Posted by Brian - October 22, 2010 - Uncategorized
Berber children
Image by Alexbip
Goulmima ksar, Morocco
Far from the horrible touristic towns of Boumalne and Tinherir, the small town of Goulmima is a miracle. One of the last traditional berber "ksar" (basically a village organized around a kasbah from the XIIth century) still inhabitated, in a middle of a fertile and generous date grove. No tourists and no arabs around here, only berbers.
As a result, people are forgotten, live in very precarious conditions and struggle to prevent their village from falling down.
Posted by Brian - October 12, 2010 - Uncategorized
A Very Beautiful City
Casablanca is a very active and very beautiful city in western Morocco. There are many buildings and business that benefit from tourism. With many restaurants and ways of transportation, it is easily a great place to travel. There are about 3 million residents, and many of them are very friendly and helpful to the newcomers and visitors. This exotic city is a very lively paradise and the weather is warm throughout the year. The temperature does not often reach more than 75 degrees Fahrenheit, or 24 degrees Celsius, but it does not go much lower than fifty one degrees Fahrenheit and eleven degrees Celsius. Most people who visit the active city will prefer the warmer part of the year. The perfect temperatures keep even the laziest travelers ready for more adventure and social fun.
There are many ways to get to the city of Casablanca in Morocco. If you are from another country, you will probably be taking an airplane to get to the city. Mohammed V International Airport is probably the most commonly used air port in the city and this is how a majority of the tourists get to the city. The French and the Spanish are the most likely visitors, but the city of Casablanca can be enjoyed by anyone with the will to have fun.
One of the first things that will come to a person’s mind when he or she hears the name ‘Casablanca’ is of the movie of the same name. It is true that the 1942 romantic drama film was set in the city of Casablanca. In the movie, it accurately shows the city still under the control of France. It was in the March of 1956 in which Morocco became independent from France again. Though most of them are speakers of the native language of Arabic, more than half of the residents also speak French, as a result of the time that the country of Morocco was occupied by the French. Many people also speak Spanish, because Spain is not a great distance away from the country.
There are a great number of landmarks are a huge attraction for incoming tourists to the city of Casablanca. When Casablanca was under the control of the French, architects were able to create many magnificent structures in the city. One of the most visited is the Hassan II Mosque, which over a hundred thousand worshippers can pray in and look through the windows at the Atlantic ocean. It is the second largest mosque in the world. Some of the other popular sites are the Casablanca Twin Towers, the Technopark, both of which are very educational. There are also many local restaurants for those who wish to sample the cultural foods. Casablanca is a very beautiful city.
For more information on Casablanca, visit http://www.casablancamicroblog.com and http://www.moroccomicroblog.com.
Posted by Brian - October 9, 2010 - Morocco Villa
Three Reasons Why You Should Stay in a Riad
There are plenty of luxury hotels in Morocco, yet many people are opting to stay in a more traditional riad when they visit Marrakech on their Moroccan holidays. Here are three of the main benefits:
A Riad is More Traditional Than a Hotel
Whilst there are a number of luxury hotels in Morocco that are perfect for a weekend away, staying in a riad in Marrakech offers you a far more traditional experience on your Moroccan holiday. The term ‘riad’ is used to describe a Moroccan house, or Palace, arranged over a central courtyard, with a fountain or water feature located in the centre. It’s believed that Moroccan riads were first adapted from the designs of traditional Roman villas and were first built in the Idrisid Dynasty of 780 AD. You will discover on your Moroccan holiday that all of the riads in Marrakech arrange their guestrooms around the courtyard, which has been well adapted to suit the hot Saharan sun. In keeping with tradition, each garden also features four orange or lemon trees and the walls are often adorned with tadelakt plaster and zellige tiles. Some of the larger riads in Marrakech even contain their own traditional hamman spa and you can guarantee that the experience you receive will be far more authentic than any similar experience offered at a luxury hotel in Morocco.
Riads in Marrakech Serve Alcohol
As Morocco is a Muslim country it has strict laws governing the sale of alcohol, and nowhere are these rules as strict as in the religious walled city. Outside of the walled city most of the hotels and restaurants frequented by tourists are licensed to serve alcohol to tourists only, but alcohol is not sold to anyone in the confined area. However, there is a solution for visitors that wish to stay in the area of the walled city, but who can’t imagine not touching a drop of alcohol on their luxury holidays in Morocco; a Marrakech riad. The riads within the walled city are permitted to sell alcohol to their guests and if you simply must sample the local produce, then the Guerrouane wine grown in the Meknes region is particularly note-worthy. However, as is always the case in a foreign country it is important to respect the local customs. Asking for alcohol during the month of Ramadan is likely to cause offence, and as a result some riads will stop selling it completely during the holy month.
You’re Closer to the Attractions
If you want to stay in the centre of the action on your luxury holiday in Morocco then a riad is definitely the answer. Whilst most of the larger luxury hotels in Morocco are located on the outskirts of the city, the riads are the only form of visitor accommodation that you will see within the area of the walled city. Therefore, by staying in a riad you will be significantly closer to the souks, historical monuments and, most importantly, the Jemaa El Fna Square, which comes to life at night with exotic food stalls and traditional dancers. With snake-charmers and belly-dancers located on your very door-stop you’re sure to have a completely different Moroccan holiday experience, and definitely one which is a lot more traditional then staying in a standard luxury Morocco hotel.
Jane Wilkinson is the marketing manager for Cadogan Holidays. This multi-award-winning travel company provides Moroccan holidays and the very best luxury hotels in Morocco.
Posted by Brian - September 29, 2010 - Uncategorized
morocco-tour-camel
Image by ping_w_photo
Posted by Brian - September 19, 2010 - Uncategorized
Marrakech, Morocco, May 2003
Image by kprager
Caroline S, prepping for bed.