September 29, 2003 -- September, October and November, often rainy in our climate, are perfectly pleasant in North Africa. It's the best time to travel there, and we've found a pretty good deal to get you there.
Globus offers an in-depth excursion, which will give you insight into the many layers of this country's ancient traditions. Their 11-day/9-night trip is priced from $979 for land-only or for $1,574 for air included; these rates apply to departures through November. Land-only packages include hotels with private bath or shower, hotel taxes, hotel service charges, baggage handling tips, welcome drink, nine buffet breakfasts, seven three-course dinners, and two lunches as well as the air-conditioned motor coach.
A Saturday evening flight will take you to Casablanca from New York, where you'll spend Sunday night and have dinner with the tour director. After that you will be transported in space and time as you travel along the Barbary Coast to Rabat -- a lair of corsairs turn the capital. Your next stop will place you in the heart of ancient culture -- Fez. A look at the magnificent entrance to the Royal Palace, visit to labyrinthine Fes-El-Bali, Morocco's largest medina and a stroll through the Jewish Quarter are only few of the cultural spectacles you will experience. On Wednesday it is back on the road, and not just any old road, but one of the oldest trading routes to the mystical deep south. Your destination is Erfoud located in former French Foreign Legion Territory. As you spend two nights here, you will have a chance to admire the oasis of Ziz Valley and observe the rural life of Tuareg, Berber and Blue peoples. On the way to your next stop point -- Ouarzazate -- you are guaranteed to get a bit dizzy as you pass the "Grand Canyon of the Sahara" with its narrowest point just 33 feet wide and 950 feet high! Saturday will find you in Marrakesh for a two nights visit. Better put your running shoes on, for there is plenty to be seen, not to mention plenty to be bought! The elaborately decorated sixteenth century Saadian Tombs, 222-foot-high Koutoubia Minaret, Bahia Palace... and who could resist visiting local souks?! All that and an evening feast on Moroccan cuisine will probably justify a little nap you may take the next day, on your way back to Casablanca. Here you can do somemore sightseeing before, loaded with bargains, you will finally head home.
For bookings and more information, visit Globus at www.globusjourneys.com/globus.aspx?section=vacations&content=summary&trip=3QM or call them at 866/265-2651.
Considering Safety Concerns
For those worried over the practicality of traveling to Morocco, which experienced a brief episode of terrorist bombings in May 2003, we recommend visiting https://travel.state.gov/morocco.html to stay abreast of U.S. State Department travel advisories.
Have you been to Morocco and have a adventure or practical tip to share? We'd love to hear from you. Just post your thoughts on our Morocco Message Boards.