No matter how much I love traveling, it’s hard to avoid that sometimes I’m tired because of traveling. And those bright colors, can always sweep away all the fatigue, bring people infinite good mood~
Today, we want to take you to Morocco, North Africa garden! Clear blue, dazzling gold, ancient brown, distant green… To Morocco, a secret place of color, get the best travel experience!
Essaouira
Many travelers will travel directly from Casablanca to Marrakech, but the sea and wind city is also worth your stay.
The wind along the coast keeps the traditional culture and characteristics of Essaouira. It is called “African windy city”. In winter, you can get close to the real Essaouira, where the wind howls and the waves slam against the wall. In the summer, a large number of Moroccan tourists flock to the city, and the beach is full of people.
There are not many formal attractions in Essaouira, but it’s a good place to hang out. Roam the spice alleys and the streets lined with palm trees, stroll in many art galleries and boutiques, relax in one of the best hotels in Morocco, and enjoy the scene of repairing fishing nets and building traditional fishing boats in the charming port.
The old city with walls was built in the late 18th century. For tourists, the narrow streets, markets, street vendors, lush squares and white houses with gorgeous wooden doors make it fun to walk around the old city.
The spectacular wall bears the impact of the sea and is well known for its appearance at the opening of Orson wells’ 1951 film Othello.
>>Local knowledge The light and beauty of Essaouira constantly attract artists to the local area. The art circle of the town is booming. Many artists come here to work and live, and some galleries sell their works. Most of these artists are naive in style, broad in brush strokes and bright in color, and often include the image of the Gnawa people in their paintings. Galleries, souvenir shops all over the old city, and even on the sidewalk can see their works on sale.
Volubilis
Volubilis is the most well preserved archaeological site in Morocco and became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997. The most unique feature of this city is that it retains many original mosaic buildings.
The ruins of Rome in Volubilis are located on a fertile plain 33 kilometers north of Meknes. Starting from Meknes and the nearby town of Moulay Idriss Zerhoun, it is a full day tour.
The town was once an important farming community, providing olive oil, wheat and wine to the Roman army. In the world heritage sites, you can walk around at will, there are basically no signs, and there are many bird nests on the pillars. There are also dazzling mosaics and a brand new museum.
Spring is the most suitable season for tourism. The ruins are covered with wild flowers and surrounded by green fields. The best time to visit is in the morning or in the late afternoon. The last rays of the evening sun shine on the ancient columns, which is the most magical scene of the city.
>>Transportation tips The most convenient way to get to Volubilis is to take a big taxi. It takes half a day’s drive from Meknes, and the cost is dh350. The cost from Fès is dh250 ~ 500. A cheaper way to travel is to share a large taxi from Meknes to Moulay Idriss Zerhoun (dh10) and then take a large taxi to Volubilis (the one-way fare is dh30 if you don’t want to share it with others).
Tangier
Tangier guards the Strait of Gibraltarian and has been Europe’s gateway to Africa for centuries. Different cultures interact and fuse here, making Tangier unique in Morocco. Tangier is divided into old town and new town. The old town is the most important scenic spot in Tangier, which is composed of intricate alleys. It is not only a commercial area, but also a residential area.
The old city is located in the wall of a 15th century Portuguese fortress, but most of the buildings are new to the old city of Morocco. By the standards of the old city, it is clean and well lit. From a scene of traditional life to a lively market, travelers are surprised everywhere.
With the architectural style of Riviera and the atmosphere of colonial period, the charm of the 1930s can be discerned. It’s a popular place to take a walk in the evening. You can also choose one of the many street cafes and rest for a few hours sipping mint tea.
If you have a day to visit Tangier, you can stroll around the Mediterranean cultural Castle Museum and then stroll around the streets of the old town. Have a mint tea in the small Soko square and go to Populaire Saveur de Poisson for a fresh fish lunch.
After dinner, walk to St. Andrea’s church, and then go to centre Cultural Ibn Khaldoun to enjoy the latest art exhibition.
>>Art knowledge Among the many artists who visited Tangier, Henri Matisse, a French impressionist painter and an important figure in the Fauvism movement in the early 20th century, called Tangier “a painter’s paradise”. Inspired by the bright light of North Africa and the color and harmony of traditional Moroccan art, Matisse wrote in Paysage Vu d’une Fenêtre, the artist makes the best use of color. The line of sight in the painting goes beyond the bell tower, the low and wide church of St. Andrews, to the castle in the distance. The overwhelming color is a pure and warm Mediterranean blue.
Sidi ifni
Sidi ifni, a former Spanish colonial seaside town that can be reached by camel from Sahara, is no less desolate, fresh and magical than Essaouira.
You can stroll along the legzira plage, or hang out in the blue and white back streets of the most charming town in southern Morocco. The best time to enjoy the architecture of the Cuban style art deco site is at sunset, when the Atlantic wind bends the palm branches and sea fog fills the air.
Since its return from Spain to Morocco in 1969, Sidi ifni is still full of strong Iberian flavor, and the faded decorative art buildings remind people of the colonial history here from time to time.
You’ll hear Spanish songs in cafes, and the leisure of expatriates and local cafe guests is second to none even in Morocco. Also at ease are visiting surfers who chase the Atlantic waves on nearby beaches.
When you come to Sidi ifni, you are recommended to visit the most popular scenic spot nearby – the beach and spectacular natural arch of Legzira Plage.
El Gzira, commonly known as Legzira Plage, is an excellent Bay 10 kilometers north of Ifni, with excellent beaches and a fascinating natural stone arch leading to the seaside. Before September 2016, there were actually two arches here, but the southern arch near Sidi Ifni collapsed in the dark. The arch that still stands today is the more spectacular of the two arches, and the beach here is definitely worth visiting.
>>Historical knowledge When Morocco became independent in the late 1950s, Spain refused to return its land. The protracted sovereignty dispute led to the outbreak of the Ifni war, and towns were surrounded. The confrontation ended in 1969 when the United Nations persuaded Spain to sign an agreement to return the enclave to Morocco. Santa Cruz was renamed Sidi Ifni, a saint who was buried here in the early 20th century. Today, Ifni celebrates Independence Day every June 30 at the abandoned airport.
Rabat
As the political and administrative center of Morocco, Rabat may not be a first-class tourist attraction, but it has many attractions.
The palm lined boulevards in the new town are clean and tidy, with few congestion, which also gives people who have been to Casablanca a sigh of relief. The city has a clean central beach, a well preserved and moving castle and a charming old city surrounded by city walls, which has less tourism flavor than the old cities of other big cities.
Take a day to explore the old city of Rabat and taste traditional street snacks. Then cross through and enter the castle of Odea from or near the grand main entrance of the castle. The signal station is located at the highest point of the castle, with beautiful river and sea views. The charming Andalusian garden is located at the southern edge of the castle, which is a favorite leisure gathering place for local people.
Climb to the top of the castle, overlook the magnificent scenery of the estuary and the opposite Sierra, and then walk in the charming Café Maure takes a break for tea. In the evening, stroll along Ave Mohammed V with local people and enjoy Moroccan dinner in Le Petit Beur or Tajin Wa Tanjia.
>>Travel Tips Apart from the crowded beaches for children, Rabat has few attractions for small tourists. Children may like to take trams, and commuting between Rabat and Cera is sure to please them. They will also be happy to explore the Odea castle, where they can pretend to be pirates, or make an effort to play and gallop at the signal desk and the Andalusian garden.
Merzouga
Merzouga and Hassi labied, known as twin villages, have many legends about the grand sand dunes, which have become a place for many travelers who regard Morocco as a desert destination to realize their dreams. The beauty of Chebbi Dune, coupled with the convenient transportation of Merzouga, will definitely make your trip worthwhile.
The classic route for Merzouga is to go to the desert and camp overnight in a tent. Plan to ride camels at sunset, attend bonfire concerts and enjoy starry nights, and then climb up the highest nearby dunes the next morning to enjoy sunrise.
In order to better appreciate the extraordinary beauty of the desert, you’d better plan properly and go there in off peak season. The end of November, January and February are quiet times, and the weather is very good.
The Chebbi Dune extend 28 km from north to south, with the highest of 160 meters. It is usually compared with the great sand sea in Algeria, Libya and Namibia, but the scenery is more colorful. Rose golden dunes rise on the flat, black desert, and with the sunset, orange, pink and purple colors change.
>>Travel Tips To take a look at the original face of the desert, you can ride a single humped camel instead of a terrain vehicle. The four wheel drive car will destroy the desert surface, and the sand will be scattered into the air when the strong wind blows, which will damage the environment and climate. If you ride camel to visit the desert, the wild animals and plants in the desert will not be shaken and flee. You have a great chance to see small sensitive animals, as well as lovely desert creatures such as auricle fox, jumping rat and desert hedgehog.
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