In Morocco, there is a style out ancient homes that have been turned into delightful small, boutique hotels called Riads.
Built with mud and clay, these dwellings are almost imperceptive from the outside except for a small door, but once you enter - a feast for the senses awaits you! With trees, flowers and fountains, there is a courtyard open to the sky, surrounded by rooms on all four sides.
Generally, the kitchen and relaxation areas are on the ground floor. In Morocco, they often use the living room couches as beds at night.
On the upper floors, small rooms for sleeping are found, with balconies overlooking the courtyard.
Privacy is not really valued in Morocco, except between the genders so women and girls would have their own room, and boys and men theirs are well, except for married people, with very few possessions besides clothes and perhaps jewelry.
Visionaries have turned these ancient dwellings into hotels that are absolutely delightful to experience. They have reworked them with the most beautiful tile work and tapestries, accoutrements and fabrics. There is a timeless luxury that feels divine!
Traditional riads are mostly found in the old cities, or Medinas, of the cities. As you walk the cobbled streets, you're literally walking between blank walls, but behind those walls there is an amazing hidden world, thriving homes full of cooking and play.
As you explore the city during the day, you can get a feel for the rhythm of life in Morocco, with hawkers and acrobats and an unimaginable array of exotic crafts, food, scents and design. It's easy to get overwhelmed by the variety of colors and sounds and scents... so when you return to your riad at night, you drink in the mystical peace and quiet, relaxing and unwinding after your exciting day of exploration.
Fez is an ancient center of knowledge and spirituality. It's well over a thousand years old, and has the "largest car free zone" in any city of the world due to it's narrow cobbled streets. Your competition is donkey carts best places to visit in morocco (watch your step!) and hawkers of cookies and sweets.
Marrakesh is an ancient desert oasis in the middle of the country, nestled up against the High Atlas Mountains. Using Marrkesh as a base, you can explore the Berber villages up high in the mountains, or take a day trip to Essaouira on the coast, or spend your days wandering the ancient market, called a Souk, to find your perfect souvenirs.
Everyone who visits Morocco raves about it! When are you going to come and find out what the hype is all about?
Although Morocco is a country of Africa, in many ways it is a country apart. It is more related to the Mediterranean than to the rest of Africa. It is mainly because of the fact that it nestles on the northwestern of Africa and is separated from the rest of the continent by Atlas Mountains and the Sahara itself. Being situated with both Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines, mountainous interior, it stayed independent for centuries. However, the country have developed a rich culture blended from Arab, Berber, European and African influences. Morocco is an ethnically diverse country with a rich culture and civilization.
Tourism plays an important role for Morocco's economy. The mixture of the cultures that have come here through history has made Morocco an exciting place to visit. Beaches, museums, archaeological sites, historical places and monuments and art galleries are among attractions to visit. Being dominated by the mountains in the north, and by the desert in the South, Morocco makes sunning on the sandy beaches and trekking the high mountains available both.
Rabat is the capital city of Morocco. It has many historical monuments and some of Morocco's most important museums, due to its significant architectural heritage. The Doors of the Kasbah of Oudaïa, The Minaret of The Mosque Hassan (XIIe century) and the Necropolis of Chellah are among the best places to see in Rabat. Also Morocco's best archaeological museum, as well as the several ones , The Main Royal Palace and important learning institutions exist in the city. Rabat is a commercial and industrial city and play a major economic role for Morocco.
Casablanca has one of the largest artificial ports in the world. It is the major city in Morocco and the country's economic capital. It offers a lot of resorts and its many beaches attract surfers. As a landmark of Morocco, Mosque of Hassan II is the biggest and the most important mosque in North Africa. Its traditional Islamic and Arabic architecture is very important and is one of the most striking monuments. Also La Corniche, Quartiers des Habous, Palace Royal are places to see in Casablanca.
Marrakech is a commercial and touristic centre. It is a cultural destination. Djamaa El Fna - Square, El Badi Palace, Koutoubia Minaret & Koutoubia Gardens are charming places for tourists.
Essaouira has a beautiful beach and suitable place for windsurfing. Its festivals of Andalusian and Gnawa music, its medina, pleasant climate and the beaches attract tourists.
Ouarzazate, Tangier, Fez, Meknes are among major cities of Morocco.
Museums of Morocco such as the Dar Batha of Fez, the Oudaïa museum of Marrakech are appealing. They reflect the wealth of the Moroccan cultural heritage.
Markets of Morocco with carpets, statues in wood, and jewelry are charming. Morocco is described as a land of art and emotions. As a result, painters have always been interested in Morocco. Delacroix, Matisse, Torres, Miro, Francis Bacon and Edouard Degas are among these names who have been fascinated by charming local scenes.
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