A Different Morocco with Sue Buckle 2024. Book now

17 Days | 11 – 27 Sep, 2024 – Limited places available

$AUD6878 TBC. per person, twin share, ex Casablanca.

Along the ‘Road of the 1000 Kasbahs’.

“I have visited Morocco several times over the past ten years, and I’m still impressed by the natural beauty, stunning architecture, and sublime infusion of past and impressive culture evident in arts and crafts still practised today. Experiences on my program bring you close to the people and their unique way of life, blending ancient with the modern. Our travels are managed by Mr Kamal, our excellent Moroccan facilitator, whom is an essential asset of our Team.” Sue Buckle, ceramicist and tour presenter.

Sue invites you to visit textile and carpet workshops as well as potteries in the High Atlas Mountains and Fez. Search the ancient souks of Marrakesh and find delicate items for your beading workshop. Explore a range of important architectural and World Heritage and UNESCO listed ancient sites and museums. Visit mud built Kasbahs on the old desert trade routes followed for centuries by traders and their camels. Stay the night in the desert to experience Berber hospitality, music and song under a spectacular night sky.

The program is fully escorted, travelling in a comfortable vehicle, and staying at traditional riads and kasbahs, reflecting the hospitality and style of old Morocco. Many meals are included and these delve into the rich and expansive Moroccan cuisine featuring gentle spices, tangy lemons, nuts and dried fruits as key ingredients. An excellent cooking class explores insights into Moroccan cuisine.

Visits to local markets are a highlight with time to explore or shop. Sue creates her jewelry from beads bought in the souks. At a special workshop in Marrakesh guests can produce their own Moroccan jewelry – a unique memory of this journey.

Dates and Cost
17 days| 11 – 27 September 2024 | $AUD6878 per person twin share. TBC

Joining in Casablanca, concluding in Marrakesh. Minimum 08 people, maximum 12 guests.

Highlights

• Visit the World Heritage sites found in Fez, Marrakesh and other locations.
• Be stunned by the magnificent palaces, mosques and madrassas.
• Meet artisans and visit inspiring galleries.
• See traditional village crafts and textiles.
• Travel in comfortable vehicles along the ancient trading routes from kasbah to kasbah.
• Enjoy comfortable riads and havelis selected for their charm and location.
• Spend a night under the Saharan sky when hosted by our Berber friends.
• Participate in Sue’s beading workshop.
• Enjoy our Moroccan cooking class.
• Wander about local villages and markets.
• Indulge in fabulous fresh meals.
• Be charmed by our local guides and drivers.

Itinerary

Day 1 – 4: Casablanca to Rabat and Chefchaouen
11 to 14 September

Mud brick architecture

Guests will be met at Casablanca airport, then drive to north Morocco and the National Capital of Rabat. Sightseeing in Rabat. Discover palaces, pirate enclaves, and exotic cafes. Walk to nearby vantage points and explore the Spanish mosque. Chefchaouen, known as the Blue Town, located in the Rif Mountains, is a remarkably pretty village.

Day 5 – 7: Fez and Region: Chefchaouen to Fez
15 – 17 September

Drive south to the Roman ruins at Volubilis, and onto Fez in time for sunset, for three nights. Explore Fez’s souks, medinas, ancient palaces, schools and mosques. Participate in a cooking class with a local family. Fez oozes history and historic craft skills, especially discovered in the narrow-laned souks, where you can fossick for beads and jewellery to use in Sue’s workshop. Of course, you are free to purchase anything from exotic fruits, delicious sweets, dried fruit and nuts, coffee and tea, artifacts, leather, and much more.

Day 8 – 9: South to the Sahara: Fez to Merzouga

18 – 19 September

Drive over the scenic Atlas Mountains, passing mud brick Berber villages to Erfoud, the gateway to the expansive Sahara. Learn about efforts to save Gnaoua music, before mounting our ‘ships of the desert’ (choice between camels or Land Cruisers), and travel from the fringe of the desert into the true dunes for a night in a traditional Berber tent. We enjoy the desert people’s hospitality with delicious meals, dancing and music. Fall into slumber while counting the stars, in true silence. Wake to a brilliant sunrise.

Day 10 – 13: The High Atlas: Merzouga to Skoura.

20 to 23 September

Rose Valley and the Road of 1000 Kasbah’s in the high Atlas range is where we spend the next few days. A chain of stunning Kasbahs and oases are dotted through this region. Our stop at Skoura is one such place. Explore Skoura and Berber culture. Travel to Ait Benhaddou. Explore attractions.

Day 14 – 16: Drive to Marrakesh

24 to 26 September.

Crossing back across the High Atlas, passing age-old Berber villages, to arrive at the distinctive city of Marrakesh, a compilation of modern and the ancient, the dramatic and the subline, dynastic rituals and the contemporary. Marrakech shows yet another face of Morocco. We explore all the highlights, and Sue encourages guests to create their personal momento at her beading workshop.

The first must-see is the Jardin de Majorelle, recreated by Yves St Laurent and his partner. A magnificent blast of colour together with an outstanding museum and gallery of Berber jewellery and artefacts, including textiles.

From the modern, we delve into the past with visits to stunning architectural symbols of power and religion. Highly decorated with mosaics, they invite much more than a glance. From the modern and the revered, Marrakech also offers the fantasy at Jemma Fna where musicians, snake charmers, magic performers, dancers and clowns ply their trades. Mixed with the aromatic food stalls offering excellent snacks, drinks, desserts, and more, this massive square is a place you will want to visit more than once. We suggest arranging a verandah booking at one of the upstairs bars or cafes where you can enjoy the activities below.

Day 17: Depart from Marrakesh

27 September, 2023.

It always happens – great vacations conclude.
Transfer to airport for flights home, or onward for additional travel.

The trip  price includes:

• All accommodation in delightful riads and havelis with private bathrooms and breakfasts on a twin share basis.
• All breakfasts, six dinners and a lunch.
• Transport in comfortable air-con vehicle.
• Services of well-qualified English speaking local guides.
• All entrance fees.
• Cooking class and bead workshop.
• All sightseeing and visits.
• Sue Buckle as your Escort.
• Comprehensive information kits.
• Prices are in Australian dollars.

Items not included are:

International airfares, airport and government taxes, visa fees, travel insurance, health costs, personal expenditure, communication expenses and shopping. Single rooms available at a reduced supplement.

What We Provide

Accommodation

Includes personally selected Moroccan style riads and havelis. Our selection criteria include central location, charm, cleanliness, cultural integrity, uniqueness, and standard of service. All rooms have private western-style bathrooms and comfortable beds. Some have pools while others have pleasant gardens. Where choice is limited we select the most appropriate accommodation for our guests. A single room can be arranged at a $AU1493 supplement.

Meals

Dining on our programs are an enjoyable experience as we explore regional delicacies and patronise some of the great restaurants and local cafes. We don’t include all meals, as we prefer our guests to have as wide a choice as possible.

Road Travel

We use comfortable air-con vehicles and endevour to provide more seats than guests. Road conditions vary and some are in excellent conditions while others may be similiar to those found in remote regions of Australia.

International  Air Travel

Both Emirates and Etihad fly via the Gulf to Casablanca. There are regular flights and you can enjoy a stopover en route, if you choose. Alternatively, there are other choices if you are coming from, or continuing to Europe. Intentionally Different Travel can assist with your air travel needs.

Our Style

We aim to excel when it comes to personal attention and relevant information. This includes information on where to dine, where to purchase textiles, and other products, explanations on ethnic minorities and their craft practice along with answers to the myriad of other questions our guests pose.

Apart from good and relevant information, and excellent hands-on experiences, we include attractive accommodation, good sightseeing opportunities, plenty of ‘getting-to-meet-the-locals’ encounters and of course, great dining opportunities from exquisite restaurants to quaint local cafes. We don’t hold your hand all the way so there are ‘free time’ periods to allow you to rest, explore on your own, or simply visit a café for a coffee.

Past guests have found our ‘style’ very much to their liking and we trust you will also.

Should you join this program?

Firstly, if you enjoy crafts and textiles you should join, however, there is much more included in the program. Others with a general interest in Moroccan history and culture would also enjoy this tour. There is opportunity for short to medium walks throughout, so a reasonable level of fitness is an advantage. Souks can be narrow and busy making walking a bit like that at a busy railway station. While this is not an ‘outdoor/adventure’ trip, a ‘sense of adventure’ is required for the trip.

Additional Travel

Extra nights can be reserved, either pre or post‐tour but you MUST advise us well in advance. If you would like to travel onto Europe or other destinations please let us know, so we can develop an individual travel program for you. We have designed exciting itineraries for our clients throughout the region for many years.

Reservations

Contact us or email robert@intenttravel.com.au with any questions you may have.

To secure your place, please email your intention to robert@intenttravel.com.au You will then receive a reservation form to complete. Your option is held for seven days secured by receipt of a non-refundable deposit of $750 per person. Deposit is refunded if minimum numbers are not reached.

‘The Paperwork’

Your deposit will be acknowledged. We keep you informed as to the status of bookings and advise you when minimum numbers are reached. Then, we send you a confirmation kit and invoice. Final payment is due 60-days prior departure. When our group is complete and after final payment, travel documents will be sent out. Then it is only a short time before your wonderful textile experience begins!

Your Expert Your Host

“For me Morocco is Colour. A rich and varied palette that changes each day. From the earthy tones of spices in traditional markets, ancient mud walled Kasbahs and desert landscapes to the clarity of blue skies, and the bold colours of the traditional mosaics, textiles and jewellery. The winding alleyways of the ancient souks full of texture, colour and movement and the spectacular desert sunsets and night skies all enrich your travel experience in Morocco” – Sue Buckle.

Sue Buckle, Tour Host