Part 6 of 6
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For me, travelling is not just a brief stay or somewhere to relax; it’s a true connection with a special place, people and culture. Visiting Morocco was a dream come true for me as I’ve always wanted to ride a camel, see the desert, explore maze-like medinas, and drink tea with Berbers!
Often called the “Gateway to Africa”, Morocco is a fantastic place many people fall in love with. It’s not that hard to fall in love with a country that has so many influences in culture, cuisine and tradition. Morocco has been influenced by an African, European and Arabic culture, which makes this country a fascinating destination that will definitely broaden your perspective.
Morocco is the most photogenic country I’ve ever been to. I took more photos in Morocco than anywhere else I’ve been. Everything was fascinating: the hanging meat at Ouzoud, the colours, the people, the architecture, the countryside. I was mesmerized by everything! There has never been another country that made me feel this way.
Thanks to Take a Break Travel, I travelled around the country and gorged myself on tajine, drank my body weight in mint tea and absorbed the sights and sounds of the country. Morocco was an incredible and rewarding experience. It battered my senses and was full of surprises. This was one of the best trips of my life, visiting a country so rich in culture. I met so many people on the trip and made friends for life.
Morocco offers many adventures, cultural experiences and breathtaking scenery all over the country and this will make your departure pretty hard. I truly fell in love with the country and would like to share the reasons why you too will fall in love with Morocco and will want to come back!
1) Exploring medinas
Each major city in Morocco has at least one medina in the city core, where you can experience the local life to the fullest. These places are filled with food markets, local restaurants, shops and many places where locals just gather and enjoy their time. That vibe was something unforgettable and that will be love at first sight. Also, these places are created as labyrinths with so many narrow streets that it’s literally too easy to get lost. Just make sure you are aware of your belongings as these places are targets for thieves.
2) Amazing architecture
Morocco has an impressive architecture due to its many cultural influences. This gives the country one of the most iconic places regarding architecture. If you are passionate about architecture, then Morocco is an ideal destination for your next trip. Many major cities like Marrakech, Rabat and Fez have walls around the city with the palace, tombs and shrines all over.
3) Colourful cities
If the kaleidoscopic of handicrafts, textiles and mosaic tiles weren’t enough – entire cities are splashed with colour. For instance, the dusty pink walls of Marrakech have earned it the title of ‘Red City’ while tucked away in the Rif Mountains is Chefchaouen, a hidden gem painted a palette of powdery blue. The striking blue city boasts the prettiest medina in North Africa and is truly a photographer’s paradise.
3) Breathtaking landscape
Blues, reds, ochres, greens, yellows, oranges and pinks: the Moroccan landscape exudes colour as far as the eye can see, brought to life by lights and shades. The diversity of Morocco’s landscapes, waterfalls, beaches, desert, climate and culture makes it among the world’s most beautiful countries. In fact, the country, thanks to its rich nature and diverse landscapes, always makes it to the lists of famous countries that appear regularly in the world’s best tourist destinations. With varied natural landscapes and visually exciting cityscapes, there are plenty of memorable views to soak up in Morocco.
4) Sahara Desert
For travellers looking to have an adventure of their lifetime, Morocco offers so many different activities. One of the most amazing activity is exploring the Sahara desert on camels. Each trip usually starts in some city leading you to the camp in the desert. The whole trip usually lasts for a few hours until you reach the Bedouin camps, but to warn you, riding the camel for a few hours isn’t the most comfortable experience. Put that aside for a bit and wait until you reach the camp as it’s then that the real experience starts.
5) Fortress Towns
When you take a trip from any major city to the Sahara, you’ll pass by fortified towns and houses. The towns are surrounded by great walls and the forts inside are called kasbahs. These fortified cities were built along the caravan trade route between Marrakech and the Sahara in order to provide merchants and traders with a place to rest on their journey. They look absolutely stunning and have attracted many films and TV shows to capture scenes there.
6) Tea time
For Moroccans, mint tea is as important as earl grey is for the British and green tea is for the Chinese. It is served at any time of the day with sweet and savoury foods; it’s kind of always tea o’clock in Morocco! The mint tea holds a very important place in the life and social relations in Morocco: it is indeed the drink of the friendship and the hospitality of the people. Moroccan mint tea is always poured from high above the glass as a gesture of welcome and respect, besides adding froth and texture to it.
7) Colourful clothing
Morocco is a country rich in history, traditions, people, and culture. Moroccan clothes are traditionally rich and varied. They come in a variety of fabrics, shapes and colours. The Islamic religion of Morocco is a key factor in the way that Moroccan people dress, which is in garments that provide coverage to the whole body.
8) Donkeys
Wherever you go in Morocco you will see donkeys. They are not just for the tourists to admire but are also an integral part of Moroccan life. Donkeys are the cog that makes the Moroccan economy tick. They carry children to school, and will likely carry them to their funeral. Our driver Khalid was particularly perplexed by our obsession with donkeys as to him a donkey is a tool, like a wheelbarrow. However, he was patient enough to slow down or even stop at times for us to take photos!
9) Friendly people
Moroccan people are tolerant, welcoming, and friendly to foreigners. I learnt this straightaway from the various initial conversations I had over Omegle with various Moroccans, who were more than happy to offer me advice or information about their country and would always end their first chats with me by warmly welcoming me to their country. And a simple conversation over a mint tea or accepting the services of a guide to show you around the medina may lead to a lifelong friendship long after you leave Morocco. This might lead to your new friend extending an invitation to enjoy a Moroccan meal at their home, as happened to me in Chefchaouen.
Morocco is known for being one of the most tolerant of the Arab nations. The country is relatively safe, peaceful, and stable. Moroccan people are also noted for their warm hospitality and warm, friendly nature. As a former French colony, French is widely spoken. In popular tourist areas, English is commonly spoken too. Communication is rarely a problem for visitors. So visit Morocco and step into a new world of alluring aromas, lively cities, and charismatic locals. Take a Break Travel do several trips to Morocco each year, and I would highly recommend you to join if you can.
