Kola Nut Travel

Modern Morocco is an initiation into the exotic magic of the Islamic, Arabic and African world – the world of medinas and minarets, desert and mountain; yet it almost touches western Europe and, for all the differences, retains a European patina, the legacy of the French. To drink in the spirit of Morocco, you must wander the streets of the great cities. Fès, the ancient capital, has a stunning array of medieval buildings, while Marrakech beckons with mystery and its world-famous souk selling a bewildering array of goods. Both hark back to the Arab dynasties that ruled the country from the Muslim conquest.

Morocco’s charm lies in its diversity. For sun-worshippers, there are miles of beaches, while inland lies Berber country in the snow-capped Atlas Mountains. Beyond the Atlas are the fringes of the Sahara, where the caravans once stopped on the way south to trade in spice and ivory.

The Pearl of the South, Jewel of the South, The Rose City – are just a few of the nicknames Marrakech has acquired over the years. Part Berber, part Arab, part African, Marrakech is the heartbeat of Morocco, where palaces and monuments of unrivaled refinement sit calmly alongside the snake charmers and Gnaouan drums pulsing constantly from Djemâa el Fna Square – the most exuberant marketplace in the world. Virtually unchanged since the Middle Ages, Marrakech’s solid ramparts encircle and protect its mysterious labyrinthine medina, which hides sultans' palaces, the ornate mansions of rich merchants, and some of the most colorful bazaars in the Arab world.

Journey to Fès, recognized as Morocco's intellectual and spiritual nerve center. The Arab capital of Morocco – as opposed to Meknes, the Berber capital – it is an ancient center of learning, culture, and craftsmanship, home to the oldest university in the West and the world's largest still-functioning medieval quarter. Its labyrinthine streets and crumbling grandeur add to its intrigue. The medina of Fès el-Bali is one of the largest living medieval cities in the world, and its gates and walls are magnificent. And no visit to Fès is complete without an excursion to the tannery where workers wade in dye pits as they impart vibrant colors to leather hides.

Hidden gems include the mountain town of Chefchaouen and the seaside town of Essaouira. Often called the “Blue City of the Hills”, Chefchaouen has a history of Spanish-influence and is located in the heart of the Rif Mountains, surrounded by trees, hills, springs, and wildflowers. But its real magic lies in the many hues of blue used to paint the houses and buildings that permeate winding streets and alleys. The small port of Essaouira relies mainly on fishing and the colorful harbor is a must-see for tourists seeking a place with a strong feeling of the past. It has been a trading post for almost 3000 years, starting with the Phoenicians. Volubilis is the best-preserved Roman site in Morocco and features with some of the finest mosaics found anywhere in the world.

Travel into the High Atlas Mountains and observe the lifestyle of the ancient Berber people who cling to cliffs and farm beautiful terraces chiseled from the hillsides. To the south lies the vast Saharan desert and the ancient town of Ouarzazate where many historical Hollywood epics were filmed. Enter the Land of 1000 Kasbahs in the Dades Valley and explore the vast sand dunes of the Sahara on a camel safari.

Whether scaling distant ridges, idling by the sea, haggling for exotic artifacts, gazing at ancient wonders or marveling at the pink and indigo of a desert dawn, you will be mesmerized.

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