Essaouira Extension

Itinerary

• Morocco

  Morocco is located in North Africa with a population of nearly 34 million. It has a coast on the Atlantic Ocean that reaches past the Strait of Gibraltar into the Mediterranean Sea. Morocco has international borders with Algeria to the east, and Mauritania to the south. Morocco was drawn into the Mediterranean world by Phoenician trading colonies and settlements in the late Classical period. This strategic region formed part of the Roman Empire, Vandals, Visigoths, Byzantine Greeks, and Islamic empires. During this time, the high mountains of most of modern Morocco remained in control of their Berber inhabitants. The Treaty of Fez (1912) made Morocco a protectorate of France, but in 1955 the country regained its independence. The capitol city is Rabat, and main economic center is Casablanca. Tangiers is a port located very close to Spain, and receives a lot of European traffic. The cities of Marrakech and Fes are both UNESCO sites. There is a broad range of other sites, the ancient seaport of Essaouira, desert gateway of Ouarzazate, and the mountain passes of the high Atlas Mountains.

• Essaouira

  Essaouira is a laid-back fishing port whose narrow streets are lined with whitewashed, blue-shuttered houses. Long considered as one of the best anchorages of the Moroccan coast, during the 5th century BC the Carthaginian navigator Hanno established a trading post. The actual city of Essaouira was only built during the 18th century by Mohammed III, wishing to reorient his kingdom towards the Atlantic for increased exchanges with European powers. Today it is a city of charm and relaxation with gorgeous ocean views and plenty of optional activities on offer.

• • Essaouira
  • Riad Dar L'oussia Room

  Day 1: Marrakech - Essaouira

  A private vehicle with English speaking driver will be at your disposal for the day.

  Accommodation: Riad Dar L`Oussia

  At the edge of the ramparts, Dar L'Oussia stands as a sentry scanning the horizon. With warm hospitality, attentive and discreet service, Dar L'Oussia welcomes guests to its 24 rooms and suites decorated in traditional elegance. The Riad also offers a traditional hammam and a small spa with massage. This hotel lounges in the sun offering gorgeous views of the bay, the sea, the port and the Medina. It is the perfect place to unwind in this beautiful town.

• • Rampartsin Essaouira

  Day 2: Essaouira

  After breakfast, set out accompanied by an experienced guide for a tour of Essaouira, a charming, white-washed town and former Portuguese colony. Explore the lively port area, the colourful souk and market places, and the lovely street of thuya craftsman.

  A private vehicle with English speaking driver will be at your disposal today.

  Accommodation: Riad Dar L`Oussia
• • Horseback on the beach

  Day 3: Essaouira

  Essaouira offers a great variety of optional activities. Choose between mountain biking, hiking, horseback, fishing, sailing, surfing, wind surfing, kite surfing, camel rides, visits to vineyards, trekking, visits to Argan oil production, rural tourism.

  Accommodation: Riad Dar L`Oussia

• Day 4: Essaouira

  Airport transfer with private vehicle and driver.

  Accommodation: Depart

  Depart from Essaouira airport - end of itinerary.

Accommodation

• Culinary Delights

  Moroccan dishes are replete with wonderful, healthy ingredients such as garden-fresh fava beans, vine ripened vegetables, and a medley of legumes (chickpeas, kidney, navy, and lentils Many dishes feature pastas and grains like couscous, vermicelli, and orzo. What sets Moroccan cuisine apart from other Mediterranean cooking, however, is the liberal use of spices. Turmeric, saffron, cinnamon, cumin, and sweet Hungarian paprika lend dynamic flavour and a rich, warm colour that enhances the meals' visual quality. Almond paste, ginger, harissa, mint orange-flower-water also add to the exotic flavour.

• Natural Wonders

  The Argan is a rare and endangered tree that grows in warm arid climates and is most commonly found in Morocco. Similar in appearance to an olive tree, it is an important natural resource, producing a nut that provides rich and delicious oil used for cooking. Goats climb the broad, gnarled tree-trunks of the tree to eat the olive-like fruit; however they discard the hard shells and the nut. Farmers then collect the shells and nuts to press for oil, and afterwards the remains are burned and used in cooking. Argan oil is expensive and a rare commodity made mostly by women. It has as divinely smooth and nutty flavour, making it a treat in salad dressing of for dipping bread.

• Cultural Moments

  The medina (market) in Marrakech is one of the largest in the world. Here, one can buy almost anything. It is particularly good for carpets, rugs and ornate metalwork. As in all of Morocco, the market business is conducted in a leisurely, although decidedly earnest way, with the accompaniment of endless glasses of sweet mint tea. Miles of narrow winding streets are crowded with stores selling everything from brass plates and trays to sweet pastries and richly patterned carpets.

• • Riad Dar L'oussia Room

  Riad Dar L'Oussia

  At the edge of the ramparts, Dar L'Oussia stands as a sentry scanning the horizon. With warm hospitality, attentive and discreet service, Dar L'Oussia welcomes guests to its 24 rooms and suites decorated in traditional elegance. The Riad also offers a traditional hammam and a small spa with massage. This hotel lounges in the sun offering gorgeous views of the bay, the sea, the port and the Medina. It is the perfect place to unwind in this beautiful town.

  • More information

The Fine Print

• Trip Operator

  Horizon & Co. (founded in 1963), is a privately-owned leading boutique travel company. Horizon designs and stages authentic and deeply personal travel experiences that are carefully choreographed to induce a life-long memory. In addition to offering published trips on seven continents, Horizon builds private custom trips for discerning individuals and small groups.

• Contact Information

  Horizon & Co.
  Tel: 1-800-387-2977
  Email: admin@horizon-co.com
  Web: www.horizon-co.com

• What's Included:

  • Guaranteed departure - Accommodation, Activities, Transfers, Meals, Fees where indicated as per the itinerary - Local and international traveler assistance during your tour - Specialised and personalised services

• What's not Included:

  • Tips - Laundry - Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages unless explicitly noted - Optional activities/extras – Visas (unless noted) - Vacation insurance

• Trip Terms & Conditions

  • Your deposit is due immediately on booking (30% of program price, minimum $250). The balance is due 90 days prior to departure. We accept payment via credit card, certified check, wire transfer or money order.
  • Tour quotes do not include airfare to/from the trip start point unless noted on the itinerary
  • Cost increases in currency exchange, government fees, taxes, surcharges or hotel/lodge tariff increases between quote date and start date are payable by the client.
  • Availability cannot be guaranteed until booked. We will exercise best efforts to book hotels per the itinerary, however, in busy seasons and with client bookings made within 90 days of tour date we may be forced to offer substitutes.
  • Cancellations of confirmed bookings 90 days or more prior to departure will receive full refund minus a $350 (per person) administrative fee and any non-refundable paid fees (e.g. non-refundable airfare, cruise or hotel deposits). 60-89 days will be subject to loss of deposit. 30-59 days will be subject to loss of 50% of program price. 29 days or less will be subject to 100% of program price.
  • Payment of the program price constitutes your acceptance of the terms and conditions set out at www.horizon-co.com/terms-and-conditions
  • Living Standards and practices at destination may differ from those in North America with respect to provisions of utilities, services and accommodation.

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