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 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
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 (Jaal Riad Resort Hotel or similar)
Meals Included: Dinner
DAY #2 | TUESDAY
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 (Jaal Riad Resort Hotel or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY #3 | WEDNESDAY
THE OURIKA VALLEY – FOOTHILLS OF THE ATLAS MOUNTAINS
- This morning we travel to the Ourika Valley in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains
- 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 family that protects it
- Return to Marrakesh where a henna artist will decorate your hands in the traditional Moroccan style
- Dinner is catered at our hotel and this evening is free to explore the markets of Marrakesh on your own
OVERNIGHT: MARRAKESH (Jaal Riad Resort Hotel or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY #4 | THURSDAY
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
RABAT – MOROCCO’S CAPITAL CITY
- Rabat walking tour – Rabbi Zaoui Shul, the Andalucian Gardens, and the Kasbah of the Udayas
- This afternoon we continue on to Fes – Morocco’s historic imperial 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 (Palais Medina Riad Resort or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY #6 | SATURDAY
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(Palais Medina Riad Resort or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch
DAY #7 | SUNDAY
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 (Palais Medina Riad Resort or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY #8 | MONDAY
TREASURES OF THE MOROCCAN COUNTRYSIDE
- Start the morning exploring Morocco’s Roman Empire era at the Volubilis – an archeological ruin located over 1,000 miles from Rome!
- Lunch today is on the beautiful estate of Villa Volubila, where we will learn about viticultural practices dating back to 2000 BCE and sample the leading wines and olive oils of Morocco
- Travel to Casablanca, Morocco’s commercial capital – enjoy dinner at one of Casablanca's kosher restaurants
OVERNIGHT: CASABLANCA (Casablanca Marriot Hotel or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY #9 | TUESDAY
A FOND FAREWELL TO MOROCCO!
- Discover the vibrancy of Morocco's contemporary Jewish community visiting the Jewish Museum of Morocco and Beth El Synagogue
- Break for lunch on own and a photo-op at Rick's Café, inspired by the famous Casablanca film
- Tour the enormous and endlessly ornate Hassan II Mosque along the Casablanca coast
- 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 #10 | WEDNESDAY
A FOND FAREWELL TO MOROCCO!
Board a morning flight from Casablanca back to your gateway city or onwards
OPTIONAL EXTENSION
DAY #10 | WEDNESDAY
CHEFCHAOUEN – THE BLUE PEARL OF MOROCCO!
- Morning: Depart Casablanca and ascend to the enchanting town of Chefchaouen in the Rif Mountains, known for its mesmerizing and serene ambiance
Breaking for lunch on your own en route - Explore the heart of the city at Plaza Uta El-Hammam, and navigate the labyrinthine blue-washed streets
- Visit the Chefchaouen Kasbah, a historic fortress featuring lush gardens and an ethnographic museum
- View the source of the Ras el-Maa mountain springs emerging from below an ancient building
- Check in to our accommodations and enjoy a group dinner in the city
OVERNIGHT: CHEFCHAOUEN (Taj Chefchaouen Luxury Hotel & Spa or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY #11 | THURSDAY
NATURAL BEAUTY IN THE RIF MOUNTAINS
- This morning, we explore the Jewish origin story of Chefchaouen and its blue-washing heritage
- Walk just outside of the city to view what remains of the ancient Jewish cemetery of Chefchaouen
- Spend the rest of the morning exploring Chefchaouen on your own
- This afternoon, we make a side trip into the heart of the Rif Mountains to view the Akchour Waterfalls and with the option to hike to the God's Bridge rock formation
- Free evening and dinner on own in Chefcahaouen
OVERNIGHT: CHEFCHAOUEN (Taj Chefchaouen Luxury Hotel & Spa or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast
DAY #12 | FRIDAY
THE VIEW FROM TANGIER
- Morning: Depart Chefchaouen for Tangier along Moroccan's far northern border on the Mediterranean Sea
- Enter the Old Medina of Tangier – Wander through the narrow alleys, lively markets, and historic fortifications
- Tour the American Legation Museum, the USA's oldest diplomatic outpost in the world, and learn about the historic connection between the two countries
- Visit the historic Moshe Nahon Synagogue and Beit Yehuda Synagogue in the Medina, evidence of the city's thriving Jewish history
- Check-in to our hotel in the heart of the city
- Evening: Option to attend Kabbalat Shabbat services at Synagogue Shaar Rafael de Bendrihem followed by an authentic Shabbat dinner at Cercle de Tanger
OVERNIGHT: TANGIER (Hilton City Center or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner
DAY #13 | SATURDAY
THE STRAITS OF GIBRALTAR
- Travel just outside of Tangier for a visit to Cape Spartel – view where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Mediterranean Sea, and take in the views of Spain from the historic lighthouse
- Visit the legendary Hercules Cave, famous for its Africa-shaped opening and fascinating rock formations
- This afternoon, we return to Casablanca along the coast, arriving by 6:00pm for your onward travel plans
Meals Included: Breakfast
SIGN UP EARLY AND SAVE
Sign up at least five months in advance for $100/person early registration savings. Your deposit is fully refundable up to four months prior, so the 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.
TRIP COSTS
Sign up at least five months in advance for $100/person early registration savings. Your deposit is fully refundable up to four months prior, so the savings are commitment-free
ENROLLMENT TERMS
- To reserve your spot, a $250/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 3.5% processing fee applies for credit/debit card payments (does not apply to the initial $250 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.
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