Page 250 - 2022 & 2023 Adventures by Land & Sea
P. 250

Itinerary                                      way to our riad—a Moroccan home that has been   stop to meet with a semi-nomadic family (when
                                                              refurbished into an intimate hotel. Later, we’ll visit   possible) and delve into their way of life.
                                                              a traditional hammam and learn how religious and    B,L,D —  Kasbah  Hotel  Chergui   or  similar
              DAY  1 •  Depart U.S.                           social life is interwoven in this bathing culture.

              DAY  2 •  Arrive Casablanca, Morocco •           B,L —  Hotel  Riad  Salam   or  similar        DAY    •  Off-road Sahara adventure •
                                                                                                              Overland to Sahara Desert camp • Meet
              Overland to Rabat                               DAY  5 •  Explore Fez • Home-Hosted Dinner      local family
                An O.A.T. representative meets us at the airport in     Following breakfast, we set out for a day of     After breakfast, we enjoy an O.A.T.-exclusive visit
              Casablanca this morning. Then we drive to Rabat, one   exploration in Fez. First, we go to the traditional   with members of a local desert community in their
              of Morocco’s ancient imperial cities and its modern   Jewish quarter, called the mellah, where we’ll visit   home to experience a traditional side of Moroccan
              capital since 1913. Later this afternoon, we meet   a 17th-century synagogue. Afterwards, we’ll stroll   life. Afterwards, we board our 4x4 vehicles and head
              our fellow travelers who took the optional pre-trip   through the souks (marketplace) of the Old City—  into the desert to continue our journey to our private
              extensions to New! Andalusia & the Costa del Sol: Seville   the medina—with our Trip Experience Leader. This   tented campsite, located close to a sea of sand dunes
              & Malaga or Northern Morocco: Chefchaouen, Tangier   evening, we’ll enjoy an O.A.T.-exclusive Home-Hosted   near Merzouga.
              & the Berbers of the Rif. Then we’ll enjoy dinner at   Dinner with a local family.
              our hotel.                                                                                      Upon arrival, you may enjoy some free time, or
                                                               B,L,D —  Hotel  Riad  Salam   or  similar      join your Trip Experience Leader on an optional
               D —  Le  Diwan  Hotel   or  similar
                                                              DAY  6 •  Fez • Controversial Topic: Moroccan   hike where you can enjoy the sun setting over the
              DAY  3 •  Explore Rabat • Controversial Topic:   patriarchy and women’s rights • Optional       dunes. We enjoy a traditional Moroccan cooking
              Refugees and poverty in Morocco                 Volubilis & Meknes tour                         demonstration this evening.
                After breakfast, we’ll enjoy a Welcome Briefing     You have the day free for your own discoveries. You    B,L,D —  Private  tented  camp
              followed by an introduction to the Arabic language.   may join a full-day optional tour of two UNESCO
              Afterwards, we commence our walking tour of Rabat.   World Heritage Sites, Volubilis and Meknes. First,
              We’ll visit La Halinka, the oldest coffee shop in the   we’ll wander amongst the ruins and striking mosaics
              region. Then, we visit the ruins and gardens of the   of Volubilis, one of the most well-preserved Roman   Watch this independent video to learn
              Chellah and Kasbah Oudeya, a citadel originally built   cities in North Africa. Then we’ll set off for Meknes,
              in the 12th-century. This afternoon, we learn about   where we’ll stop for lunch at a local restaurant   more about this adventure
              a Controversial Topic when we meet a Nigerian   and take a tour of the Old City. This afternoon,
              refugee and a young Moroccan woman to learn why a   we’ll reconvene as a small group to learn about a
              growing number of sub-Saharan refugees are arriving   Controversial Topic when we meet a local activist
              in Morocco to seek a better life, and how their   and professor to discuss sexism in Morocco.
              rising numbers are placing a strain on the country’s
              economy. Tonight, we gather for a Welcome Dinner at    B,D —  Hotel  Riad  Salam   or  similar
              a local restaurant.                             DAY    •  Cross the Middle & High Atlas
               B,D —  Le  Diwan  Hotel   or  similar          Mountains • Overland to Erfoud
                                                                Leaving Fez, we wind across the Middle and High
              DAY  4 •  Overland to Fez • Hammam visit        Atlas Mountains, through scenic cedar forests, and
                After breakfast, we travel overland to Fez—a UNESCO   descend to the town of Erfoud. Along the way, we’ll     watch video
              World Heritage Site. Upon arrival, we’ll leave our bus
              behind and enter the medina on foot, making our




                                                                                    Meet the people who call Morocco home

                                                                                      Local family in Fez :  On Day 5, we’ll learn what it’s like to live in one of the world’s largest
                                                                                  intact medieval cities when we join a local family for a Home-Hosted Dinner in their Fez home.
                                                                                      The women of Aït Benhaddou :  We’ll spend A Day in the Life of Asfalou village near
                                                                                  Aït Benhaddou on Day 11. And we’ll visit the Imik Smik Women’s Association for Rural
                                                                                  Development, where local women will show us the handicrafts that form their livelihood
                                                                                  and share a midday meal, mint tea, and henna ceremony with us.
                                                                                      A young feminist in Marrakesh :  Gain insight into Morocco’s young feminist movement
                                                                                  on the evening of Day 14 when a local young woman comes to our riad to talk to our
                                                                                  small group about Moroccan society’s gendered expectations of women and how a new
                                                                                  generation of feminists is fighting against these traditional roles.
                                                                                    Women’s Solidarity Association :  On Day 15, we’ll enjoy lunch and a lively discussion at
                                                                                  the Women’s Solidarity Association, where we’ll get the chance to meet one of the women
                                                                                  training at this non-profit aimed at helping single women develop professional skills.
                    On Day 7, meet with semi-nomadic Berber families en route to Erfoud.

              250      Morocco Sahara Odyssey                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    www.oattravel.com/mso2022





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