I have been dreaming about going to Morocco ever since I learned about Le Maghreb in high school French class. I was overwhelmed by the idea of a place so geographically and culturally different than the place where I grew up. In Morocco, I dream of exploring the markets of Marrakesh. I dream of riding into the Sahara Desert and spending a night under the stars. I dream of hiking in the Atlas Mountains and looking out at the ocean in a seaside town. I dream of air saturated with spices, drinking Moroccan Mint Tea, and hearing a mix of Arabic, French, Spanish, and Berber languages. High school French class was over 10 years ago, and I still have not been able to get Morocco out of my head since it captivated my imagination. Since I've had a lot of time to think about it, my list of "must-see" places is long, but, hey, it's a dream trip! Here are the places I would want to go in Morocco: MarrakeshMarrakesh is a well-known destination in Morocco, famous for its souks and Djemaa El-Fna square filled with musicians, food stalls, and many other things to explore. There seems to be something for everyone in Marrakesh: viewing cultural sights, including museums and mosques (non-Muslims are not allowed inside); indulging in hammams, which are Turkish baths; shopping and haggling at the souks; and staying in a riad, which often have beautiful Moroccan architecture and designs. This city is also at the foothills of the Atlas Mountains, allowing for easy day trips to the mountains. Atlas MountainsSo often, when picturing Morocco, I think of sand dunes stretching endlessly into the distance or bustling markets in the cities, and I end up forgetting that there are stunning mountains and opportunities for outdoor activities all over this country! Since the Atlas Mountains are near Marrakesh, it is possible to do a day trip into the mountains. I love hiking and exploring naturally beautiful places, so I would definitely want to spend at least a day in the Atlas. ChefchaouenLiterally, a blue city, Chefchaouen is a town in the Rif Mountains. It's a smaller town and known as one of the most beautiful in Morocco. Due to it's location in the Rif Mountains, Chefchaouen is an ideal starting place for many hikes, whether guided or independent, in the Rif Mountains or nearby Talasemtane National Park (45 minutes away). The town is also known for having skilled leather artisans, making it a great place to shop for purses, jackets, and more. Interestingly, the language spoken by most of the locals is Spanish, with French being the language of education. I would love to relax in a smaller town for a few days, head to the mountains, and take in Morocco at a slower pace. TangierRumor has it that Tangier has a reputation for being a little rough around the edges, given that it is a port city, a major gateway into Morocco. But, this is a city that has historically attracted interesting artists and writers, such as Tennessee Williams, the Rolling Stones (who recorded a song here), Truman Capote, Jack Kerouac, Paul Bowles, and Henri Matisse, among others. I am fascinated by a city that can draw dreamers and creative minds such as these. I'm not sure if I would choose to visit Tangier if I had limited time in the country, but I would be interested to discover the flavor of the city on a longer trip. Sahara DesertA camel trek into the Sahara Desert is most likely a once-in-a-lifetime experience. ("Only if you want it to be" - any Gilmore Girls fans here?) The Sahara Desert is known for being the largest subtropical hot desert in the world. Desert landscapes are not my favorite when compared with mountain vistas or ocean views, but they hold a stark beauty of their own that has alway intrigued me. Given the opportunity to ride a camel over the sand dunes of the Sahara Desert and spend a few nights in a luxury camp under the stars, I would jump at the chance! When in Morocco, right? RabatRabat has been described by some travel articles and websites as a "hidden gem" of Morocco and a relatively laid-back Moroccan city, often overlooked by travelers. I love cities that are less frequented by visitors because I am able to get more authentic feel for how the people live. It is situated on the Atlantic Coast, so there is a beach to visit. Rabat also offers a Medina to wander through, a royal palace and gardens that can be viewed from the outside, National Archeological Museum, the ruins of the ancient city of Chellah (pictured below), and art deco architecture. The souks sell a variety of beautiful goods, but the salespeople reportedly are less pushy than in other cities. I think it would be amazing to experience Morocco in a more relaxed environment and to take advantage of the beautiful Atlantic coastline by visiting Rabat. Since I have not been to Morocco (yet!), all images were found through Flickr Creative Commons searches. Credits and license can be found under each photo. Click on each photo for a link to the Flickr page where the image was found. Thanks!
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AuthorMy name is Alyssa Good and I have a passion for travel, adventure, culture, and new experiences! I focus on budget friendly travel, trip planning resources, and seeking out new experiences. Archives
December 2017
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