Marrakech, Fez, and the Sahara Desert Morocco

Dreams of Trespass by Fatima Mernissi | Nov 2-11, 2025
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Overview

BOOKED Trips Morocco Experience

  • Days: 10
  • Group Size: 12
  • Nights: 9
  • Price: $6,300
ONE SPOT AVAILABLE

SPOTS OPEN APRIL 25, 2025

Join us on an unforgettable 10-day, 9-night journey through Morocco inspired by Fatima Mernissi’s book “Dreams of Trespass: Tales of a Harem Girlhood.” Explore the rich history, culture, and artistry of Morocco told through a local lens.

This intimate exploration delves offers a glimpse into the lives of Moroccan women and the country’s culture. From the bustling souks of Marrakech to the serene beauty of the Sahara Desert, our immersive itinerary will awaken your senses and ignite your imagination. We’ll wander through historic medinas, encounter local culture in all its richness, and savor the flavors of authentic Moroccan cuisine.

Our journey will begin in the city of Marrakech, where we’ll wander through the labyrinthine souks, and indulge in a traditional hammam experience. We’ll then travel to the ancient city of Fez, renowned for its medieval architecture and thriving artisan traditions. Finally, we’ll venture into the Sahara Desert, where we’ll experience enjoy a reading retreat. Throughout our journey, we’ll engage in insightful discussions about Mernissi’s memoir, connecting the themes of her work to the landscapes and cultural experiences that unfold before us.

Trip Highlights

  

  • Single occupancy rooms at luxury and boutique hotels throughout the trip including Jnane Tamsna, the first Black woman-owned hotel on the continent of Africa. No sharing rooms! 
  • Welcome dinner and book discussion. Kick off your Moroccan adventure with a delicious feast and lively conversation about Fatima Mernissi’s ‘Dreams of Trespass,’ exploring the rich history and culture that inspired our journey.
  • Guided souk and artisan tours. Explore the vibrant maze of Fez and Marrakech’s souks, discover hidden treasures with a local guide, and meet the talented artisans who create Morocco’s exquisite crafts
  • Calligraphy experience. Learn the elegant art of Arabic script with a private calligraphy lesson.
  • Discover the secrets of Moroccan cuisine. Immerse yourself in Moroccan culinary traditions with a hands-on cooking class at a sustainable farm, learning to prepare authentic dishes with fresh, local ingredients. 
  • Hammam beauty experience. Indulge in a traditional Moroccan hammam, a luxurious ritual of cleansing and relaxation, leaving you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
  • Sahara desert experience. Experience the magic of the Sahara Desert with a captivating evening of henna artistry, live music under the stars, and the option to explore the dunes on a camel or exhilarating dune buggy ride.
  • Flexible payment options are available. Secure your spot with a $500 deposit. Monthly payment plans available.

Tentative Itinerary

Day 1: Arrivals & Welcome Dinner

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“I will become a magician. I will chisel words to share the dream and render the frontiers useless.”

Welcome to Marrakech, Morocco. Fly into Marrakesh Menara Airport (“RAK” airport code). We've got you covered with included airport transportation, taking you directly to our beautiful, art-filled riad.

After settling in and refreshing yourself, prepare for an unforgettable evening. We'll enjoy a delicious welcome dinner at our hotel.

This intimate gathering is also a chance to delve into our featured book, "Dreams of Trespass: Tales of a Harem Girlhood" by Fatima Mernissi.

Welcome Dinner Dinner

Day 2: Marrakech Makers

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“Marrakech was the city where black and white legends met, languages melted down, and religions stumbled, testing their permanence against the undisturbed silence of the dancing sands... People danced in Marrakech, travelers said, when their differing languages did not allow them to communicate.”

Enjoy a delicious breakfast spread including fresh juices, Moroccan mint tea, and local cuisine at the hotel rooftop.

This morning our expert guide will lead you through the magnificent Ben Youssef Medrassa in Marrakech, a masterpiece of Islamic architecture. Then, prepare to be swept away by the vibrant chaos of the bustling souks. Haggle for spices, textiles, and handcrafted treasures.

Discover grandeur at Dar El Bacha, the opulent former residence of the Pasha of Marrakech. Afterwards, immerse yourself in the vibrant energy of Jamaa el-Fna Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

We'll go beyond the tourist trail and peek behind the scenes with local artisans.

For lunch, enjoy a delicious meal at a local restaurant and training center that provides a safe and loving space where strong, resilient women can rewrite their narratives and step into their power.

The evening is yours to explore. Dinner is on your own.

Welcome Dinner Breakfast and Lunch

Day 3: Calligraphy & Culinary Delights

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“First came the ulema, or men of learning, who devoted their lives to science, and could often trace their ancestry back to Andalusia, or Muslim Spain. They kept the veneration of books and the book industry alive, from papermaking, calligraphy, and bookbinding, to encouraging couraging reading, writing, and collecting rare editions.”

After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll start our day with a private calligraphy lesson, learning the elegant art of Arabic script.

Enjoy a free afternoon with lunch on your own and an opportunity to explore the city independently.

Later this evening we'll enjoy an immersive sunset food experience that will introduce you to the rich culinary traditions of Morocco. Join a local expert as you make your way through the Kasbah with stops along the medina for bread, fish balls, Moroccan pastries then head to the iconic Jamaa El Fna Square and taste some of the holy foods of Morocco. This tour is perfect for foodies and those looking to connect with the locals on a more intimate basis.

    Welcome Dinner Breakfast and Dinner

    Day 4: Fez - A Journey Through Time

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    “Our Medina streets were narrow, dark, and serpentine - filled with so many twists and turns that cars could not enter, and foreigners could not find their way out if they ever dared to come in. This was the real reason the French had to build a new city for themselves: they were afraid to live in ours.”

    After an early breakfast travel to Fez, Morocco's oldest imperial city. Fez's medina is a UNESCO World Heritage site recognized as one of the erst preserved historic towns of the Arab-Muslim world.

    Experience the souks of Fes firsthand with a local guide. Visit a women's cooperative and learn about the importance of traditional weaving. Marvel at the Chouara Tannery and haggle for leather goods, and enjoy panoramic views from the rooftop of the University of Al-Qarawiyyin.

    We'll enjoy lunch at a stunning local restaurant before settling into our luxury riad for the night. Our five-star boutique hotel is a lovingly restored traditional palace located within the walls of Fez’s ancient Medina.

    The evening is yours to explore independently. A delicious dinner is included onsite at our hotel.

    Welcome Dinner Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

    Day 5: Farm-to-Table Feast in Fez

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    “There were no closed gates to be seen anywhere, only wide, flat, open fields where flowers grew and animals wandered peaceably about. But Yasmina explained to me that the farm was part of Allah's original earth, which had no frontiers, just vast, open fields without borders or boundaries”

    Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the hotel this morning. Later we'll enjoy a farm to table cooking class in the outskirts of Fez on a eco-farm. This is a unique experience to learn about the agricultural specialties in the region, pick your own vegetables that you’ll use for the cooking class. The experience starts with a 30 minute’s drive out of Fez to a local farm, take a tour on the grounds, learn about the rural aspects of life before delving into the cooking spearheaded by our matriarch hosting us in her home. Then learn how to make your own couscous from scratch before cooking class with seven vegetables collected from their gardens.

    The remainder of the day is yours to explore. Dinner at the hotel in a hidden paradise under the citrus trees is included.

    Welcome Dinner Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

    Day 6: Sahara Dreams - A Journey to the Desert

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    "If you've never seen the Sahara Desert before," Mina said, "you cannot imagine it. That's where you see how powerful Allah is - he definitely does not need us! A human life is so negligible in the desert, where only sand dunes and stars can survive. A little girl's pain there is an utter trifle. But it was in crossing the sand that I discovered there was another little girl inside me. A girl who was strong, and intent on surviving. I became a different Mina then. I realized that all the world was set against me, and the only good that I could expect had to come from inside myself.”

    We start our morning bright and early as we take a 7-hour scenic journey to the Sahara Desert, passing through breathtaking landscapes.

    In the late afternoon we'll arrive at your luxurious desert camp. You'll have free time to rest, read, and explore the camp.

    This evening we'll experience a traditional henna ceremony and dinner under the starry desert sky.

    Welcome Dinner Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

    Day 7: Camel Rides & Gnawa Rhythms

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    “According to legend, the all-male orchestra at the hadra ritual was supposed to be all black. These musicians, said the legend, had come from a fabulous empire called Gnawa (Ghana), which stretched beyond the Sahara Desert, and beyond the rivers, all the way down south, into the heart of the Sudan. When they had come north, they had brought with them no luggage but their enchanting, irresistible rhythms and songs”

    Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and spend some time reading or relaxing amidst the dunes. You have a free morning with the option to opt for an included sandboarding adventure.

    Enjoy a magical sunset camel ride across the golden dunes. Savor a delicious dinner and be mesmerized by a Gnawa music performance.

    Welcome Dinner Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

    Day 8: A Desert Oasis: Aït Ben Haddou & Kasbah Stay

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    “A life filled with deliberate self-indulgence, as short and scandalous as it might be, was better than a long and respectable one devoted to a lethargic tradition. Asmahan entranced both men and women with the idea that failure or success did not matter in the adventurous life, and such a life was much more enjoyable than a life spent sleeping behind protective doors.”

    Journey to Aït Ben Haddou kasbah and enjoy the stunning scenery along the way with stops in Tinghir, Todra Gorges, and then a tour of Ksar Aït Ben Haddou.

    In the afternoon we'll check into our boutique hotel in Ouarzazate where we'll have exclusive use of the property.

    Dinner at the hotel is included tonight.

    Welcome Dinner Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

    Day 9: Luxury Hammam Experience & Farewell Dinner

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    “The magic of the hammam beauty treatments and ritual came not only from feeling that you had been reborn, but also from feeling that you had been the agent of that rebirth.”

    We will have a morning transfer to Marrakech after breakfast. We'll arrive midday and enjoy a luxurious hammam experience followed by a relaxing massage.

    We'll check into our feature stay at Jnane Tamsna, the first Black woman-owned hotel in Morocco for lunch and a free afternoon.

    This evening we'll have our closing dinner at a high-energy fusion restaurant with local performances. We're sure to end the trip on a high note!

    Welcome Dinner Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

    Day 10: Departures

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    As your Moroccan adventure comes to a close, enjoy a relaxing morning in Marrakech. Reflect on the unforgettable memories you've created, do any last-minute souvenir shopping, or savor a final breakfast at your favorite spot. Convenient airport transportation to Marrakesh Menara airport ("RAK" airport code) is included, ensuring a smooth journey back home.

    Welcome Dinner Breakfast

    Our Featured Book: Dreams of Trespass

    “Dreams of Trespass: Tales of a Harem Girlhood” is a memoir by Moroccan sociologist and feminist writer, Fatima Mernissi. It offers a unique and intimate glimpse into the hidden world of a harem girlhood in 20th-century Morocco. 

    In “Dreams of Trespass,” Fatima Mernissi reflects on her childhood in a Moroccan harem during the 1940s French occupation. She unveils the complex world of women confined by tradition yet vibrant with dreams. Mernissi challenges Western stereotypes of the harem, portraying it not as a site of sexual fantasy, but as a space where women navigated intricate social dynamics, debated religious texts, and nurtured aspirations beyond their physical confinement.

    Fatima Mernissi was a pioneering figure in the fields of sociology and women’s studies. Born in Fez, Morocco, she became a prominent voice for women’s rights in the Islamic world. Her work challenged traditional interpretations of Islam and advocated for gender equality. Mernissi’s writings, including “Dreams of Trespass,” “Beyond the Veil,” and “The Veil and the Male Elite,” have had a profound impact on feminist thought and social discourse.

    This memoir is a compilation of personal recollection, historical context, and social critique, offering a unique perspective on gender, power, and the resilience of the human spirit.

    Book your spot and join us on this unforgettable journey!

    What Is Included?

    • A BOOKED Box with a copy of Dreams of Trespass: Tales of a Harem Girlhood by Fatima Mernessi, curated items from businesses around the world, and a playlist with sounds of the city.
    • Single occupancy accommodations in luxury and boutique hotels and riads throughout the trip.
    • All activities listed in the itinerary
    • All breakfasts, 7 lunches, and 8 dinners.
    • Ground transportation to included activities, including airport transfers on designated trip arrival and departure dates.
    • Local guides throughout the trip.

    What Is not Included?

    • Flights to and from destination.
    • Pre/post trip accommodations.
    • Travel insurance (required)
    • Visa and passport fees (if required)
    • Gratuities and incidental expenses.

    Our Trip Hotels

    In Marrakech we will be staying at a newly opened riad in the Palmerie just a 10 minutes drive from the center of the Medina. We will have full and exclusive access to the property which is filled with art and surrounded by over 150 century-old palm, olive, and pistachio trees. Common spaces include a hammam, massage room, library, and full-length swimming pool.

    In Fez we’ll stay in a traditional palace that has been lovingly restored into a five-star, family-run boutique hotel.The hotel is located within the walls of Fez’s ancient Medina and provides a tranquil retreat from the bustle of the city. Moroccan pastries await you in your room, the bathrooms are decorated with fresh rose petals, there is a luxury onsite spa, and at night the whole palace is bathed in candle light.

    In the Sahara Desert we will stay in a luxury desert camp situated in the quiet and idyllic sand dunes of Erg Chebbi. 

    In Ouarzazate on our journey from the Sahara desert to Marrakech we will have exclusive use of a boutique hotel at the foot of the foothills of the High Atlas mountains that mixes Japanese and Berber designs.

    On our final day in Marrakech we will stay in a 5-star, Michelin guide recognized hotel. For over two decades, Meryanne Loum-Martin, a pioneering Black female hotelier, has carefully blended ancient Moroccan allure with modern elegance, fashioning a retreat just moments away from the city’s vibrant medina where luminaries like Brad Pitt, Nicole Kidman, David Bowie, Iman, Giorgio Armani, and other influential figures have all found refuge. 

     

    Additional Info

    Pricing

    The total cost of the trip is $6,300 per person. Trip prices are based on single occupancy. Interest free monthly payment plans are available!

    Entry requirements

    A valid passport with at least 6 months of validity beyond the trip dates and at least one blank page in your passport for endorsements. The U.S, Canada, UK, France, and other visa exempt countries do not need visas for stays for up to 90 days.

    Activity Level

    Participants should be comfortable walking up to 2 miles over the course of a day for walking tours. The trip includes long drive times up to 7 hours. Please contact us directly if you have further questions about health and fitness level for this trip.

    Arrival & Departure

    Flights from the U.S. should depart on November 1, 2025 (one day prior to the trip start date) to arrive in Marrakech, Morocco on November 2, 2025 in time for the opening dinner and book discussion. If possible, book flights that arrive no later than 3:00 p.m. local time.

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