Morocco is a country with special connections to the Jewish heritage. Synagogues reflect traditional Islamic architecture. The cuisine is imbued with North African spices. Jewish women wear traditional Berber outfits and Jewish neighborhoods are located inside the old walls of the medina. Your custom tailored tour leads you through the exceptional culture of Moroccan Jewry, from the past to the present, in the steps of Maimonides to the halls of the Museum of the Jews, where elements of an elaborate...
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Casablanca – Ancient Heritage
Casablanca is a city that resonates in people’s minds with images of beachside luxury and tree-lined boulevards. The aroma of the ocean sweeps in on the breeze and waves through the palm trees. Upon your arrival, your private transfer meets you at the airport. The city is large and edges the calm Atlantic Ocean. People move with a fast pace and undeniable energy, urged forward with the belief that Casablanca is the modern capital of Morocco, filled with art galleries and finance.
Locals strut along La Corniche, the beachside neighborhood that mixes the aromas of fresh grilled fish and the ocean air. An estimated 5,000 Jews remain in the city, many living in the Lusitania district. The New Medina runs along the Rue Lusitania and fills the street with people and sensational scents. Freshly baked breads are displayed on carts attached to bicycles. Dried chilies shimmer a fiery red in front of conical mounds of spices. You find a pleasing aroma of fresh oranges wafting through the streets. Historic Jewish heritage continues to thrive in the depths of culture that surround it.
What's Included:
Day 2
Casablanca – Discovering the Unknown
Day 3
Rabat – Royal Walls and Peoples
Day 4
Fes – Medieval City
Day 5
Ifran – En Route to the Desert Plateau
Day 6
Erg Chebbi – Touching Desert Sand
Day 7
Ait Ben Haddou – Crossing the Atlas
Day 8
Marrakech – Persevering History
Day 9
Marrakech – Wonderful Marrakech
Day 10
Marrakech – Taking it With You
Trip Highlights
- Discover the deep connection between Jewish and North African cultures
- Experience the celebrated Moroccan culture the continued traditions of the old cities
- Visit historic and newly restored synagogues throughout the entirety of Morocco
- Explore the only Jewish heritage museum inside an Arab county
- Venture to the far reaches of the Sahara Desert to witness overwhelming sand dunes
- Journey to ancient desert villages and fortresses along the Route of 1,000 Kasbahs
- Indulge in the tremendous flavors of a Moroccan home-cooking workshop
Detailed Description
Judaism’s history dates back close to 6,000 years and spans the globe. Your 10-day Jewish culture tour of Morocco takes you into the wealth of Jewish life that has persisted in North Africa since the 15th century. You can hear the Call to Prayer when touring through historic synagogues. You can see the influence of Islamic art and architecture in the homes and buildings of the Jewish neighborhoods. Kosher butchers work beneath rooftop cafes. Historic Jewish cemeteries are marked with several languages etched into whitewashed stone. Your time in Morocco will take you beyond the imagined and into the possible, where heritage continues to endure.
Arrive in the city of Casablanca, home to a cosmopolitan lifestyle different than the rest of the country. The city is fast paced and maintains hints of its French colonial past. Your private escort meets you at your hotel and guides you through the city’s lavish present, from the Mosque of Hassan II, to a culturally collected past at the Museum of the Jews. Make your way to Rabat, the capital of Morocco and one of the four imperial cities. Visit the Mausoleums of Mohammad V and Hassan II, rulers who worked closely with the Moroccan Jewish community.
Stroll along the Kasbah des Oudayas and visit the Roman ruins of Volubilis before arriving in Fes. The medieval characteristics of Fes remain in its glorious medina. Walk through the main gate of Borj Sud and find the old Jewish neighborhood. Visit local artisans and the famed tanneries. Journey through the Saiss valley and into the Middle Atlas Mountains to the town of Ifrane. Spend time in the market of Rissani and the almost mythical caravan city of Sijilmassa. Once in Merzouga, you will trek into the desert on camel back to experience the Sahara Desert. Once again you pass through the Atlas Mountains, this time wandering through the stunning landscape of Todra Gorge.
Travel along the Road of 1,000 Kasbahs to arrive at the traditional walled town of Aït Ben Haddou. Enjoy a tour of the city before making your way to Marrakech. The old city opens up like a legend. You follow your guide to Salat el Azama Synagogue and have a full day to explore the medina. Take the opportunity to learn Moroccan cooking from a local with a home-cooking workshop. Soon your private transfer will take you to the airport but you can take your time soaking up the sounds and aromas of the city from a rooftop café overlooking Djemaa El Fna Square.
Relevant information: Visit the tour operator reviews for Morocco page for more information on Zicasso's Morocco travel partners.
Starting Price
$3,700 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
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