Warm greeting upon arrival by Gateway2Discovery's staff. As we depart from Casablanca, the economic capital of Morocco, we will stop at the magnificent Mosque of Hassan II, situated by the Atlantic Ocean and heralded as the third largest mosque in the world. We will then continue on to Rabat, the administrative capital of Morocco. Upon arrival in Rabat, our sightseeing will feature the outside of the Royal Palace, the Mohammed V Mausoleum, as well as the remains of the Hassan Tower built in 1196, which provides an excellent introduction to Moroccan history. As we walk through the narrow passageways of the Ouddaya, you will glimpse at the daily life of the local inhabitants, smelling freshly baked bread and admiring the decorative doors leading to family homes. Dinner and overnight hotel at your selected accommodation in Rabat. 

 Today, we will drive east into the countryside to continue our discovery of Morocco's Imperial Cities starting in Meknes. Our sightseeing will include famous gate of Bab El Mansour, Dar Jamai Palace and the remains of the Royal Stables and the tomb of Moulay Ismail. Continue to Fes, arrival, check-in and overnight at your selected accommodation. 

 Today, we wake up hearing the sound of the 'Moudan' prayer call emanating from the numerous minarets within the walled city of Fes. Fes, the first Imperial City of Morocco, is a leading intellectual, religious and cultural center. The Medina of Fes, a UNESCO world heritage site, is simply dazzling! With its narrow passageways, spice shops, shopkeepers and craftsmen still using ancient crafts techniques, the Medina has a world of its own. We will discover the Qaraouine University and the Koranic school. Overnight at your selected accommodation.

 After breakfast, we will explore the Medina and visit the Arabian House to observe various craftsmen performing their work reminiscent of ancient techniques. Lunch will take place at a Moroccan restaurant. Free time at leisure. In the evening, get ready for the Fes Festival of Sacred Music Grand Opening.

Program schedule:

08:30pm Bab Makina: Barbara Hendricks (USA) With the Drottningholm

Baroque Ensemble (Sweden)

Stabat Mater by Pergolèse, and sacred songs 

 After breakfast, we will depart for our excursion to the Sidi Ahmed El Bernoussi shrine located in the Rif Mountains where we will enjoy a tasty and memorable couscous lunch overlooking Fes. Sidi Ahmed El Bernoussi is a marabout (where a religious person is buried) of the 17th century. He was a sophist frequently visited by the Arab inhabitants of the village. This region is popular for Fantasia riding. 
Return to Fes and get for the Festival events. Program schedule:

4:30pm Batha Museum: Parissa and the Ensemble Dastan, (Iran)

8:30pm Bab Makina: Jonny Clegg (South Africa), "The White Zulu", One Life  

 After breakfast, free time at leisure or you can opt for an excursion to the venerated hot springs of Moulay Yacoub known for their healing powers (spa fees not included). Moulay Yacoub is located in a small, peaceful and charming Berber village at the foothills of the Rif Mountains. The landscape dominates the Pre-Rifian hills abundant in green and colorful blossoms in spring and autumn and in grey and ochre in winter and summer. We will then return to Fes to attend the Festival events. Program schedule:

4:30pm-Batha Museum: Coro Gregoriano de Lisbona (Portugal), The source of Gregorian Chant

4:45pm-Carrieres des Merinides Museum: Bartabas with his horse Le Caravage

8:30 pm: Bab Makina
Tania Maria (Brazil), Memories born of cries for liberty, forbidden pride and an ancient culture 

 Free morning at leisure. The rest of the day will be dedicated to the Festival activities: Program schedule:

04:00pm-Batha Museum 
Claire Zalamansky (France)
Sephardic Songs of Spain

08:30pm-Bab Makina
Ayin-i Djem ( Turkey ) with the Kadiria and Mawlawiya Brotherhoods, with dhikr, sama’a and calls of the muezzin, in memory of Jalal ad-Din Rumi Halakat Jalaludin Rumi 

 After breakfast, we will depart to Volubilis to attend the Festival concert. After lunch, we will explore Morocco's largest and best preserved Roman ruins, Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Here, we will wander through this sumptuous archeological site with its well preserved mosaics before our short drive takes us to the holy city of Moulay Idriss where the founder of Islam in Morocco is buried. Program schedule is as follows:

04:30pm-Batha Museum 
Aïcha Mint Chighaly (Mauritania)
Songs of Praise 

08:30pm-Bab Makina 
Akhtar Sharif Arup Vâle Qawwâls (Pakistan) 
The official Qawwâl of the patron saint of the City of Lahore 

 Free morning at leisure.  Festival Program schedule:

04:45pm-The Merinides Quarry 
Bartabas with his horse Le Caravage, Sufi musicians Nezih Uzel and Kudsi Erguner (France)
Sunrise

08:30pm- Bab Makina 
Sonia Mbarek, Beihdja Rahal, Fadwa El Malki
Arab-Andalous Songs of the Maghreb 4:45pm

Merinides Quarry Bartabas with his horse Le Caravage, Sufi musicians Nezih Uzel and Kudsi Erguner (France), Sunrise 

 This morning, we will depart to the ancient Jewish city of Sefrou located in the Middle Atlas Mountains. During the first century, missionaries converted the local population to Judaism.  Sefrou served as an important stop for sub-Saharan caravans transporting goods to be sold in the European markets.  We will visit the shrine of Sidi Lahcen Al Yussi, a well venerated Sufi master considered to be the custodian of this ancient outpost. Other highlights will include Mausoleums and synagogues. On our way back to Fes, we will stop at the ancient Christian village of Ait Bahil, a village of fascinating troglodyte dwellings cut into the limestone hills dating from a settlement begun by Christian elements of the Roman Second Legion. Return to Fes to attend the Festival activities. Tentative schedule is as follows:

04:30pm-Batha Museum
Piñana Brothers and Cuban string quartet (Spain/Cuba) 
Missa Flamenca Murciana 

08:30pm Bab Makina
Angélique Kidjo (Benin)
African Songs of Love and Hope 

 This morning, we will explore Fes El Bali where several hundred Muslim families settled on the right bank of Wadi Fes, after having been expelled from Andalucia in 818. Seven years later, 300 Kerouan families established their homes on the opposite bank. The Andalusian Arabs brought with them their art and the experience of a civilization at the very peak of its glory. The Andalusian quarter is particularly impressive for its splendor and its profusion of fine arts. 

Program schedule for the Festival activities is as follows:

04:30pm-Batha Museum
Vasumathi Badrinathan (India) 
Carnatic vocals - Classical music of South India 

08:30pm- Bab Makina 
Jahida Wahib (Lebanon) 
Elias Karam (Syria)
Love, the Sacred and Profane 

 Free morning at leisure.  Fes Festival Program Activities:

04:30pm Batha Museum
Waed Bouhassoun (Syria) 
Songs of Jalaludin Rumi 
Nâdira Pirmatova (Uzbekistan) 
The voice of Shash-Maqam 

08:30pm Bab Makina 
London Community Gospel Choir, United Kingdom
The magic of Gospel 

 After breakfast, we will depart to Marrakesh passing by Immouzer El Kander and Azrou, a Berber village known for its handicrafts cooperative. Continuation through the wooded and mountainous region. Arrival to Beni-Mellal. Independent lunch then and continuation to Marrakesh. Check-in, dinner and overnight stay at your selected accommodation. 

 The day will be devoted to the sightseeing of Marrakesh, the second oldest imperial city known as the "Pearl of the South" and home to the Saadian tombs, the Koutoubia Mosque, the Menara Garden, the Bahia Palace and Dar Si Said Museum. Return to the hotel for lunch. In the afternoon, exploration of the souks and the world's famous Djemaa el Fna place with its various entertainments (story tellers, acrobats, snake-charmers, magicians, etc). Later on, a Diffa Fantasia dinner will be provided under caidal tents at the famed "Chez Ali" restaurant. Enjoy the fantasia spectacle that includes camel and horse shows, folkloric troops from different Moroccan regions and belly dancers. Return to the hotel for overnight stay. 

 After an early breakfast, transfer to the airport in Marrakesh for your domestic flight to Casablanca Mohammed V airport to connect with your flight back home. End of our services.