JEWISH HERITAGE TOUR OF MOROCCO
9 Days / 7 Nights
CASABLANCA - FES - RABAT - MARRAKECH - OURIKA VALLEY
Moroccan Jews constitute an ancient community. Before the founding of Israel in 1948, there were about 250,000 to 350,000 Jews[1] in the country, which gave Morocco the largest Jewish community in the Muslim world, but by 2017 only 2,000 or so remain. Jews in Morocco, originally speakers of Berber languages, Judeo-Moroccan Arabic or Judaeo-Spanish, were the first in the country to adopt the French language, and unlike the general population French remains the main (and, in many cases, the exclusive) language of members of the Jewish community there. The Jewish presence dates back over 2,500 years, to the time of the Carthaginian state. The Hebrew or Aramaic languages used by Jews were closely related to the Punic language of the Carthaginians; many Jews also settled amongst Berbers and adopted their languages. Later, under the dominion of the Romans and (after 429) the Vandals, Mauretanian Jews reportedly increased in number and prospered.
Inclusions
- Round-trip air USA – CAS/ MARRAKECH-CAS-USA
- Meet and assist upon arrival by your Perillo Tours representative
- Deluxe Private air-conditioned motor coach with an English speaking guides
- Choice of 4 or 5 star hotel throughout
- Daily breakfast , 1 Lunch, 7 Dinners
- Mineral water on the bus throughout
- 2 Night accommodations in Casablanca
- 1 Night accommodation in Fez
- 1 Night accommodation in Rabat
- 7 days of private sightseeing tours
- All entrance fees
- Hotel taxes and service charges
- Porterage at the hotels
- Optional Shabbat services at the Bet-El Synagogue followed by Shabbat dinner
- USTOA 1 Million Dollar Traveler Assistance Program
This itinerary can be modified to the requirements of your group.
Occasionally local religious and national holidays, weather, traffic conditions and other events may necessitate changes in the sequence of events or the missing of certain events/places. Though every effort will be made to follow the itinerary, it should be considered as an indication, rather than a contract of events and places to be visited.
Inclusions
- Round-trip air USA – CAS/ MARRAKECH-CAS-USA
- Meet and assist upon arrival by your Perillo Tours representative
- Deluxe Private air-conditioned motor coach with an English speaking guides
- Choice of 4 or 5 star hotel throughout
- Daily breakfast , 1 Lunch, 7 Dinners
- Mineral water on the bus throughout
- 2 Night accommodations in Casablanca
- 1 Night accommodation in Fez
- 1 Night accommodation in Rabat
- 7 days of private sightseeing tours
- All entrance fees
- Hotel taxes and service charges
- Porterage at the hotels
- Optional Shabbat services at the Bet-El Synagogue followed by Shabbat dinner
- USTOA 1 Million Dollar Traveler Assistance Program
This itinerary can be modified to the requirements of your group.
Occasionally local religious and national holidays, weather, traffic conditions and other events may necessitate changes in the sequence of events or the missing of certain events/places. Though every effort will be made to follow the itinerary, it should be considered as an indication, rather than a contract of events and places to be visited.
Dates & Rates
Select a Departure Date
At a Glance
- DAY 1: USA
- DAY 2: CASABLANCA
- DAY 3: CASABLANCA - FES
- DAY 4: FES
- DAY 5: RABAT
- DAY 6: RABAT – MARRAKECH
- DAY 7: MARRAKECH
- DAY 8: THE OURIKA VALLEY
- DAY 9: USA
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Itinerary
Click on the plus sign for full day description.
DAY 1: USA
Today depart for your overnight flight to Casablanca, Morocco.
DAY 2: CASABLANCA
Upon arrive in Casablanca we are met by our Perillo Tours representative and transfer to our hotel for check-in. A short relaxation before we begin with a panoramic tour of Casablanca and its diverse neighborhoods. We tour the Museum of the Jews of Morocco, after we return to our hotel for our included dinner and overnight accommodations. (D.)
DAY 3: CASABLANCA - FES
After breakfast we check out and visit the famous Mosque of Hassan II (the third largest mosque in the world). Continue to the ruins of Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Founded in the 3rd century B.C.E., the town became an important outpost of the Roman Empire. We stop for lunch (on own), then depart for the medieval city in the Arab world, and the home of Jewish scholars and rabbis for hundreds of years. We check into our hotel for dinner and overnight at our hotel in Fes. (B.D.)
DAY 4: FES
Breakfast then we take a panoramic view of the Medina of Fes from Borj Sud. We visit through the Mellah (Jewish Quarter) of Fes and visit the Ibn Danan Synagogue. We visit the famous Fes Jewish cemetery, where some of the city's legendary rabbis are buried. We continue our guided walk through the Medina, where the famous Jewish scholar Maimonides once lived. Our visit includes local craftsman at work in their shops weaving, embroidering etc. Tour the Madrasa Bou Inania, founded in the years 1351-56. The madrasa is one of the few religious places in Morocco accessible to non-Muslim visitors. We stop for Lunch at a restaurant and continue and visit the Museum of Wooden Arts in the restored former Caravan Stop. View the University of Al-Karaouine or Al-Qarawiyyin, considered by the Guinness Book of World Records, UNESCO and many historians as the oldest operating, academic university in the world. Onto Tanneries of Fes, which give the Medina its unique flavor and scents? Return to your hotel for dinner and overnight accommodations in Fes. (B.D.)
DAY 5: RABAT
After breakfast we check out and depart Fes for Meknes, the former residence of the Sultan. Arrive in Meknes and visit the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, who established his royal capital here during his long reign (1672-1727). We continue with a visit to the Royal Stables. Afterwards we depart for Rabat. We stop for lunch en route (on own) and continue to Rabat. We tour the city, including a walk around the walls of the Royal Palace and a visit to the Mausoleums of Mohammad V and Hassan II, two rulers who worked with the Jewish community. Our walking tour through the Old Walled City and the marvelous Kasbah des Oudayas followed by our hotel for check-in for dinner and overnight accommodations. (B.D.)
DAY 6: RABAT – MARRAKECH
After breakfast, check out of your hotel and drive to Marrakech. On our way we stop for lunch then we begin our visit in Marrakech with our panoramic tour of the city. Our guided tour of Marrakech, includes a visit to Bab Agnaou, one of the gates of the Medina, The Saadian Tombs, built in the 16th century as a mausoleum for many Saadian rulers and entertainers, The Slat el Azama Synagogue, the synagogue of the Mellah and the 19th-century Bahia Palace. After we check into our hotel with time to freshen up and prepare for Shabbat. Overnight: Marrakech. (B.L.D.)
DAY 7: MARRAKECH
Today we visit the famous Majorelle Garden, created by the orientalist painter Jacques Majorelle. Lunch on own, after we explore Marrakech's marketplace, and experience the Djemaa El Fna Square, a colorful site with its snake-charmers, street vendors, musicians, jugglers, fortune-tellers and more. After we return to our hotel for dinner and overnight at our hotel. (B.D.)
DAY 8: THE OURIKA VALLEY
Breakfast then we depart for our half-day tour to the Ourika Valley. We drive through the beautiful, green valley and to visit a Berber village. We stop for lunch (on own). After we return to Marrakech with free time for last-minute shopping, packing or relaxation. Farewell dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Marrakech. (B.D.)
DAY 9: USA
After breakfast at our hotel we depart for the airport for your flight home. (B.)
DAY 1: USA
Today depart for your overnight flight to Casablanca, Morocco.
DAY 2: CASABLANCA
Upon arrive in Casablanca we are met by our Perillo Tours representative and transfer to our hotel for check-in. A short relaxation before we begin with a panoramic tour of Casablanca and its diverse neighborhoods. We tour the Museum of the Jews of Morocco, after we return to our hotel for our included dinner and overnight accommodations. (D.)
DAY 3: CASABLANCA - FES
After breakfast we check out and visit the famous Mosque of Hassan II (the third largest mosque in the world). Continue to the ruins of Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Founded in the 3rd century B.C.E., the town became an important outpost of the Roman Empire. We stop for lunch (on own), then depart for the medieval city in the Arab world, and the home of Jewish scholars and rabbis for hundreds of years. We check into our hotel for dinner and overnight at our hotel in Fes. (B.D.)
DAY 4: FES
Breakfast then we take a panoramic view of the Medina of Fes from Borj Sud. We visit through the Mellah (Jewish Quarter) of Fes and visit the Ibn Danan Synagogue. We visit the famous Fes Jewish cemetery, where some of the city's legendary rabbis are buried. We continue our guided walk through the Medina, where the famous Jewish scholar Maimonides once lived. Our visit includes local craftsman at work in their shops weaving, embroidering etc. Tour the Madrasa Bou Inania, founded in the years 1351-56. The madrasa is one of the few religious places in Morocco accessible to non-Muslim visitors. We stop for Lunch at a restaurant and continue and visit the Museum of Wooden Arts in the restored former Caravan Stop. View the University of Al-Karaouine or Al-Qarawiyyin, considered by the Guinness Book of World Records, UNESCO and many historians as the oldest operating, academic university in the world. Onto Tanneries of Fes, which give the Medina its unique flavor and scents? Return to your hotel for dinner and overnight accommodations in Fes. (B.D.)
DAY 5: RABAT
After breakfast we check out and depart Fes for Meknes, the former residence of the Sultan. Arrive in Meknes and visit the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, who established his royal capital here during his long reign (1672-1727). We continue with a visit to the Royal Stables. Afterwards we depart for Rabat. We stop for lunch en route (on own) and continue to Rabat. We tour the city, including a walk around the walls of the Royal Palace and a visit to the Mausoleums of Mohammad V and Hassan II, two rulers who worked with the Jewish community. Our walking tour through the Old Walled City and the marvelous Kasbah des Oudayas followed by our hotel for check-in for dinner and overnight accommodations. (B.D.)
DAY 6: RABAT – MARRAKECH
After breakfast, check out of your hotel and drive to Marrakech. On our way we stop for lunch then we begin our visit in Marrakech with our panoramic tour of the city. Our guided tour of Marrakech, includes a visit to Bab Agnaou, one of the gates of the Medina, The Saadian Tombs, built in the 16th century as a mausoleum for many Saadian rulers and entertainers, The Slat el Azama Synagogue, the synagogue of the Mellah and the 19th-century Bahia Palace. After we check into our hotel with time to freshen up and prepare for Shabbat. Overnight: Marrakech. (B.L.D.)
DAY 7: MARRAKECH
Today we visit the famous Majorelle Garden, created by the orientalist painter Jacques Majorelle. Lunch on own, after we explore Marrakech's marketplace, and experience the Djemaa El Fna Square, a colorful site with its snake-charmers, street vendors, musicians, jugglers, fortune-tellers and more. After we return to our hotel for dinner and overnight at our hotel. (B.D.)
DAY 8: THE OURIKA VALLEY
Breakfast then we depart for our half-day tour to the Ourika Valley. We drive through the beautiful, green valley and to visit a Berber village. We stop for lunch (on own). After we return to Marrakech with free time for last-minute shopping, packing or relaxation. Farewell dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Marrakech. (B.D.)
DAY 9: USA
After breakfast at our hotel we depart for the airport for your flight home. (B.)
Hotel Information
Optional Tour Add-Ons
Make the most of your time in Faith Journeys with these great optional tours:
