Day 1 - May 5
USA/Morocco
Depart Los Angeles Airport for Casablanca. (In-flight meals)

Day 2 - May 6
Marrakesh
Arrive in Casablanca and transfer to Marrakesh.  Founded by the Almorovids in the 11th century, Marrakesh, with its strong Berber influence, is the most important city in south Morocco.  Visit the nearby European city with its wide boulevards laid out during the colonial period. Palais Sebben or Palmeraie Golf Palace Hotel and Resort . TBA

Day 3 - May 7
Marrakesh
Visit the 12th century Koutabiya Mosque of the Booksellers, the 16th century Saadian tombs, the ruined El Badi Palace, the Mellah (Jewish quarter), and the 19th century Bahia Palace.  Late afternoon, visit the 14th and 16th centuries Ben Youssef Medersa, the Suqs (covered markets), and the Palace Jemaa el Fna which is taken over in late afternoon by snake-charmers, acrobats, story-tellers, wrestlers, and musicians, all of whom have to be seen to be believed. Lecture on Islamic History and Art.  Palais Sebben or Palmeraie Golf Palace Hotel and Resort . (B,D)

Day 4 - May 8
Marrakesh/ Ouarzazate/Zagora
Excursion into the high Atlas Mountains to Quarzazate, where amethyst crystals and exotic stones, including fossils from 2 billion B.C., are found in the Casbah of Tauoirt, an oasis in the Sahara. Visit Kasr Ait Ben Haddu andTifoultoute, drive to Zagora via Agdz and the Draa Valley. At the Tansikht palm grove, take the dust road until Zagora.   Desert Camp (B,L,D)

Day 5 - May 9
Zagora/Erfoud
Visit of Zagora before going to the sand dunes of Tinfou and the famous library in Tamegroute. Drive to Efoud. Kasbah Tizimi Hotel (B,L,D)

Day 6 - May 10
Zagora/Meknes
Early morning wake up to watch the sunrise over the Merzouga sand dunes. Departure to Meknes. Hotel Transatlantique  (B,L,D)

Day 7 - May 11
Meknes
Morning tour of Medina, including the Dar Jamai, a former palace converted into a museum, and the Bou Inaniya Medersa in the heart of the most picturesque section of the suq.  Visit the old Imperial town, including the Moulay Ismail Mausoleum, a 17th century granary, the Garden of the Sultanas, and the Dar el Beida, a fortress-like palace. Hotel Transatlantique  (B,D)

Day 8 - May 12
Meknes/Fez
Morning transfer to Fez.  In contrast to Berber Marrakesh, Fez--the oldest of the imperial cities--is decidedly Arabic and a great religious and cultural center.  Explore Fez el Bali, including El Qarawiyyin--the Friday Mosque, the Andalusian mosque, and the Bou Inaniya, El Attarin and Seffarin Medersas. Farewell dinner at a private home  of a Berber family followed by a folk show.   Palais Jamai Hotel  (B,D)

Day 9 - May 13
Fez/Rabat
After breakfast, visit Fes el Jedid, including the imperial palace, the Mellah, and the suqs.  Afternoon departure for Rabat via the Roman city of Volubilis and the town of Moulay Idriss el Akbar, the founder of the first Arab dynasty to rule over Morocco and the country’s most venerated saint.  Arrive in Rabat, seat of the Alawite Dynasty and present capital of the Sherifian kingdom. Hotel Tower Hassan. (B,D)

Day 10 - May 14
Rabat/Tangier
See the Tour Hassan (minaret) and the ruins of the vast Hassan mosque, the Oudaia Casbah, and the Museum of Muslim Art.  Visit  Merinid, Necropolis of Chella.  Transfer to Tangier for those who are continuing the tour to Southern Spain.  Hotel Minzah  (B,D) 
Those who are not continuing the tour will transfer to Casablanca for overnight and fly to the USA next day.

Day 11 - May 15
Casablanca/Granada
Take a ferry to Algeciras and transfer to Granada, capital of the Nazarids, and the last Islamic dynasty in Spain, which survived until 1492. Hotel La Babadilla  (B)

Day 12 - May 16
Granada
Explore Alhambra, Palace of Charles V and Generalife Gardens.  Tour the city of Granada, including Casa del Carbon, Capilla Real and Cathedral. Hotel La Babadilla (B)

Day 13 - May 17
Cordoba
Transfer to Cordoba, the capital of the Umayyad Caliphate, established in the 8th century. Parador Nacional de la Arruzafa  (B)

Day 14 - May 18
Cordoba/Seville
After breakfast, visit the Archaeological Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts.  Transfer to Seville. Hotel San Gil(B)

Day 15 - May 19
Seville
Morning tour of Alcazar, Patio de los Naranjos and Giralda of the old mosque, cathedral and Ayunatmiento. Hotel San Gil (B)

Day 16 - May 20
Spain/USA
Depart and return to USA. (In Flight Meals)

• Imperial cities of Rabat, Meknes, Fez, Marrakech
• Visit in Fez, Ouarzazate, Granada, Cordoba, Seville,
• Ancient ruins of Volubilis
• Spectacular Atlas Mountain scenery
• Zagora, "Gate of the Desert"
• Desert Sunrise adventure
• Kasbahs of Ait ben-Haddou
• Home visit with Berber family
• UNESCO World Heritage Sites
• Enrichment lectures from Fadel Gad
• Sunrise at the Sahara Dunes
• Outstanding accommodations

• Round trip airfare Los Angeles - Casablanca (for those participating on the post-trip extension airfare from Los Angeles - Casablanca/ Seville - Los Angeles
• Visa for Morocco
• Domestic flights
• Ground transportation (transfers to and from the airport/hotel for those who have booked the group flights).
• All airport taxes and fuel surcharges
• Monument entry fees
• Experienced speaking tour guide
• Enrichment lectures and discussions throughout the trip
• Deluxe accommodations at five and four star hotels
• Meals as specified in the itinerary (B=Breakfast; L=Lunch; D=Dinner)

• Tips and Gratuities
• Beverages of any kind
• Travel Insurance
• Expenses of a personal nature

As owner and President of Joy Travel International for the last 15 years, Fadel Gad has organized and led numerous educational tours to ancient sites around the world. Fadel’s knowledge and experience in comparative religions, spiritual studies and ancient art has enabled him to fill lecture halls and engage large tour groups. He has conducted several archeological excavations during his career and has been a popular guide for the Gaucho Getaways trips to Egypt.