Meraki Journey

Sahara Desert: Morocco

Sahara Desert: Morocco

We travel, explore, meet new people and experience new things. It is what makes our journey in life fun and exciting. We took elements from each continent and embedded them into our beads to serve as a reminder to never stop exploring. So get ready and let’s explore amazing sites where our elements came from Swiss Alps (Europe), Amazon River (South America), Sahara Desert (Africa), Rocky Mountains (North America), Great Barrier Reef (Australia), Himalayan Mountains (Asia), Antarctic Sea Salt (Antarctica). There are also two additional pieces that remind you to stay wishful and keep thriving! You can learn about them here!

Our next stop is the mysterious Sahara desert. Together with Meraki Journey, you are going to explore the breathtaking spirit of Arab culture and learn more about African traditions. 

 

Welcome to Morocco: the land of welcoming people, beautiful coasts, and colorful cities with labyrinthine roads.

A trip to Morocco is like a journey to a magical Arabic fairy tale, there are mandarin trees, waterfalls, and eternal snow on top of mountains.

A trip to Morocco will seem like a fabulous adventure with the plot from «One Thousand and One Nights». Eastern bazaars, ancient cities with labyrinths, narrow streets, colorful local residents, Bedouins, camels, and palm trees are waiting for you. The Moroccan resorts (Agadir, Essaouira) will welcome you with warm waters of the Atlantic, golden sandy beaches, fresh sea breeze, luxury villas, comfortable hotels, rich entertainment. Lovers of active rest will have a pleasant time sailing, cycling, fishing, or riding a camel.


 

Top places to visit:

Chefchaouen: Blue Pearl of Morocco

Chefchaouen - it’s such a delicate combination of coloring and beauty. It’s worth coming here at least once. You can wander the blue streets endlessly, prying into open doors to catch the spirit of moroccan’s everyday routine.

When you arrive at Chefchaouen Station (Gare Routière), go for a walk in the old town. From the station, head towards the Bab El Ain Gate. The journey will take about 20 minutes.

Through the gates, you will find yourself in a fabulous perimeter of narrow streets and passageways. The traditional doors of houses and stairs, on which the local cats are often found, are particularly charming. On the streets, you will find a variety of restaurants serving Moroccan dishes, as well as shops selling souvenirs and clothing and household items.

You can go to a café in the medina (the traditional central part of cities in Morocco, often exclusively pedestrian and surrounded by a wall around the perimeter), get on the rooftop, and enjoy the incredible sweetness of mint tea.

 

Marrakech: «Red City»

Marrakech is considered the center of the Moroccan East. It is exotic, chaotic, and bright. In Marrakech, we suggest that you take three days to visit the city of Ouarzazate and the fortress of Ait Ben Haddou.

Yes-yes, the fortress of Ait Ben Haddou seems familiar even to those who have never been to Morocco. This is one of the most famous places in Morocco where everything from 'Game of Thrones' to 'Gladiator' was filmed!

Jemaa el-Fna Square and Medina

The square in the center of Medina does not know what quiet and tranquillity are: all day along there is trade and shows of street musicians, acrobats, and storytellers. In the evening the square turns into a huge outdoor restaurant where you can taste any traditional and exotic dishes.

 

Around the square is Medina - the most colorful and authentic district of the city. There are hundreds of narrow streets that form oriental bazaars and shops. Here you can find diverse products of Morocco: ceramics, carpets, handkerchiefs, and shoes.

Koutoubia mosque

The Koutoubia mosque is the most iconic religious building and symbol of Marrakesh. It heads Jemaa el-Fnaa, and its 77-meter minaret is the tallest structure in the city.

Only Muslims can enter the mosque, and visitors of any other faith have the opportunity to observe the ancient elements of the mosque from the outside.

Behind the mosque, take a stroll in the cozy Parque Lalla Hasna with picturesque views and magnificent fountains.

 

 

Jardin Majorelle

The impressive work of the French painter Jacques Majorelle, the garden of Majorelle - Jardin Majorelle. Here you can admire the collection of plants brought here from all corners of the Earth, small ponds, and a villa built in Art Deco style. There is also a museum of Berber (Amazigh) culture.

 

Restaurants

Moroccan cuisine is the freshest vegetables with meat and spices in the base of many dishes. The main dish is the couscous - steamed balls of crushed durum wheat semolina that is traditionally served with a stew spooned on top.  Another main dish is tajine - meat, stew with vegetables.

It is impossible to imagine Morocco without seafood dishes - there is a wide variety of them. In addition, there are a wide variety of Arab sweets if you are having a sweet-tooth.

It is worth remembering that this is Arabic cuisine, and therefore there are a lot of spicy dishes.

The traditional drink in Morocco is mint tea with foam. Foam is produced by a special ritual of pouring tea in cups - from a teapot raised high above the teapots. Coffee with milk in Morocco is called «Nous Nous» but is not as popular as mint tea.

Remember:

The foreign currency could be imported into Morocco in unlimited amounts, but its circulation within the country is prohibited. The export of national currency from the country is prohibited. Masterpieces of artistic and historical value may be exported only with special permission.

Transportation

Buses are the most popular and the least expensive way to travel in the country. They are air-conditioned and cost around 3 euros depending on the distance.

City buses run at intervals of 15-25 minutes and usually start at 5 dirhams.

 

1 dollar = 9 dirhams

Within the cities, you also can take taxis. Large taxis - like a six-seat shuttle taxi - run to the suburbs or between cities. The fare is divided equally among all passengers (from 20 to 50 dirhams). Small taxis of bright colors are designed for three people at most. Fares must be negotiated in advance, as there is no taximeter in such transport. Fares range from 10 to 50 dirhams.

Car Rentals

Car rental in Morocco is a very popular service. The cost per day is about 400 dirhams. Insurance, taxes, policy, and transportation costs are not included in this amount.

 

What do you need to rent a car: 

  • international driver’s license. 
  • credit card
  • age from 21

It is important! 

Take a close look at the car before renting - you can often find hidden defects for which the owners hope to take an extra fee when you return the car.

Notes to mention:

In order not to provoke criticism of the local population, you should not express your romantic feelings in public. It is frowned upon to show public displays of affection, including hugging and kissing. It is also worth remembering that not everyone is allowed to enter the mosque. Especially if the shoulders and knees are uncovered.



1 comment

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