Travel To Morocco For The Holiday Of A Lifetime

By Marissa Velazquez


Selecting a holiday destination is often a bit of a challenge. It's not easy to find that one destination that has it all, with culture, adventure, the great outdoors, beaches and fantastic food. Even if you do find such a place, it's often prohibitively expensive. However, even if you're on a budget you can live the dream if you travel to Morocco.

Morocco is a country in North Africa, with Spain and Gibraltar just across the narrow Strait of Gibraltar. The country is predominantly Muslim and has more in common with Arab culture than with the cultures of sub-Saharan Africa. There are strong Spanish and French influences too due to the proximity to Spain and the fact that Morocco was once a French colony.

The first city most tourists visit and the one they all know about is Casablanca. This coastal city was the setting for the eponymous movie classic starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman. One of the most impressive sights in Casablanca is the huge Hassan II Mosque but don't miss the beautiful Mahkama du Pacha either. Enjoy the cooling sea breeze along the promenade known as the Corniche and imagine you're in an old black-and-white film too.

Another popular Moroccan city to visit is Marrakech. This city is located close to the Atlas Mountains and is one of the best places to see how the old and the new meet. Stroll around the streets and alleys, shop at the souks, visit the El Bahia Palace and the Koutoubia Mosque and explore the Berber Museum. At night, head to Djemaa al-Fna, a square where you can enjoy live entertainment.

Morocco has plenty of great beaches, with part of its coastline on the North Atlantic and part on the Mediterranean. The Atlas Mountains with their high, snow-capped peaks are a great destination too and are made even more interesting by the presence of Berber towns and villages. There are stunning hiking and climbing routes along the peaks and valleys.

The natural attraction that most visitors want to see is the Sahara Desert. Here you'll find mysterious places like Ait-Benhaddou, an ancient and abandoned city. The dunes are a sandboarding paradise and the vast open spaces are the perfect place to clear your head and rejuvenate your soul. Explore the desert on the back of a camel for a more traditional experience or travel by off-road vehicle. Be sure though to spend a night or two sleeping in the desert underneath millions of impossibly bright stars.

Back in the city, arm yourself with enough Moroccan dirham and go shopping at the souks. Some of the items you might like to buy are spices, dates, leather goods, colorful carpets and Berber jewelry. You may also see many strange-looking clay pots for sale. These are 'tahines' and are used to make a delicious stew, also known as 'tahine'. It's just one of the many Moroccan dishes you should try while in the country.

Many of the low-cost airlines that operate in Europe also have flights to Casablanca or, in some instances, to the city of Agadir. If you'd like the journey to the country to be part of the adventure, another option is to take the ferry to Tangier from Gibraltar of Spain. No matter how you travel to Morocco, though, you'll fall in love with this magical destination.




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