Morocco is a majestic realm with vistas fit for a king – a one-of-a-kind getaway as vibrant and romantic as the rose, the national flower that abounds in spring.
Here are some reasons why a trip to Moroccan paradise should be on your holiday wish list!
THE FREEDOM TO SAFELY EXPLORE
Morocco is a friendly Muslim kingdom exceptional in the Arab world for its open-mindedness towards both the Jewish people and Westerners.
Even the traditional Berber artisans living remote in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco are known to share tea with foreign travelers.
A testament to Morocco’s relative liberalism is the fact that women are not required to cover up head to toe as in some other Muslim countries.
British travel writer Lauren Allen highlighted the safety of Morocco in her blog for solo female tourists:
“Would I return to Morocco as a solo female again? YES! Do I recommend others do the same? Absolutely… Just do your research, take precautions and have fun… Solo female travel in Morocco is safe and it’s a beautiful country that EVERYONE needs to explore.”
Likewise, Morocco’s warm embrace of the Jewish people is extraordinary. The Museum of Moroccan Judaism was the only Jewish museum in the Arab world until just a few years ago, when the House of Memory, or Bayt Dakira, was inaugurated – also in Morocco. The iconic, bright blue-rinsed houses and buildings characteristic of Morocco are in fact vestiges of one town’s (Chefchaouen) former Jewish population. Last year, President Herzog expressed Israel’s gratitude to King Mohammed VI and “the people of Morocco who, for generations, have acted to protect the security, welfare and cultural heritage of the kingdom’s Jewish community.”
MOUNTAINS, SAND & SEA
North Africa is very topographically diverse, and thus replete with stunning natural wonders. In Morocco alone, travelers can visit the towering red river canyons of Todgha Gorges and the charming Berber villages of the fertile Ourika River Valley with its panoramic views, apple orchards and walnut groves – as well as the snowy summit of Jbel Toubkal in the High Atlas Mountains, the majestic Ouzoud waterfalls, and the slopes of the Sahara.
Thrill seekers can enjoy hiking, skiing, cycling, mountain biking, off-roading, rock climbing, ice climbing, horseback riding, and water sports such as kite surfing. Morocco is even home to several water parks where the whole family can cool off!
Alternatively, if you desire rest and relaxation, Morocco has several scenic beaches – such as bright blue Charrana Beach, serene Legzira Beach, and bird-watching paradise Oualidia Lagoon. The luxury beachside resorts resemble heavenly oases with turquoise pools and desert palms.
Of course, one of the most beloved and unforgettable excursions in Morocco is the dreamy desert tour. Travelers riding camels are guided by locals to a lush campsite amidst the dunes where they enjoy a multi-course Moroccan feast with mouthwatering traditional dishes like tagine and couscous, then wake up to a champagne breakfast at sunrise.
STUNNING SOUVENIRS
You don’t have to go to the Yves Saint Laurent Museum in Marrakech to witness world-renowned craftsmanship. The lively, sprawling markets characteristic of North Africa and the Middle East, called souks, are full of bustling and bargaining, and they can be difficult for tourists to navigate without a local guide. However, the crowds and mazes of the souks do not deter tourists in Morocco; some people travel to Marrakesh or Fez with an empty suitcase just so they can shop until they drop at the souks!
Among other goods, one can buy jeweled glassware, ornate teapots, incense and aromatic spices, traditional woven Moroccan carpets and handmade Berber rugs, dazzling Arabic lamps and lanterns, fine, hand painted ceramics, and leather goods from local tanneries.
Top off a visit to the souks with some famed Moroccan street food – perhaps fresh baked, fluffy bread called khobz or a brochette, the Moroccan version of a kebab – and wash it down with some refreshing Moroccan mint tea!
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