Read a Smithsonian Expert interview about Morocco at SmithsonianJourneys.org/Morocco

Guaranteed small group of no more than 24 Smithsonian travelers per departure

A typical kasbah, as seen along the “Route of a Thousand Kasbahs”

from the ImperIal CItIes to the sahara

Day 1: Depart the U.S. for Casablanca, Morocco

Day 2: Casablanca and Rabat After arriving in Casa blanca, the commercial center of Morocco (and of all North Africa), proceed to Rabat, and check into your hotel near famed Hassan Tower. Tonight enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant in Rabat’s Old Town. (L,D)

Day 3: Rabat One of Morocco’s four ancient capitals, or imperial cities, Rabat is again the coun try’s capital, at once historic and contemporary as you discover on today’s tour. Visit the fortified Kasbah of the Oudaias, the peaceful Andalusian Gardens, and the necropolis of Chellah, built on ancient Roman ruins. Cross the river to Sale for lunch at a local restaurant followed by a visit to Rabat’s Archaeological Museum and a walk through the medina (old city). Late afternoon return to your hotel and enjoy dinner. (B,L,D)

Day 4: Meknes, Volubilis, Fez Depart Rabat for Fez this morning, stopping along the way in Meknes, Morocco’s youngest imperial city (and World Heritage site). Visit the Bab el Mansour gateway and the ruins of the imperial stables before lunch in a local restaurant. Continue to the ancient Roman ruins at the site of Volubilis, known for its intricate and colorful

mosaics. Upon arrival in Fez check into your elegant hotel adjacent to the medina, another World Heritage site. (B,L,D)

Day 5: Fez Explore Morocco’s oldest imperial city, considered the “Athens of Africa.” Begin with a walking tour of Fez’s fascinating medina, focusing on the artisans’ quarters, the 14th-century Koranic schools, and Al Karaouine, the medieval theological university. Return to the hotel for lunch and some time at leisure then tour the old mellah (Jewish quarter) and its 17th-cen tury synagogue, the royal gates, and the Museum of Fez. Tonight enjoy a private dinner at an intimate family-run riad in Fez. (B,L,D)

Day 6: Fez Visit a Berber village where residents live much as their ancestors did centuries ago and share tea with a local family in their cave dwelling. Continue to whitewashed Sefrou, an old Jewish town at the foot of the Middle Atlas Mountains, then return to Fez and tour local pottery factories. After lunch, enjoy a concert of enchanting Arabic music. Have free time to relax late afternoon before dining this evening at the hotel’s restaurant. (B,D)

Day 7: Midelt and Erfoud Cross the fertile plains beyond Fez and continue through the Middle Atlas mountain range. Stop in the small town of Midelt

SplendorS of Morocco

Your Small Group Tour HighlightsEnjoy a Sahara sunset excursion and camel ride on the dunes ... Visit six World Heritage sites including the imperial cities of Rabat, Meknes, Fez, Marrakech ... Tour the ruins of Volubilis ... Enjoy a home-hosted dinner in Fez ... Relax with an afternoon of Arabic music ... Marvel at the scenic “Route of a Thousand Kasbahs” and the dramatic Todra Gorges ... Tour the kasbah of Ait ben-Haddou ... Visit with a Berber family ... Traverse through Marrakech’s medina and Djemaa el Fna Square ... Meet with an imam in Marrakech ... Tour Casablanca and Hassan II mosque

Day Itinerary Hotel Rating 1 Depart U.S. for Casablanca

2-3 Rabat La Tour Hassan Sup. First Class

4-6 Fez Sofitel Palais Jamai Deluxe

7-8 Erfoud Kasbah Hotel Chergui First Class

9 Ouarzazate La Berbere Palace First Class

10-12 Marrakech Sofitel Marrakech Deluxe

13 Casablanca Kenzi Tower Hotel Sup. First Class

14 Depart Casablanca for U.S.

Ratings are based on the Hotel & Travel Index, the travel industry standard reference.

14 days from $5,429 total price from New York ($4,995 air & land inclusive plus $434 airline taxes and departure fees)

M orocco is a land of contrasts – Roman ruins and sacred mosques, endless

desert and storied mountains, imposing kasbahs and spirited souks. On this exotic adventure, discover the imperial cities of Rabat, Fez, and Marrakech; the High Atlas Mountains; and the vast Sahara. Our journey will open your eyes and heart to a traditional culture and gracious people.

Mediterranean Sea

Atlantic Ocean

Rabat Fez

Erfoud/Sahara Desert

Ouarzazate

Marrakech

Casablanca

DestinationMotorcoachEntry/Departure

Avg. High (°F) Apr Sep Oct NovRabat 71 77 77 70Marrakech 79 89 81 73

AFRICA

34 On The Web

for lunch, then cross the Ziz River, passing rows of sky-scraping palm trees and fortified villages before reaching your kasbah-style hotel in Erfoud late in the day. Dinner tonight is at the hotel. (B,L,D)

Day 8: Erfoud, Rissani, Merzouga Visit the city of Rissani, with its 18th-century ksar, a virtually impen-etrable warren of alleys, then continue to the ruins of Sijilmasa. Set out on a sunset excursion to the breath-takingly beautiful sand dunes at Merzouga on the edge of the Sahara. In the enormous silence, watch the sun set over the desert from atop a camel. (B,D)

Day 9: Tinehir, Todra Gorges, Ouarzazate One impressive scene unfolds after another on today’s journey to the snowcapped High Atlas. Visit the village of Tinehir, a stunning mountain oasis rising on a series of riverside ter races lush with palm trees, and see spectacular 984-foot Todra Gorges, home to a variety of rare bird and plant species. Follow ing lunch visit El Kelaa des Mgouna, Morocco’s “rose capital,” then set out on the fabled “Route of a Thou sand Kasbahs” ancient caravan route, a region of fortresses with elaborately decorated façades. Spend the evening in the town of Ouarzazate (the “door of the desert”). (B,L,D)

Day 10: Ait ben-Haddou and Marrakech En route to Marrakech today, stop first at uninhab-ited Ait ben-Haddou, a World Heritage site. Its old section consists of deep red kasbahs packed together so tightly they appear to be a single unit. Descending from the High Atlas, enjoy views of typical villages with fortified walls and stone houses with earthen roofs. Arrive in Marrakech late this afternoon and dine tonight at the hotel. (B,L,D)

Day 11: Marrakech The city of Marrakech is an allur ing oasis with a temperate climate, distinct charm, and fascinating sites. Today’s touring includes the Koutoubia Mosque with its distinctive 282-foot minaret visible from miles away, the beautiful Andalusian-style El Bahia Palace, and the ruins of the 16th-century Palais El Badii. After lunch at the hotel, embark on a walking tour of the medina, ending at Djemaa el Fna Square, a World Heritage site and the heart of Marrakech, crowded with snake charm ers, entertainers, storytellers, musicians, barbers, and sellers of fruits and spices. Dinner tonight is on your own in this exotic city. (B,L)

Day 12: Marrakech Travel by horse-drawn carriage from Menara Park to Majorelle Garden, a private botanical garden with some 15 species of birds native to North Africa and known for its cobalt blue accents. Visit the newly renovated Berber Museum, with art and artifacts reflecting Berber culture in Morocco. This afternoon enjoy an exciting meeting when you visit the home of a local imam to discuss the Muslim faith. Dinner tonight will be at a local restaurant in the city’s Old Town. (B,D)

Day 13: Marrakech and Casablanca Depart Marra kech this morning for storied Casablanca,

Morocco’s largest and most cosmopolitan city. After a brief orientation tour of the city, we visit the magnificent Hassan II Mosque, Morocco’s only functioning mosque open to non-Muslims. Tonight celebrate your Moroccan adventure at a farewell dinner at a festive and lively restaurant. (B,D)

Day 14: Depart for the U.S. After breakfast transfer to the airport for your return flight to the U.S. (B)

Your Tour Price Includes• Round-trip air transportation from listed cities• 12 nights accommodations in Deluxe, Superior First

Class, and First Class hotels• 31 meals: 12 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 11 dinners• Extensive sightseeing as described, including all

entrance fees• Services of a professional Tour Director• Lectures by Smithsonian Expert• Private motorcoach transportation throughout your trip• Luggage handling for one bag per person• Gratuities for Tour Director, local guides, dining room

servers, airport and hotel porters, and all drivers

“The culture and life of the Berbers were a revelation. We gained great

admiration for them. The beauty and geographical and cultural diversity of the country were remarkable.”

– Bill and Dolores F.

2014 Tour Dates and Pricesincluding international airfare and all taxes, surcharges, and fees

Nov 8 Sep 27

New York $5,429 $5,629

Baltimore, Boston, Miami $5,729 $5,929

Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Detroit, Orlando, Tampa, $5,829 $6,029

Washington, DC

Cincinnati, Cleveland, Denver, $5,929 $6,129

Minneapolis, Phoenix

Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Portland (OR), San Francisco, $6,029 $6,229 Seattle

Land Only $4,595 $4,795

Please call if your city is not listed. Prices are per person based on double occu pancy and include airline taxes, fuel surcharges, and departure fees of $434, which are subject to change until final payment is made. Single travelers please add $1,595. All 2014 prices above (excluding airline taxes, fuel surcharges, and departure fees) are guaranteed.

Business Class upgrade on round-trip transatlantic flight: $3,795 per person (upgrade is on request and pricing is subject to change).

Watch the Sahara sunset from atop a camel train.

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Smithsonian ExpertsKenneth Perkins is a professor of history at the University of South Carolina and teaches courses on Islamic civilization, the history of North Africa and the Middle East in the Islamic Era, and U.S. relations with the Middle East.

He received his M.A. and Ph.D. in Middle Eastern Studies from Princeton University. Ken has con-ducted scholarly research in Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, France, the United Kingdom, and Sudan. He is the author of numerous books, including A History of Modern Tunisia. Ken will lead the November departure.

Moshe Gershovich is professor of modern Middle Eastern history at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. A native of Israel, he earned his B.A. at Tel Aviv University and Ph.D. in history and Middle Eastern studies at Harvard University.

Moshe lived in Morocco where he worked on research as a Fulbright Senior Scholar and taught at Al-Akhawayn University. He has written a book and numerous articles related to the modern history and politics of Morocco and French colonialism. Moshe will lead the September departure (see page 6).

Call 1-877-338-8687 or visit SmithsonianJourneys.orgTo Register