Vacation Rentals & Villas

When you think of Morocco, you immediately think of Casablanca, a place immortalized in the annals of Hollywood history, with Humphrey Bogart mouthing off lines which have now become as memorable as the film itself. But it would be completely unfair on ones part to assume, that there isn't more to Morocco than Casablanca.

Located in North Africa, Morocco or Marrakesh (its ancient name meaning ‘Land of God') as it's still addressed in certain languages, can well be considered a jewel in the crown of the African continent. Morocco is a monarchy with a population of about 32 million. Its capital is Rabat, with Casablanca its largest city.

The climate in Morocco varies, from Mediterranean near the coast, to more extremes as one moves towards the interiors. Due to its wide range of climatic variation, one gets to see a variety of flora and fauna that have adapted to this climatic change. With this variation in climate one also gets to see a hugely diversified cuisine, which can be credited to the influence of a variety of cultures and the availability of raw materials for food. Couscous is the most famous Moroccan dish along with pastilla, tajine, and harira. The most popular drink is green tea with mint.

Morocco is a tourist paradise, with plenty of things to do and places to see. Be it places of natural beauty like the Jbel Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa, Figuig oasis in eastern Morocco and Tislit Lake, Imilchil in the Atlas Mountains, or architectural marvels, like in Volubilis, featuring the best preserved Roman ruins in this part of northern Africa, a UNESCO World Heritage site, or the numerous mosques around the country, which feature beautiful and intricate architecture.

But the main attraction for a tourist in Morocco would be its numerous souks and markets. These markets feature some of the finest Moroccan crafts and threadwork, along with other handicrafts. They are a weekly feature in smaller towns and villages, but in larger cities such as Fez or Marrakesh the city which is a namesake of Morocco's ancient name, entire city blocks are dedicated to a particular craft or threadwork. Bargaining is an essential practice and is a ritual in itself, where one could sit bargaining for hours over a cup of mint tea.

Some of the most sought-after items in Moroccan souks and markets are Moroccan carpets, blankets and Moroccan rugs. All are hand crafted in traditional Moroccan style. What you can expect to pay for these items depends on where in the country you are shopping. Larger cities will make these items out of high quality Arab fabrics through a process called knotting. Here the price tags can range in the thousands. Smaller villages use the process of weaving for a much lower price tag.

In retrospect, Morocco is an experience, as exotic as some of the things you would find in its markets and as satisfying as its cuisine.