MOROCCO
Faculty
Stephen D. Mull, Vice Provost for Global Affairs, and former U.S. Ambassador, Executive Secretary of the State Department and the Senior Advisor to Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs
Program Highlights
- Embark on a Sahara sunset excursion and camel ride on the dunes
- Visit five UNESCO World Heritage sites
- Travel the scenic “Route of a Thousand Kasbahs” caravan route
- Experience splendid Atlas Mountain scenery and dramatic Todra Gorge
- Tour the fascinating medinas of Fez and Marrakech
- See the ancient Roman ruins at Volubilis
- Explore storied Casablanca and the magnificent Hassan II mosque
$5,195 per person, double occupancy, land only.
$5,295 per person, double occupancy with economy class round-trip airfare from Boston, New York, and Washington, DC, plus $684 airline taxes and fees, which are subject to change until final payment is made.
$5,695 per person, double occupancy with economy class round-trip airfare from Charlottesville, VA, plus $684 airline taxes and fees, which are subject to change until final payment is made.
Stephen D. Mull is Vice Provost for Global Affairs at the University of Virginia. In this role, he is the primary lead on global relations at the University, responsible for developing a strategic vision, designing outreach, and overseeing international activities. Steve oversees institutional development of global partnerships and develops a wide array of services, programs, experiences, and strategic partnerships that promote global imagination within the university community.
Mull has served in a broad range of U.S. national security positions, most recently as Acting Under Secretary for Political Affairs at the U.S. Department of State. He served as Lead Coordinator for Iran Nuclear Implementation from August 2015 until August 2017. Mull was the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Poland from 2012 until 2015 and U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Lithuania from 2003 to 2006. He has been both Executive Secretary of the State Department and the Senior Advisor to Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs. He has also recently served as Resident Senior Fellow at Georgetown University’s Institute for the Study of Diplomacy.
Overview
On this one-of-a-kind journey, your eyes and heart are opened to a truly foreign land, an age-old culture, and genuinely hospitable people. Begin by touring the Moroccan capital, seaside Rabat, and enjoy lunch in a private home. Stop in imperial Meknes and Volubilis' Roman ruins, one of five UNESCO sites visited. Travel on to explore Fez through the Middle Atlas mountains. In Merzouga, embark on a sunset camel excursion along the breathtakingly beautiful sand dunes. View spectacular scenery en route to Ouarzazate in the snow-topped High Atlas, including dramatic Todra Gorge. Traverse the fabled "Route of a Thousand Kasbahs" and visit scenic Ait ben-Haddou village, another UNESCO site. In alluring Marrakech, tour the medina and Djemaa el Fna Square. Your final destination is storied Casablanca, where a highlight is a visit to the magnificent Hassan Il Mosque.
Upon arrival this afternoon in Casablanca, the commercial center of Morocco, we transfer by coach to Rabat and our hotel located near famed Hassan Tower. We have time to relax and refresh before dinner tonight at the hotel.
La Tour Hassan
Dinner (D)
One of Morocco’s four ancient capitals, or imperial cities, Rabat is again the country’s capital, at once historic and contemporary, as we discover on today’s tour. We visit the necropolis of Chellah, built on ancient Roman ruins, and the Mohammed VI contemporary art museum then have lunch in a private home.
On tap this afternoon: the 12th-century Kasbah of the Oudaias, the peaceful Andalusian Gardens, and Rabat’s medina, a UNESCO site. Tonight we enjoy a welcome dinner of traditional Moroccan fare at acclaimed Dinarjat in Rabat’s Old Town.
La Tour Hassan
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (B,L,D)
This morning we depart Rabat for Fez, stopping along the way in Meknes, Morocco’s youngest imperial city (and UNESCO World Heritage site). We visit the Bab el Mansour gateway and the ruins of the imperial stables before lunch in a local restaurant.
Then we continue on to the ancient Roman ruins at the UNESCO site of Volubilis, known for its intricate and colorful mosaics. Late afternoon we reach Fez and our elegant hotel overlooking the medina, another UNESCO World Heritage site.
Riad Fes
(B,L,D)
Today we explore Morocco’s oldest imperial city, considered the “Athens of Africa” for its wealth of cultural, educational, and religious institutions. We begin with a comfortable walk through the Fez medina, where we see some hidden treasures, including the Blue Gate, the most picturesque of the Old City’s historic gates; the medieval school of Bouanania; the 12th-century home of Jewish scholar Maimonides; and the authentic food market. We also visit the traditional quarter where we watch artisans craft the acclaimed Fez pottery and ceramics.
After lunch together in the medina, we tour the old Mellah (Jewish quarter) and its 17th-century synagogue and the royal gates.
Riad Fes
(B,L,D)
We begin today with a visit to the Al-Attarine Madrasa, whose highlight is a small courtyard showcasing intricately detailed tilework and carving decorations dating to the early 1300s. We then continue our discovery on a walking tour of the medina focusing on the artisans’ quarters, the 14th-century Koranic schools, and Al Karaouine, the medieval theological university.
The remainder of the afternoon is free for independent exploration and lunch on our own. Tonight, we enjoy a private dinner at an intimate family-run riad in Fez.
Riad Fes
(B,D)
Traveling inland today, we cross the fertile plains beyond Fez and continue through the Middle Atlas mountain range. We stop in the small town of Midelt for lunch.
Continuing on we cross the Ziz River, passing rows of sky-scraping palm trees and fortified villages before reaching our kasbah-style hotel in Erfoud late in the day. Dinner tonight is at our hotel.
Le Palais du Désert Hotel
(B,L,D)
This morning we visit the city of Rissani, with its 18th-century ksar, a virtually impenetrable warren of alleys. We enjoy a tour highlight this afternoon as we set out on a sunset excursion to the breathtakingly beautiful sand dunes at Merzouga on the edge of the Sahara.
In the enormous silence, we watch the sunset over the desert as we take a camel ride along the erg. Following this experience, we’ll have dinner together in this desert setting before returning to our hotel tonight.
Le Palais du Désert Hotel
(B,L,D)
Our destination today is in the snow-topped High Atlas. The day features one beautiful scene after another, including the village of Tinehir, a stunning mountain oasis rising on a series of riverside terraces lush with palm trees; and the spectacular 984-foot Todra Gorge, home to a variety of rare bird and plant species.
Following lunch here we visit El Kelaa des Mgouna, known for its roses, then set out on the fabled “Route of a Thousand Kasbahs” ancient caravan route, a region of fortresses with elaborately decorated façades. Late afternoon we reach the town of Ouarzazate (the “door of the desert”) where we spend the night.
Le Berbère Palace
(B,L,D)
En route to Marrakech today, we stop first at uninhabited Ait ben-Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of southern Morocco’s most scenic villages that is often used as a location for fashion and film shoots. Its old section consists of deep red kasbahs packed together so tightly they appear to be a single unit. Then as we begin our descent from the High Atlas, we pass through typical villages with fortified walls and stone houses with earthen roofs.
In Tizi N’Tichka, we traverse the Pass of the Pastures (alt. 7,415 feet), where life is much as it was centuries ago: shepherds bring their flocks to the high pastures every summer, then return with them to their villages in autumn. We arrive in Marrakech late this afternoon and dine tonight at our hotel.
Sofitel Marrakech
(B,L,D)
Once the capital of southern Morocco, the imperial city of Marrakech is an alluring oasis with a temperate climate, distinct charm, and fascinating sights. Our day-long tour includes the beautifully proportioned Koutoubia Mosque with its distinctive 282-foot minaret visible from miles away; the lovely Andalusian-style El Bahia Palace (part of which is still used by the royal family); and the ruins of 16th-century Palais El Badii.
After lunch at our hotel, mid-afternoon we embark on a walking tour of the medina, ending at Djemaa el Fna Square, a UNESCO site and the heart of Marrakech, crowded with snake charmers, entertainers, storytellers, musicians, barbers, and sellers of fruit, water, and spices. Dinner tonight is on our own in this exotic city.
Sofitel Marrakech
(B,L)
This morning we travel by horse-drawn carriage from Menara Park to Majorelle Gardens, a private botanical garden with some 15 species of birds native to North Africa and known for its cobalt blue accents.
Following a tour of the gardens, we visit the newly renovated Berber Museum here, with art and artifacts reflecting Berber culture in Morocco. The afternoon is at leisure before dinner tonight at a local restaurant in the city’s Old Town.
Sofitel Marrakech
(B,D)
We leave Marrakech this morning by coach for storied Casablanca, Morocco’s largest and most cosmopolitan city. After a brief orientation tour of the city, we visit the magnificent Hassan II Mosque, Morocco’s only functioning mosque open to non-Muslims.
Sitting on the Atlantic shoreline, the mosque boasts a prayer hall the size of London’s St. Paul’s Cathedral. Tonight we celebrate our Moroccan adventure at a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
Hyatt Regency Casablanca
(B,D)
"Hassan II Mosque" by Photomatt28 is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.
After breakfast this morning we transfer to the airport for our return flight to the U.S.
(B)
- Rabat – La Tour Hassan
- Fez – Riad Fes
- Erfoud – Le Palais du Desért
- Ouarzazate – Le Berbère Palace
- Marrakech – Sofitel Marrakech
- Casablanca – Hyatt Regency Casablanca
31 meals: 12 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 11 dinners
$5,195 per person, double occupancy, land only.
$5,295 per person, double occupancy with economy class round-trip airfare from Boston, New York, and Washington, DC, plus $684 airline taxes and fees, which are subject to change until final payment is made.
$5,695 per person, double occupancy with economy class round-trip airfare from Charlottesville, VA, plus $684 airline taxes and fees, which are subject to change until final payment is made.
A limited number of single rooms are available for a supplement of $1,495 to the per person, double occupancy rates.
Other Gateway Cities Are Available.
Airline Upgrades (subject to availability) on round-trip, Trans-Atlantic flight:
Business Class – $3,795 per person
Premium Economy – $1,195 per person
Ready to register? The best way to do this is by phone so that we can ensure we are meeting all of your needs. Please call us at 866-765-2646 or 434-243-4984, or e-mail cavaliertravels@virginia.edu with your contact information and the best time to reach you.
A refundable deposit of $500 per person is required to reserve your spot. Your deposit is fully refundable up to 95 days before departure. Final invoicing will be done approximately 110 days prior to departure. Final payment is due 95 days prior (December 8, 2021) to departure.
Deposits can be made by personal check or credit card. Our tour operator, Odysseys Unlimited, Inc., reserves the right to cancel any reservation that are not paid in full at any time after final payment is due. If you make your reservation after the final payment date, payment in full will be required upon reservation.
Early registration is encouraged as space is limited.
Please read this information carefully, as payment of a $500 deposit per person represents your acceptance of the following Terms and Conditions.
Cavalier Travels reserves the right to use photos that might include you in marketing materials and for other purposes unless you specify otherwise.
Payment Schedule: A refundable deposit of $500 per person confirms your reservation. The balance of your invoice is due 95 days before departure (December 8, 2021).
Included in Tour Price: Round-trip air transportation from specific cities; 12 nights’ accommodations in Deluxe, Superior First Class, and First Class hotels; extensive sightseeing as described, including all entrance fees; services of an Odysseys Unlimited Tour Director; private motorcoach transportation throughout your trip; luggage handling for one bag per person; gratuities for local guides, dining room servers, airport and hotel porters, and all drivers.
Not Included in Tour Price: Airfare and airport transfers when purchasing a Land Only package; airfare from your hometown to your departure city; costs of passports and visas; personal expenses such as beverages, laundry, room service, and meals not specified; communication charges; optional sightseeing; gratuities to your Odysseys Unlimited Tour Director, which are at your discretion (suggested gratuities: $10-$15 per traveler, per day); and travel protection insurance. Additional baggage fees may apply and are subject to change at any time. You should confirm directly with your airline(s) prior to departure.
Cancellation, Refunds, and Changes (updated 12/06/21): If you must cancel your trip, the effective date of cancellation will be upon the University of Virginia’s receipt of your notification. Refunds for cancellations are subject to the following per person charges:
- For cancellations received at least 60 days prior to departure, you will receive a full refund of all monies paid to Odysseys Unlimited.**
- For cancellations made between 59 and 30 days prior to departure, you may be eligible for a partial refund based on Odysseys’ original Terms and Conditions. Any non-refundable amount will be offered as a future tour credit to be used on another Odysseys Unlimited tour departing before December 31, 2023.
- Cancellations made within 30 days of departure will not be eligible for a refund or future tour credit (as per our existing Terms and Conditions).
Should Odysseys Unlimited eventually make the decision to cancel your tour, you would receive a full refund of all monies paid.**
**Note: If payment for your tour was made with a non-refundable tour credit, the credit will be retained for your future use on an Odysseys Unlimited tour; it will not be refunded as cash.
Upon reservation, you must provide your full legal name as it appears on your passport, as well as your date of birth and gender. In the event an airline ticket is issued with incorrect information you have provided, you will be responsible for charges associated with the ticket’s reissue.
Responsibility: The liability of the University of Virginia, as sponsor, and Odysseys Unlimited, Inc., as tour operator, is strictly limited. Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. purchase transportation, hotel accommodations, and restaurant and other services from independent suppliers not under our control. We serve only as agents for these suppliers in securing tour arrangements, and therefore will not accept responsibility for wrongful, negligent, or arbitrary acts or omissions of these independent contractors, or of their employees, agents, servants, or representatives. The University of Virginia and Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. are not liable for injury, damage, loss, accident, or delay that may be caused by events not within our control, including, without limitation, acts of terrorism, war, strikes, the defect of any vehicle, or the negligence or default of any third party. All coupons, receipts, and tickets issued are subject to the terms and conditions specified by the air carriers, cruise lines, and other independent suppliers. We will make every effort to operate our tours as planned, but we reserve the right to make itinerary changes as necessary. If unforeseen circumstances require us to change a hotel, we will select alternative accommodations of the same or better quality.
Health and Medical Issues: We request that you be in good health to participate in this University of Virginia tour. There is a moderate amount of walking, and you must be able to get on and off motorcoaches on your own. We regret that we cannot offer individual assistance; in such cases you must be accompanied by a companion who will assist you. Please note that many of our itineraries, for reasons beyond our control, cannot accommodate wheelchairs. Please call or e-mail us to inquire and we will do our best to answer any questions you may have. We reserve the right to remove anyone whose physical or mental condition, in our opinion, compromises the operation of the tour or detracts from the enjoyment or safety of the other passengers. In that event, Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. and the University of Virginia assume no financial responsibility for any unused portion of the tour.
Air Transportation – Important Information: Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. includes in its tour price round-trip economy air from designated gateway cities, and contracts with those airlines the company feels provide the level of service, routings, and value necessary for your entire trip. While another airline may offer a more direct connection, it may be at a price unavailable at the lower group rates. You will receive your preliminary air schedule approximately 2½ months prior to departure. Please note that seat assignment on your international flight is usually done at airport check-in. Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. is unable to guarantee any seat assignments. Due to the nature of tour operator tickets, other restrictions apply, including, but not limited to, frequent flyer mileage accrual, stopovers, alternate travel dates, upgrades, and airline taxes and fees. If you prefer to make your own travel arrangements, Land Only is available on most tours. Since international and domestic air schedules are subject to change at any time, we recommend that if you choose to make your own airline reservations, you do not purchase non-refundable tickets or those with high penalties for changes. If you choose to make your own air arrangements, Odysseys Unlimited, Inc. shall not have any liability for any loss resulting from cancellation of this tour or changes in this tour.
COVID-19 Health and Safety Protocols: The well-being of our guests and staff members on tour will continue to be our highest priorities. To maintain a healthy environment for travel, we will be establishing and adhering to a detailed set of health and safety protocols for all facets of your tour. We are committed to following the guidelines of the State Department, CDC, WHO, and authorities of respective countries regarding travel to a particular destination. Detailed protocols for this tour, based on conditions at the time, will be provided approximately 90 days prior to departure.