Morocco 7 days

7 days Jewish tours to Casablanca, Fez, Rabat, and Marrakesh

A taste of Morocco

Visit a land which has enjoyed the influence of Jewish life for centuries, incorporating it into its very fiber. Most cities in Morocco feature a Jewish Quarter (or Mellah), and many were the birthplace of some of our most prominent Rabbinical scholars and Kabbalists. What other country offers a touch of Arabia, a touch of Africa, a beautiful Sephardic presence and a sweet, welcoming populace?

EXPLORE OUR 12 DAY JEWISH TOURS TO MOROCCO

DAY 1 MONDAY ARRIVAL TO CASABLANCA

Arrival in Morocco at Casablanca’s Mohammed V Airport. Transfer to the hotel in the center of Casablanca. Casablanca is home to the largest Jewish community in the country, which continues to uphold its traditions by worshipping in several synagogues, dining in kosher restaurants, enjoying recreational activities at Jewish Community Centers, and attending Jewish schools. Moreover, this city boasts a Jewish Museum, created by the Jewish community, as well as the Foundation of Jewish-Moroccan Cultural Heritage, which is unique in the Arab world. Begin your tour with a visit to the striking and unusual Museum of Moroccan Judaism, built with the support of both Moroccan Jews and non-Jews. Next, visit Temple Beth-El, the main synagogue, the centerpiece of a once gigantic Jewish community. Its stained-glass windows are uniquely beautiful and draw tourists from around the world. Continue to the waterfront to see the impressive Hassan II Mosque. Return to the hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. Hotel Le Doge/Hotel Le Casablanca.

DAY 2 TUESDAY CASABLANCA – MEKNES – VOLUBILIS – FEZ

This morning, drive to Meknes, the 17th-century capital of Sultan Moulay Ismail, where a thriving Jewish community once resided. Meknes’ rabbis, including Raphael Berdugo and Daniel Toledano, were renowned for their learning and leadership. Stroll through the old Mellah, visit the Royal Stables, and admire the monumental Bab Mansour Gate. Though the Jewish population is now small, traditions are kept alive by those who remain. From here, continue through fertile valleys to Volubilis, the Roman city whose mosaics still shimmer after two thousand years. A Hebrew epitaph found here attests to the presence of Jews even under Roman rule, making Morocco one of the oldest continuous homes of Jewish life in the diaspora. Continue through scenic landscapes to Fez, the spiritual and intellectual capital of Morocco. Enjoy your first taste of the lively Medina, check into your hotel, and spend the remainder of the day at leisure. Hotel Sahrai (B)

DAY 3 WEDNESDAY FEZ

Fez is Morocco’s oldest imperial city and once the heart of Jewish learning in North Africa. During the Middle Ages, Jews coexisted in harmony with Muslims and Christians, making significant contributions to philosophy, science, trade, and law. Among them was the great Maimonides, who resided in Fez before journeying on to Egypt. Begin with a visit to the Mellah (Jewish quarter), established in the 15th century, where balconies and wrought-iron windows still reflect Andalusian influence. Visit the Aben Danan Synagogue, one of the best-preserved historic in Morocco, with its carved wooden ceiling, Hebrew inscriptions, and restored bimah. Next, visit the Jewish Cemetery, its whitewashed tombs marking centuries of sages, rabbis, and community leaders. Continue to the Royal Palace next to the Mellah—a reminder of the historic proximity of the Jewish community to centers of power, and continue to the  Roben Bensadoun Synagogue, in the new parts of the city. In the afternoon, explore Fez’s UNESCO-listed medina, a maze of alleys alive with artisans crafting pottery, leather, and textiles using techniques unchanged for centuries.  Hotel Sahrai (B)

DAY 4 THURSDAY FEZ –RABAT– MARRAKECH

Today, drive to Rabat, Morocco’s capital. Pass the Royal Palace, the elegant Hassan Tower, and visit the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, its white marble and intricate stained-glass decoration honoring the king who, during World War II, famously protected Moroccan Jews from anti-Jewish legislation imposed by Vichy France. His declaration—“There are no Jews in Morocco, only subjects”—remains a cherished memory in Jewish history. In the afternoon, drive south and arrive in Marrakech, long known as the “Pearl of the South.” In the afternoon, drive to Marrakech, long known as the “Pearl of the South.” Upon arrival, check in at the hotel, located in the center of the chic Gueliz area of Marrakesh. Before the sun sets, visit the nearby famed Djemaa El Fna Square, packed with everything from storytellers to snake charmers. Radisson Blu Carre Eden Hotel/ Bab Hotel. (B)

DAY 5 FRIDAY MARRAKECH

Marrakesh was once home to a Jewish population numbering in the tens of thousands. Many families here were refugees from Spain after the expulsion of 1492, who enriched the city with skills in craftsmanship, trade, and diplomacy. Begin today with a visit to the area of the Koutoubia Tower, Marrakech’s defining landmark, followed by the graceful Bahia Palace, built in the 19th century with Andalusian courtyards and mosaics. In the Mellah, explore the Slat Al Azama Synagogue, still active today, and the adjoining Jewish Community Center. Visit the centuries-old Jewish Cemetery, where rows of white tombs rest beneath the desert sun.  Later, visit the colorful and sensual Majorelle Garden – once the pride of designer Yves Saint Laurent. IN the late afternoon, return to the hotel in the elegant Guiliz neighborhood of the city. Radisson Blu Carre Eden Hotel/ Bab Hotel. (B)

DAY 6 SATURDAY MARRAKECH

Today is at leisure or explore at your own pace. You may choose to relax at your hotel or join your guide for a leisurely walking tour through hidden alleys of the medina. Discover artisan workshops, visit the famous Jemaa el-Fnaa square, or soak up the atmosphere of a city where Jewish and Muslim life once intertwined so closely. Radisson Blu Carre Eden Hotel/ Bab Hotel. (B)

DAY 7 SUNDAY HOME FLIGHTS

Pending your flight departure, enjoy breakfast before your transfer to the Casablanca airport for your flight home. For those wishing to continue their journey, an optional post-tour program, “Beyond the Morocco Experience,” can be arranged.