Morocco’s culture is as diverse as its landscape, but in the midst of great ethnic diversity, the country has managed to maintain unity. A mixture of Arabic, Roman, French, Spanish and South African influences, somehow a perfect balance between old and new has been struck.
Moroccan cuisine differs from region to region, but each area reflects a bit of the cultures which make up the country. The Berber influences are most prominent in the range of spices used. The great love of grains like couscous is an indication of the country’s African roots, while the use of fresh fruits and vegetables comes directly from the country’s proximity to the Mediterranean.
Be ready for an exceptional great tour of Morocco ! During two weeks, you'll explore the most awe-inspiring aspects of Morocco. From North to South, choose your starting point and don't miss out any opportunity to discover all the treasures of the country.
Nature, culture, sea, desert, and mountains, Morocco is a country of contrasts. Take the destination to Fez or Meknes. Two stopovers await you : Azilal and Beni Mellal with their Ouzoud waterfalls and the Bin El Ouidane lake, before ending up in Ifrane, famous for being the Little Switzerland of Morocco because of its architecture and its Cedar forest. Arrived in the two imperials, stroll the streets of the medina of Fez, cross the Bab Mansour gate of Meknes, and visit the famous ruins of Volubilis a few kilometers away.
Next stopovers : the Mediterranean: the white Tangier, Tetouan known as the "White dove" and Chefchaouen which is a picturesque city all coloured and nestled between two mountains. Take the south path again. Rabat and its gardens offer a beautiful scenery : roam through the Kasbah des Oudayas or visit the centuries-old Hassan Tower. Next, weave your way to Casablanca, the bustling city, before you arrive to the charming El Jadida and Essaouira. With Agadir and its wonderful bay, the end of your journey approaches. Its hinterland is among the most beautiful ones of the Kingdom. In the East, explore the outstanding Ouarzazate and its famous kasbahs, and Merzouga which opens to the desert.
Every single day of your journey reveals an entire surprise: gastronomic meals, local festivals, initiation to Moroccan craftsmanship, you'll explore all the customs and traditions of a country that never ceases to amaze you.
The great tour of Morocco is a total immersion, a way to get to know Morocco from all its sides ; those of its geography, its history, and its people.
At one point in its history, Morocco was home to around 300,000 Jews and many Moroccans continue to embrace their Judeo-Moroccan heritage, this cultural diversity of modern-day Morocco reflects its historic vantage point as a gateway to Europe and the world. Our Jewish heritage tours are an opportunity for an exotic cultural tour to explore an important part of Moroccan history, traditions and culture of the Jewish community in Morocco. With nearly thousands of years of history, this tour has more to offer than just the classic imperial cities tours.
Explore historic synagogues, holy Jewish temples, vibrant markets, Mellahs (Jewish quarters), stunning landscapes and Andalusian gardens as well as the famous Jewish Museum and one of its kind in the Arab world & Africa and Taste Moroccan Jewish cuisine & enjoy Kosher food options and much more all in the convenience of hand-picked hotels and venues and with the companionship & guidance of local knowledgeable experts in Moroccan Jewish history.
With its colours, friendly people, customs and traditions, and characteristic architecture, Morocco is a place that compels you to explore every last inch.
The national airline, Royal Air Morocco (RAM) operates many domestic flights.
There are 18 airports to help you discover Morocco, from north to south!
The rail network run by Office National des Chemins de Fer (ONCF) covers the entire country, and the Supratours bus company takes over if your destination does not have a railroad station. Starting in 2018, a high-speed train(TGV) serves the Casablanca-Rabat-Tangiers route. If you choose to travel by coach, the Compagnie de Transport Marocains (CTM) and other private companies offer comfort and convenience for a pleasant journey. Within cities, choose from taxis, buses and trams (in Casablanca and Rabat). Rates are regulated, and all taxis have meters. For a quaint ride, hop aboard a horse-drawn carriage in Marrakesh or Taroudant. If you decide to rent a car, there are plenty of agencies at your disposal. Cars drive on the right and most vehicles have manual transmissions.
Road signs are in French and Arabic. There are national highways that run north-south to serve all of Morocco. Paragraph.
Travellers wishing to travel to Morocco, by any means, must present a health form, to be downloaded online before boarding, duly completed. It is also distributed on board the airport or ship. They must also present a valid vaccination passport or a negative PCR test result less than 72 hours old. Children under the age of 12 are exempt from all requirements.
A valid vaccine passport means receipt of three doses or, failing that, two doses with a delay in the administration of the second dose not exceeding 4 months.
For the J&J vaccine, a single dose is equivalent to 2 doses of the other vaccines.
To avoid any problems when you arrive in Morocco, double-check to be sure you have a valid passport. Whether you need a visa depends on your nationality.
For all nationalities, the maximum length of a tourism trip is 90 days.
As you prepare for your trip, make note of the contact information for your embassy and consulates outside the capital. You can go there to reissue your travel documents if they are lost and to get an array of advice (health, safety, etc.). Each diplomatic mission usually has an emergency number to be used only if absolutely necessary. Most of the time there is a social services office to help you, even in an emergency.
The currency in Morocco is the dirham. It cannot be exchanged outside the country's borders, so plan your currency exchange transactions and consider other forms of payment.
There are currency exchange desks in the airports, some hotels and most banks. You will have to show your passport to exchange money.
Check with your bank to find out where you can withdraw cash using your credit card.
Most banks in Morocco's major cities have ATMs. Exchange currency as you go.
The vast majority of purchases and services are paid for in cash – after bargaining, of course!
Morocco is a land of contrasts. Lapped by the water of the Mediterranean in the north and by the waves of the Atlantic Ocean to the west, it is also criss-crossed by the Rif and Atlas Mountains, which means the country is affected by a host of climatic influences.
The coastal regions are lavished with sunshine. The sun's rays are constant throughout the year, and you can soak up their goodness in any season. Agadir, for example, is on the shores of the Atlantic. As the country's premier seaside resort town, it offers fans of la dolce vita300 days of sun per year with mild temperatures and gentle breezes. Further to the north, Taghazout, Mogador and Magazan are also worth a visit. Because these are a bit further inland, their climate is less Mediterranean and more continental. The topography is more pronounced, with splendid panoramas.
This is where you find wide, open spaces where adventurers embark on treks and hikes in all seasons. To the south, the country opens up to the vastness of the Sahara. Spring and fall are the best times to venture here. The sun gleams and reflects off the dunes in a sand-filled landscape. The desert expanses exude a sense of unreality. Climb atop a camel to find yourself in one of the most beautiful scene's nature has ever made.
With luxury chains, camping, riads, bed and breakfasts, cottages, hostels and even bivouacs, you will be treated to unique experiences! Spend a night in a bivouac - a tenting in the middle of the desert – to unplug completely. Let yourself be swayed by the timeless ambiance of the desert and wake up to the world's most beautiful sunrise for a unique experience that you won't soon forget! Or stay in a riad, a traditional house in a historic district punctuated by a patio in the middle of a column of light. Your stay is guaranteed to feel authentic.
Exploring a country also means getting to know the locals and experiencing their everyday lives at home. Choose a cottage or hostel to have a sightseeing experience full of direct contact with the native population. Or why not go camping? It is the preferred way to stay for surfers working up the coast. Camping in the mild Moroccan climate promotes team spirit and human contact. Finally, if you are hoping for a premium trip, sleep in the best international or local luxury brands for hotels that have built a long-standing reputation! In Morocco, you will be an honoured guest.
Souks, local markets, immerse you in the culture of Morocco. Every Moroccan town has a souk quarter, typically named after the day of the week they are open. No matter where you are you will find busy aisles lined with vendors selling many types of products – rugs, jewellery, metals, wood and pottery, clothing, leather goods and fresh food.
Traditionally, Moroccan rugs were hand woven and tied by the Berber tribe women and can take up to a year to complete. Some rugs are made as a floor covering and others are woven to hang from the wall like a tapestry. Rug designs typically depict a piece of history passed down from generation to generation, or tell the story of the weaver’s life, representing things from femininity to spirituality.
When visiting Morocco, you have to try a local favourite – stuffed bread. It is comparable to a flat bread sandwich in America with a Moroccan touch. This savoury meal is filled with traditional fillings including beef or lamb suet, onions, parsley, and Moroccan spices – ginger, white pepper, coriander, turmeric, allspice, and cinnamon.
Led by an expert local guide, this exciting 9 day group tour is an excellent way to see the country through the eyes of someone who calls it home. From Marrakech, travel by private vehicles to Ait Benhaddou and Ouarzazate, before camel trekking across the Sahara.
Take in the Imperial Cities of Fes, Rabat and Meknes and uncover many of Morocco’s key sites through the expertise of specialist guides. By night bed down in comfortable locally-owned 4-star hotels and enjoy many included meals.
Welcome to Morocco! Upon arrival at Marrakech airport you’ll be met and transferred to our hotel. This evening meet your fellow travellers and enjoy free time to explore the delights of Djemaa el Fna.
After breakfast we head over to the beautiful Majorelle Gardens just a short drive from the hotel. These botanical gardens were designed by the French Artist Jacques Majorelle in the 1920s and 1930s. He used a distinctive shade of cobalt blue for the majority of the garden and although a lot of his other work has largely been forgotten – this garden is seen as his greatest master piece. The garden has been owned by Yves Saint Laurent since 1980 and his ashes were scattered here after his death in 2008. The garden contains an extensive collection of exotic plants and trees and is home to 15 species of bird. There is also a Berber Museum representing the various indigenous tribes of Morocco including over 600 artefacts. The newly opened Yves Saint Laurent museum nearby is also well worth a visit - this museum was opened in 2017 and is dedicated to the life and works of Yves Saint Laurent himself. Please note entrance into the YSL museum is not included. This afternoon you will meet up with the rest of the group who are coming in from Casablanca before embarking on a guided tour of Marrakech. Inside the rose coloured medina walls is a tangle of winding streets and alleys that open onto verdant gardens and bustling souks. At the heart of the medina is Djemaa El Fna, the city's exuberant market place and towering over it, is the famous Koutoubia Mosque, the tallest building in the city.
Marrakech - Ait Benhaddou - Ouarzazate. Departing the city this morning, we travel across the plains of haouz and reach the great High Atlas mountains. Climbing over the pass of Tizi nTichka, we stop for lunch and then continue onwards with great views over the Mountains and valleys to Ait Benhaddou. This incredible ancient fortified Kasbah was built for defence purposes high on a hill and is a stunningly well preserved medieval city which has famously featured in many blockbuster movies, including Gladiator and Laurence of Arabia as its beauty is unequal to any other fortified kasbah in south Morocco. Carrying on we continue south to the Hollywood of North Africa – Ouarzazate (pronounced war-zazat). Ouarzazate is famous for being the filming location for many other Hollywood blockbusters and famous TV shows including James Bond – The Living Daylights, The Mummy and more recently Game of Thrones.
Ouarzazate - Todra Gorge - Merzouga (Sahara). This morning we begin our journey into the Sahara with a medley of palm trees, rose fields and magnificent gorges. Travelling from Ouarzazate, there is a possibility of visiting the kasbah Amherdhil in Skoura before seeing the rose fields and reaching scenic Todra Gorge. Surrounded by towering vertical limestone cliffs reaching heights of 1000ft, it is known as Morocco’s Grand Canyon. The charm of Todra lies in its changing colours as the sun slowly moves from east to west. After time to wander through Todra we hit the road again for Merzhouga – our base before we head into the Sahara.
Depending on the time of year, spend the afternoon relaxing and swimming before climbing aboard our camels for an incredible trek into the Sahara Desert to watch a beautiful sunset and spend the night at our remote Berber Camp, nestled amongst the dunes of Erg Chebbi.
We enjoy local food, music and an amazing night camping in the Sahara. If you would prefer the comfort of a hotel with en-suite facilities this evening, opt for our Sahara hotel alternative at no additional cost. Please do let us know your preferred option at the time of booking.
Merzouga (Sahara) - Fes. Departing early, we climb back on our camels disembarking for a truly stunning sunrise. After freshening up and breakfast in Merzouga we’re back on the road heading for Fes. It’s a long drive today however there is a lot to see on the way. We’ll pass through cedar forests full of Barbary Macaque monkeys on our way through the Moyen Atlas mountains.
Just before Fes we stop at Ifrane – a beautiful town, often likened to a Swiss Alpine resort.
Along the way we also start to see our first glimpse of Morocco’s nomadic Berbers – travelling across the mountains and often staying in make shift tents as they head to their next destination.
We arrive into Fes in the early evening.
Fes is the oldest and largest medieval city in the world and its medina is a cacophony of aromas, sights and sounds. This morning we enjoy a guided tour of Fes el Bali - the old walled city.
This fascinating medina is a veritable rabbit warren of 9400 alleys that often finish with dead ends – so be sure to stay close to the group! We also visit the dye-pits and tanneries before lunch in the medina. The remainder of the day is at leisure – why not take part in an optional Tagine Making Class or a night of Moroccan entertainment and food at a restaurant in town (both payable locally).
Fes - Volubilis - Meknes - Rabat. Departing Fes this morning we visit the fascinating UNESCO listed Roman ruins of Volubilis, which date back to AD40. Continuing on we stop at the Imperial City of Meknes, which became known as the Versailles of Morocco due to its impressive buildings and elaborate monuments. After lunch and some free time our final stop of the day is Rabat – Morocco’s capital where we overnight.
Rabat - Casablanca - Marrakech. This morning we take a guided tour of Rabat and visit some of the capital’s highlights, including the impressive Chellah - a necropolis and complex of ancient, medieval ruins, the Royal Palace and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V. After lunch we continue to Casablanca where we visit the Hassan II Mosque, which has the tallest minaret and is the third largest mosque in the world - it can hold 25,000 worshippers at any one time. After our visit to the mosque we say goodbye to our fellow passengers leaving us in Casablanca and continue on to Marrakech for the night.
Our amazing tour of Morocco ends today after hotel check out. An included onward departure transfer to the airport is provided.
Travel to Morocco's Imperial Cities and Jewish Heritage sites.
This is a fascinating and educational tour for first time travellers to Morocco interested in Jewish Heritage. Explore historic synagogues, holy tombs, picturesque markets, the spice souks, stunning landscapes and Andalusian gardens. Visit the Jewish Museum, a first in Africa and the only one in the Muslim world. Attend Jewish services on the Sabbath and bread on Shabbat at a historic Jewish home. This authentic 10-Day Jewish Heritage Tour offers the best of Jewish ravel experience in the Kingdom of Morocco.
► Visit Temple Beth- El Synagogue, Em Habanim & Neve Chalom in Casablanca
► Explore Museum of Moroccan Judaism in Casablanca
► Attend Shabbat Services a in Fes
► Dinner at a Rabbi’s Home or Kosher Restaurant
► Up Close Meeting with Local Jewish Community in Morocco
► Historic Sites of Jewish Heritage in Fes, Meknes, Seffrou and Marrakech
► Stays at the Best Boutique Riads and Hotels in Morocco
Arrival at Casablanca’s Mohammed V Airport. Dinner at Kosher Restaurant in Casablanca.
Visit Temple Beth-El, the Jewish Synagogue in Casablanca. Beth-El, is considered the centrepiece of a once vibrant Jewish community. Its stained-glass windows, and other artistic elements, is what attracts tourists to this synagogue. Option to visit Temple Em Habanim and Neve Chalom as time allows.
Overnight in Boutique Hotel in Casablanca.
Visit the Museum of Moroccan Judaism in Casablanca. The Jewish Museum in Casablanca covers an area of 700 square meters, is the first of its kind in the Arab world. The Museum of Moroccan Judaism of Casablanca is a museum of history and ethnography, created by the Jewish Community of Casablanca in 1997 with the support of the Foundation of Jewish-Moroccan Cultural Heritage. The Jewish Museum in Casablanca is tucked into a residential neighbourhood and holds a treasure trove, with it being the Arab region’s only Jewish Museum.
It uses world-class standards of conservation for its national and international collections.
The Museum of Moroccan Judaism presents religious, ethnographic and artistic objects that demonstrate the history, religion, traditions and daily life of Jews in the context of Moroccan civilization.
Visit Casablanca’s Jewish Cemetery, Mellah & Synagogues:
The mellah of Casablanca is young by Moroccan standards, not much more than a century old. It assaults the senses in the evening, with a sea of women in brightly coloured djellabas carrying and selling fruit and vegetables throughout the cramped, narrow streets. While Jews no longer live in the mellah, kosher butchers are found in the old market, next to other butchers selling horse meat. The Jewish cemetery in the mellah is open and quiet, with well-kept white stone markers in French, Hebrew and Spanish. Once a year, Casablancans celebrate a hiloula, or prayer festival, at the tomb of the Jewish saint, Eliahou. The Jewish cemetery in the mellah is open and quiet, with well-kept white stone markers in French, Hebrew and Spanish. Once a year, Casablancans celebrate a hiloula, or prayer festival, at the tomb of the Jewish saint, Eliahou.
The 4,500 Casablanca Jews live outside the mellah in the European city, where they worship in over 30 synagogues, eat in kosher restaurants, entertain themselves in community centres, and attend Jewish schools and social service centres. Beth El is the largest synagogue and an important community centre, seating 500 persons.
Visit Temple Beth-El, the Jewish Synagogue in Casablanca. Beth-El, is considered the centrepiece of a once vibrant Jewish community. Its stained-glass windows, and other artistic elements, is what attracts tourists to this synagogue.
Explore the Ettedgui Synagogue is well appointed in the Casablanca Medina. The house of worship is located alongside the El Mellah Museum where paintings and photographs are exhibited that retrace the history of Judaism in Morocco. It was one of a dozen synagogues that received funding for restoration and that King Mohammed VI personally attended for its celebratory reopening. The original founders, the Ettedgui family, were once considered part of the bourgeois community of Casablanca. The land was registered in the cadastral in 1873 and carried the legacy of the “Makhzen,” with the French protectorate welcoming the construction of the synagogue in 1920. It was partly destroyed in error, during the bombing of the allies in 1942. Ettedgui was then rebuilt in the 1980s, with the complete reconstruction finalized as part of the rehabilitation project of the old Medina of Casablanca launched by the Sovereign in 2010.
This synagogue is steeped in history and remains a symbol of openness and of peace between Moroccan communities.
Visit the Mosque of Hassan II's promontory offers lovely views overlooking Casa in the residential Anfa quarter. After touring the Mosque, head over to the New Town of Casablanca also designed by the French architect Henri Prost.
Overnight at a Boutique Hotel or Riad in Rabat.
Visit Rabat, and then take the road to visit Meknes and the Roman Ruins of Volubilis.
Visit the Royal Palace, the Hassan tower which stands on the hill overlooking the Wadi Bou Regreg. It is a gigantic mosque, emblematic of Rabat and famous for its unfinished minaret where storks nest. Next door, visit the beautiful Mausoleum of Mohammed V decorated with stained-glass windows, white marble and a wrought-iron entryway with a stairway leading to an impressive dome. Visit the Jewish Mellah which today is now the home of very few Jewish families.
Explore the gardens nearby and visit the Palace of Rabat and visit the Necropolis at Chellah/ Kasbah of Chellah and Kasbah Oudaya. Option to visit the seaside community in Sale, which is the birthplace of Rabbi Hayyim Ben Moses Attar. Attar was an 18th Century Kabbalist born in Morocco in 1696 and known throughout the Jewish world for his Bible commentary with mystical content.
Take the road to visit Imperial City of Meknes, "the Moroccan Versailles" and the Roman Ruins of Volubilis "Walili."
Panoramic View of Meknes - Begin the visit with a panoramic view of Meknes, which offers a splendid look at the old Islamic Medina with its numerous tall and soaring minarets. Other sites explored include Bab El Mansour, the Meknes Stables, Hedim Square, the Thursday Gate and mosque of Moulay Ismail.
Explore the Jewish Mellah & Quarter, with its narrow lanes and colourful courtyards.
The presence of Jewish history is evident in the Hebraic epitaphs that date back to the Christian era. These epitaphs along with Greek inscriptions can be seen on the Meknes Jewish zaouia, a place of pilgrimage where the tomb of Rabbi David Benmidan still resides. Meknes has a historic Jewish presence. It is home to a an ancient Hebraic epitaph that dates back to the Christian era. Today Greek inscriptions still remain on the synagogue where the tomb of Rabbi David Benn Imdan, “the patron of Meknes” lies. Each street named after Jewish Rabbi’s and other well-known Jews who once occupied the city.
Eleven synagogues in total remain in Meknes of which none are currently in use daily. You may visit 1-2 during your guided Jewish Heritage Tour of Meknes along with the local Cemetery and a Jewish School.
Visit Meknes Historic Sites in the Afternoon:Talmud Torah SyngagoueJewish Quarter & CemeteryRoyal Stables & Agdal ReservoirMusée Dar Jamaï, MuseumBou Inania MedersaGrand GateOld MedinaBab El-Khemis17th Century KasbahTake the road to the Roman City of Volubilis. Begin your visit by discovering the fascinating Roman ruins adorned with beautiful mosaics and colourful tiles depicting Roman mythology. The ruins are spread out across several acres and what remain visible are several fragments of wall, parts of massive columns, the capital, the basilica and a triumphal arch. The ruins reveal how the Roman Empire transformed the original Carthaginian settlement into a typical Roman city complete with mansions, a town centre, a triumphal arc and temples devoted to the Roman gods. Commence your visit in Volubilis, and then take the road to Fes. Overnight at a Boutique Hotel or Riad in Fes.
Visit Jewish & Muslim Historic Sites in Fes:
During this guided historical tour of UNESCO Fes you will visit the Jewish Heritage Sites and Cultural Sites of Fes that combine site seeing at Synagogues, Universities, Mosques, Cemeteries, the Mellah along with gardens and palaces. Your guide will offer a connective link between Muslim and Jewish Morocco.
Jewish History of Fes & Historic Fes El Bali
Fes is among the best known cities in medieval Jewish history. It was once the home of one of the most influential Talmudic scholars of all times, Fes was founded by Idriss I in the eighth century.
Fes (referred to as Fes El Bali) is among the best known cities in medieval Jewish history.
Fes is the leading spiritual centre and the former artistic and intellectual capital in Morocco well respected for its former historic and significant population that celebrated Jewish life. It was once the home of Rabbi Isaac Alfasi, the most influential Talmudic scholars of all time. Founded by Moulay Idriss in the eighth century, Fes is the leading spiritual centre and the former artistic, intellectual capital in Morocco. Well respected for its historic significance and its former Jewish population, who openly celebrated Jewish life, Fes is a must see city for all Jewish travellers.
The name of Fes has its origins in the word pickaxe (hand tool) which legends say Idriss of Morocco used in silver or gold to create the boundaries of the old city.
During this Guided Jewish Heritage and Culture Tour of UNESCO Fes you will visit Jewish Heritage Sites and Cultural Sites of Fes that combine site seeing at Synagogues, Medieval Universities, Mosques, Cemeteries, a Children's School, the Mellah along with gardens and palaces. Your guide will offer a connective link between Muslim and Jewish Morocco.
The Jewish Mellah: In contrast with the young Mellah of Casablanca, the mellah of Fes is over 650 years old. This picturesque neighbourhood adjoins the royal palace, noted for its recently constructed bright brass doors. Jews took shelter in this palace during the 1912 pogrom.
The Jewish Cemetery: The nearby cemetery contains the tombs of more Jewish saints than any other cemetery in Morocco. One of the more important saints is Solica, who was killed for refusing to convert to Islam.
Maimonides:Throughout the old city of Fes, there are traces of ancient Jewish life, including the home of Maimonides, who lived in the city from 1159-1165. Suffering from the persecutions of the Almohad dynasty, Maimonides emigrated to escape forced conversion. In the face of a declining population, the Jewish community of Fes is working hard to maintain its community spirit and preserve its heritage and traditions. The community centre, Centre Communautaire "Maimonide," is one of the most well organized in Morocco, with a kosher restaurant and modern synagogue on the premises
The Danan Synagogue: The Danan synagogue was once only one of several inside the walls of Fes, and not the most elaborate. TheI Ibn Danan Synagogue is one of the oldest and most intact synagogues in Morocco. This synagogue, located in the heart of the mellah (Jewish quarter), is a rare survivor of a pivotal time in Moroccan Jewish history.
Synagogues of Fes Unmarked on their exteriors - dating from the 17th century: among the unique in the world. The Mellah of Fes once had 40 synagogues. See the vast and picturesque whitewashed Jewish cemetery adjacent to the gates to the Royal Palace and the nascent Jewish Museum at the Em HaBanim synagogue.
Old Medina Muslim Sites & Shopping in Fes:
University of Al-Karaouine
Zaouia Moulay Idriss II
Dar Batha
Weavers Cooperative
Overnight at a Boutique Hotel or Riad in Fes.
Visit Seffrou, the capital of cherries. Sefrou, south of Fes, was known as Little Jerusalem due to its high percentage of Jews and its well-developed religious life. Upon Morocco's independence, a rabbi from Sefrou was elected to Parliament. Sefrou's mellah makes up half of the old city.
En route to Sefrou make a short stop to visit Bhalil a cemetery. Sefrou was once a major centre for Morocco's Jews, and its walled white pedestrian medina is still characterized by their houses with wooden balconies. A good example of interfaith dialogue in Morocco can be witnessed in the city of Sefrou. In Sefrou lived, Muslims and Jews in good harmony door to door and practised their religious rituals in unison.
Afternoon Option Gardens & Palaces of Fes:
Jnane Sbil Gardens:
Batha Museum & Andalusian Garden
Bou Inania Medersa
Overnight in Fes.
Take the road to Marrakech.
En route, stop to see the view of Ifrane University and go for a short walk around the garden. Ifrane is nick named “Little Switzerland” of Morocco for its architecture, cedar forest and winter ski resort options. Developed by the French during the protectorate era for their administration due to its Alpine climate, this Moroccan town has a remarkable European style, as if it were an Alpine village. Because of its elevation, the town experiences snow during the winter months and a cool climate during the summer.
Enjoy coffee, tea and pastries in Ifrane at an outdoor café.
Make a short stop in Zaouia Cheikh. This is one of the 30 damns that are scheduled to be built in Morocco by 2030. The idea originating with Hassan II to build one dam a year to irrigate the country is being carried on by the current King Mohammed VI.
Lunch at Hotel Paris in Beni Mellal.
Overnight at a Boutique Hotel or Riad in Marrakech.
Visit Marrakech’s Gardens, Palaces, and Jewish Heritage Sites.
The Majorelle Gardens & Berber Museum
The Majorelle Gardens, previously the Jardin Bou Saf, bears its name from its original creator, Jacques Majorelle, the French expatriate artist who was born in Nancy France in 1886. In 1947, he opened his gardens to the public and during this time, also painted a magnificent ceiling space at La Mamounia hotel. Later, French fashion designer Yves Saint-Laurent purchased the gardens. Today the Majorelle Gardens house a unique collection of flora and fauna along with the Berber Museum.
The Old Spice Market
The Rahba Kedima is a colourful market filled with a wide array of spices from Cumin, Cinnamon, Saffron, Dried Pepper and more.
The Jewish Mellah
Founded in 1558 by Moulay Abdallah, the Mellah district was designated as the Jewish quarter in Marrakech.
El Bahia Palace
The El Bahia Palace in Marrakech is a beautiful building and an excellent example of Eastern Architecture from the 19th century that represents trends and standards of the wealthy that lived at that time.
Visit the Marrakech Lazama Synagogue in the old Medina. This Quarter was created in the Kasbah area in 1558. The Jewish community enjoyed autonomy, even though Jews weren't allowed to own any property outside the Mellah and controlled the sugar trade. There are approximately 250 Jews still living in Marrakech, and most live outside the Medina.
Visit Synagogue Bet-El, Impasse Des Moulins (Centre American) - Gueliz.
Rabbi Hanania Hacohen Cemetery. Tour the Rabbi Hanania Hacohen Cemetery, the place of burial for Rabbi Mordekhai Ben Attar and Rabbi Pinhas Hacohen Azough, where the “patron of Marrakech” resides.
The Saadian Tombs
The Saadian tombs in Marrakech date back from the time of the sultan Ahmad al-Mansur (1578-1603). The tombs were only recently discovered (in 1917) and were restored by the Beaux-arts service. The mausoleum comprises the corpses of about sixty members of the Saadi Dynasty that originated in the valley of the Draa River.
Overnight at a Boutique Hotel or Riad in Marrakech.
La Mamounia Gardens
Built in 1929 this famous historical landmark hotel and gardens in the centre of Marrakech is cared for by 40 gardeners who two times a year plant 60,000 annuals to enhance the grounds as well as maintain the immaculately mowed grass under the citrus and olive orchards, desert garden, rose garden and tropical garden as well as the many fountains. The 200-year-old avenue of olive trees leads one to the garden pavilion, where you can soak in the peace and solitude with a cup of Moroccan mint tea.
Abderrazzak Benchaabane’s Palmeraie Gardens & Museum
Abderrazzak Benchaabane is a Marrakech legend. Quiet and soft-spoken, this renowned Garden Designer, Ethno botanist, Perfumer, Teacher, Photographer, Writer and publisher Within the converted stables and piste buildings on the property Benchaabane houses his private collection of Moroccan modern and contemporary art.
Overnight at a Boutique Hotel or Riad in Marrakech.
Depart for Seaside Essaouira, a seaside fishing town known for it’s Portuguese and Jewish History along with hand painted charming blue, white and yellow painted houses, fresh seafood and artist community.
Essaouira’s charming artist colony that boasts lovely whitewashed and blue-shuttered houses, colonnades, Thuya wood workshops, art galleries and mouthwatering seafood. Once called Mogador by European sailors and traders, Essaouria is known for its annual Gnaoua Music Festival that attracts 300,000+ people in June. It also has an expansive beach for surfing called Plage de Safi.
Many of Essaouira’s painted houses still have the Star of David above the doorways of Jewish homes. Each year religious Jews from around the world come to Essaouira for an annual pilgrimage to visit the grave of Rabbi Haim Pinto who passed on in 1845. The hiloula celebrating Rabbi Haim Pinto is held each September.
Today the home of Rabbi Haim Pinto and the synagogue have been preserved as a historic and religious site. The building is an active synagogue, used when pilgrims or Jewish tour groups visit the city.
A generation ago there were Jewish inhabitants in Essaouira however today there is just one remaining Jew left named Joseph Sebag whose descendants fled Spain during the Spanish Inquisition along with other Jewish families. Jacky Kadoch is the president of Essaouira’s Jewish community.
Explore Essaouira's main Jewish Heritage sites comprised of ancient history and grand beauty: Attia Synagogue (House of Memory), Haim Pinto Synagogue, Bayt Dakira, the Jewish Mellah and Old Jewish Cemetery marked by cubist and Amazigh tombstones.
Overnight in Marrakech.
Departure from Casablanca or Marrakech’s airport.
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