Our Quilters Textile Tour of Morocco includes all meals
You will make your own air travel arrangements for this tour, plan to arrive to meet our group at the hotel the evening of September 3. The hotel name will be announced to the group when it is available about 30 days prior to the tour. Due to unexpected circumstances, the itinerary may change.
DAY 1:: September 3, 2024: CASABLANCA
Upon arrival in Casablanca, the economic capital of Morocco, you will have private airport meet & greet service and then proceed to our hotel in Casablanca, where you will check in and relax for the afternoon. You will have the remainder of the day to explore Casablanca on your own. A welcome dinner will be served in the hotel. D
DAY 2:: September 4: CASABLANCA / RABAT
After breakfast we will enjoy a visit of the Hassan II mosque, one of the largest mosques in the world. Loaded with religious and historical significance, it will awe you with its sheer size and incredible architecture. Smell the salty ocean air as you marvel at the exquisite minaret! Following lunch we will leave for rabat where you may want to visit the Kasbah Oudaya and Chellah. B, L, D
DAY 3:: September 5: RABAT
After breakfast we will enjoy a visit of to the souqs (shops) in the old medina where you will have free time to explore and shop until your heart is content. Following lunch we will have a visit of an Embroidery training school (established by a famous Moroccan designer) for underprivileged children. Here we will learn about Rabat Embroidery. B, L, D
DAY 4:: September 6: RABAT / MEKNES/ FES
After breakfast, we will set out in the morning to Meknes where we will walk through the local markets to enjoy the embroidery and weavers areas. Then, we continue to the ancient city of Fes dating over 1200 years old. Once in Fes we will begin your guided tour of the medina, one of the world’s largest walled in cities. We will enjoy a visit of the Medersa Bou Inania, the Batha Museum, and the leather tanneries. B, L, D
DAY 5:: September 7: FES
After breakfast we will enjoy exploring the kings palace and a visit to the overlook of Fes. Here we will see a pottery workshop followed by a visit to the Handcraft Museum. Following lunch we will explore the Brocade workshop, whose owner has been doing his trade for over 50 years. B, L, D
After breakfast we will head to Sefrou where we will explore this small quaint town known as the Cherry capital of Morocco and has a rich Jewish heritage. We will visit a women’s co-op where we will learn the age old way to make button-knots. These Moroccan women love to share their knowledge and help people understand these unique techniques. Buttons of different sizes and shapes and colors will be on display as well. We will continue to enjoy the medina of Sefrou and visit different woodworkers, craftsmen and weavers.
One may choose to have an optional visit of the small town of Bahilil known for its unique cave homes built into the mountains. B, L, D
After an early breakfast, we will begin your journey towards Marrakech. Heading up into the mountains we will visit the unique town of Ifrane known as the Swiss village, before heading to Azrou where you will visit a local cooperative of women who create carpets. We will enjoy lunch along the way. In the afternoon we will stop in Khenifra where you will enjoy a unique cultural experience of the Carpet Market (where Moroccan wholesale vendors bid for local carpets from local mountain families who hand make the carpets). B, L, D
DAY 8:: September 10: BENI MELLAL / BZOU / MARRAKECH
After breakfast you we will continue on our journey to Marrakech. Along the route we will stop in the small Berber village of Bzou known as for its high quality production of fabric used in making Djellabas, the traditional Moroccan dress. Once in Marrakech we will check into our riad. Depending upon the time, you could opt to head back to the Djemaa El Fnaa square which comes alive at night, with snake charmers, traditional story tellers, monkeys, and street food vedors. B, L, D
DAY 9:: September 11: MARRAKECH
After breakfast, we will have a guided tour of Marrakech, the southern pearl of Morocco followed by a visit to the Jardin Marjorelle which includes the Berber Musuem & Yves Saint Laurenet Museums. We will then continue to the medina where we will wonder through the labyrinth of small streets enjoying the skouks all along the way. Later, we will visit a museum dedicated to the intricate local carpet weaving and enjoy lunch will be taken in the medina.
In the afternoon we will enjoy an embroidery workshop where we will you will learn the basic art of traditional needlework and have hands on experience creating your own embroidery piece.
At dusk, we will enjoy an evening out at Jemaa el-Fna. Coming alive at night with the local storytellers, entertainers, and mouth-watering barbeque pits, the square is well worth a visit. B, L, D
DAY 10:: September 12: MARRAKECH
After breakfast our group will enjoy a visit of a Private Textile & Jewelry collection in a private home that has over 1000 different unique pieces from each of the different Berber Tribes from Morocco. Here, the group will learn about the different tribes and the styles that go with each tribe. Lunch will be served at the Local Association where you will enjoy lovely lunch and learn about how these women are empowered through through their cooking skills. We will then enjoy visit of the ancient medina of Marrakech including the Bahia Palace and the traditional Boucharouite Museum where the Berber Rag Rugs are displayed. B, L, D
DAY 11:: September 13: MARRAKECH
After breakfast the group take off to enjoy a 3 hour Mosaic Workshop – giving hands on explanation and instruction while creating your own small piece of work in the Moroccan mosaic style. Following lunch we will enjoy time to shop in the souks. B, L, D
After breakfast we will say farewell to Marrakech and head to Essaoiura. Along the way we will stop for a visit at an Argan oil cooperative before continuing to the coastal village where we will have a workshop learning how to make a Moroccan rag rug. Following lunch we will have a tour of the of the Portuguese fortress and wander through this quaint medina and the port area enjoying a nice walk along the beach area before dinner. B, L, D
After breakfast we will head towards Casablanca. Along the way, you will enjoy a visit to the costal town of El Jdida where you will enjoy the interesting Portuguese fortress and underground cistern.
After this visit you will continue to Casablanca for your final night in Morocco. Dinner will be served in a local resturant. B, L, D
DAY 14:: September 16: CASABLANCA / DEPART (B)
After breakfast, we will make our way to the airport for independent departure.
**Due to unforeseeable circumstances, this itinerary may change.