Morocco with Heritage Tours

As a single woman who prefers to travel independently and alone, when possible, I had the good fortune to tour Morocco with Heritage Tours (121 West 27th St., Ste. 1201, New York, NY 10001; 800/378-4555 or www.heritagetoursonline.com).

The cost of the 8-day/9-night tour, Oct. 3-11, ’05, arranged for me by Heritage Tours’ General Manager Michael Diamond, was $3,500. This is not an insignificant sum, but the tour provided me with the components I deemed essential: meticulous planning and support provided by one of the top tour companies engaged in Moroccan travel; 4- or 5-star accommodations in Moroccan riads (converted villas) in the medinas, and the comfort of an individualized tour for one person accompanied by the same charming, intelligent guide for the entire time. He was willing to make changes to respond to my wishes, sometimes at a moment’s notice.

The price included lodging, breakfasts, airport transfers, entry fees, transportation between the cities of Casablanca, Fez, Marrakech and Essaouira in Mercedes vans and sedans, and a Royal Air Maroc flight from Marrakech back to my original entry point of Casablanca.

Heritage Tours can plan trips emphasizing Jewish history. I, though not Jewish, enjoyed learning about all of the rich cultural and religious traditions of North Africa.

If you are planning a first visit to Morocco, I have two suggestions. First, use Fez and Marrakech as your two bases. You can plan day trips from Fez to the Roman ruins of Volubilis, the charming village of Moulay Idriss and the imperial city of Meknès. Marrakech ranks near the top of must-see cities of the world, and if you stay in a riad in the medina, you will enjoy seeing more of the city’s true life.

Second, don’t miss Essaouira, a 3-hour drive west from Marrakech to the Atlantic coast. You can hire a driver for a day trip or rent a car. Previously known as Mogador, it is an old town that enjoys comfortable temperatures in the winter when the interior is cold; alternatively, you can travel there to cool off in the hot Moroccan summers.

Essaouira is a miniature and much more civilized version of Marrakech. Hotels line the beach, fresh seafood is available, the old city gates and cafés are a short walk, and you can shop in an English-language bookstore or the traditional shops and souks.

I highly recommend the personnel and the tour options provided by Heritage Tours.

— NANCY S. TARDY, Henderson, NV