Departure from the USA for an evening flight to Europe.
Transfer to a flight to Fez, Morocco.
Airfare is not included. See our recommendations to join the group
and start the trip in Fez.
Connect to your flight to Fez.
Upon arrival, meet your expert Moroccan guide, your coach, and your driver.
Check-in for two nights at Palais Amani, a deluxe Riad in the heart of the ancient medina of Fez and the former residence of Fez’s most prominent family.
In the afternoon, start the visit to our first Imperial City. Meet your travel companions at the internationally-renowned Modernist Moroccan restaurant, Nur, and meet Chef Najat Kaanache for a welcome dinner.
Full-day sightseeing in Fez, the spiritual and cultural capital of Morocco. Discover the treasures of the city: the Royal Palace, the walled Medina, the Jewish Mellah. Sample the local food specialties for lunch as you stroll through the maze of thousands of cobbled narrow alleys.
Evening hands-on cooking class in Palais Amani. Dinner is part of the cooking class.
Leave for Meknes after breakfast and tour the 2nd Imperial City of your trip. Visit the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, the 18th century Warrior King of Morocco and Hri Souani, the Royal Stables of Moulay Ismail.
Lunch at nearby Domaine de la Zouina Winery, at the foot of the Middle Atlas Mountains, in the largest wine region of Morocco.
Proceed to Rabat, our third Imperial City, founded in the 12th century by the Almohad dynasty. The administrative center during the time of the French Protectorate, Rabat became the country’s capital in 1955.
Check in to the majestic Sofitel for 1 night after a brief orientation tour on arrival.
Enjoy a special evening at a delightfully-atmospheric restaurant beloved by locals.
We’ll continue our visit to Rabat before driving to Casablanca where we’ll visit the magnificent new Hassan II Mosque built right over the Atlantic Ocean: the 7th largest mosque in the world.
Lunch in Casablanca along the seaside Corniche, at a seafood restaurant
Following the highway south, we arrive in El Jadida, known as Mazagan in the time of the Portuguese who fortified the old town.
Check in to our hotel for 1 night. Dinner on your own: choose among many possibilities right at the hotel.
Morning guided tour of El Jadida to see the 16th century Old City Cistern which provided water to the inhabitants of the fortress.
Continue our drive along the Atlantic Coast to Safi.
Lunch in Safi at a lovely restaurant a few steps away from the potter’s district. Safi is the ceramic capital of Morocco where highly-skilled craftspeople make and display their creations.
Continue to Essaouira, the former Portuguese outpost of Mogador, and check-in to the Relais & Châteaux property in the heart of the old Medina, L’Heure Bleu Palais, for 3 nights.
Dinner on your own in Essaouira with many choices within steps of our hotel.
Morning tour of Essaouira, known as “The Bride of the Atlantic” and long home to a large Jewish community. This small town has a significant fishing port and a history going back to the Carthaginians. The white and blue facades of the houses, the medieval ramparts, the beach, the medina, and the Jewish mellah with its many old synagogues make it unique. It is also the home of our local guide.
You’ll see the woodworker’s souk where artists create marquetry inlaid with ebony, walnut, and citrus wood, along with mother of pearl, camel bone, and threads of silver and copper, and the silver cooperative in this city is renowned for the skill of its silversmiths.
Lunch nearby at the beautiful organic winery of Val d’Argan where all the vegetables come from their own garden and the chef is a woman.
On the way back, discover the use of hand-pressed argan oil and its secrets at a cooperative run entirely by women
Dinner will be a selection of Spanish-style tapas at a unique restaurant inside the medina.
Overnight at L’Heure Bleue Palais.
Half-day excursion to the nearby argan tree forest to see the famous goats climbing the trees–these are not the fake display of goats in trees you might see at the side of the road, which are tied to small platforms. These goats learn from their mothers how to climb up into the argan trees to get their food. We will walk through the forest and learn about this mystical emblem of the region and of the Berber people.
Lunch could not be more local as we visit a private home.
Free time to stroll the streets of the Medina in the afternoon.
Great food and great entertainment are the plans for tonight’s dinner at a cabaret/gallery.
Overnight at L’Heure Bleu Palais
Morning drive to reach Marrakech for lunch at the new Culinary Art Museum, located in a beautiful old palace, which tells the history and story behind Moroccan cuisine through live demonstrations and exhibits. Check-in to the beautiful boutique hotel, La Maison Arabe, a restored palace where each room is unique, for 3 nights.
Drive to the Agafay Desert, a 45-minute trip for a Berber experience under the stars. Dinner and camel ride at Agafay and then return to our hotel.
Morning guided tour of the amazing city of Marrakech. Visit the souks, the Berber pharmacy, and spice store, tasting local specialties along the way with our local guide. We will visit the Badai Palace, the synagogue, and the Elbacha Museum.
4:00 PM Hammam experience (steam, scrub, and massage) at the hotel for half the group; free time for relaxation or shopping for the others.
6:00 PM Hands-on cooking class followed by dinner La Maison Arabe.
Continue our tour of Marrakech starting at the exquisite Jardins Majorelle & the Yves Saint Laurent Museum next door. Lunch in the Medina at the French-Moroccan cafe, Le Jardin, surrounded by plants and birds.
4:00 PM Hammam at the hotel for half the group; free time for the others.
Visit the world-famous Jemaa El Fna square at sunset and see all manner of street performers including snake-charmers, musicians, and storytellers.
Dinner at Al Fassia Restaurant, an all-women enterprise supporting women’s training and independence.
Group transfer to the airport for your return flight to the USA from Marrakech Airport.
The itinerary is subject to possible changes or adjustments due to weather and traffic conditions or other unpredictable events.
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 18, 2023
Package Price $6425.
per person, sharing a double room
This trip is a land-only program.
Please contact Celestial Voyagers before booking your flights. We can advise you on the best schedule and fare you may want.
Should you get your ticket on your own please send us a copy of your flight schedule.
Celestial Voyager’s Terms and Conditions relate to specific contracts with various suppliers.
The policies and regulations below must be strictly enforced.
Aliza Green Cultural & Culinary Tour: Splendors of Morocco and Celestial Voyagers Terms & Conditions relating to specific contracts with their partners. The policies below are special and unique due to the situation with the recent pandemic.
Aliza Cultural & Culinary Tours, Celestial Voyagers, and all their partners in Morocco will surpass your expectations and deliver a trip of superior quality.
We may adjust the program, but we will commit to creating the best possible program for guests with safety, comfort, and ease our top priorities.
We highly recommend to protect yourself with a trip cancellation insurance
All changes and cancellations must be provided in writing.
Travel Insurance is highly recommended
We advise all travelers to purchase travel insurance in case of any unforeseen circumstances and if you are no longer able to travel. We offer the following insurance policies through Allianz Travel Insurance: Basic, Classic, and Classic with cancel anytime. Prices vary with age and amount insured. Click on the link below for more details:
https://celestialvoyagers.com/leisure/leisure-insurance-passports-visas/
Online: During your registration, you can submit your payment by echeck or by credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover & American Express). There is a 3% service fee for all online payments. To avoid this fee, you can mail a check or money order.
Phone: We accept credit card & e-check payments by phone. Credit card payments incur a 3% service fee but there is no service fee for e-checks.
Post Mail: You could also mail a paper check or a money order. Checks should be made payable to “Celestial Voyagers” and mailed to:
Celestial Voyagers, Att. Celestine Cornu 1297 Elm Street Peekskill, NY 10566
Checks made to Celestial Voyagers
All payments should include the passenger’s name and tour ID
Most countries require that a passport be valid for six months beyond the completion of a trip. If your passport expires before August 18, 2023, you must apply to renew your passport. If you are not a US citizen please check with the consulate of Morocco or a visa agency for the latest requirements. You will also need a re-entry permit to return to the USA.
Aliza Green is a renowned chef, an award-winning author of 15 cookbooks, and a certified tour director who is experienced in planning and leading international culinary tours. She loves to share her deep culinary knowledge, her fascinating stories, and kitchen tips and tricks gained from her extensive experience in the kitchen.
Aliza Green is a renowned chef, an award-winning author of 15 cookbooks, and a certified tour director who is experienced in planning and leading international culinary tours. She loves to share her deep culinary knowledge, her fascinating stories, and kitchen tips and tricks gained from her extensive experience in the kitchen.