Journey Beyond Travel...going beyond the destination

Morocco: Home of fabulous cuisine, beautiful languages, a unique culture and stunning historical sites. With so much to see and do in Morocco, it can be hard to pick the best experiences. If you’re looking for an interesting mix of adventure, education and culture, here are five Moroccan experiences you absolutely shouldn’t miss:

1. Visit Ait Benhaddou. This desert fortress (also known as a kabash) is located in the Draa Valley and was built to protect the locals from outside invaders. The city has a frozen-in-history feel with its building designs dating back to the 11th century. It’s little surprise, then, that Ait Benhaddou has been used as a backdrop for several Hollywood films, including Lawrence of Arabia, The Jewel of the Nile and Gladiator. (more…)

While there is a lot of opportunity to get off the beaten path to visit the lesser-explored regions of Morocco, many travelers want to combine fun and adventure along with a dabbling of history into their holiday. For all three, immerse yourself in Morocco’s imperial cities. Be prepared for some stunning photos while meandering through the historical sites, the coast and deep into ancient medinas that have literally stood the test of time.
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Having an understanding of Morocco’s architecture and the layout of its ancient cities will help you to absorb the full flavor of the country, its history, and people. The architecture within each of Morocco’s Imperial Cities offers onlookers an intricate glimpse into Morocco’s fascinating heritage. (more…)

It was once thought that nothing lay beyond the Atlantic Coast of Morocco. Today the Atlantic Coast region of Morocco is one of the most prosperous. This fact is due to the shipping ports which have formed on the coast bringing tourists, fishing industries and much more. Casablanca is one of these coastal cities. It is one of the largest cities of Morocco, and perhaps the most well known. (more…)

If your first stop in Morocco is Casablanca then let your second stop be just 60 miles up the coast in Rabat. It is the country’s capital and where most of the foreign embassies are located as well as the country’s head of state, King Mohammed VI. The most talked about and well-visited site in Rabat is the Tour Hassan, built of rosy copper sandstone with a minaret that soars 144 feet above an array of 300 columns of a mosque that was never actually completed. Morocco’s cities are filled to the brim with such boiling brews (more…)

Speak the word Morocco or conjure the image of the country up in your mind and you will at once come away with a feeling of the exotic, of being very far away from home. The truth is, however, that you are not so far away at all. It just seems that Morocco allures the mind in so many ways, taking hold of the imagination as surely as the colors and sounds and smells that make up the history and culture of this historical destination. (more…)

Morocco! What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear that magical word. Do you conjure up vistas of desert sands? Men in caftans along with red Fez hats? Or do you see souks and minarets? Morocco is all these things. When you explore Morocco you will find much, much more. (more…)

Wow! You are about to embark on your dream Moroccan holiday. You have received your itinerary from your Moroccan Tour Operator. You are visualizing yourself walking through the labyrinth streets of old Fez. You see yourself trekking the High Atlas Mountains or cycling Moroccan countryside. Many adventures are just waiting for your plane to land. Maybe, there just might be one Moroccan adventure that you haven’t thought too much about. Make no mistake, it is just as great as any of the other adventure, could be, it is just a bit better. You are about to start a journey into the cuisine of Morocco. (more…)

Visitors journeying to Morocco will no doubt enjoy visiting some of the country’s most famous and exotic cities; they will be drawn by the ancient pink walls of Marrakech, the old medina in Fez and the endless beaches of Essaouira. However, one city that tourists sometimes (and unfortunately) overlook is Salé. Salé is the twin city to the Moroccan capital of Rabat, lying just across the river Bou Regreg. The Bou Regreg River forms the border between Salé and Rabat, and after passing between the two cities, empties itself into the Atlantic Ocean. Many visitors to Morocco are overwhelmed by the historical sites in Rabat (such as the medina, the ancient ruins of Chellah, and the mausoleum of Mohammed V), and they forget that a short boat ride away from the capital will lead them to the less glamorous, but equally fascinating city of Salé. (more…)

Morocco is a beautiful region that enlightens the senses and tickles the hearts of couples in love. It does not matter if the couple is young and on their honeymoon or older and on a special holiday. The simple fact about Morocco is that it is hard to miss the natural exotic beauty of the region that speaks to hearts across the globe. Couples in love can delight in sharing a romantic spin on the dance floor after enjoying delicious Moroccan cuisine all in the same evening. They can also spend the night underneath the stars camping in the Sahara Desert. Regardless of how the holiday is spent, the couple will fall more in love with each day in Morocco. (more…)

Morocco is an Islamic country steeped in tradition. Religion plays a very important role in the everyday lives of its people. To better understand just how much, consider a customized tour of Morocco mosques and sacred places within each city you travel to. Most mosques are not open to non-believers, however, medersas and gardens surrounding them usually are. Here are some Morocco Holiday considerations. (more…)

Morocco is an enchanting place that soothes the soul, arouses the senses and takes one to distant places only dreamed of in books and movies. Ancient lifestyles are preserved in old towns that offer up quaint little shops that fill front windows with bags of spices, dates and dried fruits. Across the street, the clatter of ceramic can be heard as a potter brings a bowl from a ball of clay to a bowl. Dining establishments are found in the same area as these craft stores offering up some of the most delectable Morocco cuisine. (more…)

Morocco lies in an abundant region of the globe that proffers glorious mountain backdrops, vibrant forest centerpieces, heavenly oasis fortresses and indescribable desert landscapes. One of the best ways to immerse yourself in Morocco is on two wheels. That is, biking in Morocco affords you the chance to witness firsthand the authentic culture and landscapes this region provides visitors each year. (more…)

On the Sale side of the estuary, it seems that time has been forgotten. It still carries some practices from earlier eras. Sale is a walled city. Central to life is the Grand Mosque and medersa, built in the 1300s. The Mosque itself is closed to non-muslims but the medersa is open to visitors as a museum. Near the back of the Grand Mosque is a shrine to Sufi, Zawiya of Sidi Abdallah ibn Hassoun, patron saint of Sale. The most interesting excursions would be the Souq-el-Ghezel or wool market. Your Morocco tour operator can advise you best on where to go and what to expect. (more…)

After you’ve spent some of your Morocco holiday time in Casablanca, What else is there to do?, you may have wondered. As your Moroccan tour operator will be glad to point out, there is a whole country to explore out there. If you’ve only got one or two days in Morocco, then travel northbound where Morocco’s exoticness abounds under local culture, customs and cuisine. (more…)

Tucked away in a quiet area of northern Morocco is the beautiful city of Tangiers. Many have said this gateway to the Arabic world for those in Europe showcases the mystic and romance of Morocco. This growing city has over 669,000 residents that make a home here. (more…)

Morocco has always held some mystery for travelers. This part of North Africa bridges mainland Europe and the African continent, though separated slightly by the clear blue waters of the Mediterranean. With the Atlantic Coast thousands of miles long and the Sahara thousands of miles across, Morocco has many different prospects of topography and offers a complete and unique experience for each individual traveler. (more…)

Is this the Middle Ages or modern Morocco? Are those men sultans? Is this a medieval battleground? Before you stretches a tent city, built around a courtyard. These tents, by today’s standards are opulent and luxurious. Rich Moroccan carpets and killims cover the floors. Tapestries are hung on the walls in traditional reds and greens. Once inside, outside walls cannot be seen. One passes through arches and battlements into rooms that speak of wealth and royalty. It seems as though time has stood still. (more…)