Departure Year Around
Moroccan cuisine is extremely refined, due to Morocco’s exchanges with other cultures over the centuries and includes Berber, Moorish, and Arab influences. Morocco produces a large range of Mediterranean fruits and vegetables and flavorings include lemon pickle, cold-pressed, unrefined olive oil and dried fruits. It is also known for being far more heavily spiced than other Middle Eastern cuisine. This foodie romp will add spice to your travels. In addition to shopping at local markets and cooking classes, you will visit charming villages, historic sites and see the colorful local people whose lives are dedicated to selling spices and sweets. Morocco for Foodies gives you many tastes to savor.
Day 1 – Marrakech
On arrival in Marrakech you will be met and then transferred to your Riad for overnight. Riad Slitine / Dar Karma or similar (3 nights)
Day 2 – Marrakech
Today you will begin with a day tour of Marrakech in the world-famous Jemaa El Fna Square, which houses an array of food, snake charmers, local musicians, and fortune-tellers. Next, stop is at the 12th century Koutoubia Minaret. You will also, visit the Bahia Palace and the Saadian Tombs before spending free time in the medina souks.
Day 3 – Marrakech
This morning enjoy a morning of leisure before meeting back at lunchtime for your cooking class. Next, you will try out an optional hammam to experience Morocco’s take on spa treatment, where you will have your skin lathered, massaged, and scrubbed with exfoliating calypso cream.
Day 4 – Marrakech/Ouirgane/Taroudant
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Ouirgane, stopping by an argan oil cooperative where you will observe each the various stages in manufacturing this precious oil, which is famed for its health and cosmetic benefits. You will also have the opportunity to compare modern and traditional forms of olive oil production, before testing out honey at an artisanal beekeeper’s shop, and touring a couscous co-op. Next, you will be transferred along the Tizi n’Test pass to Taroudant. Dar Zitoune
Day 5 – Taroudant/Taliouine/Ouarzazate
Also known as the “Grandmother of Marrakech,” Tardourant is a quaint village located in the Sous Valley. You will be crossing the city’s characteristic ramparts and tour along the narrow, winding streets before arriving at the souks, where some of Morocco’s most talented craftsmen tend their art. After your transfer to Taliouine, your next stop is the center of Moroccan saffron cultivation. Visit a local cooperative to learn about this rare and valuable spice, which is integral to Moroccan cuisine. You will then transferred to Ouarzazate. La Sultana
Day 6 – Ouarzazate/Tinghir/Merzouga
Today you begin your city tour of Ouarzazate with the Tourirt Kasbah. You will then visit the film studios where films such as The Mummy, Gladiator, and Alexander were shot. You then be transferred to the village of Tamassinte to visit the Rosa cooperative, which produces some of the best goat cheese in the country. Stop briefly in the village of Skoura before taking the route of 1001 Kasbahs to Kelaat M’Gouna, which is famous for its rose cultivation. You should expect to find many fine, rose-infused products there, such as perfume and culinary extract. You will then journey to Tinghir along Dades village. Tinghir is a gorgeous, 40km oasis, which boasts a valley lush with palm, olive, and almond, groves among many other crops. You will then have the great opportunity to picnic above the Todra Gorge, a 300m wall, carved deep into the High Atlas Mountains. You will then be transferred to Merzouga, making stops in Tinjdad, Erfoud, and Rissani. Overnight tonight will be in a traditional tent. Kasbah Tomboctou
Day 7 – Merzouga/Midelt/Fes
After your breakfast, transfer to Fes, passing through a series of fortified villages along the Ziz River before getting to Midelt for lunch. You will then continue through many small Amazigh towns and villages, including Azrou and Ifrane. Azrou is known around the country for its handcraft cooperatives, and Ifrane, nicknamed “Morocco’s Switzerland,” is a charming ski town populated by European-style chalets. Riad Ghita or similar (3 nights)
Day 8 – Fes
You will have full day guided city tour of Fes. Fes is Morocco’s spiritual and intellectual capital, and houses the country’s biggest medina. Fes’s numerous monuments are worth a very attentive visit, as each carries with it a unique set of histories and folklore. Some popular sites are Jemaa El Karaouyine, which is the world’s first established university, and the Medersa Bouanania. But, big names aside, the small tanneries, artisan quarters, and souks are some of the most impressive in the country.
Day 9 – Fes
This morning is a morning of leisure before meeting back in the afternoon to learn how to cook Fes’ culinary specialty—couscous el Fassi. Thereafter, you can take an optional trip to the natural hot springs at Moulay Yacoub, or enjoy a free day in Fes.
Day 10 – Fes/Meknes/Rabat/Casablanca
After breakfast, you transfer to Rabat, stopping over in Meknes. In Rabat, you will take a brief tour, visiting the Hassan Tower, Mohammed V Mausoleum, and the city center. You are then transferred to Casablanca.
Day 11 – Casablanca airport
After breakfast, we will assist you to the Casablanca airport for your return flight.
CALL NOW to BOOK 415-331-3791
Includes:
– 10 nights accommodation
– Breakfast daily and 2 dinners
– 2 cooking demonstrations with Chefs as indicated in the program
– grocery shopping
– visits to women cooperatives throughout the tour
– entrance fees to historical sights and monuments
– porterage at airport and hotels
– English speaking driver/guide, local guiding, A/C vehicle and all taxes
Does not include:
– Gratuities
– international airfare
– domestic airfare, air taxes
– items of a personal nature
– meals not mentioned
