 |
|
|
World Sacred Music Festival Fez, Morocco |
 |
|
The soul of Morocco, Fez is more than 1,000 years old, the world's most ancient medieval city and a meeting point for countless cultures since the 8th century. Reflecting the city's history, the Fez Sacred Music Festival, in its 15th year, celebrates the mixing of cultures and world faiths. Performances are very diverse and have included the Sufi Whirling Dervishes of Turkey, Berber trance music, Arab-Andalusian music, Javanese Gamelan, Hindustani chants, Celtic sacred music, Christian Gospel, flamenco and the Philharmonic Orchestra of Morocco. The festival alone is reason enough to visit, but this trip will give you a full taste of Morocco’s pleasures, as you travel through Casablanca, the imperial city of Rabat, Berber villages, the cosmopolitan charms of Marrakech and sample the treasures of this fascinating and mysterious country. Day 1 -Wednesday -Arrive Casablanca via overnight flight. Visit Rabat Starting with a short trip to the historic city of Rabat, one of Morocco’s four ancient imperial cities, you’ll spend an afternoon sightseeing visiting such sites as the Mellah (Jewish quarter), the Mohamed V Mausoleum, the Oudaya Kasbah and the Andalous gardens. Dinner and overnight in Rabat. Meals: Dinner Day 2 – Thursday On the road to Fez via Meknes and Volubulis Today’s journey to Fez stops first at Meknes, Morocco’s youngest imperial city, then continues on to Volubulis, known for its Roman ruins with intricate mosaics, and the holy town of Moulay Idriss. Upon arrival in Fez check into your elegant hotel, located adjacent to the Medina (old city), another World Heritage site. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Day 3 – Friday -Fez Today explore the largest and most authentic Medina in the world, the amazing walled city with its incredible maze of medieval twisting alleys, blind turns, mosques, shrines, fountains, workshops and every conceivable kind of market. Typical Moroccan lunch, followed by more sights and shopping. Festival Grand Opening tonight! Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner Day 4 – Saturday - Fez Drumming workshop, introduction to the local trance dancers and drummers of the Hmadsha. Return to Fez for the afternoon concerts. Dinner at the hotel then evening festival event. Meals: Breakfast, dinner Day 5 -Sunday -Fez / Sidi Ahmed Al Barnoussi / Fez Morning visit to Sidi Ahmed al Barnoussi shrine in the Rif mountains for a typical couscous lunch in the open air with local scribes chanting the Koran. Afternoon festival activity in Fez. Evening festival event. Meals: Breakfast, dinner Day 6 – Monday-Fez Free morning. Afternoon concerts.
Meals: Breakfast Day 7 -Tuesday - Volubilis Morning visit to Moulay Iddris Zerhoun, the first Islamic city and birthplace of many Sufi orders. This evening’s festival event takes place in the Roman ruins of Volubilis. Meals: Breakfast Day 8 – Wednesday - Fez Morning film screening. Afternoon concert. Meals: Breakfast Day 9 – Thursday -Fez Free morning. Afternoon Sufi music gathering in
Medina home.
Meals: Breakfast Day 10 – Friday - Fez Morning lecture. Afternoon festival
at Dar Batha Museum. Dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Day 11 – Saturday - Fez Morning excursion to the renowned hot springs of Moulay Yacob - known for their healing powers -located in a small, charming Berber village at the foothills of the Rif mountains. Afternoon concert at Dar Batha. Evening: Festival closing ceremony. Meals: Breakfast Day 12 -Sunday Depart Fez to Marrakech, via Azrou and Khenifra across the Middle Atlas Mountains, visiting Berber villages along the way. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch in Khenifra Day 13 - Monday - Marrakech Tour the marvels of the second oldest Imperial City. Visit the Menara garden, the Saadian tombs, the Bahia palace, the Koutoubia and of course the Djemâa El Fna. Meals: Breakfast Day 14 – Tuesday -Depart for US Package includes: • Round Trip airfare from New York
to Casablanca/Fez.
Not Included: Airfare to NYC; meals not mentioned
above; personal expenses
Package price: $2,985 per person,
based on double occupancy
Our guides: Our guides in Morocco are English speaking, professional, and warmly hospitable. They have many years experience guiding groups, they are especially familiar with the ins and outs of the Sacred Music Festival. Moroccans love inviting visitors into their homes, where you may share a meal, listen to musicians and definitely drink mint tea. Our guides will not take you to rug shops (unless you really want to go!).
Copyright
@ Adventures in Rock, Inc. July 2008
|
|
