Dubai & Morocco
*Fully escorted from Australia
Guaranteed SINGLE room throughout
Departing Australia 05 November, 2007

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Dubai  3 nights, Rabat 1 night,  Fez 2 nights, Bedouin Tent 1 night, Tineghir 1 night, Ouarzazate 1 night, Marrakech 3 nights,  Essouira 1 night, Casablanca 1 night

Dubai is a city of contrasts, a land where the old and the new, traditional and the modern, East and the West blend seamlessly to produce a fascinating, mysterious, exciting place with a distinct personality all its own. It's a welcoming metropolis with a seductive ambience rooted in traditional Arabic hospitality and topped with an ultra-modern flourish. In this cosmopolitan city you can revel in latest comforts, facilities and entertainment whilst enjoying the mystique and heritage of Arabia.

Morocco is an enchanting land of great geographical contrasts and fascinating culture.  From the fascinating kasbahs, medinas and souks of the Imperial Cities and the amazing Moorish architecture, wonderful handicrafts and genuine friendly people  - Morocco is a kingdom full of memorable experiences.

Day 1  05 November, 2007    We'll fly overnight with Emirates from Australia and arrive into Dubai early tomorrow morning.   Flight departs from Melbourne at 8.30pm

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Day 2  06 November, 2007   Arrive Dubai  (B,D)    -    After clearing Immigration & Customs formalities we will enjoy an orientation tour of Dubai en-route to the hotel.  We'll have a photo stop at Burj Al Arab, visit Jumeirah Mosque, the fruit and vegetable market, spice souk and gold souk.  We'll then have the afternoon at leisure to rest and relax before our evening Dhow cruise with dinner.  Your cruise aboard one of these traditional wooden vessels offers an intriguingly-different view of this amazing city- a portrait of the true character of Dubai, the intertwining of traditional and modern. You will see old wooden dhows and luxury yachts, splendid examples of modern architecture like the National Bank of Dubai and the spectacular Chamber of Commerce building, whilst Sheikh Saeed’s House, the birthplace of Sheikh Rashid and the Heritage Village are reminiscent of the days gone by. Dinner and fragrant Arabic coffee is included – a delicious taste of true Arabian hospitality.  Accommodation:  Traders Hotel

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Day 3 07 November, 2007  Dubai  (B D)   Morning at leisure.  This afternoon our tour departs  across the desert with several photo-stops during an exciting dune drive to the first destination the camel farm. The drive continues across the desert. Watch the beautiful sunset in the desert.  Reach our campsite, where you have the opportunity to do camel riding, sand boarding and try out a henna design on hands or feet. After working up an appetite enjoy a delicious barbecue dinner and a shisha (the famous Arabic water pipe). Before returning, watch our belly dancer performing her show around the campfire by starlight. Accommodation: Traders Hotel

Day 4  08 November, 2007  Dubai  (B)    Full day to shop till you drop. One of Dubai's prime attractions is its superb shopping in a cosmopolitan environment.  From international brands to local crafts, Dubai is a shoppers paradise.  Dubai's famous Gold Souk dazzles you with its gold jewellery.  Choose luxurious carpets - wool or Iranian silk.  Shop for electronic goods, cameras and watches.  Buy the latest designer labels and fashion wear.    If shopping is not your 'thing', then why not take an optional excursion which can be booked directly from our hotel.  Accommodation:  Traders Hotel


Day 5  09 November, 2007  Dubai - Casablanca - Rabat (B, D)   Early morning transfer to the airport and onward flight to Casablanca. Arrive at Casablanca International airport and travel downtown to Casablanca for an orientation then on to Rabat.  Start the city visit of Rabat including the Hassan Tower, the Mausoleum of Mohamed V and the Chellah then check in to the hotel for dinner and overnight   Accommodation:  Hotel Golden Tulip Farah Rabat    


Day 6  10 November, 2007   Rabat - Fez  (B,D)  An early visit of Rabat the Imperial capital where we visit the exteriors of the Royal Palace, the Mellah, the Mohamed V mausoleum, Hassan Tower and the Oudayas.  We then leave Rabat and go to the Roman city of Volubilis renowned for its remarkably preserved mosaics and the afternoon finds us in the old capital of the Sultan Moulay Idriss – his stables there once housed 12,000 horses. We stop at the famous Bab Mansour (Bab in Arabic means gate) before going to our Fez hotel for dinner and overnight stay.    Accommodation: Hotel Jnan Palace

Day 7 11 November, 2007  Fez  (B,D)   A full day today to visit the oldest Imperial city in Morocco with the oldest university in the world. Our day begins in the old Medina with Fez El Bali - old Fez - the Andalusian and the Karaouine quarter with its dyers and tanners and artisans working in the style of their forefathers.   As the day progresses we take in the Mellah - the Jewish quarter, with its old cemetery and the Royal Palace. A fascinating day finishing back in the hotel for  overnight.    Dinner is taken in the Maison Bleue   Accommodation: Hotel Jnan Palace 
     
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Day 8  12 November, 2007  Merzouga  (Berber tent)  (B,L,D)  A day of contrast, leaving behind Fez and its Medina and stopping at Ifrane with its Alpine type scenery. On to the Middle Atlas by lunchtime and finishing our day at the edge of the Sahara desert in Erfoud. Here we can make an excursion to the highest dunes of the Sahara - Merzouga to see the sun set over the dunes of the desert. A fitting end to a remarkable day. We spend the night in the dunes themselves in de-luxe bivouac taking dinner around the campfire and sleeping under canvas.   

Day 9  13 November, 2007  Tineghir  (B,D)    After an early breakfast we head back to civilisation where we can take a shower before visiting the Jewish quarter, cemetery and synagogue of Baba Sali then  leaving the desert region behind we head for the Todgha Gorges.   We spend the night in Tineghir with dinner included.  Accommodation:  Kasbah Lamrani 

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Day 10  14 November, 2007  Ouarzazate  (B,D)  We leave Tinerghir behind and visit the Dades Gorges before taking the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs and arriving in Ouarzazate around lunchtime.  The afternoon will be spent visiting Ouarzazate and especially the Taourirt Kasbah.  Dinner is included tonight.  Accommodation: Berber Palace   


Day 11  15 November, 2007  Marrakech (B)    A  half day in the region of Ouarzazate. Time will be spent in the area of Ait Ben Haddou with its wonderful Kasbah, now under the protection of UNESCO. Its ochre walls have been the backdrop for many a Hollywood movie, including recently Gladiator.  Then over the Tiz'n Tichka pass to Marrakech arriving in time for dinner .  Accommodation:  Es Saadi

Day 12  16 November, 2007  Marrakech (Atlas Mountains) (B,L)  We visit the Ourika valley today arguably one of the prettiest valleys in Morocco taking lunch in a Berber village before returning to Marrakech.  Accommodation:  Es Saadi   


Day 13  17 November, 2007  Marrakech  (B,L,D)   A full day today to explore perhaps the most famous of the Imperial cities. The morning a tour of the city takes in some of the sights and monuments that make Marrakech so famous – a reminder of it’s incredible and turbulent past. Our English speaking guide will take you into the Medina, a labyrinth of small streets and alleyways, filled with shops and stalls selling everything imaginable, with an aroma of saffron and orange blossom among sacks of almonds piled high as mountains ! !The Menara, surrounded by magnificent gardens, is probably the most peaceful place in Marrakech, its tranquil waters and the snow capped mountains in the background in winter making it a perfect setting for those holiday snapshots.
We will also take you into the 19th century Bahia Palace (if the King is not in residence) which was built over a period of 6 years at public expense. The Palace belonged to Bou Ahmed, chamberlain to Sultan Abdelaziz. It was here in the palace that Bou Ahmed resided with his 4 wives. The palace is named in honour of his favourite.    Finally, your day is complete with a visit to the famous Djemma El Fna square with its’ fortune tellers, dancers, snake charmers and water sellers. This square really is the heart of Marrakech. You will have time to wander around or just sit in one of the roof top cafes surrounding the square. Sit and enjoy this incredible picture postcard – a living theatre with the Atlas mountains as a backdrop before returning to our hotel. Tonight, enjoy an elegant  dinner at Stylia Restaurant featuring a variety of Moroccan cuisine. Entertainment includes Gnaoui musicians playing the music of Guinea, an Andalusian orchestra, and / or a belly dancer.  Accommodation:  Es Saadi


Day 14 18 November, 2007  Essaouira  (B,L, D)   An early start today for Essaouuira, once known as Mogador.  The "Purple Islands" off the coast were used by the Romans for the dying of their togas and we explore the old Medina little changed since its Portuguese occupants left;  The Star of David is in evidence in this town with a strong Jewish history. Dinner and overnight in our Essaouira  hotel.  

Day 15  19 November, 2007  Casablanca  (B,L)  We drive north today visiting an Argan oil cooperative then stopping for lunch in Oualidia.  On through El Jadidia setting for Orson Welles version of Hamlet and finally we arrive in Casablanca.  Accommodation: Hotel Barcelo.  B L

Day 16  20 November, 2007    Casablanca - Australia
We will be transferred to the airport for our flight to Casablanca and connecting flights back to Australia.

Day 17 21 November, 2007  Dubai Transit Hotel   Flight arrives into Dubai at 1.30am and connects through to Melbourne

Day 18  22 November, 2007  Arrive Australia  Arrive Melbourne, Australia this morning at 1.15am   We will book an airport hotel for those people requiring onward flights later this morning.

 

                                                                                             Tour cost  *$A8990 includes:

Land arrangements in Dubai:

Land arrangements in Morocco:

Tour cost does not include:
Air ticket taxes
Passport and visa fees
Meals other than those specified
Travel insurance
Items of a personal nature
Tips for guides & drivers 
In Morroco $US100 per person recommended, to be divided $70 for
the guide and $30 for the driver.

*Please note that prices are based on a group of 12 passengers.  In Morocco we have a completely private group with English speaking guide, i.e. no other passengers will be joined into our tour  (a very common practice for travel in Morocco)   If numbers fall below 12, the tour will need to be recosted. 
 

*  Please note that prices are subject to increase and/or currency surcharge

To contact us
Destination World Travel
P O Box 2040
South Plympton   South Australia  5038
Australia

Phone: 08-8293-6988  Outside of Australia telephone 61 8 8293 6988
Fax:      08-8293-5988  Outside of Australia fax   61 8 8293 5988

Email:  destinationworld@internode.on.net