Balkans Tour 6 Countries 7 Nights 8 Days with AJet from Sabiha Gökçen, SKP-SKP
Duration 7 Nights, 8 Days
After baggage, ticket, and passport procedures at Istanbul Airport International Departures Terminal, our scheduled Turkish Airlines flight to Casablanca begins. Following our flight, we arrive in Casablanca, one of Morocco’s most important cities. Upon arrival at Casablanca Airport, we meet our vehicle and proceed to Meknes. With our arrival, we begin our Meknes city tour. Founded in the 17th century by Moulay Ismail and surrounded by approximately 40 km of walls, Meknes features the Bab Mansour City Gate, the city’s most impressive historic entrance with its rich tile decorations and magnificent appearance; El Hedim Square, considered the heart of Meknes and its liveliest meeting point with traditional markets, street performers, and the vibrant atmosphere of local life; and the Jewish Quarter, a cultural heritage area bearing traces of the Jewish community that lived there for centuries. After the tour, we transfer to our hotel. Overnight at our hotel.
After breakfast at the hotel, we depart for the Blue City - Chefchaouen Tour. Founded in 1471, the city is located at the foot of the Rif Mountains, close to the cities of Tangier and Tetouan. In the northeast of Morocco, surrounded by a magnificent landscape, we set off toward Chefchaouen, a place full of charm and authenticity. In Chefchaouen, with its lush nature and blue-painted houses, the places we will visit include the narrow streets lined with whitewashed, light-blue-decorated houses with Mediterranean-style architecture, the Grand Mosque, El Masjid, El Adama, Mohammed V Square, the Medina, and the Kasbah. In the late afternoon, it is impossible not to admire the magnificent sunset over the city and the valley. After the tour, we head to our hotel in Fes and have free time to rest. Overnight at our hotel.
After breakfast at the hotel, we begin our city tour of Fez. First, after a short walk at Bab el-Makhzen, the monumental gate of the royal palace, which draws attention with its golden inlays and mosaic decorations, and in the Mellah, the Jewish Quarter, with its historic houses with balconies and narrow streets, we continue our tour with the Attarine Madrasa, built in the 14th century and distinguished by its fine wooden carvings and rich tile decorations, the Karaouine University, founded in 859 and considered one of the oldest educational institutions in the world, Nejarine Square, famous for its traditional fountain and the historic buildings surrounding it, the bazaar where jewelry and copper items unique to Morocco are sold, and the tanneries, established near the Fez River and still continuing leather production by traditional methods today. During our city tour, we also do not miss a tea break with mint tea in a traditional riad. After our tour, we head to Rabat, the capital of the country, where we will take our city tour. In our Rabat city tour, we will see iconic places such as the Kasbah of the Udayas, with its blue-and-white houses and its location overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, the Hassan Tower, a minaret whose construction began in the 12th century but was never completed, and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, the memorial tomb of King Mohammed V. Then we proceed to Casablanca and begin our city tour there. The city owes its fame to the famous Hollywood film Casablanca, which tells the story of the era and is remembered by the line “Play it again, Sam.” Today, Casablanca is an industrial city that has one of the largest ports in Africa and in the country; among the places we will see are Mohammed V Square, considered the administrative and cultural center of Casablanca, Rick’s Cafe, inspired by the location where the film Casablanca was shot, Hassan II Mosque on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, and Anfa and Zerktouni Boulevards, two of the liveliest avenues of the modern city. After our city tour, transfer to our hotel and free time. Overnight at our hotel.
After breakfast at the hotel, we depart for Marrakech. Upon arrival, we begin our city tour of Marrakech. After a panoramic tour during which we will see the Koutoubia Minaret and Jmaa el Fna, the largest square in Africa, famous for its street performances, snake charmers, and open-air restaurants, bringing together all the colors of Africa, we transfer to our hotel and have free time to rest. Overnight at our hotel.
After breakfast at the hotel, we depart for our Ouarzazate & Ait Benhaddou tour. First, we cross the Tizi-n-Tichka Pass, one of the most important routes connecting the Great Sahara to western Morocco. On this journey, accompanied by the impressive peaks of the Atlas Mountains, we arrive at Ait Benhaddou Fortress, one of the most striking examples of desert architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As we explore this historic settlement on foot, one of the best-preserved examples of Berber kasbah architecture, we have the opportunity to feel the traces of history in the fortress’s streets. Later, we visit the Atlas Film Studios, known as “Africa’s Hollywood,” where many international productions such as Gladiator, The Mummy, and Game of Thrones were filmed. Here we see the film sets and historical decorations. We continue exploring Ouarzazate amidst the enchanting desert landscapes, dramatic canyons, and lush palm groves of the surrounding region. During our short free time in this city bearing traces of Berber culture, you can soak in the desert atmosphere, take photos, and browse local products. After the tour, we return to our hotel in Marrakech. Overnight at the hotel.
After breakfast at the hotel, we depart for the Essaouira & Atlas Ocean Tour. In this region, where Morocco’s argan trees are most abundant, we first visit an Argan Oil Cooperative and learn about argan oil. We then arrive in the city of Essaouira, located on the Atlantic coast. Resembling old Bodrum, this city is a world-famous former Portuguese port settlement. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Essaouira is not only a fishing port but also a charming seaside town where art and culture intertwine. It has also hosted the filming of many productions, including Orson Welles’s Othello and, more recently, the popular Game of Thrones series. The city’s fortress, fishing harbor, and Medina, inspired by ancient Roman cities, are among the places we will see. You can explore the city and enjoy shopping among the narrow labyrinth-like streets that you will never tire of wandering through. After the tour, transfer to our hotel in Marrakech and free time to rest. Overnight at our hotel.
After breakfast at the hotel, we will have free time. At the meeting time specified by our guide, we will transfer to Marrakech Airport. After completing our baggage, ticket, and passport procedures at the airport, we will board Turkish Airlines’ scheduled flight to Istanbul. With our arrival in Istanbul, our tour and services come to an end.
SAMPLE (etc.) HOTELS
MARRAKESH
Ravabi Hotel etc.
Zalagh Kasbah etc.
FEZ
Parc Palace etc.
MEKNES
Hotel Transatlantique etc.
CASABLANCA
Eurostar Casa Anfa etc.
Exe Casablanca etc.
Evening Activity Recommendation in Marrakech: Chez Ali Show / Dar Soukkar
In the enchanting atmosphere of Marrakech in the evening, you can enjoy this unique experience by attending a show filled with traditional Moroccan music, colorful folk dances, impressive stage performances, and fire shows. This night, full of costumes, rhythms, and stories reflecting Moroccan culture, will be filled with unforgettable memories.
PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENT
This tour is organized with a minimum requirement of 40 people. If sufficient participation is not achieved, the final cancellation notice date is 20 days before the tour start date. The tour cancelled due to late participation will be notified to you together with your agency.
VISA
Ordinary Passport Visa not required
Green Passport Visa not required
Service Passport Visa not required
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the end of the trip and you must have a non-expired passport with 10 characters.
For destinations where a visa is required, your agency must submit the visa application on your behalf together with the documents listed in the “Documents Required for Visa” list.
In order to avoid problems with the border customs police of the country to be visited due to torn, worn, wet and/or similarly damaged passports; such passports must be renewed, and if the destination country applies a visa to the ID document, the relevant visa must be in the new passport. Otherwise, the responsibility belongs to the passenger.
For children under 18, when traveling alone or with only one of their parents, a document showing the mutual consent of the parents, which may be requested by the border police at entry and exit, must be shown; we recommend that children who are 18 years old and their parents be prepared on this matter.
HEALTH
In the region’s good restaurants and the food consumed, there is no problem that will threaten your health. Accordingly, when not with the group, be careful not to eat, make sure to drink only bottled water, avoid ice, milk and dairy products, eat only foods that are well cooked and fish products, and when it comes to fruit, choose fruits that can be peeled, such as bananas and pineapples. Current vaccination/PCR rules must be followed at country entry and on return home.
FLIGHT TIMES
Istanbul - Casablanca 4 hr 50 min
Marrakech - Istanbul 5 hr 05 min
OPTIONAL TOURS & ACTIVITIES
Optional tours and activities are organized by the local agency at the service center with a minimum request of 20 people, and participation is not guaranteed. If a sufficient number is not achieved, the excursions cannot be carried out or the prices, content, and means of transport for the optional tour/activity may vary. In addition, the times of optional tours/activities may be changed by the guide depending on whether the museum, site, or venue at the destination is open/closed and on weather conditions.
ACCOMMODATION
During periods such as fairs, congresses, concerts, events, sports tournaments, etc., distances greater than km may be available. Depending on the structure of triple rooms, they may be provided, but the bed offered to the 3rd person may be smaller than standard beds. A triple room consists of 1 large bed and 1 extra bed. Extra beds are foldable beds or sofa beds; for 3rd person and/or child reservations, the frequent congestion that may occur locally and the acceptance of the bed type are deemed to have been declared. Child discounts are valid only for one (1) child staying with 2 adults and in the age group specified in the fare section. It is served with a limited menu consisting of coffee and may be served in a separate lounge divided by groups according to group size.
CURRENCY
The Moroccan currency is the Dirham (MAD).
It is useful to have Dollars (USD) or Euros (EUR) with you.
OUR TIME ZONE
Morocco is 2 hours behind Turkey during daylight saving time and 3 hours behind during winter time.
For example, while it is 18:30 in Turkey in summer, it is 16:30 in Morocco.
CLOTHING AND ESSENTIAL ITEMS
If traveling in the summer, T-shirts that can be easily put on and taken off, short- and long-sleeved shirts, cotton trousers, shorts, comfortable walking shoes, a thin jacket for the evenings, and a light sweater are recommended. In addition, you may bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, earplugs for possible noise, a camera, a video camera, their chargers, and spare memory cards. During the winter, clothing that allows comfortable movement and keeps you warm is recommended.
CUISINE
Moroccan cuisine is generally a mixture of Amazigh, Andalusian, and Mediterranean cuisines with slight European and Sub-Saharan influences. It provides a diet based on meat, fish, and vegetables.
IMPORTANT NOTES
Having a passport and/or obtaining a visa (i.e. for the required destination/passport) does not mean that entry into the country is guaranteed. The passport police have the authority to allow or deny you entry into the country. Bin Rota is not responsible for this person; the responsibility belongs to the passenger.
Papuatur is an intermediary institution between the airline and the passenger and is subject to the Hague Protocol dated 28.09.1955. There may be a risk of delays on scheduled and special flights, or the current excursion and pre-flight times may change. Papuatur ensures that this software is reported as soon as possible. Our passengers have purchased the tour accepting that their flight details may change. Children aged 0-2 do not pay airport taxes and airport service fees
Panoramic city tours included in the tour package are organized for the general introduction of the cities and are panoramic tours with on-board guide narration, with museum and site entrance visits lasting no more than 2-3 hours. For panoramic tours, including the other tours mentioned in the program, if the local authorities do not allow visits on the day and place corresponding to the tour, or if roads are closed due to any incident or if the tour becomes impossible due to weather conditions, Papuatur is not responsible for carrying out the said tours. Some tours may be conducted by public transport or on foot in places where roads are closed or vehicle entry is not permitted.