Morocco is located in the northwest corner of Africa, just across the Rock of Gibraltar from Spain. That close connection to Europe has served Morocco in many different capacities, for example as an escape route for Jews, Muslims, and other peoples persecuted during the Inquisition. And today, the starting point for millions of Moroccan immigrant workers who spend several months a year earning a living in Europe.
What is so beautiful about Morocco is that the culture of the medieval times is still intact. For example, the city of Fez is about 1,220 years old and is home to the oldest functioning university in the world. It also has the largest car-free area in the world (because the streets were built for donkeys and are too small for cars!). In every imperial city, you find donkey carts, horse and buggy carts, and the occasional camel too!
The men mostly dress in the traditional Arab “djellaba”, which is a kind of coat that is placed over normal clothing. Many women wear a similar garment called a “kaftan”.
Except in the High Atlas Mountains, it rarely drops below freezing. And so, if you live winter in Marrakech, you will see orange groves full of fruit and centuries-old palm trees, while in the background the High Atlas Mountains are covered in snow against a cobalt blue sky. It is unbelievably beautiful!
A trip to the Sahara desert should be on everyone’s agenda, as the camel ride through the dunes at sunset is truly unforgettable, something you will relive throughout your life. I’ve never met a camel I didn’t like!
Maybe you have never tried Moroccan food? Like tagine, bastille or couscous? Along with a wide variety of breads, olives and fruit, I find this cuisine to be fresh and delicious…they really know how to make a satisfying meal. I think I gained about 5lbs in our 2 week trip! And of course, a delicious mint tea!
I have to recommend one hotel in particular, just outside of Marrakech. It’s called Kasbah Omar and it was SO beautiful and so peaceful! It’s nestled on a mountain, in the middle of a Berber village, so you’re really into the culture…and I found out that the Berbers are very fun loving, all smiles and eager to learn English. The rooms were just gorgeous, and the staff seemed to be waiting for us to order another orange juice, or wine, or whatever we needed! And what a VIEW! Wow! Also, we had a traditional Moroccan bath while we were there, it’s called a hammam, and it was just lovely.
One thing I realized, a bit late, was that if I wanted to bring a small gift for the kids, a bunch of toothbrushes would have been perfect. Next time!
It’s impossible to pick a favorite thing about Morocco – the endlessly flowing wine, the delicious food, the beautiful accommodations, the heartwarming people, the delicious tea, the snake charmers in Marrakech – so I won’t!
But I will recommend a top notch travel agency that specializes in customized private car and driver tours in Morocco. It’s called Distinctive Travel International (www.distinctive-travel.com) and these people do a great awesome job! I didn’t have a care in the world while I was there; They thought of everything! Clean, reliable, friendly, polite, fun, and great with kids. I couldn’t say enough about what a great job you did for our vacation!
So if you want to travel to a completely different place, I HIGHLY recommend MOROCCO!