Morocco – Jewish Heritage Tour

Welcome to Morocco! "Ahlan Wa Sahlan"

Upon arrival at Casablanca Airport, your English-speaking guide will be waiting for you outside with an airport sign as well as the private vehicle that will take you to your hotel at the heart of Casablanca where you will start your journey in Morocco. After you check-in, you will have a welcome meeting with your tour leader as well as an evening tour of Casablanca and dinner at a kosher restaurant.

Meknes - Visit of Casablanca's main monuments

Today you will have a great guided visit of Casablanca's main monuments & sights and most importantly places with high significance in the Casaoui Jewish community as the economical capital is home to over 30 synagogues  outside of the historic Jewish district, also a city that 3% of its population was Jewish before 1939.

Your Amazing tour starts with a visit to of the most impressive sites in Casablanca – the Iconic edifice of the Mosque of Hassan II. Opened in 1993 after 7 Years of construction work of dozens of Moroccan architects and thousands of workers from all over the kingdom, this mosque has the tallest Minaret on the entire planet and is the 3rd largest Mosque in the world,  the huge building is part of land and part on sea, and in one area water can be seen through a glass floor. It is one of the only religious sites open to non-Muslims.

From there you will visit the old medina starting from The old Jewish quarter (Mellah), with its temples and synagogues such as the Temple of Beth-El often considered the core of a once lively Jewish society. Its tainted glass windows and other artistic elements are what attract tourists to this synagogue, you will also get to visit the synagogue of Rabbi Ettedegui.

Afterward, you will head to the Jewish museum which covers an area of 700 square meters and is considered to be the first of its kind in the Arab world. Located south of “El Maarif” and housed in a beautiful villa surrounded by lush gardens it’s the only Jewish museum in the Islamic world. It relates the history of the once-prosperous Jewish community and its influence on modern Moroccan society. This museum is the richest taking into consideration the fact that it contains more than 1500 historical artifacts including documents, traditional clothing, ceremonial items, and a vast collection of photographs.  After lunch bid farewell to Casablanca and travel to Meknes or "the Moroccan Versailles".

Fes - Start with an immersive tour of Meknes and Visit the Roman ruins of Volubilis

Today, get ready to have a jam-packed day starting with an immersive tour of Meknes.  The city where the Jewish presence is evidenced by Hebraic epitaphs dating from the Christian era as well as Greek inscriptions that still appear in local Synagogues and a place of pilgrimage where the tomb of Rabbi David Benmidan. in this tour you will visit the crowded old Mellah which contain eleven Synagogues, eight of which are still in use, in this tour you will get to see Talmud Torah synagogue of Meknes, then Visit the Royal stables, Bab El Mansour, the Hedim square and the mosque of Moulay Ismail. 

After lunch, leave to The Mauritanian capital of Volubilis, founded in the 3rd century B.C., The Roman ruins of Volubilis became an important outpost of the Roman Empire and were graced with many fine buildings. Extensive remains of these survive in the archaeological site, located in a fertile agricultural area. although today all that remains are some ruins, the remaining structures and intricate mosaics have been preserved as a reminder of a city that once thrived.& After exploring this Roman heritage head to the spiritual city of Fes and one of Morocco's imperial cities but first you will have a stop at the religious Mausoleum of Moulay Idriss!  An important pilgrimage site, the town has an interesting main square with shops selling incense, prayer beads, and candles for the faithful, and the main street is full of restaurants and cafés for watching the passing parade. in the afternoon, you will arrive at your riad at the heart of Fes el Bali (old medina) where you will relax and spend two nights, you will have a pastille dinner at your riad.

Fes - A memorable walking tour of the old city, known locally as Fes el Bali.

After breakfast, you will be picked up to go start a memorable guided walking tour of the old city, known locally as Fes el Bali. You will live a 1001 night’s tale and Step back into the Middle Ages in the labyrinth of the Medina, which is alive with local craftsmen, souks, traditional schools, tanneries, and mosques. After walking around this mystical site, you visit the old Mellah as well as the Jewish cemetery, Continue to Ibn Danan (a recently renovated synagogue), Attarine and Bou Inania Medersas, and the scenic Nejjarine Fountain. You will also see Fez’s impressive Karaouine and Andalous Mosques. the rest of the day is free.

Marrakesh - Journey into the cedar forested Middle Atlas

After breakfast, we will journey into the cedar forested Middle Atlas, North Africa’s greatest mountain range.  We will be crossing the Berber villages of Azrou and Khenifra en route to Beni Mellal situated in the heart of the fertile Tadla Plain. 

Then witness the road descend from the Atlas Mountains further south and down into the Haouz Plain, before reaching Marrakech.

Marrakesh - Discover the city’s architectural attractions situated inside the Medina

Today, Discover the city’s architectural attractions situated inside the Medina: the Koutoubia minaret, the most perfect Islamic religious structure in North Africa, and the glorious Bahia Palace, a masterpiece of domestic architecture, stroll through the 16th-century Jewish quarter and visit the Rabbi Hanania Hacohen Cemetery which is also the burial place of Rabbi Mordekhai Ben Attar and Rabbi Pinhas Hacohen Azough known as the "Patron of Marrakech after lunch visit the labyrinthine souks in the old town to explore colorful alleys and small squares, home to stalls and ateliers devoted to specific crafts. In the early evening, we will head to Djemaa El Fna, the city’s main square and the beating heart of Marrakech. 

Essaouira - Enjoy a mesmerizing fishing town

Today, leave Marrakech and head to the Atlantic ocean and specifically e Essaouira, which is a mesmerizing fishing town surrounded by hand-painted blue, white and yellow houses that look nothing but ethereal! This glorious town is known for its Portuguese and Jewish History, fresh and delectable seafood, and enthusiastic artist community.

Most of the hand-painted houses in this remarkable town belonging to Jews still have the Star of David on top of the doorways. Practicing Jews from around the world gather in this town for an annual pilgrimage, where they visit Rabbi Haim Pinto’s grave who departed in 1845. The Hiloula, as it is known, is celebrated each September to honor Rabbi Haim Pinto.

 See the Jewish cemetery in the Mellah, a place of the annual pilgrimage to the grave of the venerated Rabbi Haim Pinto, whose home and synagogue are preserved as a historic and religious site. you will also visit the city’s fortifications and Scala, a mixture of Berber and Portuguese architecture, and the 18th century Medina with its carpentry cedar and thuya wood ateliers.

The evening is at leisure.

Essaouira - Explore the gems city

Today is free for you to relax and enjoy Essaouira further, maybe indulge in a relaxing Moroccan Hammam or why not ride a horse by the ocean? The options are endless...

Marrakech - Departure

Your Morocco adventure ends today after breakfast. Private transfer to the Marrakech Airport to fly back home.