The Morocco Experience

New in 2024!

2024 Dates: February 11 – 22; March 1 – 12

Morocco is a country of incredible contrasts and deep history dating back many centuries to the nomadic Berber people. Nowadays it is a blend of Arab, Islamic, Berber, Jewish, African, and European cultures. As a former French colony, this wonderfully welcoming North African country is accessible to Westerners. And European Experiences is very excited to introduce this destination for the first time in 2024. Our 12-day/11-night trip will begin with an orientation in Paris and then travel to Morocco where we’ll base in three very different locations.

Our group will gather first for two nights in Paris, where we’ll enjoy a short cultural orientation hosted by the city’s mosque and Arab cultural community.

Then we will fly together for the start of our adventure in Marrakesh, nicknamed the “Red City” due to its clay ramparts. This former imperial city is a labyrinth of colors, sounds, scents and a hive of activity based around the souks, the ancient Medina, and the medieval Jemaa el-Fna square, all protected by UNESCO.

Next we’ll travel to the quaint Atlantic seaside town of Essaouira, backdropped by crenelated walls and watchtowers, with a port full of bobbing blue wooden fishing boats. Our travelers will enjoy a “bucket list” camel ride at sunset along one the town’s beaches.

Lastly, we will make our way across the desert to the stunning Atlas Mountains, a landscape dominated by the Mount Toubkal and peppered with terracotta villages, vast groves of olive trees and lush river valleys. We’ll stop on our journey to visit a local winery and other artisans producing typical Moroccan crafts and argan oil.

Throughout this 12-day trip we’ll dine in traditional settings, enjoying North African cuisine like tagines and couscous, perfumed with lemons, olives and the fresh spices this country is known for. But perhaps the most memorable part of our Moroccan experience will be the local people, who are friendly, humble, and eager to share their wonderful Arab hospitality.

Jennifer Dugdale and Charlotte Bloch will lead this trip. (Charlotte is also the co-leader for The Paris Experience.) They are both French speakers who have traveled to Morocco several times, so they’re comfortable and excited to share the magic of this destination. They will be well supported by our local travel partner, managed by a fellow expatriate Westerner.

Arrival and Departure

Our groups will meet in Paris for the first two nights and then take a direct flight together to Marrakesh, about three-and-a-half hours. This reasonably-priced one-way flight is not included in the price of the trip, and our travel consultant partner will assist travelers in purchasing tickets.

We’ll have dinner together in Paris the first evening and get acquainted before our cultural orientation the next day. You may want to arrive in Paris a night early for a “jet lag” day and to provide a buffer in case of any of any travel delays.

We’ll arrive back at the Marrakesh airport late on the last morning of the trip, and travelers can book a flight to their next destination beginning at 2:00 pm.

Leaders: Jennifer Dugdale and Charlotte Bloch

Prices: $6,850 per person double occupancy; $7,700 single occupancy of a double room.