CASABLANCA

Forever immortalised by the movie classic of the same name, Casablanca is Morocco’s modern metropolis. Not strictly an imperial city, travelers may stop for two reasons, firstly, its new international airport and secondly to visit the Hassan II mosque considered as the second largest Islamic monument in the world after Mecca.  The mosque is built on a rocky outcrop and is designed with Moreno glass, which allows the worshipers to see the running stream below them.  Everything is bigger here: the streets, the hotels, the office blocks and the slums. There’s a local saying “Casablanca has no memory, no past only a future”  Even so, a rich heritage of art deco architecture fused with North African elements acts as a tangible reminder of it’s French colonial past.

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ESSAOUIRA

Essaouira is a peaceful town on the country’s central Atlantic coast, its mass of whitewashed houses shining brightly in contrast to the blue of the sea and sky. The view of the blue fishing boats bobbing in the harbour is both panoramic and enchanting, the tranquility and traditional aspect of Essaouira belies its rich history and all the many international influences that have surged through this ancient trading and fishing port at one time or another

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FES

Fez was founded by Moulay Indriss II at the end of the 8th century, also known as the first Islamic capital of Morocco, and was the host of the very first Moroccan dynasty. Fez has a maze of stone, marble and plaster surrounded by orchards.  An aura of 1001 Arabian nights linger here as the spiritual centre of Morocco.  The old town lives in the shadow of the minarets, sprawling outwards from the mosque like a spider web of alleys, houses and shops.  From the back street workshops, potters, charcoal burners, goldsmiths and weavers still practice their ancient trades for busy shops and stores in the crowded streets. Well over 1000 years old, the Jewish quarter or Mellah, has long had a reputation for producing some of the finest ironwork in the country.  Whilst in the suburb of the leather tanners the ancient methods and techniques are still used today to treat and dye hides

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TANGIER

The atmosphere and mood of Tangier has proved irresistible to writers and artists alike. Henri Matisse, Paul Bowles, Tennessee Williams, Orson Wells and the heiress Barbara Hutton added a bohemian touch to this remarkable city. From 1932 until its incorporation into Morocco in 1956, Tangier was an international city, under control of a committee of 30 nations. This was an era that was characterised by financial fraud, espionage, large-scale smuggling and outrageous sexual license by wealthy and eccentric expatriates.
From the mountains that surround Tangier, a magnificent spectacle unfolds as the evening sun sinks into the Atlantic Ocean and a bright moon slowly rises up out of the dark waters of the Mediterranean. This cape, famed since antiquity, contains the Caves of Hercules-for centuries the haunt of the Barbary Corsairs, the savage pirates who were the curse of the Mediterranean

The Phoenicians set up a trading post here and it later became the Roman town of Tangier.  Arab rulers from the east took over in the 8th Century AD and Portugal captured it in the 15th Century

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VOLUBILIS

The Roman ruins of Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage site, stretched out over 40 hectares, are the most well preserved ruins in Morocco. 
The Romans began building the city of Volubilis around 40AD in order to keep control of this North African region which was successively occupied by the Greeks, Berbers, Jews and the Carthaginian merchants.  In the second and third centuries, the region began to develop more rapidly when the Romans began cultivating grain.  The victory Arch, facing the main route and built in 217 in honour of the Roman emperor Caracalla, formally had a bronze chariot atop its ancient stones, which was restored in 1962. On the other side, the house of Ephebe provides shelter for a remarkable mosaic depicting Bacchus on his chariot. The Capitol was built facing the basilica 217 on a headland that towers over the bare and arid plain.
The best time to visit the monument is at sunset, when the shadows on the monuments grow and when all the tourists have left.  The mosaics at Volubilis are what make this site so spectacular and the most popular mosaic is of the Orpheus and Amphitrite’s Chariot located in the house of a rich merchant.

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EL JADIDA

El Jadida, sixty three miles south of Casablanca, was held by the Portuguese for 250 years -they called it ‘Mazagan’, and built the fortified and moated medina adjacent to the harbour.  When the Portuguese left, the town was burnt down and was then rebuilt and renamed El Jadida, meaning ‘The New’
Traces of the towns Portuguese past remain today in its lanes and ramparts, and  most notably in the underground cisterns- pillared and vaulted like a church crypt, illuminated by eerie shafts of sunlight, and flooded with a few inches of water to conjure the reflection - an astonishing setting used by Orson Wells in his version of Othello.
During the summer months many visitors flock to its sandy beach that is a focal point of El Jadida. Lined by an elegant promenade and dotted with lively cafes, the beach stretches into the horizon.  El Jadida boasts what is considered to be Morocco's most beautiful 18 hole golf course.  Situated on the Atlantic Coast, the Sofitel Royal Golf El Jadida was designed by Cabell B. Robinson and is surrounded by cypress and pine trees. This course boasts a par 72 – 6226m length

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ERFOUD

Built by the French beside the river Ziz, the little town of Erfoud is characterised by its charm as a settlement from centuries ago. Its red sand buildings stand out as an impressive contrast against the surrounding desert. With its good hotels, restaurants and lively souk, it is an excellent place from which to explore the surrounding landscape and oases.
In the oases, the people live in fort-settlement known as ksour, with high walls, tightly packed houses and an intricate pattern of paths and alleyways which are as beautiful as they are charming. Made from lime and the red sand of the region, they provide protection from both marauding nomadic tribes and the scorching sun. Surrounding these settlements are the large palm groves that have sustained these communities on the fringe of camel rides to the sand dunes of Merzouga.

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RABAT

Although not its largest city, Rabat is Morocco’s capitol and ‘Royal City’. Known as the ‘Washington’ of North Africa, because of the parks, boulevards, monuments, embassies and government buildings, Rabat is also the seat of the Royal family and not surprisingly it is home to many bewitching palaces and  mosques -all in the sensual North African style that evokes visions of a thousand and one Arabian nights. The alleys of the Oudayas are a wonderful place to wander overlooking the Atlantic Ocean

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MEKNES

The former royal city of Meknes is yet another unexpected delight this country has to offer. One of Moroccos most beautiful historical cities, its twenty two Kms of town wall, monumental gates and the ruins of an immense palatial complex form an impressive and curious backdrop for the meeting point of Morocco’s main roads.
The 17th century sultan Moulay Ishmail wanted to create a royal capitol here that would rival Versailles. He had an army of bricklayers, black slaves and several hundred captured Christian slaves build 120km of town wall, dream palaces, stables for 12000 horses, hanging gardens watered by a 4 hectare pond and immense storage sheds. After almost a century of construction, he left one of the most beautiful cities in Moorish-Arabic style.

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OUALIDIA

Pronounced “Walidia” this charming little coastal village situated between EL Jadida and Safi.
The village is spread along the southern shores of an inland lagoon filled by the sea. Watching the coastal views from a terrace is akin to observing the ebbing tides on a river estuary- a constantly changing and remarkable spectacle. The lagoon is flanked by a Kasbah built in 1634 by Sultan EL Oualidia, looking over the beach and lagoon
Beaches offer fine sand, safe bathing, surfing, and windsurfing, and small fishing boat expeditions. To the south, a variety of small sandy coves and rocky cliffs offer seclusion and splendid walks. Visitors will have the village and beaches more or less to themselves between October and June whereas July to September is high season when many French and Moroccans spend their summer months at this enchanting location. 

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MARRAKECH

Founded nearly a thousand years ago, it is one of the great cities of the Maghreb and home to its most venerated Islamic Monuments – the Koutoubia Mosque. Its spectacular setting against the snow capped High Atlas Mountains lingers long in the minds of most travelers, and the famous Jmna El Fna  suare provides the greatest open air spectacle in the World.  Marrakech has become a favourite  international destination with its wonderful shops, souks and markets and eclectic selection of top restaurants.
There are so many things to see and do in Marrakech, including the Bahia Palace Si Said Museum, the Saadien Tombs, the Jewish cemetery and visit the Jardins de Marjorelle in a horse drawn carriage.  Marrakech is a great base to do day excursions from – Essaouria, Oualidia, both on the Atlantic Coast; the Ourika Valley gently climbing to Setti Fatma where you can eat Goat Tajine or a visit to the High Atlas Mountains to ride a mule at the foot of Mount Toubkal, the highest in the Atlas Range.

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