moorish style garden.
     After free time for lunch (not included), enjoy a walk to discover the most colorful souks of the medina, and finally stroll through the famous Jemaa El Fna Square—an ancient meeting place of North African tradesmen, entertainers, musicians, snake charmers and storytellers. This day will prove to be one of the most fascinating of your entire tour!     

(Breakfast)

Sunday, May 27, 2012
Essaouira

In previous visits to Morocco we have always made the trip to Essaouira an optional extension. But the place is simply fabulous, and we made the decision to include an overnight there during this tour. Orson Welles chose Essaouira in 1949 as a location for his film Othello. It lies beneath low, Mediterranean-type hills, and has fortified walls to protect against the invaders by sea. The whitewashed buildings and colorful fishing boats, with bustling seaside markets, complete the perfect picture.
     Our hotel is on a beautiful stretch of beach just outside the city walls. After we check in, our guide escorts us on a walking tour of this lovely city. One of our regular Toto Tourists has a beautiful home in Essaouira, and if the fates are with us and schedules align, we will enjoy a cocktail party there this evening. Dinner is included at our hotel.     (Breakfast / Dinner)

Monday, May 28, 2012

Return to Marrakech / Free Evening

The morning is at leisure to enjoy the beach and have lunch (not included) at one of the fantastic restaurants on the waterfront, where your entree is fresh from the sea. In the early afternoon we return to Marrakech, check in at our hotel, and enjoy a free evening on the town.     (Breakfast)

Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Day trip to Imlil with lunch at the Kasbah

Enjoy a full day tour to the Imlil Valley today to visit the home of the Berbers and see Jbel Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa. It is all just 40 miles away from Marrakech. Revel in the green landscapes of this valley, the lazy meandering flow of the rivers, combined with the small red adobe Berber villages hanging on the slopes. It is all utterly enchanting!
     The tranquility of Berber village life provides a perfect contrast to the hubbub of the city. From the village of Imlil, footpaths and mule tracks mount through lush, irrigated terraces, apple orchards and walnut groves to other villages where the way of life has changed little for centuries, and traditional values and hospitality are unaffected by the outside world.
     The Kasbah is perched on a great rock outcrop above the main village, with panoramic views of the mountains, valleys and waterfalls. We reach the Kasbah by a short donkey ride from the village of Imlil. After lunch, we have about 2 hours to walk and visit some villages and have tea with a local Berber family with our mountain guide.
     Return to Marrakech and our hotel around 5.00pm. Tonight we enjoy a Farewell Dinner at Dar Yacout, in a setting worthy of a Sultan. We will celebrate together the highlights of our adventures in this fabled Kingdom!     (All Meals)

Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Departure

The tour ends officially after breakfast this morning. We provide one group transfer to the airport this morning, timed for the Royal Air Maroc flight AT402 to New York, departing Marrakech at 8:50am, and arriving in Casablanca at 9:35am, connecting to flight AT200, departing Casablanca at 12:30pm, and arriving at JFK at 4:45pm the same day. Let us know if you would like to stay on in Marrakech, and we can extend your stay at our group hotel.     (Breakfast)

ACCOMMODATIONS

(Click hotel name to read description)

Casablanca: Farah Hotel Casablanca

Rabat: Hotel Le Diwan Rabat

Fez: Hotel Les Merinides

Merzouga Dunes near Erfoud: Deluxe Bivouac in the Desert

Ouarzazate: Le Berbère Palace

Marrakech: Hotel Atlas Medina & Spa

Essaouira: Hotel Le Medina Essaouira

THE BOTTOM LINE

(tour prices per person)

Price:  $3,595 double occupancy

Private Room:  $700 additional, for a total of $4,295. (Toto Tours will try to match you with a roommate if you are traveling alone and need to share a room. If this is not possible, a single supplement will be applied to your reservation before the final payment date.)

Deposit:  $600 (Due at time of registration for the tour. May be paid with a credit card.)

Remaining Balance:  $2,995 double / $3,695 single
(Assumes $600 deposit has already been made.)

Remaining Balance Due:  February 28, 2012
(Full payment required with reservation form if enrolling after this date.)

Included:  One group transfer at the beginning of the tour, and one at the end; eleven nights hotel accommodations; breakfast daily at our hotels; Welcome and Farewell Dinners; air-conditioned coach transportation throughout (except for jeeps at the desert); all meals and activities as listed in the itinerary; fully guided and escorted tour.

Not Included:  International airfare; airport transfers other than the one group transfer planned at the beginning and the end of the tour; ground transportation for any sightseeing on your own (taxis, local guides, etc.); meals and optional activities not specifically included in the itinerary; tips to local guides and drivers, gratuities for waiters or porters; alcoholic beverages; insurance; laundry; telephone calls; faxes; or any other expenses of a personal nature. Tips to drivers / guides are not included. We will give a collective tips throughout the tour at appropriate times, and a recommended group tip contribution will be announced prior to departure.

RESERVATIONS

To reserve a place on this tour, click on the “Reservations” link above. Type in the information requested in each field, print the form, then sign and mail it to Toto Tours with your $600 deposit check. You also have the option to pay for your tour deposit with a Visa or MasterCard. The remaining balance is due 80 days prior to departure (by February 28, 2012). Tour registration is not complete until we have received both the form and your deposit check.
     Toto Tours does not accept credit cards as a form of payment except for the amount of the tour deposit ($600 maximum can be charged per tour). An installment plan is possible. Our mailing address is: Toto Tours, 1326 W. Albion Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60626-4753. Make checks payable to: Toto Tours, Ltd.