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 Morocco offers a tremendous diversity of atmosphere and activities, and is vastly different from north to south. The most popular destinations are the former Imperial Cities of Rabat, Fez, Meknes and Marrakech. These cities are dominated with “medinas” or walled cities dating back hundreds of years. Many have magnificent villas, but most astonishing are the palatial dwellings restored by Europeans and Americans. Walking through these walled cities transports you back in time to understand the history and culture of these wonderful people.
Moroccans are immeasurably friendly and hospitable. The cuisine is held in high regard worldwide, and this is certainly not the place to diet. Morocco is truly a feast for both the eyes and the palette. Travel to the Imperial Cities, careen over Saharan sand dunes in four-wheel drive vehicles, thrill to a sunset camel ride to a desert oasis, experience the High Atlas Mountains and a swim in the ocean. Morocco remains an oasis of calm in a turbulent region. You will understand why distinguished writers, sophisticated bohemians, artists, showbiz stars, and great film directors have made this their second home. You may just want to stay forever.
• Casablanca
• Rabat, capital city of Morocco *
• Imperial City Fez *
• Roman site of Volubilis *
• Meknes, former Imperial City *
• High plains of Midelt
• Erfoud Oasis
• Desert village of Merzouga
• Sunset camel ride and overnight in the Sahara Desert
• Rissani, cradle of the Alaouite dynasty
• Road of 1,000 Kasbahs
• Film Studios at Ouarzazate
• Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah *
• Medina of Marrakech *
• Coastal city of Essaouira *
• Imlil Valley adventure in the Atlas Mountains
* UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Day 0 - Tuesday, May 2, 2017
This is a travel day, with tour services beginning tomorrow in Casablanca, Morocco. Book a flight from your home city to the Mohammed V International Airport (use the airport code CMN when searching for flights online, and the code RAK for your departure from Marrakech). Please time your arrival tomorrow in time to participate in our welcome festivities. If you are not able to arrive by 4:00pm, we suggest you plan to depart a day early, on Monday, May 1, and arrive on May 2. For those who wish to arrive a day early, please indicate this on your reservation form so that we can hold a room for you.
Day 1 - Wednesday, May 3, 2017
 Arrange your flight to arrive today, the official start of our tour services. Collect your luggage, go through customs and exit the secure area, where you will be met by a representative and taken to our hotel. Hotel check-in may not be available until 3pm, but we will try to arrange for early check-in if you arrive in the morning. This evening, Toto Tours hosts a cocktail party to toast the start of our tour, followed by a Welcome Dinner at Rick’s Café, known from the movie Casablanca. Overnight in Casablanca.
Meals: Welcome Dinner
Hotel: Le Doge Hotel & Spa, Casablanca, 5*
Day 2 - Thursday, May 4, 2017
 After an early breakfast, enjoy a city tour of Casablanca including the old medina; Place Mohamed V, lined by residential blocks dating from the 1930s; United Nations Square designed by French architect Joseph Marrast; the League of Arab States Park with palm trees, arcades, pergolas and cafés with shady terraces. Then, visit the impressive Hassan II Mosque, the second largest mosque in the world. In the afternoon, we drive 1.5 hours to Rabat, capital city of Morocco. See the old medina, and the picturesque Kasbah of the Oudayas and the Oudaya Gate, built during the Almohad dynasty. Also see the well-preserved Hassan Tower and the Chellah. Walk into the Mohamed V Mausoleum, the burial place of the present King’s grandfather. Visit the Rabat Archeology Museum before continuing to Fez. After checking in to our hotel, we enjoy dinner together and the remainder of the evening is free. Overnight in Fez.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Hotel: Palais Medina Hotel & Spa, Fes, 5*
Day 3 - Friday, May 5, 2017
 The whole day will be devoted to an in depth visit of Fez, founded in the 9th century. Comfortable walking shoes are a must for the visit of the Medina and its extensive, small winding lanes and paved alleys. See the old Koranic school and the Quaraouyine Mosque (from the outside only), the largest university in the world in the 13th century. In the afternoon visit modern Fez, including the famous “potters” district. Continue to the Arts Museum of Batha, a Hispano-Moorish palace dating from the late 19th century housing some admirable collections of local traditional art. Enjoy dinner tonight in a Moroccan restaurant including local show. Return to your hotel for overnight.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Hotel: Palais Medina Hotel & Spa, Fes, 5*
Day 4 - Saturday, May 6, 2017
 After breakfast, visit the holy town of Moulay Idriss du Zerhoun, a very picturesque village hanging on the slopes of a hill, and very important pilgrimage site. Then we continue to Volubilis, a flourishing Roman trade city in the 2nd and 3rd centuries. A visit includes a tour of the ramparts, 5 feet wide and 1.5 miles long, which incorporate no fewer than forty bastions and eight 2nd century gates. Finally, Meknes is the former Imperial City of Morocco, where we will see the old ramparts; the Agdoul Basin; the Moulay Ismail royal stables, granaries, and House of Water (Dar el Ma) to house, feed and water the sultan’s twelve thousand horses; the gate Bab el Mansour; and the Moulay Ismail mausoleum, one of the very few holy sites in Morocco which may be visited by non-Muslims. We return to Fez for dinner at the beautiful Maison Blanche restaurant. Overnight in Fez.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Hotel: Palais Medina Hotel & Spa, Fes, 5*
Day 5 - Sunday, May 7, 2017
 Start early morning with a full day drive across the cedar forests and picturesque scenery of the Middle Atlas Mountains to Erfoud. Stop at Midelt for lunch and then continue through the Ziz Gorge and Er Rachidia. Erfoud, situated amongst the impressive sand dunes of the Sahara Desert, is one of the largest oases in Morocco. From Erfoud, travel approximately 1.5 hours to Merzouga where we enjoy a thrilling ride over the sand dunes in four-wheel-drive vehicles. Then mount a camel to ride across the dunes to a beautiful viewpoint to watch the sunset. Continue by camel to our deluxe Berber encampment in the desert. The campsite is surrounded by torches, with red antique Moroccan rugs covering the ground. The sleeping tent is furnished with comfortable mattress, bedside tables, dressing table, chairs, and a private toilet and shower area.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hotel: Merzouga Luxury Desert Camp, Merzouga
Day 6 - Monday, May 8, 2017
 Depart for Rissani, cradle of the Alaouite dynasty now reigning in Morocco. View the Mausoleum of Moulay Ali Cherif from the outside, and then enter the Kasbah Ouled El Hadim for a visit. Return to Erfoud to visit the date market and the fossil factory. Then drive through Tinejdad, Tineghir and the Todra Pass in the beautiful 1,000 Kasbah Valley to El Kelaa des Mgouna and Skoura. After Skoura, the palm trees are replaced by orchards and irrigated gardens. Roses for making perfume are the specialty of El Kelaa des Mgouna. Paris, the famous perfume by Yves Saint Laurent, is made from the extract of these roses. You will find some nice shopping here for rose products such as rose water, body milk, dried petals etc. Continue to the film industry center at Ouarzazate for dinner and overnight.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Hotel: Le Berbere Palace Hotel, Ouarzazate, 5*
Day 7 - Tuesday, May 9, 2017
 Visit the film studios in Ouarzazate. Then, depart first for a visit of the Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah, an impressive 11th century structure which has been declared an historical treasure by UNESCO. A photographer’s wonderland, Ait Ben Haddou remains home to five families. Continue to Marrakech and your hotel for overnight.
Meals: Breakfast
Hotel: Radisson Blu Carre Eden Hotel, Marrakech, 4+*
Day 8 - Wednesday, May 10, 2017
 After breakfast, enjoy a full day sightseeing in Marrakech. Tour the stunningly gorgeous Majorelle Gardens, which were owned by Yves Saint Laurent and his lover from 1980, and where Saint Laurent’s ashes were scattered after his death. Next, step into the wondrous old world of the medina. Wander through the labyrinth and stop at the foot of the Koutoubia Minaret. Continue to the Bahia Palace with its lush Moorish-style gardens. After lunch, visit the Majorelle Botanical Gardens, now owned by the French fashion designer Yves St. Laurent, enjoying a variety of flora from around the world. Next, discover some of the most colorful souks of the medina. Finally, stroll through the exotic Jemaa El Fna Square, ancient meeting place of tradesmen, musicians, snake charmers, and storytellers. Overnight in Marrakech.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hotel: Radisson Blu Carre Eden Hotel, Marrakech, 4+*
Day 9 - Thursday, May 11, 2017
 After breakfast, drive to the seaside resort, Essaouira. Renowned for generations for its production of “Murex” a small shellfish used to make the purple dye for Roman togas, Essaouira is now a very active fishing harbor still showing traces of having been occupied by the Portuguese in the 16th century. Today, protected from the sea and the wind behind its commanding fortified walls, Essaouira shelters a flourishing craftsmanship in marquetry, working citron-and-lime wood with ebony, mother of pearl and silver thread to make tables, chess-boards, caskets and bracelets. Overnight in Essaouira.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Hotel: MGallery Le Medina Essaouira Hotel Thalassa Sea & Spa, Essaouira, 4+*
Day 10 - Friday, May 12, 2017
 You will have the morning at leisure to enjoy the delights of Essaouira. Our guide will be at our disposal to assist in planning activities. In the afternoon, we make the 2.5-hour drive back to Marrakech. You will have the evening free to relax at our hotel, or perhaps return to the colorful medina as the sun sets over the city. Overnight in Marrakech.
Meals: Breakfast
Hotel: Radisson Blu Carre Eden Hotel, Marrakech, 4+*
Day 11 - Saturday, May 13, 2017
 After breakfast we commence a full day guided tour to Imlil Valley in the Atlas Mountains. All of this is just 40 miles away from Marrakech. The tranquility of Berber Village life provides the perfect contrast to the hubbub of the city. From the village of Imlil, footpaths and mule tracks climb through lush, irrigated terraces, apple orchards and walnut groves to other villages, where the way of life has changed little for centuries. Kasbah Toubkal is perched on a great rock outcrop above the main village with a panoramic view of the mountains, valleys and waterfalls. Walk around the villages, have tea with a local Berber family, and enjoy a nice lunch at Kasbah Toubkal, which we reach on donkeys. We return to Marrakech in the afternoon, and this evening we celebrate the end of our tour with an elegant farewell dinner at Dar Yacout, one of the best restaurants in the country. Overnight in Marrakech.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hotel: Radisson Blu Carre Eden Hotel, Marrakech, 4+*
Day 12 - Sunday, May 14, 2017
The tour ends officially after breakfast this morning. Make your flight arrangements for any convenient time today. We provide your transportation to the Marrakech airport. Please let us know of your reservation form if you wish to extend your stay in Marrakech.
Meals: Breakfast
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• 11 nights hotel accommodations:
1 night at Le Doge Hotel & Spa in Casablanca;
3 nights at Palais Medina Hotel & Spa in Fes;
1 night at Merzouga Luxury Desert Camp in Merzouga;
1 night at Le Berbere Palace Hotel, Ouarzazate;
1 night at MGallery Le Medina Essaouira Hotel in Essaouira;
4 nights at Radisson Blu Carre Eden Hotel in Marrakech
• Airport transfers at the beginning and the end of the tour
• Breakfast daily at our hotels; Welcome and Farewell Dinners; All meals and activities as listed in the itinerary
• Air-conditioned coach transportation throughout (except for jeeps at the desert);
• This is a fully guided and escorted tour.
• International airfare to Casablanca and returning from Marrakech;
• Ground transportation for any sightseeing on your own (taxis, local guides, etc.);
• Alcoholic beverages; insurance; laundry; telephone calls; faxes; or any other expenses of a personal nature.;
• Meals and optional activities not specifically included in the itinerary;
• Tips to local guides and drivers, gratuities for waiters or porters.
Le Doge Hotel & Spa, Casablanca
 Le Doge Hotel is located in central Casablanca. It offers air-conditioned guest rooms, each with an iPod docking station, free internet access, LCD satellite TV and a Nespresso machine.
Guests have free access to Le Doge’s hammam, sauna and hot tub. There are also a number of massage and well-being treatments available at an additional cost.
 Hotel serves a full breakfast every morning in the Art-Deco dining room. Guests can relax with a drink in the hotel’s bar-lounge.
The Hôtel & Spa Le Doge is situated a 10-minute drive from Corniche, the Casablanca medina and 5-minutes from the Squala fortifications and the port.
Palais Medina Hotel & Spa, Fes
 Located in Fes, the Palais is beside the Fez Borj shopping centre and it has an outdoor pool with a snack bar and panoramic views of the Jbel Zallagh Hill and the Old Medina. It features a luxury spa centre.
The Palais Medina & Spa Hotel is set in a 5-hectare Andalusian garden and offers spacious and air-conditioned rooms and suites with unrestricted views of the Medina or the gardens. They are each equipped with a flat-screen TV with satellite channels and a private bathroom  Guests can enjoy international and Moroccan cuisine at any one of the Palais Medina Hotel’s 3 restaurants. There is also a piano bar and a night club.
The hotel’s Thalion Spa offers a heated indoor swimming pool and a range of beauty treatments. Guests can relax on the Palais Medina’s large garden terrace.
Merzouga Luxury Desert Camp, Merzouga
 Tranquillity, luxury and friendly Berber hospitality in the middle of the desert. The desert is a magical place. Tranquillity, clear skies, bright stars, shimmering vistas, intense colours, huge dunes and magical experiences. This can all be enjoyed in comfort at Merzouga Luxury Desert Camp.
The main camp, situated in a quiet location and surrounded by dunes, can accommodate 10 people in 5 spacious tents Each tent is equipped with ‘wall-to-wall rugs’, solar-powered lighting and handcrafted furniture. Each tent has en suite bathroom facilities.
 Merzuga luxury desert camps, located an hour and half drive from Erfoud. Enjoy your special night under the stars at this beautiful Oasis in a premium tented camp. Experience a camel ride at sunset and sunrise from the top of the dunes. Your desert experience includes an authentic Moroccan dinner under the stars and breakfast in the morning.
Le Berbere Palace Hotel, Ouarzazate
 Located in Ouarzazate town centre, the Berbère Palace Hotel is just 5 minutes from the famous Kasbah de Taourirt. It offers an outdoor swimming pool and a Spa centre with a hammam, sauna and hot tub.
Each room and suite at Berbère Palace is air conditioned and equipped with free Wi-Fi access and satellite TV. Rooms also have en suite facilities and a private balcony or terrace
 The Berbere features 4 restaurants that serve French, Italian, Asian and traditional Moroccan cuisine. Breakfast is served on the terrace and guests can enjoy a cocktail at the piano bar.
Get the celebrity treatment with world-class service at Berbère Palace .
MGallery Le Medina Essaouira Hotel, Essaouira
 Located on the seafront, a 5-minute walk from Essaouira Port, MGallery Le Medina Essaouira Hotel is designed around a large outdoor swimming pool. It offers spa facilities, 3 restaurants and 2 bars, and free Wi-Fi in public areas.
The air-conditioned rooms with balconies have a modern decor and are each equipped with a TV, minibar and free wired internet. Rooms have en suite bathroom facilities with a bathtub and shower.
 With the thalassotherapy institute directly linked to the hotel, guests can enjoy a range of treatments. For a supplement, a hair and beauty salon is also available on site.
International and Moroccan cuisine is available in the hotel's restaurants. For afternoon tea, French and Moroccan pastries are offered in La Scala tearoom and in the evening Mogador's Club offers cocktails in a stylish environment.
Radisson Blu Carre Eden Hotel, Marrakech
 Offering an outdoor pool and a restaurant, Radisson Blu Hotel Marrakech Carré Eden is located in Marrakech. Free WiFi access is available.
Each room here will provide you with air conditioning, a balcony and a patio. Featuring a bath, private bathroom also comes with a shower and a hairdryer. You can enjoy city view and pool view from the room.
 At Radisson Blu Hotel Marrakech Carré Eden you will find a fitness centre. Other facilities offered at the property include a tour desk, luggage storage and a kids' club. The property offers free parking.
The hotel is a 5-minute drive from Marrakesh Train Station and a 5-minute walk from Marrakech Plaza. Marrakech-Menara Airport is 4 km away.
Entry Requirements
For U.S., Canada Citizens a valid passport is the only document required to enter Morocco for stays of up to 60 days.
Immunizations & Health
No immunizations are currently required for travel to Morocco, but it is wise to have your inoculations up-to-date. Is your tetanus booster current?
Exit Requirements
There is currently no separate departure tax required of visitors leaving Morocco other than that included with the cost of your airline ticket.
What to Bring
In early May, the weather in Morocco is summery, and can be very warm at times. However, you can count on cooler weather at higher elevations, and at night in the desert, so come prepared with a few layers to keep you warm. We are staying at lovely properties, and many of our included dinners are at upscale restaurants. Nice casual clothes are appropriate for our group dinners. Pack light and try to limit yourself to one checked bag and one carry-on. Pack any medications you require in your carry-on bag just in case your luggage doesn’t arrive when you do. Leave expensive jewelry at home.
Money Matters
The Moroccan monetary unit is the dirham (MAD), which is divided into 100 centimes, but these are sometimes called francs. Coins are much like in the U.S., with coins of 1, 5, 10, and 25 centimes. ATMs are widely available throughout the cities, with displays in English and French, though they can be difficult to find in smaller towns. Major credit cards are accepted at most hotels, restaurants, shops and tourist attractions—but it is wise to always carry some cash with you. As of May 26, 2016, the interbank exchange rate was 9.72 MAD to the US $1.
Liabilities/Disclaimers
Making a reservation with a deposit shall be deemed to be consent to these conditions: Toto Tours & Happy Gay Travel does not accept responsibility in whole or in part for any delay, loss, accidents, personal injury, sickness, medical expenses, or property damage occasioned by fault of any person from whatever cause. All tour participants are required to sign a standard liability form.
The tour operators reserve the right to accept or decline any person as a member of the tour at any time and to make whatever changes become necessary with or without notice. Guaranteed departure with a minimum of ten participants. Toto Tours & Happy Gay Travel is not responsible for airline cancellation or change penalties incurred by individual tour participants for air tickets purchased prior to notification that the tour is a confirmed departure.
We strongly encourage you purchase Travel Insurance to cover all aspects of your travel in Morocco.
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