2. 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.
3. Morocco is one of the countries of North Africa. It's
located right across from Gibraltar and the south of
Spain, with only the Strait of Gibraltar to separate the
country from Europe. This close proximity means that
there are many Spanish influences but because Morocco
was a colony of France, French culture has made its
mark too. Most Moroccans can speak French, for
instance. However, the prevailing cultural influences are
from Arab culture and Islam.
4. The most famous city in the country is Casablanca. It
was here, after all, that one of the greatest films of all
time was set. Visit the Hassan II Mosque and the
Mahkama du Pacha. Then stroll along the promenade
while humming 'As Time Goes By'.
5. Head to the foot of the Atlas Mountains for another
popular Moroccan city. Marrakech has managed to keep
up with the times without losing its old-world charm.
Marvel at the Koutoubia Mosque, the El Bahia Palace,
the Saadian Tombs and the Berber Museum. Browse
through the souks, explore the alleys and enjoy the
evening entertainment at Djemaa al-Fna.
6. 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.
7. A large part of the country is covered in desert,
specifically the Sahara. A desert safari is a must-do and
should include at least one night camping underneath
the starry skies. For an unforgettable experience,
traverse the desert on the back of a camel, just like
Moroccans have doing it for centuries. Explore Ait-
Benhaddou, an ancient and now largely abandoned city
that often forms the backdrop for Hollywood movies.
Then get the adrenalin going by sandboarding down the
golden dunes.
8. It would be a shame not to try the world-famous
Moroccan cuisine. One dish that is particularly fragrant
and hearty is 'tahine', a spicy stew. It's prepared in a
curiously shaped clay pot which is called a 'tahine' too.
You may want to buy one of these pots as a keepsake
but also save some Moroccan dirham and some space in
your luggage for leather goods, carpets, Berber jewelry,
dates and spices.
9. 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.
