Imperial Morocco

Welcome to Shoestring!
Shoestring is looking forward to welcoming you on one of our unforgettable journeys. Be well prepared, get informed about your destination and make sure you know which vaccinations or other medication you require. During the trip, be flexible and don’t feel obliged to always stay with the group. Your guide will advise and assist you, but remember that he or she will have a lot on their mind to ensure that everything is running smoothly. We hope you have a fantastic time in this beautiful destination.

Before you travel
If your trip is unexpectedly cancelled, we will let you know at least three weeks prior to departure. Cancellations are very rare though, so go ahead and prepare yourself for your trip.

Day 1: Casablanca

Welcome to Morocco!

Your tour starts in Casablanca, where you can use your hotel room from check in time (12.00 hrs at noon) on day 1. Most of your travel companions will arrive later this first day, the exact time will be depending on their flight schedule. You will meet your English speaking tour leader at 8.00 hrs A.M. on day 2 in the lobby of your hotel but we recommend that you also try and make contact this evening, after 20.00 hrs.

You can take the opportunity to explore this diverse city. You will stay overnight in Casablanca.

Day 2: Casablanca – Hassan II - Rabat - Meknes

In the morning you can visit the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, the worlds second-largest and the only working mosque in Morocco that can be visited by non-Muslims. You can only enter the mosque with an organised tour which are run daily (Except Fridays) at 0900, 1000, 1100 and 1400 and costs 120dh per person.
We travel for three hours through the Moroccan landscape, stopping briefly to see Morocco's capital city, Rabat, before arriving in Meknes, this royal city is situated on hills surrounded by orchards and olive groves. The old medina is characteristic for Morocco’s northern cities and the houses have warm ochre-yellow-washed walls and green roof tiles. The city is surrounded by an extensive system of defence walls built in the 17th century by sultan Moulay Ismail, who also built a huge royal city south of the medina whose walls had a total length of 25km. In the centre of the old city you will find the Place el Hedim, a busy and ideal place to watch the local population going about their business while enjoying a coffee. There are colourful markets for olives, fruit, spices and meat, and souks with beautiful carpets, tiles and Berber silver. Indulge your senses in the souks and lose your way in the narrow alleys and passageways, as the medina of Meknes allows you to explore the Moroccan labyrinth of markets, residential areas, hammams and religious buildings pretty much undisturbed.

Day 3: Meknes – Volubulis - Moulay Idriss - Fès

Not far from Meknes lies Morocco’s holiest place, Moulay Idriss, as well as the remains of Volubilis, the country’s main Roman city, this is where the Berber king, Juba II built the first palace aided by a Roman architect in 32 BC before it was taken by the Romans 80 years later. The 8th century town of Moulay Idriss holds the tomb of the founding father of the first Arab Dynasty in Morocco and is built on two hills, between which lies the tomb. We will visit both places on the journey to Fes (the admission fee is not included in the cost of the journey), one of the most exciting cities in the Islamic world with a labyrinth of endlessly winding alleys, up and down, jostling inhabitants, braying donkeys, bright bold colours, swirling scents and a cacophony of noise. There are numerous Koranic schools and mosques in the ancient city.

Day 4: Fès

It is best to visit Fès with a guide as the old city has retained its essentially medieval character and its winding streets can get very busy. The age-old guild system is still partially in use and the inhabitants are close knit in communities of traders and craftspeople. The decline of this medina in the past century has been associated with an exodus of well-to-do families. For those interested, a daylong excursion can be organized to visit the most essential monuments, under the guidance of an expert local guide. This is an optional excursion that can be booked locally.

Day 5: Fès – Marrakech

During the long and scenic drive to Marrakech we pass the Atlas mountain range en route to the thousand-year old pink city, in the middle of an oasis

Marrakech is unparalleled in the colourfulness of its population and markets. Until the 20th century, traders from the Sahara desert and the Sahel came here to trade camels, gold and slaves. World-renowned is the Djemaa el-Fna central square, full of fortune-tellers, storytellers and snake charmers. African acrobats perform daredevil feats to the rhythms of large drums. The old city walls of Marrakech are largely preserved as over eight centuries they have been continually strengthened and adjusted to the burgeoning size of the city. You can tour the walls in a horse-drawn carriage, which in this city is still a normal means of transport. The city walls conceal mosques, old palaces and sultans’ tombs like the Bahia palace, the residence of a grand vizier and a magnificent example of Andalusian-Moorish architecture. The quiet in the central courtyard with its fountains and mosaic floor and garden full of palms and orange trees contrasts sharply with the bustle of the surrounding kasbah.

Day 6: Marrakech

There is an optional half-day excursion to visit the most important monuments, which can be booked locally. Or you could attend a crash course in Moroccan cuisine, in a beautiful Riad.
For those wishing to escape the bustle of the city, a full-day excursion can be booked locally to Imlil, a village in the High Atlas, which has excellent walking. A local guide will accompany you and lunch is included.

Day 7: Marrakech

On your final full day in the city, you may like to see the Majorelle Gardens in Marrakech which are filled with rare plants, bright colours and peace and tranquility. The botanical gardens are situated north-west of the Medina of Marrakech, about a 30 minute walk. (Stop by the wholesale market en route to see mountains of dates, grains and nuts being traded). Try to arrive before 10 am, when it starts getting really busy.

Day 8: End of tour in Marrakech

The last day of your tour. The tour leader and the rest of the group will normally depart early in the morning but you can use your hotel room in Marrakech until check out time (most times at 12.00 hrs noon). We wish you a comfortable journey home and are sure you will take with you some wonderful memories of this Morocco.

Your personal ‘my.shoestring’ page on our website is the perfect way to make contact with other travellers before and after your trip. You can read and create journals from trips and upload your photos onto the photo gallery. Visit my shoestring today.

When booking your tour, please check to see whether you need any post-tour nights, bearing in mind that accommodation for the night of the final day of the tour (day 8) is not included.
 

Arabic lessons in Rabat

Grab your chance to learn the basics of Arabic and immerse yourself in a fascinating culture. Before your trip begins, you can learn Arabic for one week under the guidance of a local teacher. This is a nice start to your trip: with a little vocabulary you get to know the country and its' people just a little easier.

Duration: 7 days / 6 nights

Day-to-day description

Day 1
Rabat, arrival
Classes begin on a Monday, so you can fly to Casablanca on Sunday. You will be met by our local representative on arrival in Casablanca (at extra cost). They then bring you to your accommodation in Rabat (1.5 hrs drive from Casablanca).

Day 2-6
Rabat, Arabic lesson
While staying in Rabat get 5 days of individual instruction in Arabic, with an emphasis on Arabic as spoken in Morocco (and parts of Algeria). The course is tailored to your needs and interests (in consultation with your teacher), and is the quickest and most intensive way to learn the language in a short time. Every day you get 4 x 45 minute lessons, the lesson times are set in consultation with your teacher. The rest of the day you are free to explore Rabat.

You stay in a modern student residence, about 3 miles from the center of Rabat (15 minutes by taxi). There is a cafe and study space available. Linen and towels are also available. The school is located approximately 2.5 kilometers from your residence, there is a bus going there directly.

After and between lessons, you are free to explore Rabat. The capital Rabat is the most western city of Morocco and has a special atmosphere. Mohammed VI spends most of the year in Rabat, where large palaces can be found everywhere. The souks of Rabat are very relaxed compared to those of older cities like Fes. Moreover you will find the main streets full of chic international stores for the elite. One of the best places is the old fortress, the Kasbah des Oudaïa. The large terrace in front of the parliament building is an ideal place to meet people and to try out your newly acquired Arabic! Enjoy the delicious Moroccan food and exuberant street life.

Day 7
Rabat, end of extension
You have now completed your course. After breakfast you check out. The group will arrive this evening at the airport of Casablanca. When you see them you can make a good impression with what you've learnt this first week!

Cost: From £ 779 per person (based on double occupancy)
Single supplement: £ 90 per person
High season surcharge: 06/03/12 to 08/25/12: from £ 22 pp

Included:
- 6 nights in Rabat in a modern student residence
- 4 x 45 minutes private lessons Arabic for 5 days
- Qualified Arabic teacher
- Course certificate

Excluded:
Meals, excursions, entrance fees, personal expenses and tips

Surcharges:
- Surcharge return transfer (to and from the airport in Casablanca): £ 195 pp (one way: £ 98 pp)
- Extra night residency, based on double room: £ 22 pp
- Extra night residency, based on single room: £ 35 pp

Note: On 11/1, 1/5, 30/7, 20/8, 21/8, 5/11, 6/11, 15/11 2012, the school is closed. During Ramadan, the school is open but it is harder to obtain food.

This trip is in category A.

The level of our trips varies. The experience of the level of a trip is also different from person to person. In order to give an indication of the level of a trip, we have developed the following rating system:

Category A: Light travel for everyone to do. Short distances, good hotels, travel at a slow pace.
Category B: For everyone to do as well. Sometimes long distances. Good hotels and camping facilities, sometimes an adventurous overnight experience, travel at a normal pace.
Category C: Good to do for anyone who prepares themself well and is flexible. There are tougher parts of the journey, such as longer distances or walking tours. Several nights can be spent in basic accommodation.
Category D: A relatively difficult journey, travelling long distances, often primitive accommodation or tents, and challenging walking tours.

This 7-day trip belongs in category A. Everybody who is fit can participate. However, the trip has a reasonably high pace; in a short period of time we will visit many different places. The road system in this part of the country is pretty good, as are the means of transport and most hotels, so that the longer stretches do not have to be too exhausting. A flexible and positive attitude is important, more than physical fitness.

Nature of the trip
This trip is a great introduction to the ancient culture of Morocco. You will visit the three most beautiful royal cities in the country: ancient fortifications with intricate labyrinth like alleys enclosed by high walls, boasting colourful markets, mosques, palm gardens and Koranic schools. You will also have a chance to visit beautiful Roman ruins and the main place of pilgrimage in Morocco, and you will be offered a magnificent view of the impressive mountains of the High Atlas range.