OCTOBER 17-19
We start our adventure in fabled Marrakech, the “Red City” named for its’ rose stone walls, founded in 1062 and sitting at the edge of the Atlas foothills.
We’ll stay in Les Yeux Bleus, a gorgeous riad located in the heart of Marrakech: featuring unique and stunningly designed rooms, two charming patios; two pools, a library, a hammam, and a magnificent roof terrace with a bar. It’s the perfect base of operations, where we’ll not only relax in luxury, but venture out to explore this historic ancient city.
From the lively souk (market) to the kaleidoscopic Djemaa el-Fna (the massive public square filled with snake-charmers, performers, medicine men and musicians) we’ll get a true insider’s taste of this dazzling place.
OCTOBER 19-20
We’ll depart from Marrakech and reach Skoura, an oasis lined with palm groves. We’ll stay in a truly stunning Kasbah called Ben Damiette (http://www.kasbahaitbendamiette.com) at the foot of the High Atlas. It has a unique blend of ancient techniques and architecture and traditional presentation, that turn it into one of the memorable places we’ve ever had the good fortune to rest our heads. A perfect place to relax by olive, almond, palm and orange trees.
We’ll depart from Marrakech and reach Skoura, an oasis lined with palm groves. We’ll stay in a truly stunning Kasbah called Ben Damiette, at the foot of the High Atlas. It has a unique blend of ancient techniques and architecture and traditional presentation, that turn it into one of the memorable places we’ve ever had the good fortune to rest our heads. A perfect place to relax by olive, almond, palm and orange trees.
OCTOBER 20-21
Next we head to Merzouga, a small village in Southeastern Morocco, famous for its proximity to the Erg Chebbi dunes – the great Sahara.
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‘Imagine yourself a star in your own Arabian Nights film’, Auberge du Sud gives us a whole new experience in the desert of Morocco: a blend of the traditional aesthetics of the desert with a comfortable and luxurious environment from which to experience the magnificent Sahara.
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OCTOBER 21-25
Fez: The Festival of Sufi Culture
We explore the ancient city of Fez, attending the Sufi Festival, learning from Sufi masters and master craftsmen and artists, as well as exploring the nearby sacred cities of Moulay Yacoub and Moulay Idriss as well as ancient roman town of Volubulis.
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We will stay in the stunning Riad Salam, a guest house in the heart of the medina of Fez.
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The Riad features a garden with central fountains, a Moroccan living room, a Hammam, sculpted cedar doors, luxuriously appointed suites and two terraces with beautiful views over the medina.
Sufism is the mystical aspect of Islam – one that eagerly welcomes all seekers of ecstatic experience.
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It is music, it is sinuous movement, and it is a glorious, and liberal, path to melding with the divine in transcendent states of consciousness. Sufi culture, beliefs, and rituals show a different face of Islam: gentle, mystical, blissful.
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The Sufi Culture Festival in Fez is a joyous celebration of Sufism, Life and Art. Moroccan culture has been deeply influenced by Sufism.
In addition to the festival activities, we’ll create our own roads into the heart of Sufism: through talks and guided reflections, day trips to spiritual sites, music and dance.
OCTOBER 25
After Fes, punch drunk on the love of the cosmos, we head to Chefchouen, a beautiful city famous for its blue buildings and houses. High in the Rif Mountains, the city looks like a small fortress. Built in 1471 by Moulay Ali Ben Moussa, to fight invaders, the town is a famous tourist destination and is been named Chefchouen because of the shape of the mountain it is located in, which looks like two horns (chaoua) of a goat. The town is full of beautiful and unique mosques and is a truly splendid destination.
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Chefchouen, our overnight stay will be at Dar chaouen. The kitchen of Dar chaouen is considered as one of the best in Morocco with great variety of dishes, couscous, tagines, pastilla and much more…
October 26
We finish our journey in the capital of Morocco, calm and peaceful city of Rabat, located on the Atlantic Ocean with the beautiful Bou Regreg River flowing through it.
Far from the rush and hustle of other Moroccan cities, Rabat is a rich and relaxing place to prepare for our return home.
October 27th: Home again, home again…