Thursday, March 24, 2011

Morocco - a Charming Country of Africa

While Morocco travel can be enjoyed year round, many tourists choose to show up during the peak months of July and August. In addition to being a popular month for travelers to take a Morocco vacation, August is also when many native Moroccans like to vacation. Many of the vacationing natives live and work in European countries like Spain and France, and most workers in Europe get a month off in the summer. Beach lovers who are wondering when to go to Morocco should know that the months of July and August are when the country's beaches are at their best. This has a lot to do with the fact that many travelers decide to take a summer Morocco trip.


Many travelers consider the weather more than anything else when trying to decide when to go to Morocco. The country enjoys relatively warm weather year round, though the mountains are very different from the coastal zones and desert regions. In the High Atlas Mountains especially, the winters are cold. When enough snow falls, a Morocco trip can revolve around skiing. There are actually some ski resorts in Morocco, and while one of them can be found in the Ourika Valley, the other is closer to Fes in the Middle Atlas Mountains. While snow falls in the mountains and the temperatures often drop below zero in the winter, the other seasons are milder and better suited for hiking. Many Morocco travelers escape from the lowland and interior heat by venturing into the mountains on a side trip during the summer.

The temperatures in the Morocco interior can easily top 100 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer months. As such, travelers who don't have beach time as a main priority will likely prefer a trip to Morocco during the spring or fall months. These months can be especially great for Morocco travel, as the temperatures are comfortable and the summer crowds are absent. Spring is widely considered to be the best time to travel to Morocco, as the heat of the summer can prove overbearing. During the winter months, the cold, especially at night, can make things uncomfortable. In destinations like Marrakech, for example, the winter nights can be very cold. Thankfully, the coastal destinations are usually refreshed by consistent trade winds during the hot summer months, which helps to make places such as Agadir so popular in July and August.

In addition to considering the weather when trying to decide when to go to Morocco, many visitors also take a look at the annual events and festivals calendar. The month-long fast of Ramadan is especially worth noting, as the locals are more focused on their religion than travelers on many occasions. Some restaurants and cafes will close during the day during Ramadan, and business hours in general are reduced. Nighttime is a different story, however. Things are often quite festive and happy, and it can be a magical thing to witness.


There are various things that travelers can concern themselves with when it comes to planning a Morocco trip. For those on a tight budget, deciding when to go to Morocco can have everything to do with travel deals. In the off-season, the winter especially, many of the country's hotels offer discounted rates. Cheap flights can also be easier to come by in the off season, as well as in the spring and fall shoulder seasons. These days, Morocco travel deals are easier than ever to come by, in which case discounted rates on things like accommodations and airfare aren't unheard of during the peak summer season. A Morocco vacation package will usually offer discounts, so travelers might keep them in mind when arranging their Arabian getaway.

Things to do

The list of things to do in Morocco is a long one, and travelers will find that the country's diverse landscape lends itself well to all kinds of outdoor adventures. In addition to a host of fun activities, visitors to this fascinating African country can also enjoy a range of great attractions. The Morocco attractions offer something for everyone, and word is spreading fast when it comes to how rewarding a Morocco visit can be. While a list of things to do in Morocco can include any number of things, there are some activities and attractions that figure among the best and most popular.

Medinas

Morocco's medinas, or old districts, are magical places to explore, and they easily figure among the most iconic Morocco tourist attractions. These walled districts with their maze-like streets function much like they have for centuries, and they can be ideal places to go shopping and explore. In Marrakech, for example, taking in the atmosphere at the large central square in the medina can make for memories to last a lifetime.
Jamaa el Fna Square


This large square in the Marrakech medina is one of the best places in Morocco to observe a unique slice of everyday life. During the day, various street performers wander the square entertaining passersby, and juice stalls offer refreshing beverages. As the day wears on, the atmosphere at this renowned square gets even more enticing, as more and more street performers arrive and the food stalls start sending savory scents into the air. Jamaa el Fna Square impresses on many different levels, and it's one of the Morocco attractions that travelers won't want to miss.

Mosques

Mosques figure among the most historical Morocco tourist attractions, and many can be found in the country's various medinas. These places of worship are generally off-limits to non-Muslims, though they are still worth checking out due to their architectural and historical appeal. There are two mosques that non-Muslims can enter—the Tin Mal Mosque and the Hassan II Mosque. The Tin Mal Mosque is an older mosque and can be found near Marrakech, while the Hassan II Mosque is a huge, newer mosque that is hard to miss on the Casablanca skyline.

Museums

Morocco boasts a rich history, and some of the country's best museums offer insight into the more interesting historical facts. The America Legation Museum is one of the top Morocco tourist attractions, and it offers the most comprehensive look at the country's history. Found in Tangier, this museum offers free guided tours in English. The arts are very much at the heart of many museum displays as well, which is the case at the Museum of Moroccan Arts. This museum in Marrakech displays interesting arts and crafts, including leatherwork, jewelry, and carpets.



Tours

One of the best ways to take in the many different Morocco attractions is through a tour. Guided tours of the country's medinas are popular, especially in cities with larger medinas, such as Fes. In addition to exploring a medina, those who are wondering what to do in Morocco can also go on a bird watching tour, a biking tour, and a bunch of other fun tours.

Camel treks figure among the most popular Morocco tours, as they allow visitors to get in touch with their inner Lawrence of Arabia. The most popular destination for Morocco camel treks is Merzouga, though there are a few other options worth considering. Merzouga offers access to the Erg Chebbi, which is a verifiable desert wonderland that is full of shifting dunes. These dunes can be up to 500 feet tall. Camel treks can last a few hours or a few weeks. There are camps and other retreats scattered across the desert for travelers who need food, water, or a place to stay for the night.

Mountains

Heading into the mountains for some highland fun is one of the most popular things to do in Morocco, especially during the hot summer months. The cooler, fresher mountain air can be very enticing in the summer months, though the Morocco mountains are inviting regardless of the season. It's possible to go skiing in Morocco, which can be a unique experience. There are a couple small ski resorts in the Morocco mountains, and one can be found in the dazzling Ourika Valley.

Hiking

Hiking is one of the most popular things to do in Morocco, and it can be enjoyed year round. Winter snowfalls can make for adverse conditions, in which case hiking enthusiasts might stick to the other seasons when planning a trip. Hiking tours are easy to book in cities like Fes and Marrakech, and travelers can always head out on their own to trek the country's trails. The mountains make for the best hiking terrain.


Beaches

Many of the Morocco attractions are natural ones, and such is the case with the beaches. Enticing strips of sand can be found along the country's long coastline, and while some front the Atlantic Ocean, others sit on the Mediterranean Sea. Agadir and the Tamuda Bay area figure among the best places to enjoy some time on the beach in Morocco, though they certainly aren't the only destinations of choice. Various watersports can be enjoyed at the Morocco beaches, and surfing is growing in popularity.

Dining

For all intents and purposes, restaurants figure among the best Morocco tourist attractions, as sampling the country's unique cuisine is one of the main joys to be had. Couscous is the national dish. Various stews, or tanjines, also feature prominently on the menu at the Moroccan restaurants, and fresh seafood is abundant on the coast.

- According to Destination360 -


1 comments:

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