Morocco is a bright country in both colour and culture. There is an array of highlights to see but here are the ones you won’t want to miss.
Casablanca – Casablanca, the city of the 1942 film starring Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart is a city for true travellers as oddly not many tourists frequent this place, perhaps due to the fact that the film was actually made in Hollywood with sets and not in Casablanca itself! The city however is a gem that has a lot to offer.
The Architecture is varied and stunning ranging from Art Deco to Gothic to modern. One of the nicest examples of Art Deco design is the Cinéma Rialto. Another beautiful building is the Gothic and Art Deco mix, 1930’s cathedral that now hosts exhibitions and some concerts. Then there is the largest mosque in Morocco - The Hassan II Mosque. Its an intricate building that took more than seven years and as many as 10,000 artisans to build.
Looking for the French influence you’ll be hard to find a better street than that of the palm-lined Boulevard Mohammed V, right in the heart of old Casablanca, and then there is of course the Église Notre Dame de Lourdes, a stunning specimen of Brutalist architecture. Because of its beautiful architecture, no building goes to waste and you’ll find many an art shop or museum tucked into old, redundant houses. Casablanca is also home to a busy restaurant and café scene. The city’s waterfront is lined with cafés, restaurants and stylish lounges.
Meknes - Meknes is a city on the northern side of Morocco, acknowledged for its imperial past, with beauties such as the Bab Mansour, a sizable gate to the former imperial city, with its decorative mosaic tiled arches. Inside you’ll find a selection of ancient ruins to explore. You’ll also find the Mausoleum of Sultan Moulay Ismail. Then there is the old town - Meknes Medina, a warren of lanes full of lively bazaars and shops, an ideal place to haggle a bargain souvenir.
Volubilis - Any Historians will want to head just outside of Meknes where you’ll find the remaining ruins of the Roman Volubilis. Surrounded by countryside, high on a hill, it is an impressive sight. Alternativey a visit to the well preserved medieval Arab-Muslim town Medina of Fez.
Travel through Todgha Gorge and along the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs - a remarkable drive snaking through spectacular desert landscapes, villages, palm groves and passing hundreds of Kasbahs (fortresses) along the route. These fortresses are tall, windowless and with fortified towers. They were often bult by local leaders to portray their wealth and as protection for their land.
Marrakech – Marrakech is a bustling city full of colour, taste sensations and shopping extravaganzas. On top of that you will find stunning palaces and gardens alike.