Top 10 Places to Visit in Morocco

Top 10 Places to Visit in Morocco

 Top Destinations Travel Africa Morocco Marrakech FES

When you travel to Morocco the best places to visit include the imperial cities of Marrakech, Fes and Meknes. This is where you find wonderful bazaars, palaces and bustling town squares. Morocco is also famous for its beaches and some of the best seaside towns include Essaouira, Tangier and Asilah. Morocco also has natural beauty. You can hire a camel and trek through the Sahara; climb North Africa's highest peak; or stay in a traditional Kasbah in the fascinating Dades Valley.

1. Marrakech

Situated at the foot of the Atlas mountains, the imperial city of Marrakech is large, noisy, full of history, and beautiful. There's a lot to see and do in Marrakech. Highlights include the central square of Djemma el Fna; the Saadian Tombs, Marjorelle Gardens, and the souqs (bazaars). Staying in a traditional Riad will really enhance your visit to this fascinating city.

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2. Fes (Fez)

The most complete medieval city of the Arab world, Fes is a strange and appealing mix of middle ages meets the modern world. The extraordinary medina city of Fes El Bali is worth a few days walking in itself. Other highlights include the Merenid tombs, the Royal Palace and the Mellah (Jewish quarter). Fes was Morocco's capital for more than 400 years and is still considered the religious and cultural center of the country.

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3. Essaouira

A favorite with independent travellers, Essaouira is a great place to get away from the heat and bustle of the bigger cities. Jimi Hendrix and Bob Marley enjoyed the beach scene here in the 1960's. Highlights include strolling through the town's beautiful narrow streets filled with red and blue painted houses, the ramparts, the beach and listening to traditional music of the Gnawas.

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4. Chefchaouen

Situated in the Rif mountains Chefchaouen is a small town in a big landscape. Popular with independent travellers (perhaps because it is the cannabis capital of morocco) but not yet spoilt by them. Highlights include hiking, swimming in streams, sipping a drink on the main square (Outa el Hammam) and enjoying the beauty of the white houses and their brightly painted doors.

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5. Merzouga

Merzouga is a desert town that lies a stone throw away from the impressive Erg Chebbi sand dunes, Morocco's largest dunes. From here you can organize camel treks into the desert and get a little taste of Bedouin life. The landscape around Merzouga evokes the classic images of the Sahara desert and won't disappoint. There are plenty of places to stay to suit all budgets.

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6. Jebel Toubkal - Trekking the High Atlas Mountains

Jebel Toubkal, situated in the High Atlas Mountains, is North Africa's highest peak at 4,167m (13,667 ft). It's a challenging trek to the summit, but worth it for the spectacular views. While you can make it to the summit and back to the town of Imlil in a day, it's recommended you take at least 3 days to get the most out of it.

7. Meknes

Getty Images/Petr Svarc

Meknes is smaller and a little more laid back than Marrakech and Fez yet this imperial city has similar charms. Highlights include a wonderfully preserved medina filled with souqs which is easy to navigate without a guide. The Imperial City, built by the powerful Moulay Ismail in the 17th Century, is a showcase of Moroccan architecture complete with huge gates and impressive carvings. The nearby Roman ruins of Volubilis are also well worth a trip.

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8. Dades Valley

The Dades Valley runs in between the Jebel Sarhro and the High Atlas Mountains and offers some of Morocco's most spectacular scenery. The deep red cliffs on each side are lined with impressive Kasbahs, traditional Moroccan built forts. The best way to appreciate the valley and its Berber villages is to get out of your car and walk especially when you reach the Todra and Dades Gorges. Several Kasbahs in this region have been turned into hotels.

9. Tangier

Tangier is the gateway to Africa for many travelers. While the city doesn't have quite the charm it did in the 1940's and 1950's when you could rub shoulders with the likes of Truman Capote, Paul Bowles and Tennessee Williams there's still a lot to see. Highlights include the medina, the Kasbah and the Ville Nouvelle. Tangier is well known for its aggressive touts, but persevere and this unique city will grow on you.

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10. Asilah

Asilah is a wonderful beach town on Morocco's North Atlantic coast. Asilah is very popular with Moroccan vacationers who flock to its sandy beaches in the summer months. The city walls are covered in colorful murals and the houses are white-washed making this town look like it could be at home in Greece. A popular cultural festival is held here every summer. Other highlights include the beaches, small shops, the ramparts and medina.

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A Journey to the beauty of Moroccan architecture

Drawing inspiration from Moorish architecture, this magnificent Moroccan home is built as a contemporary interpretation of the style.

Simplified Moorish details beautifully coexist in this contemporary residence as they pay homage to the traditional architecture of the region.

Columns, niches, horseshoe or Moorish arches, muqarna-like details and rich finishes are evidenced throughout but interpreted in the cleaner lines of the contemporary style.

Designed with the amenities of a resort, this beautiful 4500m2 (48,440 sq ft) home has two heated pools, a private spa with jetted tub, home theatre and fitness center.

Numerous fireplaces and furniture groupings create intimate gathering places within the large open spaces of the home.

With 11 bedrooms and bathrooms, there are ample accommodations for family and guests to enjoy the home and extensive outdoor living spaces.

Typical of Moorish architecture, windows on the public side of the home are kept small to insure privacy. The domed and columned portico as well as the whitewashed stucco facade show the Moorish influence.

The wall of glass in this contemporary living space is perfectly centered to view the outdoor entertaining area. The Venetian plastered walls produce a slight shimmer in the reflected light.

The muqarna-inspired open grillwork above the water basin is further evidence of the Moorish style. The glass firescreen on the horseshoe arched fireplace exemplifies the marriage of contemporary with traditional.

The suggestion of columns, the series of arches and the filigree on the pendants all show Moorish influence but are accomplished in a cleaner, simplified contemporary style.

Changes in the ceiling and flooring details help to define the very large space and create cozier conversation areas. Illuminated columns and recessed wall fixtures near the floor mark the entrance.

The stylized horseshoe arch fireplace and niches speak of the Moorish influence while the furnishings are classic modern in style.

Moroccan architecture

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Similarities between a typical architect and a Moroccan storekeeper

Similarities between a typical architect and a Moroccan storekeeper

A little detail makes the difference when competing in overcrowded industries

I know that sometimes some architects are blind at the moment of taking decisions about our firms, specially those decisions related to modify their business model. It´s usual that they are so concentrated in their professional activities that they don´t like taking management decisions. But sometimes there is no other choice, specially when they have to become more competitive in order to increase their sales. Maybe they as architects refuse to compare ourselves with other sectors because they are different- they conform an special sector, they are “artists”. But if they are not able to carry on some changes to achieve more jobs then it is probably that they will have to close. How could an architect make the difference now, when this industry has become so crowded and competitive in our first world countries?

Author | Germán Cintas Araújo.

Two weeks ago I stayed in Marrakech (Morocco) for a few days in a business trip. I don´t know if you have ever been there, but if you walk along its main Square- Jama el Fna- you will surely feel lost in a medieval Arabian marketplace. No picture nor words can describe this environment: snake charmers, spices stalls, street water sellers, rogues (you have to be aware of your pokets), etc. And if you go into the streets that make up its souk you would probably get lost, being unable to understand the logic of this maze.

But there is a bit of logic within this urban maze. If you have ever studied about traditional Arabian culture you will know that all the business sectors in the city are grouped into “guilds” which  concentrate in urban districts. So there is a district for the tanners, a district for the leather crafters,  other for the carpet traders, etc… You can realize that any store that you can see along any street in certain district exhibits exactly the same products with the same (initial) price than the others. There is no difference between one store and the next. Even more, there are too much stores and products to sell to a few tourists.

So, if a street is crowded of stores whose products are identical, with the same business model; if prices are the same for the same few tourists, what is the differencial factor for success? How can a seller of spices ensure the sale of his amber, his cinnamon, his incense? In general you will observe that everyone is trying to sell you its gender in a very aggressive way. If you go walking down the street and you stop for watching something that you find attractive then you would probably realize how several people appear suddenly, standing in front of you, trying to sell it , haggling all the time, until you fall exhausted.  Note that this situation is something that happens even when buying bread, when having a coffee or when renting a car. As this is the usual tactic to sell in Marrakech, you finally get tired and prefer not buying anything.

But sometimes, if you stand in front of a Tuareg blue silk scarf, a Nigerian handmade copper bracelet or a hand carved ebony door from Sudan, maybe that the seller stands in the darkness looking at you out of the corner of his eye, waiting patiently. And when you had spent a time watching, touching, smelling, he would slowly approach you, samiling, asking you about your nationality in your own language, no matter which one it could be. He would talk you slowly about the magical origin of the artifact you were looking at and about all the other objects around you. He will offer you a green mint flavored tea while explains to you how the Malian stone crafters shape their ritual malachite orbs o maybe he will talk you about  the way the elderly women weave carpets using hands and feet at dawn in the desert. After about one hour you would probably leave his store, having bought things you would never use in your whole life, but you would feel happy with your purchase.

Working as an architect or as a storekeeper is the same when operating in an overcrowded industry. The difference maybe consist on something so easy as developing a single skill that could allow you to identify your customer in order to help him and satisfy his desires, no matter if that skill simply consist on being a good storyteller.

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Moroccan Architecture

For me, beautiful things are often (though not always) intricately detailed, colourful and symmetrical and glorious displays of arduous toil, great patience, dedication and genuine love. On a recent trip to Morocco I found what has now become the most beautiful building I have ever had the pleasure to visit: The Ben Youssef Madrasa. It was built in the 14th century as a Quranic school, capable of housing hundreds of boys selected to undergo several years of intensive study of the Qur’an and other subjects.
Walking through to the inner courtyard, it seemed every inch of space on the walls and pillars were carved with elaborate patterns and Islamic inscriptions, whether the surface was cedar, marble or stucco.
It was definitely one of the highlights of my trip and very happily sits in my collection of memories of ‘beautiful things’, to be recalled at will when I need inspiration.

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Morocco Architecture

Morocco  Architecture

Need some fantasy inspiration for the holidays? I will be doing three posts over the next week or so on my parents recent trip to Morocco. This first one focuses on the varied architecture and architectural details of buildings in Tangiers, Chefchaouen, Fez, Essaouira and Marrakech.

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British Airways increases flights to Morocco

British Airways increases flights to Morocco


British Airways is to increase its frequency to Marrakech from daily to ten flights a week and added a third weekly service to Agadir.

The Marrakech services increase on October 28th with the third Agadir flight starting on October 29th 2013.

This is the second time in less than a year that the airline has expanded its services to Morocco.

Late last year the airline added four flights a week to Marrakech and began a twice-weekly service to Agadir.

“The acquisition of bmi has enabled us to increase our flights in Africa to serve 18 routes in 15 countries.

“We now fly to more places, more often than we ever have before in the 80 years we have served the continent.

“These flights link growing African destinations to London and provide onward connections to the world’s business capitals,” said Ian Petrie, regional commercial manager for Africa.

In West Africa BA started flying three times a week to Sierra Leone and Liberia in addition to the well-established West-African routes in Ghana and Nigeria.

There are more scheduled service expansions to East and Southern Africa as well as flying to Nairobi up to eight flights a week.

Three additional frequencies to Johannesburg have been added on top of the existing double-daily services, in addition to the direct daily Cape Town/ London flights, which also increased to double daily over the southern hemisphere summer peak season.

In addition to this international network, British Airways’ franchise partner, Comair, operates to domestic and regional destinations in South and Southern Africa, flying over 700 departures a week. It recently added Maputo to its regional network.

Mervat Alfy, British Airways commercial manager, Egypt said: “Acquiring bmi just over a year ago helped develop the next chapter for British Airways in Africa.

“British Airways is very excited about the recent developments and we are very proud to be building upon our strong tradition of providing the best of British service for our customers.”


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Will Morocco Be the Next Hot Spot for Oil and Gas?

Will Morocco Be the Next Hot Spot for Oil and Gas?


Angola has emerged as the new oil and gas powerhouse in Africa. Nigeria and Angola are the continent’s leading oil producers, followed by Algeria, Libya and Egypt. These are the five biggest African oil producers which have been enjoying the benefits of accounting for 85% of Africa’s oil production.

Morocco: An Angola in the making?

Several energy companies have turned their attention to Morocco lately, scouring the previously untapped land for precious oil and gas resources. Morocco enjoys political stability and operates under a constitutional monarchy and a democratically elected government. Can Morocco be the new Angola and join the group of top oil-producing African nations?

Morocco is neighboring the gas-rich Algeria and imports more than 90% of its gas and 99% of its oil. However, the country is stepping up its efforts to produce oil locally. The Hydrocarbon Law has been amended to improve terms, and oil and gas royalty rates don’t exceed 10% or 5%, respectively. The new entrants also benefit from a 10-year tax break. All the resources in Morocco are managed by the Office National des Hydrocarbures et des Mines (ONHYM). Through the state-owned ONHYM, Morocco owns 25% of the working interests in oil- and gas-fields development.

Morocco is one of the most under-explored nations with a significantly lower well density versus the global average. Few offshore wells have been drilled so far while the majority of onshore drilling was carried out in the 1960s and 1970s. Morocco has only 1.6 wells per 10,000 square kilometers of licensed offshore acreage, compared to the world average of 51, or 100 in Nigeria, by the same measure, according to research by Sanford C. Bernstein.

The area offshore the Atlantic coast comprises the Morocco Atlantic Margin shelf, which extends more than 3,000 km along the shore line. The exploration and production started in 1929 and increased to reach a peak of production of 8,400 bopd in 1970s.

According to Citigroup, oil companies are planning as many as 10 wells in Moroccan waters through 2014. That’s twice what was drilled in the past decade and represents the fastest pace opening wells since at least 2000.

Be proactive not reactive

Since “the early bird catches the worm”, let’s be proactive by taking a dive into the companies traded on the US markets that own significant acreage, gather seismic data, conduct geophysical surveys or are about to start soon their exploration programs in Morocco:

1) Vermilion Energy (TSX: VET) was recently granted an initial 12-month onshore exploration authorization and hopes to establish an early entry position in Morocco’s emerging resources plays. This is an exploration permit for 2.3 million acres and Vermilion plans to develop it with the free cash flow anticipated from its other international operations in France, Netherlands, Australia and Ireland. Vermilion is currently working on this project by reprocessing of 2D seismic data, geological and geophysical studies. This project might also be funded in the future through a joint venture, according to the company.

2) Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold (NYSE: FCX) has exposure to Morocco due to the recent acquisition of Plains Exploration and Production. Pura Vida was awarded 75% WI in the Mazagan permit in Q4 2011. It farmed in Plains Exploration in January for 52% WI. Plains paid $15 million cash and a carry-on up to $215 million for two wells and up to 2,500 square kilometers 3D seismic. These two wells are expected to cost $75 million to $80 million each ($150 million to $160 million total).

Plains brings its knowledge in salt-basin exploration from its experience in the US Gulf of Mexico, and is likely going to drill a well in 2014, targeting the Toubkal structure, which could contain 1.5 billion barrels of oil.

3) Anadarko Petroleum (NYSE: APC) has established a large position in southeastern Morocco, on the Algerian border. Anadarko is looking at the shales that come in from Algeria and extend into Morocco. The company has already completed some seismic surveys, but has yet to make a decision on whether to proceed with further operations there. However, Anadarko has noted that fiscal conditions in Morocco are conducive to profitably developing shale.

This wait-and-see approach stems primarily from the fact that neighboring Algeria hasn’t finalized the amendment of its petroleum legislation yet. Anadarko believes that the modification of the Algerian petroleum legislation is necessary to make Algeria a viable prospect for unconventional oil and gas. Once Algeria completes this modification, Anadarko will evaluate how to proceed with its operations on the Algerian border.

4) Kosmos Energy (NYSE: KOS) holds a significant position offshore Morocco. This acreage is located in the under-explored Agadir (three Blocks) and Aaiun Basins (one Block), totaling approximately 14 million gross acres. This is a post- and pre-salt Cretaceous play that has substantial running room, according to the company, which is currently processing and interpreting 3D seismic data from its 2012 data acquisition. Kosmos is looking to farm-down ahead of drilling and is planning for initial exploration drilling in late 2013.

5) Chevron (NYSE: CVX) is also hunting for oil in Morocco. In early 2013, the company signed petroleum agreements with ONHYM for three offshore areas. The areas encompass 11,300 square miles with average water depths ranging from between 330 feet to 14,700 feet. Chevron holds a 75% stake in the three exploration blocks and plans to start its 2D/3D seismic offshore program soon.

6) A few months ago, Total was awarded the 100,000 square kilometers reconnaissance licence in the offshore Anzarane block. The original reconnaissance licence expired in December 2012. Total’s block is located in the very south of the country and its partner is ONHYM. Total hasn’t provided publicly any more information about its plans in Morocco.

7) EOG Resources also took a position in the country in 2012. Its onshore acreage is located in the Tadla Basin, which is in the center of Morocco and appears to have potential for shale gas resource. However, the company’s shale gas exploration activity in the area has been very limited thus far.

8) Repsol holds significant acreage on the Moroccan coast and its plan is to assess the potential of gas-bearing sands off the African coast and the Canary Islands by 2014. Repsol is one of the first foreign companies with successful drilling results in Morocco. In 2009, it discovered two columns of gas totaling 90 meters in the Tanger-Larache area, 40 kilometers from the coast of Morocco.

Toronto-listed junior Longreach Oil and London-listed Cairn Energy, Circle Oil, Genel Energy, Gulfsands Petroleum, Chariot Oil and San Leon have also properties in Morocco and are gradually making progress on their exploration plans.

Foolish round Up

It remains to be seen how successful the first drilling results will be. If money starts flowing into the Moroccan oil industry, let’s hope that it won’t repeat what has already happened in some other oil-producing countries. Let’s hope that the wealth generated from Morocco’s oil and gas production will translate into higher standards of living for its citizens, and the wealth won’t be accumulated by a few politicians, their privileged friends, and the companies they hand out contracts to.

Fool.com

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