Morocco

Morocco is a country filled with natural beauty, tradition, fascinating culture and exceptional historical places to explore. The landscape is astounding and varies from the Sahara desert, mountain ranges and seaside towns.

The first thought that comes to mind when thinking about Morocco, is that this is a country living in an age long forgotten, with absolutely no freedom, or rights to women. Sadly, being a majority of Islam does mean females have virtually no rights. If you can get past this prejudice there is a country and culture filled with history, inspiration and contrasts waiting to be discovered.

People and culture

The people of Morocco are as previously mentioned a majority of Islam religion. They are hard working people with little to none earthly possessions. The rural population is very poor, planting crops or keeping livestock just to keep them from starvation.

The people are generally friendly and hospitable, unless confronted with hostility or anger. It is advised not to take any pictures of them without asking for permission before the time. Being surrounded by these uncomplicated people gives you a sense of timelessness, of being captured in history.

Accommodation

Although filled with old time charm and a poor community, Morocco has very good five star accommodations that can compete with the best in the world.

If you however like to feel more in touch with your surroundings, like to live closer to the heart beat of the country, opt for a Riadss

This is a traditional house that is converted to a small hotel or guesthouse. It is mostly situated in the older districts that are saturated with culture and history.

Attractions

The mountain ranges offer a variety of snow skiing, hiking, climbing or adventure travel. Ouka’meden resort is a casual resort that is open between February and April for skiing. It offers a variety of courses, from classes for beginners to the more advanced. You can also discover what Rincon de La Vieja National Park can offer here.

The coastal towns and their beaches bring to mind careless holidays as a child, living each day as if it is the last and enjoying every moment. It looks like the typical seaside holiday with whitewashed houses set against the blue ocean.

Assilah is an ideal little village for fishing, while Plage Quemada and Lalla Fatma have beautiful beaches for swimming and enjoying the tranquil serenity of a small town.

Windsurfing is another sport that can be enjoyed by adventure seekers. Conditions at Agadir and Esaouire are ideal for this extreme sport.

A great way to explore the natural beauty of Morocco, especially the mountain ranges, is to join an organized trek. If you have courage, a camel trek is recommended. It is great fun to see the world from a different angle, but I would not advise a trek longer than a day if camel riding is not something that you are used to.

Morocco’s cultural side is well covered by art galleries, heritage sites, mosques, museums and palaces. Visit the ancient cities of Assilah, Arottoes of Hercules and El Bahia Palace.

The museums have artefacts such as ancient manuscripts, gorgeous carpets and rugs similar to those vintage turkish rugs, extraordinary jewels and intricate pottery.

No visit to Morocco will be complete without a visit to the souks. These are little markets found all over Morocco with colourful exhibitions of hand made goods at reasonable prices. These are great for souvenirs or just to experience the true Morocco and its people. A market like this is Djemoa el fna in Marrakesh. You will be entertained and delighted by storytellers, musicians, snake charmers and acrobats while you mingle with the locals.

Conclusion

These are just a few highlights to mention. The true spirit of Morocco can only be experienced and enjoyed when you breathe the air, touch the beauty, enjoy the people, the food, and their culture. All of these are possible thanks to affordable packages like those Morocco Tours.