JICNY: Morocco Jewish Tour Sunday February 16-Monday February 24, 2020

Elaine Finkelstein

203-921-7133 Feb 16 - Sunday: Arrive in Casablanca - Transfer to Fez Welcome to the Casablanca airport, we hope you had a pleasant flight. Here you will be greeted by a Zayan Travel tour manager, who will welcome you to the city of the French colonial legacy History awaits your arrival at the Museum of the Jews. Birthed in the Jewish Community of Casablanca in 1997, the Museum of Moroccan Judaism of Casablanca will not only provide you with a blast from the past but you will also experience ethnography in its finest form. It is an amazing site that withstood the test of time – truly a historic marvel!

A well put orientation accompanied by an amazing visit to the Hassan II mosque awaits you. Direct transfer to Fez with a detour to Meknes Accommodation: Riad Myra - Fez Feb 17 - Monday: Fez Guided City Tour Third times the charm, have a hearty breakfast as you wake up fresh and rejuvenated after a good night’s rest. You will now be unraveling the mysteries of Fez while feasting your eyes on the Moorish style and European art décor. Here you will be gazing at the stunning panoramic views of Medina of Fez from Borj Sud, and then you will be heading towards the majestic Fez Medina (Old City). Fill your day with enchanting sights of the classic venues of the Old City, encompassing everything from baffling alleys to crowded markets and a lot more!

• The Medersa Bou Inania • Bab Boujloud (blue gate) • The Splendid fountain at Place Nejjarine • Visit Jewish Fez - the Mellah (Jewish Quarter) the ancient Jewish graveyard and

the synagogue that is today protectively guarded by its Muslim caretaker • Visit the Souks Markets - where the skillful weavers, carpet makers, copper

beaters, and snail sellers practice their trade as they did a thousand years ago • The Chaouwara tanneries • Local leather and pottery factories

Accommodation: Riad Myra - Fez Feb 18 – Tuesday: Fez – Day Trip to Chefchaouen | Fez We will pick you up from your riad earlier. Then, we will be driving across the Rif Mountains. You will get to the city of Chefchaouen (Chaouen).

You will have enough time for exploring the charming town of Chefchaouen, placed in the Mountains. It is famous for its bright blue-washed buildings. You can wander through the narrow cobbled streets and walls of the medina to admire the views. Enjoy lunch here. In the main square, you will see the shops full of local handicrafts; such as wool costume, woven blankets, and paintings. After the visit of the Blue Pearl of Morocco, we will drive you back to Fez. If time allows we may visit the Roman Ruins of Volubilis Accommodation: Riad Myra - Fez Feb 19 - Wednesday: Fez - Ifrane - Cedar Forest - Ziz Valley - Desert (Camel Safari)

After breakfast, we’ll drive southwards to Ifrane and in the Middle Atlas Mountains, stopping in the cedar forest to see the Barbarian Ape in their natural habitat. Traveling through the Tizi Ntalghamt pass to Midelt and along the magnificent Ziz Gorges carved through volcanic rock, you’ll see views of the Middle-Atlas plateau, noticing how the scenery changes to reveal hints of the desert as you approach the city Errachidia. After lunch, we’ll continue our journey through the

Ziz valley to Rissani and Merzouga, the home of your guide Rachid. After a glass of mint tea, you’ll be ready for your camel and guided by an experienced camel guide you’ll start your safari exploring within the mysterious sand-sea of the Erg-Chebbi. Here you’ll spend your night in the luxury camp. Night drum party and Dinner will be served in the tent where you’ll spend the night. PS: please be aware that today it requires 7 hours driving between Fez and the Desert Accommodation: Luxury Oasis Camp - Merzouga Feb 20 - Thursday: Desert airport - Casablanca airport - Marrakech From one great place to another, embark on the journey to travel to Marrakesh. Wake up early in the morning and leave the hotel for the airport at 5am. Check in at the Errachidia airport at 6:30. Arrive Casablanca at 10 AM, direct transfer to Marrakech where you will experience a trip whose journey is just as good as its destinations. Rest easy and get ready for tomorrow, as the Medina awaits your arrival.

PS: 1h 30 mins driving time between our camp and the Errachidia (Desert) airport. 1h and 50 mins domestic flight between Errachidia (Desert) and Casblanca and 2h 30 mins driving time between Casabanca airport and Marrakech Accommodation: Riad Houma - Marrakech Feb 21 - Friday: Marrakech Guided City Tour - (Prepare for Shabbat) This is your discovery day in the Red City, you go for a Marrakech tour with a local certified guide to the historical sites and sightseeing's of the city: Menara Gardens, Koutoubia Minaret(the most prominent minaret in Marrakech and one of the best masterpieces of Islamic architecture), Saadian Tombs, Ben Youssef Medrasa (a beautifully decorated Koranic School), and the Bahia Palace. The tour continues around the old medina buried within the imperial walls, botanical Majorelle blue Gard ens of YSL, the markets and souk, and the famous Djemaa el Fna Square. Light Shabbat candles with a Jewish Moroccan family and experience kosher food in its purest form! 6 mins walk from your Riad. Optional sunrise Hot air Balloon (6AM to 10 AM with an approximate 1 hour flight) - Additional fee of $210 per person) Accommodation: Riad Houma - Marrakech Feb 22 - Saturday: Shabbat In Marrakech

Wakey wakey, the fun isn’t over yet! Have a fulfilling breakfast and head over to Slat al-Azama Synagogue, which is in 6 minutes walking of the riad and Jewish Quarter. Experience the virtue of the holy place and say your prayers before you leave for lunch. Enjoy the full Shabbat lunch experience, where Moroccan Jewish families gather in the city for prayer and rituals. Get to know the families and learn first hand what the Moroccan Jewish

families have to say about their culture, history and traditions! Optional walking tour of the ancient Medina for the afternoon Accommodation: Riad Houma – Marrakech Feb 23 – Sunday: Marrakech to Essaouira (Tree-Climbing Goats) A full day excursion to the Atlantic coast to visit the charming town of Essaouira shows visitors one of the oldest and most important fishing ports in Morocco. Old Mogador was founded by the Romans and inhabited by the Portuguese during the 17th century. This typical Portuguese harbour, with fine examples of both Moorish and Portuguese art, was the setting for many scenes in the film “Othello”. Sightseeing includes the harbour, ramparts, medina, the 17th century cannons brought from Spain, and the local artists quarter. Essaouira is a picturesque fishing town featured as Astapor city on Game OF thrones; one the 3 cities at the slaver bay. On our way to the city we will stop to spot the famous Goats climbing the argan trees. Goats in Morocco only climb one particular type of tree, the Argan Tree, which can only be found in the middle of Morocco. Accommodation: Riad Mimouna – Essaouira Feb 24- Monday: Essaouira – Domestic Flight to Casablanca - Depart Your week worth of adventure will come to an end this day. As our team escorts you to the airport of Essaouira fo a domestic flight to Casablanca so you can fly out back home. We hope the beautiful sites, delicious cuisines, and tales as old as time and ancient architecture make your ride back home a pleasant one

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