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Our Covid-19 Travel Measures All of our providers comply with local legislation and applicable health recommendations regarding protection and safety, to help avoid the spread of Covid-19. Specifically, the provider of this tour will apply the following measures: Tours or activities will not consist of more than 25 people per group. A safe distance of one metre between clients will be maintained whenever possible. The use of masks is obligatory. The client must bring their own mask. Alcohol gel will be available before, during, and after the service. All those running the service (guide, driver etc…) will wear a mask throughout its duration. All those running the service (guide, driver etc…) will wear gloves throughout its duration Handing out of printed material such as maps or brochures will be avoided. The temperature and wellness of all those taking part in the service will be monitored daily, excluding and maintaining in quarantine any who display fever or symptoms The temperature of all attendees will be taken, and admission will be denied to those with a temperature of more than 37 degrees Celsius (99 Fahrenheit), and a full refund applied. The transport used will be disinfected before and after each service and deep-cleaned every 24 hours. The capacity of all means of transport will be reduced to 75% of their maximum capacity. Showing your voucher on your phone will be enough, and it is not necessary to print anything.

Tangier Morocco The City 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 textileand carpet manufacturing supplement the city’s vibrant tourist trade. Tangier and its suburbs dominate the surrounding region, which occupies the northernmost area of the country, situated on a peninsula immediately north of the Gharblowland plain and adjacent to the Rif Mountains that lie to the southeast. Beyond the city, the region is poor in resources. Vegetable growing and poultry breeding have traditionally been the main rural economic pursuits. 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 Statesduring 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. 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 Statesduring 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. History Few cities have had a more varied history than Tangier. Existing already as a Phoenician trading post in the middle of the 1st millennium BCE, it later became Carthaginian; the remains of a Carthaginian settlement can still be seen near Cape Spartel. In 81 BCE the Roman general Quintus Sertorius captured the city (then known as Tingis) from the Mauretanian king Bocchus I. In 38 BCE, during a round of Roman civil unrest, Tingis was taken on behalf of Octavian (the future emperor Caesar Augustus) by Bocchus II from his brother Bogud, who supported Octavian’s rival, Mark Antony. Becoming a free city in 42 CE, Tingis was made the capital of the Roman province of Mauretania Tingitana, with the name Tingis Colonia Julia Traducta, and it remained important commercially even after the political capital was removed to Volubilis. After five centuries of Roman rule and a brief occupation by the Vandals in the 5th century, Tingis was captured by the Byzantine Empire in the 6th century. When the Arabs arrived in the 7th century, however, Ceuta, not Tangier, seems to have been their principal fortress on the strait. The Arab general ʿUqbah ibn Nāfiʿ (Sidi Okba) reached Tangier in 682 and from there raided deep into Morocco. In 707, when Mūsā ibn Nuṣayr was appointed governor of North Africa, he had to reconquer Tangier; the Amazigh (Berber) Ṭāriq ibn Ziyād was appointed governor and in 711 launched an invasion of Spain, where his landing point, Gibraltar, still bears his name as a corruption of Jabal Ṭāriq (Mount Ṭāriq). In 951 ʿAbd al-Raḥmān III of Córdoba, the first caliph of the western Umayyad dynasty, annexed the city, and it remained under Muslim Spanish rule until the collapse of the caliphate about 80 years later. Under the Almoravids, Tangier became Moroccan again and—despite a failed attempt to conquer the city by the Portugueseprince Henry the Navigator in 1437—remained so until captured by the Portuguese in 1471. In 1580 Tangier passed, with Portugal itself, to Spain; it returned to independent Portugal in 1656. In 1662 it was transferred to the English crown as part of the dowry of Catherine of Braganza, wife of Charles II. The English put great hopes on this new possession, but, though a fine mole (breakwater) was built and a new fortification erected, the expense of maintaining the city against Moroccan attacks and the Protestant suspicion that it was a centre of Roman Catholicism caused it to be abandoned again in 1684. Since then it has remained a part of Morocco. Tangier began to play a significant role in history again in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. At the end of the 18th century, a British consul and some 100 British citizens resided there and in the surrounding Tétouan region. During the siege of Gibraltar by the Spanish (1779–83), these Britons were expelled by the sultan. Tangier became the diplomatic capital of Morocco in the 19th century, and in 1845 Sir John Drummond Hay began his four-decade tenure there as British representative in Morocco; throughout that period British trade and political influence predominated in the region. In 1844 Tangier was bombarded by a French fleet as part of French campaigns against the Algerian emir Abdelkader. The Spanish then invaded Morocco in 1860, thus challenging a British policy aimed at preventing any Continental power from securing control of the southern shore of the Strait of Gibraltar. This situation led the British to issue a warning that a permanent Spanish occupation of Tangier or of the nearby Moroccan coast would not be permitted. About the same time, various foreign powers began to establish their own postal services, and in 1864 a lighthouse was established at Cape Spartel that was maintained by the consuls. The result of these activities and privileges was that Tangier received an international regime of its own when the rest of the country became a French protectorate in 1912. Already in the proposed Franco-Spanish Agreement of 1902, the two powers had been willing to see the city eventually become neutral, and the Anglo-French Agreement of 1904 stipulated that Tangier should have a special status. This was confirmed at the Algeciras

Taking the Ferry From Spain to Morocco. Getting from Spain to Morocco is quite easy. Especially as there are many flights into Morocco, including a relatively new direct flight from Malaga to Tangier. However, taking the ferry from Spain to Morocco might be a better, faster and more enjoyable option. Advantages of Taking the Ferry Between Spain and Morocco you find yourself in Spains southern Andalusia region, travelling to Morocco by ferry offers a multitude of advantages. No baggage restrictions of low cost or small airlines. You can take your car if you want to explore more of Morocco than Tangier. The ferry is far more relaxed and enjoyable than navigating airports. The experience of crossing the Strait of Gibraltar. The experience of crossing the Strait of Gibraltar. There is also something more exciting and atmospheric arriving in a new country by boat or train rather than a sterile airport environment. You are immersed in the country as soon as you arrive. Nowhere is this more apparent than when arriving in Tangier City from Tarifa. You find yourself in the centre of Tangier where the atmosphere of Morocco hits you as soon as you leave the ferry. How Far is Morocco From Spain Morocco is separated from Spain by the Strait of Gibraltar. At its narrowest point, the distance between Spain and Morocco is just 14.5 kilometres (9 miles). Things to Know About Catching the Ferry From Spain to Morocco Ferry schedules may be unreliable. The ferry services will often run late so plan for this at either end. Be careful with timetables as there is a one hour time difference between Morocco and Spain. Make sure your travel insurance for Spain covers Morocco as well. Main Routes of Ferry From Spain to Morocco Tarifa – Tangier City30 min – 1 hr13 services per day Algeciras – Tangier Med1.5 hrs – 2.5 hrs29 services per day Algeciras – Ceuta1 hr – 1.5 hrs21 services per day Gibraltar – Tangier Med1.5 hrs1 service per week Malaga – Melilla4 hrs2 services per day Almeria – Nador5hrs – 10hrs1 service per day Barcelona – Tangier Med32hrs – 35hrs5 services per week Barcelona – Nador24 hrs1 service per week

El Jadida, a charming coastal city in Morocco, is known for its rich history, beautiful beaches, and unique blend of Portuguese and Moroccan culture. Here are key aspects and interesting facts about El Jadida that you should know:

### 1. **Historical Significance**
– **Portuguese Influence**: El Jadida was established by the Portuguese in the early 16th century and was known as Mazagan. The Portuguese constructed a fortified city, which has been remarkably preserved and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site.
– **UNESCO World Heritage Site**: The old Portuguese city, or Cité Portugaise, is recognized for its historical significance and well-preserved architecture.

### 2. **Architectural Highlights**
– **Portuguese Cistern**: An underground water reservoir built by the Portuguese in 1514, known for its stunning vaulted ceiling and reflective water pool.
– **City Walls and Bastions**: The fortified walls and bastions, including the Bastion of St. Sebastian, offer insights into the city’s defensive structures.
– **Church of the Assumption**: A historical church from the Portuguese era, showcasing the architectural style of that period.

### 3. **Geography and Climate**
– **Location**: El Jadida is situated on the Atlantic coast, about 90 kilometers southwest of Casablanca.
– **Climate**: The city enjoys a mild Mediterranean climate with warm summers and mild, wet winters. The coastal location ensures pleasant weather year-round.

### 4. **Beaches and Natural Beauty**
– **El Jadida Beach**: A long, sandy beach perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and beach activities.
– **La Deauville Beach**: Another picturesque beach, known for its calm waters and tranquil environment.
– **Sidi Bouzid Beach**: Located a short drive from El Jadida, this beach is popular for surfing and other water sports.

### 5. **Cultural and Recreational Activities**
– **Souks and Markets**: Traditional markets offer a variety of goods, including fresh produce, spices, and handicrafts.
– **Mohammed V Park**: A lush, green space ideal for picnics and leisurely walks.
– **Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort**: A luxurious resort offering a range of activities, including golf, horse riding, and spa treatments.

### 6. **Local Cuisine**
– **Seafood**: El Jadida is famous for its fresh seafood, available in numerous local restaurants and at the fish market.
– **Traditional Moroccan Dishes**: Enjoy local specialties such as tagine, couscous, and pastilla in the city’s restaurants.

### 7. **Events and Festivals**
– **Moussems**: Traditional religious festivals that include music, dance, and local traditions.
– **Cultural Performances**: The Theater of El Jadida hosts various performances, including plays, concerts, and cultural events.

### 8. **Accessibility**
– **Transportation**: El Jadida is accessible by road from major cities like Casablanca and Marrakech. The city is also served by a train station with connections to other parts of Morocco.
– **Local Transport**: Taxis and buses are readily available for getting around the city.

### 9. **People and Culture**
– **Friendly Locals**: The residents of El Jadida are known for their hospitality and warmth, making visitors feel welcome.
– **Cultural Blend**: The city reflects a unique blend of Portuguese and Moroccan culture, evident in its architecture, cuisine, and daily life.

### 10. **Safety and Travel Tips**
– **Safety**: El Jadida is generally safe for tourists, but it’s always advisable to take standard travel precautions.
– **Travel Tips**: When visiting historical sites, consider hiring a local guide to gain deeper insights into the city’s rich history. Also, bargaining is common in markets, so don’t hesitate to negotiate prices.

### Summary
El Jadida is a captivating destination that offers a mix of historical exploration, beach relaxation, and cultural experiences. Its rich Portuguese heritage, coupled with Moroccan charm, makes it a unique place to visit in Morocco. Whether you’re interested in history, architecture, or simply enjoying the coastal atmosphere, El Jadida has something to offer every traveler.

What To Know About Rabat What To Know About Rabat What To Know About Rabat The Capital of the nation since 1912, elegant and spacious RABAT is the very image of an orderly administrative and diplomatic centre. Lacking the frenetic pace of Morocco’s other large cities, Rabat is sometimes harshly referred to as “provincial”. Sure enough, there are times when it’s hard to find a café open much past ten at night, but there’s other times when the city comes out from its conservatism and even makes a little noise, such as the during the Festival of Rhythms each May. Befitting its regal status, Rabat – along with neighbouring Salé – has some of the most interesting historic and architectural monuments in the country, and the fact that the local economy does not depend on tourist money makes exploring these attractions a great deal more relaxed than cities like Fez and Marrakesh. The Phoenicians established a settlement at Sala, around the citadel known today as Chellah. This eventually formed the basis of an independent Berber state, which reached its peak of influence in the eighth century, developing a code of government inspired by the Koran but adapted to Berber customs and needs. It represented a challenge to the Islamic orthodoxy of the Arab rulers of the interior, however, and to stamp out the heresy, a ribat – the fortified monastery from which the city takes its name – was founded on the site of the present-day kasbah. The ribat’s presence led to Chellah’s decline – a process hastened in the eleventh century by the founding of a new town, Salé, across the estuary. The Almohads rebuilt the kasbah and, in the late twentieth century, Yacoub el Mansour (“the Victorious”) created a new imperial capital here. His reign lasted almost thirty years, allowing El Mansour to leave a legacy that includes the superb Oudaïa Gate of the kasbah, Bab er Rouah at the southwest edge of town, and the early stages of the Hassan Mosque. He also erected over 5km of fortifications, though it is only in the last sixty years that the city has expanded to fill his circuit of pisé walls. Chellah The most beautiful of Moroccan ruins, Chellah is a startling sight as you emerge from the long avenues of the Ville Nouvelle. Walled and towered, it seems a much larger enclosure than the map suggests. The site has been uninhabited since 1154, when it was abandoned in favour of Salé across the Bou Regreg. But for almost a thousand years prior to that, Chellah (or Sala Colonia, as it was known) had been a thriving city and port, one of the last to sever links with the Roman Empire and the first to proclaim Moulay Idriss founder of Morocco’s original Arab dynasty. An apocryphal local tradition maintains that the Prophet himself also prayed at a shrine here. Under the Almohads, the site was already a royal burial ground, but most of what you see today, including the gates and enclosing wall, is the legacy of “The Black Sultan”, Abou el Hassan (1331–51), the greatest of the Merenids. The main gate has turreted bastions creating an almost Gothic appearance. Its base is recognizably Almohad, but each element has become inflated, and the combination of simplicity and solidity has gone. An interesting technical innovation is the stalactite (or “honeycomb”) corbels which form the transition from the bastion’s semi-octagonal towers to their square platforms; these were to become a feature of Merenid building. The Kufic inscription above the gate is from the Koran and begins with the invocation: “I take refuge in Allah, against Satan.” To your left if coming from the entrance, signposted “Site Antique”, are the main Roman ruins. They are of a small trading post dating from 200 BC onwards, are well signposted and include a forum, a triumphal arch, a Temple of Jupiter and a craftsmen’s quarter. The Hassan Mosque & Tower The most ambitious of all Almohad buildings, the Hassan Mosque was, in its time, the second largest mosque in the Islamic world, outflanked only by the one in Smarra, Iraq. Though little remains today apart from its vast tower, or minaret, its sheer size still seems a novelty. The mosque was begun in 1195 – the same period as Marrakesh’s Koutoubia and Seville’s Giralda – and was designed to be the centrepiece of Yacoub el Mansour’s new capital in celebration of his victory over the Spanish Christians at Alarcos, but construction seems to have been abandoned on El Mansour’s death in 1199. Its extent must always have seemed an elaborate folly – Morocco’s most important mosque, the Kairaouine in Fez, is less than half the Hassan’s size, but served a much greater population. Rabat would have needed a population of well over 100,000 to make adequate use of the Hassan’s capacity, but the city never really took off under the later Almohads and Merenids; when Leo Africanus came here in 1600, he found no more than a hundred households, gathered for security within the kasbah. The Marshal’s Medinas The existence of so many ancient, walled Medinas in Morocco – intact and still bustling with life – is largely due to Marshal Hubert Lyautey, the first of France’s Resident Generals, and the most sympathetic to local culture. In colonizing Algeria, the French had destroyed most of the Arab towns, and Lyautey found this already under way when he arrived in Rabat in 1912, but, realizing the aesthetic loss – and the inappropriateness of wholesale Europeanization – he ordered demolition to be halted and had the Ville Nouvelle built outside the walls instead. His precedent was followed throughout the French and Spanish zones of the country, inevitably creating “native quarters”, but preserving continuity with the past. Lyautey left Morocco in 1925 but when he died in 1934 he was returned and buried in a Moorish monument in Rabat until 1961, when his body was “repatriated” to Paris. Similar tours 9-Day Casablanca-Rabat-Fes-Marrakech Click here 10-day Private

Restaurants In Casablanca, Morocco Best Things to Do in Casablanca Rick’s Café Restaurants In Casablanca, Morocco Rick’s Café, famous thanks to the film Casablanca (1942), has been transformed. Set in an old courtyard-style mansion built among the walls of the Old Medina, Rick’s Café features a piano bar with replicas from the film – curved arches, balconies, and brass lighting. With four fireplaces and intimate private dining with a view of the fishing port, Rick’s Café offers an atmospheric experience, along with an international menu specializing in dishes made with Casablanca’s fresh seafood and vegetables. Rick’s Café, 248 Rue Sour Jdid, Casablanca, Morocco Port de Pêche An authentic and characterful seafood restaurant right in the center of the fishing harbor (the biggest in North Africa), there’s no better place for fresh seafood than Port de Pêche. Always packed, the restaurant’s guests can enjoy fish fresh from the sea. Its paella is also renowned, and guests can enjoy the comfortable 1970s decor of nets used as curtains and boating knots. The restaurant also provides professional and swift service. Le Port de Peche, City Centre, Casablanca, Morocco Sakura The first Japanese restaurant in Casablanca is the place to enjoy the traditions of sushi, sashimi and makis while experiencing a live Teppan-Yaki performance, which showcases a true taste of Japan. Situated in the heart of the Sheraton Casablanca Hotel and Towers, Sakura takes guests to a land of tempting Japanese specialities. It’s an alternative to traditional Moroccan cuisine and is an example of the cosmopolitan and international nature of Casablanca. In the modern and elegant setting, guests can enjoy watching a range of meals being cooked right in front of their eyes on traditional Teppanyaki grills. Sakura, 100, Avenue des F.a.r. Casablanca, Morocco Dar Beida Offering a positively touristy experience, Dar Beida is not for the shy. With bellydancers to oriental orchestras demonstrating typically Arab fun and livening up the atmosphere while guests enjoy traditional cuisine, Dar Beida is as much about the ambiance and experience as it is about the food. Offering different regional tastes and culinary traditions, guests can enjoy the menu which brims over with options. Specializing in Moroccan specialities like tajine and couscous, guests can get a truly cultural experience at Dar Beida. Hyatt Regency Casablanca, Casablanca, Morocco La Bodega Offering a Spanish-inspired menu, this place provides a perfect detour from traditional Moroccan cuisine. With a varied tapas menu, and even a bar downstairs complete with a DJ and a dance floor with Latino and Salsa evenings, La Bodega offers a fun night. So for tapas, drinks, and an enjoyable evening, La Bodega is the place to be. La Bodega, Rue Allal Ben Abdellah, Casablanca, Morocco Le Relais de Paris Le Relais de Paris is Casablanca’s haven of French culinary delights. Situated in the popular La Corniche beach region, Le Relais de Paris offers the chance for guests to taste delicious French food while enjoying a panoramic view of the sea. With enticing flavors, a comfortable setting, and self-proclaimed refined style, Le Relais de Paris has a mix of tradition and modern elegance to entice customers. On the menu you can find fish, meat and even spaghetti. Given its location inside the Villa Blanca Hotel, guests can even pop up to the famous Skybar following a satisfying meal. Le Relais de Paris, Avenue Assa, Casablanca, Morocco NKOA This supercool spot takes its inspiration from global flavours, mixing them with Moroccan produce and European culinary techniques. The result is creative dishes that taste as good as they look – such as Zulu, a black-bread burger with fig sauce. There’s plenty for vegetarians too, all washed down with delicious juices. The soundtrack is an equally fabulous fusion. Le Jasmine This fine-dining Moroccan restaurant is set in an exquisite space at the art deco Hôtel Le Doge. With its red-velvet chairs, ornate stained-glass ceiling, marble floors and sparkling chandeliers, it’s like stepping into the 1930s. Perfectly prepared dishes include a lightly spiced shrimp and monkfish tajine and a sinful chocolate fondant. Similar tours 9-Day Casablanca-Rabat-Fes-Marrakech Click here 10-day Private Tour around Morocco Click here 10 Day Imperial Cities and Desert Click here Best Things to Do in Casablanca, Morocco The contrast of magnificent architecture and unforgettable history makes Casablanca a fascinating place to visit. It is the amazing city that is gaining in popularity every year as it becomes cheaper to fly to Morocco. Read More My Top 10 Marrakech it was our first visit to the city and we all loved it! Definitely somewhere we will be going back to soon! So here are our 10 favorite experiences in Marrakech from the trip. Read More 5 Stunning Places to Visit in Morocco Morocco had always been a country I was curious about. It’s blend of North African and Arabic influences gave it this air of mystique that drew me in. Plus, you know, I like couscous. So I had high expectations when I decided to pop over from Spain and explore the country for three weeks. Read More

Things To Do and See in Casablanca In a few years Casablanca has grown from a small town to one of the largest cities in the world thanks to its new forms of modern architecture, and has become a large industrial and commercial center more open to the Western lifestyle than other cities of the world. Morocco. Casablanca is today the economic capital of Morocco and its largest city. Located on the Atlantic coast about 80 km south of Rabat, Casablanca is bordered by magnificent beaches which makes it a beach destination, with a population of 3 359,818 inhabitants in 2014 makes it the most populous city in the Maghreb. Casablanca is the third most important tourist city in Morocco and is mainly used for business. The discoveries, revelations, and the excursions in the city will amaze you. The exploration of the nature and the Berber culture are breathtaking: spectacular landscapes, lifestyles, architecture, crafts… This journey will enrich you in Emotions, knowledge and memories. Casablanca has one of the largest and most beautiful mosques on the planet, the Hassan II Mosque, a true symbol of the city. Hassan II Mosque One of the largest mosques in Africa, it can hold 105,000 worshippers – 25,000 inside, the rest on the outside courtyards. Built and partially funded by King Hassan II (the remaining funds were gathered through a somewhat controversial public subscription process), the mosque complex was designed by French architect Michel Pinseau, took six years to build and was completed in 1993. Its dramatic location overhanging the ocean waves echoes verse from the Quran, which states that God’s throne was built upon the water. Believers pray on a floor that can be heated when necessary, and can feel the breeze through the retractable roof in warmer months. The size and elaborate decoration of the prayer hall is simply spectacular. A team of more than 6000 master craftspeople was assembled to work on the mosque, delicately carving intricate patterns and designs in fragrant cedar wood from the Middle Atlas and pink granite from Agadir. The gates were made from brass and titanium, and the ablution fountains in the basement, which are shaped like huge lotus flowers, were carved from local marble. La Corniche Located in the same region as Hassan II Mosque, La Corniche is a beach front district offering an array of dining experiences as well as pools and beach access. On a hot day, the area can be found brimming with surfers, swimmers and sunbathers, offering a less traditional and a more holiday-escape side of Morocco. La Corniche offers an area full of entertainment, and the chance to go on a refreshing walk on the beach, or even a dip in the sea if you’re feeling daring. Morocco Mall Located at the end of La Corniche region is Morocco Mall, one of the biggest shopping centres in Africa. A modern hub, Morocco Mall offers enough to entertain anyone from families to couples, and for the whole day. On top of the extensive range of shops, anything from H&M to Dior, and a vast range of food options, Morocco Mall also hosts an indoor aquarium complete with a small shark, a fountain display outside, and even indoor ice skating and an indoor fairground. There really is something for everyone. For a taste of the traditional Morocco, there’s even an indoor souk (market), however traditional shopping is best left to the old medina. The Old Medina Unlike in many Moroccan cities, the old part of town is surprisingly easy to pass by in Casablanca. There is the temptation to head straight out to the seaside to visit the Hassan II Mosque and beach area, however discovering the charm hidden behind the old city walls is a must on any trip to a Moroccan city. With its typical labyrinth style character, getting lost is undoubtedly easy, but with a bit of caution this can be a hidden beauty in itself. Indeed, it poses little risk as you’ll soon find yourself at one end or the other of the old quarters. Experiencing the pace of daily life, with children running in the narrow streets and men smoking in cafés, you can join the shoppers in their search for traditional treasures, and find the little sights buried in the medina, such as the Berber Mosque. Museum of Moroccan Judaism This unique museum, being the only Jewish museum in the Arab world, offers an insight into the history, religion, traditions and daily life of Jews in a Moroccan Civilisation. Presented through exhibition rooms containing paintings, ornaments, clothing etc, as well as complete displays of Moroccan synagogues, it demonstrates not only the Jewish influence on Moroccan society, but highlights the history of interfaith coexistence in Moroccan civilisation. Parc de la Ligue Arabe South of Place Mohammed V lies the Parc de la Ligue Arabe. Designed in 1918, this park, complete with a palm-tree-lined avenue, is Casablanca’s biggest open space. Perfect for games and walks, and offering a choice of small cafés, the Arab League Park gives guests the chance to relax and admire the flora of Africa, and even venture to the Cathédrale de Sacré Coeur, the neglected former cathedral on the edge of the park, hinting to the Art Deco past of Casablanca. Place Mohammed V A visit to the administrative hub of Casablanca, the Place Mohammed V is a chance to experience first-hand the work of architect Henri Prost. Surrounded by public buildings which set the scene for further buildings throughout Morocco, including law courts, the square also hosts the statue of Marshal Lyautey, the first French Resident-General in Morocco from 1912 to 1925. In addition to this monumental statue, the square features a grand fountain dating back to 1976 which, at certain times of the day, hosts a music accompanied water show. Villa des Arts Part of the ONA Foundation, one of Morocco’s primary cultural foundations, the Villa des Arts is one of the largest museums in Casablanca and is situated near the Parc de la Ligue Arabe. The

What To Know About The Middle atlas What To Know About The Middle atlas Covered in forests of oak, cork and giant cedar, the Middle Atlas is a beautiful and relatively little-visited region. The dark brown tents of nomadic Berber encampments immediately establish a cultural shift away from the European north; the plateaux are pockmarked by dark volcanic lakes; and the towns initially feel different, too, their flat, gabled houses lending an Alpine-resort feel, particularly at the “hill station” resort of Ifrane, where the king has a summer palace. If you just want a day-trip from Fez, the Middle Atlas is most easily accessible at Sefrou, a relaxed market town 28km southeast of the city, though Azrou should be on most itineraries as well, an interesting Berber settlement with an excellent and authentic souk, and ideally located for forays into the surrounding cedar forests. At Azrou, the road forks and you can take one of two routes. The N13 heads southeast to the former mining town of Midelt and on to Er Rachidia, a journey that traces the old Trek es Sultan, or Royal Road, an ancient trading route that once carried salt, slaves and other commodities with caravans of camels across the desert from West Africa. Heading southwest, the N8, the main route to Marrakesh, skirts well clear of the Atlas ranges, and is lined with dusty, functional market centres, though Beni Mellal is something of a transport hub along the way. From here you can cut south to Azilal, jumping-off point for the magnificent Cascades d’Ozoud and the stunning High Atlas valley of Aït Bouguemez, or strike out for Imilchil and the epic mountain roads that lie beyond. The first real town of the Middle Atlas, AZROU makes an attractive “introduction” to the region, an important but welcoming Berber market centre enclosed by wooded slopes on three sides. The town grew at the crossroads of two major routes – north to Meknes and Fez, south to Khenifra and Midelt – and long held a strategic role in controlling the mountain Berbers. Moulay Ismail built a kasbah here, the remains of which survive, while more recently the French established the prestigious Collège Berbère – one plank in their policy to split the country’s Berbers from the urban Arabs. South of Azrou lies some of the most remote and beautiful country of the Middle Atlas: a region of dense cedar forests, limestone plateaus and polje lakes that is home to some superb wildlife, including Barbary apes. At its heart, and an obvious focus for a trip, are the waterfalls of Oum er Rbia, the source of Morocco’s largest river. Midelt and around At MIDELT, reached through a bleak plain of scrub and desert, you have essentially left behind the Middle Atlas. As you approach from the north, the greater peaks of the High Atlas appear suddenly through the haze, rising behind the town to a massive range, the Jebel Ayachi, at over 3700m. The sheer drama of the site – tremendous in the clear, cool evenings – is one of the most compelling reasons to stop over. Though the town is comprised of little more than a street with a few cafés and hotels and a small souk, it’s a pleasant place to break a journey, partly because so few people do and partly because of its easy-going (and predominantly Berber) atmosphere. Indeed, there is a hint of the frontier town about Midelt, a sense reinforced by the deserted mining settlements at Mibladene and El Ahouli, 22km to the northeast. Midelt is so far inland that it has a microclimate of extremes: bitterly cold in winter and oppressively hot in summer. Consequently, one of the best times to visit is autumn, particularly at the start of October, when the town hosts a modest apple festival. Year-round, try to arrive for the huge Sunday souk, which spreads back along the road towards Azrou and is a fruitful hunting ground for quality carpets. Walks around Sefrou High enough into the Middle Atlas to avoid the suffocating dry heat of summer, Sefrou is a good base for some modest walking. Dozens of springs emerge in the hills above the town and a few waterfalls are active for part of the year. For a relatively easy target, take the road up behind the Ville Nouvelle post office on Boulevard Mohammed V (Rue Sidi Ali Bou Serghine), which divides into a fork after about a kilometre. The right-hand branch leads to a small, deserted French fort, known as the Prioux, and to the koubba of one Sidi Ali Bou Serghine. The views from around here are thrilling: in winter, the snowcapped Mischliffen; in summer, the cedars and holm oaks cresting the ridges to infinity. You can also reach the koubba (and fort) by taking the left fork in the road that splits in front of El Kelâa, a ksar (fortified settlement) that’s quite interesting in itself and reached on Rue de la Kelâa, west of the sharp bend in the main road across the Oued Aggaï. The waterfalls Heading up Rue de la Kelâa from the main road and taking the right-hand fork in front of El Kelâa leads to a junction signposted “Cascades”, from where a single-lane tarmac road follows the river to a small hydroelectric power station; 250m beyond this, below imposing rocky outcrops, are the waterfalls, at their best in spring. Flash floods regularly wash away the path here, so repair work may bar your access to a pool beneath for a paddle. Tours From Fes 7 Days Sahara Desert Tour Click here 8 Days Through The Desert Click here 9 Days Tour Adventure Click here What To Know About Fes Trending Places In Fes Click here What to do in Meknes Click here Once Upon A Time In Volubilis Click here Best Things to Do in Casablanca, Morocco The contrast of magnificent architecture and unforgettable history makes Casablanca a fascinating place to visit. It is the amazing city that is gaining in popularity every year as it becomes cheaper to fly to Morocco. Read More My Top 10 Marrakech it was our first visit to the city and we all loved it! Definitely somewhere we will be going back to soon! So here are our

Once Upon A Time In Volubilis Once Upon A Time In Volubilis Once Upon A Time In Volubilis A striking sight, visible for miles on the bends of the approach roads, the Roman ruins of VOLUBILIS occupy the ledge of a long, high plateau, 25km north of Meknes. Below their walls, towards Moulay Idriss, stretches a rich river valley; beyond lie the dark, outlying ridges of the Zerhoun mountains. The drama of this scene – and the scope of the ruins themselves – are undeniably impressive, so much so that the site was a key location for Martin Scorsese’s film The Last Temptation of Christ. Brief History Of Volubilis Except for a small trading post on an island off Essaouira, Volubilis was the Roman Empire’s most remote and far-flung base. It represented – and was, literally – the end of the imperial road, having reached across France and Spain and then down from Tangier, and despite successive emperors’ dreams of “penetrating the Atlas”, the southern Berber tribes were never effectively subdued. In fact, direct Roman rule here lasted little over two centuries – the garrison withdrew early, in 285 AD, to ease pressure elsewhere. But the town must have taken much of its present form well before the official annexation of the Kingdom of Mauretania by Emperor Claudius in 40 AD. Tablets found on the site, inscribed in Punic, show a significant Carthaginian trading presence in the third century BC, and prior to colonization it was the western capital of a heavily Romanized, but semi-autonomous, Berber kingdom that reached into northern Algeria and Tunisia. After the Romans left, Volubilis experienced very gradual change. Latin was still spoken in the seventh century by the local population of Berbers, Greeks, Syrians and Jews; Christian churches survived until the coming of Islam; and the city itself remained active well into the seventeenth century, when its marble was carried away by slaves for the building of Moulay Ismail’s Meknes. What you see today, well excavated and maintained, are largely the ruins of second- and third-century AD buildings – impressive and affluent creations from its period as a colonial provincial capital. The land around here is some of the most fertile in North Africa, and the city exported wheat and olives in considerable quantities to Rome, as it did wild animals from the surrounding hills. Roman games, memorable for the sheer scale of their slaughter (nine thousand beasts were killed for the dedication of Rome’s Colosseum alone), could not have happened without the African provinces, and Volubilis was a chief source of their lions – within just two hundred years, along with Barbary bears and elephants, they became extinct. The entrance to the site is through a minor gate in the city wall – or through a break in the wall further down, depending on construction work – built along with a number of outer camps in 168 AD, following a prolonged series of Berber insurrections. The best of the finds, which include a superb collection of bronzes, have been taken to the Archeological Mueseum in Rabat, though Volubilis has retained in situ the great majority of its mosaics, some thirty or so, which are starting to show the effects of being exposed to the elements. The finest mosaics line the Decumanus Maximus, the main thoroughfare through Volubilis, but aside from those subjected to heavy-handed restoration, the once brightly coloured tiles have faded to a subtle palette of ochres and greys. Similarly, the site requires a bit of imagination to reconstruct a town (or, at least, half a town, for the original settlement was twice the size of what remains today) from the jumble of low walls and stumpy columns. Nevertheless, you leave with a real sense of Roman city life and its provincial prosperity, while it is not hard to recognize the essentials of a medieval Arab town in the layout. Moulay Idriss Zarhoun The holy town of MOULAY IDRISS, spread across the foothills of Jebel Zerhoune, 25km north of Meknes and 4km from Volubilis, takes its name from its founder, Morocco’s most venerated saint and the creator of its first Arab dynasty. His mausoleum, the reason for its sacred status, is the object of constant pilgrimage, not to mention an important summer moussem – a trip to which is worth a fifth of the hajj to Mecca. For most Western tourists, there is little specific to see and certainly nothing that may be visited – non-Muslims are barred from the shrine – but you could easily lose a happy half-day exploring the tangled lanes that shimmy between the sugar-cube houses scattered over the hills, enjoying delightful window-views or just absorbing the laidback atmosphere. Few tourists bother to stay overnight, another reason to linger. Similar tours 7 Days Sahara Desert Tour Click here 8 Days Through The Desert Click here 9 Days Tour Adventure Click here What To Know About Fes Trending Places In Fes Click here What to do in Meknes Click here Once Upon A Time In Volubilis Click here Best Things to Do in Casablanca, Morocco The contrast of magnificent architecture and unforgettable history makes Casablanca a fascinating place to visit. It is the amazing city that is gaining in popularity every year as it becomes cheaper to fly to Morocco. Read More My Top 10 Marrakech it was our first visit to the city and we all loved it! Definitely somewhere we will be going back to soon! So here are our 10 favorite experiences in Marrakech from the trip. Read More 5 Stunning Places to Visit in Morocco Morocco had always been a country I was curious about. It’s blend of North African and Arabic influences gave it this air of mystique that drew me in. Plus, you know, I like couscous. 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What About Meknes What About Meknes What About Meknes With the title of Imperial City and a UNESCO-stamped ancient medina, Meknes can rival the likes of Marrakesh, Rabat, and Fez, yet it struggles to attract the same loyal following of travellers. But this scenic hilltop city has plenty to offer the curious visitor, from intricate gates to marvellous museums and mausoleums. Meknes is made up of the old (medina) and the new (ville nouvelle); two distinct centres less than three miles apart but harnessing quite different vibes. The medina holds the city’s historic sights and sought-after romantic flavour, while in the ville nouvelle you’ll find big houses, modern cars and branded takeaways. What To Know About Meknes You’ll find everything from specialist souks selling crafts and swathes of textiles, to knock-off trainers, souvenirs and carpets in the medina. At its heart is the twelfth-century Grand Mosque (although this is closed to non-Muslims), while teahouses in secret courtyards, ornate riads, and the odd hard-working donkey add to the atmosphere. Look up to see sections of roofs that have recently been renovated with carved cedar wood panels, offering dappled shade along some of the covered alleyways. If you’re in the mood for more shopping, head to the market sandwiched between the medina and old Mellah (the old Jewish quarter, worth a peek for its distinctive architecture). Juicy oranges, cart-loads of red chillies, dried grains and precariously stacked bowls of olives sit alongside everyday items such as kids’ toys, kitchen appliances and piles of underwear. where should I start? Most people begin exploring the medina from the Place el-Hedim – think of a smaller-scale Jemaa el Fna in Marrakesh, and you’ve got the idea. Grab a mint tea and watch the world go by to the soundtrack of Moroccan pop music blaring from competing vendors, then head into the medina via the entrance next to the Dar Jamai Museum. Bab el-Mansour is a big hit with visitors, and for good reason. Completed in 1732, the gate is impressive not only for its size but its original green and white zellij tiles, marble columns and inscriptions from the Quran along the top. The Dar Jamai Museum is worth the few dirhams’ entry for the interiors alone. What was once a palace built in the late nineteenth-century now displays not only dazzling rooms and doorways but also traditional crafts, including ceramics, jewellery, costumes and brass work. The eclectic collection is dotted around the building; just don’t miss the incredible tile work (not that you could) or the decorated dome ceiling on the first floor. Elsewhere, you’ll find one of the city’s busiest spots, the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail – the ornate tomb of the man who gave Meknes its imperial status. The mausoleum is open to non-Muslims (ladies, take a headscarf) keen to admire the architecture, although non-Muslims can’t approach the tomb directly, and it does get very busy, so go early. Heri es-Souani and Agdal Basin, both located a mile or so southeast of the medina, make a great double act. Heri es-Souani – or the Royal Granaries – was designed to not only store excessive amounts of grain but to also stable a whopping 12,000 horses at a time. Although an earthquake caused the roof to collapse in the eighteenth-century, it’s still possible to get an idea of the sheer scale of this place, which was a feat of engineering for Moulay Ismail. Once you’ve been suitably impressed by the granaries, make your way to Agdal Basin, a large reservoir-cum-lake lined in part with remnants of the walls. Similar tours 7 Days Sahara Desert Tour Click here 8 Days Through The Desert Click here 9 Days Tour Adventure Click here What To Know About Fes Trending Places In Fes Click here What to do in Meknes Click here Once Upon A Time In Volubilis Click here Best Things to Do in Casablanca, Morocco The contrast of magnificent architecture and unforgettable history makes Casablanca a fascinating place to visit. It is the amazing city that is gaining in popularity every year as it becomes cheaper to fly to Morocco. Read More My Top 10 Marrakech it was our first visit to the city and we all loved it! Definitely somewhere we will be going back to soon! So here are our 10 favorite experiences in Marrakech from the trip. Read More 5 Stunning Places to Visit in Morocco Morocco had always been a country I was curious about. It’s blend of North African and Arabic influences gave it this air of mystique that drew me in. Plus, you know, I like couscous. So I had high expectations when I decided to pop over from Spain and explore the country for three weeks. Read More