TRAVEL TO MOROCCO

Separated from Europe only by the straits of Gibraltar, Morocco is separated from Europe only by 14 km, the fact that ensure they are similar in several things. The country has a very rich culture and landscape: cities and lively souks where vibrant colors get mingled, spices’ scent, magnificent mosques, pretty and attractive seaside villages, snowy summits in the High Atlas and an enormous desert in the Sahara…Morocco is a spoiled country!
It is the most westerly country of the Maghreb, which share an Atlantic and a Mediterranean coast, the kingdom of Morocco is a tourist destination which attract people from all over the world.

Morocco, culture and traditions

The most represented religion in Morocco is Islam. It is the official religion, however; it coexists particularly with Judaism and Christianity. The day is punctuated by five calls to prayer. The religious life follows the Muslim calendar which start in 622, when Muhammad (the messenger of Allah) left Mecca to settle in Medina. Unlike the religious life, the civilian one is set to the Gregorian calendar. As opposed to their Muslim countries, the weekend includes Saturday and Sunday, and Friday is not a holiday.

Climate and geography

Morocco’s climate is divided into two distinct climates: Mediterranean and Atlantic. If you imagine Morocco as a country of dunes, desert you will be surprised, Regions along the coasts are particularly green and adapted to any sorts of cultures. Winters are mild and wet while summers are hot and dry.

The climate varies in the regions which are far away from the coast according to altitude. It can get very hot as it can get very cold. Morocco is a pre-Saharan country, in which temperatures can exceed 40 degrees during the day.

Cooking (Kitchen) and culinary specialties in Morocco

Our Morocco DMC offers gastronomic tours to discover Moroccan cuisine that is renowned for the different dishes with different flavor, Mediterranean, African and Arab. The most famous dishes are of course Couscous and Tajine, with meat and vegetables simmered for hours in a clay pot. Restaurants offer dozens of variations, Chicken Tajine (dish)with lemon and olives, Lamb or beef with honey, fish or shrimp in a spicy tomato sauce.

A popular Berber contribution to Moroccan cuisine is the Kaliya, a mixture of lamb, tomatoes, peppers and onions served with couscous or bread. Moroccans often choose to start their meals with a bowl of Harira (Moroccan soup), a delicious soup made from lentils, chickpeas, lamb broth, tomatoes and vegetables, the soups also serve breakfasts, Bissara, a thick soup made from split peas and olive oil that can be found in the morning near markets.

Unfortunately as a tourist, especially if you have a limited budget, you will have the choice between a handful of dishes that seem to have a monopoly on restaurant menus…Outside the big cities, you will find few Moroccan restaurants, Moroccans usually do not eat at the restaurant but at home, your choice is limited to the restaurants of international cuisine.

Hotels in Morocco: the corners where to sleep

The hotel facilities are important in Morocco. The stays usually include breakfast, and many include full board. Do not miss to stay in a traditional inn outsides the cities, Kasbah, a house built of unbaked clay. In general, the reception is excellent and the prices are very reasonable. In the desert, many operators will offer you to stay in traditional nomadic tents.

In tourist cities, the médina (old city) shelters small charming hotels installed in an old renovated traditional houses, Riads, they often have a nice garden (patio) as well as a terrace on the roof.

Where to go in Morocco?

Although Morocco is a predominantly Muslim country, it is possible to find alcohol in hotel restaurants, liquor stores reserved for foreigners as well as in bars.

Top tourist places in Morocco :

Draa Valley in Ouarzazate:

The Oued Draa which extends Taourirt to the gates of the desert gave birth to a huge oasis and palms.

Djemaa El Fna:

Djema-el-Fna square, which is located in the heart of the Medina, is both the geographical center of Marrakech and place of unavoidable socio-cultural meeting of the city.

Marrakech souks:

While visiting Marrakech, a ride to the souks is required.Whether you are looking for a bargain or simply for pleasure, do not miss such visit.

Aït Ben-Haddou:

Ait Ben Haddou is a Ksar, a fortified Pre-saharan city in the south of Morocco, in the path of the ancient caravan route.

Dades valley in Ouarzazate :

Dades valley is worth seeing place! Starting from the latter, Visitors follow the N10 road on more than 150 kilometers before reaching the gorge.

Marrakech Medina:

The medina of Marrakech is one of the emblematic places of the city. The medina is where to spend a good time and have an authentic joy and pleasure.

The Koutoubia in Marrakech:

Undoubtedly, it is the most essential religious building in Marrakech. It is the main direction of Moroccans.

The Saadian tombs in Marrakech:

Step into the Saadian tombs, and discover a rich history and attractive ornaments! They were founded in the 16th century […]

The Ourika Valley in Marrakech:

The Ourika valley is just 30 kilometers far away from Marrakech. It is a direction that will help tourist to escape from the crowd of the city.

The city of Fez:

Often referred to as the cultural capital of the kingdom, Fez seduce tourists with its architectural, historical and intellectual heritage!

Ait Benhaddou in Ouarzazate:

Ait Benhaddou is a small village between the High Atlas and the town of Ouarzazate. It is known for its Ksar, unlike Kesbah, Ksar is a set of houses, in an architectural style.

The Medina in Casablanca:

If you want to travel back in time, the historic heart of the city and the origins of the city are hiding in the old medina of Casablanca.Following the earthquake of Lisbon in 1755.

The souks in Essaouira:

We never get tired while touring in souks, it is really treasures of handicrafts and local food…In essaouira, Souk Jdid offers different kinds of products.

The port – Essaouira:

Essaouira is a maritime city, there is nothing than visiting the harbor and enjoy the charms of its beach! Essaouira port is the second center of the city after the Medina.

Mausoleum of Mohammed V:

It is located at the end of the esplanade of the Hassan Tower, it is one of the most beautiful monuments of Rabat.It offers a magnificent view overlooking the mouth of the Bouregreg and the district of Hassan Tower.

lmouzzer Ida Outanane in Agadir:

It is a small village located about sixty kilometers from Agadir going up north. This village is mainly inhabited by Berbers (Moroccan ethnicity).

Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca:

It is the major monument of the city. It is the largest mosque in Morocco and Africa and the 7^th largest in the world, and its minaret is the world’s tallest at 210 meters. The mosque stands on a promontory looking out to the Atlantic Ocean.

The Hassan Tower in Rabat:

It is all that remains of a mosque that was meant the largest religious building in its time. Today,it is considered by many as the symbol of Rabat.

The Mamounia :

Hotel Mamounia is famous for its history and its legend, and it is the oldest hotel in the city. it was erected in 1923.

Ramparts in Marrakech:

It is one of the historical monuments of the city, the length of the walls is 19 kilometers interspersed with 22 gates.

The main events in Morocco :

Do not miss the crafts festival in Zagora in May, a city at the gates of the Moroccan Sahara Desert. Artisans from all Moroccan regions gather there to show their products : wood carving, silver jewelery, hand woven silks, hammocks, embroidery, and pottery. During the same period, Kelaat M’gouna, which is a small city near Ouarzazate, held the rose festival, where folk dances, songs and local craft shows took place.

Also in May; another interesting festival is the Honey Festival in the Agadir region, where you can explore the largest Argana collective apiary in the world. In October, the horse festival takes place in Tissa, near Fez city, where hundreds of horsemen dressed in their finest clothes gather to present their horses.  In September, another festival dedicated to horses is held in Meknes.