Morocco 2013
- We took a month long trip to Morocco in June 2013.
- Flying in to Casablanca we stayed for three nights. We were fortunate to have Moroccan contacts in Hobart with family in Casablanca, and they graciously showed us around their city and welcomed us into their culture. It was a fabulous introduction.
- The rise and fall of ruling dynasties has left Morocco with four imperial cities. We visited Meknes, Fez, and Marrakesh (not Rabat).
- Caught the train from Casablanca to Meknes, spending three nights in this lovely city with side trips to the Roman ruins of Volubilis and the pilgrimage site of Moulay Idriss.
- Then caught the train to Fez, staying for five nights. Its medina is legendary and we were lucky to be there for part of its Festival of Sacred Music. If you can only go to one of these cities, make it Fez.
- We wanted to explore the desert between Fez and Marrakesh, and decided do this with a local tour company run by a Berber family. Just us, a driver, and a guide in a 4WD for five days. Amazing experience.
- Marrakesh is an iconic destination, and we spent five nights there.
- Finished the trip with some chill time on the Atlantic coast – four nights in Oualidia and a final night in El Jadida.
- Morocco was very foreign to us and we loved exploring its difference.
Casablanca
Arrived at Casablanca Airport early afternoon on Wednesday then took a taxi to our hotel in the central district. Freshened up and walked around the Old Medina to stretch our legs and start adjusting to local time. Early dinner and an early night. Next morning we were picked up by the...
Meknes
Meknes is the least well-known of Morocco's four imperial cities, but we found it a fine place to visit. It was established in the 11th C by the Almoravid dynasty as a military settlement. The city sits on a fertile plain below the Middle Atlas mountains, on the Oued Bouferkrane...
Fez
Cordoba was founded by the Romans in 2 BC and became an important provincial base in Hispania under the Emperor Augustus. It was occupied by the Byzantines then by the Visigoths before it was captured by Umayyad Moors in 711. It was under the Moors that the city rose to its greatest...
The Desert
Cordoba was founded by the Romans in 2 BC and became an important provincial base in Hispania under the Emperor Augustus. It was occupied by the Byzantines then by the Visigoths before it was captured by Umayyad Moors in 711. It was under the Moors that the city rose to its greatest...
Marrakesh
We spent four nights in Granada on our tour of Andalucia. It's a charming city located at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains and the confluence of four rivers. We were attracted here to visit the famous Alhambra and the day we spent exploring this remarkable site was a highlight....
Oualidia and El Jadida
Barcelona was our last stop in Spain. We rented an apartment for five nights in a residential area near Placa de Catalunya, with the aim of slowing down and taking time to enjoy being in this legendary city. It worked a treat. One day we visited the Picasso Museum, wandered down to the...