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Jon Baines Tours Jon Baines Tours Jon Baines Tours

History of Science and Medicine in Morocco

5 - 15 Oct 2018
  • Cultural Tours
Musicians in Tangier Chechaouen The Royal Palace doors, Fes Medieval tanneries in Fes Volubilis La Menara Gardens, Marrakech The old walls of Marrakech Riad Bahia Palace, Marrakech

About the tour

History, medicine and culture intertwine on this fascinating journey through Morocco. Much has been written about the role of Baghdad, Spain and Sicily in the rise of Islamic science and civilisation and its impact on the world. Less has been said about Morocco, even though Morocco’s role was decisive as it was the principal route by which ideas and also people travelled between East and West. Travel from Tangier to the royal city of Fes, onto Rabat and Marrakech. Learn about developments in medicine and science in Morocco, explore magnificent architecture and gardens, and enjoy Morocco’s rich cuisine.

Tour leaders Bill and Helen Bynum are medical historians and their wide-ranging knowledge encompasses medical, scientific and botanical history. They will give a range of enlightening and thought provoking talks throughout the tour.

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History of Science and Medicine in Morocco

Your tour leader

Picture of JBT tour leader, Bill and Helen Bynum

Bill and Helen Bynum

Bill Bynum is Professor Emeritus at University College London. A Yale graduate in medicine, he began his career in the history of medicine with a Cambridge PhD before moving to the Wellcome Institute for the History of Medicine. His 'History of Medicine: A Very Short Introduction' and 'A Little History of Science' have been translated into 14 languages. Bill also edited the Penguin 150th anniversary edition of The Origin of Species.

After a PhD in the History of Medicine from University College London, Helen Bynum lectured at the University of Liverpool before beginning a freelance career as a medical historian and popular science writer. Together with Bill she edited 'Great Discoveries in Medicine' before turning their attention to the world of plants and their histories in 'Remarkable Plants that Shape our World' and 'Botanical Sketchbooks'. ‘Team Bynum’ have led and lectured on successful tours and cruises for Jon Baines Tours.

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Itinerary at a glance

  • 5 Oct  (Fri) Tangier: Arrive Tangier and transfer to the hotel. Welcome dinner
  • 6 Oct (Sat) Tangier: Guided visit of Tangier including the Kasbah and American Legation. Visit Anglican Church of St Andrew's and cemetery and Galerie d`Arte Museum Drissi. Talk: Between seas and sand: seeking Morocco’s many pasts
  • 7 Oct (Sun) Tangier/Fes: Depart Tangier for the royal city of Fes, stopping at the blue city of Chechaouen on the way. Continue to Fes and have dinner in the Riad
  • 8 Oct  (Mon) Fes: Visit the old tanneries of Fes, see the Mausoleum of Zaoula Moulay Ideis and the Maristan Sidi  Frej, a hospital from 1268 to 1944 and now a small souk. Visit the museum of Moroccan art, the Nejjarfine Fountain, Merindes Tombs, the Jewish Quarter and the souks. Talk: Morocco’s multicultural medical history
  • 9 Oct (Tues) Fes: Drive to visit the Roman ruins of Volubilis, known for their fine mosaics. Visit Meknes and see the vast Bab El Mansour gate, the huge granaries, stables, pool and the former Hebrew Thalmud-Thora school and the old French colonial hospital. Return to Fes
  • 10 Oct (Wed) Fes / Rabat: Take the train from Fes to Rabat. Arrive Rabat and visit the impressive Rabat Archaeology Museum. Dinner in the Riad
  • 11 Oct (Thurs) Rabat: Visit the Chellah Necropolis, now  a garden located outside the city walls on the site of the Roman port of Sala Colonia and Mohammed V Mausoleum. After lunch visit the Kasbah of the Oudayas. Tea at Café Maure. Talk: Trade and medicine: spices and other good-for-you foods in the history of the Maghreb
  • 12 Oct (Fri) Rabat / Marrakech: Drive to Marrakech. Visit the medina and souks including Koutoubia Mosque, the largest mosque in Marrakech. Night time visit to atmospheric Djema El Fna Square
  • 13 Oct  (Sat) Marrakech: Visit Majorelle Gardens and Berber Museum. Visit Saadian Tombs. Optional visit to hammam followed for a proper massage and steam bath. Talk: Bathing under the stars: histories of healing waters & Arab astronomy. In the evening visit the Observatoire Astronomie (if clear skies) for views of the moon and stars
  • 14 Oct (Sun) Marrakech: Visit Mamounia's Gardens and stop for a tea or coffee. Visit Ben Youssef Madrassa, one of the largest madrassas in the North Africa. This school, which is attached to the Ben Youssef Mosque, holds beautiful art and architecture. Farewell dinner at the La Maison Arabe’s legendary Les Trois Saveurs restaurant
  • 15 Oct (Mon) Marrakech: Depart to airport

Tour cost

$3,122 per person (ground only not including international flights and airport transfers)