Exotic Morocco: A Culinary Expedition in Fes & Marrakech

(Luxurious Private Tour for the true Bon Vivant)

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$6,998 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.

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Day 1

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Marrakech Arrival | Riad Adore Dinner

Upon your arrival at Marrakech Airport (RAK), "The Rose City," you will be greeted by a driver at the airport who will transfer you to the "medina" (old city) where you will check into the elegant and sophisticated Riad Adore. Located in a prime location near the site of the iconic Dar El Bacha palace, this riad with its emblematic Moroccan design will be your sanctuary for the next three nights. Immerse yourself in the ambient courtyards or on its sun-splashed terrace, and consider a massage or dip in its cozy plunge pool to remedy any lingering jet lag. Enjoy a three course "Welcome to Marrakech Dinner" this evening at the riad featuring Moroccan specialities such as harira, a hearty lentil-tomato soup, zaalouk, a smoky cooked salad of eggplant and tomato with garlic and spices, followed by a slow-cooked chicken or beef tagine or vegetarian couscous, and finished with a fresh fruit salad or banana chocolate crepes. (D)

Day 2

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Morning Breakfast

Each morning, relax and enjoy breakfast as you await the day's activities. Your Marrakechi breakfast may include freshly squeezed orange juice, coffee, tea, cheese, olives, honey and jams, fresh fruit, homemade yogurt, traditional Moroccan pancakes (msimen and beghrir), croissants, and eggs cooked to your preference.

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Exclusive Tea with Local Expert on Amazigh (Berber) Culture

Shortly after breakfast, in order to provide some cultural color to your epicurean tour, a local expert will meet you at the riad and offer an informal introduction to Moroccan history and local Amazigh (Berber) culture, a 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. Have your questions ready!

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Private Guided Tour of Marrakech's Old Town (medina)

By now, you've discerned that this Imperial city of Morocco (one of four as you will visit Fes) pulsates with the possible. Stylish, ambient, and notably African, your guided tour of its medina (a 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, which may include: 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. (B, T)

Day 3

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Morning Breakfast

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Tour of Jardin Majorelle & Berber Museum | Yves Saint Laurent Museum

Today, with your previously obtained timed-entry tickets, visit the splendid subtropical garden, Jardin Majorelle, designed by the French painter Jacques Majorelle and owned by the Pierre Berge-Yves Saint-Laurent Foundation. Amidst cacti, bamboo, trickling fountains, bursts of bougainvillea, and towering palms, color exclaims, particularly the cobalt blue created by Jacques which accents the many planters and pergolas. The on-site Berber Museum's impressive collection is also worthy of admiration. Similar to the sanctuary of hidden dars and riads within the medina, this placid 12 acre setting is a soothing elixir to Marrakech's frenzy. If you are interested in high fashion, the adjacent Yves Saint Laurent Museum showcases some of this legendary couturier's work; he famously said, "Marrakech taught me color," and it will be most apparent.

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Guided Nighttime Foodie Tour of Djemaa El Fna

A guided insider's four course dinner tour of the carnival that is Djemaa el Fna (Assembly of the Dead) at night. You will be met at the riad by your guides in the early evening then reeled into the teeming square by the drumbeats that only Africa can deliver. All senses will reawaken as you dine with the locals at the most popular food stalls in the market, visit olive, date, and nut souqs, and sample local specialties which may include: Marrakchi speciality of tanjia, a slow-cooked beef dish, mechoui (spit-roasted lamb), chicken kebabs, and even a bowl of harira soup with a sweet chebakya pastry. With your appetites satisfied, soak up the inimitable night-time ambiance in the famous square with storytellers, acrobats, snake-charmers, belly dancers, fortune-tellers, and musicians circulating around you. It will prove unforgettable. (B, T)

Day 4

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Morning Breakfast

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Private Ground Transfer to Fes | Check-In

After breakfast, transfer to Fes by private car, enjoying the ever changing landscapes along the way during this 6-7 hour drive with an optional stop for a snack or lunch en route. Near Place Batha, a porter from Riad Anata will meet you, take your luggage, and guide you to your delightful, hidden oasis in the one and only, Fes medina.

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Welcome Dinner at Riad Anata

After checking into this intimate and elegant riad in the heart of the medina, take in the atmosphere and call-to-prayer from its lovely terrace, and enjoy a "Welcome to Fes" dinner with a bottle of Moroccan wine. Perhaps some new warm Moroccan salads to start, like taktouka (roasted green peppers and tomatoes) or carrots and cumin, and then consider a true Fassi specialty: couscous with seven vegetables or, possibly, the celebratory sweet-and-savory chicken pastilla, a dish of layered, slow-cooked, spiced shredded chicken, a savory egg filling, and crunchy, sweetened almonds, all wrapped in a flaky, thin pastry shell and dusted with powdered sugar and cinnamon. For dessert, milk pastilla, a layered phyllo-like pastry with creme anglaise, or mahlabia, a milk pudding often flavored with orange blossom water and garnished with cinnamon and pistachios or pine nuts. (B, D)

Day 5

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Morning Breakfast

Enjoy a daily, hearty continental breakfast at the riad on the patio or terrace. Selections include sweet pastries and breads, fresh yogurt, fruit, olives, fresh eggs, and cheese along with ample orange juice and coffee.

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Exclusive Orientation with a Local Expert on Islam & Morocco's Spiritual Traditions

Shortly after breakfast, in order to provide some cultural color to your epicurean tour, an esteemed local professor will have the pleasure of meeting you at Riad Anata 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. This will be enlightening so questions are again encouraged!

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Guided Cultural Tour of the Fes medina

Ahh, the sensory deluge and serpentine alleyways of the inimitable Fes Medina, dating back to the 9th Century. Morocco's heart and soul...and another 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 riad, where, from its terrace overlooking its labyrinths, as you experience the dusk call-to-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 dinner on your own. Riad Anata or Edible Destinations can provide recommendations. (B, T)

Day 6

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Morning Breakfast

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Hands-On Cooking Class | Lunch

Shortly after breakfast, depart with Riad Anata's chef, Samira, to the souq to visit various produce vendors and a butcher. You and Samira will decide what to make for your three course lunch: couscous, tagine, salad, soup, and dessert are all choices you can make depending on what the local markets have on hand. By now, you are aficionados of Moroccan fare and can select some new menu times you've yet to sample. When you arrive back at the riad, you will unload your shopping baskets in the beautiful open-air rooftop kitchen. You'll start by boiling water for traditional mint tea, which will keep you hydrated and refreshed as you cook your three-course meal. For example, you'll quickly get to work chopping vegetables for salad, learning how to smoke aubergines on the cooktop for stew, and start slow-cooking a meat dish with a delicious blend of spices including turmeric, cinnamon, cracked pepper, and bright orange saffron. It will be a memorable, flavorful, and cozy experience. (B, L)

Day 7

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Morning Breakfast

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Free Time to Explore

This final day in Fes (and in Morocco if you don't have other plans to explore the country afterward!) is yours to enjoy as you explore the medina on your own, shop for souvenirs, photograph, or find a spot for a leisurely lunch.

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Baking Class at Palais Amani

At 2:30pm, you will be guided through the medina's maze to Palais Amani, a hotel and cooking school, where you will participate in a group baking class featuring Moroccan bread and ghriba, a soft chewy Moroccan almond cookie coated with powdered sugar. After the 2.5 hour tasty class, a guide will return you to Riad Anata for your last night in Fes and Morocco. Dinner on your own this evening…if you wish to cocoon at Riad Anata and enjoy your last night's dinner there, please inform the staff the evening before. (B, T)

Day 8

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Morning Breakfast

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Check-Out and Departure | Transfers to Marrakech Airport

Soon after breakfast, check out and transfer by private car to either Fès-Saïss Airport (35 mins) or the Casablanca Airport (approximately 3.5 hours) away, 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 shoreline, the southern Atlantic coastline) and their cuisine, we will be glad to extend this tour or customize a future adventure. Leave this hospitable kingdom with two famous sayings from Ibn Battuta, the greatest medieval Muslim traveler and explorer who was born in Morocco (Tangier): "Traveling—it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller" and "Who lives sees, but who travels sees more." (B)

Riad L'Orangeraie - Marrakech

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 - Fes

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. For your convenience, we offer Travelex travel protection plans that can include coverage for Trip Cancellation, Trip Interruption, Emergency Medical and Emergency Evacuation/Repatriation, Travel 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. Insurance coverages underwritten by Zurich American Insurance Company (NAIC #16535, state of domicile: New York), 1299 Zurich Way, Schaumburg, IL 60196. Coverages available to residents of U.S. States and the District of Columbia only. Certain coverages are not available in all states.

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