Exploring Marrakech-Tensift-El Haouz, Morocco
evelyn 
Morocco 
Holiday in Marrakech, holidays morocco, Marrakech, Marrakech hoildays, Marrakech holiday homes, Marrakech vacations, Morocco, Morocco holiday homes, Morocco holidays, Morocco rentals, Morocco vacations, vacation in Morocco, vacation Marrakech
The region of Marrakech-Tensift-El Haouz is placed in central Morocco and it covers a surface of about 31 thousand square kilometres, with a population of around 3.1 million. Its most famous tourist destination is Marrakech and the region is formed by the prefectures of Marrakech Medina, Marrakech Menara and Sidi Youssef Ben Ali, as well as by the provinces of Essaouira, Al Haouz, Chichaoua and El Kelaat Es-Sraghna.
During a vacation in Morocco, in this region, it is possible to find a great quantity of things to do and to see, starting from the heart of it represented by Marrakech.
For tourists, Marrakech is a heaven filled with attractions, activities and ideal accommodations, either in hotels, resorts or rental apartments. Visitors can discover sites such as Koutoubia Mosque, Ben Youssef Medrassa, El Badi Palace, Bahia Palace, Majorelle Garden, the Saadian Tombs, a wide selection of souks, an assortment of museums and so forth.
Marrakech is the second biggest city of Morocco and its population continues to increase; it has a flourishing industrial economy and is the most significant marketplace and managerial centre of Southern Morocco. The beauty of Marrakech is not only in the historical monuments and buildings, but it is above all in its special atmosphere, with the hospitality of the local people; and its fabulous location, with the background of the Atlas.
Marrakech is the hub of leisure and fun in Morocco. In the centre of the city, there is a square, Djemaa el Fna, where acrobats, dancers, musicians, drummers and comedians meet and perform, surrounded by the numerous cafes, restaurants and food stalls with traditional cuisine.
The streets and the alleys are full of little shops dedicated to specific crafts, where sometimes it’s also possible to watch the making process. These are the souks, the typical markets; and there are a plenty of them in the city. It’s most charming to visit the souks early in the morning or late in the afternoon.
The Marrakech Museum is also a place deserving a tour; it hosts exhibitions of traditional and contemporary Moroccan art and sculpture. At the entrance of the museum, there are also a little bookshop and a café. During the hot summers, the best places to enjoy are the parks of Marrakech, with various picnic spots, lake-sized pools and cool and silent surroundings.
A fascinating part of the city to visit is without doubt the Medina. The Medina of Marrakech has been founded by the Almoravids founded in the 11th century and it prospered until becoming a political, cultural and economic centre of Morocco. During the Almoravids period, many monuments have been built to witness their power and influence on the Muslim world, like for example the the Kasbah, the Ben Youssef Madrasa, the Koutoubiya Mosque (with a minaret of 77 meters), the Saadian Tombs, the gardens, Bandiâ Palace, the monumental doors and the open-air theatre.
Essaouira is another popular destination in the region of Marrakech-Tensift-El Haouz. Its medina has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site as it was formerly known as the fortified city of Mogador. Antiquely, the city was named after the Muslim Saint Sidi Mogdoul, transcribed later into Portuguese as Mogador. The King of Portugal built here in 1500 the fortress Castelo Real de Mogador. Some changes and improvement were made to the Medina, with the works of European technicians and architects that had the order to create a modern fortress and a city well organized. So, the port was renamed Essaouira, derived from Souira, a word meaning “small fortress”. The style of the renewed city was reminding the architecture of Saint Malo in France: paved streets, isolated alleyways, and white structures with blue doors were the marks of the new look of the seaport.
Essaouira is full of history and boasts an assortment of activities, offering a break from the hustle and bustle of the daily life.
Fishing, water sports, arts and crafts, and rich culture are the main characteristics of this charming city.
The city lies in a natural bay, it is protected from the waves by the Iles Purpuraires, while the island of Mogador safeguards the harbour from the strong winds: fishing, windsurfing and kite surfing are great here.
The harbour is a pleasant spot to pass by, filled with colourful boats carefully decorated by local fishermen. It is recommended to the visitors to take a walk down to the daily fish market, even if they are not interested on buying fish: it is an amazing experience to watch the fishermen and traders.
The most important business in Essaouira is represented by the wood-carving. In particular, Thuja wood is used by very talented crafters to create various items, starting from small pencil holders till large furniture.
Shops along the streets sell a wide range of beautiful manufactured items, such as the wooden products, decorated clothes and carpets. Camel rides are also available for the fun of the visitors.
The Flavours of Morocco in Tangier-Tétouan
evelyn Morocco holidays morocco, Morocco, Morocco holiday homes, Morocco holidays, Morocco rentals, Morocco vacations, Tangier holiday homes, tangier holidays, tangier rentals, Tangier vacations, vacation in Morocco
Tangier-Tétouan is one of regions of Morocco, located in the north-western; it is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean at west, by the Mediterranean Sea and Spain at north. The extension of the region is 11,570 square kilometres; there are the provinces of Larache and Chefchaouen; and the prefectures of Fahs Anjra, Tangier-Assilah and Tétouan.
Tourists can find a plenty of attractions here during a holiday in Morocco: the capital city Tangier, with its mix of history and modernity; the city of Tétouan, with its medina declared UNESCO World Heritage; or the town of Chefchaouen in the Rif Mountains.
Tangier is of course one of the best destinations for a vacation in Morocco, because of its souks, the traditional cuisine and the various historical and cultural attractions. This city is also called the White City and orbits around its import and export port, where it is usual to see many millionaire yachts at the intersection of Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean.
In Tangier it is possible to find a wide range of hotels and pansions in either the Medina or the Ville Nouvelle, but there are also chances to rent a self-catering apartment in different locations.
Various are the attractions available in Tangier. The beaches are one of the main attractions, where one can enjoy camel rides, windsurfing, acrobatics and football; or just sunbathing and sip a drink in one of the beach bars.
A place to see is Place de France, a small French-looking square located in the middle of the Ville Nouvelle with many inviting street cafés. The Grand Socco is the souk (the market) of the city, where it is possible to buy everything including arts, crafts, fruit, vegetables and a variety of jewels. The Grand Socco is bordered by the Mendoubia Gardens, where to enjoy the shade and see a charming banyan tree over 800 years old.
Only 14 Km far from Tangier, there are the Grottoes of Hercules, a beautiful place connected with the Greek mythology, because it’s believed that Hercules slept here before the attempt of the 12 labours.
The city of Tétouan is dramatically charming due to its position near the Rif Mountains and its colourful Martil Valley. The architecture of the city is a mix of Spanish and Moorish style, with white walls and green tiles for the roofs.
The history of Tétouan is going back to 1305, when the city was established as a base of operations against Sebta. Later on, it has been a pirate’s lair until its destruction; it has been populated again by Muslims and Jews in the 16th century, when they escaped from Andalusia. The city prospered quite fast until it became the flourishing centre it is today, surrounded by orchards of oranges, almonds, pomegranates and cypress trees. The heart of Tétouan is represented by Hassan II Square, where the old and new meet; it is featured by iron balconies, fountains and flower boxes, kiosks and shops with a particular Andalusian charm.
Tétouan has also various monuments to visit: a fort, walls and well preserved fences, mosques, and fountains. A great example of Hispano-Moresque architecture to see is the Khalifa’s old palace, built in the seventeenth century. There are also two museums, a conservatory, a School of Moroccan Art and a College of Fine Arts to explore. However the best spot is without doubt the Medina of Tétouan, with its history and its streets full of shops.
Located 60 kilometres south of Tétouan, there is the city of Chefchaouen, in the heart of Rif Mountains: the ideal gateway for nature lovers with beautiful trees, hills, springs, and wildflowers.
Chefchaouen is called also “the Blue City” and its local Berber people have a lot to offer tourists: handmade woven blankets, carpets, wooden crafts and even lamp are found in the small shops of the medina.
The medina is really a pretty and interesting place to visit, entering for example from Bab l’Ain, after a walk in the main avenue. In the Nouvelle Ville, there is a nice park called Place Mohammed V, from where it is possible to admire the stunning view of the mountains in the background. Also the old city, named Place Uta el Hammam, is great spot, where the photographers can find numerous subjects for their pictures. Here, there is one of the few Moroccan octagonal minarets, located next to the Grand Mosque.
In the museum, situated in the Kasbah, there are collections and artefacts showing the different history of Morocco. In this region, one of the peculiarities is of course the way people dress: men wear thick djellabas, while women are wearing colourful straw hats, and a red-and-white-striped cloth tied around their waist that looks like a skirt.
Tangier- Tétouan is of course a region with a lot to discover and experience for the tourists choosing it as a holiday destination.
Holiday in Morocco – an Escape from the Monotony of Daily Life
Morocco is definitely a fascinating, one of a kind and welcoming country that provides host to numerous memorable holidays, seaside cities offering warm lengthy days on beautiful shores, most loved metropolitan areas having ancient and distinct history, along with a diverse landscape varying from dry deserts to forests. Regardless of whether you are looking for a passionate honeymoon break, avoid a gray city, or simply a rest from the monotony of daily life, Morocco can offer it all to you.
The country is located on the north west African coast, and is a center of great culture, mouth-watering food and amazing architecture all coming from its African heritage, but additionally flavored with a touch of European style, which is due to the fact that it is so near to Europe, and was for many years under French empiric rule. The info below should assist you in your attempts to find the best holiday in Morocco.
Although Morocco is an African country, in lots of ways it’s a country apart. It’s more associated with the Med region rather than Africa itself. It’s mostly due to the fact that it is nestled in an area set aside by the rest of the continent by the Sahara desert and Atlas Mountains. Having Mediterranean and Atlantic coastlines, as well as mountainous terrain, the country remained independent for hundreds of years. However, Morocco has a unique culture mixed with Berber, Arab, African and European influences. It is an multi-ethnic country having and great civilization and a distinctive culture.
Tourism plays a huge role for the country’s economy. The blend of cultures makes Morocco a thrilling spot to visit. Beaches, museums, historical sites, historic places and monuments and galleries are among the numerous places of interest to go to. With mountains in the north, and deserts in the South, Morocco offers stunning sandy beaches and perfect trekking opportunities.
Despite the fact that Morocco offers a lot for just about any tourist, and because of this its recognition within the tourist industry is really rapidly growing, the country has a bad reputation for being a difficult county to consider a vacation in. Moroccan travel agents should concentrate on researching the requirements of a vacation maker, including individuals who’re searching to rent a self catering villa, apartment or a riad in Morocco. Vacationing in Morocco could be a memorable experience to cherish, only if vacationers keep in mind that a vacation Morocco is quite different to a vacation in Europe.
Rabat is the capital of Morocco and hosts a great number of historic monuments plus several of Morocco’s most significant museums. Part of its remarkable architectural heritage and perhaps the best places to visit in Rabat are The Doors of the Kasbah of Oudaia, The Main Royal Palace, the Minaret of the Mosque Hassan (XII c) and also the Necropolis of Chellah. The capital city is an important commercial and industrial center which plays a significant role for the economy of Morocco.
Casablanca has among the biggest artificial ports on the planet. It’s Morocco’s major city and its economic capital. Vacationers will find there many resorts and beautiful beaches which draw in surfers. The Mosque of Hassan II in Casablanca is the greatest and most significant mosque in North Africa and one of the landmarks of Morocco itself. Traditional Islamic and Arabic architecture is essential and can be admired at such striking monuments. Other interesting must see sites are La Corniche, Quartiers des Habous, Palace Royal.
Marrakech is another important commercial and tourist center. It’s also a major cultural destination. Djamaa El Fna – Square, El Badi Palace, Koutoubia Minaret & Koutoubia Gardens are all must see places for vacationers.
Essaouira offers a beautiful beach and appropriate conditions for windsurfing. Its festivals with Andalusian and Gnawa music, its medina, favorable climate attract lot of vacationers.
Tangier, Fez, Ouarzazate, Meknes are other major urban areas in Morocco.
Museums in Morocco such as the Oudaia museum in Marrakech and the Dar Batha in Fez, are also of great interest as they reflect the richness of the Moroccan cultural heritage.
In each single town tourists will find vibrant and colorful markets offering a great variety of carpets, wooden statues, jewelry, etc. Morocco is often being referred to as a place of art and emotions. That explains why artists have traditionally being fascinated and attracted to Morocco. Torres, Francis Bacon, Delacroix, Miro, Matisse, and Edouard Degas are among these who have been intrigued by the charm of the country.
Morocco Mania
Morocco is a true amalgam of cultural traditions. The Arab culture is integrated in an incredible way with Bedouin roots and modern European traditions, and that can be seen in every aspect of life in Morocco – from the classic architectural style developed by the Moors, the modern cultural traditions of Africans and Frenchmen, to the distinctive musical style of the Berbers and the Arab-African rhythms of contemporary pop music.
Morocco is the only Arab country where women are allowed to dance – though not with graceful movements. The diverse and unique crafts are another feature that Morocco is famous for. Morocco has traditionally been a source of inspiration to many foreign artists. The French artist Eugene Delacroix, for example, used scenes from Morocco in his masterpieces – the market, life in the harem, lion hunting. A century later, Morocco mania seized the world after the release of Hollywood movies such as “Casablanca”, “Lawrence of Arabia”, and Star Wars.
Marruecos: “Las Mil y Una Noches” – La Riad
Una de las construcciones más típicas que nos podemos encontrar si viajamos a Marruecos son las riads. Una riad es una casa tradicional estructurada alrededor de un patio con jardín. Muchos europeos (y algunos marroquies) han invertido en algunos de los destartalados riads que existen en ciudades como Marrakech, Fes, Meknes,Tetuan o Tanger y les han devuelto su esplendor original.
Varios se han convertido en elegantes ofertas hoteleras. Todos suelen servir desayunos y en muchos se puede comer si se solicita. La comida suele ser tipica local, muy buena y abundante. En general la estancia en un riad ofrece una experiencia mucho más rica que la de un hotel de precio equivalente, además de ser casi una atracción en si mismas.
A continuación podéis ver algunas fotos de riad.
