20 reasons to visit Morocco

🌟 Discover Morocco’s Hidden Gems: Boutique Retreats, Desert Adventures & Mountain Escapes

Morocco is a land of contrasts—where ancient traditions meet modern luxury, and vibrant cities blend seamlessly with serene landscapes. Whether you're seeking a tranquil mountain retreat, an exhilarating desert adventure, or a cultural city escape, Morocco offers something for every traveler. Here's a curated guide to some of the country's most exciting new experiences and destinations.


🏙️ Urban Escapes: Cities with Character

Casablanca
Known for its Art Deco architecture, Casablanca is emerging as a chic destination. Architectural enthusiasts will appreciate the 1930s Cathedrale Sacre-Coeur and the palm-lined Boulevard d'Anfa. For a unique stay, consider Jnane Sherazade, a villa-turned-boutique hotel featuring a garden and its own hammam.

Fez
As Morocco's spiritual and cultural hub, Fez boasts a labyrinthine medina filled with palaces, mosques, and madrasas. Stay at Dar Seffarine, a 600-year-old guesthouse offering a sociable atmosphere and a stunning roof terrace.

Marrakesh
The Angsana Riads Collection, owned by Asia's luxury Banyan Tree Group, has expanded with Riad Zaouia. This new addition brings the total number of riads to eight, offering Arabian Nights evenings with Moroccan buffets and entertainment.

Tangier
Once a haven for artists and writers, Tangier is undergoing a transformation into a chic destination. With boutique hotels like Dar Jameel and Hotel Nord-Pinus Tanger, the city offers a blend of old-world charm and modern luxury. Visit in late May for the Tangier Jazz Festival, featuring regional and international artists.

🏞️ Mountain Retreats: Serenity in the High Atlas

Kasbah Tamadot
Sir Richard Branson's retreat in the Atlas Mountains has added six luxurious Berber tented suites with private plunge pools. Set on a hillside, the complex features winding paths, open courtyards, indoor and outdoor pools, tennis courts, a spa, and the Kanoun restaurant with a rooftop terrace for dining under the stars.

Kasbah Bab Ourika
Opening in December, this new hotel on a hilltop in the Ourika Valley offers 360-degree views over the Atlas Mountains and traditional villages below. Built in Berber style, it features solar panels, organic locally sourced food, and plans for community projects in nearby schools and villages.

Ouirgane
Intrepid Travel's new Atlas Mountain Retreat offers a five-day trip staying in the Berber village of Ouirgane. Experience the simple way of life, explore the terrain with a local guide, enjoy traditional Moroccan cuisine, and unwind with a scrub and massage in the local hammam.

🏜️ Desert Adventures: Into the Sahara

Camel Trekking
Embark on a three-day, camel-supported trek into the remote Sahara with Explore's Moroccan Desert Adventure. Walk five hours a day, enjoy Berber cuisine, and sleep in tents or under the stars. The trip also includes a night in an auberge at Zagora and time in Ouarzazate, known as "Ozzywood" for its film studios.

Draa Valley
KE Adventure's 'Petits Caravanniers' trip offers a bilingual family trekking holiday, allowing children to brush up on their French language skills. Explore the Draa Valley with camels carrying equipment and tired children, camping by night and walking during the day.

La Pause
For a desert experience within easy reach of Marrakesh, La Pause offers Berber tents and traditionally-built mud and straw huts. The camp is lit by lanterns and candles, and activities include horse and camel riding, mountain biking, and desert golf.


🌊 Coastal Retreats: Seaside Serenity

Oualidia
This coastal town is home to La Sultana, a sand-colored palace built on the shore of a lagoon. The hotel features private hot tubs, an infinity pool, and a spa. Guests can enjoy oysters, the region's specialty, and a view of the hotel's private pier stretching out into the lagoon.

Taghazout
A laid-back fishing village near Agadir, Taghazout has been a surfing destination since the late 1960s. Surf Berbere is a British-run surf school with accommodation near Hash Point, one of the best point breaks in North Africa. In January and February, guests can swap their wetsuits for skis and head to Oukmedian for a couple of days' skiing.


đźš‚ Cultural Journeys: Exploring Morocco's Heritage

Train to AndalucĂ­a

Ramblers Worldwide offers a train tour from Marrakesh to AndalucĂ­a, exploring Morocco's influence on Europe. The tour includes stops in Casablanca, Rabat, Tangier, and a ferry to Algeciras, followed by train journeys to Ronda, Granada, and CĂłrdoba.

Fly-Drive Discovery

Simpson Travel offers a tailor-made fly-drive touring holiday to some of Morocco's off-the-beaten-track gems. The 14-night Imperial Cities itinerary includes visits to Rabat, Fez, Erfound, Merzouga, Tinerhir, Ouarzazate, and Marrakesh, with stays in desert bivouacs and visits to Roman ruins.


Whether you're seeking adventure, relaxation, or cultural immersion, Morocco's diverse landscapes and experiences offer something for every traveler. From the bustling streets of its cities to the tranquil retreats in the mountains and deserts, Morocco invites you to explore its rich heritage and natural beauty.

How to: Make an Authentic Berber Tajine

History of an american woman who learned to cock a traditionel moroccan food :) !!!


It’s safe to say that the only meal I’ve made more than tajine is pasta. But, my love for both has yet to run dry and I’ll never turn down the chance to learn more and have fun in a cooking class. While some people never grow tired of shopping, I never grow tired of cooking. Last month I popped into Riad Quara in Marrakech to test drive their cooking course.


 I had no idea what was on the menu or whether I’d be alone or joined by others but I was up for anything. As luck would have it two French gentlemen who were guests of the riad joined in and the three of us were soon donning aprons, knives in hand, ready to dig in. What made the experience even more fun was our conversations. Our cooking instructor spoke Darija (Moroccan Arabic) and French, while I speak English and Darija, and the French gentlemen French and English. Hayat, who owns the riad often plays English translator but in our case I let her know to go take care of her other guests and I’d get by in Darija.


We each had our own work stations on the beautiful roof space and all of the ingredients were laid out. First up was our tajine. As we were each making individual sizes it came together quickly however, it was clear that the two guys may not have had as much practice in the kitchen as we two ladies. Our instructor was good at waiting until everyone was ready to go on but letting us work ahead when someone fell behind.

We cooked our tajines the traditional way, over charcoal. As soon as they were beginning to sizzle away it was time to prepare our salads. The traditional and simple salade Marocaine was on the menu. We followed this up with a seasonal dessert of orange rounds with cinnamon, sugar, and mint.

While we waited for the food to finish cooking we had a quick lesson on how Moroccan tea is made. This was the first time I’d actually had someone teaching walk students through all of the steps to traditionally prepare tea. The result is in the taste!



A little over an hour after setting our tajines on the coals they were ready to be eaten. We sat down at the now cleaned up table and were presented our three courses along with fresh bread. Hayat and I showed the guys how to “eat like a Moroccan,” though in the end they stuck with forks.

I enjoyed every bite and licked my fingers clean!

Source:
http://marocmama.com/travel-2/morocco-travel-2

The Beauty Of Marrakech

Whatch The Beauty Of Marrakech in this amazing video


Morocco in Pictures


                                                             
                                                     CHEFCHAOUEN hotel

                                                           CHEFCHAOUEN hotel 2

                                                          3 CHEFCHAOUEN hotel

                                                 CHEFCHAOUEN  traditional house

                                                      CHEFCHAOUEN street art

                                                       CHEFCHAOUEN old medina

                                                  CHEFCHAOUEN old medina



                                                                  MERZOUGA

                                                             MERZOUGA desert

                                                           MERZOUGA vally berber

                                                           MERZOUGA berber vally


                                                                    DAKHLA:

                                                                  DAKHLA ocean

                                                                       DAKHLA ocean

                                                          DAKHLA ocean beatch

                                                                  DAKHLA beatch


                                                                     TRFAYA:

                                                       TRFAYA city center

                                                                     TRFAYA beatch


                                                                   ESSAOUIRA:

                                                                 ESSAOUIRA hostel

                                                               ESSAOUIRA old medina

                                                                  ESSAOUIRA port

                                                                  ESSAOUIRA port

                                                               ESSAOUIRA restaurent

                                                                    ESSAOUIRA port



                                                                 OUARZAZAT:

                                                           OUARZAZAT berber palace




Agadir in pictures

                                                           the outskirts of agadir

                                                           the great mosque of agadir

                                                                         Agadir

                                                                      Agadir

                                                                       Windsurf

                                                                       Agadir

                                                                   


The best places to visit in Marrakech

Here are some of my favorite places:

Le Grand Balcon Cafe
: The service isn't five star, but the view over both sides of the square propels it to the top of the list

Pearl hotel:  has a rooftop terrace with a panoramic view over the city and the Atlas Mountains.

Palmeraie Circuit: This riverside road to the north of the city is another good place for sunsets, this time with silhouetted palm trees in the foreground.

The old medina: Best appreciated without a map since getting lost in the labyrinthine backstreets of Marrakech is the best way to escape tourist traps.

Place of the Seven Saints: Still largely unknown by tourists, these seven towers, each topped by a tree, were built in 2005 in honor of Marrakech's seven patron saints.

Photo secrets of Marrakech: How to shoot the Red City

Major new museum of Marrakech
                                         The Marrakech Museum for Photography and Visual Art
Once a haven for painters seduced by its rich colors, Marrakech is back on track to become a world-leading destination for photographers thanks to the arrival of a major new museum.
Major photography museum on the way
The city's photography scene is likely to explode over the next few years as it prepares for the 2016 arrival of the Marrakech Museum for Photography and Visual Arts.
The museum already has a temporary home inside the ancient walls of Marrakech's el Badi Palace and has hosted exhibitions including one by five photographers from the Magnum agency: Mikhael Subotzky, Jim Goldberg, Susan Meiselas, Abbas and Mark Power.
Small is best
The bigger the equipment is, the more noticeable the photographer.
Walking through narrow streets of the old medina with a bulky professional camera, a tripod and a bag full of lenses is the easiest way to spook potential subjects.
Modern compact cameras are lighter, more discreet and can often do a better job with street photography.
Being bold gets results
Then I just wait for this perfect moment when they forget I'm there and get the photograph I want without disturbing anyone.In Marrakech, I sometimes ask people for permission to take their photo, explaining that it's more an artistic approach than a journalistic one.
So does staying hidden
The complete opposite of the previous tip, but sometimes stolen moments are the most natural and the best.
It's not always possible to avoid being spotted by the people being photographed, but a polite attitude and a smile can work wonders.
Follow the light
In addition to Marrakech's countless attractions, weather is one of the main reasons tourists visit the Red City -- and it's definitely a plus for photographers.
There are clear skies almost daily, meaning that when the sun is at its zenith, walks through the alleys of the old medina will be beautifully lit.
Not to mention the sunsets.
The best spots
Whether the subject is a person a group or beautiful landscape, location is everything.
It's easy to get close to people in the main square, Jemaa el Fna, but photographers shouldn't be surprised if they get asked for money in exchange of their masterpiece -- this mostly applies to snake charmers and monkey trainers.
The rooftops of cafes and restaurants surrounding this square offer commanding views of the marketplace and glorious sunsets.
And finally ...
One note of caution: taking photographs of government buildings is forbidden and can result in arrest.

article source: http://edition.cnn.com/

Morocco is one of the best 10 turistic destinations in 2014


Morocco is one of the best 10 turistic destinations classificated by the Forbes ( American magazine), Discover why in this video.

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