Washington and Lee University
In its position on the far northwestern corner of Africa, with a shoreline that stretches from the Mediterranean through the Straits of Gibraltar to the Atlantic, Morocco has been for many centuries one of the great intersections of civilization. As the anvil to the plunging Iberian peninsula and the whole of Europe, Morocco has served as the garden frontier for the Romans; it has seen the wanderings of the earliest Christians and Muslims, the advance of the Moors from Africa to Spain; it has welcomed the dusty caravans at the end of their long treks across the Sahara and the first brave ventures of the Portuguese out across the great oceans. Today, Morocco retains elements of all of its history, combining a wealth of cultures from the three continents with a native population of Berbers and black Africans. It is simply one of the most fascinating collections of humanity available anywhere on earth.
A mere six hours from New York, Morocco is an eminently manageable, as well as a provocative, travel experience. Our exciting journey travels from the timeworn ruins of Caesar’s most distant provincial capital to the finest examples of ancient and modern Islamic architecture. We’ll wend our way through the majestic Atlas Mountains, then dine in the tents of Morocco’s nomadic Berbers on the edge of the Sahara. We’ll visit the renowned cities of Fez and Marrakech among several ancient walled towns and discover why Morocco’s exotic souks make it an unforgettable shopper’s paradise. Morocco’s treasures include Roman antiquities, imperial palaces and fortifications, ancient kasbahs, and delicious cuisine. As we traverse her distances, we’ll enjoy a kaleidoscope of towering mountains, deep caverns, palm groves, rose-colored medieval towns nestled in the emerald green valleys of her principal rivers, terra-cotta villages huddling up to fertile oases, and, to the forbidding east, the windswept immensity of sand dunes rolling in from the vast Sahara.
A Moroccan Odyssey includes deluxe accommodations at some of the world’s most famous hotels, including the Palais Jamai in Fez and Les Jardins de la Koutoubia in Marrakech, all transportation and entrance fees, as well as W&L’s hand-picked national guide. Join us in discovering Morocco’s lingering spell on all who have been fortunate to visit her.
Download the complete itinerary and reservation form (.pdf)
