Morocco

Still firmly attached to it's Islamic roots, Morocco is a fascinating and rewarding experience for the visitor who is willing to venture further than the beach resorts.

It is worth bearing in mind that in the hotels there's no shortage of luxury compared to the simple means by which the locals live. Therefore begging is not uncommon on the streets of the cities and how you deal with this is down to your own conscience.

Do not however, let it put you off Morocco whose people have been welcoming visitors for thousands of years.

• Fes remains a thriving ancient city where time has virtually stood still. The focal point is the medina, a living, working walled city-within-a-city that is still home to thousands of Moroccans. Though tourists are becoming a more regular sight it can still be a rather intimidating place so unless you want independence, stick with an official guide who will escort any size party around the palaces, gardens and mosques.
• Marrakesh offers a glimpse of a big city Morocco-style, which has evolved and yet retained its mystical charm. Still a meeting place for tribesmen and travelers the city is a fascinating place to absorb the sights, sounds and smells of a thriving way of life.
• If Casablanca evokes romantic thoughts of the movie of the same name, think again because Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman's fling was filmed entirely in Hollywood. There is very little to interest tourists in this business-like city.
• Remote mountain villages like Chaouen have been popular with day trippers for a number of years and locals no longer stop and stare at visitors. Instead they have embraced tourism almost as much as the major resorts and visitors are well catered for. It is still possible however to see the contradictions in their way of life; for example women will still do the weekly washing in the nearby river using popular brands of soap powder!
• Golfers will find two excellent courses around Agadir, one at Tangier and others at Casablanca, Fes and Marrakesh.
• Hiking through the mountains is growing in popularity and requires specialist advice.
• Opportunities for those seeking natural history are plentiful. One sight which always enthralls visitors occurs just before sundown in Fes when the skies become thick with swarms of birds (swift), while storks settle for the night in their nests along the medina walls.

Excursions:

To really enjoy the sites of Morocco get a good guide book

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