Paris
Thursday, October 9th 2014 - Your BGT Tour begin in Paris France... located in the northern portion of the country, on the river Seine. Paris has the deserved reputation of being the most beautiful and romantic of all cities in the world, overflowing with historic associations and remaining extremely influential in the realms of culture, art, fashion, food and design. Dubbed the City of Light (la Ville Lumière) and Capital of Fashion, it is the home to the world's most luxurious fashion designers and cosmetics, brands -- Chanel, Christian Dior, Yves Saint-Laurent,Guerlain, Lancôme, L'Oréal, Clarins, to name just a few. A large part of the city, including the River Seine, is a World Heritage Site. The city has the second highest number of Michelin starred restaurants in the world and boasts numerous iconic landmarks: Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, the Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Louvre Museum, Moulin Rouge and many more.
Upon your arrival at Charles de Gaulle airport you will be greeted by a local assistant and swept to your hotel aboard a private coach. Post check-in you will have time for a quick shower and lunch before we hit the ground running. Rest??? Ain't nobody got time for that ... we have places to go, things to see and, for our single FlyGirls -- men to to check out! :-) After an orientation lunch grab your walking shoes and head out for your Paris Metro lesson and walking tour down the beautiful streets of Paris that leads to the Hotel de Ville. The Hotel de Ville, with an opulent facade adorned with 378 works by 230 sculptors, including Rodin. Make sure to bring your good camera to zoom in on all the extravagant details.
Next you off to the Gothic masterpiece, Notre-Dame Cathedral. With its mixed-and-matched bell towers, the weather-worn, revolution-scarred exterior, and above all, its shimmering stained-glass windows, this phenomenal church seduces the eyes and the spirit. You will see why Rodin once reputedly sat for hours on the sidewalk, admiring the sculptures on the facade. After a visit inside the church you will discover the The Latin Quarter (Le Quartier Latin). One of the oldest areas of Paris, the 5th arrondissement was once the beating the heart of Roman Paris during the occupation (from the 1st B.C. to the 5th c. A.D.)., and you can still see traces of this period as you walk around. It became known as the Latin Quarter during the Middle Ages, when most of its residents were either students or clergymen who spoke Latin. Now, the Quartier Latin is the bohemian center of Paris thronging with street artists and intellectuals. No trip to the Latin Quarter is complete without a photo stop at the Shakespeare and Company Bookstore. Founded in the 20's, this tiny bookstore became a hub for expat Americans such as Pound, Hemmingway and the Irishman James Joyce and in doing so became a landmark. The bookstore continues to offer refuge to young writers and poets, who are allowed to sleep in the shop in exchange for some hours work. If this seems strange, but I think it should be commended as a remarkable act of generosity and empathy, especially in an age when things like this no longer often happen.
After an international flight and all that walking, a sista will be ready to SIT DOWN! What better place to chillax than on a boat floating down the Seine River. The Seine divides the city into the Rive Droite (Right Bank) to the north and the Rive Gauche (Left Bank) to the south. You will sail beneath the stars past monuments, acclaimed galleries and museums,and under superb arched bridges. In short, you will be transported into another world, where you will get your first majestic glimpse of the majestic Eiffel Tower after. Back ashore you’ll have dinner (not included) and girl time before heading back to the hotel. All this is DAY #1 in Paris. YEP... this is not your grandmother's tour!
Friday, October 10th 2014 - After a European breakfast (continental) you are on your way to the Palais Royal-Musée du Louvre, simply know as "The Lourve". Not only is it one of the world's largest museums, with over 35,000 works of art displayed over 60,000 sq. m (645,835 sq. ft.), it's packed with enough artistic masterpieces to make the Mona Lisa weep. Rembrandt, Reubens, Botticelli, Ingres, and Michelangelo are all represented here; subjects ranging from the grandiose (Antoine-Jean Gros' gigantic Napoleon Bonaparte Visiting the Plague-Stricken in Jaffa) to the mundane (Vermeer's tiny, exquisite Lacemaker). There's something for everyone here. Once inside you will be guided directly to the Mona Lisa to check out her famous smile. You will then have time for a personal expereince by exploring the Louvre your own pace before re-joining the group at the designated meeting point.
Back outside you head we head to La Place de la Concorde via the beautiful Jardin Des Tuileries. Tuileries is one of Paris's most visited gardens and was one of the first parks opened to the public, it quickly became a place to see and be seen. Even in the 18th century the royal park's amenities includes cafes, kiosks, and deck chairs. Have your cameras ready for Place de la Concorde, the largest square in Paris and location of the quintessential 'Parisian view'. From here you can see the distant Arc de Triomphe, the massive avenue, the National Assembly, the Madeleine church, the famous Hotel de Crillon, the Grand Palais, Created in 1772, Place de la Concorde was a bloody execution site during the French Revolution. Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette (among many others) were guillotined here. Today it is famous for the Luxor Obelisk (a 3300 year old Egyptian obelisk erected on the square in May 1998) and the two monumental fountains, Fontaine des Mers and Fontaine des Fleuves.
No visit to Paris is complete without a walk down the Champs-Elysees. The Avenue des Champs-Elysées is probably the most famous avenue in the world. The name means "Elysian Fields" indicating that it is heaven on earth. Along the Champs-Elysées is series of cafés, shops, restaurants and movie theaters that lead up to the giant Arc de Triomphe which was commissioned by Napoleon to commemorate his victory at Austerlitz, as well as show off to his new young bride Marie-Louise. At its base is the tomb of the Unknown Soldier. For those who like to climb stairs, a terrace and small museum is accessible through the base. 12 grand avenues intersect at the arch which makes it look like a giant star from above. Don't try to cross this eternal traffic nightmare! There is an underpass to the monument. You will have time for shopping and lunch solo or in small groups. Later rendezvous at the designated meeting point to continue on to Palais de Chaillot to take THE quintessential photo in front of the Eiffel Tower. Those who want to visit to tower, walk across the street and meet the group back at the hotel. Personally, we feel the beauty of the Eiffel Tower is from outside. Wow! Can you believe this is just DAY #2 in Paris and it is not over YET! Return to the hotel to dress for dinner (not included) and dancing. Can you say Salsa and R&B! GET READY for a night to remember as we celebrate our birthday girls BGT style!
Saturday, October 11th, 2014 - Your free day starts in Montmartre, the highest hill in Paris known for it quint streets, unique boutiques, gradens and splendid views. First stop is the Moulin Rouge for photo opts.
Grab a few FlyGirls and channel your inner Can Can Girl by doing high-kicks in front of this historical cabaret house. After being a little bad, on to the good (so to speak).
I’m talking about the Sacré-Cour (Basilica of the Sacred Heart). On the pinnacle of Montmartre hill, the basilica towers over the city; its highest point is even higher than the top of the Eiffel Tower! Thanks to this prominent location the Sacré-Coeur Basilica is one of the most prominent landmarks in Paris. Construction the Sacré-Coeur Basilica (Basilica of the Sacred Heart) was initiated by a group of influential people. Their reasons to build was two-fold: they had pledged to build a church if Paris were to escape unscathed from the war Prussian War and they also saw the French defeat by the Prussian army in 1870 as a moral condemnation of the sins of Paris. Your are free to enjoy the remainder of the day exploring Montmartre on your own or in small groups. Return to the hotel own your own to get dress for your last night in Paris at a hot night club. Ooh La La!
Casablanca
Sunday, October 12th, 2014 - Time for a litte R&R, at BlackGirlTravel.com that means "sleep on the plane". ;-)
This morning you say au revoir (goodbye) to Paris and as-salām 'alaykum (hello) to Morocco. The Kingdom of Morocco is one of the most unique and mesmerizing country that one cannot help but fall in love with her immediately. Its kaleidoscope of sky blue, copper brown, Marrakech red and leafy green makes it as mystical as a fairy tale land come true. Covering some 711 000km2, including the Western Sahara, it is just a little bigger than the state of Texas. Taking our lead from Rick Blaine, our first stop is Casablanca. "Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world", we MUST walks into this one. That's right, soon after landing in Casablanca you will be wisked off to Rick's Cafe, designed to recreate the bar made famous by Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman in the movie classic Casablanca.
Set by the sea in a 1930's courtyard-style mansion, Rick's Cafe and piano bar is filled with architectural and decorative details reminiscent of the film: curved arches, a sculpted bar, balconies, balustrades as well as beaded and stencilled brass lighting and plants that casting luminous cinematic shadows on white walls. Step back-in-time with the "usual suspects" and enjoy lunch (not included) in an ambience of music and mystery. "As time goes by", its time to say "here's looking at you kid" as you depart Rick's for the Hassan II Mosque.
Taking over 10,000 craftsman over 7 years to construct the Hassan II Mosque, is one of the Seven Wonders Of Masjid (Mosque) in the World, built as a massive tribute to the former King of Morocco. It is a beautiful blend of traditional Moorish architecture and 20th century innovations. Next, your guided tour off transports you to the Old Medina of Casablanca. The old medina of Casablanca gives you a good living idea of what a Muslim city looked like in past centuries, and offers a striking contrast to the modern arteries of Casablanca. Here you will have Moroccan coffee and time for shopping. After a full day in Casablanca, its time to head to Marrakech.
Marrakech
Marrakech is a city unlike any other: nowhere is exoticism better showcased than in this ochre-and-rose-hued North African hive of activity. Indulge in a hammam at your tile-and-tadelakt riad before bartering for treasures in the kaleidoscopic souks (markets), then snack on pigeon pie (if you dare) from a stall in the grand place, amid snake charmers and belly-dancers. Lose yourself in the colorful sights, never-ending sounds, and delightful food infused with Morrocan spices. After your hotel check-in, meet the other FlyGirls in the lobby to board a private bus to dinner (not included) and entertainment. Return to the hotel with the group for a little shuteye to recharge for your NEXT exciting day.
Monday, October 13th, 2014 - After Breakfast, board our private coach and head out for a 1/2 day tour of Marrakech which will include the Menara Gardens, Saadian Tombs, and Bahia Palace follow by a visit to the Jmaa EL Fna Square with its array of food and entertainment including fire-eaters and snake charmers. You will have time for lunch and shoping, don't forget to get a bedlah (a two-piece outfit Belly dancing outfit) for your dance lesson later. After lunch enjoy for a rug making demonstration. Then it’s time to shake it up! Change into your bedlah (if you like) for your authentic belly dance lesson. After a long day of fun, return to the hotel for dinner on your own or meet the ladies in the lounge for drinks.
Ourika Valley
Tuesday, October 14th, 2014 - Grab some good walking shoes and board our private coach for the Ourika Valley, in the Atlas Mountains, renowned for its breathtaking views. You will visit a Berber village and have tea in a traditional house for an authentic culturual experience.
Argan Oil (Moroccan oil to you and me) has been used as a natural beauty treatment by generations of Berber women in the mountains of Southern Morroco. Berber women may not be able to identify just what it is about Argan oil that makes such a difference to their hair and skin. They are unlikely to talk to you about the high levels of wrinkle reducing tocopherol (vitamin E) and unsaturated fatty acids in the rich golden oil they have smeared on their skin and hair for hundreds of years. But their skin speaks for itself.
You will visit an Argan Oil Co-operative run entirely by women, where Aargan oil is still produced traditionaly. It is the nuts of the Argan tree that are cracked open to extract tiny almond like seeds which are then hand pressed to produce the rich oil. Although the Argan tree does not grow in this region, the kernels are processed here to produce cooking and cosmetic oil, soaps, creams and a dip for bread known as amlou. Make sure to leave room in your suitcase to bring back products. Your purchases will help to support divorced or impoverished women in the region!
Later return to Marrakech for a camel ride. Yep -- CAMELS. lol
Return to the hotel for a lttle R&R and dinner on your own.
Wednesday, October 15th, 2014 - Today is you free day to explore on your own or take part in an optional Moroccan cooking class.
North African dishes are huge on flavour, aroma, and spices. Dishes are incredibly diverse, thanks to the country's interaction with other cultures and nations over the centuries, including Berber, Moorish, Arab and Mediterranean influences. Spices feature extensively in Moroccan cooking and there is a centuries-old art to their careful balancing. Spend the morning learning traditional dishes that will tickle the tastebuds of family and friends back home. The 3 hour optional class will end with eating the freshly cooked food. YUMMY!
Every BlackGirlTravel.com tour has a theme night, this time around, it is ALL WHITE! Early evening return to the hotel to grab your WHITE SWIMSUIT AND white cover-up and join the girls on our private bus to Nikki Beach, the ultimate beach club concept that combines the elements of entertainment, dining, music, fashion, and art into one. Called the "Sexiest Place on Earth", with its shimmering pool, sexy ambience, classy lounge music and extravagant sun-loungers, the VIP beds are a magical way to spent your last evening in partying in Morocco. Return to the hotel by taxi at you leisure. Remember, what happens at Nikki Beach stays at Nikki Beach! ;-)
USA
Thursday, October 16th, 2014 - Your exotic sojourn is brought to an end as you depart for USA with fond memories of the vactaion of a lifetime .
As with all travel international travel local changes sometimes happen that can affect plans. We reserve the right to make minor changes to the itinerary if necessary due to weather conditions and/or other factors beyond our control or in order to enhance your travel experience.
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