Yaya Tours plan bespoke Jewish heritage tours across Morocco, including Marrakech, Fez and Casablanca. Explore this beautiful country from a Jewish perspective and experience delectable kosher Moroccan cuisine.
DISCOVER
MOROCCO
Morocco’s serene landscapes – from its Mediterranean and North Atlantic coasts to its Rif and High Atlas mountain ranges – combine with the famed sunrises and sunsets of its Sahara desert, and its urban centres, to create an exotic mystique that is the dream of all travellers. This lyricism, reflected in its hand-woven carpets and the deep hues of its dyes and pottery, is highlighted by echoes from muezzins, calling to prayer.
A short ferry ride from Gibraltar, or from Spain’s mainland, it is culturally worlds away. The architecture of Casablanca, a commercial cosmopolitan city, reflects its French colonial history. Fez, meanwhile, floats on a magic carpet of medieval memories, recalling the adventures of its Berber population and hosting the country’s largest network of street markets, known as souks. Its history as a great spiritual and intellectual centre has left it heir to an inordinately large number of beautiful monuments.
Close by, Meknes boasts an organized collection of fortified walls and architectural marvels. The city of Tangier, on the other hand, stands out as a modern and accessible summer resort, and the souvenir of its exclusivity as a destination for the jet set of the 50s and 60s remains.
Morocco’s chic Red City, Marrakesh, named after the red ochre used to paint its houses, is famous for the marvellous ruins of El Badi Palace. It’s also known for the open space in the city centre, where all kinds of musicians, storytellers and show people entertain onlookers in a traditional manner that has survived throughout the centuries.
MOROCCAN CUISINE
On our kosher tours to Morocco, you will experience the diversity and intense flavours of Moroccan cuisine. Moroccan cuisine is one of the most important cuisines in the world. One of the reasons for its importance is its remarkable diversity of influences, interactions and exchanges with other cultures.
In Moroccan kitchens, one can trace the country’s long history of colonizers and immigrants who have left their mark in more than one way. The cuisine of its first inhabitants “the Berbers” still exists today in the staple of famous dishes like tagines, couscous, harira and more. The Arab invasion also brought new spices, nuts and dried fruits, so the sweet and sour combination can be seen today in many of the dishes.
The combination of the introduction of olives and olive oil by the moors and what the Jewish-moors left behind their sophisticated preserving techniques that we see today in the preserved lemons, pickles etc.
The Ottoman Empire introduced barbecued meats, kebabs and grilled meats, while the French colony, although short-lived compared to the reign of other empires, left behind a culture of cafes pastries and even wines. You can imagine that, with the combination of all of these tastes, Moroccan cuisine is undoubtedly one of the best in the world.
Over time, cooks in kitchens of the four royal cities (Fez, Marrakesh, Meknes and Rabat) have developed and perfected the dishes that blend each of these distinct tastes. Every Moroccan dish has its place in society and varies with the market, the season and the region.
FROM A JEWISH PERSPECTIVE
Morocco has a long and deep-rooted history for Jewish people, and our heritage tours explore the country’s fascinating culture from a Jewish perspective.
The Moroccan Jewish community is an ancient one and the presence of Jews in Morocco goes back to more than 2,000 years ago. Prior to 1948, it is estimated that there were as many as 275,000 Jews in Morocco, which was considered the largest Jewish community in the Muslim world.
However, many have left over the years since the establishment of Israel in 1948. As of 2017, only about 2,000 Jews remain in Casablanca and about 500 elsewhere in Morocco. A strong Jewish history still lives in the country, however, which makes it a fascinating place to visit for Jews from across the world. Sights of interest include the Museum of Moroccan Judaism in Casablanca and the Jewish Quarter in Marrakech.
Most tours are bespoke, suiting your taste and budget. Browse example itineraries and our planned tours.