Schmidt Friends
Morocco Trip

Nov 4, 2025 - Nov 13, 2025

  • DESTINATION Morocco
  • Who’s Going Friends & Family
  • Trip Type Special Journey
  • Duration 10 DAYS
  • Group Size 20+
  • Price From $5,715
Program is tentative and subject to change. Connect with our Customer Care Team by calling: (888) 230-6008 Mon.-Thur. from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET).

YOUR journey

J² crafts journeys of inspiration, education, and Jewish connections to Israel and worldwide. We are guided by a simple but powerful concept: No two trips are the same; each experience should be personal, meaningful, and backed by superb service. Travel is not just about the places you visit, but the connections you make along the way.

  •   Active
  •   Archaeology
  •   Food & Wine
  •   Art & Culture
  •   Heritage
  •   Local Specialists
  •   Special Access

Program Itinerary

DAY 1
ON OUR WAY TO MOROCCO
Tue. Nov 4, 2025
  • Depart the US.
Overnight: Flight
DAY 2
WELCOME TO MARRAKECH
Wed. Nov 5, 2025
  • Arrive at Marrakech International Airport and transfer to the hotel.
  • Check into the hotel (rooms available from 3:00 p.m.).
  • An Inside Look at Moroccan Culture: Orientation dialogue with your J² Expert Educator, and local Moroccan tour guide, including an overview of your journey.
  • Start your visit to Marrakech with a panoramic tour of the city, taking in its vibrant culture, historic landmarks, and stunning architecture.
  • Discover Djemaa El Fna Square and enjoy the marketplace’s snake-charmers, street vendors, musicians, storytellers, and acrobats.
  • Enjoy a private, festive welcome dinner at a stunning Moroccan palace, complete with live music that enhances the ambiance, offering a truly immersive cultural experience.
Overnight: Marrakech, Morocco Meals: Dinner
DAY 3
EXPLORING THE BUSTLING RED CITY
Thu. Nov 6, 2025
  • The Role of the Imam in Moroccan Society: What Is Islam in Morocco and What Makes It Different? Dialogue with a Professor of English who will facilitate a dialogue with a local Imam. 
  • We’ll tour the Medina (Walled City) of Marrakech, also known as the Red City for the red walls that surround it. Highlights of the tour include:
    • The Dar El Bacha Palace is considered one of the greatest palaces of its time. Its architecture, gardens, and design render it one of the finest achievements of Moroccan culture.
    • The Madrasa Ben Youssef is certainly a gem of Moroccan architecture in Marrakech. This 16th-century school of theology was considered the largest in the country at the time.  This historic school and students’ campus ceased to function in 1960, but it was restored and remains one of the best examples of Moroccan traditional architectural arts.
  • Wander through the labyrinthine souks, where fragrant spices, colorful fabrics, and handmade ceramics beckon. Your guide will lead you to lesser-known corners, revealing unique stalls and workshops. Our tour will include stops at a skilled carpet weaver and at a Argan Oil cooperative owned by Berber women.
  • Free time to explore Marrakech’s enormous marketplace on your own.
Overnight: Marrakech, Morocco Meals: Breakfast
DAY 4
CITY OF MANY LAYERS
Fri. Nov 7, 2025
  • Explore the Mellah (Jewish Quarter) of Marrakech, with a chance to visit:
    • The Slat el Azama Synagogue, still active and bears witness to the glories of the past.
    • The Jewish Cemetery of Marrakech.
  • Enjoy a hands-on cooking workshop, where you’ll learn to prepare traditional Moroccan dishes, followed by a delicious lunch accompanied by refreshing mint tea.
  • Explore the enchanting Majorelle Garden, created by French painter and botanist Jacques Majorelle, and visit the Berber Museum, also located within the garden, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Morocco’s Berber people.
  • Return to the hotel with time to freshen up and prepare for Shabbat.
  • Kabbalat Shabbat services at the Beth El Synagogue.
  • Hospitality Shabbat dinner together at a local Jewish family home.
Overnight: Marrakech, Morocco Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Shabbat Dinner
DAY 5
BERBER LIFE IN THE ATLAS MOUNTAINS
Sat. Nov 8, 2025
  • Begin your day with a scenic drive through the lush Sidi Abdellah Ghiat and Oued Maleh valleys, heading deeper into the heart of the Atlas Mountains.
  • Journey to a traditional Berber village nestled at the foot of the mountain, where you will experience the unique culture and way of life of the Berber people.
  • Receive a warm Berber welcome from the village chief and local musicians, who will greet you with traditional music and hospitality.
  • Experience authentic Berber hospitality with a home-cooked lunch at a local home, where the village chief will share captivating stories and insights about the village’s culture, all while you enjoy a refreshing glass of mint tea.
  • Visit the local school and meet with skilled artisans, where you'll have the opportunity to participate in a hands-on bread-making workshop, learning traditional techniques passed down through generations.
  • Return to Marrakech after a stunning day in the Atlas Mountains.
  • At nightfall, we will mark the end of a special Shabbat with a communal havdalah ceremony.
Overnight: Marrakech, Morocco Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
DAY 6
RABAT: MOROCCO’S CAPITAL & CULTURAL HUB
Sun. Nov 9, 2025
  • Check out of the hotel.
  • Depart for Rabat, Morocco’s capital. Our tour of Morocco’s royal capital will allow us to experience the huge role, historically and currently, that the king plays in Moroccan life.
  • Discover Morocco's capital:
    • Visit the majestic mausoleum of Mohammad V, Morocco’s king during World War II, and hear how he helped prevent the Nazis from deporting Morocco’s Jews to the death camps of Europe.
    • Continue to the mausoleum of his son, Hassan II, who ruled over Morocco during the so-called “Years of Lead.”
  • Lunch on own, en route.
  • Stroll through the bustling markets, jewelry shops, and historic diplomatic buildings of Rabat’s Medina (Walled City), making your way to the Kasbah des Oudayas, a picturesque hilltop fortress offering stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean and the city below.
  • Check into the hotel.
  • Meet with members of the Association Mimouna, a group of Muslim students dedicated to preserving Morocco’s Jewish heritage and fostering Jewish-Muslim friendship and understanding.
  • Dinner on your own and evening at leisure.
Overnight: Rabat, Morocco Meals: Breakfast
DAY 7
ON THE ROAD TO FES
Mon. Nov 10, 2025
  • Check out of the hotel and depart Rabat.
  • Arrive in Meknes, located on a fertile plain north of the Middle Atlas, and the former residence of the Sultan.
  • City of a Tyrant: We’ll examine the superb architecture of Meknes created during the long reign of Moulay Ismail, with its skillful blend of Islamic and European influences. But at his finely decorated mausoleum, we’ll also consider the less-attractive characteristics of “Moulay the Bloodthirsty,” who is said to have ordered the city walls to be decorated with the heads of 10,000 of his enemies.
  • Meet the caretaker of a now-empty synagogue and discuss the shifts in Jewish life in Morocco. The mass migration of the country’s Jews began after the establishment of the State of Israel and accelerated when Morocco gained independence in 1956 from its French rulers. Today, only a few thousand Jews remain. We’ll talk about Jewish life in Morocco in the past and present, and find out why people, often Jews but sometimes Muslims, are determined to maintain these once-crowded places of worship.
  • Continue your journey to Fes, once the capital of Morocco, the most extensive medieval city in the Arab world, and the home of Jewish scholars and rabbis for hundreds of years.
  • Check into the hotel.
Overnight: Fes, Morocco Meals: Breakfast
DAY 8
THE MYSTERIES OF FES
Tue. Nov 11, 2025
  • Enjoy glorious views of Fes and its Medina (Walled City) from the Borj Sud.
  • Travel through time as we explore the long Jewish presence in Fes. Our tour will include:
    • The recently-restored Ibn Danan Synagogue, one of the oldest and most important synagogues in North Africa.
    • The El Fassiyin Synagogue, which fell into disrepair and was used as a boxing ring and carpet factory until it was recently restored with support from overseas funders and the Moroccan government.
    • The Fes Jewish cemetery where we’ll hear stories of some of the city’s legendary rabbis buried here.
  • Fes’s Medina is a dense maze of alleyways and streets and the largest car-free pedestrian zone in the world. The visit includes:
    • A glimpse of local craftsmen at work in their shops as they weave, embroider, carve, and chisel using ancient techniques.
    • A tour of the Madrasa Bou Inania (Islamic religious college established in 1351). It is one of the few Islamic sites in Morocco accessible to non-Muslim visitors.
  • Lunch at a restaurant before continuing on our tour:
    • Take a look at an ancient center of scholarship. The University of Al-Karaouine is believed to be the oldest continuously operating university in the world. Non-Muslims can view it only from the outside.
    • Fes is also known for its leather goods and the tanneries that provide its distinctive smell. We’ll visit the Chouara Tannery where traditional ways of making leather are still practiced.
  • Return to the hotel, followed by dinner.
Overnight: Fes, Morocco Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 9
GIANT MOSQUES AND JEWISH LIFE
Wed. Nov 12, 2025
  • Check out of the hotel and drive to Casablanca.
  • Lunch on own by the Ocean, on Casablanca's Corniche.
  • Explore the iconic Hassan II Mosque, one of the largest and most magnificent mosques in the world.
  • Visit the Beth-El Synagogue, which is still very active and is considered Casablanca's “main” synagogue.
  • Guided visit through the Arab world's only Jewish museum, the Museum of the Jews of Morocco, and enjoy a glimpse of the rich and colorful world of Moroccan Jewry.
  • Check into the hotel.
  • Festive hospitality Dinner at a Jewish home and enjoy an open discussion with our host.
Overnight: Fes, Morocco Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 10
UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN
Thu. Nov 13, 2025
  • Check out of the hotel and transfer to Casablanca Airport for your flight back to the US.
Meals: Breakfast

RATES & LODGING

Protect yourself from fraud by being cautious and vigilant when it comes to online theft. It is crucial to note that J² adventures will never send an email requesting you to transfer funds to a new account or to redirect a payment. We will never alter our account number or issue additional payment requests without first personally speaking to you and properly identifying ourselves. If you feel uncertain about any communication (scammers often impersonate legitimate companies via e-mail or by calling), halt and contact us directly through our toll-free number listed on our website to discuss any necessary payments. Refrain from responding to suspicious emails or clicking on links or attachments unless you are completely certain of their legitimacy. By following these guidelines and staying vigilant, you can significantly reduce your risk of becoming a victim of fraud.
participants
20+
Cost p/p in double room
$5,715
Cost p/p in single room
$7,515

Marrakech: Naoura Barriere

Rabat: Conrad Rabat Arzana

Fes: Riad Fes

Casablanca: Barceló Anfa Casablanca

What to expect

  • 8 nights' accommodations.
  • 8 days of touring with a J² Expert Educator and a local guide, in a luxury, air-conditioned bus.
  • Daily breakfast, 3 lunches & 4 dinners.
  • The J² adventures App available on the App Store & on Google Play (active 30 days before your departure and throughout your trip).
  • Water on the bus.
  • Porterage at the hotels.
  • All site entrance fees & program fees as per your final program.
  • Credit card fees.
  • Flights to & from Morocco.
  • Early check-in in Marrakech (Rooms are available for check in from 3:00 p.m.).
  • Gratuities are excluded. For groups of 20 and more participants traveling to Morocco: We recommend the following guidelines for tipping (amounts are in US dollars): J² Expert Educator: $12 | Local Moroccan Guide: $10 | Main Driver: $5 | Driver’s assistant $2. Amounts are per day per person.
  • Airport transfers.
  • COVID related expenses, including tests.
  • Evening transportation when dinner is not included.
  • Amendments to the program: In the event that any sites, programs or meals etc. are added to the program, an additional fee may be required.
  • Personal extras: Items of personal nature such as laundry, wines, mineral water, beverages, coffee, tea, food other than the table d’hotel menu, passport and visa fees, insurance, and foreign port taxes, unless otherwise specified.
  • US and foreign airport taxes, Q fuel surcharge and border taxes when applicable.
  • Please review our terms & conditions (T&C’s) or request that we send you our full T&C’s. Until you do that, here is the small print, and other stuff you may want to know:
  • Validity | All prices quoted are based on exchange rates as of the proposal date and are subject to change without notice. Rates are per person and are based on shared twin room occupancy.
  • How to Make a Reservation | The quickest way to make a reservation is to register online or contact us by email. We accept VISA, MasterCard, and American Express credit cards. A $1,000 per person non-refundable deposit is required in order to complete the registration process.
  • For any assistance with this registration process or other trip-related queries, please email Customer Care: [email protected].
  • Payments | The balance of your payment is due 90 days before your trip begins, or as specified in your invoice. You will receive an email reminder 2 weeks before this date. Various payment options are available as follows:
  • Credit card | We accept Visa, Mastercard and American Express. Please check with your credit card provider regarding international processing fees. We are unable to process payments of over $1,000 over the phone. Please submit payment online via a credit card or by wiring funds via your bank.
  • Domestic bank wire transfer | Payment should be wired in the same currency that is listed on your invoice. Please add the name of your group or invoice number as a reference and forward a copy of the transfer receipt by email. The bank transfer should clearly state the beneficiary’s name on the wire transfer.
  • J² Adventures reserves the right to automatically cancel your reservation on that date and it may be subject to reconfirmation should the final payment not be received.
  • Cancelation Policy | All cancelations need to be made in writing. The cancelation fee depends on the date when we receive written notification of your request to cancel your booking. Please note that the deposit is non-refundable.
  • Cancelation fees | Cancelations made 90 or more days prior to departure incur the loss of the deposit. Cancelations made 89 to 46 days prior to departure incur the loss of 50% of the full trip cost. Cancelations made 45 days or less prior to the departure incur the loss of 100% of the full trip cost.
  • Cancelation fees may also include: Hotel or supplier cancelation fees. J² Adventures reserves the right to adjust its terms of payment, including cancelation policies and initial deposits.
  • Protect yourself from fraud by being cautious and vigilant when it comes to online theft. It is crucial to note that J² adventures will never send an email requesting you to transfer funds to a new account or to redirect a payment. We will never alter our account number or issue additional payment requests without first personally speaking to you and properly identifying ourselves. If you feel uncertain about any communication (scammers often impersonate legitimate companies via e-mail or by calling), halt and contact us directly through our toll-free number listed on our website to discuss any necessary payments. Refrain from responding to suspicious emails or clicking on links or attachments unless you are completely certain of their legitimacy. By following these guidelines and staying vigilant, you can significantly reduce your risk of becoming a victim of fraud.
  • Please click here to view our full terms (T&C’s). These T&C’s apply to all reservations created within J2 Adventures.

DISCOVER NEW WORLDS.

JOURNEYS.

A family vacation to Israel. An adventure of a lifetime traveling with friends to Morocco. A  trip to Poland or Portugal with your community. What do these trips have in common? No matter where you go, you will come back with a fresh perspective and appreciation of the place you visited as well as a heightened awareness of your identity as part of the global Jewish community. 

Stuff.

We have everything you need to know before you go. Check out our Instagram my_j2adventures for cool updates and interesting tidbits.