- Morocco Is Located in North Africa – Morocco is an Arab country situated at the African continent’s northern end. It is positioned alongside Tunisia, Libya, Algeria, and Mauritania in the Maghreb area of Northern Africa. The Sahara, the biggest subtropical desert in the world, covers the Maghreb region and extends to the Red Sea in the east. Morocco is quite close to Europe and has benefited from trading with its northern neighbours.
- Casablanca Is Morocco’s Largest City – Although Rabat is recognized as Morocco’s capital, Casablanca remained the largest in the country, as well as the biggest city in Africa’s Maghreb area. Morocco tells us that in 1942, when Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman hit the movie screens in a popular film about the port city, Casablanca flew into the world’s vision. Set on the Atlantic Ocean, Casablanca acts as the Royal Moroccan Navy’s harbor. It is North Africa’s largest port, as well. Due to its beautiful architecture and outstanding shops, Casablanca is a significant urban town and a wonderful tourist destination. Unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to visit Casablanca.
- Morocco’s Citizens Are Predominantly Sunni Muslims.
- Arabic and Berber Are Morocco’s Official Languages – The Berber is a dialect that has Afro-Asiatic origin in North Africa. French is also used by one-third of the people and is part of the school curriculum.
- Famous Moroccan dishes – Moroccan cuisine is very complex, owing to the countless inhabitants who have resided and traveled across Morocco over the centuries. It includes European, Mediterranean, and Berber origins dishes. One of the Moroccan dishes that is most common is the couscous. Another popular Moroccan dish takes its name from the earthenware pot where it is served, the tagine. Pro tip – you can buy tagines from the markets to negotiate for the price. I think tagine makes good souvenirs / deco at home.
- Apparently the Movie Casablanca wasn’t shot in Morocco – Although the film Casablanca was named after Morocco’s biggest city, and the story allegedly occurred there, the film wasn’t filmed in the legendary town. Casablanca was made in Los Angeles and shot mainly at a studio.
- Never decline your guest – Should you be invited to a moroccan home for friendly hospitality. And should your host offer you meat DO NOT DECLINE. Why? Moroccan evidence tells us that meat also occupies a significant part in the bond between host and guest. Refusing meat is considered rude, so if you’re being served meat in Morocco, say yes!
- Marrakech Is Known as The Red City – Indeed I will attest to that! Everywhere you see is red. Owing to the red walls and buildings built with sandstone during the 12th century. Marrakech is Morocco’s fourth biggest city and host to many famous tourist sites and stores. Marrakech, the fourth largest city in Morocco, was founded in the 11th century, somewhere around 1062 A.D.
- Morocco has 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites:- i) Archeological Site Of Volubilis – Although extensively damaged by the massive Great Lisbon Earthquake of 1755, restoration work has involved the partial reconstruction of many of the site’s structures. ii)Historic City Of Meknes – Originally founded in the 11th century, the current city dates back to 1601 A.D. and incorporates 25 mosques, 10 hammams (public baths), as well as numerous palaces, markets, and other historic buildings. The grandeur of the structures and monuments are due to Meknes being one of Morocco’s four imperial cities. The high walls around the city include nine monumental gates, which were some of the most impressive we found in Morocco. iii) Ksar Of Ait-Ben-Haddou – The term ksar refers to a North African fortified village. Ait-Ben-Haddou is situated on what was once one of the most important Saharan trade routes for caravans of over 1,000 camels crossing the inhospitable desert. iv) Medina Of Marrakech – In 1985, Marrakech was awarded the prestigious honor of becoming a UNESCO World Heritage site due to its impressive architecture, ramparts, souks, hammams, and the unique main square, Jemaa El-Fnaa. v) Medina Of Fes – Awarded UNESCO status in 1981, the medina was founded in the 9th century, making it older than Marrakech, and it preserves many traces of the original city. you will find the world’s oldest university (according to Guinness World Records and UNESCO), dating back to 859 A.D. You may find different spellings for this relic in your guidebooks: al-Qarawiyyin or Al-Karaouine. vi) The Portuguese City Of Mazagan (El Jadida). vii) Medina Of Essaouira (formerly called Mogador) – the fortified town has been recognized by UNESCO as an outstanding example of the influence of European design on the military architecture of Northern Africa in the 18th century. viii) The Argan Trees Of Morocco, A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve – Morocco’s argan trees will only grow in this region, and over 1,000 other plants and animals depend on them for survival. Argan oil — the most expensive edible and cosmetic oil on earth — harvested by the local Berbers, provides vital income to the region.
It’s a city declared, at a certain period, as the capital of Morocco. In Morocco, and as a result of several successive dynasties, there are four imperial cities that are rich in history and absolutely worth a visit: Rabat, Fez, Meknes and Marrakech.
Some of the above was researched from a variation of wiki sites to make sure my facts are in line.
Tangier is built on the slopes of a chalky limestone hill. The old town (medina), enclosed by 15th-century ramparts, is dominated by a casbah, the sultan’s palace (now a museum of Moroccan art), and the Great Mosque. European quarters, whose populations have declined considerably since integration with Morocco in 1956, stretch to the south and west. Tangier has been the summer site of the Moroccan royal residence since 1962. An important port and trade centre, the city has excellent road and rail connections with Fès, Meknès, Rabat, and Casablanca, as well as an international airport and regular shipping services to Europe. The building trades, fishing, and textile and carpet manufacturing supplement the city’s vibrant tourist trade.
During the early to mid-20th century, Tangier was periodically under the collective administration of several countries. It was during this time that many Westerners settled there, and the city became a place of great political and artistic ferment. Tangier was famous as a destination of artists and writers from Europe and the United States during the 1950s and ’60s and to a lesser extent in later decades. One of the most famous Moroccan writers to reside and work there was Mohamed Choukri (Muḥammad Shukrī), whose For Bread Alone (1973), the first of three autobiographical works, chronicled coming of age in Tangier.
Anyways, how I travelled to Morocco was through Gibraltar. Since I am based in Asia, usually on my European travels my first base will be London where I break my journey for a couple of days. You know retail therapy and visit family and friends. And on the 3rd day I start my Europe trip. On this occasion, it was via Gibraltar and then to Morocco. So, coming back to Gibraltar to Morocco – there are numerous ferry services that regularly ply between various ports on each coast, not taking more than a few hours to reach an entirely different continent. Some of the major ports on the European coast are Tarifa (Spain) and Gibraltar itself (England). The primary ports on the African coast are in Morocco, of which Tangiers is a destination. The shortest route is Gibraltar-Tangiers that can be completed within 30 mins.
Apparently the Gibraltarians’ weekend getaway is to cross over to Morocco. Here’s a famous monument you’d see when taking the ferry ride from Gibraltar to Morocco.
How to get from Gibraltar to Tangier is either by Bus or Ferry. In my case, I took the Ferry.
The ferry trip from Gibraltar to the Mediterranean port of Tangier in Morocco normally takes place once a week and the crossing duration is 1h 30min. Tickets are approximately €49 and the itinerary is normally scheduled for Sunday afternoons.
Pro Tip: Take your trip to the next level by arranging a return ferry route from Tanger-Med to Andalusia in the south of Spain. Catching the ferry from Tangier-Med to Málaga or Algeciras is a great idea!
Camels can only be found in the Middle East and North of Africa. So in my case, this was in Tangiers of Morocco.
Top 5 places to visit when in Tangier:-
- The Great Mosque
- The Kasbah
- Cape Spartel Beach
- The Caves of Hercules
- Gardens of La Mendoubia
So behind me (pictured) is this gorgeous Grand hotel. Built at the end of the 18th century, the Grand Hotel Villa de France lies in the middle of what was once the prestigious diplomatic quarter of Tangier. This heritage building represents one of the most exclusive hotels in the world. It has hosted royals and celebrities such as His Highness the Duke of Guise, head of the French Royal House and many members of the British aristocracy such as Lord Bute.
The architecture of the Grand Hotel Villa de France, along with its fountains, terraces and gardens, today create a convivial, relaxing atmosphere in one of North Africa’s most magical cities.
Did you know that the best view of the Bay of Tangier can be seen from Room 35, which was once a museum. This is where the great painter Matisse created his famous work ‘Window at Tangier’, better known by its French name ‘Paysage vu d’une fenêtre’. Cool huh?
In 1880, Hassan I of Morocco donated land to the British community in order to build a small Anglican church in Tangier. The resulting church was soon found to have insufficient capacity for the increasing number of worshippers, and a new building was constructed in 1894 which became the Church of Saint Andrew. It was consecrated in 1905. The interior is designed as a fusion of numerous styles, notably Moorish. The belltower, shaped like a minaret, overlooks the adjacent cemetery. Henri Matisse’s painting of 1913, Landscape Viewed from a Window, depicts the church. The church has a number of memorial plaques, including one to commemorate Emily Keene, (1849-1944), Sherifa of Wazzan, who introduced the cholera vaccine to Morocco. She was a British humanitarian who married the Shareef of Ouazzane, a local religious leader. She died in Tangier, and there is a plaque in the western side of the church to commemorate her – her actual grave is in the Wazzan family burial ground in the Marshan district of Tangier overlooking the Strait of Gibraltar. Another memorial commemorates Thomas Kirby-Green, one of the members of the Great Escape who was executed on recapture.
Here’s an interesting fact – there were many famous people who were buried in this church. However, there’s one most notorious, is the tombstone that bears no Christian name, but only reads: “Died February 1963. Missed by all and sundry.” This grave belongs to the legendary London drug lord known simply as “Dean”. He fled to Morocco to evade a string of felonies that included money laundering.
The Caves of Hercules are located at Cape Spartel, the most northwestern point of mainland Africa, just under nine miles (14 kilometers) west of Tangier.
According to the myth, Hercules slept here on his way to steal three golden apples from the Garden of the Hesperides. Stealing the apples, which were believed to confer immortality, was the 11th of the “12 Labors of Hercules”. According tot he ancient writers, the garden was located in a nearby Lixus )the current city of Larache at the Atlantic coast).
Another story goes that the cave is the one end of a 15-mile-long (24 kilometers) tunnel between Morocco and Spain. A popular folktale is that the famous macaque monkeys at the rock of Gibraltar came from Africa this way.
Grand Bazaar in Tangier – A MUST VISIT When In Tangier
The Tangier Souk Grand (Grand Socco) is the commercial centre of the city. Is it the gateway to the medina, and the famous square Place du Grand Socco or 9 avril, linking the media and the new town.
Sidi Bou Abid Mosque, built in 1917, presides over this area and has a minaret with pretty polychrome tiles. It was interesting to walk through the streets, you’ll find it full of slipper shops, spices, bazaars with all kinds of fabrics, food markets, fishmongers, butchers and greengrocers. Our guide told us you may haggle but advised us to be reasonable when going into the shops to haggle with the locals.
The most famous products are spices (especially saffron), the slippers, teapots, pottery and Arabic sweets. The atmosphere is lively and the Moroccans will help you in whatever you need. There are many people on the streets until eleven or twelve at night. Another thing you shouldn’t miss in the Grand Souk is have a mint tea in one of the teahouses. Also their popular fruit smoothies and juices, particularly orange.
Anyone tried any Moroccan delights or tea? I must say it’s amazingly yummy!
So I took the train to Marrakech. It was an overnight train,leaving Tangier at 23:25 & arriving Marrakech 09:01.
The train has an air-conditioned sleeping-car with private single-berth compartments, an air-conditioned 1st class couchette car with shared 4-berth compartments & 2nd class air-conditioned seats cars, see the Tangier-Marrakech overnight train section below.
The fare is 216 dirhams in a 2nd class seat, around 375 dirhams in a shared 1st class 4-berth couchette or from 399 dirhams in advance or 670 dirhams full-price for a private single-berth compartment in the sleeping-car.
My first ever trip to North Africa’s highest mountain range, known by local Berbers as ‘Idraren Draren’ (Mountains of Mountains), and a trekker’s paradise from spring through to autumn. The High Atlas runs diagonally across Morocco for almost 1000km, encircling Marrakesh to the south and east from the Atlantic Coast just north of Agadir to Khenifra in the northeast. Its saw-toothed Jurassic peaks act as a weather barrier between the mild, Mediterranean climate to the north and the encroaching Sahara to the south.
Ourika Valley is a popular day-trip destination from Morocco’s touristic city Marrakech. It sits at the foothills of the mighty Atlas Mountains, and with slightly cooler temperatures and a much more laid-back atmosphere than the frenetic Red City.
In here you will find an old Berber settlement which was the region’s capital in the ninth century. It grew and thrived for many years, only going into decline after the capital was moved to Marrakech in the 1070s. You will stumble upon archaeological remains, imagining what the city must have been like in the past. In most places, only the foundations still stand, but the ruins remain in the surroundings.
I especially liked seeing the camels everywhere walking freely. Such a laid back life I must say.
Having lunch right by the stream seemed a unique experience; surrounded by nature offered beauty from birdsongs to picturesque landscapes all around. You’ll notice colourful plastic chairs all decked up by the River bank kinda unusual lunch date you won’t forget 😊😬
This place actually reminded me of home. We too like going to the river and having picnics with family and friends. However in ourika valley it’s kinda touristy but you must experience the typical Berber food i.e yummy slow cooked food in a tagine and having Moroccan red wine. And Yes! they produce yummy wines. I was so fascinated by the cookware I bought a few miniature ones as decoration hehe 😜
Coming back to Moroccan wine.
Winemaking in this North African nation dates back to Phoenician times, and the tradition continued through the Roman era. The art of enology was lost here in the 7th century due to Islamic bans on alcohol, but French colonization in the 19th and early 20th centuries heralded the return of both winemaking and social drinking.
By the 1950s, Morocco was one of the largest wine exporting countries in the world, but after the country gained independence in 1956, many vineyards were abandoned or plowed over. In the 1990s, King Hassan II appealed to French investors and wine experts to return the industry to its former glory.
Anyone tried Moroccan wine? Do share your most favorite one?
“Not all those who wander are lost.” – J.R.R. Tolkien
Am pictured at this very beautiful cafe in Marrakech called Grand Cafe de la Poste.
Here’s a brief key facts about this Grand Cafe de la Poste:-
After being closed for twelve years, it was taken up in 2005 by a French group who also own the Bo zin in Marrakech, and who launched La Cantine du Faubourg in Dubai and Eugène Eugène in Puteaux just outside Paris.
The challenge was to revive this mythical place, to give it back the cachet and the allure it had at the beginning of the twentieth century. Today, the Grand Café de la Poste proudly overlooks / dominates the Place du 16 November and revives the authentic lively atmosphere of Marrakech.
The Interior design of the Grand Café de la Poste allows visitors to discover the eternal Moroccan style that combines the bistro spirit of the last century, wooden chairs studded in copper, marble countertop, natural leather banquettes, huge black and white checkerboard floor tiles and moulded mirrors worthy of the largest brasseries.
In the evening, the chic brasserie atmosphere becomes more intimate with soft lighting, white table cloths, music with exotic Eastern accents mixed with Jazz tunes.
FOR A THOUSAND YEARS, JEMAA el-Fna has served as a gathering place and market at the heart of Marrakesh. Fortune tellers, snake charmers, poets, and storytellers come to entertain the crowds, helping to create an intoxicating atmosphere whose cultural importance inspired UNESCO to create its “Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.”
Jemaa el-Fna dates back to the founding of Marrakesh by the Almoravids in 1062 and later grew in importance when the Almohads took the city in 1147, renovating the square and the city around it. For almost a thousand years, the square has functioned as a market and gathering place at the heart of the city, where fearsome rulers once held public decapitations to keep their subjects in line.
Once the sun sets, Jemaa el-Fna really comes alive. Restaurants around the square start serving hungry customers as they stroll around the plaza. Berber musicians and Gnaoua dancers begin their nightly performances, acrobats and slapstick comedians start performing all across the square, and henna tattoo artists vie for customers as storytellers, and poets pass on the oral traditions of Morocco.
Jemaa el-Fna’s position as an important place of cultural exchange and artistic heritage was the inspiration for UNESCO’s “Proclamation of Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity” in 2001. When locals and other concerned parties began fighting to protect the traditions of the square in the face of growing economic development pressures, UNESCO got on board. Jemaa el-Fna became the first place to gain Masterpiece status, helping to promote and safeguard its traditions.
Argan oil is extracted from trees that only grow in one particular area of the world, near Morocco’s Atlantic coast. It is renowned in the health and beauty industry for its incredible moisturising properties and has a number of wider uses.
Here are some facts about the pure Moroccan organic Argan oil that you might not have known:-
- Morocco’s climate tends to be hot and dry, especially the Sahara Desert which is a harsh, dry place. The Argan tree is a great beneficial plant for the climate, the oil extracted from the Argan nut can help to counteract the drying effects of the environment on your body.
- The Argan tree is endemic to Morocco and remains one of the rarest oils in the world.
Because of the rarity of Argan oil, Moroccan Argan forests have become a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to try protect and restore the amazing tree of life. The local Berber women tend to these trees and farm them for their kernels to create the amazing oil we know as “Liquid Gold”.
Organic Argan oil is commonly referred to as “Liquid Gold” or “The Gold of Morocco”, and has gained the reputation as a beauty miracle that truly works as part of an effective skin care regimen. It’s completely unique. Argan oil can penetrate the epidermis layer of the skin far easier then most oils, including the famous coconut oil.
1st picture – Traditionally practiced throughout Morocco and originating from the sub-Saharan region, Gnaoua music is a spiritual music at its roots, although popular maâlems (master musicians) are making the music quite mainstream. Headed by a maâlem with a group of musicians and dancers, the beats are repetitive yet lively. Each line or phrase is repeated several times by the maâlem (master musician), with the sound of the instruments intensifying as the dancers move to the unique rhythms, often entering a trance-like state dressed in colorful gowns and caps decorated in cowry shells.
2nd picture – Ahidou A dance of the Middle Atlas Berbers, the ahidou is performed by both men and women. All dancers stand in a circle, and their songs are lyrical and poetic. In addition to their matching blue cloaks with white stripes, the women are adorned with jewelry made of yellow amber beads and skillfully engraved silver. The men wear sleeveless, hooded gowns known as burnooses and have turbans tied on their heads. Some troupe members play tambourine while others sway and clap to the music.
Hôtel du Golf Rotana
Circuit de la Palmeraie, BP 1488
Marrakech, Morocco
If you haven’t heard of the Rotana chain, this is a famous middle eastern chain. It’s just like a typical 5 star rated hotel with posh rooms, amenities, food & experience. I only stayed here due to the fact that it was our last stop here before heading back home. As you know, our journey back home is always very tiring since it’s all the way back to Asia. About a 13+ hours flight back. And we usually spend more days at the last stop. Having a nicer hotel experience always makes it a little less tiring.
There you go… my Moroccan experience trip during Winter in 2013. I hope this helps you a little when deciding / planning for your trip. Do share your best visits you’ve seen in Morocco. I’d love to hear.
