It's a shame that most Americans probably aren't as familiar with travel destinations in northern Africa along the Mediterranean as they are with the European counterparts across the Sea. Either that or their ideas are so outdated that fear is the dominant factor. Case in point: My sister is planning a trip to Morocco this spring--which our parents have visited, albeit nearly 20 years ago--and Mom hit the Mom panic button. My sister gave her a current events briefing, and cited friends who visited there and came away not only unscathed but raving about it. Naturally, Mom remains wary, but at least she's duly informed. The lesson here: Travelers can often serve as country's best unofficial ambassadors to the world, so pay attention when your friend who's just been somewhere unusual starts talking or forwarding digital pictures.
Soapbox speeches aside, while researching the story on Egypt deals, tours to other North African destinations popped up, prompting further inquiry. So we've rounded up the latest deals to Morocco, of which there are many, and Tunisia, of which there are far fewer. As always, it's advisable to look up the latest travel advisories issued by the U.S. Department of State (https://travel.state.gov). According to the update on Morocco (https://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_975.html), it's classified as a developing economy with modern tourist facilities, which may vary in price and quality depending where you are. As for Tunisia (https://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1045.html), it too is described as a developing economy "with tourist facilities widely available in large urban and resort areas."
Morocco
For an overview, look into the Moroccan Tourist Office (tel. 212/557-2520; www.tourism-in-morocco.com) which has an office in New York.
Gate-1 Travel (tel. 800/682-3333; www.gate1travel.com) is offering "8-Day Affordable Morocco" from $999, based on New York to Casablanca and then Marrakesh to New York. Spring departures include March 18 ($999), April 8 & May 27 ($1,099); prices rise slightly in June and July and drop again in August. Six nights accommodations, nine meals, all transfers, sightseeing in an air-conditioned coach are covered and an English-speaking tour guide/manager is provided.
For a three-city trip, Gate 1 is also running an eight-day "Crown of Morocco" from $1,199. It departs from New York (other cities available for extra fee) and features stops time in Casablanca, Fez and Marrakesh. It's nearly all-inclusive: an English-speaking escort, all transfers, entrance fees, eleven meals, airline fuel charges, airfare and six nights accommodations are covered. The trip departs February 18 ($1,199) and March 4 ($1,289) only; prices quoted for both Gate 1 trips are for cash discounts if booked by February 24.
The U.S. based specialty tour operator Caravan-Serai (tel. 800/451-8097; www.caravan-serai.com) also offers "Grand Tour of Morocco", one of their many tours to this country. It's priced at $1,200 during low season (January 8, 22, June 11, 25, and through the summer) and $1,350 for February 5 & 19, March 5 & 19, April 2, 16, 30, and beyond. There is a minimum of four people for departure. Beginning in Casablanca with a bus tour, you'll depart for Rabat for dinner and an overnight stay. Other stops include Fez, Erfoud, Marrakesh and the Berber village Azrou, along with many sights along the way. Caravan-Serai's packages give you a combination of guided tours and free time and offer highly personal and authentic glimpses into life in Arab countries; owner Rita Zawaideh has family members in many of the countries on their schedule.
Foreign Independent Tours (tel. 800/248-3487; www.fittours.com) is running several Moroccan trips, some stand alones and others in conjunction with Egypt. Their escorted tours include "8-Day Imperial cities" and are Saturday departures starting from $1,250, including airfare, six nights accommodations and breakfast and dinner daily.Other amenities include transportation by an air-conditioned coach, an English-speaking tour guide, and sightseeing (fees and guidance included). If you're limited to a Saturday departure, this is a good option; you won't be penalized for choosing a traditionally coveted busy travel day. It is a whirlwind though, with time in Rabat, Fez, Marrakesh and Casablanca. Just make sure you select category B (it's less fancy) when looking at dates for Saturdays in January and February 4 ($1,275), February 11, 18 and 25 ($1,420).
For something slightly more unusual, FIT offers an "8-Day Moroccan Desert Adventure by Land Rover" priced from $1,660. Between January 10 and February 5 the price is $1,795 for air and land; February 6 it drops to $1,660 and the trip is not offered again until June 1. It's a seven-night trip; three are spent in a bivouac and four in hotels. Taxes, services, entrance fees, luggage handling, breakfast and dinner daily, transfers and full assistance (you are transported in a Land Rover days two through six) are all covered. It is ideal for a small group or family; it operates with a minimum of four people.
Tunisia
The Tunisia National Tourism Office (tel. 202/466-2546; www.tourismtunisia.com) has an outpost in Washington, D.C. and is a good place to start. Tunisia is not quite as heavily on the radar of travel providers as other North African destinations we've covered here are, which is most likely an indication that it's someplace to watch.
Caravan Serai (tel. 800/451-8097; www.caravan-serai.com) is offering one trip here. Their trip "The Sahara Sands of Tunisia," for example, departs all year round on Mondays and Fridays only, and is priced at $750 land only--but they'll work with you to find good airfare prices. While in Tunisia, the dozen and a half stops include the resort town Hammamet, located on the Mediterranean Sea, Sousse, Tunis, El Jem, the old city of Sfax, and a ferry to the island of Djerba, known for its fertile ground that yields olives, fig, pomegranates, lemons and more.
For travel within Tunisia that includes hotel stays and touring local attractions in nine cities, (assuming you get here on your own), try Tunisian Vacation (tel. 877/438-8687; www.tunisianvacation.com). They offer reasonable rates for hotel stays at your luxury levels--three to five stars--for varying lengths of time. A five-night stay in a five star hotel in Tunis (www.tunisianvacation.com/html/tunis.html) will cost you $490; a three-star hotel is priced at $310. You'll also get private transfers, assistance and luggage handling, buffet breakfast daily, a half-day excursion to the Bardo Museum, plus taxes and gratuities. The deal for the coastal resort town of Hammamet, for example (www.tunisianvacation.com/html/hammamet.html), provides similar amenities, priced from $350-$460 for five nights, and a full-day excursion to Roman archeological sites of Dougga and Thuburbo Majus.
Tunis USA (tel. 800/474-5500; www.tunisusa.com), based in Wayne, Pennsylvania, specializes in travel to Malta, Turkey and Tunisia. They offer a few organized trips in the winter and spring, including "From the Kasbah to the Sahara," January 27-February 3, February 10-17; and "Roman Tunisia," January 20-27, February 3-10 and 17-24, all at $1,795. These tours are offered on a bi-weekly basis through most of the spring, although the price goes up slightly. The price tag includes all meals, double occupancy in deluxe or first class hotels for seven nights and touring entrance fees; airfare is not included.
According to company founder Jerry Sorkin, though, they're really in the business of individualized travel, which allows more flexibility. "More than anything, we do personalized, customized private tours that include knowledgeable and very personable English-speaking Tunisia guides. This has become the mainstay of our business, as the cost of doing a private tour for 2 people is not that much more than two people paying their individual/double occupancy price for one of our group tours." One recent itinerary for a couple was actually slightly less than its organized, 11-day counterpart. A guide meets you at the airport, and Tunis USA arranges for a driver, too.
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