MOROCCO
Let your senses be seduced. A melting pot of Arabic, Jewish, Berber and European cultures, Morocco has many layers to explore.
Traditional Life
Morocco is a storied country, that has over the centuries woven its ties to sub-Saharan Africa, Europe and the wider Middle East into whole cloth. Its mixed Arab and Berber population forms a strong national identity, but an increasingly youthful one, taking the best of its traditions and weaving the pattern anew – from the countryside to the city, from the call to prayer from the mosque to the beat of local hip hop. Morocco has a hundred faces and sounds, all ready to welcome the traveller looking for spice and adventure.
Mountains & Desert
From Saharan dunes to the peaks of the High Atlas. Morocco could have been tailor-made for travellers. Lyrical landscapes carpet this slice of North Africa like the richly coloured and patterned rugs you’ll lust after in local cooperatives. The mountains – not just the famous High Atlas but also the Rif and suntanned ranges leading to Saharan oases – offer simple, breathtaking pleasures: night skies glistening in the thin air, and views over a fluffy cloudbank from the Tizi n’Test pass. On lower ground, there are rugged coastlines, waterfalls and caves in forested hills, and the mighty desert.
Moroccan Activities
Enjoying Morocco starts with nothing more strenuous than its national pastime – people-watching in a street cafe with a coffee or a mint tea. Use the opportunity to plan your next moves – hiking up North Africa’s highest peak, learning to roll couscous, camel trekking in the desert, shopping in the souqs or getting lost in the medina. Between the activities, you can sleep in boutique riads, relax on panoramic terraces and grand squares, and mop up delicately flavoured tajines – before sweating it all out in a restorative hammam.
Ancient Medinas
Morocco’s cities are some of the most exciting on the continent. Join the centuries-old trail of nomads and traders to their ancient hearts, from the winding medina maze of Fez to the carnivalesque street-theatre of the Djemaa el-Fna in Marrkesh. In the rocky deserts medinas are protected by kasbahs, on the coast by thick sea walls. But it’s not just a heritage trip, as Morocco’s cities are forward-facing too, with glitzy new urban design in Casablanca, Rabat and Tangier looking to the future as well as paying homage to their roots.
GET INSPIRED
Take a Walk
Walk through the winding stone backstreets of ancient medinas (old towns), smell the exotic tall bags of spices, the aroma of orange blossom and shop for rugs, scarves and babouche shoes or copper bowls and platters.
Choose your Accommodations
Sleep in elegant palace or traditional ryad (guesthouses) decorated with mosaic tile and Berber rugs. Or Sleep in a deluxe tent in the desert and drive through the Atlas Mountains, dotted with tiny villages, where nomads still eke out a living.
Fun with the Family
Kids will love riding camels, sliding down sand dunes, getting henna tattoos, and learning to belly dance.
Try the Tea
Sip mint tea, while watching the animation on Djemaa el-Fna square in Marrakesh. This is the Moroccan experience: musicians, snake charmers and water sellers, musicians.
RECOMMENDED HOTELS
Hotel Dar Ahlam
On the fringes of the Moroccan desert, shaded by the palms, lies Dar Ahlam. Terracotta coloured stone meets cerulean skies as this traditional Kasbah cuts an imposing shape across the landscape. Unwind in a haven of manicured lawns and fragrant almond blossom. Or step out into the wilderness of the desert for a night under the stars, where you will soak up the elegant beauty in the privacy of your own luxury tent.
The décor changes with the seasons, sumptuous fabrics and colours bringing the environment to life. Days at Dar Ahlam are long and luxurious. Indulge in a massage under the olive trees or head off for refreshments by the river. Spend a balmy evening atop the Kasbah, aperitif in hand, before feasting on a freshly prepared supper under the vast sky.
Beyond the walls of Dar Ahlam lies all the mystery of the desert. Explore the dunes on camelback for a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience, surrounding yourself with the golden sands of the Sahara as you’re pampered in your private luxury tent for a night under the stars. You can also spend seven days travelling the road from Marrakech, following the oases of southern Morocco.
Hotel L’Heure Bleu
A 6-minute walk from both the beach and Borj Bab Marrakech gallery, this luxe exotic-vibe hotel in a former 19th-century hostel is 8 minutes from Sidi Mohammed ben Abdallah Museum.
Decorated in African-inspired colors, the warm rooms have free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs, as well as safes and marble bathrooms. Suites come with separate living areas. Some have fireplaces. Room service is available.
A complimentary breakfast buffet is provided. There are 4 upscale restaurants, including a rooftop grill, as well as an English-style pub and a tapas bar. Amenities include an ocean-view terrace pool, and a chic spa. Cooking classes are offered (fee).
Villa des Orangers
Set in a palatial, Moorish-style villa, this posh hotel is 10 minutes’ walk from the bustling Jemaa el-Fnaa market square, and 12 minutes’ walk from the 16th-century El Badi Palace.
Featuring high ceilings, antique furniture and traditional Moroccan decor, the elegant rooms offer free Wi-Fi and flat-screens with satellite channels. They also include minibars and safes. Suites have living rooms and ornate bathrooms; some add fireplaces and/or decor with modern accents. Some quarters come with terraces.
Breakfast is included. Other amenities include an outdoor pool, a luxe spa with a hammam, and an opulent Mediterranean restaurant with a terrace.
Riad Fes
Set in a traditional riad with intricate Moorish and baroque-style carved interior courtyards, this luxury hotel is a 5-minute walk from Batha Museum and 2 km from Palais Royal de Fes.
Ornate, Moroccan-style rooms have free Wi-Fi, TVs and minibars, plus tea and coffeemakers. Lavish suites add sitting areas and courtyard views; some feature terraces and/or handcrafted furniture. Room service is offered.
Freebies include breakfast and welcome drinks. There’s also a fine-dining restaurant, a wine bar and a rooftop terrace. Amenities include an upscale spa, a gym, and an outdoor pool with a cocktail bar. Cooking classes and tours are available.
Planning a Trip?
Contact usCONTACT
PLEASE CONTACT YOUR TRAVEL AGENT FOR A QUOTE
Operations & Reservations
3477 Rushbrooke street, Suite 302
Verdun, QC, H4G IS8 CANADA
Corporate Headquarters
107-27 71st Avenue, Suite 403
Forest Hill, NY 11375
Phone: 1-514-285-8758
Toll free: 1-866-285-8758
Fax: 1-514-285-9128
Email: info@eetvl.com
