Splendors of Morocco with Chef Aliza Green 2024
Feb 05 2024 - Feb 17 2024
Join Us for an Unforgettable Culinary Adventure!
OVERVIEW
Morocco is a fascinating country with a rich history and culture, making it a popular destination From the rugged Atlas Mountains, to the Sahara desert and the beautiful coastline,Morocco offers a large variety of landscapes. Architecture, food, music and traditions coming from centuries of a very rich history makes Morocco a unique destination. Vibrant souks and markets are a paradise for shoppers who will find everything from spices, textiles, leather goods, pottery and jewelry. Tagines and couscous are the most popular dishes among a plethora of unique Moroccan recipes. The warm hospitality of Moroccan people is well known and will make you feel at home as you travel.
DEPART USA
Your destination is Tangier. Various airlines are available via Paris, Madrid or other European cities. Airfare is not included but Celestial Voyagers will help you to find the most convenient route and schedule for your flights.
Tangier is located in the North of Morocco, across the strait of Gibraltar, a short ferry ride from Europe. Its fascinating history includes centuries of ancient civilizations from the Berbers, the Phenicians, the Romans and the Moors. It gained its fame in 1925 when it became the center of an international zone controlled by colonial powers. 
- Arrival to Tangier International airport
- Individual transfer to be arranged (not included)
- Visit Tangier Medina in the afternoon
- Check-in at hotel for one night
- Dinner and overnight
A peaceful atmosphere and the hispano – moorish architecture are the reasons for Tetouan to be known as the “daughter of Granada”. Its medina is listed as a World Heritage site by Unesco.
Built on the side of the Rif mountain range, Chefchaouen, with its blue-rinsed houses, seems to be bathed in azure; visit the Medina narrow winding alleys and the Kasba which stands in the middle of the old quarter.
- Breakfast at hotel
- Departure to Chefchaouen
- Visit Tetouan City
- Lunch in Tetouan
- Visit Chefchaouen
- Check-in at your hotel for one night
- Overnight and dinner at the Ryad
Meknes, one of the four Moroccan Imperial Cities, was the capital under the reign of Sultan Moulay Ismail (1676 – 1727), founder of the Alaouite dynasty. On El Hedim square you will see Bab El Mansour, the gateway to the medina, true masterpiece of Hispano – Moorish art. 
- Breakfast at hotel
- Drive to Meknes
- Lunch at Domaine Zouina Winery
- Visit Meknes: guided tour
- Check-in at Palais Amani for 2 nights
- Accommodation and dinner at Palais Amani
The city is known as the Imperial Pearl. The famous medina of Fez is recognized by Unesco as an outstanding universal value. Stroll through the streets of Fez-El-Bali district and enter the walled medina to experience the tiny small alleyways full of palaces, museums, mosques, fountains, shops and habitations.
- Full day sightseeing: guided tour with local guide
- “Foodies” tour for lunch.
- Visit the Jewish quarter and the Royal Gate
- Visit tile and ceramic village
- Cooking class at Palais Amani
- Diner part of the cooking class
Rabat is the country’s modern capital. Beautiful parks, green spaces, a botanical garden and the Exotic Gardens of Bouknadel makes it an eco responsible capital. During the tour we will visit the Kasbah des Oudayas and the Chellah: a necropolis from the time of the Merinids dynasty. 
- Drive to Rabat: 130 miles / 2 ½ our drive
- Check-in at hotel for one night
- Time for lunch (not included)
- Guided city tour
- Time to relax before dinner
- Dinner at a local restaurant
The White City, Casablanca, is a bustling city and the economic lung of the country. We’ll see large business buildings in every corner, beautiful palm trees lining the avenues, charming districts, legacies of the colonial period, art-deco buildings here and there. We’ll stop and see the Hassan II mosque completed in 1003; it is the largest functioning mosque in Africa. Its minaret at a height of 689 feet is the world’s second tallest minaret in the world 
- Check-out and drive to Casablanca
- Visit the Hassan Mosque
- Lunch in a restaurant on the
- Corniche along the Atlantic coast
- Continuation to Essaouira (190 miles / 4 hour drive)
- Check-in at L’Heure Bleu Palais for 3 nights
- Dinner on your own
Crenelated walls, special wind, houses with white and blue facades, Essaouira, the Ancient Mogador of the Portuguese is known as the “Bride of the Atlantic”. We’ll walk quietly in the shade of its ramparts, climb the walls and walk along the parapet walk from where the panorama extends over the Purpuraires Islands, the falcons, gulls and seagulls living in this nature reserve. Further up, on the other side, surfers, windsurfers and kite surfers are playing with the waves and the winds. The fishing port is quite active and will bring you the delicious fish you can enjoy with each of your meals. 
- Morning tour: visit the silver and wood workshops of Essaouira
- Visit Domaine Val d’Argan Winery: Tour the winery and lunch
- Proceed to Argan Oil cooperative and return to Essaouira
- Tapas dinner at Dar Baba
- Half day excursion to the Argan forest: meet the goats in the trees.
- Shop for your lunch at the local souk and have it cooked at the restaurant
- Afternoon at leisure
- Dinner and entertainment at Caravan Cafe
With the Place Jemma El Fna and the souks, Marrakech, the Red City offers a complete change of scenery at a crossing of tradition and modernity. The Koutoubia, Horse drawn carriages, sunny terraces, fabulous sunsets are among the highlights of this incomparable city. The vast medina is the largest in all of North Africa. With no doubts it is the undisputed capital of tourism in the country. 
- Check-out and drive to Marrakech
- Brief orientation tour on arrival
- Check-in at your hotel for 3 nights
- Time for lunch (not included)
- Drive to Agafay desert for a Berbere experience : camel ride and tent dinner (20 miles / ¾ hour drive)
- Guided tour of Marrakech: visit the souks and “La Sagesse” Berber pharmacy
- “Foodies tour” and lunch being part of the tour
- Cooking class at the Culinary Art Museum
- Dinner as part of the cooking class
- Visit Jemaa El Fna square
As we immerse ourselves in the local islamic culture of Marrakech, today we will have an extraordinary experience as we go to the hamman like Moroccan people do regularly. This type of steam bath originated from the model of the Roman Thermae and was developed along the centuries as a public bathing in the Islamic world. This afternoon you’ll enjoy a private Moroccan style Hammam with steam bath, body scrub and massage in a flower perfumed setting. 
- Visit of Marrakech continues: Jardin Majorelle and Yves Saint Laurent Museum
- Lunch at “Le Jardin”
- Tour continues: Badii Palace, Jewish quarter, Dar El Bacha Museum
- Hammam at la Maison Arabe
- Dinner at Al Fassia Restaurant
Breakfast at the hotel and Check-out.
Individual transfers are not included. They can be arranged to goto the airport to take your flight back to the US.
Pricing
$6,990 per person in a twin or double room Single Supplement $785
$750
Itinerary Note
This itinerary is subject to possible changes or adjustments due to weather and traffic conditions or other unpredictable events. We will make every effort to ensure that any substitutions are of equal value and interest.
This custom tour was created for Aliza Green Culinary & Cultural Tours
www.alizagreen.com, spice@alizagreen.com
Testimonials
Tour Highlights
- The 4 Imperial cities: Fez, Meknes, Rabat and Marrakech, and more, Tangier, Tetouan, Chefchaouen, Casablanca and Essaouira
- Wine tasting and lunch at two wineries
- Explore the Portuguese city of Essaouira, also known as Mogador
- Guided food & culture tour in the ancient medina of Fez and bustling Marrakech
- See artisans at work: ceramics, woodwork, silver
- Tour the magnificent Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, a rare opportunity
- Learn about Morocco’s fascinating Jewish history and visit Jewish landmarks
- Hands-on cooking classes in Fez and Marrakech
- Learn about Berber culture, see the goats in the Argan trees, and taste argan oil
- Stories & history of Moroccan Cuisine at the new Culinary Art Museum
- Visit a traditional Berber pharmacy/spice shop with a talk about local remedies
Services Included
- 11 night’s accommodation, double occupancy
- Deluxe properties at Riads (restored palaces) and Relais Chateaux
- Daily breakfast at the hotels
- Eight lunches and ten dinner's at restaurants, cooking classes, or wineries
- Bottled water on the coach
- Coffee and tea with meals
- Expert commentary, culinary advice, and background by Chef Aliza Green
- Travel by private deluxe motorcoach
- Experienced Moroccan guide from arrival to departure
- Meals at carefully-selected restaurants on this exclusive tour
- Baggage porterage at hotels
Services Not Included
- International flights arriving in Tangier, departing from Marrakech
- Single room supplement + $1,645
- Private transfers between the airport and the hotel, or vice versa,
- Other meals except the ones indicated as included
- Beverages with some of the meals
- Travel insurance and trip cancellation insurance
- Gratuities to guides and drivers
- Personal expenses
- Excess luggage
- Passport and visa fees: If you are not a US citizen a visa may be necessary; a green card is compulsory. All passports must expire after August 17, 2024