Holiday in Morocco!


Holiday in Morocco!
This time last week I had just returned from holiday in North Africa, Marrakech to be precise!  My parents went for their anniversary a few years ago and loved it, so we decided it would be an adventure and perfect for our summer holiday this year!


1 
The souks in the Medina
2
A gorgeous lantern shop and a view of the main square. 
3
Me being vain on our roof terrace – just look at that view! 
4 

Week 1;
We stayed in a Riad in the centre of Marrakech which was crazy.  It was over 40 degrees, the food (lamb and prune/chicken and lemon tagines with couscous) was incredible, the souks were mind-blowing – it was crazily busy, with donkeys, motorbikes, and cars trying to squeeze down tiny lanes, little kittens everywhere, beautiful crafts; bags, slippers, jewellery, lanterns in the shops… the atmosphere was incredible (I will never moan at how busy Oxford Street is again!).
The Riad we stayed in (Riad Afrika) was perfect; we had a woman cook us breakfast (traditional Moroccan pancakes) every morning, as well as a roof terrace, plunge pool in the courtyard, and en suite bedrooms.  We also spent a few hours in Yves Saint Laurent’s garden (Majorelle Garden) which was beautiful and very relaxing.

 
The souks in the Medina


A gorgeous lantern shop and a view of the main square.


Me being vain on our roof terrace – just look at that view!


Posing next to a cactus in YSL’s garden and being a tourist with my sister and her boyfriend.

Week 2;
The second week was heaven on earth.  Honestly, I have never been anywhere so relaxing, peaceful and beautiful (except maybe The Blue Mountains in Aus!).  We rented a cute Kasbah just outside of Marrakesh (which looked like a sandcastle!), where we had a massive swimming pool all to ourselves, as well as pet peacocks, bunnies, chickens and goats running around.  We also found a scorpion in our bath one day and a praying mantis on our sun lounger the next!  All I did was read, sunbath (with spf50!), swim and feed the peacocks and bunnies, the perfect second part to the holiday.

 
Feeding pet peacock next to the pool.

The Sandcastle Kasbah we stayed in, and me admiring the bunnies!


Awwwhhhh!!

I would really recommend visiting Morocco to everyone, it was a great adventure and I definitely want to visit again in a few years.  Next time I want to climb the Atlas Mountains and take more spending money (and a bigger suitcase) so I can decorate my bedroom with lanterns, tassels and gorgeous ornaments.


Holiday in Morocco!


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nice day in morocco beach,,, Holidays


nice day in morocco beach,,, Holidays
Agadir, Beach Holiday Morocco
Morocco is the perfect place to consider a beach holiday. Since Morocco is nestled between the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts, you won’t have trouble finding a beautiful beach for your Morocco travel your vacation while taking in the local seafood fare. If you choose to relax by the tranquil Mediterranean shores, you are in store for unspoiled Moroccan beaches with dramatic scenery of rocky inlets and headlands. In comparison, the beaches by the 2000 mile turquoise lit Moroccan Atlantic shore are more popular as they are lined with pristine stretches of sand. You will surely be astounded by the sand dunes, mythical cliffs and bluffs when traveling to the seaside of Morocco.

Four of the most popular Atlantic resorts for Moroccan travel are Agadir, Essaouira, and Mirleft El Jadida, all have stunning sandy beaches with a plethora of exciting things to see and do. Moulay Bousalam, a smaller beach with rolling sand dunes that resides within a fishing town on the Atlantic is a less touristic alternative then Agadir and Essouaira and is where many Moroccans from Fes travel for their vacations and own second homes.

Agadir
Argued to be one of the most beautiful seaside resorts to travel to in Morocco, a visit to Agadir is a memorable experience as it offers a glimpse of  the Modern Maghreb. Agadir’s beach boasts a sparkling unpolluted crescent shaped shore that has retained a mountainous Kasbah backdrop even with the new seaside buildings that have sprung up in the past several years. The city is located on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean near the foot of the Atlas Mountains, just north of the point where the Souss River flows into the ocean.
Agadir is an important fishing and commercial port, the first sardine port in the world, (exporting cobalt, manganese, zinc and citrus). Because of its large buildings, wide roads, modern touristic hotels, and European-style cafes, Agadir is not a typical city of traditional Morocco, but it is a modern, busy and dynamic town. Agadir is famous for its seafood and agriculture.
Even though Agadir’s popularity continues to grow, it is possible to escape the crowds during Morocco’s travel peak season (June – July) by visiting any one of the nearby beaches. Taghazout is only 19 km north of Agadir and a favorite of surfers.
After a few hours in the sun, there are several places to explore in Agadir. Maturer audiences have the option of renting horses, camels, or quad bikes to ride up the sand dunes. There are also numerous cafes with views of the sea that are wonderful to relax or people watch early in the morning or at sunset. Agadir is mellow and with its mix of new hotels, restaurants, shops and nights clubs it is an accessible place to travel to in Morocco for a vacation for singles, couples and families. Agadir also lays claim to one of the largest Marjane’s (the Moroccan equivalent of Target) in the country.

Essaouira Camel Trekking on the Beach
Essaouira
Essaouira, formerly known as Mogador, is a city and tourist resort in western Morocco, on the Atlantic Coast. Archaelogical research shows that Essaouira has been occupied since prehistoric times. The bay at Essaouira is partially sheltered by the island of Mogador, making it a peaceful harbour protected against strong marine winds. The Medina of Essaouira is a UNESCO World Heritage site and an example of a late 18th century fortified town. Essaouira remains one of the top seaside Moroccan travel destinations for foreigners.

Referred to as the ‘windy city of Afrika’, the beaches of the 18th century French influenced Essaouria, are the most popular. The winds make it the ideal place to host windsurfing competitions and year round, you can spot people practicing the sport.
Essaouria attracts diverse crowds because it offers a range of activities to do. When traveling to Essaouira, shop in the famous Thuya wood carving shops, take in the panoramic sights by Skala du Port, embrace the cafe scene, or visit the nearby islands. History and cultural lovers will also enjoy exploring the Mellah, where up to 9000 Jews lived between 1875-1900 exporting goods like salt and jewelry to London. You can also spend an afternoon climbing 15th century ramparts that were once sea bastions and fortifications. During the 19th century, Essaouira was the only part of port south of Tangier to trade with Europe.
Tourism to Essaouira has been of growing importance over the past ten years, supporting boutique hotels established in traditional Moroccan riads, within the old town’s ramparts. The medina is home to many small arts and crafts businesses, notably cabinet making and ‘thuya’ wood carving (using roots of the Tetraclinis tree), both of which have been practiced in Essaouira for centuries. This beachside resort also has a fishing fleet and market. Essaouria offers a good range of cafes and restaurants near the ramparts with views of the sea. For lunch or dinner the best place to eat is at one of line of grills down at the port, an Essaouria institution, and cooking fish as fresh as can be.
Essaouira is also renowned for its kitesurfing and windsurfing, with the powerful trade wind blowing almost constantly onto the protected, almost waveless, bay. Several world-class clubs rent top-notch material on a weekly basis. Parasols tend to be used on the beach as a protection against the wind and the blowing sand. Camel excursions are available on the beach and into the desert band in the interior.
Essaouria makes claim to one of Morocco’s largest and most successful annual events held each June, The Gnawa World Music Festival. Traveling to Essaouira during this festival season is one of the best ways to see Morocco The festival attracts approximately 600,000 attendees each summer and provides a platform for exchanges and a meeting point of music and dialogue between foreign artists and the mystical Gnawa musicians. In this melting-pot of musical fusion, the Gnawa masters invite players of jazz, pop, rock and contemporary World Music to explore new avenues. Past performers at the Gnawa World Music Festival include the French-Algerian group Gnawa Diffusion, the Rajistani Romany group Musafir, Vietnamese guitarist Nguyen, American drummer Sangoma Everett, Cuban pianist Omar Sosa, KyMani Marley, Wayne Shorter, the National Orchestra of Barbès Trio Joubran, the English genius of bluesman Justin Adams, as well as the incredible Toumani Diabaté and the Korean traditional percussions of the Salmunori Group.

Mirleft Beach
Mirleft

Mirleft is a fishing village South of Agadir between Tiznit and Sidi Ifni. The village of Mirleft acquired a robust reputation in Morocco for the quality of its white sand beaches, its almost inaccessible creeks between cliffs and ocean, or its sand dunes shaped by the wind of the desert. The taste of the sun, the crash of the oceanic waves, the immense areas of sand the tourist fond of seaside pleasures.  The bank of Mirleft is a part of these unique places these lost small places that the best surfers advise in secret. Often impressive and especially regular waves in a wild and grand decoration. The warm hospitality of the people in Mirleft and the beautiful weather make it an ideal Morocco vacation spot.
Moulay Bousalam
If you want a lower key place to sunbathe when traveling to Morocco, yet still prefer to spend afternoons mingling with locals, Moulay Bousalam is the simple and charming choice. The town’s beach is different from most along the Atlantic shores because it is surrounded by cliffs, sand dunes and impacted by waves that can sometimes be dangerous. Year round, some Moroccans can be spotted making a pilgrimage to visit the remains of 10th century Egyptian, who the town was named after. This sleepy fishing town attracts the most visitors in July and August. Another point of interest is Merdja Zerga, a lagoon used as a space for herding wild sheep, cattle, and goats. People also visit this quaint beach town throughout the year for bird watching.
 

El Jadida Beach
El Jadida

The region is well-known for the quality of its shad (cousin of the sardine) and of its seafood in general. Opposite the Bastion of the Angel, on the port of El Jadida, or along the boulevard de Suez, eating in any of the numerous restaurants will let you sample this while having an enjoyable time. If the premises are simple ones, their cooking is no less delicious. Here you will be able to sample grilled sea urchins, grilled sardines and other seafood, etc. Further to the south (76km), a visit to Oualidia is a must. This charming seaside resort is well known for its oysters. You can try them on the terrace of a restaurant or directly from the oyster beds in the lagoon where they are grown. You will also be able to hire a guide and a small boat. There is simply too much choice… The water is calm and perfect for swimming. The beach of the chic seaside resort of Sidi-Bouzid, 3km to the south, is magnificent and the current coming from the Canaries gives it a particular freshness. Haouzia is the name of Azemmour’s attractive beach to the north. The Royal Golf Club is worth the trip: its course weaves through the middle of a eucalyptus forest.



Travel Exploration specializes in Morocco Travel. We provide Tours and travel opportunities to Morocco for the independent traveler and tailor-made tours for families and groups with a distinctly unique flavor. From Morocco’s Seven Imperial Cities, to the Magical Sahara Travel Exploration offers a captivating experience that will inspire you. At Travel Exploration we guarantee that you will discover the best of Morocco! Call Travel Exploration in the USA at 1 (800) 787-8806 or in Morocco 1 (212)618-88-26-81 and let’s book a tour to Morocco for you today.

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cooking holiday in morocco - Dar Na Cafe.


A fillip in the cooking holiday week - Dar Na Cafe.

Focus on our Wednesday lunchtime slot and our favourite cafe.

Wednesday's is a rest day from the cooking holiday workshops so we head to souk Idagouard for the morning market where there's the chance to see the Argan forest and photograph donkeys and the vast array of fresh fruit and veg.  Afterwards we take a 30 minute drive to the beautiful location of Sidi M'Bark on the coast where Said and Helen run a cafe & restaurant.  Located 35 km from Essaouira, Morocco, in a traditional Berber village, Dar Na overlooks the river valley, oasis and the sea to make your lunch spot truly idyllic. Salads, freshly grilled sardines and Tagines are all extremely well prepared and presented.  We've been coming here 18 months since the cafe first opened and it's one of the most satisfying things to do in Essaouira...simply very little once you arrive at the peaceful spot.

The cafe is a green design dream, an eclectic mix of recycled materials assembled and painted by Said himself.  No formal training he'll modestly venture. Afterwards we normally take a pleasant walk down the valley along the river to reach the waterfalls next to the sea but not before enjoying what Said can rustle up for you.  Dar Na's website can be seen here.http://www.darnacaferestaurant.com/index.htm




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Cooking Holiday in morocco





Filo pastry is overlapped to fit the dish. 

a egg based mix is applied.

shredded chicken is added.

a further layer of the spice mix is added
  
Beautifully wrapped up


And the result with a honey glaze.

removing all the chicken bones is important!





Cooking Holiday

Sian on holiday in Essaouira.

Sian Billington came out for a combined cooking holiday photography week and took two cooking classes with Naima & Aicha.  She's a food writer and keeps a blog from her base in Melbourne, Australia.  International cooking holidays are her ideal pursuit and you can find out all about her quests on her blog here.  

After an introductory day making a classic Essaouira dish: fish Tagine,  day 2 was a treat;  zaalouk, harira soup followed by chicken pastilla.  It's a time consuming dish but one that has a beautiful finish to it. You can see some of the stages below.  For a cooking classes in Morocco get in touch with us at: info@photomaroc.o.uk.


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Chaat magazine orders a fish dish.


Chaat magazine orders a fish dish.
We're featured in The British Curry Club's monthly magazine, Chaat for August 2012. Both Essaouira and Naima's recipe for sardine kefta get star billing in the travel zone section. Otherwise in the news here, it's been a busy summer for cookery workshops.  Several yoga attendees are getting into cooking with Naima during their week long courses staying at Riad Maison du Sud, our chosen hotel for the cooking 


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Moroccan Family Recipes


Moroccan Family Recipes
To share your Moroccan Family Recipes


My mother is called Hajja Souad. She was born in Rabat and the young fishermen used to call her the Princess of the Sea. She was there every day even in the winter and she made a recipe that the family named after her because she loved to pick oysters. She still makes this dish and we all still call it:

Princess of the Sea.

Ingredients:
* oysters
* red pepper, cumin, salt
* garlic
* parsley and cilantro
* olive oil
* lemon juice
* 1/2 cup of water

First put the oil in a tajine and then add salt, red pepper, cumin, garlic, parsley, cilantro, and put it on low heat on the fire. After a few minutes add the oysters and water. Next put the tajine on the fire for around 20 minutes to cook. Finally pour the juice of the lemon over the whole thing and enjoy the Princess of the Sea Tajine.






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Sousoukitchen in morocco


Sousoukitchen in morocco
Sousou Kitchen




I post you the photos today that I received from some of my dear visitors, I thank you for this trust for having tried my recipes, I encourage others to test my recipes and to send me photos which.

Chocolate Cupcake:
Here are some chocolate cupcakes that my daughter helped me with , they are very simple to make. I assure you that it is a lot of fun to let the children make them.

Rziza Handmade by My mother:
Here is Rziza from my mother that most of you have been awaiting, Rziza prepared by the machine, that I posted you recently, you will find it HERE. We eat Rziza with some honey or we cut it in…

Happy El Eid !!
After presenting you the recipe of Rziza of my mother, allow me to share with you this tagine of meat and cardoons, prepared in Morocco. It is my mother who cleaned cardoons.

Stuffed Dates:
Here is a simple way to eating dates especially during this month of Ramadan, stuffed with almonds and walnuts, if you do not want to add colors, leave it natural.



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