Offer ID
800-367-5348
In partnership with award-winning Globus, we have arranged a customized 9-night tour exploring the best of the Moroccan wine country, along with some of the country’s most fascinating historical and cultural treasures.
During this incredible land tour hosted by Zinfandel Advocates & Producers (ZAP) member Julie Johnson and Jon Engelskirger, owners of Tres Sabores, one of Napa’s legendary organic wineries, we will explore Morocco’s oldest wine-producing region, and visit exquisite wine estates for tours and tastings. Morocco is lovely this time of year, when the autumn temperatures are very pleasant and you can escape from the crowds typically found at busier times of the year.
If you are intrigued, inquisitive and excited to experience Moroccan wines, this tour is for you! Among the countries of North Africa, Morocco is considered to have the best natural potential for producing quality wines.
For more information please give us a call at 800-367-5348
Owner & Winemaker, Tres Sabores
Food & Wine Trails
Destination: Morocco To & From: Roundtrip Casablanca Dates: November 4 – 13, 2021 Length: 9 Nights
Welcome to Casablanca, Morocco’s modern seaport! Begin your perfect stay in the heart of Casablanca at the Barcelo Hotel. Join your ZAP hosts, Julie Johnson and Jon Engelskirger, for a wine-paired welcome dinner this evening. [D]
After breakfast at the hotel, take a short ride along the coast of Rabat, once a lair of the corsairs and now the country’s capital. Sightseeing includes the Royal Palace, Hassan Tower, and the Kasbah of Oudayas. You’ll be reminded of the time when Morocco was the Roman province of Mauretania as you visit the fine Roman Relics of Chellah and its Gardens. Stop in Meknes, one of Morocco’s oldest wine producing area for a visit to Chateau Roslane, the first estate in Morocco to be permitted to use the Château name. Discover how their grapes are processed and enjoy a tasting. Then visit the Royal Stables in Meknes, originally built to house 12,000 of the royal horses. We will also enjoy a visit and tasting at Les Celliers Des Mekne, the largest and best known wine producer in Morocco. Continue east towards Fez, Morocco’s most enchanting city, for a wine-paired dinner. Your hotel for the night is a haven of tranquility, located beside the Medina, Hotel Barcelo’ Medina Fes.[B, D]
Join Julie, Jon and your local guide this morning and see the magnificent entrance to the Royal Palace, drive through the Mellau, the old Jewish quarter, and travel on to Bab Bou Jeloud, the traditional entrance to Old Fez. Your local guide also leads you through labyrinthine Medina and Medersa Bou Inania. Later enjoy a Moroccan dinner and folklore at one of the most popular venues in the city. Entertainment includes Oriental, Arabian, and Bedouin dancing. [B, D]
Travel today into the very heart of Morocco. Stop in the quiet, French-built alpine mountain resort of Ifrane. Verdant cedar forests give way to volcanic mountains and windswept plains as you motor across the Middle Atlas range. Pass fortified mud-and-straw villages and descent into the spectacular ZIZ Georges. The landscape becomes progressively more arid and you enter a stony desert. Approaching Erfoud, encounter an unexpected and breathtaking surprise: the peaceful oasis of the Ziz Valley. Enjoy an included dinner this evening at the hotel featuring premium wines. Tonight you will be staying at the Hotel Kasbah Chergui. [B, D]
Note: The drive from Fex – Ifrane – Erfoud is approximately 400km – approximately 8 hours
Enjoy the drive through the eastern slopes of the Atlas Mountains and arrive at the Tinerhir oasis with its green valley of palms and local villages. On to the impressive Todra Gorge, then along the Dades Valley. Arrive in the film capital of Morocco, Ouarzazate, where you’ll visit the Kasbah de Taourirt, the intricate but fascinating residence of Pasha Thami el Glaoui. Tonight’s home is located in a prime location in Ouarzazate town center, the luxurious five-star Hotel Berebe Palace. [B, L]
Travel to Ait Benhaddou, a Kasbah famous as a film location for Lawrence of Arabia and Gladiator. Pass through picturesque villages surrounded by craggy mountains towards 7,414-foot high Tizi-n-Tichka Pass in the heart of the High Atlas Mountains. Each new twist in the road leads to a different, more dramatic landscape. Leaving the pass behind, see the landscape gradually change to a tapestry of red ochre. Enter the gates of the red-colored imperial city of Marrakesh, justly reputed the most fascinating of all Moroccan cities. An optional dinner excursion is a fitting way to end the day or a visit to Jemaa el-Fna square, the virbrant town center dominated by 222-foot high Koutoubia Minaret. Tonight we will be staying at the jewel crafted over time, the five-star Es Saadi Marrakech Resort. Enjoy a traditional Marrakesh meal paired with premium wines. [B, D]
Today’s city sightseeing with a local guide starts with an orientation drive followed by a walk through the ancient quarters to the fascinating Jemaa-el-Fina Square and its exotic bazaar, Bahia Palace and Saadian Tombs.
Depart for Domaine du Val d’Argan, Morocco’s first organic vineyard which produces a selection of ranges and labels featuring red, white, rosé, and – typical in Morocco – vin gris (gray) wines. Enjoy winery tour and a wine-pairing dinner overlooking the vineyard. After dinner continue to overnight on Morocco’s Atlantic coast at Le Medina Essaouira Thalassa boutique spa hotel on the beach. [B, D]
Journey back to Casablanca after breakfast where we will head over to Rick’s Café Américain, famous for the movie Casablanca with Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman, and the song As Time Goes By. Join Julie & Jon for a toast to this iconic venue. In the afternoon, see the sights in the company of a local guide, or enjoy time on your own before returning back to the heart of Casablanca at the Barcelo Hotel. Tonight’s dinner will feature traditional Moroccan faire with premium wines. [B, D]
Visit the wine-making areas of Benslimane and Meknes and the Ouled Thaleb Estate. The winery grows many of its own grapes onsite and follow organic-farming principles, though grapes are also sometimes sourced from local vineyards too. The area’s cooler temperature leads to a different taste of the wines when compared with those produced in Meknes. Also included today is a visit to historic Domine de la Zouina created by the French at the start of the 20th century. Your visit includes a vineyard plot, the vat room and ends with a tasting of their wines and olive oils. Join ZAP hosts, Julie and Jon for a special farewell dinner with premium wine this evening [B, D]
Today we bid farewell to our new found friends and this magical country. A group transfer is provided to the airport this morning for your departure flight [B]
Fare shown is per person, based on double occupancy (or single occupancy) for the land tour as described above. Hotels show in description are subject to change. Not Included: flights, transportation to the hotel upon arrival, gratuities for the drivers and guides, hotel upgrades, additional hotel nights, meals not included in the tour description and all items of a personal nature. You must have a valid passport with at least one blank page. Visas are not required for citizens from USA for visits less than 90 days. It is the responsibility of the traveler to check visa requirements and obtain any visa(s) required.
AIR: Airfare is not included. Please ask your Travel Advisor for air estimates through Globus. Globus air estimates will include all government-imposed taxes and fees applicable at the time of booking and will be shown as a total amount. Additional airline fees for baggage may apply.
HOTELS: The exact hotels provided will be advised closer to departure. Accommodations will be provided by Globus in superior first-class hotels, or best available first-class. Twin-bedded rooms with private bath or shower, based on double occupancy. Hotel taxes, service charges, state and local taxes, porterage service for one piece of luggage per person, tips to baggage porters, and hotel staff is all included in the tour prices.
ITINERARY: Daily schedule, itinerary and elements of the program are subject to change at the discretion of the tour operator – Globus.
CANCELLATION PENALTIES: Please refer to the booking registration form