7 Tips on Planning A Tailor Made Morocco Jewish Heritage Tour

Essaouria Mellah, Morocco
Essaouria Mellah, Morocco

Morocco’s history of Jewry and the co-mingling of Jews with Berbers and Arabs are a key factor in why Morocco is a perfect choice for Jewish Travelers to take a Jewish Heritage Tour today. The cultural diversity of contemporary Morocco reflects its historic vantage point as a gateway to Europe and the world. Morocco’s Jewish Heritage offers visitors an encounter with ancient historic traditions, customs, architecture, monuments, and sites that have permeated Moroccan society for centuries. Visiting Morocco and its historic Jewish Heritage Sites will be a once in a lifetime experience so you will want to make it memorable. Planning a Tailor Made Jewish Heritage Tour requires doing some research and selecting a Morocco Travel Agent who specializes in Jewish travel experiences.

7 Tips for Planning a Tailor Made Morocco Jewish Heritage Tour are:

#1: Where To Go in Morocco: Choosing which Jewish Heritage Tour to take in Morocco can be daunting. For this reason, we recommend you decide first on the timeframe you have to travel for your Morocco holiday. Morocco is spread out and while the majority of Jewish Heritage sites are located in the Imperial Cities of Fes, Meknes and Marrakech there are magnificent Jewish historic sites worth seeing in Essaouira, Ourigane, and Azan. Make Sure to Stay at Least 8 Days. The two options most travelers consider are either an 8-Day Imperial Cities Jewish Heritage Tour or a 10-Day Jewels of Jewish Heritage Tour. These are purely focused Jewish Heritage Sites and for those travelers interested in combining Moroccan historic and cultural sites along with a camel trek in the Sahara Desert, a longer Tailor Made Jewish Tour is recommended.

Tomb of Solica, Fes Jewish Cemetery
Tomb of Solica, Fes Jewish Cemetery

Choosing which Jewish Heritage Tour to take in Morocco can be daunting. For this reason, we recommend you decide first on the total timeframe you have to travel for your Morocco holiday. Morocco is spread out and while the majority of Jewish Heritage sites are located in the Imperial Cities of Fes, Meknes and Marrakech there are magnificent Jewish historic sites worth seeing in Essaouira, Ourigane, and Azan. The two options most travelers consider are either an 8-Day Imperial Cities Jewish Heritage Tour or a 10-Day Jewels of Jewish Heritage Tour. These are purely focused on Jewish Heritage and for those travelers interested in combining cultural sites and a camel trek in the Sahara an 11-12 Day Tailor Made tour is then recommended.

#2: Selecting a Jewish Travel Agent:

The first step is to select an agent based in Morocco who has a deep Knowledge of both Moroccan and Jewish Heritage. Consider Alecia Cohen. She is a Morocco travel designer and expert on Jewish Heritage. Alecia offers extensive personalized planning services for Jewish travelers interested in Morocco’s historic sites which serve as a detailed guide for each traveler in discovering the best of Jewish Morocco. By learning about your individual interests, Alecia Cohen will make travel recommendations inclusive of cultural and educational activities that will create a lifetime memorable experience. Alecia Cohen will design your Jewish Heritage Tour step by step with you. She ensures that travelers to Morocco will have the opportunity to experience a real connection to the local Jewish community, attend synagogue services, participate in private tours of Jewish sites and dine on Kosher and traditional Moroccan cuisine. As someone who lives, Morocco and has a passion for the people and the culture, Alecia Cohen guarantees Jewish travelers a unique tailor-made Jewish Heritage tour itinerary that is stand out.

Expert National Guide, Morocco Jewish Heritage Tour
Expert National Guide, Morocco Jewish Heritage Tour

#3: How to Travel with the Experts: Local Historical Guides Verse National Jewish Historical Guide. There are two types of Historical Guides in Morocco, both authorized by the Ministry of Tourism that is a good fit for a Tailor-made Morocco Jewish Heritage Tour.

Local Licensed, Historical Guides: Morocco Jewish experts located in each city that has a license to host private couples, families, and groups only in the city where they have obtained their license.
National Licensed Guides: Morocco Jewish experts that have a National License and are authorized to tour the entire country of Morocco with private couples, families, and groups.
#4: Kosher or Vegetarian Cuisine: As a Jewish traveler you have the option of Kosher meals or Vegetarian cuisine depending on your level of strictness with kashrut. Kosher fare can be provided via private Jewish caterer whereby you the cuisine will be delivered to your riad or hotel daily. A private Kosher Chef is also available at some hotels with advance arrangements. There is Kosher fare available at Kosher restaurants in Casablanca and Fes. The other offering is is Vegetarian cuisine which can be easily accommodated at all riads, hotels, and restaurants.

Tinerhir, Berber Jewish Morocco
Tinerhir, Berber Jewish Morocco

#5: Where you will Stay – Accommodations at Boutique Riads & Hotels: Morocco is known for having some of the best boutique riads and hotels. Many offer an Arabian Nights sensibility. Riads are restored palace style accommodations with courtyards, fountains, lush gardens, and traditional Moroccan tilework. Staying in the medinas at Boutique Riads (old cities) will allow better access to Jewish Heritage Sites. If you keep Shabbat then for some cities we will recommend staying in the Ville Nouvelle  (new city) as this will enable you to be in closer walking distance to the Moroccan synagogues.

#6: Travel Budget: Travel Exploration Morocco’s Jewish Heritage Tour rates are based upon the itinerary we customize with you, the number of travelers and the complete Morocco Tour amenities such as a private driver, licensed expert historical guides, boutique accommodations, meals, and other fees. For this reason pricing for Travel Exploration’s Jewish Heritage tours can be obtained by contacting us directly.

700 Year Old Azan Adobe Synagogue, Morocco
700 Year Old Azan Adobe Synagogue, Morocco

#7: Understanding the Jewish Heritage Sites & Moroccan Historic Sites Your Morocco Tour Will Include: The sites you will visit can be customized. For Jewish Heritage Tours they primarily range from Synagogues to Cemeteries, Gardens, the old Mellahs along with Zaouias and Tombs in each Imperial City and the rural regions. Jewish Heritage Tours can be tailor-made to include Moroccan historic sites of great important such as the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, the Mausoleum of Kings and Kasbah Oudaya in Rabat, the Universities and Mosques of UNESCO Fes, the Majorelle Gardens and Souks of Marrakech, along with a visit to Berber Villages and a Camel Trek in the Sahara Desert.

Some of the Jewish Heritage Sites you can anticipate visiting on a Tailor Made Jewish Heritage Tour is: Museum of Moroccan Judaism in Casablanca, Synagogue in Casablanca: Beth El, Synagogue in Meknes: Talmud Torah, Synagogues in Fes: Ibn Danan, Slat Alfassiyine, Synagogues in Marrakech: Slat Al Azama, Synagogue in Seffrou: Bet Em Habanim, The 700 Year Old Adobe Synagogue in Arazan, Synagogues in Essaouira: Slat Lkahal, Simon Attias, Synagogues in Tangier: Mishe Nahon, Jewish Mellahs in Meknes, Fes, Seffrou & Marrakech, Jewish Cemeteries in Fes, Marrakech & Essaouira

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