"The places we visited offered great variety with a markedly different experience each day. We thought Morocco would be interesting, but didn’t realize how truly fascinating and exciting it would be. The trip was an incredibly rich visual experience."

                                                    - M and AR East Lindfield, NSW, Australia

Day 2
Saturday October 2
RABAT

Arrive in Casablanca. Those arriving on the NYC/Casa flight will be met at the airport. Those arriving early - to get over jet lag - will undoubtedly opt to stay at the four-star Hyatt Regency Hotel in downtown Casablanca. They will be picked up here this morning when the bus swings by to take the group to visit the city's Grand Mosque. Second only in size to the Holy Mosque in Mecca, the mosque commands a sweeping view of the Atlantic Ocean on the waterfront. It is one of the greatest examples of contemporary Islamic architecture in North Africa. Afterwards, drive north along the Atlantic Ocean to Rabat, Morocco's capital. Twenty-five hundred years ago the Phoenicians established a settlement here followed by the Romans.

In the l2th century, Rabat achieved ascendancy under the Almohads who used it as a base for their conquest of Spain. Check into Hotel Meridien Le Tour Hassan, an example of Hispanic-Moorish architecture. Buffet lunch on the hotel terrace. Mid-afternoon sightseeing includes: the Royal Palace of King Mohammed VI; the famed Hassan Tower, the huge minaret of a vast, uncompleted l2th century mosque; and the Mohammed V Mausoleum. The burial site of the current king's grandfather, it is guarded by dramatically uniformed horse-mounted Royal Guards. In the evening, we walk through ancient Andalusian gardens overlooking Sale, home of the infamous Barbary pirates; also the Ouadaya Kasbah. Dinner at Dinarjat, one of the capital city's finest Moroccan restaurants.

HOTEL LE TOUR HASSAN (B,L,D)

Day 3
Sunday October 3
FEZ

Driving east past fields of wild flowers and olive groves toward the High Atlas mountains, in all likelihood still covered with snow, we arrive in Meknes. It was the l8th century capital of Sultan Moulay Ismail. Here, Additional Questions? Please call: 505.982.8093 we will photograph the monumental Bab el Mansour Gate, al Hedim Square, and the royal stables. After lunch at the Volubilis Inn, we explore the ruins of one of the greatest Roman cities in North Africa. Capital of the Roman province of Mauritania, Volubilis was ruled by Juba II, son of Anthony and Cleopatra. Drive past fields of poppies and vast olive groves to Fez, Morocco's first Imperial City, where we stay in the famous Hotel Palais Jamai overlooking a vast terraced garden and the city's many minarets. The sound of the city's muezzins calling the faithful to prayer is an experience never to be forgotten. Evening photo discussion led by Lisl. Dinner in the restaurant on terrace of our hotel.

HOTEL PALAIS JAMAI (B,L,D)

Day 4
Monday October 4
FEZ

In his l7th century diary Rare Adventures and Painful Peregrinations, English traveler John Lithgow wrote, "(Fez) is truly a world of a city." Twentieth century author John Gunther added, "If you like your romance dark, Fez is probably the most romantic city on earth." Today, you will see for yourself as you explore and photograph the city's medieval medina. A World Heritage Site, it is a honeycomb of crowded, narrow streets full of veiled women and fast moving donkey trains, also exotic bazaars of spices, handicrafts and gold jewelry. Following a visit to the Kairouyine University, one of the world's oldest institutes of high learning, lunch will be back at our hotel. Afternoon sights include the Jewish quarter, the royal Gates of the King Mohammed VI's palace, also the city's famous pottery and mosaic workshops. Dinner at L'Heure Blue, one of the city's finest restaurants located in an l8th c. riad.

HOTEL PALAIS JAMAI (B,L,D)

Day 5
Tuesday October 5
TINERHIR

Driving through giant cedar forests, we head south up and over the magnificent Middle and High Atlas Mountains, which reach l3, 964 feet. We'll stop for croissants and coffee at Ifrane, a ski resort where the King has yet another palace! This morning, we'll be on the lookout for Berber nomads who live in hand-woven tents and tend their sheep in fields of red poppies on the slopes of these towering snow-covered mountains. Lunch at the Hotel El Ayachi in Midelt, and then descend the southern slope of the High Atlas. This afternoon we drive along the edge of the Sahara. (Look for abandoned French Foreign Legion outposts!) Along the fabled Route Des Kasbahs. Time permitting; we will walk through the Gorges de Todra, Morocco's Grand Canyon replete with thousands of date palms, before arriving in Tinerhir. Evening photo discussion.

HOTEL SARGHO (B,L,D)

Day 6
Wednesday October 6
OUARZAZATE

Up early this morning to photograph the Gorges de Dades where scores of ancient kasbahs and ksars hug the lush riverbed. Continue along the Route des Kasbahs, stopping to explore the amazing kasbah of Amerhidl. Today we are guests for a very special lunch at Dar Ahlam, a stunning, recently opened kasbah/hotel in the desert. Afterwards, we drive to the four-star Hotel Berbere Palace, a frequent oasis for international film crews shooting in the area. Time to sit by the pool and relax. Evening photo discussion led by Lisl. Dinner in the hotel.

Day 7
Thursday October 7
OURZAZATE

Fasten your seat belts; this will be one of the most exciting days of the trip. Climbing into four-wheel drive vehicles, you begin your photography at the famous Kasbah Ait-Benhaddou, filmed both in Jesus of Nazareth and Lawrence of Arabia. Then recross the High Atlas Mountains - perhaps across snow fields - to the ruins of Telouet Kasbah, the l8th and l9th century stronghold of the Glaoua, once one of Morocco's most feared Berber tribes. Be certain to read Lords of the High Atlas by Gavin Maxwell about this remarkable tribe. After a picnic lunch, return to Quarzazate in time for a swim in the pool…maybe a steam bath and massage in the hotel hamman.

HOTEL BERBERE PALACE (B,L,D)

Day 8
Friday October 8
TAROUDANT

Continue along La Route des Kasbahs through the Anti-Atlas Mountains for lunch in Taliouine, another Glaoui stronghold guarding the ancient trade route to Timbuktu. Stopping to buy saffron along the road, we drive through the fertile Sousse valley, center of Morocco's enormous citrus industry, to the walled city of Taroudant. It is often known as the mini-Marrakesh. Our Hotel Dar Zitoune is a recently restored - and much praised - kasbah outside town in an oasis of lemon, grapefruit, and orange trees. Time to sit by the pool or walk in the countryside. Evening photo discussion led by Lisl.

HOTEL DAR ZITOUNE (B,L,D)

Day 9
Saturday October 9
TAROUDANT

We begin by a walk along the city's crenellated walls, and then head for the souk, one of the most colorful in Southern Morocco. Fruits, vegetables, handicrafts, jewelry, chickens, goats, and mounds of freshly picked mint for tea - they are all there. Arriving by horse drawn carriages, we lunch today at the world-famous Hotel Gazelle d'Or. Built as a hunting lodge in the l930s by a Moroccan prince, it is one of the most beautiful, secluded hideaways in the world. Who famous is hiding's under that straw hat and behind those dark glasses? After what will be a truly memorable- and very leisurely - meal served in the palm shaded garden, we return in the mid-afternoon to the hotel to sit by the pool or stroll into the countryside. Evening photo discussion. Dinner in hotel.

HOTEL DAR ZITOUNE (B,L,D)

Day 11
Monday October 11
ESSAOURIA

Free day to enjoy Essaouira on your own. Sit by the hotel pool. Or join Lisl in the morning as she photographs the town's narrow streets, lined with craft shops. Also the many whitewashed houses with bright blue shutters and interior courtyards dating back to the l8th century. The marina with its hundreds of fishing ships is another area of great interest. Lunch on your own. Evening photo discussion led by Lisl. Seafood dinner at Chalet de la Plage overlooking the Atlantic.

HOTEL DES ILES (B,D)

Day 12
Tuesday October 12
MARRAKESH

After breakfast, drive inland to the rose-colored, walled city of Marrakesh, one of the most fabled, romantic cities in the world. Check into the centrally located, Art-Deco Hotel Es-Saadi surrounded by acres of lush gardens and a swimming pool. Privately owned by the Bauchet-Bouhlal family, the hotel is a North African 'home away from home" for jet setters and celebrities. Over the years, guests have included Josephine Baker, Maurice Chevalier, Cecil Beaton, Mike Jagger, Princess Margaret, and Pierre Balmain. It was recently featured in Architectural Digest. After lunch by the pool, we drive around the city walls, and then visit one of the world's great three-ring circuses, the Djemaa-el-Fna, or the city's main square. According to one wide-eyed spectator, "Here without warning each day, the curtain goes up on one of the world's most fascinating and bizarre spectacles. Rows upon rows of open-air food stalls are set up and mouth-watering aromas quickly fill the square. Jugglers, storytellers, snake charmers, magicians, and acrobats (appear)…the medieval pageant presents its nightly cornucopia of delights. Breughel would have had a field day here!" Tonight we have late dinner in the suburbs at Bo & Zin, One of the trendiest, most beautiful restaurants in Marrakesh; it is a perfect example of modern Moroccan lifestyle.

HOTEL ES-SAADI (B,L,D)

Day 13
Wednesday October 13
MARRAKESH

Morning photo excursion to the world famous Jardin Majorelle, the private gardens of Paris designer Yves St. Laurent; then continue to the souk, a maze of reed-covered alleyways full of antique shops, fruit and Vegetable stalls, and coppersmiths. Lunch at hotel. In the afternoon, visit the Bahia Palace noted for its Moorish-Andalusian architecture; the Dar Si Said Museum of Islamic art: also the privately owned museum of Bert Flint with its renowned collection of Moroccan handicrafts and rugs. Dinner on your own, perhaps with drinks before at the famed Hotel La Mamounia, an Art Deco masterpiece where Churchill frequently stayed and painted in the garden. Closed for restoration for two years, it is recently reopened. We will share with you our favorite Marrakesh restaurants. When you check into our hotel, ask the concierge to make reservations for you. Remember, Moroccans eat late, usually after 9 p.m.
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HOTEL ES-SAADI (B,L)

Day 14
Thursday October 14
MARRAKESH

Morning free to return to the souk for final shopping, visit new shops frequented by the European community, sit by the hotel pool, or take a horsedrawn carriage through the Palmeraie, a date palm oasis on the outskirts of Marrakesh. Many Europeans live here, including the Rothschilds and the Hermes from Paris. You mighty also like to hire a car and driver to take you an hour into the snow-covered High Atlas Mountains to the breathtaking Kasbah Tamadot. Owned by Sir Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Air, it is Relais & Chateau hotel surrounded by acres of gardens and citrus orchards and commands views not unlike Tibet. Both the films 7 Years in Tibet and Kundun were filmed here. Farewell cocktails and dinner in hotel.
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HOTEL ES-SAADI (B,D)

Day 15
Friday October 15
ENROUTE

Independent air arrangements from Marrakesh for return home. Bus transfer for those on the early morning Royal Air Maroc flight to Casablanca, connecting to mid-morning direct Royal Air Maroc flight from Casablanca to JFK/ New York City. Arrive in NYC in mid-afternoon.