Discover the Northern Shores of Morocco & Forbidden Gates to Europe through the Tiny Spanish Enclaves of Ceuta & Melilla
March 20 to 30, 2020
Ceuta and Melilla are two small forbidden enclaves on the coast of Morocco. Despite seemingly being a part of Morocco, they actually belong to Spain. Coveted by Morocco, they have long been a flashpoint in diplomatic relations with Spain. Madrid asserts that both territories are integral parts of Spain and have the same status as the semi-autonomous regions on its mainland. Increasingly Ceuta and Melilla's heavily fortified borders have come under pressure from African migrants seeking a better life in Europe. Ceuta and Melilla have a long history. Both cities date their original establishment to the Phoenicians, the sailors and merchants of the ancient Mediterranean. Later Ceuta and Melilla became the site of a Carthaginian settlement, which was taken over eventually by the Romans. In the 5th century the city was captured by the Vandals, who in time lost it to Byzantium. After that the Visigoths, Arabs, Portuguese, and finally the Spanish in 1580 seized control. Since that time, except for a period from 1694 to 1720 when the Moors gained control, the enclave has remained under the jurisdiction of Spain. Separated from Spain by the Straits of Gibraltar and sandwiched between the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean lies Morocco on the northern shores of Africa. Discover the rich history and culture of the Imperial Cities and the north. This tour will capture the dramatic contrasts of the kingdom. Against a backdrop of breathtaking scenery, the footprints of history wind from antiquity through the pinnacle of Islamic achievement in a country determined to modernize on its own terms. Its culture is on display every day in its buzzing souks (marketplaces). Discover this glorious land in the enchanting city of Fes—a walled enclave suspended in a medieval dream. Be mesmerized by the truly stunning desert oasis where golden dunes stretch to the horizon. Morocco offers the opportunity to experience a rich Islamic culture in a safe and tourist-friendly environment.
This tour can be combined with North Africa trip (March 30 to April 24, 2020) starting with Tunisia
Tour cost (land Only): $3,995.00 per person sharing in double occupancy
Single Supplement: $300.00
Price based on a group size minimum of 4 and maximum of 8 participants
Led by Expert Local Guide
Your tour does not include
Roundtrip International air.
Moroccan Visa - Currently Gratis to US citizens and obtainable upon arrival at Casablanca airport.
Photography and video making fees.
Dayrooms or extra hotel overnights if necessary.
Activities and sites not described in the itinerary.
Drinks during meals (soft or with alcohol) or meals not listed in the itinerary.
Items of a personal nature (laundry, phone calls, emails, excess luggage charges, etc.)
Travel protection insurance.
Your tour includes
Arrival and departure transfers.
AC transportation throughout the tour.
Accommodation in double room as mentioned in the program in standard 4* hotels and authentic Moorish Riads with breakfast.
Professional English-speaking guide throughout the tour.
All meals in local restaurants as specified in the itinerary.
All activities described in the tour and entrance fees to all sites mentioned unless listed as optional.
Gratuities to guides, drivers and porters.
Bottled water per person per day.
Trip Grade:
II Active -Some hikes, slightly more demanding walks at or to sites, few elevations, comfortable but busy schedule and some long rides.
Lodging Level:
***Superior - Lodges and hotels with additional amenities, refined service and comfort level acceptable to western standards. (3 or 4 stars)
TRIP REMARK:
Being an exploratory tour for Spiekermann Travel Service and knowing the nature of such off-the-beaten track journey, all travelers joining this tour will require a high level of flexibility and tolerance and willingness to go with the flow when things change. Anyone joining this trip must understand that border crossing and visit to Ceuta and Melilla enclaves is offered by us for the first time, and participants are acknowledging their full understanding and acceptance of all terms and conditions and are admitting that they are in good physical and mental health and are equipped with open mind, a sense of adventure and a tolerant and patient spirit to cope up with the tour. We retain the full right to make any necessary changes to the itinerary, to the sequence of visits, to the choices of hotels and sites or activities previously described in the itinerary.
Your guide Driss Elkorchi is a native of the Sahara Desert. He was born in 1972 near the highest sand dunes of Merzouga and led a nomadic life wandering through the desert with his family looking for water and grass for their goats and camels. As a child, he enjoyed discovering places and meeting other people who shared the same lifestyle. No doubt these experiences helped him to his current profession! He attended primary and high school and then went to the university in the coastal city of Agadir to study for his BA in English Language and Literature (1993-1997). Driss liked traveling to attend traditional festivals, meeting people and learning about their cultures. In 1999, he attended a rigorous one-year training program to become a certified official national tour guide by the Moroccan Ministry of Tourism. Since then, Driss has been an active professional tour guide based in the fascinating city of Marrakesh. He loves to share all the unique things that make Morocco special. He is also a member of many social, cultural and human-right associations that fight for the welfare of the indigenous inhabitants of his homeland.
NOTE ON VISAS:
Spain is a party to the Schengen Agreement. This means that U.S. citizens may enter Spain and Enclaves for up to 90 days for tourist visit.
Moroccan visa is currently gratis for us citizens and obtainable upon arrival to Casablanca airport














































