OUR STORY MOROCCO
Explore the greatness of authentic Sephardic tradition while touring the colorful markets, architecture, and culture of Marrakesh, Fes, Rabat, Casablanca, and more.
Experience the very best of Morocco on this fully guided 9-day tour. Our travels begin in Marrakesh, an ancient walled-in city featuring bustling markets and exotic gardens. From our base in Marrakesh, we explore the diverse natural beauty of Morocco – with day trips to the Agafay Desert and the Ourika Valley at the foothills of the Atlas Mountains. Our travels continue in Rabat, Morocco's monumental capital along the coast, and then on to Fes, which boasts the largest medina in Africa and the cultural center of the entire Maghreb Region. We conclude the journey in Casablanca, Morocco’s modern metropolis, and the welcoming home to a proud Jewish community.
The Our Story experience tells the story of the Jewish People through the lens of Sephardic history and cultural traditions. Together, we will tour spectacularly beautiful synagogues, discover the stories of legendary Jewish figures, and learn about contemporary Jewish life in this Abraham Accords country. Along the way, we explore many UNESCO world heritage sites, browse seemingly endless markets, and embrace adventure in the Moroccan countryside.
Our Story Morocco is led by a professional Jewish educator as well as by a local Moroccan guide. Groups are limited to 28 adult travelers for your comfort.
PROGRAM ITINERARY
The following is our projected itinerary, subject to reasonable change based on local considerations
DAY #1 | MONDAY | OCTOBER 28, 2024
GETTING ORIENTED
NOTE: Those arriving on Sunday evening can be accommodated at the Marrakesh hotel based on our group rates. Contact us to learn more.
- Arrive to Marrakesh and take a taxi to our hotel in the city
- Group Meeting #1 at 12:00pm at the hotel lobby
- Explore the exotic plants and water features of Jardin Majorelle
- The Yves Saint Laurent Museum – Tour the former home of the legendary fashion designer and view some of his most famous works
- Group Meeting #2 at 5:00pm at the hotel lobby
- Explore the Djemaa el-Fna Square and its vibrant open-air market atmosphere
- Mark the start of our journey over a welcome dinner from Le Sepharade Restaurant
OVERNIGHT: MARRAKESH (Savoy Grand Hotel or similar)
Meals Included: Dinner
DAY #2 | TUESDAY | OCTOBER 29, 2024
HISTORY & ADVENTURE IN MARRAKESH
- Tour the beautiful Bahia Palace and wander the winding streets of the Old Medina
- Visit Al Azama Synagogue and tour Ben Youssef Madrassa’s intricate mosaics
- This afternoon we travel just outside Marrakesh for a dune buggy tour of the Agafay Desert followed by a traditional desert tent dinner and fire show
OVERNIGHT: MARRAKESH (Savoy Grand Hotel or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY #3 | WEDNESDAY | OCTOBER 30, 2024
THE OURIKA VALLEY – FOOTHILLS OF THE ATLAS MOUNTAINS
- This morning we travel to the Ourika Valley in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains
- Embark on a short nature walk along the Setti Fatma desert cascades
- Explore a traditional Berber market and an authentic argon oil workshop (“Moroccan oil”)
- Visit the tomb of Rabbi Solomon Ben Hench and learn about the extraordinary non-Jewish family that protects it to this day
- Return to Marrakesh where dinner is catered at our hotel
OVERNIGHT: MARRAKESH (Savoy Grand Hotel or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY #4 | THURSDAY | OCTOBER 31, 2024
ALONG THE MOROCCAN COAST
- Depart Marrakesh and head up the Moroccan coast, stopping along the way for a beachside lunch on your own
- Arrive in Rabat where we’ll visit the city’s most impressive monuments, including the Hassan Tower, the Hassan Gardens, and a view of the Royal Palace
- Check-in to our hotel in Rabat for the night followed by a catered dinner
OVERNIGHT: RABAT (Rabat Marriot Hotel or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY #5 | FRIDAY | NOVEMBER 1, 2024
RABAT – MOROCCO’S CAPITAL CITY
- Continue exploring Rabat, visiting the Rabbi Zaoui Shul, the Andalucian Gardens, and the Kasbah of the Udayas
- This afternoon we depart for Fes – Morocco’s cultural capital
- Check in to our centrally located hotel and prepare for a Moroccan Shabbat
- Experience Kabbalat Shabbat at a local synagogue followed by a Shabbat dinner
OVERNIGHT: FES (Fes Marriott Hotel Jnan Palace or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY #6 | SATURDAY | NOVEMBER 2, 2024
TRACING JEWISH HISTORY IN FES
- Relaxed morning to explore Fes on your own or attend a local Shabbat service
- This afternoon we visit the Rambam Jewish Community Center of Fes where we’ll meet with local residents over Shabbat lunch
- Afternoon walking tour – Explore the Jewish Mellah (Quarter) of Fes, visit the grave of “St. Sulika”, and view the Royal Palace of Fes
- This evening is free to enjoy Fes on your own
OVERNIGHT: FES (Fes Marriott Hotel Jnan Palace or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch
DAY #7 | SUNDAY | NOVEMBER 3, 2024
HISTORICAL JEWELS + THERMAL POOLS OF FES
- Spend the morning exploring the Old Medina of Fes, including its medieval walls, the Nejjarine Museum, the Attarine Madrasa, and the Seffarine Market
- This afternoon we hold our noses as we discover the old-world leather-making process at the traditional tanneries of Fes
- Close out the day luxuriating in the Moulay Yacoub thermal waters just outside of Fes where dinner is provided
OVERNIGHT: FES (Fes Marriott Hotel Jnan Palace or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY #8 | MONDAY | NOVEMBER 4, 2024
CASABLANCA ON THE COAST
- Start the morning exploring Morocco’s Roman Empire era at the Volubilis – an archeological ruin located over 1,000 miles from Rome!
- Travel to Casablanca, Morocco’s commercial capital, where we’ll tour the enormous Hassan II Mosque and the Jewish Museum of Morocco
- Closing session and wrap-up in a park along the Casablanca coastal corniche
- Celebrate the end of our journey over a banquet dinner at Cercle de l'Union – a unique social club enjoyed by the Jewish community
OVERNIGHT: CASABLANCA (Casablanca Marriot Hotel or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY #9 | TUESDAY | NOVEMBER 5, 2024
A FOND FAREWELL TO MOROCCO!
Board a morning flight from Casablanca back to your gateway city
Meals Included: Breakfast
SIGN UP EARLY AND SAVE
Sign up at least five months in advance to lock in your spot and receive a $100/person early registration discount. All payments are fully refundable up to four months in advance, so your savings are commitment-free.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
- A professional Jewish guide/educator and a local Moroccan guide/tour manager accompany the group 24x7
- Centrally located 4-star and 5-star hotels with porterage included
- Breakfast daily and additional meals according to the itinerary
- Private air-conditioned touring vehicle
- All programming and site entrances according to the itinerary
- All staff gratuities
- Wireless touring headsets
For groups with 20+ travelers
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
- Flights to/from Morocco
- Airport transfers
- Travel insurance (optional)
Insure your investment, and plan ahead for the unexpected with travel insurance - Hotel incidentals
TRAVELING TO AND FROM MOROCCO
Travelers are responsible for booking their own flights into Marrakesh on arrival and out from Casablanca at the conclusion of their Our Story travels.
Travelers should plan to arrive no later than 2:00pm on the start date, and travelers are encouraged to arrive an evening in advance to better acclimate and take advantage of the full program offerings. Group hotel rates are offered for those arriving early, subject to availability (contact us to learn more).
The program concludes following breakfast on the final day of the program and onward travel may be booked from Casablanca anytime in the morning and beyond – standard hotel checkout is at 11:00am.
Airport transfers at the start and end of the program are not included in the program package. Taxis are widely available at our starting and ending point airports.
DATES & COSTS
Sign up at least five months in advance to lock in your spot and receive a $100/person discount. All payments are fully refundable up to four months in advance, so your savings are commitment-free.
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- Land Package: $3,450/Person
Double room hotel occupancy rate - Single Room Supplement: $750/Person
- Land Package: $3,450/Person
ENROLLMENT TERMS
- To reserve your spot, a $350/person fully refundable deposit is due at the time of your registration.
Sign up at least five months in advance to lock in your spot and receive a $100/person discount - The deposit becomes non-refundable four months prior to the program start date.
- The balance is due no later than two months prior to the program start date after which all payments are non-refundable and exceptions will be considered on a case-by-case basis at Authentic Israel's discretion.
- Cancellations must be made in writing, and we encourage you to obtain a travel insurance policy.
- Payments may be made by check or credit/debit card, however, a 3.0% processing fee applies for credit/debit card payments (does not apply to the initial $350 deposit). Note: credit card fees are not refundable
- Program dates are confirmed, however, Authentic Israel reserves the right to consolidate or cancel trip dates in extraordinary circumstances.
- Authentic Israel reserves the right to deny acceptance on the tour according to its sole discretion.
- All program costs are listed in US Dollars.
FAQs
Who staffs the tour?
How active is the touring?
How many people travel in the group?
How is this a Jewish experience?
How all-inclusive is the experience?
How do I get ready for the trip?
How should I arrange my travel to and from Morocco?
Travelers are responsible for booking their own flights into Marrakesh on arrival and out from Casablanca at the conclusion of their Our Story travels.
Travelers should plan to arrive no later than 2:00pm on the start date, and travelers are encouraged to arrive an evening in advance to better acclimate and take advantage of the full program offerings. Group hotel rates are offered for those arriving early, subject to availability (contact us to learn more).
The program concludes following breakfast on the final day of the program and onward travel may be booked from Casablanca anytime in the morning and beyond – standard hotel checkout is at 11:00am.
Airport transfers at the start and end of the program are not included in the program package. Taxis are widely available at our starting and ending point airports.