| A pleasant culture shock awaits you as
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| | boasts 300 days of sunshine and a huge
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| you arrive in Morocco. It is as
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| | supply of hotel beds, reputedly a quarter
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| culturally rich as it is geographically
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| | of the total in Morocco.
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| diverse and cannot fail to impress.
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| | Rabat
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| Visiting some of its towns and villages
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| | Morocco's capital city is
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| and experiencing the generosity of its
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| | characteristically modern with wide,
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| people will leave you hooked, as I was,
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| | conservative boulevards, gardens and
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| by the Arabic experience.
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| | large blocks of flats. The king lives
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| Fez
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| | here in a beautiful palace surrounded by
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| Fez is the bustling cultural and
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| | trees and flowers.
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| spiritual centre of Morocco.
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| | Despite having a rich history dating back
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| The main attraction is the Medieval
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| | to 7th century, Rabat is a far cry from
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| Medina in the colourful old city, which
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| | the hectic backstreets of Fez and
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| has been continuously inhabited since the
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| | Marrakech. However the old part of the
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| 10th century. It is busy with
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| | city has a Medina and a Kasbah.
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| traditionally dressed Moroccans, and rich
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| | Rabat is located on the Atlantic coastal
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| with the noise of buying and selling,
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| | plain, opposite its twin city of Sale,
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| veiled women going about their work and
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| | and it is near some beautiful sandy
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| bell-ringing water sellers.
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| | beaches.
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| A guided tour is the easiest way to
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| | Rabat's Dar Es Salaam Golf Course is
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| tackle the buzzing hive that is
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| | world-renowned.
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| traditional Fez, but if you are brave,
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| | Kasbah des Oudaïas: A Kasbah is a
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| you can negotiate the tiny alleyways, too
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| | "village within a city" and is a good
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| narrow for cars whilst risking getting
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| | place to take in the sights of the city.
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| lost and then haggling with a local to be
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| | It is guarded by the impressive arched
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| guided back out!
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| | gate built in 1195. The Palace and
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| The Tanneries: A visit to the souks will
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| | Andalucian gardens and the terrace gives
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| lead to a visit to Fez's famous
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| | beautiful views from the Kasbah mosque,
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| tanneries, where one of the oldest arts
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| | over the river and sea. The Palace Museum
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| in the world is practiced to produce the
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| | and gardens date back to the 17th
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| soft leather do characteristic of
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| | century. The museum houses Moroccan art
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| Morocco.
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| | such as Berber jewellery, costumes and
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| You'll need a strong stomach for the
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| | carpets.
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| smells given off during curing, while you
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| | Citadel of Chellah: Located in the new
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| look down on the fascinating tanners'
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| | town of Rabat, the ruins of Chellah, once
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| yard and its impressive vats of different
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| | a Roman port, provide interesting
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| coloured dyes and piles of skins. Open
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| | sightseeing. Just inside the gate are
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| 9-6, admission free.
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| | Roman ruins dating from 200 BC, which
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| View Point: The best vantage point over
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| | includes a forum, a temple and a
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| the ancient walled city is from the
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| | craftsmens' quarter.
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| ruined Merenid Tombs on a hilltop to the
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| | Hassan Mosque: You will see the towering
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| east of the city. From here you can see
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| | 50 metre minaret of the Hassan Mosque
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| the skyline with its profusion of
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| | from many parts of the city. Each façade
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| satellite dishes, and a general mass of
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| | of the minaret is intricately patterned
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| palaces, green-roofed holy places, the
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| | with different motifs on each face.
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| tanneries, as well as the adjacent
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| | Mausoleum of Mohammed V: The mausoleum
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| Karaouine Mosque.
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| | was inaugurated in 1967. Located opposite
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| Moulay Idriss ll: In the depths of the
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| | the Hassan Mosque, it is one of the great
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| old city sits the shrine that houses the
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| | monuments of modern Morocco. The deceased
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| remains of the founder of the city of
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| | king lies in a white onyx tomb,
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| Fez, Moulay Idriss II. It is one of the
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| | surrounded by royal guards, while and
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| holiest buildings in the city.
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| | hundreds of Moroccans pay homage each
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| Non-Muslims may not enter, but you can
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| | day.
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| glimpse inside to see the saint's tomb,
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| | The Medina: This medina was created by
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| which is receives constant devotional
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| | Muslim Andalucian refugees from Badajoz,
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| visits from groups of women who burn
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| | Spain. It was essentially the first
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| candles and incense.
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| | "seed" of the city until the arrival of
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| Marrakech
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| | the French in 1912 who began creating the
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| Walking through the alleyways and souks
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| | new town.
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| of Marrakech, particularly in the Medina
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| | Archeology Museum: Here you can find a
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| of the old city, it is easy to believe
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| | collection of Roman bronze figures,
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| you have been transported back in time to
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| | dating from the first and second
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| the "Arabian Nights".
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| | centuries and recovered from Volubilis.
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| It is this enchanting mood that brings
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| | Also other artifacts from Phoenician,
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| thousands of sightseers to the most
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| | Carthagian and Roman settlements
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| visited of Moroccan cities.
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| | throughout Morocco are to be viewed here.
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| The Medina is characterized by much
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| | Open 9.00-11.30 and 2.30-5.30, closed
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| noise, hustle and bustle with tradesmen
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| | Tuesdays.
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| and craftsmen going about their daily
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| | Around Rabat
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| tasks of cloth dying, copper beating or
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| | Volubilis: Located between Rabat and Fez,
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| leather working, as well as herbalists,
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| | it was built on top of a previous
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| perfumers and slipper makers.
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| | Carthaginian city and dates back to
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| Snow-covered peaks of the High Atlas
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| | around the 3rd century BC, being a centre
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| Mountains form a beautiful backdrop for
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| | of Roman administration in Africa.
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| the city, although they are often hidden
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| | Volubilis was inhabited until the 18th
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| by the heat haze.
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| | century, when it was carelessly
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| Djemaa el-Fna: In the heart of the
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| | demolished to provide building materials
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| Medina. It is an irregular 'square' and a
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| | for the palaces of Moulay Ismail in
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| hub of action where tourists flock to
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| | Meknes. This meant a great deal of
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| soak up the busy atmosphere. Tourism,
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| | Morocco's Roman architectural heritage
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| though, has not spoilt, but rather added
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| | was lost. However, today the ruins
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| to the complete picture.
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| | include some well-preserved columns, a
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| Marrakesh has a modern side with its
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| | basilica, a triumphal arch and about 30
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| luxury hotels, banks and streets bursting
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| | high beautiful mosaics.
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| with motor scooters, while it blends
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| | Casablanca: This is a huge, busy European
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| effortlessly with the past of the old
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| | style port city and has attracted much
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| city.
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| | immigration from the Moroccan
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| Marrakech was founded in 1062 by Youssef
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| | countryside. People are modern with
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| bin Tachfine of the Almoravide dynasty,
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| | little sign of traditional dress or
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| and his son perfected the city by
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| | modesty. The old town is small but
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| bringing in architects and Andalucian
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| | similar to all the other bazaars found in
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| craftsmen from Córdoba to build palaces,
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| | Morocco. The impressive Hassan ll Mosque
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| baths, mosques and a subterranean water
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| | is the 3rd largest religious monument in
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| system. The city walls were raised from
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| | the World, with fantastic views over the
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| the red mud from the plains.
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| | Atlantic Ocean.
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| Horse drawn carriages: Known as
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| | Temara: Lies on the coast, some 13Km from
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| calèches, are one of the best ways to
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| | Rabat. It is a favourite weekend spot for
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| view the city when you are not on foot
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| | city dwellers. Temara has a sandy beach,
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| exploring in the Medina.
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| | along with many hotels, nightclubs,
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| Koutoubia Mosque: This is the city's main
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| | restaurants, a zoo and other leisure
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| landmark and the 69 metre high minaret
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| | facilities to entertain visitors.
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| towers over the labyrinth of streets and
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| | Tangier
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| markets in the Medina. The red stone
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| | Tangier was once a playground for the
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| mosque was first built in 1147 but it was
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| | rich and famous seeking a fashionable
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| knocked down and rebuilt in 1199 because
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| | café culture as well as a tax haven.
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| it was had not been built correctly
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| | When Spain relinquished Tangier back to
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| aligned with Mecca. The mosque is large
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| | Morocco in 1960, its duty-free status
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| enough for thousands to pray in.
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| | went with it, along with the fashionable
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| Djemaa el-Fna: This large town square
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| | crowd. The decayed grandeur of today
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| translated as "Square fo the Dead". The
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| | still has much to offer and slowly
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| square offers a colourful scene and is a
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| | Tangier is regaining its splendor as an
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| magnet performing artists, snake
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| | attractive tourist destination.
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| charmers, musicians, storytellers and
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| | Grand Socco: Socco means Souk in Spanish
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| healers, all vying for attention. Passing
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| | and it is named so due to its Spanish
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| tradesmen offer anything from boiled
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| | heritage. A Souk is a market to us and is
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| snails, vegetable soup and kebabs to
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| | an interesting place to watch passing Rif
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| fresh orange juice. There are many cafés
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| | people in colourful costumes selling
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| here from which to watch the busy scene,
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| | vegetables and fresh mint. It begins at a
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| and from where you may then visit the
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| | busting square and the medina is entered
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| souks to find some shade from the searing
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| | from the square, through a large arched
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| Moroccan sun.
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| | entrance.
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| Dar Si Saïd Museum: The Museum is housed
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| | American Lagation Museum: is located in
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| in a palace on the Riad Ezzitoun El Jadid
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| | the middle of the medina. It is an
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| and shows the arts, crafts and culture of
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| | American cultural centre, museum and
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| the Berber people, including displays of
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| | conference venue, as well as a library.
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| some Moorish cedar wood furniture,
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| | The museum is housed in the American
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| elaborate door and window frames and
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| | Embassy, built in 1777 when Morocco
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| artefacts from every day life in the
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| | became the first power to recognize the
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| Sahara desert. Open 8.30-11.45 and
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| | USA as an independent country!
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| 2.30-5.45 except Tuesdays. Admission Dh20
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| | Kasbah: dates back to the 17th century
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| Saadian Tombs: Built in the late 16th
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| | and it is interesting to wonder through
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| century, this beautiful necropolis has 66
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| | its little alleyways, patios and hidden
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| lavishly decorated indoor tombs. The
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| | terraces. The Kasbah Mosque boasts an
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| central mausoleum has a high vaulted roof
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| | unusual octagonal minaret.
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| which is exceptionally ornate, including
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| | Sultan's Gardens, Rue Riad Sultan, just
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| carved cedar panels and Italian marble
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| | north of the Kasbah Mosque, are a
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| columns. Open 9.00-11.45 and 2.30-5.50
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| | pleasant place to visit and watch the
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| except Tuesdays. Admission Dh15
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| | local craftsmen at work while sipping
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| Around Marrakesh
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| | mint tea and enjoying views across the
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| Oukaimeden: A ski resort in the desert
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| | Straits of Gibraltar to Tarifa on the
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| with camels instead of ski lifts! Yes,
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| | Spanish coast, only 14.5 Km away.
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| thick snow envelops the Jabal Oukaimeden
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| | Dar el Makhzen: This is a 17th century
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| mountain peak during the winter months
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| | palace containing and impressive
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| (usually January and February) and it is
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| | collection of art from all regions of
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| just a 46-mile (74km) drive from
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| | Morocco.
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| Marrakech. The town can be reached by
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| | Forbes Museum: This is located in the
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| taxi or car and is well equipped for
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| | Marshan Villa district, about 20 minutes
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| skiers seeking restaurants, ski equipment
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| | walk from the medina. The museum is the
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| hire, and comfortable hotels within a
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| | former palace of United States
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| stunning alpine setting.
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| | multi-millionaire and media magnate,
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| Ouirgane: A village in the foothills of
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| | Malcolm Forbes. The house is open to the
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| the Atlas Mountains about 1 ½ hour's
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| | public and houses Forbes' collection of
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| drive from Marrakesh. It is a popular
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| | 8,000 miniature soldiers!
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| place to visit, where summers are cooler
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| | Chefchaouen
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| and winters are less harsh. The Berber
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| | Chefchaouen was first settled by Spanish
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| villages are enchanting whilst set in
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| | Muslim refugees in the middle-ages and
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| forests with wild flowers, including the
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| | has retained its distinctive Spanish
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| famous rose gardens, fruit trees and
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| | character. It is just an hour's drive
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| streams cascading from the High Atlas.
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| | from Tangier in the Rif mountains.
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| Essaouira: This popular resort town dates
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| | The medina is beautiful and bustling with
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| from the 18th century, and is easily
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| | craftsmen working diligently and
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| reached by bus from Marrakech. The town
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| | tradesmen selling the usual fare of
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| is surrounded by a fortified wall and
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| | carpets, leather goods, pottery and
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| faces the sea. The beach is a wide,
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| | copper utensils. The Great Mosque, in the
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| stunning stretch with pretty whitewashed
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| | middle of the medina dates to the 17th
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| houses, boat-builders' workshops and art
| |
| | century sits on a picturesque square with
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| galleries. Visitors come for the
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| | restaurants and cafes.
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| laid-back atmosphere and the high wind
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| | Asilah
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| that makes it a very popular centre for
| |
| | Located south of Tangier, Asilah is a
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| wind- and kite-surfing.
| |
| | very poplular seaside resort, famous for
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| Essaouira is also famous for its wood
| |
| | its nearby Paradise Beach. Paradise Beach
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| carving tradition, mainly using local,
| |
| | is a short taxi or a fun horse and cart
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| fragrant Thuya wood. The harbour is a
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| | ride from the village and is famous for
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| hive of activity at all times,
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| | its enormous expanse of unspoilt white,
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| particularly during the daily fish
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| | sandy beach.
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| auction, attracting as many onlookers as
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| | Despite growing numbers of visitors,
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| buyers and sellers.
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| | Asilah has retained its relaxing
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| Agadir: Is a major seaside resort south
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| | atmosphere. Asilah is known as the
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| of Marrakech. It is new and modern with
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| | Artists' Village and here you can find
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| magnificent sandy beaches. Its "newness"
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| | many locally painted canvases adorning
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| is largely due to an uncharacteristic
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| | the souks of its 15th century medina. The
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| earthquake that shook the town in 1961,
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| | town is small enough to explore on foot
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| and it has now been re-modelled as a
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| | or by donkey cart and is renowned for its
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| popular package holiday destination as
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| | great seafood restaurants.
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| well as a major fishing port. Agadir
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| |
|
