Marrakesh Travel Guide

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Famous Sites in Morocco

Sand-dunes to snow-skiing, lush vineyards to hot deserts and mix in sandy beaches, Morocco has it all! This North-African region is often a sensory overload and multi-colored mesh of culture and design. Travelers will likely be awed by the beauty and timeless magnificence of this nation that may be resplendent in its culture, heritage and art.

Be allured from the breath-taking architecture of Morocco's mosques, palaces and historical websites which have been by the hundreds all close to this region. Leave your map behind as you visit the labyrinth of Marrakesh where by streets are filled with numerous distractions from snake-charmers to silver leather poufs. Dive into the myriad of stores in Marrakech's markets in which 1 can uncover anything from olives to carpets.

Then head on to Fès, the cultural and religious center of Morocco in which dynasties originating from Muslim Spain and Arab East collided. Along with its bazaars, mosques, medersas (theological colleges), tanneries and crammed streets; Fès has a certain spirituality to it that's a testament to its centuries-old heritage and traditions.

Go to the well known Casablanca in which Morocco is most cosmopolitan. Famed for its rich art galleries and clothing designers, this position exudes its richness and achievements on the world. The stifling traffic jams and shanty towns are contrasted through the city's hotels, parks, fountains and colonial architecture.

All these places have enjoyable backdrops of spots like the Sahara desert, the mountain ranges of High atlas or even the Oregano Mountains. If your looking for relaxation, traveling on the fishing villages of Dakhla along the Moroccan coast or on the beaches of Plage Quemada.

Never forget to see the a number of museums like the Museum of Antiquities or the Museum of Moroccan Art exactly where collections of historic manuscripts, pottery, jewelry and other old objects can be found. Entertainment doesn't stop there! Morocco's theater scene showcases the Shakespearean plays and different modern productions that are overflowing with Moroccan tradition and folklore.

Spring-time (mid-March to May) is when Morocco looks lush and green while autumn (September to November) is when the climate has cooled off. Be conscious too of the timing of the Ramadan since metropolis establishments close throughout the day and operate hours are concentrated.

Be certain to choose official guides in preference to faux guides that garner their commission from particular hotels or articles sold to you from particular stalls. Ladies should be alert to a certain level of sexual harassment that may be incurred from wearing improper clothing or by making eye-contact. If especially harassed, threatening to file a study for the tourism police or the brigade touristique can be very effective.

About the Author

How many wonders have you visit during your lifetime? Visit famouswonders.com and see the top wonders of the world and also have a look at morocco tourist attractions.

Morocco Marrakesh city tour


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marrakesh travel guide

Travel Guide Marrakech

travel guide marrakech"travel guide marrakech"

Navigating your way through sensational Marrakech

Morocco's proximity to Europe means that it's relatively easy for travellers to get here - either by airport or via a short ferry journey from nearby Spain. Culturally, however, the gulf is vast and this is nowhere more obvious than in the bustling city of Marrakech, one of the country's most popular tourist attractions. Despite being only the third largest city in Morocco, after the capital Rabat and the now iconic Casablanca, Marrakech has arguably proved to be the more alluring to travellers over the centuries, with its vibrant central square, absorbing souks and beautiful buildings laying a strong impression on all who visit. The city can be overwhelming though, particularly if you've never travelled outside Europe before, so it's important to get your bearings early.

The primary stop for newcomers in Marrakech is Djemaa El-Fna, the city's main square. There's so much to see here, with street performers ranging from snake charmers to impressive dancers and a medley of musicians playing exotic instruments. Tourists often spend an age in the small space, trying to see a bit of everything that's going on and soak up the smells and sounds of the city. However, though the square is captivating in the daytime, at night it becomes even more intoxicating as the music and performances become more intense and alluring.

While in many cities it's advisable to veer away from the main tourist area when it comes to food, the opposite is true in Djemaa El-Fna. The food stalls here - selling everything from tea and cake to soup and full three course meals - are very popular with the locals and offer holidaymakers an authentic taste of Moroccan food. Prices will vary from stall to stall so whatever your budget, you should be able to find food that satisfies your appetite and your pocket.

Though you could easily spend a whole day or more ogling the sights in Djemaa El-Fna, there's much more to see around the square as well. Marrakech's souks, for instance, are world famous and the perfect place to put your haggling skills to the test. Marrakech is well-known for its tanneries, so buying leather goods is a must, especially handbags and poufs (round cushions). But there is much more to be had in the souks, from shoes and textiles to sweets, tobacco, spices and dates.

With flights to Marrakech arriving from most major international airports, exploring the city's thrilling atmosphere has never been easier for travellers. However, it's important to remember to see the major sights of Marrakech, in addition to soaking up the delights of Djemaa El-Fna and the surrounding souks. These include the Koutoubia Mosque, a beautiful building located in the heart of the enchanting Medina, the fascinating Saadian Tombs and the ornate El Bahia Palace, where you can pay for guided tours. And if you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, there are several gardens that will provide respite, like the Majorelle Gardens (home to an interesting Museum of Islamic Art) and the Menara Gardens to the west of the city, which is characterised by its many olive groves and orchards.

Disclaimer: The information contained within this article is the opinion of the author and is intended purely for information and interest purposes only. It should not be used to make any decisions or take any actions. Any links are included for information purposes only.

About the Author

Isla is a part of the digital blogging team at digitalcrosstalk.com who work with brands like British Airways. For more information about me, or to keep up to date with the latest in travel news, check out my posts at digitalcrosstalk.com or visit my Twitter account, @dcrosstalk

Morocco TV Travel Marrakesh Holiday Guide Marrakech מרוקו المغرب


travel guide marrakech
travel guide marrakech
travel guide marrakech

Marrakech Travel Guide

marrakech travel guide"marrakech travel guide"

On Location Nov 07 - Marrakech

I turned back in disbelief. Yes, my eyes weren't deceiving me: it was an open top double-decker bus loudly proclaiming its 'Hop on, Hop off' tour of the city. Had my worst fears been realised in the ten years since my last visit? Had Marrakech sold out to the lure of the tourist dollar? Undoubtedly there has been a huge increase in visitors yet I am pleased to say, that in spite of the influx of tourists, Marrakech has managed to maintain much of its character as is still well worth a visit.

Like any self-respecting tourist I headed to the huge square at the heart of town, Djemaa el Fnaa. The origin of its name remains unknown: it means Assembly of the dead in Arabic but as the word djemaa also means mosque in Arabic, it could also mean place of the vanished mosque, in reference to a destroyed Almoravid mosque. Never has a square been so inauspiciously nor inappropriately named.

Today it is a seething frenzy of entertainment, a cacophony of sights and sounds. Water sellers in colourful costumes with traditional leather water-bags and brass cups, Berber dancing boys with spinning hats and clanging cymbals, the rhythmic background beat of drums and blaring pipes of snake charmers trying to coax their cold, and hence unenthusiastic, charges to entertain.

Magicians enthrall bemused audiences, dentists armed with pliers await the unsuspecting, tattooists force obliging tourists to have their hands adorned with henna and peddlers of traditional medicines sit patiently among the ebb and flow. One in particular, his face dark and African, caught my attention. Not so much for his ancient array of exotic remedies - from fried chameleons to hedgehog skins, from everything to nothing - but that amongst this medieval playground he pulls out his mobile phone.

Crowds, largely Moroccan, gather around flamboyant storytellers and listen intently. They 'ooh' and 'aah' at the flights of fantasy and nod their heads knowingly at the denouement. The raconteurs' power is still in evidence and I loiter on the periphery of one particularly engrossed crowd. I strain to make sense of the stream of Berber words, wanting to be part of this old and mysterious world that still holds sway over the modern escapism of television and film. Reluctantly I admit defeat and move off to become consumed by the atmospheric al fresco dining of this vibrant square.

As the sun goes down, the bright white lights of the little open-air food stalls, give a fantastical air to the whole place. Salad, vegetables, spices, flat bread and an assortment of meats lie neatly stacked on each stall. Clouds of white smoke waft up from kebabs and lamb brochettes sizzling on open fires, and the smells that rise with them are irresistible. So too, the incessant and good humoured banter of the stalls, my favourite line being, "Marks and Spencer quality, Asda prices."

It is said that Djemaa el Fnaa never empties but I retire to save my strength for what lies in wait tomorrow.

The early morning light breathes life into the quiet square, one of many interspersed amongst the souqs of Marrakech that pour through the medina in a maze of narrow streets. Veiled women sit patiently by neatly stacked piles of colourful woollen Berber hats, absentmindedly watching motorbikes putter past. Beslippered old men shuffle and hobble by. Heavily laden carts are pushed through the throng. Tourists strut nonchalantly past, hanging onto their guide's every word. A scrawny cat rummages hungrily in a pile of rubbish.

I could sit here for hours people watching but I rouse myself from my reverie and enter the foray. In one alley, shafts of sunlight stream through from slats of wood and battered corrugated iron overhead, water is sprinkled by attentive shopkeepers to keep down the dust. Seated outside his stall, an old man murmurs to himself whilst reading from the Koran. A woman passes, dressed in white. She is in mourning and will dress in white for four months and ten days, after which time she will know whether she is pregnant and thus can remarry.

Further along, in contrast to her sorrow and the old man's murmurings, the souq erupts into a blaze of colour and riot of noise. A kaleidoscopic rainbow of slippers, the glistening black of olives, garish glassware, patterned pottery and a tint of dyes. Here there is bustling life, everyone bargaining among the whining mopeds and handcarts piled high with firewood or goatskins. Wafts of musk, spices and soaps mingle with donkey dung, and every now and again the soaring wail of an amplified muezzin does battle with a braying donkey or the plaintive serenade of ancient ballad.

I swirl through one vortex of salesmanship after another, from the carpet souq through the jewellery souk to the souks of handicrafts and metalware. The banging, clanging, sawing, hammering and polishing produces sparks, shards, chippings and shavings. Everywhere I turn there is industry, skill, craft and ingenuity. And not just in the work. The showman is in his element, desperate to distract, keen to grab the passerby's attention. Young boys juggle hammers, salesmen perfect their banter.

I am intrigued by one man carving the wooden handle of kebab skewers with his feet whilst his hands spin a rudimentary lathe. His skill and dexterity is captivating. He looks up at me grins and says proudly, "I'm better than Black and Decker."

Marrakech was once a haven to flee to, an oasis to escape the desert. Not much has changed in this respect.

About the Author

Steppes Travel specialise in luxury holidays, and tailor made holidays

Top 10 Travel Attractions, Marrakech (Morocco) - Travel Guide


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Casablanca Travel Guide

casablanca travel guide"casablanca travel guide"

Morocco Travel Budget

Below is a list of Morocco's top destinations, click on the link to view all details and tours.

Casablanca, High Atlas, Marrakech, Todra Gorge, Valley of the Kasbahs
Fast Facts

Currency
Moroccan Dirham (MAD)
Dialing Code
212

Airports
Morocco airports include the following:
• Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport
• Tangier Boukhalef Souahel International Airport
• Fes International Airport
• Rabat-Salé International Airport

Birdlife
Morocco birdlife is fairly diverse, with an estimated 46 Important Bird Areas IBA's) across the country's various habitats. Bird habitats include key fresh water wetlands as well as coastal wetlands, with a number of covered ecosystems ranging from shrub to woodlands, marshes, deserts and forest areas. With a range of beautiful birding areas and a fascinating culture, Morocco remains one of the most popular bird watching areas in Africa.

Conservation
With a number of wildlife and bird species facing extinction, and a high deforestation and desertification rate, with additional problems such as land abuse and over-grazing, Morocco conservation is key to preserving the precious ecosystems within the country. A number of efforts are in place to try and address the country's conservation problems however.

Culture
Morocco culture influences include:
• Literature plays a key role in history and tradition
• Food is an important social pastime
• Fabric and clothing are part of the country's cultural identity
• Art plays a vital role in past and current cultures
• Film is a fairly new but thriving culture form

Health
Morocco health care is typically third world, despite the larger cities having fairly adequate facilities many towns do not have high hygiene levels and disease is fairly common in some of the smaller towns. To ensure that you stay healthy and safe, ensure that you follow basic precautions, and keep vitamins plus a first aid box on hand on your travels.

AIDS
Morocco has a fairly low AIDS rate, with approximately 21,000 adults living with HIV/AIDS by the end of 2007 at a rate of 1.0%. As a very conservative Muslim country, sex outside marriage is seen as a criminal offense, which could play a significant part in the low AIDS rate.

Vaccinations
The following Morocco inoculations are required:
• Diphtheria
• Hepatitis A
• Rabies
• Tetanus
• Typhoid

Languages
Moroccan languages include:
• Moroccan Arabic (official language)
• Hassaniyya Arabic
• Standard Arabic
• Spanish
• Tachelhit

Money
Morocco money and banking info includes the following:
• Moroccan Dirhams can only be obtained in Morocco, usually through ATMs
• Banking hours are Monday-Thursday from 08h30-12h30 and 15h00-18h30 and Friday from 08h30-1200 and 15h00-18h30
• Dollars, Pounds and Euros are cheapest and easiest to exchange
• Credit cards are accepted in the larger hotels, restaurants and shops
• ATMs are widely available and often accept foreign cards such as Visa

Phrase
Useful Moroccan Arabic phrases include:
• Thank you - Choukran
• Good bye - B slema
• Good morning - Sabba elkir
• How are you? - La bas?
• How much - Shahal taman?

Plants
Morocco plant life varies, with trees such as juniper, pine, cedar and oak, to dry shrub and grasslands with sparse desert areas in between. Wetland areas contain marsh vegetation, and there are also a number of palms to be found throughout the country. With a varied climate, Morocco's plant life is mostly fast growing and strong, although the country also faces problems from deforestation and desertification.

People
Morocco people includes the following groups:
• Arab-Berber 99.1%
• Other 0.7%
• Jewish 0.2%

Safety Tips
Morocco safety tips include the following:
• Avoid large crowds or protests that could turn violent
• There is a fairly large terrorist threat in Morocco so be on guard at all times
• Road safety is a big concern and accidents are common
• The crime rate is fairly low but is growing ' especially in busy cities
• Do not walk around alone after dark and keep all valuables safe and out of sight when walking in the daytime

Religion
Morocco religion includes the following groups:
• Islam 99.7%
• Christianity 0.3%
• Baha'i 0.1%
• Judaism <0.1%

Transport
Morocco local transport options include:
• Bus
• Car
• Train
• Taxi

Travel Books
Morocco travel books include:
• Morocco Lonely Planet Country Guide by Paul Clammer
• Morocco Eyewitness Travel Guide by DK Publishing
• The Rough Guide to Morocco by Mark Ellingham, Daniel Jacobs, Hamish Brown, and Shaun McVeigh
• Culture Shock! Morocco: A Survival Guide to Customs and Etiquette by Orin Hargraves
• Frommer's Morocco by Darren Humphrys

Visa Requirements
Visa information for Morocco includes the following:
• Passports must be valid for 6 months
• Many countries to not need a visa to enter, speak to your travel agent or local embassy to find out which countries require visas
• Tourists can stay in the country for up to 3 months
• Visa requirements can change at any time
• Proof of funds as well as return tickets are often needed for visa acceptance

Wildlife
Morocco wildlife is varied, however many species face extinction, with a number of species already extinct. There are about 18 highly endangered mammal species as well as a small number of endangered reptiles. Despite this, Morocco has a range of beautiful national parks where a wide range of species can be seen, including rare monkeys, oryx, jackals and many other species.

What To Pack
What to pack for Morocco safaris:
• Lightweight, loose, long-sleeved clothing
• Long skirts and t-shirts covering shoulders for women
• Sunhat, sunglasses and sunscreen
• Swimming costume and snorkel gear for beach visits
• Camera, spare film or memory and extra batteries

What To Buy
What to buy for Morocco safaris:
• Morocco travel guide and language book
• Good sized backpack plus a decent moneybag
• First aid box with basic supplies and equipment
• Sleeping bag if you are on an overland trip
• Plug adapter for US and UK visitors

When To Go
When to go to Morocco:
• The peak tourist season in Morocco is July and August
• Winter months run from November to March
• The best times are the months before or after peak season
• July and August are the hottest months
• Many businesses and restaurants close during Ramadan

2010 World Cup
Morocco 2010 statistics include:
• Morocco were the first African team to win a group in the World Cup
• Morocco's national team are known as the Lions of the Atlas
• Morocco won the African Nations Cup in 1976
• The team have not qualified for World Cup games in recent years
• The head coach is Roger Lemerre from France

About the Author

Overlanding Africa is THE place to find out about what's involved in Overlanding, get an idea of what type of African overlanding is possible and book the best possible trip to suit your small group safaris in Kenya. Go straight to the tours or use our guide to get started, offering family holidays in Africa, Africa Overland Tours, Camping Safaris and advice for backpacking tours South Africa.

Morocco Wikipedia travel guide video. Created by Stupeflix.com


casablanca travel guide
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casablanca travel guide

Agadir Travel Guide

agadir travel guide"agadir travel guide"

Adventure Enriched Morocco Travel

Morocco, a country with splendid beauty and rich historical background is a place that has been attracting tourists for over decades now. Located on the coast line of North African continent, the Kingdom of Morocco speaks for its opulence. Every year, the country expects a large number of tourists from across the globe to mark their footprints at some of the most popular Moroccan cities such as Casablanca, Marrakech, Fes, and Oujda etc amongst others.  
 
Spending vacations in Morocco is one of an experience to remember. Those, who wish to visit the country, can consult a genuine and a reliable travel and tour guide who can plan an adventurous yet affordable Morocco holiday package for them. Moreover, planning a trip to the popular cities of Morocco can be really enjoyable for tourists who love to explore the intriguing contrasts of these cities. Tourists, who are planning their vacations to Morocco, can explore for the best travel deals through travel websites that offer cheap airfares along with a comfortable and luxurious hotel accommodation.

Morocco is a place with extravagant and luxurious hotels that not only are known for their hospitable services, but also for their facilities that include spas, swimming pool, and delectable Moroccan cuisine.. Hotel ambience is kept relaxing and soothing with subtle interiors so that travelers simply feel heaven on earth experience whilst their stay in Morocco.

Tourist Destinations in Morocco

Apart from numerous tourist destinations situated in Morocco, the popular ones are Agadir, Casablanca, Fez, and Marrakech etc.
If beaches fascinate you, then planning a tour to Agadir is a must. The white sand city located on the Atlantic Ocean shore and by the foot of Atlas Mountains is known for its sunny environment. As a matter of fact this very beach has the sunniest bay in the world. So, it is a popular destination for tourists who love to lay aside the sea shore and get their bodies tanned. Casablanca on the other hand is a commercial capital of Morocco and is known for its urban landscapes that portray both modern and traditional building structures of the Moroccan culture.

Tourists visit both the cities with a view to explore rich culture of Morocco that existed even before 15th century A.D. Traveling to Morocco will definitely bewilder you with it's beautiful and lushly surroundings that are eye catchy and magnificent. Moreover, Morocco tours and travel companies can be the best sources for designing attractive tour packages for the tourists as per their requirements.

About the Author

Morocco Travel Tours offers cheap morocco holidays, tours to morocco and luxury morocco holidays packages. Find a cheap Morocco Travel tours and family holidays package at at cost effective rates.

Travel Guide - Morocco


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agadir travel guide
agadir travel guide

Morocco Travel Guides

morocco travel guides_2"morocco travel guides"

Morocco a beautiful holiday destination for all age travelers

Morocco is located along coast line of Atlantic Ocean. This beautiful destination is one of the most attractive countries among North Africa.  Morocco is considered as the home of beautiful coastal area and wonderful sight. In few years this country becomes the fast growing holiday's destination due to its vast natural resource and wildlife. The biodiversity of morocco is very suitable to increase the fertility for wild beings. The outcome of this biodiversity is very vast wildlife that is fruitful to increase the tourist across the world. A number of legend palaces are attracting the tourists on the basis of historical background.

If you are become the part of mysterious wildlife then you have good chance to visit this wild life country. In morocco many government and non government agencies are working to aware the environment of wild life. As a holiday destination, morocco is not only influence the tourists for wildlife but also for their wonderful beaches and coastal area. So this destination is fulfilling your both needs either in context of to visit the wildlife parks or to see the beautiful coastal area. So the main advantage of this destination to provide all needs for tourists at one destination without any extra charge.

The life style of morocco seems very luxurious due to fast growing economy of this country. So this country is considering very suitable for those tourists either they like glamorous life style or they become part of this glamorous society. Many cheap shops of garments are located along with the road that attracts the tourist for its variety in collection. The real estate of Morocco is going on their boom that attracts the tourists for their wonderful construction. So you can also visit this country as a fast developing real estate company.

Due to collaboration with world's best architecture company, the airport and interstate transportation facility are equipping with all modern and necessary needs in context of tourist. The transportation of morocco is very cheap and affordable for the tourists that makes free from all budget headache. All the area of morocco either they come in urban area or remote area covering by the local transportation service. The airports of Morocco are paying their full attention to provide information in context of hotels map, Car on rent and tourist guide on cheap and affordable rate. So it is really good news for all holiday maker because this facility totally removes all security threats for newcomers tourist. So if you find the opportunity to visit this country then grab this chance and make your trip memorable with your family.

 

About the Author

To visit this wild life destination just visit on cheap holidays to Morocco and www.cheapholidaystomorocco.org.uk

Marrakech, Morocco - Travel Guide


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morocco travel guides

Marrakech Travel Guide

marrakech travel guide_2"marrakech travel guide"

Monumental Marrakech

If you're looking to escape the dreary days of winter and experience a different culture, Marrakech is the ideal destination. Go for the weekend, for a quick taste of its cultural richness, or spend longer and get a full dose.

The hop-on-hop-off bus tour (which has become a popular tourist activity in cities across the world) is probably the most convenient and efficient way to see the main sights of both the Medina, or old fortified city, and the adjacent modern city. This makes it one of best Marrakech tours and one of can't miss things to do in Marrakech. It is also how my friend and I spent our first day in Marrakech - sightseeing.

We even did the ‘Morocco Romantique' leg of the tour in order to see the Jardin Majorelle, a pretty garden owned by Yves Saint Laurent that (in my opinion) fails to live up to the beauty depicted by photos of it.  Then, we drove past one of the most elegant golf courses I've seen (complete with fountains), but I'm not exactly an avid golfer. There was no educational commentary for this part of the tour, instead Alicia Keys and someone singing about how he "didn't want to go to bed mad at you" serenaded us as we observed camels lounging at the side of road.

To catch the bus, we had to make our way to Djemma el Fna. You'd think this would not be such a trying task (it is one of the busiest squares in the world) but seeing as there aren't really any street signs (or streets for that matter) in the Medina, it's easy to get lost in the complex alleys filled with souks (or markets) selling candles, lanterns, food, shoes that resemble oversize colourful elf footwear, jewelry, purses and other leather accessories, and tons of souvenirs. Luckily, all you have to do is pull out a map, ask for directions, or just appear lost, and children seem to instantly appear out of nowhere like mini tour guides to take you wherever you need to go – for a small fee, of course.

When we arrived at the square, I unfortunately needed to use the bathroom. In Marrakech, this requires three indispensible items: money, toilet paper, and antibacterial. My friend had item #3 and I should have had item #2 after having previously traveled through Thailand and parts of South America, but since we had just arrived the night before, we still did not have any dirhams. So we set out on a mission around Djemma el Fna for a bank machine and a pharmacy. We found a bank machine without too much trouble, except for the fact that a Moroccan band (for lack of a better word to describe Moroccan men with instruments) forced us to take a photo with them and then were very unpleased when we did not have any dirhams to give them. We couldn't find toilet paper, though, and I had to settle for a napkin provided, grudgingly, by the lady at a gelato stand. So an hour and a lot of effort later I had relieved myself and we were ready to board the bus.

That night we ate a traditional Moroccan dinner of couscous, lamb tagine, chicken pastilla (aka, according to me, sugar chicken), delicious sugary pastries, and Moroccan tea (best described as mint tea with a lot of sugar – do you sense a pattern here?) at a fabulous hidden gem of a restaurant called Dar Zellij. It's located in the Medina, behind one of those inconspicuous doors I was referring to. Our table was strewn with rose petals, no surprise there (the bed and bathroom at our riad were both similarly adorned upon our arrival). Romance seems to seep out of this city and followed my friend and I everywhere, like some sort of pesky shadow – which makes it a great place to visit with a boyfriend/girlfriend or husband/wife!

About the Author


Marrakech holiday guide Part 1 מרוקו المغرب


marrakech travel guide
marrakech travel guide
marrakech travel guide