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Exotic Morocco: A Culinary Expedition in Fes & Marrakech

(Luxurious Private Tour for the true Bon Vivant)

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$5,998 USD *
(For One Person, Double Occupancy)
* Plus taxes. Tours sold on an availability basis.
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8 days | 7 nights

An Exotic Journey to Fes and Marrakech

Edible Destinations Luxury Series
This rich and exclusive itinerary will traverse cities with their own sense of place and unique cuisine. Fes is renowned for its timeless medina or 'old city' and was an Arab beacon of commerce, religion and art during the Middle Ages. Its numerous souqs (markets) tantalize with spices, woodwork, textiles, rugs, lanterns, zellij tiles, leather - and those iconic, conical ceramic tagines. "The Rose City" of Marrakech—also known as "The Pearl of the South" - with its African frontier-like spirit and legendary Djemaa el Fna or "Square of the Dead" is a place where food and juice stalls share the electric space with acrobats, story-tellers, and musicians. Here, high design and glamour commingle with the ambience of past camel caravans to Timbuktu. This experiential insider's culinary expedition will include cooking instruction in Fes and Marrakech with accomplished local chefs and cooks - and memorable visits to the various souqs to select ingredients for that day's preparation. Your sampling of the country's diverse local fare is assured both through cooking classes and the myriad of opportunities that may beckon you during your tour. Guided tours of select sites (including UNESCO World Heritage Sites) and exclusive audiences with local Moroccan experts who will share their perspective on topics such as Islam, Sufism and Berber (Amazigh) - Sahara culture, will layer your culinary expedition with invaluable cultural context. And there will be ample leisure time for shopping, relaxation and more eating (prepare for much hospitable sampling!), or wandering the medinas of these two cities aimlessly, awaiting a new discovery around that next serpentine alley. The late King Hassan II described Morocco's complexity and essence best: "Rooted in Africa, watered by Islam, and rustled by the winds of Europe." Your palate and impressions will not be the same.

Exotic Morocco: A Culinary Expedition in Fes & Marrakech

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Itinerary Accommodations Map FAQ
VACATION HIGHLIGHTS
Please note: Tour inclusions can change depending upon seasonality and weather conditions.
•7 Nights Deluxe Accommodations
•Transfers from Fes Airport
•Welcome Dinners in Each City
•Regional Flavors Daily Breakfast
•Private guided Tour of Fes Medina ("Old Town")
•Market Foodie Tour & Cooking Class in Fes/Dinner
•Tea with Moroccan Cultural Experts
•Private Ground Transfer from Fes to Marrakech
•Private Tour of Marrakech Medina ("Old Town")
•Moroccan Cooking Class in Marrakech/Dinner
•Transfers to Marrakech Airport
While our tours are designed as soft adventure experiences, walking, climbing stairs, and in rare cases mild hiking may be required. If you have mobility issues, you should speak with one of our culinary travel specialists to determine if this tour is appropriate for your situation.
AVAILABLE DATES
Year-Round Based on Your Schedule
SAMPLE ITINERARY
Please note: Actual itineraries are subject to change due to seasonality.
Click arrows (▶) to show details
Day 1
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Fes Arrival | "The House of Pomegranate" Dinner Your arrival in Fes will be greeted by a driver at the airport, who will take you to Ain Azlitan, one of the medina gates. Vehicles are not allowed within the medina (technically, its narrow passages are wide enough only for a whirlwind of pedestrians, mopeds, pushcarts, and donkeys--keep your head on a swivel around blind corners!) amplifying its mystique and medieval air. No need to feel intimidated, as a porter from Dar Roumana, "House of Pomegranate", will greet you and your luggage at the gate. You will be adhering to the words of the late Paul Bowles, celebrated American author and longtime Morocco resident: "Each time I go to a place I have not seen before, I hope it will be as different as possible from the places I already know." Your welcome dinner set in the courtyard or roof terrace, and flecked by Moroccan lanterns -- with a hint of the medina's frenzy outside its calm cocoon -- will elevate your appreciation of Moroccan cuisine.
Day 2
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Morning Breakfast Each morning, relax and enjoy breakfast as you await the day's activities. Breakfast at Dar Roumana includes an array of freshly baked breads and pastries, coffee and tea, freshly squeezed juices, fruit salad, home-made preserves, yoghurt and eggs to order. Breakfast is served from 8 AM - 10 AM in the shaded courtyard or on the roof terrace, subject to the season.
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Exclusive Orientation with Local Islam Expert Shortly after breakfast, in order to provide some cultural color to your epicurean tour, a local expert on Islam will have the pleasure of meeting you at your Dar to offer an informal introduction to Islam's unique history and interpretation in Morocco, including its mystical Sufi traditions and Fes' historic role as a spiritual center.
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Private Guided Tour of Fes' Old Town (medina) | Dinner Ahh, the sensory deluge and serpentine alleyways of the Fes medina. Morocco's heart and soul...and a UNESCO World Heritage Site revealing exquisite Islamic architecture such as the 14th Century medersas (Quranic schools) of Bou Inania and Al Attarine and its famous and photogenic Chouara Tannery with its memorable scent but even more memorable leather goods. You'll visit the various souqs (markets): spice market; carpentry; henna; copper; traditional/herbal medicines, and the famous honeycombed tanneries with its unmistakable scent. Get lost in the narrow maze, embracing the fragrances of orange blossoms and cumin, absorbing the sound waves of metalworkers hammering copper trays, donkeys braying, and children at-play. Be amazed by this living museum and become a part of its fabric for a fleeting moment. Returning to your Dar, where, from its terrace overlooking its labyrinths, as you experience the dusk callto-prayer, you'll have stepped back in time and realize you're diving deep into this unique culture. After relaxing and refreshing from a sensory-filled tour of the Fes medina, enjoy a romantic and atmospheric dinner at The Ruined Garden, previously named one of the World's Best Restaurants by Travel + Leisure and Food & Wine.
Day 3
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Morning Breakfast Each morning, relax and enjoy breakfast as you await the day's activities. Breakfast at Dar Roumana includes an array of freshly baked breads and pastries, coffee and tea, freshly squeezed juices, fruit salad, home-made preserves, yoghurt and eggs to order. Breakfast is served from 8 AM - 10 AM in the shaded courtyard or on the roof terrace, subject to the season.
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Market Foodie Tour | Cooking Class at Palais Amani | Dinner Your culinary instruction will take place at the Fez Cooking School located in the historic Palais Amani hotel. This four hour cooking workshop in a dedicated space for you and fellow classmates may begin with an appetizer of Carrots with Charmoula or Zaalouk (fresh aubergines crushed with spices)…your main could be a Chicken Tagine or Chicken Pastilla (sweet and savory pie)…and your dessert might be Semolina Cookies infused with Orange Blossom Water with Morocco's renowned, effervescent mint tea. Whatever the chef's choice based on the freshest ingredients available that day, there will be no regrets. You'll venture into the medina with the chef on an atmospheric shopping and tasting tour in the various souqs. Then back to Palais Amani for the workshop and your resulting, delicious dinner with your classmates.
Day 4
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Morning Breakfast Each morning, relax and enjoy breakfast as you await the day's activities. Breakfast at Dar Roumana includes an array of freshly baked breads and pastries, coffee and tea, freshly squeezed juices, fruit salad, home-made preserves, yoghurt and eggs to order. Breakfast is served from 8 AM - 10 AM in the shaded courtyard or on the roof terrace, subject to the season.
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Private Ground Transfer to Marrakech | Lunch Equipped with a packed lunch provided by Dar Roumana, transfer to Marrakech by private car, enjoying the human scenes and changing landscapes along the way during this 6-7 hour drive. At the Marrakech medina gate of Bab Ksour, a porter from Riad L'Orangeraie will meet you, take your luggage, and guide you to your delightful, hidden oasis after a five minute stroll.
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Welcome Dinner in Marrakech at Riad L’Orangeraie The setting for your dinner will be the riad's sublime terrace with the ambient, mysterious hum of the Djemaa el Fna in the background. Your welcome-to-Marrakech dinner at "Chez Nous" will be special under the orchestration of Riad 'Orangeraie's Chef Nadia. The timely bounty of the souqs will dictate tonight's discoveries, perhaps carrot spiked with cumin, courgettes with fresh coriander, or cauliflower fritters as a starter followed by her delicious slow-cooked tangines (chicken, lamb, vegetable, or fish) or delicately prepared couscous? Or—if requested in advance of your arrival - maybe a local Marrakechi specialty, Tanjia Marrakchia: a crockpot stew of seasoned lamb or beef and vegetables slow-cooked 6-12 hours (traditionally amidst the coals of the local hammam)...as with tagines, tanjia is both the name of the clay cooking urn and the dish. Dessert may comprise fresh fruit (figs, prunes, apricots), mouth-watering almond Moroccan pastries, or an indulgent pastilla with almonds and milk.
Day 5
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Morning Breakfast Every morning, your Marrakechi breakfast will be served to you at your table on the roof terrace. It will include freshly squeezed orange juice, homemade bread and jams, homemade yogurts and smoothies, traditional Moroccan pancakes (msimen and beghrir), pastries, eggs cooked to your preference, fresh fruit salad, and generous slices of a just-baked cake of the day.
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Exclusive Tea with a Local Expert on Amazigh (Berber) Culture An expert on local Amazigh (Berber) culture will offer an introduction to this still-thriving indigenous culture which pre-dated the arrival of Arabs and Islam in the early 8th century. The Imazighen (literally "Free Men") possess their own proud traditions, language, music, dress, and their heritage, along with others, was formerly recognized in Morocco's new and symbolic 2011 Constitution: "A sovereign Muslim State committed to its national unity and territorial integrity, the Kingdom of Morocco shall seek to preserve its diverse, indivisible national identity. Its unity, which is built on the convergence of its Arab-Islamic, Amazigh and Saharan-Hassani components, is nurtured and enriched by African, Andalusian, Hebraic and Mediterranean constituents." As you will learn—and see firsthand - Amazigh culture is a bright star in the Moroccan constellation.
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Guided Cultural Tour of Marrakech's medina By now, you've discerned that this second-largest city of Morocco pulsates with the possible. Stylish, ambient, and notably African, your guided tour of its medina (another UNESCO World Heritage Site) will include the primary source of its energy, the Djemaa el Fna ("Assembly of the Dead")--an open square where musicians, peddlers, merchants, snake-charmers, fortune-tellers, acrobats, and rows of food stalls will overwhelm you. You'll visit other historical treasures, including: the landmark Koutoubia Minaret; the Ben Youssef Medersa with its exquisite architectural details; the lavish 16th century Saadian Tombs; and the glorious 19th century Bahia Palace. You'll certainly traverse the medina's various souqs, mint tea will be had, and soon enough you'll be haggling for an Amazigh rug, tagine vessel, and/or pointed leather slippers known as babouche.
Day 6
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Morning Breakfast Every morning, your Marrakechi breakfast will be served to you at your table on the roof terrace. It will include freshly squeezed orange juice, homemade bread and jams, homemade yogurts and smoothies, traditional Moroccan pancakes (msimen and beghrir), pastries, eggs cooked to your preference, fresh fruit salad, and generous slices of a just-baked cake of the day.
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Marrakech Hands-On Cooking Class | Dinner For your final culinary instruction, the setting will be at a cooking school—now part of a boutique medina hotel, La Maison Arabe - with a culinary history dating back to 1946 when two French women were granted the right by pasha Thami el Glaoui to open the first medina restaurant which could cater to foreigners. But first, they had to master Moroccan cuisine, and the pasha dispatched "dadas" (traditional Moroccan cooks) to teach them. Now this renowned cooking school will be the backdrop for your latest discovery of Moroccan gastronomy. What might be on the menu for you and your fellow classmates? A Moroccan salad to start - possibly taktouka, a traditional zesty salad of roasted peppers and cooked tomatoes. Then as the main course perhaps a lamb tagine with apricots and succulent prunes, or a chicken tagine with lemon and almonds. Dessert is when one of Morocco's famed pastries may make a cameo - a delicate creme anglaise pastilla (flaky paper-thin ("warqa") dough similar to phyllo). This group feast will demand a mint tea digestif regardless of the final menu and be a wonderful memory of your Moroccan culinary journey.
Day 7
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Morning Breakfast Every morning, your Marrakechi breakfast will be served to you at your table on the roof terrace. It will include freshly squeezed orange juice, homemade bread and jams, homemade yogurts and smoothies, traditional Moroccan pancakes (msimen and beghrir), pastries, eggs cooked to your preference, fresh fruit salad, and generous slices of a just-baked cake of the day.
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Free Time to Explore This final day in Marrakech (and in Morocco if you don't have other plans to explore the country afterward!) is yours to enjoy as you see fit until dinner. Shop, relax, listen, wander, sketch, photograph, savor a leisurely lunch, or consider an indulgent spa treatment….
Day 8
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Morning Breakfast Every morning, your Marrakechi breakfast will be served to you at your table on the roof terrace. It will include freshly squeezed orange juice, homemade bread and jams, homemade yogurts and smoothies, traditional Moroccan pancakes (msimen and beghrir), pastries, eggs cooked to your preference, fresh fruit salad, and generous slices of a just-baked cake of the day.
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Check-Out and Departure | Transfers to Marrakech Airport Riad L'Orangeraie will arrange for your transfer to the Marrakech airport, signaling the conclusion of your Moroccan culinary and cultural expedition. You've experienced but a mere fraction of this alluring country, so if you wish to return and explore other regions (the High Atlas Mountains… The Sahara Desert...the Spanish-influenced north and Mediterranean shore...the southern Atlantic coastline) and their cuisine, we will be glad to extend this tour or customize a future adventure.
Riad L'Orangeraie
Riad L'Orangeraie in Marrakech, restored to its original grandeur by two passionate French brothers, is an ancient traditional Moroccan 'riad' residence, which has been transformed into a delightful boutique hotel, harmoniously combining old traditions with the expectation of the contemporary world. Escape to an exclusive oasis of peace and perfection. Enjoy Alfresco dining on the roof top terrace and experience an unparalleled concierge service which will cater to your every request. The central location of our riad affords its guests easy access to all that Marrakesh can offer, harmoniously balanced with the calm and serenity within the Riad.
Dar Roumana
Dar Roumana,"The House of Pomegranate", framed by lush olive groves and ancient ruins of the medina walls invites you to experience the richness and comfort of a traditional Fassi guesthouse. Relax with a book and a glass of Moroccan mint tea on the spacious sun-drenched roof terrace with a spectacular view of the entire medina and Atlas Mountains. Each room contains the work of local artisans: original mosaic tile floors, intricate carved plaster, rich cedar ceiling and doors, and hand-crafted furnishings. Although traditional in character, all modern upgrades to rooms include private bath, with bathrobes, toiletries and personal safe deposit boxes. The rooms do not feature TV's or telephones, which might detract from the tranquility and traditional nature of life in the medina. A big part of the Dar Roumana is the food. French chef and owner Vincent Bonnin was classically trained in France and learned the ropes in Michelin-starred restaurants around the world. Menus change daily to reflect the seasons and the freshest findings of the morning market. Breakfast daily includes an array of freshly baked breads and pastries, coffee and tea, freshly squeezed juices, fruit salad, home made preserves, yoghurt and eggs to order. Breakfast may be enjoyed in your room, in the shaded courtyard or on the roof terrace.
Fes, Morrocco•Marrakech, Morocco
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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What Currency is being quoted?
The Currency Code is listed directly after the published amount. If it states USD, then the quoted price is in United States Dollars. If it states CAD, then the quoted price is in Canadian Dollars. If it states EUR, then the quoted price is in European Union Dollars…etc. However, please note that all charges are processed in USD, and Epitourean’s Merchant Bank automatically calculates the currency conversion on the day of the charge.
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What does Double Occupancy mean?
Two persons traveling together, and staying in the same room. Tour prices are normally quoted as “per person, double occupancy” in case two people are traveling together and staying in the same room, but paying separately. The cost of the lodging is also shared by two people, thereby reducing costs. This could be a married couple, two friends or relatives.
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What is a Single Supplement?
Whenever a person travels alone, the cost of their lodging cannot be shared by another person. When tour products are priced, they are normally stated as “per person, double occupancy.” Whenever a guest occupies a room as a solo, the whole cost of the lodging must be incurred by that one individual. Tour companies accommodate this by charging a Single Supplement. Epitourean does its best to keep the single supplement as low as possible, but it is a real cost that tour companies must absorb, and must pass along to the single traveler.
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If I am a Solo Traveler, will I be paired with another person?
Epitourean never pairs a solo traveler with another person without a special request. If you book Single Occupancy, you will have a room entirely to yourself. However, should you wish to be paired with another solo traveler to save on the single supplement, you may make this request. We cannot guarantee that we can accommodate such requests, since it would take another solo traveling on the same tour for the same dates. But if requested, we will certainly try.
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Are flights included in the tour price?
No. Flights are never included in the price of our land-only tours. Epitourean does not provide air, rail or sea travel, unless expressly noted in the itinerary.
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May I give a culinary tour as a gift?
Yes. Epitourean has a special program designed specifically for this purpose. Our Gift Packages come with features such as special messages to the recipient, gift box option, gift link (without pricing), and floating dates (should you not know when the gift recipient wants to travel). Contact a Culinary Travel Specialist at 800-390-3292 or customerservice@epitourean.com to receive additional information about this unique offering.
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May we request separate beds if sharing a room?
Yes. In most cases, Epitourean can accommodate a request for two beds to be placed in one room. Just make sure to make this request in the comments section of the reservation process.
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Does each guestroom have a private bathroom?
Yes. Epitourean partners with the best lodging options in each destination, and private (en suite) bathrooms are a requirement. However, you should inquire as to the configuration of bathrooms should you have a special need. For example, some tours include accommodations in medieval villages, where either a shower or bath(but maybe not both) are present.
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Can your tours accommodate my dietary restrictions?
In almost all cases, Epitourean can accommodate dietary choices and restrictions. But we do request that you ask a Culinary Travel Specialist prior to making your reservation so that we can assess your individual situation.
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If I am unable to use a portion of the tour, can I get a partial refund?
Unfortunately, due to vendor and supplier contracts, we are unable to provide partial refunds for unused portions of any tour or tour component.
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Are Transfers included in the Itinerary?
Round-trip transfers from the airport or train station are normally included in our international tours. Transfers to the destination (for both international and domestic tours) are not included in the tour price. Please see the Sample Itinerary. If it mentions that transfers are included, then yes, transfers are included at no additional cost.
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What meals and excursions are included in the tour?
The Sample Itinerary should be your reference. If the meal or excursion is described in the Sample Itinerary, then it is included at no additional charge. For those days where it expressly notes Free time, then any optional activities you elect to participate in might have an additional cost. In addition, if the itinerary states "evening on your own," it would imply that you have the opportunity to visit a restaurant of your own choosing, and at your own expense. If you have any question about inclusions, please submit an inquiry by clicking on the blue "Ask Us a Question" button under the price section.
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Is it possible to book pre or post tours or stays through Edible Destinations?
Yes, we often do have optional 2 and 3 night excursions that are priced separately from the tour. We can also assist with pre and post night stays in a hotel if you choose to come in early before the tour starts, or stay on after a tour ends. The price of those hotel stays are not included in the price of the tour, but we would be happy to provide a quote. Simply ask your Culinary Travel Specialist, or submit an inquiry by clicking on the blue "Ask Us a Question" button.
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Are Guide or Host Gratuities included in the price of the tour?
Since tipping guidelines and customs vary widely between countries, we do not include gratuities in the price of the tour. Your Culinary Travel Specialist can provide you with recommendations. But the general rule is to tip modestly when you are pleased with a guide’s services, either at the end of the tour, or at the conclusion of a specialty day excursion where you will only be with that guide (or chef) on that day.
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Should we plan on any personal expenses during the tour?
All lodging, meals, transfers, classes and excursions mentioned in the Sample Itinerary and Vacation Highlights are included in the price of the tour. However, we highly recommend taking local currency for purchasing personal items, souvenirs, tipping, etc. You can either get the local currency at an airport exchange service, ATM or from your local bank prior to travel. However, you should note that many hosted destinations do not accept credit cards for personal purchases.
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Do you recommend Travel Protection?
We recommend that you purchase a travel protection plan to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected. Travel protection plans can include coverage for Trip Cancellation, Trip Interruption, Emergency Medical and Emergency Evacuation/Repatriation, Trip Delay, Baggage Delay and more. For more information on the available plans or to enroll, click on the link below or contact Travelex Insurance Services at 800-228-9792 and reference location number 06-0248. The product descriptions provided here are only brief summaries and may be changed without notice. The full coverage terms and details, including limitations and exclusions, are contained in the insurance policy. Travelex CA Agency License #0D10209. All products listed are underwritten by, Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Company (formerly known as Stonewall Insurance Company), 1314 Douglas Street, Suite 1400, Omaha, NE 68102. 11.17 E7N
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