Travel to Morocco: Mavens Of the Maghreb
By: Frank Johnson
Morocco is the essence of North African charm and the land of
commingling horizons. Glittering Saharan deserts of the south and
east quickly become snow-capped mountains of the Atlas range,
followed by the rolling green heartland, which drops down to the
sparkling Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines. Travel to Morocco
and wrap yourself in the warmth of the enduring Berber, Arab and
African people and 10,000 years of their most fascinating history; a
history that could only occur where the spheres of Africa and
Europe meet intimately and unavoidably upon the Strait of Gibraltar.
Charmed as a Snake
One distinctive layer of Morocco is its great imperial Islamic cities. The central medina (old town)
of each city is typically still walled in and houses the most ancient part of these treasured towns,
including a minaret-tipped mosque. Open-air markets, snake-charmers, music performers and
cafés are all spilling over with life every day of the week except Friday. Fez (or Fès), Morocco’s
former capital, is one of the largest and oldest medieval cities in the world and a perfect place
to begin your journey through Moroccan history. The medina, Fez el-Bali, is an intricate
piecework of 9400 twisting alleys where you may come across some of the finest leather and
hand-craftwork among the many bazaars. The modern and traditional city of Marrakesh is home
to the ancient square of Djemaa el-Fna, which outshines the rest of the medina at dusk with
rhythmic drumbeats, women offering henna tattoos, aerial acrobatics and snakes aplenty. Make
sure to catch a glimpse of the soaring Koutoubia Mosque minaret, visible from the square.
Sea Breeze, Sand Dunes and Snow
Beyond Morocco’s imperial cities, this Arab nation tends to be more relaxed about Islam than its
eastern neighbors, particularly among the mountain and coastal regions. Casablanca is a giant
metropolitan port city with unmistakable Moroccan flavor and international appeal. Casablanca
is also a mixture of old and new, with the recently completed Hassan II Mosque, the second
largest in the world, and a notably historic medina of its own. For a more Mediterranean flare,
venture to the north where Tangier stands as the gateway for arrivals from Spain. French
colonization of Morocco in the first half of the 20th century has left a large imprint on the culture
here, which is intriguing against such backdrops as the fortified Kasbah at the top of the city’s
medina. Tangier is a fashionable and convenient resort destination for North Africans and
Europeans alike, creating a unique cultural blend any time of year.
Get close with the people and the land on a unique adventure that
begins in the Saharan settlement of Merzouge. From here you can
ride a camel out into the sand dunes and spend a night or more
under the luminous stars of the Saharan sky. The serenity of
Morocco’s desert is not lost among the Atlas and Anti Atlas Mountain
Ranges either. Visitors are attracted to these largely impenetrable
mountains for the isolation and tranquility of their many Berber towns
and the authenticity of Moroccan life they provide, not to mention
some great skiing and trekking. Aït Benhaddou is most famous for its
cinematic appearances, such as Lawrence of Arabia. The red walls of
the Kasbahs, fortresses and village squares illuminate in an orange
glow just as the sun finds its way to settle upon the ocean in the
remote distance.
You Simply Don’t Know ‘Til You Go
Writers and film makers have attempted to capture the romance and charm of Morocco for
centuries. The true essence of the nation and people is so distinctly defined by so many
elements. Only once you have experienced Morocco can you really walk away with that
indescribable understanding, at which point you may sit down at a café and sip your sweet mint
tea in peace.
http://www.travelarticlelibrary.com
By: Frank Johnson
Morocco is the essence of North African charm and the land of
commingling horizons. Glittering Saharan deserts of the south and
east quickly become snow-capped mountains of the Atlas range,
followed by the rolling green heartland, which drops down to the
sparkling Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines. Travel to Morocco
and wrap yourself in the warmth of the enduring Berber, Arab and
African people and 10,000 years of their most fascinating history; a
history that could only occur where the spheres of Africa and
Europe meet intimately and unavoidably upon the Strait of Gibraltar.
Charmed as a Snake
One distinctive layer of Morocco is its great imperial Islamic cities. The central medina (old town)
of each city is typically still walled in and houses the most ancient part of these treasured towns,
including a minaret-tipped mosque. Open-air markets, snake-charmers, music performers and
cafés are all spilling over with life every day of the week except Friday. Fez (or Fès), Morocco’s
former capital, is one of the largest and oldest medieval cities in the world and a perfect place
to begin your journey through Moroccan history. The medina, Fez el-Bali, is an intricate
piecework of 9400 twisting alleys where you may come across some of the finest leather and
hand-craftwork among the many bazaars. The modern and traditional city of Marrakesh is home
to the ancient square of Djemaa el-Fna, which outshines the rest of the medina at dusk with
rhythmic drumbeats, women offering henna tattoos, aerial acrobatics and snakes aplenty. Make
sure to catch a glimpse of the soaring Koutoubia Mosque minaret, visible from the square.
Sea Breeze, Sand Dunes and Snow
Beyond Morocco’s imperial cities, this Arab nation tends to be more relaxed about Islam than its
eastern neighbors, particularly among the mountain and coastal regions. Casablanca is a giant
metropolitan port city with unmistakable Moroccan flavor and international appeal. Casablanca
is also a mixture of old and new, with the recently completed Hassan II Mosque, the second
largest in the world, and a notably historic medina of its own. For a more Mediterranean flare,
venture to the north where Tangier stands as the gateway for arrivals from Spain. French
colonization of Morocco in the first half of the 20th century has left a large imprint on the culture
here, which is intriguing against such backdrops as the fortified Kasbah at the top of the city’s
medina. Tangier is a fashionable and convenient resort destination for North Africans and
Europeans alike, creating a unique cultural blend any time of year.
Get close with the people and the land on a unique adventure that
begins in the Saharan settlement of Merzouge. From here you can
ride a camel out into the sand dunes and spend a night or more
under the luminous stars of the Saharan sky. The serenity of
Morocco’s desert is not lost among the Atlas and Anti Atlas Mountain
Ranges either. Visitors are attracted to these largely impenetrable
mountains for the isolation and tranquility of their many Berber towns
and the authenticity of Moroccan life they provide, not to mention
some great skiing and trekking. Aït Benhaddou is most famous for its
cinematic appearances, such as Lawrence of Arabia. The red walls of
the Kasbahs, fortresses and village squares illuminate in an orange
glow just as the sun finds its way to settle upon the ocean in the
remote distance.
You Simply Don’t Know ‘Til You Go
Writers and film makers have attempted to capture the romance and charm of Morocco for
centuries. The true essence of the nation and people is so distinctly defined by so many
elements. Only once you have experienced Morocco can you really walk away with that
indescribable understanding, at which point you may sit down at a café and sip your sweet mint
tea in peace.
http://www.travelarticlelibrary.com
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