Many of TraveLearn’s clients have encouraged us to develop some less expensive Learning Vacations to meet the needs of more budget conscious travelers. We are, therefore, pleased to introduce Budget Learning Vacations for many of our destinations. These are in addition to our regular excellent value Learning Vacations. All of these Budget Learning Vacations will have the special learning features of our regular Learning Vacation programs:
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The same experienced and outstanding escorts and local guides that we have used over the years for our regular programs.
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Special lectures and field experiences conducted by our in-country resource people.
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Contact with local people and their lifestyles through specially arranged small group luncheons or dinners.
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Small groups to help facilitate greater interaction between the participants and our escorts, guides, and resource people. |
The major difference in the programs will be the use of more modest accommodations and meal arrangements for the Budget Learning Vacations, and we will also require a minimum of 15 paying participants for these programs. The maximum number of participants will still remain at 20. In some instances we have reduced the number of days for the program to achieve a savings for budget minded travelers.
 Day 1 - Saturday
USA / Casablanca
Depart on a regularly scheduled flight from U.S.A.
Day 2 - Sunday (L, D)
Casablanca / Rabat
Morning arrival in Casablanca. You will be assisted through customs by our local representative and transferred to your motorcoach for the scenic drive along the coast to Rabat. Lunch at a local restaurant. Rest of day at leisure. Hotel Golden Tulip Farah
Day 3 - Monday (B, L, D)
Rabat
You will visit the offices of the Association Rabat Al Fath and hear a lecture on "Moroccan Traditions and Islam." Your tour of Rabat will enable you to view its many attractions: museums, monuments, and mosques, including the Royal Palace, the Kasbah of the Oudayas and the exquisite gold and marble Mausoleum of Mohammed V. Hotel Golden Tulip Farah
"We enjoyed the opportunities we had to meet and talk with Moroccans. The
discussion by Dr. Bentahila and meeting and having lunch with his family.
Having tea and almonds with the elderly woman, her daughter and
granddaughter at Ait Benhaddeu. Small number of participants. Excellent driver.Variety of places visited, and having some free time to explore on
own."
Morocco - E. & M. Tiberg, VA
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Day 4 - Tuesday (B, L, D)
Rabat / Volubilis / Fez
Drive through enchanting bark oak and cork forests to Meknes, the Moroccan Versailles. Meknes was created in the 17th century by Moulay Ismail, the first great Alaouit Sovereign. Here you will admire the Bab-El-Mansour and Bab-Berdaine, two of the striking gates built into the 25 miles of wall surrounding the ancient city, and visit the mosque housing the tomb of Moulay Ismail. You will see the incredible stables built by Moulay Ismail to accommodate 12,000 horses, and the granaries of cathedral-like proportions, where 20,000 prisoners and slaves could be held at one time. Tour the ruins of Volubilis, an ancient Roman city that covers an area of over 100 acres. Until the late third century, Volubilis was the Roman Empire's most remote base. A magnificent Triumphal Arch and several well-preserved and still colorful mosaics are among the city's most impressive vestiges. Take a short drive to the town of Moulay Idriss, named for the grandson of the prophet Mohammed who arrived there in the year 787. After a short tour of Moulay Idriss, the rest of the afternoon will be at leisure. Continue to the imperial city of Fez. Hotel les Merinides
 Day 5 - Wednesday (B, L, D)
Fez
Early morning you might hear the Mouazane calling the faithful to prayers from one of the 320 mosques in Fez. You will begin your sightseeing day in the Medina (ancient city). Here you will see the Karaouine Mosque, capable of accommodating 22,000 people for worship, and the 14th-century El Attarin Medersa, an Islamic religious university, built around a beautiful courtyard with walls of carved plaster and cedar. A lecture/seminar by a Moroccan university professor of sociolinguistics will provide you with an understanding of "Fez: City of Contrasts." After the lecture, lunch will be arranged in the home of an ordinary Moroccan family. This will give you a unique insight into the everyday life of Moroccans, allowing you to taste some genuine home cooking (a far remove from most hotel fare) and to have a look around a real Moroccan home - experiences regular tourists would never have! After taking mint tea with the family, you will take a stroll through the maze of alleyways in the medina, experiencing the excitement and mystery of the souks (markets) while observing local artisans at work - wood carvers, copper engravers, rug weavers, and the famous tanners and dyers of fine Moroccan leather.
Hotel les Merinides
Day 6 - Thursday (B, L, D)
Fez / Beni Mellal / Marrakesh
After breakfast, departure to Marrakesh by passing Immouzer El Kander and Azrou - a Berbere village known for its handicrafts cooperative. Continue through the wooded and mountainous region with arrival in Tazerkount/Afourer for lunch. Arrive in Marrakesh and check-in to your hotel. Hotel Kenzi Farah
"I would recommend TraveLearn to anybody who truly wishes to understand and
get to know a country. It was an adventure! The excellent escort and
in-country guide were open, friendly, personable, humorous, and
knowledgeable. The variety of activities: never a boring day. Sunrise in the
Sahara...Visiting Old Fez...Length of the trip was perfect!"
Morocco - W. Seelbinder, MO
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Day 7 - Friday (B, L, D)
Marrakesh
You will begin your tour of Marrakesh, the second-oldest of the imperial cities founded in the 11th century, which spreads out in a huge palm grove at the foot of the snow-capped High Atlas Mountains. Visit the venerable monument of Koutoubia, known as a masterpiece of Almouhad art; the richly decorated rooms of the Saadian Tombs; the remains of the 16th-century El Badi Palace; the Bahia Palace; and the Dar Si Said Palace, now converted into the exquisite Museum of Moroccan Art. After lunch you will be given a lecture on the art of Morocco with an exhibit of textiles, paintings, and jewelry. In the early evening, visit the enormous Djemaa el Fna Square which abounds with storytellers, snake charmers, fire-eaters, acrobats, and fortune tellers, with local people sitting around the ever-present tea kettles producing the fragrance of fresh mint tea. Dinner and special floor show at the Restaurant Chez Ali. Hotel Kenzi Farah
Day 8 - Saturday (B, L, D)
Marrakesh / Casablanca
 Depart for Casablanca, Morocco's largest city and commercial capital. After lunch, take a short tour of the city, stopping at the newly completed Mosque Hassan II. The Mosque is the world's second largest, and was built with donations from Moroccans of all faiths. Royal Mansour Hotel
Day 9 - Sunday (B)
Casablanca / USA
Transfer with assistance to Mohammed V Airport for your flight to the U.S.A.
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