A one in a lifetime 15-days tour, to explore the Jewish Heritage, rich history and the culture of Spain and Portugal.
KOSHER
Friends from Cleveland – The Great Tour to Morocco, the Sahara Desert & Gibraltar
12 days: November 3rd - November 14th, 2022
DAY 1
Thursday November 3rd
Arrival to Casablanca and visiting Rabat
Overnight: 5 ★ Four Seasons, Casablanca
Our meeting point will be Casablanca Airport. We will Welcome you to Casablanca- the Financial Capital and largest city of Morocco, With a Jewish community of around 3,000 members, the largest Jewish community in Morocco. We will have a coffee break and make our way to Rabat, the Capital city of Morocco; a visit to The ‘Kasbah of Oudayas’, will be our first stop before visiting the Mausoleum of King Mohammed V. In the afternoon we will drive back to Casablanca for a visit to the Hassan V Mosque and learn about Moroccan beliefs and lifestyle. And then check-in at our 5* magnificent Casablanca Hotel.
DAY 2
Friday November 4th
Ouzoud & Marrakesh
Overnight: 5 ★ Sofitel Hotel, Marrakesh
Before we start our journey to Marrakech, we will visit the Jewish museum of Casablanca and learn about the jewish life in this city. Start our drive to Marrakech “The Red City” “the Pearl of the South’’ and the most beautiful city of Morocco that extends all the way to the Atlas Mountains. We will take a break and visit the Waterfalls of Ouzoud. This is a great spot for a short hike. In the afternoon we will check-in to our Hotel for the next 5 nights.
Kabalat Shabbat will take place at the Old Synagogue of Marrakesh and dinner at a Jewish local Family.
DAY 3
Saturday November 5th
Marrakesh FULL DAY
Overnight: 5 ★ Sofitel, Marrakesh
Today after a typical Moroccan breakfast you will get to discover the old and new city of the Magical city of Marrakesh. Marrakech is two cities in one. First you will visit the old city of the Medina, consisting of intertwining narrow passageways and charming little shops where you can buy meaningful trinkets and souvenirs. Here you will also find the former Jewish Quarter of the Melach which really captures the original and historic vibrancy of Jewish society in Marrakesh. Take in the Lazama Synagogue which used to be the main synagogue in Marrakesh and one of the only ones open to the public today. Explore the remnants of Jewish communal buildings and soak in the history of the Jewish culture of Marrakesh. Take photographs of the brilliant Bahia Palace, one of the major masterpieces of Moroccan architecture.
DAY 4
Sunday November 6th
Essaouira
Overnight: 5 ★ Sofitel, Marrakesh
This morning we will leave our hotel after breakfast, for a 2-hour drive that will bring us to the village/Port of Essaouira on Morocco’s Atlantic coast, a historic fort and fishing port. It is known as one of the most popular excursions departing from the busy and bustling city of Marrakesh. Take a break and enjoy the traditional culture and character of this quiet medieval seaside town of Essaouira, visit the tomb and synagogue of the great rabbi Pinto, before exploring the beautiful Medina ( City Centre/Market) The tour picks up again as we move to the village of Chichaoua where you can stretch your legs and learn about the famous Moroccan Argan oil.
DAY 5
Monday November 7th
Day tour of the 4 Valleys
Overnight: 5 ★ Sofitel, Marrakesh
Today we will begin our day with a drive up to the Atlas Mountains and visit the 4 valleys that make this region so famous: Ourika Valley, Asni Valley, Sidi Fares Valley and Oukaimeden Valley. You’ll also experience traditional Berber culture as well as a magnificent hike in nature. On our way back we will visit the famous Yves Saint Laurent Gardens and then back to our hotel for dinner.
DAY 6
Theusday November 8th
Tizi-n-Tichka, Ait-Ben-Haddou & overnight stay in Ouarzazate
Overnight: 5 ★ Berbere Palace Hotel Ouarzazate
Today our journey will start across the Tizi-n-Tichka Pass, one of the mountain passes of the High Atlas peaks, over 2100 metres above sea level. We will then drive to Ait-Ben-Haddou. This fortified yet charming Moroccan village was declared amongst the country’s eight world heritage sites. Ait-Ben-Haddou is even more famous for being a backdrop for many Hollywood movies including “Aladdin” and the famous cable series “Game of Thrones”. We will then arrive at our beautiful Hotel in Ouarzazate, where you can enjoy the spa and pool before dinner in our Hotel.
DAY 7
Wednesday November 9th
Sahara Camp
Overnight:– Sahara Luxury Camp – Sahara Desert
This morning we will start our Journey to visit Todra Gorge, where a 300m deep cliff splits the orange limestone into a deep ravine. Next, we will drive toward the desert and once we arrive at the Dunes, Camels will be waiting for us to cross the dunes and admire the beautiful landscapes of the Sahara Desert before arriving at our Luxury Sahara Camp. Come nightfall, you’ll be enveloped by a traditional desert welcome by local berbers. Enjoy a classical Berber Moroccan dinner & dancing around the campfire with traditional Berber music and engage with your fellow travellers in a percussion circle before falling asleep under a blanket of desert stars.
DAY 8
Thursday November 10th
Erfoud and Flight to Fez
Overnight: 5 ★ Hotel Sahrai or Riad Fez
This early Morning we will enjoy the breathtaking Moroccan desert sunrise then followed by a beautiful Moroccan breakfast we’ll start our journey to Erfoud where we will learn about the Fossils found in the desert which date back to millions of years. We will also pay a short visit to the Jewish Cemetery in Erfoud. We will then arrive at Errachidia airport where we will take our domestic flight to Fez where on arrival we will have our Hotel transfer waiting for us . Relax and enjoy the Hotel facilities. Enjoy a beautiful Dinner in a local restaurant.
*Please note that domestic flights are subject to Change. If there will be no flight we will travel by bus.
DAY 9
Friday November 11th
Fez
Overnight: 5 ★ Hotel Sahrai or Riad Fez
Full Day Fez. The beginning of the day will be devoted to the Jewish history of Fez. The golden age of the Jewish community of Fez lasted from the 9th to 11th century. Once a thriving community of some 22,000 Jews in 1947, there are less than 100 Jews today. The city, however, is still rich in Jewish memories, Synagogues and a Jewish Cemetery. We will visit the two Synagogues and the Mikveh, we will also take a walking tour through the magnificent Jewish Cemetery, where many big Tzadikim are buried, and to this day thousands of Jewish and muslims pilgrimages visit. A walking tour in the Medina and the Kasbah will follow where you will be able to enjoy the smells, colors and atmosphere of this wonderful city. After a walking tour in the beautiful and breathtaking market of Fez, Freshen up and indulge in a wonderful dinner waiting for us in our Hotel.
DAY 10
Saturday November 12th
Meknez, Chefchaouen and Tangier
Overnight: 5 ★ Hilton hotel Tangier
After an authentic breakfast we will make our way to the Imperial City of Meknes, known as the ‘Moroccan Versailles’. Next, we will drive to chefchaouen The blue city. It’s known for the striking, blue-washed buildings of its old town. We will end our day in Tangiers on the edge of the straits of Gibraltar where the mediterranean meets the Atlantic ocean.
DAY 11
Sunday November 13th
Tangier, Spain and Gibraltar
Overnight: 5 ★ Sunborn Gibraltar
This morning we will pay a visit to the Jewish quarter and visit the Naon Synagogue of the old Tangier, visit the Medina, have a light lunch before making our way to the Ferry, 1hr. Ferry route crossing the straits of Gibraltar to Spain, where our Bus will be waiting for us to drive us to Gibraltar. After check in and some relaxation, a typical British pub Dinner in the lively Marina.
DAY 12
Monday November 14th
Full day Gibraltar
Overnight: 5 ★ Sunborn Gibraltar
After breakfast we will commence our rock tour. We will visit all the famous Rock of Gibraltar secret caves and a short visit to the Old Jewish Cemetery, the Hercules Point, Europa point with its old Lighthouse, Saint Michael’s cave and the famous Apes on the upper rock. Then we will have a chance to visit the underground “War Room” where General Eizenhower and Winston Churchil commanded the D-Day operation! (the entrance is only allowed by special permit from the Government). We will visit one of the Synagogues and meet some of the community members before a typical British Lunch Fish and chips in the main street.
According to your flight details I will adjust the days – you could fly on Monday or Tuesday.
The price for this tour- 12 days, Full Board
$5750 Per person based on shared room.
If you stay an extra night leaving on Thursday, November 15th, the price will increase to $6000 per person
Please note that domestic flights are subject to Change.
Minimum of 10 people.
per person based on a couple sharing a room.
Single Supplement $2170
Upgrades on request.
THE PRICE INCLUDES:
- All accommodation costs 5* Luxury hotels
- Breakfasts, light lunches and full evening dinners with wines
- All land transport costs
- Entrance fee to the monuments specified in the itinerary and all activities
- Domestic flight Fez – Errachidia
- Group and airport Transfers
- Ferry between Tangier and Spain
- Transport in Spain and in Gibraltar
- Local English-speaking guides
- Aya Massias as tour Leader
COSTS NOT INCLUDED:
- International flights
- Travel & Health Insurance including cancelling insurance
- Personal expenses
- Tips for local service providers: $270 will be collected at the beginning of the trip
All clients should be aware that while all efforts are made to avoid any problems before, during or after your trip, Yaya Food and Travel carries no insurance for your health or luggage. While using the services only of registered suppliers, we recommend that you purchase fully comprehensive travel insurance, to include cancellation, as Yaya Food and Travel cannot be held liable for any mishaps during your stay.