Although Morocco will never be a winter sports destination, there is still some winter fun to be had if you travel to Morocco. There are a few snow skiing resorts in Morocco, but don’t expect the latest in high-speed lifts or quality rental skis. Instead think 1980s straight skis and donkey trips to the lifts. Skiing in Morocco is about experience rather than skiing killer lines although the skiing industry in Morocco is growing. It isn’t every day that you can find some snow to ski on this close to the equator.

Just south of Marrakech in the Atlas Mountains near Jebel Toubkal is Oukaimeden, Morocco’s most established ski resort. The resort village sits at 2,600 meters and the chairlift rises to 3,258 meters to the peak of Jebel Attar, making Oukaimeden Africa’s highest ski resort. The resort is typically open in January and February and has all the basic amenities like ski rentals, lessons, some hotels and a few places to eat. The runs are neither groomed nor powdery bliss. Expect bumpy, hard-packed conditions, but it all depends on the amount of snow or lack thereof. Big changes are coming for Oukaimeden though; a Dubai-based company Emaar is investing more than a billion dollars to upgrade the resort. It also has plans for building the world’s highest 18-hole golf course.

Jebel Mischliffen is a small ski area in the Middle Atlas Mountains closer to the cities of Fez and Meknes. Founded by the French in the 1950s, Mischliffen has remained nearly unchanged since its inception. The resort offers ski rentals and one hotel although many guests stay in nearby Ifrane or take day trips from Fez or Meknes. The runs are short and the lifts are unreliable. That said, it is still worth the short trip from Fez to say you have skied in Morocco. Many Moroccans themselves make the trip up to Mischliffen just to see the snow.

Experienced mountain skiers often head to the Bou Guemez Valley where they can find plenty of off-piste skiing and ski trekking adventures. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are also possible in the High Atlas Mountains. You will need your own equipment and a map since tour services are limited.

Written by Amiee Maxwell.

Photo by simon_music.

With so much to see and do in Morocco, it can be difficult to find the time to relax. After a day touring the lively and sometimes chaotic Moroccan souks, you will definitely be up for a little quiet time. You can relax and rejuvenate in a Moroccoan bathhouse called a Hammam or you can unwind with a cup of tea on your hotel’s rooftop terrace. If you are in need for some quality relaxation time consider spending an evening at La Pause, visiting Essaouria in western Morocco or signing up for a yoga retreat.

Visit a Moroccan Hammam: Visiting the Hammam or Turkish bathhouse is not only one of the best ways to relax in Morocco, but it is also one of the best ways to connect with the local culture. Hammams are public bathhouses and are found in nearly every town in Morocco. Visiting a Hammam can be a relaxing experience if you know what to expect. You should bring normal bathing items with you to a Hammam like shampoo and soap, as well as an extra pair of underpants. When entering a Hammam, you will leave your clothes and towel in a dressing room and then enter the steamy bathing rooms. Everyone sits on the floor to bathe and fills up and mixes buckets of hot and cold water to get the perfect temperature. You can also pay a Hammam attendant for a head to toe scrub down, but be warned that these scrubs are intense.

Relax with Mint Tea on a Rooftop Terrace: If you are weary from a long day of browsing the souks and viewing the city sights, escape to a rooftop tearoom or your hotel’s terrace. Many hotels and restaurants in Morocco have roof terraces perfect for lounging and enjoying a cup of tea. The rooftop terrace is the perfect place to meet other travelers or just enjoy the sunset and the views of the bustling city below.

Enjoy Essaouira’s Unhurried Pace: Tucked along the Atlantic Coast in western Morocco, Essaouira is a quaint little beach town popular with Bohemian travelers. Travelers looking for a reprieve from the bustle of Morocco’s imperial cities will welcome Essaouria’s relaxed pace. Enjoy a leisurely cup of coffee or tea at one of the village’s numerous cafes, browse the many art galleries and handicraft shops and stroll the wide, sandy beaches. Strong winds make Essaourira perfect for windsurfing and kiteboarding year round, but swimmers and sunbathers prefer the sheltered pools of the area resorts.

Spend an Evening at La Pause: Located on the edge of the Agafay Desert, La Pause is a peaceful retreat just 30km from the bustling chaos of Marrakech. The resort offers simple luxury in a desert oasis setting. Savor fine Moroccan meals on one of the resort’s many terraces with wide-open views of the surrounding countryside and then retreat to a gorgeous room illuminated only by candlelight. Visitors can enjoy sunset camel rides, horseback riding or just lazing the day away on one of the hammocks strung throughout the olive groves.

Find a Yoga Retreat: Yoga retreats are popping up all over Morocco. Enjoy anywhere from a one-day yoga session to a weeklong retreat complete with massage, meditation and healthy meals. You can find yoga retreats in smaller towns like Essaouira and Sidi Kaouki, in bigger cities like Marrakech and Fes and combined with surfing lessons in Taghazout.

Written by Amiee Maxwell.

Photo by py3mdwg.

“Expect the unexpected”—perhaps the unofficial first rule of travel. You want to be open to horizon-broadening, life-altering, they-won’t-believe-it-when-I tell-them-back-home experiences. But you don’t want these experiences to come at the expense of your health and safety. A little foresight and caution will go a long way to making your trip to Morocco a safe and happy one.

Having your belongings stolen is one way to turn a dream vacation into a nightmare. Most problematic for tourists is petty thievery, such as pickpockets and purse thieves. Minimize your risk by minimizing your visibility. Leave expensive-looking camera bags and purses, watches, and jewelry at home. Don’t carry all your money with you—leave the majority in a secure place in your hotel. Some have safes; otherwise, lock it in your suitcase.

Cash machines are common in urban areas in Morocco, so it isn’t necessary to withdraw all of your travel funds at once. Have several forms of back-up funds, (spare credit card, travelers checks, cash, etc.) which should be kept separate from the rest of your money. This will help tide you over in case of an emergency. Keep your wallet in a front pocket, and be discreet when withdrawing money from a bank or paying for purchases. Carry your purse or bag in front of you when in crowded areas such as a souk or train, with the strap across your body, and never hang it on the back of a chair while you are eating; wrap the strap around the chair leg or keep it between your feet.

Do not carry your passport with you. If necessary, a good color photocopy should suffice for identification purposes—sometimes necessary for renting equipment such as surfboards or scooters. Scan your passport and email it to yourself—this will aid the embassy in replacing it if the worst does happen. Prepare a list of emergency phone numbers—Visa/Mastercard, your bank, travel insurance, airlines, etc.—and have this with your emergency funds, as well as emailed to yourself.

Worse than losing your camera is the loss of the pictures from your trip. Avoid this heartbreak by downloading the photos frequently, or use several smaller capacity memory cards and switch them out often.

Most instances of traveler illness are low-grade and more inconvenient than life threatening but will still put a kink in your travel plans. Make sure your vaccines are up to date, particularly hepatitis A/B and tetanus. Drink and brush your teeth with bottled water. Don’t be afraid to try the street food—as long as it is hot and fresh, it is not more risky than restaurant dining. If you do get sick, pharmacies in Morocco are readily available and well supplied, and pharmacists are well trained to assist you. If you use medications, bring extra as well as a copy of the prescription in case you need replacements.

And lastly, use travel insurance. Basic policies are not expensive and will cover most travel disasters. Check if your renters or homeowners policy covers your belongings when traveling, as well as if your health insurance covers medical expenses abroad.

Written by Erin Tolman.

Photo by stoneybryans.

Morocco is a country you could visit a dozen times and still see and experience something new each time. Here are some tips to make the most of your trip.

1. Don’t plan an overambitious itinerary

Morocco is a country slightly larger than California, and it can be tempting to try to see as much as possible during a short vacation. However, you need to consider that traveling in Morocco, especially during Ramadan or holidays, doesn’t always go as planned. If you want to travel from Ifrane to Meknes, the drive only takes an hour, but it still may end up taking half the day to get there if you end up waiting for taxis or taking a local bus that stops at a dozen points along the way. In order to avoid spending most of your holiday in transit, give yourself ample time in each destination and plan for travel delays.

2. Get local advice

Choose a hotel or guesthouse to base yourself at and ask the hosts for tips on what to see and do. Guidebooks and what you read online are great starting points, but asking locals where they would recommend for dinner or where you can get the best deal on carpets can lead you to new and different experiences. It’s best to trust people you’ve already met, such as a hotel concierge, rather than a person who approaches you in the street attempting to offer special rates at his “brother’s souvenir shop.”

3. Don’t waste time with touts

In some of the more touristy areas, like the port in Tangier or the Fez medina, foreigners are often bombarded. Before entering the fray, have a goal. If you need a taxi, choose a taxi driver and negotiate a rate. The faster you get through the crowd and are seen as “his” customer, the faster the others should back off. If you simply want to be left alone, avoid making eye contact and say “La, shukran” or “Non, merci” – “No thanks” in Arabic or French. Just keep walking and eventually the crowd should thin. If you can’t deal with the heckling, hire an official guide. His presence will fend off the others and let you explore in peace.

4. Learn about Moroccan culture and cuisine

Before visiting Morocco, take some time to learn about cultural aspects that interest you. Watch cooking videos and familiarize yourself with traditional Moroccan food. Listen to Moroccan music and watch music videos. Take a belly dancing class. While you’re traveling, put your newfound knowledge to work by trying new things and asking questions to learn more.

5. Stay in a traditional home

In the imperial cities, you can stay in beautiful riads that have been refurbished and transformed into guesthouses. Staying in the heart of the medina will allow you to hear the sounds of the city, observe how locals live and appreciate Moroccan architecture. In mountain villages, the only lodging option for travelers is often a gite d’etape, or a guest area in or nearby someone’s home. Staying at a gite you’re likely to eat home cooked food and spend your evening chatting with the family. Sleeping in a traditional Moroccan home will teach you more about the culture and way of life in Morocco.

Written by Heather Carreiro.

Photo by Jack Fussell.

Those unfamiliar with Morocco may only know of one city—Casablanca (thanks to its namesake movie). Although the coastal metropolis offers several worthy attractions, other destinations also abound with local and foreign travelers.

Marrakesh delights travelers with an interest in tradition as well as those who prefer the comforts of modernity. History seekers flock to sites like the gardens of the 12th-century Koutoubia Minaret and the intricately designed Ben Youssef Medersa. Visitors can experience the city’s trendy side through its many nightclubs and luxury spas, or with a shopping trip to the boutiques of Quartier Industrial Sidi Ghanem. Regardless of your specific interests, plan to spend an evening participating in the festivities in Place Djemaa el-Fna, the city’s main square. Dine among the rows of dinner vendors on snail soup, sheep’s head and other traditional fare. Meander past melodies of oboes, drums, finger cymbals, chants, storytellers and henna calligraphers after dinner. Even pay a few dirham to try your hand at a carnival game. Explore beyond the city with a short excursion to the High Atlas Mountains or a night of camping in the Sahara Desert.

Speaking of the desert, Merzouga is a popular stop for travelers who want to touch a sand dune. Several tour companies offer camel rides and camping in the desert from this Sahara village. The experience of an exotically jarring camel ride, the challenge of climbing a dune by foot and admiring the enormity of the desert makes the journey to Merzouga memorable and worthwhile.

Those who enjoy the adventure of getting lost in a whimsical destination should dedicate at least a day to exploring the winding alleys of Fes’ medina. Notoriously narrow and lively, the alleyways are packed with spice markets, crafts, workshops, hammams, mosques, fountains, restaurants, performers, locals, tourists and more. The area is also known for its tanneries, and the medina’s artisans allow visitors to view the techniques of working a hide into soft leather—a process they have changed little since medieval times. If you travel to Fes in early summer, try to be there for the Festival of World Sacred Music, usually scheduled in late May or early June.

To escape the bustle typical of Marrakesh and Fes, many travelers venture over to the coastal city of Essouira to enjoy its uniquely relaxed ambiance. The merchants in the town’s spacious medina leave shoppers to browse through handmade Berber baskets, colorful fabrics and artisan handicrafts relatively pressure-free. Exiting the medina through the harbor-side door reveals picturesque rows of blue fishing boats and swarms of seagulls overhead. Continuing in this direction leads you to the town’s well-lit beach and popular oceanside promenade. You can opt to explore more of the coast by taking a bus to Agadir, a larger city with more of a resort-like atmosphere. Buses go to several other destinations as well including Rabat, Morocco’s capitol, which is also located on the coast.

Written by Shelley A. Gable, instructional designer and freelance writer.

Photo by marcp_dmoz.

Travel memoirs seem to fall into three camps. There is the guidebook, where the author fills the pages with historical facts, telling the colorful past of the author’s current view. There is the narrative history, where the author travels with personal baggage that gets unpacked throughout the journey. And there is the immersion narrative, where the author becomes nearly invisible, except as a portal through which one tastes the food, talks with the locals and tells of life in another time and place.

Such is Peter Mayne’s A Year in Marrakesh. First published nearly 60 years ago, it is remarkable for its insights into a culture isolated from much of modernity’s reach. The early 1950’s were a tumultuous time for Morocco—the country gained independence from France in 1956—but for Mayne, it was full of the turmoil of daily life. Determined to settle in the city like a native and not a tourist, Mayne walks the delicate line between foreigner and observer, vacillating between the frustrations and joys of his new life. Much like a long trip, the book starts out slowly, a languid pace that has all the time in the world to explore a new place. And much like a trip, it is suddenly over, and too soon.

Mayne dispenses with much of the standards of personal narrative. We know little of his home, or his history. In fact, it is fair to say that throughout the book, one does not ever get to know Mayne. His personal life intrudes only rarely into the accounts of dealings with his Marrakesh neighbors, landlords, servants, acquaintances and friends. His focus is not on the life he has left behind in England; nor does he make much of what lies in his future besides the most pressing and immediate needs. And despite the frequent mentions of writing (or, as often, the avoidance of writing) a novel, the contents are kept away from the pages of this book.

It is exactly this lack of context—politics, pop culture, even the author’s personality—that makes this story a travel classic. The elements that rise through the drudgery of Mayne finding lodging, making food, escaping the heat and learning a language are transcendent human traits. Mayne is a patient, respectful traveler—not without his own biases and shortcomings, but still a true observer, ever curious of the little differences, ever looking for the common ground.

Written by Erin Tolman.

Travelers are excellent planners; with everything there is to juggle when putting together a trip, organization and foresight are a major part of the wanderer’s skill-set. One piece of pre-trip planning that even the most seasoned travelers may neglect, though, is just how you’ll keep in contact with home once you hit the road.

In many situations, this is a non-issue (think of your weekend trip to Boston or that one time you spent an extra three days in Zurich). In Morocco, you’ll want to plan ahead.

Morocco’s electrical and communications infrastructure has improved exponentially over the past five years, due in large part to the King prioritizing technology in rural development. That said, your resources for phoning home are still rather limited, especially outside of major urban centers.

Very, very few Moroccans have the internet at home. This means that internet cafes, or cybers, as they are known, are just about everywhere. Rates vary wildly, but you can expect to pay anywhere from 4-15 Dh for an hour online (~ $0.50-2.00). Connections are usually good and should often allow you to send large files or use Skype, but be prepared for equipment that may or may not function properly. Also, be cautious when attaching USB or other memory devices to these public machines, as antivirus software is rarely a priority.

Again, you can expect quality to decline outside of larger towns, but it can vary wildly even within a small town. Ask around to see if anyone you meet can recommend a good place to get online.

While the internet may not be ubiquitous in Moroccan households, cell phones certainly are. You’ll see small children and little old ladies alike pull out their phones at the drop of a hat, and the cell network has expanded to meet the ever-increasing demand.

If you decide to buy a phone for your trip (which you will see for sale in nearly every roadside shop), look for a Maroc Telecom SIM card to go with it. This is the national cell network and is generally regarded as the largest and most reliable. Other companies, such as Meditel and Wana, are also widely available, but may not have coverage everywhere Maroc Telecom does.

You can buy airtime via phone cards, which have a code you can input via text message. Calling abroad is, of course, going to eat away at your phone credits rather quickly, but even a small card (20 Dh) should allow you to call another country for a few minutes. One perk is that Moroccan cell phones are only charged for outgoing calls, so if you give your new number to family elsewhere, they can call you and your credits can be saved for emergencies.

If you don’t want or need a cell phone, you can also visit so-called teleboutiques. These are small shops that hold payphones, and while they are not quite as popular nowadays thanks to the increasing popularity of cell phones, they are still easy to find. You need to buy a phone card (available at the teleboutique, as well as many shops) in order to use the machines, but they will let you call abroad without trouble.

If you choose to bring a laptop or wifi device with you, in many places you’ll find a signal with little problem. Many hotels and cafes have begun offering free wifi, and if you are sticking to larger cities on your sojourn, checking your email over a coffee should be little problem. For excursions farther afield, however, this is by no means a reliable—or even likely—option.

Finally, don’t forget to send a postcard!

Written by Margaret Jackson.

Photo by Alessandra Kocman.

Whether you are an art history scholar or a casual observer who appreciates something that pleases the eye, Morocco abounds with awe-inspiring art such as tile mosaics, intricately carved handicrafts, woven carpets and more. While you can encounter artistic displays throughout the country’s cities and villages, art museums often tell a story more clearly than publicly placed mantles or a paragraph in a guidebook. Below are a few of the art museums in which the exhibits tell a story.

Tangier: Museum of Moroccan Arts

A 17th-century former palace, located in the Medina of Tangier, this museum gives visitors a sense of how princes lived. The royalty of that time surrounded themselves with colorful marble and glass mosaics, with painted wooden ceilings overhead. Beyond the structural adornments, the museum organizes displays in separate rooms for the country’s major regions. For instance, the Fez room features ancient pottery, calligraphic manuscripts and dyed silks.

Fez: Dar Batha Museum

The elaborate collections on display in this Hispanic-Moorish 19th-century palace in Fez could easily occupy a detailed viewer for most of the day. Large display cases protect historic pieces and line the long corridor-like rooms that surround the courtyard. One of the more famed collections is the pottery, much of which dates back centuries and features the cobalt blue for which the region is known. Visitors can also compare varying styles of embroideries—some with geometric patterns and others that depict nature. The museum also displays Berber carpets, hand-crafted jewelry and Jewish relics. And, like most of Morocco’s ancient buildings, the structure itself demands admiration with its tile work and archways.

Marrakech: Dar Si Said

One of many art museums in the city of Marrakech, this particular one focuses on woodwork as a decorative and religious art. Featured carvings include furniture, musical instruments and smaller decorative items. The building itself supports the woodworking focus with its intricately patterned wood doors, ceilings and window frames. In addition to wood crafts, the museum also displays other arts typical of southern Morocco, such as Berber carpets and pottery.

Essaouira: Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdallah

Visitors from around the world flock to the annual Gnaoua World Music Festival in Essaouira, which features gnaoua music (the Gnawa are an ethnic group descended from the country’s neighbor to the south, Mauritania) and includes reggae, jazz and other genres. So it seems appropriate that one of the town’s main attractions is an art museum that houses many of the string instruments the Gnaoua use in their performances. The museum also tells the broader story of the town, with ethnographic collections of coins, jewelry, tools, carpets and pottery.

Written by Shelley A. Gable, instructional designer and freelance writer.

Photo by guillenperez.

Morocco has long been a cultural crossroads; Saharan traders and European sailors mingled with Berber tribesmen and Jewish merchants in the souks of Morocco’s cities. The country’s diversity reflects this mingled heritage. Nowadays, the art scene is no less complex. The film industry in Morocco has many loyalties: to its own native viewers, the whole of the African continent and the larger scope of the Arab world. As with cinema in Europe and the United States, one of the best showcases for emerging talent and topics is the film festival.

Many film events in the Arab world, such as Abu Dhabi Film Festival, Dubai International Film Festival and Doha Tribeca Film Festival, do not limit submissions geographically or culturally. These festivals are new, glitzy affairs, aimed at rivaling star-studded events held at Cannes, Sundance and Toronto, but with a focus on the rapidly expanding Arab film market. However, even with celebrity prestige and government money, these events still struggle to find a domestic audience. It is estimated that the two-year-old Doha Tribeca festival had only one-third capacity for its events—perhaps a total of 20,000 or less.

Contrast this with the Panafrican Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou (FESPACO). First held in 1969 in Burkina Faso, one of the poorest countries in the world, it is open to films from only African nations. Despite being plagued with funding problems and frequent logistical issues, it is the largest cultural event in Africa, estimated to have had nearly one million visitors in 2011. Rather than restrict the opening and closing ceremonies as exclusive events, they are held in the public stadium to a crowd of 30,000-40,000. Submissions for this year were record-breaking, surpassing the organizers’ expectations. It is considered the premiere film event on the continent, earning its nickname the “African Oscars.” The African film industry comprises only 3% of the market, and while that number is growing, it faces challenges one would expect with artistic ventures in developing nations: lack of infrastructure, distribution and development funds. One thing is certain—there is no lack of interest from Africans in hearing their stories told.

In March 2011, the prestigious Golden Stallion of Yennenga award went to Pegasé (Pegasus), the debut film by Moroccan director Mohamed Mouftakir. Praised for its beautiful, surreal cinematography and bold narrative style, it is a psychological thriller that contrasts modern morality with old world sensibilities. The film addresses the timely topic of how personal trauma intertwines with the larger community. While the film has yet to see worldwide distribution, it has succeeded in bridging the gap between the African and Arab film worlds. In much the same way that Morocco has always trafficked culturally, it now is poised to provide each world with what it most needs: the African world with development and distribution, and the Arab world with a passionate audience.

More information on movie locations in Morocco.

Written by Erin Tolman.

Photo by riviera 2005.

Morocco is not a difficult country to travel solo, but there are some tips and tricks that can make your experience more enjoyable and prevent you from wasting time and money.

Speak the Language

Linguistic richness characterizes this North African nation. The majority of Moroccans speak Moroccan Arabic (Darija) or one of three Berber dialects as a native language. French is widely used, and you can still get by with Spanish or Portuguese in some coastal regions. Traveling alone is an excellent opportunity to meet and converse with locals. Even if you can only manage basic greetings, an attempt at speaking Darija or Berber will often gain you immediate respect and can lead to better deals on lodging, tourism packages and souvenirs.

Lonely Planet has phrasebooks for both French and Moroccan Arabic. Another travel-geared French phrasebook on the market is by writer Rick Steves.

Carry Cash

In a pair or a group, it’s easier to have small change on hand. When you’re alone, you can only rely on yourself for those two dirhams needed to use a public squat toilet or the ten dirhams you’d like to give the busboy as a tip. Always carry cash and always have small change. You don’t want to have to pay for something inexpensive with a large bill, as shopkeepers cannot always make change.

Don’t Always Wait for Grand Taxis

Grand taxis typically don’t leave the taxi stand until they have six paying passengers. For getting from town to town, these taxis are often the only option. If you show up first, you’ll need to wait for five other passengers before your vehicle will be on its way. Work some money into your budget to pay for an extra seat. If you pay for two seats, you can sit in the front seat solo and avoid the elbowing and smell of body odor that can accompany four adults crammed in the backset of a Mercedes. You’ll also get your taxi on the road faster.

Find Travel Buddies

It’s much cheaper to arrange guided tours and transportation when traveling in a group than by yourself. If you’re looking for travel buddies, try giving out a shout out ahead of time via Twitter or a blog post to see if any of your virtual acquaintances will be traveling in Morocco at the same time. While in country, head for the hotels rated highly on TripAdvisor or guidebook author picks that seem the most appealing for other travelers with a similar budget.

Get a Phone

A phone can be a useful tool for coordinating with taxi drivers for day trips or other travelers you meet on the road, especially if you plan to spend a few days on your own and rendezvous in another city. A phone also gives you an additional layer of security. Morocco uses GSM technology, so if you have a US-based cell phone it will likely be cheaper to buy an unlocked GSM cell phone and get a local SIM card than to use international roaming services.

Stay Safe

Women traveling alone in Morocco should exercise additional caution by dressing modestly, avoiding arrival in new cities after dark and not allowing taxi drivers to take you to a friend’s/brother’s/cousin’s hotel instead of the hotel you’d planned on staying at. A false wedding ring and a wallet-sized photo of a husband or fiancé (real or fictional) may also prove helpful in fending off would-be suitors and wannabe mother-in-laws.

Written by Heather Carreiro.

Photo by Anomalily.