Morocco is
a land so intrinsically beautiful and rich with
heritage so old and exquisite that the moment you step
foot on it you will feel completely transported to
another time and place. The landscapes vary from snow-laden
slopes to wide desserts. Morocco is the ideal African
starting point for the travelers. An easy hop from
Europe, Morocco represents a different experience.
Morocco is hectic but friendly and stimulating as well.
Tangier, Casablanca and Marrakech all stir a hint of
spice in the nostrils.
The most
complete medieval city of the Arab world, Fes is a
strange and appealing mix of middle ages meets the
modern world. The oldest of the imperial cities, Fès is arguably the symbolic
heart of Morocco. Its labyrinthine streets and crumbling grandeur
add to its intrigue. The medina of Fès el-Bali
(Old Fès) is one of the largest living medieval
cities in the world, and its gates and walls are magnificent.
Other highlights include the Merenid tombs, the Royal
Palace and the Mellah (Jewish quarter). Fes was Morocco's
capital for more than 400 years and is still considered
the religious and cultural center of the country.
Meknes is
smaller and a little more laid back than Marrakech and Fes yet
this imperial city has similar charms. Highlights include
a wonderfully preserved medina filled with souqs which
is easy to navigate. The Imperial City, built by the
powerful Moulay Ismail in the 17th Century, is a showcase
of Moroccan architecture complete with huge gates and
impressive carvings.
Situated at the foot of the Atlas
mountains,
the imperial city of Marrakech is large, noisy, full
of history, and beautiful. The famous Djemaa
el-Fna square provides perhaps the greatest open-air spectacle in the
world. There's a lot to see and do in Marrakech. Highlights
include the Saadian
Tombs, Marjorelle Gardens, and the souqs
(bazaars). Be
drawn back into a world of frenzied motion, where jugglers
and storytellers jostle for position with snake charmers,
magicians and acrobats. Your nose will guide you to row
upon row of open-air food stalls whose pungent smoke
fills the air with mouth-watering aromas.
Also known as Casa or Dar
el Baida, Casablanca is
essentially the capital of Morocco.
Any European citizen or traveler will feel immediately
at home here and will have an almost instinctive understanding
of the life here. With a population of almost 4 million, Casablanca resembles
a Southern European city. Casablanca is often called
the "United States of Morocco" as if a thousand years
of history had been brushed aside to let through a modern
city. It is Africa's second
largest city and only the small, walled Medina still
hints at the legend that celluloid once thrust upon her.
Pirate
stronghold, breakaway republic, Imperial City and today's
capital, Rabat worth a visit! Rabat is home to Moroccan
goverment, its a hub of traditional cuisine, architecture and
much more. The Ville Nouvelle has
beautiful modern French-built hotels. For a capital
city, Rabat is very quiet and offers a number of excellent
restaurants, clubs and pubs. Rabat is the second biggest
city after Casablanca. It is famous for all the historical
monuments in the Kingdom and the luxurious carpets
and rich embroidery .
Tangier has been called the Gateway
to Morocco and has been designated as the country's summer
capital by King Hassan II. Overlooking the Straits
of Gibraltar with a view of Spain's southern coast, Tangier is set upon a spectacular bay and has been a magnet for
travellers for millennia. Tangier has a fascinating
history, and a lovely old Medina.