We at Journey Beyond Travel now have word that the wedding festival will take place on September 15, 16, & 17, 2011. We are arranging Morocco itineraries to help clients get to the festival. So, feel free to contact us for more information.

One of the most notable pieces of Moroccan culture is the moussem, a traditional religious festival that serves as both spiritual gathering and impromptu block party for local residents. Some festivals are so well known that locals and those on a Morocco holiday travel across the country to attend—and the Imilchil Wedding Festival is just such an event.

Held each fall in the mountain town of Imilchil, the wedding festival is deeply rooted in local history and culture. The festival’s roots can be found in the story of two star-crossed lovers, Tislit and Isli. According to local legend, Tislit and Isli were children of warring mountain tribes and had fallen deeply in love. When their families discovered their relationship, they refused to allow them to see one another, let alone marry. The couple was so heartbroken that they ran away to marry secretly, and then threw themselves into the mountain lakes that today bear their names.

Devastated by the deaths of their children, the tribes came together and agreed that from then on, no one would be able to dictate who their children were to marry. The wedding festival serves as a yearly reminder of both this freedom to choose and an opportunity for men and women to meet their future spouses. Indeed, it is one of the few opportunities many mountain villagers have to socialize with the opposite sex, and people come out in droves to see and be seen.

Visitors are still fairly uncommon to the region, due largely to its isolation and perilous roadways, but numbers are on the rise. Locals are usually quite happy to help you understand their culture and traditions, and, in fact, eager to help new arrivals gain all that they can from the experience. It is, however, still a very important social gathering for those involved, and the proper care should be taken to show respect.

Imilchil, high in the peaks of the Middle Atlas Mountains, has plenty to offer trekkers and climbers … or even those looking for an exhilarating day hike. If you attend the festival, make sure to set aside a little time to explore the nearby peaks and even the lakes that still go by the names of two unfortunate lovers.

Be prepared, however, when you arrive. The region’s isolation means many supplies are hard to come by, so make sure you have plenty of essentials with you (medications, water tablets, etc.) before you go. Also make sure to have lodging settled before you arrive. While many festival-goers will be staying in town with family, the few hotel rooms that exist will be hard to come by. You can also take the opportunity to camp but be sure to bring plenty of warm layers, as the mountains get very chilly at night.

The festival is one of the best known in Morocco and is a wonderful opportunity to experience Berber culture. If you’re in the mood for a few romantic days in the mountains, the Imilchil Wedding Festival may be a good fit for your next trip.

Written by Margaret Jackson.

Photo by Antonio Caselli.

Tucked into the hills of the Middle Atlas Mountains, Azrou is a welcome break from the crowds and noise of the imperial cities, and, at nearly 3,940 feet (1,200 meters) in elevation, it’s also a great place to escape the heat.

Azrou, which translates literally to ‘rock’ in the local Amazigh language, is named for the large, black volcanic outcrop in the center of town. The name is fitting in more ways than one. The verdant Middle Atlas rise above Azrou, with hardscrabble cliff faces serving as the only break in the landscape. The city also serves as the foundation of regional trade and social life. Locals in mountain villages nearby make use of the bustling market as their weekly source of food, supplies and gossip.

All of this makes Azrou a wonderful place for visitors to observe a traditional souk and daily mountain Berber life, without venturing too far from the main imperial trails. The weekly souk draws thousands of people, and there is a wide variety of produce available year round. Cherries, grown primarily in nearby village of Ain Leuh, are a particular favorite. The small medina is also worth a stop for people watching or to haggle for a rug or homemade wool hat.

Those who have spent some time in Morocco will notice the unique architecture of Azrou immediately. Like nearby Ifrane, it is one of the few places you will find slanted roofs, a necessity thanks to heavy winter snowfalls. The distinctive green glazed tiles used to finish these structures add a beautiful contrast to the otherwise white and cream color scheme.

In addition to its thriving market and mellow atmosphere, Azrou is an ideal base from which to explore the nearby Atlas Cedar Forest, home to the endangered Barbary macaque. Though their population numbers may be low, you’ll easily spot a few apes along the side of the road outside campsites, where they eagerly wait for tourists to feed them table scraps (a practice that is not recommended). About six miles outside of Azrou, you can also visit the Cedar Gourand, a nearly 800-year-old cedar.

Azrou is remarkably close to Fez and Meknes, and buses regularly run south toward Beni Mellal and Marrakech, making it an ideal place to take a breath between stops in larger cities.

Written by Margaret Jackson.

Photo by -AX-.

Taliouine is a small village located near the city of Taroudant, in the southern Souss region of Morocco. The village is situated in the Anti Atlas Mountains, which tend to be less hospitable due to hotter temperatures, rockier terrain and the harsh desert, which lies at its base.

Despite the difficult living conditions, Morocco’s history here was written by Glaoui (or El Haj T’hami el Mezouari el Glaoui), who moved into the area and decided to become “Lord of the Atlas.” Glaoui and his brother ran the Aglawou tribe of southern Morocco. In the 1800s, they created a Kasbah in Taliouine and Telouet. Today, though the Atlas Mountains are primarily populated by the Berbers, in Taliouine, you will meet descendants of Glaoui’s servants.

Taliouine is a small village surrounded by hills and the Glaoui Kasbah. Unfortunately, time, location and the effect of larger cities in Morocco have taken its toll on Taliouine.  It is slowly nearing extinction as the Kasbah’s structure begins to crumble. Still, if you are intent on visiting a place rich with history and culture, you should take the time to visit Taliouine. The people living in the village are proud of their historical city; the caretaker of the Kasbah is all too happy to show you around and tell you stories of the past.

The village is also known for its production of saffron, the most expensive spice in the world. This small town produces approximately 7,000 pounds of the spice each year, and Morocco as a whole is fourth in global production behind Iran, India and Greece. The plant flowers in late October and early November. Consider visiting during that time because Taliouine holds a festival to celebrate the harvesting of the plants.

While you are in the area, visit the small museum, which has a saffron tasting section and shop.

For a break from the village, stretch your legs with a trek up Jebel Siroua, considered by many to be the finest walk in the Anti Atlas region. The mountain is an old volcanic peak and rises to 3,304 meters. Take the time to enjoy the isolated villages along the way, magnificent gorges and view from the top of the peak, overlooking the valley below.

Posted by JoAnna Haugen, managing editor at Journey Beyond Travel and author of Kaleidoscopic Wandering.

Photo by Rosino.

Located in northern Morocco in the Middle Atlas Mountains, west of Ifrane National Park, is the city of Ifrane, an oasis with verdant forests. Lakes, fountains and greenery in the city offer a breath of fresh air from some of the other busier, dustier cities in Morocco.

Built by the French in the 1930s, Ifrane became a retreat of sorts. With wide avenues for driving, European-style villas and natural green spaces within easy access, you might feel like you’ve stepped into a summer resort in Switzerland with the sloped roof chalets and natural springs. During the winter months, Ifrane becomes a destination for skiers, and there are several resorts set among the hills. In the summer, these same hills are lush and green and become a hot spot for hiking, walking, mountaineering and rock climbing.

An observation deck has been carved into the mountains, which offers great views of the ravines and valleys. Vittel Springs, a set of spectacular cascades, is particularly picturesque. Outside of town is Dayet Aoua, a lake ideal for picture taking. To enjoy the lake to its fullest extent, take the lake circuit around the lake. Rich in bird life and woodlands, Dayet Aoua is a popular destination for birdwatchers who hope to catch a glimpse of the booted eagles, black and red kites, and crested coot. Woodpeckers, tree creepers and nuthatches move among the trees around the lake. During the winter months, the lake is snowbound and often unreachable. Other treks that are popular in the area are not possible during the heavy snow either.

Though Ifrane is very much known for its natural beauty, there is more to it than waterfalls and forests. There is a mausoleum in the city that dates back to the 16th century. The entire structure is blue with mosaics, and many people refer to it as the Blue Mausoleum. For centuries it has been a place for pilgrimage, hiding in the valley with cypress and olive trees surrounding it.  There are also ancient troglodytic dwellings in the town, which are now used for stables and storage.

Posted by JoAnna Haugen, managing editor at Journey Beyond Travel and author of Kaleidoscopic Wandering.

Photo by mhobi.

With a population around 50,000 people, Azrou, Morocco, in which “Azru” in the Berber dialect means “stone” or “rock,” is one of the more-populated towns in the Middle Atlas Mountains. Dwarfing nearby Ifrane in number, Azrou is an important Berber town and functions as a junction to the market centers of Fez, Meknes, Midelt, and Kenifra.

With surrounding pine and cedar forests, high meadows, and blooming wild flowers (in the spring!) Azrou feels nothing like its population suggests and is truly a place to get off the beaten path, relax, and unwind. Moreover, Azrou is has a massive weekly souk (or souq, currently every Tuesday from 10 a.m. until about 3 p.m.) where animals, produce, and even Berber carpets are brought in for locals and tourists alike to test their bargaining skills.

Azrou’s medina, or city center, has just undergone a serious facelift allowing more room for cars to park and people to walk about. The medina has its own array of shops and is a good place to grab lunch before heading to the outskirts that offer a plethora of outdoor activities.

The surrounding vistas of Azrou are akin to the terrain found on the Great Rock of Gibraltar, which ironically also, like Azrou, is home to the world’s only population of Barbary Macaques, or a type of primate monkey with a short stub for a tail. Living in a matriarchal society, the fathers help rear the young; troops divide their time between various areas of the oak and cedar forests and are mostly herbivores.

The outskirts of Azrou proffer other outdoor pursuits, including rambling about the rocky hillsides or rock climbing on a cliff overlooking the town. Not as glorious as climbing in the Todra Gorge, climbing is also viable near the once worthy (yet small) Jbel Hebri ski mountain. For small groups with their own equipment, bolted routes can also be found near the very small Sidi Zaouia Abdelsalam, just on the outskirts of Ifrane.

Walks in the area are also very worthwhile. Some of the hotels in Azrou, namely the Azrou Hotel called the Auberge Du Dernier Lion de L’Atlas has some GPS coordinates for walks (and possible drives) that it gives to its clientele, such as the Spanish, who enjoy self-guided adventure excursions in the territory. Before taking off on a walk around the hillsides, let your hotel know where you plan on going. While getting lost is not that much of a worry, inclement weather can move in quickly blocking your view. Take your day pack, first-aid kit, and plenty of water and snacks. For serious walkers wanting long-day or multi-day excursions, contact the Morocco Trekking team at Journey Beyond Travel LLC.

Other nearby areas, such as Ain Leuh and Ifrane are only a short drive away; Ifrane has some nice walks in the forest behind the road to Ras Lma (just 2 km up from the Shell Station). The only worry on such a walk are dogs. Regular shepherd dogs are not that dangerous if their master is nearby, but the wild African dogs (like those just behind the Ras Lma summer camp area) should be avoided. If a dog approaches, stand your ground and reach down to grab a rock. This usually thwarts shepherd dogs to take off. If a dog becomes more aggressive: Avoid eye contact, do not run, try to back away slowly, and if near any trees, climb up. In the worse case and if an attack is inevitable, place an object between you and it (even a hiking pole). (Read more about avoiding dog attacks.)

South of Ain Leuh is the Sources de l’Oum-er-Rbia.  It is 20 miles to the south, but reveals a beautiful landscape of more waterfalls and allows you to get to the Lac Ouiouane by going through a small valley to a bridge that crosses the Rbia River. From here, it is another fifteen minutes to a gorge where springs have broken out from the rocks to create a number of waterfalls.

By Sam Mitchell

Ifrane is a small city of less than 10,000 people (50,000 in summer) located in the Middle Atlas Mountains of Morocco, just 58 kilometers south of Fez. The town was set up by the French during their colonization period as a quasi-ski resort, and they actually took the name from nearby Sidi AbddalSalam Zawiya, a small Berber village 15 kilometers away. Not many tourists spend a whole lot of time in Ifrane, but giving it a day or two is worthwhile once one discovers the outlying natural gems that surround the region.

Because of its Alpine feel, tiled chalets, and snowbound winters, the town has inherited the name “Morocco’s Switzerland.” From Ifrane several places in the region can be seen.

In the summer, Ifrane is a sharp contrast to the drier areas of Fez, Meknes, and even Azrou that surround it. The lush greenery, cedar forests, and pastureland come to life due to the abundant rain and snowfall in the winter and spring months.

In winter, Ifrane is also an allure (especially for Moroccan tourists) who want to not only experience one of Morocco’s most accessible snowy areas, but who want to give skiing a try at the Michlifen hill that is home to a working (most of the time) ski lift. Local Berbers from surrounding villages will often rent out skis and sleds to passersby to earn their daily wages. Mount Hebri is a secondary mountain; its ski lift has not worked in decades, but the sledding potential draws crowds nonetheless.

Ifrane, home to Al Akhawayn University (a prestigious English-speaking university and campus) is home to Morocco’s elite who do not venture abroad for their entire educations. Additionally, the king’s palace overlooks the entire town, a castle that somehow fits in nicely with the surrounding rocky terrain.

Because Ifrane was laid out by the French, it has a very colonial (even European) feel. No longer are French expats flaunting about, but Arab city dwellers come who have their second (or third, etc) home here that serve as vacation residences throughout the seasons. A majority of Ifrani Berbers of the region are the working class individuals who take care of the university and palace grounds.

Surrounding Ifrane are cliffs of limestone that encompass the various areas worth walking to while on a day trip. Walking or trekking in Ifrane is quite different than trekking in the High Atlas of Marrakesh. Walking in Ifrane is a pleasant activity, either from village to village, inside the cedar forests, or to places such as the Valley of the Rocks. A drive (or hike) outside of town will take you to the Cedre Gouraud Forest, filled with cedar and oak. This area of Morocco is also a sort of breadbasket with its lush valleys, which receive more rainfall than any other place in the country (and nearly North Africa).

At Cedre Gouraud and in the far-reaching areas outside of town, the possibility of seeing endangered Macaque (Barbary apes) is easily done for those who are willing to explore. These apes are also found in Gibraltar and are thought to have been brought over by sailors.

Plentiful in the area are flocks of sheep, waterfalls, hidden caves, and rolling hills. So, while planning your Morocco itinerary, be sure to spend a day exploring this majestic, yet little-known area of the Middle Atlas. Feel free to contact us at Journey Beyond Travel to make this little stopover a part of your diversely planned route.

by Sam Mitchell

Volubilis is not a town in Morocco, but rather a set of Roman ruins situated near Moulay Idriss and outside of Meknes. The spot was probably chosen for its rich soil that would reap abundant crops, especially olives.

Volubilis is one of the best preserved archaeological sites in Morocco and has been a Unesco World Heritage Site since 1997.  The most interesting artifacts of Volubilis are the mosaics which have survived time.

When traveling around Meknes, a jaunt to Volubilis makes the perfect day trip. While en route, stop by the small, yet lively town of Moulay Idriss.  

During an archaeological excavation of the site, it was determined the settlement was the remnants of Carthaginian traders dating to the 3rd century BC. It is still considered one of the Roman Empire’s most remote outposts. Volubilis was annexed in 40AD.  It is thought that the Romans had strict control on what could or could not be produced in this North African region. The production was often based on what the empire decided they needed; part of this control contributed to the vast deforestation of the region due to the planting of wheat.

Research has given us the impression that the now extinct city once was home to nearly 20,000 people. Part of the site includes a triumphal arch, capitol, baths, and basilica. The Romans may have continued to live in the area, although Berber uprisings were common. These skirmishes led to an eventual annexation by the Romans in 280AD. The cities populations at the time included many Berber, Greeks, Jews, and Syrians. Each of these populations spoke Latin for several centuries after the Romans left. This lasted until Islam reached the region.

Volubilis was inhabited until the 18th century. There were a few earthquakes and the disuse of the buildings finally led to their demise. It was the 1755 earthquake in Lisbon that really demolished any fully standing structures.

Today the site is about 20 hectares, half of its original size. Excavation teams are working to uncover the other half. Much of what is excavated at the site is sent to Rabat to be placed in the archaeological museum there. For those who want to know more about the site once you have visited it you will want to travel from Meknes to Rabat for a look at the items they have on display.

Volubilis can be a difficult site to find due to lack of road signs.  It is recommended that you take a Morocco tour operator to the site. Not only can you get information about the site from them, but you can also have a guided tour to keep you from missing it. It is best to travel to Volubilis at off peak times.  During the summer the sun is very hot. Any time you visit you should have plenty of water packed.

The sites at Volubilis include some of the most well known monuments in the northern section of Africa. You will need to head to Oued Fertessa first. You can then take a path from there to the residential quarter of one of the buildings. The team found olive presses buried in this area, which you can see on your tour.  Next to the presses are the remains of a female skeleton. She is thought to be Muslim because she was buried facing Mecca.  She is entombed in the wall and covered with an iron sheet to make sure she will remain in peace.

From this area it is possible to reach Galen’s Baths, which are next to the house of Orpheus. The baths are just ruins now, but it is fun to imagine what the baths used to look like centuries ago. It especially shows the under floor heating system that was used in Roman times. The Capitol and Basilica will just about end your tour.  The capitol is indicated by the Triad of Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva. This dates back to 218. The last thing to see is the Mosaics at the house of Acrobat.

by Sam Mitchell

Morocco trekking tours are recommended to explore th prepossessing M’goun region in Morocco. The tour guides are often natives, familiar with the area as well as the local customs. Utilize the services of an educated tour guide through a Morocco tour operator to better explore this authentic Berber villages. Satiate your lust in Wanderlust by trekking through pastoral valleys, indulging in the sights and sounds offered only in this part of Morocco. The coupled Mgoun and Ait Bougmez Valley proffer villages, people and ways of life unique to only this region in all of Africa.

Sights and Sounds

Mgoun contains portions of mountain ranges that practically reach the sky. It holds the distinct honor of being the second highest mountain range in Morocco (second to Mount Jbel Toubkal). Leading up to this majestic mountain range that stands at 4,068 meters is the beautiful Ait Bougmez Valley.

Mgoun makes a home in the High Atlas Mountains where it covers a territory space of 250 kilometers. Its boundaries stretch from Marrakech to the east of Jebel Toubkal. Nestled in the valleys of Mgoun are authentic Berber villages where life stays true to traditional Moroccan customs.

Being nestled in the Ait Bougmez Valley affords M’goun the opportunity to indulge in a variety of attractions and activities that give a sense of what Morocco rural life is like. Travelers will delight in witnessing the sights of such destination attractions as Tighremt Valley; Ait Boulli Village; Oulillimt gorges and Tessaout.

Trekking Mgoun Morocco

Adventurous holiday goers will enjoy trekking Morocco even more if they choose to get off the beaten path. There are numerous guided tours available for inexperienced trekkers and those who are visiting the region for the first time.

Mgoun treks cover paths from north to south and everything between. Treks take Morocco holiday travelers up towards the Mgoun summit. Along the path, trekkers will be treated to unforgettable scenery such as nomadic shepherds leading a flock of sheep across a field or the sun setting behind the towering caps of the High Atlas Mountain range. Consume the breathtaking 360 degree views afforded by the Mgoun gorge with a crystal clear river flowing through its center.

An Mgoun trekking adventure spans the course of eleven days from start to finish. Many guided tour companies remain below a 10,000 foot altitude level during the trek. At or below this level inexperienced and experienced trekkers alike should undergo no problems in altitude adjustments.

Ideal times to engage in an adventure is anytime of the calendar year with the exception of attempting a climb to the top of Mgoun during the months of January through March, as avalanches are common on the upper peaks. While July and August are hot, trekking in the mountains at higher altitudes will always mean cooler morning and evening temperatures.

Trails follow a zigzag pattern in some portions of the trek. One section in particular looks impossibly daunting. However, after one hour, this section is finished, proffering panoramic vistas to conquerors. Participants must maintain a certain level of physical fitness in order to successfully engage in any Mgoun trek. Basic hiking and walking fitness should suffice. You can always hop on a mule for part of the half- or full-day treks.

Terrain substances changes in the blink of an eye. Therefore, participants should also be able to switch walking trail surfaces without a problem. A good already used-by-you hiking boots should be used. Guided tours typically take participants on the trails for six to seven hours at a time per day (this includes stops, eating and everything in between).

The M’goun area in Morocco measures slightly smaller than its blue-ribbon predecessor Mount Toubkal. It is highly regarded as the greatest trekking adventure in Morocco. This is due in large part to the stunning views that are afforded to trekkers at every turn on the paths and trail ways. Pass through a Berber village that displays authentic red soil with the mountain range as a backdrop. Take in views afforded by ancient rock carvings and preserved dinosaur footprints, often hard to spot without a trained eye.

Morocco Itineraries for Trekking Mgoun & Ait Bougmez

Detailed itineraries will vary depending on each individual and their needs. The most general itineraries start on the first day leaving from Marrakech. Tours head towards Azilal where a stop for lunch and mint tea is made. After a delicious Moroccan meal, tours move on towards the Idoukalm Berber village near Tabant. Here is where the first overnight stay will occur.

Sights along the way include rock carvings that date back some 8,000 years situated alongside rock strata. Follow a beautiful waterfall to a cold plunge pool and enjoy a refreshing dip in the waters if you dare. Overnight camps will be created in the midst of jagged mountain peaks and star formations glistening in the night Moroccan sky.

As the Mgoun trek begins to wind down, participants finally reach the majestic summit massif. This point rests at 4,068 meters above the earth providing trekkers with a moment to feel on top of the world–or almost on top of Africa. From this picturesque point, trekkers make their way down Mgoun and back towards the Ait Bougemez Valley. A final overnight camp is set up in Agouti village. The final day of ends with a light morning trek followed by transport back to Marrakesh.

by Sam Mitchell

You are headed to the African nation of Morocco. Your Moroccan tour operator has told you about visiting Berber villages. You have heard all about the Berber craftsmen, their knowledge of the land, some of their indestructible history and maybe a bit more. Or perhaps you’ve never heard of them at all. Just who are these Berber people? A Moroccan pre-Arab culture has ruled unperturbed and unconquered for hundreds of years. Let’s take a look at this amazing people.

Morocco Berber History

Believe it or not, Berber history goes back to prehistoric times. They’ve been around for at least 4000 years or maybe more. Calling themselves Amazigh, the proud raiders, they fought against the Romans, Arab, and French invaders. Even though the Romans and others have tried to colonize the Berber people, they have managed to preserve their own language and culture and in reality were never beaten!

Berber language is primarily oral in nature, although they have had their own writing system for more than 2500 years. Sometimes hard to find, the writing can be seen catalogued in the small museums throughout the south.

About Morocco Berbers

A light skinned people, they have been called by many names: Libyans by the ancient Greeks, Numbians, and Africans by the Romans and Moors by medieval Europe. In fact, it was the Arabs who came up with the Berber name. Islam came to the Berbers in the ninth and tenth centuries. Prior to then, most Berbers across Africa were Christian or Jewish. Two great Islamic Berber dynasties, Almoravids and Almohads, ruled large parts of Spain and northwest Africa.

Today, most of the twenty-seven million Moroccans are either Berbers, Arabs, or Moors (people of Berber/Arab decent). Their ancestors became the Almoravids and Almohads that built the mighty Moorish empire that ruled Spain, Portugal and Northern African.

Most of today’s Berbers live in the mountains of Morocco while the Arabs and Moors live in the cities, though it is very common these days to see Berbers running, owning and operating small shops and other commerce endeavors.

The west has characterized Berbers as nomads using camels to cross the Sahara desert. Most today are farmers of the mountains and valleys in Morocco. They were traders in the earlier days. Berber’s long recorded influence affected commerce by establishing trading routes between the West African and the Sub-Saharan region. They transported goods from beyond the Sahara desert to the Northern Moroccan cities. Merchants were considered in a higher class than the farmers, however, through history the roles have mostly been reversed.

Morocco Berbers

Different tribes of Berbers inhabit different regions in Morocco. Drawa Berbers are found in the Draa Valley. The Dades live in the North East, The Mesgita, Seddrat and Zeri tribes are along the rives of the North West. Moroccan Rif region is home to the Ghomara.

To better know the Berbers of Morocco, book a Moroccao tour adventure, trekking in the High Atlas mountains as well as other places. Visit the palm oasis’s of the Draa Valley or explore the Sahara by camelback, just to mention a couple. You’ll visit the many villages along the way. The Berber people are incredibly friendly and will offer to share a glass of famous Moroccan mint tea or cook you a traditional Moroccan dish for your dinner.

Your Moroccan tour guide will help you chose the best route for you. Visit the markets of Marrakech or Fez and you will find many examples of Berber craftsmanship. Stunning silver jewelry by Tuareg and Amazigh artists, handmade babouches or belga made in the workshops are among the treasures you will find. If your tastes run to elegant embroidered caftans, or textiles such as Berber carpets, pillows, kilims and so forth you will find them too.

Talk to your Moroccan tour guide and operator and find your self on a vacation of your dreams. A Moroccan adventure will take you from the modern cities on the coast to Berber villages high in the Atlas or Rif Mountains where you can even trek in Chefchaouen.

You can go trekking or visit during one of the many festivals to see age-old Berber customs being practiced in today’s world. Stay in a modern riad or an ancient Kasbah. It matters not where you go in this magical land as you will find the adventure of a life time. You can customize your tour to suit your interests and needs. Book your Morocco tour and begin your adventure today.

by Carole Morris, Morocco Enthusiast, & Writer & Columnist for the JBT Team

It’s been a long winter. You are looking forward to a vacation in a new and exotic place. But your partner says they want to go skiing. Besides, you promised skiing this year as the beaches have lost there aura with you. The answer to all your holiday woes is a Morocco holiday.

Ifrane, Morocco is a nestled town in the Middle Atlas Mountains. Becoming known as Africa’s “Little Switzerland,” it just so happens to be near a ski resort.

At altitude of 1650 meters–complete with cedar and oak forests–Ifrane boasts loads of powdery snow in the winter. In the summer, too, Ifrane is known as a cool city. Depending on which guidebook you consult, Ifrane is the coldest city in Africa.

Six miles from Ifrane is the Mischliffen ski area. Fast becoming the place to ski in Morocco, it has ski slopes and (as yet non-functioning) ski tows to the top of the mountain. Guides and outfitters in Morocco can set up your ski vacation complete with all the equipment you need, though your choices will be limited.

As with most cities in Morocco, Ifrane comes with a long and interesting history. Known as Oufrane by the Jews, it was reputed to be the ancient capital of a Jewish Kingdom around 500 B.C.E.

Jews fleeing King Nebuchadnezzar found refuge here. In later centuries, Arabs and Romans found their way here too. Ifrane soon became an important stop for caravans coming from the Sahara Desert, carrying such things as amber, ostrich feathers, gold and other riches to the port of Mogador (present day Essaouria) on the Atlantic coast.

Ifrane’s name comes from the Berber language meaning “caves.” In its early beginning, many people carved their living space in the nearby hills. You can see them all around. If you go exploring, or on a trek or hike in Morocco here, then it’s best for you to have a guide to the area, or get hold of a Morocco tour operator. It is easy to get confused and lose your way among all the mule, donkey and caravan trails. Seeing the aforementioned caves is an interesting way to spend any afternoon.

Today, Ifrane is probably one of the cleanest cities in Morocco. The housing and infrastructure was built in the late 1920s by the French. The town was designed with coolness in mind–colonial families would spend the hot summers away from cities, such as Casablanca, Rabat and Marrakech.

Initially planned as a garden city, it was laid out with curvy tree-lined streets interlaced with gardens and green areas. Originally, it had four chalet styled homes and a palace for the sultan. A post office was erected and a church was later added.

During WWII, a POW camp was built here. After independence from France, Moroccans moved into the city. Ifrane was enlarged: a mosque, public market and other amenities were soon added. Many of the old chalet houses have been torn down and replaced with condos, though there’s plenty of the high-pitched red roofs dotting the town.

Vacation centers and gated communities are springing up along the outskirts of the city, making it a desirable international and domestic tourist destination, especially for Morocco holidays.

Today, the city boasts one of the best universities in Morocco. Al Akhawayn University is a private school built by Morocco’s government, along with American and Arab investors. Ifrane has a joyful yet peaceful feel about it. Residents include an polyglot of Moroccan seniors, students, tourists and everyone between.

All of this gives Ifrane an enterprising spirit. Virtually free of crime, it is one of the best cities in all of Africa. Not only that, Ifrane is a photographer’s dream come true. No matter where you look there are unique and interesting sites. There’s even plenty of barbary macaques (monkeys) to follow in the treetops. Ifrane is the gateway to the famous Ain Vital. Here, Morocco hikers and trekkers, cyclists, and others looking for adventure have magnificent waterfalls and sylvan scenery to delight the senses.

Its proximity to Fez and Mekenes makes it a great place to spend your Morocco holiday. Get up and go skiing early in the morning and then head to Fez for an afternoon of exploring the famous labyrinth filled Fez medina.

Quite a contrast in architecture, Ifrane shows the very European influence in its construction. Not much of the ancient town is left except for the caves. Ifrane is modern and sits firmly in the present. Fez, on the other hand, is considered a living Medieval city right out of days of Moorish conquerors and history. Ifrane comes with wide streets and modern cars. Fez comes with narrow passageways only open to donkeys and foot traffic. Fez has a world famous market, while Ifrane’s market is busy only on Sundays. What a great way to see the older and newer Morocco!

No matter the towns, villages or cities you seek, Morocco is a good choice for a Morocco tour. It’s contrasts and cultural heritages make it a living museum. You can tailor your customized Morocco tour to include mountain climbing, High Atlas Mountain trekking, kite surfing, white water rafting, kayaking or walking through history. Morocco will surely boggle your mind.

by Carole Morris