Day 1: Thursday, December 25, 2008 (4th day of Chanukah)

We meet at JFK Airport at 4:45 p.m. sharp for our 7:01 p.m. flight # AT 201 early evening departure DIRECT to Marrakech, arriving at 9:30 a.m., via Casablanca, with the reliable Royal Air Maroc Airlines. We initially arrive at Mohammed V terminal in Casablanca 7:50 a.m., and can either daven Shacharis there OR after baggage pickup (latest time for Krias Shma is 10:00 a.m.), followed by a nice breakfast at the Menara airport in Marrakech.

Day 2: Friday, December 26 (5th day of Chanukah)

We start the day with a panoramic tour of this amazing city, then check into our beautiful five-star hotel for a quick snack Not wasting any time, we will then explore the Djamaa el-Fna Square, the heart of this magical city and perhaps have our first dose of shopping in Morocco.

Shabbat preparations follow (Candle-lighting for both Chanukah and Shabbat at 5:00 p.m.) and Kabbalat Shabbat (sundown at 5:35 p.m.) at the Central Synagogue in the Gueliz. Seudat Shabbat (1); Dvar Torah:Rabbi Dr. Nosson Dovid Rabinowich. Oneg Shabbat with Chief Rabbi Gabbai Shlita, his Rebbetzin and some of the locals.

OVERNIGHT:   Marrakech

Day 3: Shabbat Chanukah Kodesh, December 27 (6th day of Chanukah)

Late Shacharis (a pleasant 45 minute walk) at the Slat Laazama synagogue in the Mellah, probably the oldest existing synagogue still in use every day in the entire Diaspora! This will be followed by a sermon given in Hebrew by Ha’Rav Dr. Rabinowich, Kiddush, Parsha class, Seudat Shabbat (2); Guest speaker: Yitzchak Ohayon, the esteemed Gabbai of this special synagogue and of the cemetery, probably the largest in Morocco. Take a well-deserved shluf or explore this fascinating city on your own. Mincha, Seudah Shlishit (3) (Topic: “Chanukah in Morocco Throughout the Generations”).

On Saturday night (Motzoei Shabbat), discover the city's nightlife on your own: try the famous casinos, join us for an exciting evening program, or may we recommend a romantic evening stroll through the world-famous Djamaa el-Fna Square — the heart of the city — with its storytellers, snake charmers, fire eaters and non-stop entertainment. Excellent swimming and exercise facilities are also available at our gorgeous 5-star hotel.

Join us at 11:30 p.m. for a grand banquet Melava Malka with Rabbi and Rebbetzin Gabbai, or enjoy some excellent Moroccan cuisine at the only Kosher restaurant in town, if you like.

Overnight: Marrakech

Day 4: Sunday, December 28 (7th day of Chanukah)

Late morning rise — it is Sunday, after all — and Shacharis at the amazing Slat Laazama synagogue in the Mellah. We begin our guided tour of this fascinating city with many visits to its monuments including, but not limited to, the Gardens of Agdal, the Menara, the Koutoubia, the Palais el-Badi and the Palais dela Bahia.

Much time will be spent strolling through the colorful souks with their enticing array of spices, carpets, jewelry, and crafts. Towards the end of the day, we’ll make an excursion to Ourika Valley in the high Atlas Mountains with its plush, green fields and peaceful Berber villages. We will visit another famous saint’s gravesite: the well-known “miracle worker,” Rabbi Solomon Bal Chehnch — the “master of the snake” — and will daven Mincha at the nearby synagogue. A delicious Milchig dinner with latkes and blintzes and jelly donuts awaits us, followed by Ma’ariv and Round I of our “dreidel” tournament.

Overnight: Marrakech

Day 5: Monday, December 29 (8th day of Chanukah)

Late Shacharis once again with Rabbi Gabbai at the local schul, followed by a hearty breakfast and an enjoyable swim in the hotel’s exquisite indoor pool. We then embark on a very pleasant 110-mile trip directly westward to the popular 200 year-old coastal city of Essaouira – formerly known as Mogador – and once populated by many Jews. We shall walk along its famous ramparts, explore the Skala du Port, the Île de Mogador and the famed Purple Isles; visit the synagogue and grave of the Holy Saint, Rabbi Chaim Pinto, of blessed memory.

A delicious dinner awaits us, as well as a laid-back final round of “dreidel” tournament and free time to enjoy our wonderful hotel and the serenity of this lovely coastal town.

OVERNIGHT:   Essaouira

Day 6: Tuesday, December 30

At 8:00 a.m. sharp we take leave of “serene” Essouira and embark on the longest — but most fascinating — bus ride of the tour, a 640 km trip due northeast to Fez. We will pass through the ancient Almohad city of Safi, El Jadida, Azamour, where we will visit the holy gravesite of Rabbi Avraham Moul Niss (the Performer of Miracles) and Casablanca, the entire trip on the coastal road leading towards Rabat.

Rabat, the modern capital of Morocco, is also known as the “White Imperial City”, and is covered with its neatly laid out, gorgeous flowers. We will also tour Sali, birthplace and early home of the saintly Or Ha’Chaim Ha’Kadosh. and pay our respects to the many saints buried in Sali’s Jewish cemetery. Afterwards, we take a tour of the splendid Mohammed V Mausoleum (and that of the late King Hassan), the Chellah, followed by a splendid walk along the Ramparts and the Walls of Mechouar that surround the impressive Royal Palace.

We board our bus for the last leg of this long journey, another 198 km to our wonderful hotel in Fez.

Overnight: Fez

Day 7: Wednesday, December 31

After a late Shacharis, we embark upon a full day tour of Fez, the most complete medieval city in the world and home to the Rif (R’Yitzchak Al-Fasi, 11th Century) and the Rambam (1160–1165). We will visit the Em Ha’Banim and Ibn Danan Synagogues, the “supposed house” of the Rambam, the very important large Jewish cemetery opposite the Royal Palace (where “Solika the Righteous Woman,” the most famous woman in Jewish-Moroccan history, is buried), and the Nejjarine Fountain.

We will then explore one of the most fascinating and famous Souks in the Moslem world with its narrow, medieval, and maze-like streets to absorb the mystique of this remarkable eighth-Century city — and the most ancient of the Moroccan Imperial cities, founded in 790 C.E. by Moulay Idriss II. After a brief rest towards the end of this exciting day, we continue on our way to pray Mincha before sundown (5:35 p.m.) at the Tzion of the great “Miracle Worker” — the most famous Jewish marabout in Morocco — Rebbi Amram Ibn Diwanne, located 9 km northwest of Quezzane. After Ma’ariv in the quaint synagogue of the cemetery, an immediate return trip of about one hour to Fez, for a delicious late dinner and plunk into bed for a well-deserved rest after a very trying day!

Overnight: Fez

Day 8: Thursday, January 1, 2009

After another late Daf Yomi and Shacharis, we travel 60 km southwest to Meknes, the Versailles of Morocco, once home to thousands of Jews. We will take a very interesting walking tour of bustling Meknes, which, in its heyday, was coined “the Jerusalem of Morocco,” exploring all of its major attractions and paying our respects at its unusually large cemetery.

We will then have a Kumsitz lunch in front the most beautifully preserved gate in Morocco, the 17th Century Bab El Mansour, followed by an afternoon excursion (on our return to Fez) 33 km northward to the city of Volubilis, founded in pre-Roman times, to properly explore the second- and third-Century Roman ruins, some of the best preserved in the world!

Time-permitting, we will visit the town of Moulay Idriss, about 4.5 km from Volubulis, named after Morocco’s most revered saint, the founder of the country’s first real dynasty. We will not stay there too long because non-Muslims are prohibited to stay there overnight.

Dinner, Ma’ariv and free evening time in our last night in the Middle Atlas.

Overnight: Fez

Day 9: Friday, January 2

At 8:00 a.m. sharp, we embark on our last long bus ride, a 289 km return trip due southwest to Casablanca. Without wasting any time, we will visit the magnificent Mosque King Hassan II, the second largest Mosque in the world! Time-permitting, our driver will take us on a relaxing panoramic drive through the beautiful city of Casablanca and leave us off at our wonderful hotel with plenty of time for Shabbat preparation. (Candle-lighting is about 5:05 p.m. with sunset at 5:34 p.m.) Mincha and Kabbalat Shabbat will take place at the Central Synagogue of Casablanca, just a few minutes from our hotel. Seudat Shabbat (1) with Rabbi Edelman, the Chabad Shaliach in Morocco as our guest and guest speaker.

Overnight: Casablanca

Day 10: Shabbat Kodesh, January 3

We begin the day with Shacharit once again at the Central Synagogue, followed by a long walking tour of the interesting areas of Casablanca including Place Mohammed V, Avenue Hassan II and Place des Nation Unies with Idriss, our wonderful guide.

Seudat Shabbat (2) at 1:30 p.m. and then off to the Chabad Center on Ziraqui Boulevard for Mincha and Shalosh Seudos (3) and a good opportunity to meet with some of the locals. Free time Motzoei Shabbat to visit the Anfa on the coast with its lovely villas, cafés and clubs. A very nice Melava Malka/Banquet will be served at the hotel at 11:30 p.m.

Overnight: Casablanc

Day 11: Sunday, January 4

Early wake-up call at 7:30 a.m., followed by breakfast, then off to the airport at 8:45 a.m. for our Royal Air Maroc Flight 200, leaving Casablanca at 11:25 a.m., returning directly to JFK Airport (NYC), at approximately 2:45 p.m.

Please note that all prayers and lectures are voluntary.

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Lectures and Shiurim: Rabbi Dr. Nosson Dovid Rabinowich will serve as Rav and deliver short lectures throughout the bus rides and at the hotels. This is all in addition to his daily Daf Yomi shiur, his Hashgacha duties, a major lecture on Shabbos and his insightful comments at all the Jewish historical sites.

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