Escorted Tours 2020 & 2021 - 2nd Edition - Mercury Holidays

For full tour itineraries, please visit us online at www.mercuryholidays.co.uk/tours MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA 99 MEAL PLAN: 7 breakfasts & 7 dinners ACCOMMODATION Marrakech 3 nights 4 ★ Red Hotel Marrakech or 4 ★ Delarosa Hotel Casablanca 1 night 4 ★ Hotel Suisse Casablanca or 4 ★ Kenzi Basma Hotel Fez 2 nights 4 ★ Across Hotel & Spa Beni Mellal 1 night 4 ★ Chems Tazerkount Hotel Beni Mellal AGADIR BEACH STAY 4 nights 4 ★ Half Board from £279 or 4 nights 5 ★ Half Board from £389 ATLAS MOUNTAINS 3 nights Half Board from £369 Visit Kasbahs, ancient palaces, Berber villages and camel rides across the sand dunes. Visit our website to learn more about our extensions. EXTEND YOUR TOUR DEPARTURES & FROM PRICES 2022 DEPARTURES AT 2021 PRICES CONTACT US FOR DATES • Prices based on flights from London Gatwick to Morocco with British Airways • A single supplement starts from just £269 Djema El Fnaa Square, Marrakech THIS TOUR INCLUDES BREAKFAST & DINNER DAILY PACE: DAY 1: UK TO MARRAKECH D Depart London on your scheduled flight. On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel, arriving in time for your first dinner. DAY 2: MARRAKECH TO CASABLANCA B/D After breakfast, journey north to Morocco’s largest city, Casablanca, and uncover this modern metropolis. On arrival, wander through a verdant area dotted with swaying palm trees in the League of Arab States Park, continuing past the Notre Dame de Lourdes Church. Continue through the busy shopping area of the Habous Quarter, where a beautiful fusion of architecture rubs shoulders with boutique markets stalls. Later today, witness an architectural masterpiece at the third largest mosque in the world. Adorned with intricately decorative tiles, admire an exhibition of Moroccan craftsmanship at the esplanade of the magnificent Hassan II Mosque. Check into your hotel for dinner and your overnight stay. DAY 3: CASABLANCA TO FEZ B/D Following breakfast, travel to Rabat for a half-day city tour. Visit the Hassan Tower, a 12th century unfinished minaret built from distinctive red sandstone, then explore the nearby mausoleum of Mohammed V with its stunning mahogany domes and intricate gold leaf decorations. Travel onward to the ancient Roman town of Volubilis. Wander past crumbling pillars and intricately laid mosaics then delve deeper into Morocco’s historical fabric on a visit to Meknes. There, explore the settlement of the ruthless tyrant Sultan Moulay Ismail who founded this imperial city for his harem of 500 wives and 12,000 horses. View the Sultan’s resting place, which boasts some of Morocco’s best craftsmanship, mosaics and stucco, then journey to Fez, arriving in time for dinner. DAY 4: FEZ B/D Brimming with history, numerous civilisations have settled or passed through Fez, leaving a legacy of palaces, mosques and museums filled with precious treasures. Begin your full-day tour at the ancient medina of Fez. The city is alive with traditional crafts which are produced locally, and a visit to a local tannery provides a fascinating insight into the sights and smells of a craft that has remained relatively unchanged since the 16th century. Awash with copious quarries containing a kaleidoscope of colourful dye, witness a remarkably medieval sight before returning to your hotel this evening. DAY 5: FEZ TO BENI MELLAL B/D This morning, journey past the small town of Azrou, enjoying fantastic views on a scenic drive. Arrive in Beni Mellal in time for dinner at your hotel. DAY 6: BENI MELLAL TO MARRAKECH B/D Depart for Marrakech this morning, stopping first at the breath-taking Ouzoud Falls. Later, check into your hotel and enjoy an afternoon at leisure. Abounding old-world charm, a plethora of highlights within the ‘Red City’ will keep you entertained. This evening, visit the world-famous Djemaa El Fnaa Square and witness the vast esplanade transform from a day market to an immense show of dancers, musicians, soothsayers, snake charmers and dancing monkeys. DAY 7: MARRAKECH B/D Today’s tour takes you to the El Bahia Palace and tombs of the Saadian princes, then on to Dar El Basha Quarter. Peruse the basketwork, dried fruit, spices and fabrics of Kessabine and Smarine souks (markets) and explore the ancient, former slave market of Rahba Kedima Square, where locals arrive in droves to buy potions for magic spells and ingredients ranging from bark to chameleons. This evening enjoy dinner at your hotel with an optional evening of belly dancing and folklore available (at a fee). DAY 8: MARRAKECH TO THE UK B Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK, or continue on to your chosen extension. B = Breakfast, D = Dinner FOR YOU TO KNOW: No visa is required when travelling to Morocco; however, insurance must be obtained before travel. Tips: We recommend you allow approximately £48pp for the duration of your tour. Uncover Morocco’s colourful cultural offerings as you explore ancient medinas, spice-filled souks and dramatic Moorish architecture. Indulge your senses as you explore historic sights in Casablanca, breathtaking views of the Atlas Mountains and the palaces, tombs and souks of Fez and Marrakech. 11 Nov 20 £779 13 Jan 21 £749 03 Feb 21 £829 17 Mar 21 £929 24 Mar 21 £929 12 May 21 £1,029 02 Jun 21 £959 14 Jul 21 £1,029 11 Aug 21 £1,029 15 Sep 21 £959 13 Oct 21 £1,079 10 Nov 21 £929 IMPERIAL CITIES OF MOROCCO 8 days from £749pp TOUR HIGHLIGHTS ✔ Tour Casablanca, Rabat and Marrakech ✔ Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Fez’s ancient medina ✔ The breath-taking Ouzoud Waterfalls ✔ Journey through the Middle Atlas Mountains ✔ Visit the historic settlement of Meknes and Roman ruins of Volubilis ✔ Witness snake charmers, dancers and musicians in Djemaa El Fnaa Square