Vijf leuke dingen te doen in een Fez Hotel




The medieval city of Fez in Morocco has sights and sounds that can really cure that sickness most active travelers dread about – boredom. If the weather is fine and your mood is up for some real adventures, then get out of your Fez hotel room and witness the city’s breathtaking attractions like the Bou Inania Madrassa and the Merenid Tombs. Stop by at the medina to shop for Moroccan items that you can give away to your friends back at home. Stand in awe as you watch the Moroccan artisans traditionally process leather at the city’s tanneries. Also, a lot of exciting activities and exhilarating hotspots await outside your Fez hotel, so there is no way for you to be under the vicious claws of boredom.





However, what if the weather will not allow you to experience the thrills and frills waiting outside your Fez hotel room? Or what if you are not in the mood to face the Fez travel challenges but still looking forward to a fun-filled day? Do not worry, in case severe boredom sets in, try one or more of these five fun things to do inside your Fez accommodation:





1. Lose Yourself In A Book





Finally, it is your chance to finish that book you started reading while on flight but had to put down to give way for those Morocco trips. Reading is always a delightful pastime. Only a book has the ability to bring you to many magical places by just simply flipping pages. Don’t have anything to read? Try Mark Ellingham’s “The Rough Guide to Morocco”.





2. Practice Your Culinary Skill





If you never tried cooking for yourself before, this is an exciting thing to do. Find a recipe of a simple Moroccan dish on the Internet and pretend like you are Morocco’s version of Iron Chef. Remember to follow the instructions carefully so you can come up with a dish that you can be really proud of. Offer it to your travel buddies and ask for feedbacks.





3. Join the Blogosphere





An online travel journal is a must-have for travelers. Your travel experiences and ideas might be helpful to other people. It is also a convenient way of telling your family and friends the events happened to you along your trip. Visiting other blogs can also provide inspiration for future posts. It can even be an avenue for building new friendships. To do this, make sure to book at a Fez hotel that has a reliable Internet connection.





4. Play Sports





Most Morocco accommodations have recreational facilities that you can utilize according to your liking. Tennis courts, swimming pools, and golf courses are the usual amenities found in a Fez hotel. Involving yourself in these sports can benefit you in two ways: one, it can help you escape from boredom; and two, it can be beneficial to your health.





5. Indulge In A Sound Trip





After you feasted your eyes on Fez’s captivating scenery, it is time you give your ears a shot of your favorite tunes. Whatever music genre you are into, a song with a nice rhythm and beat will never fail to bring a relaxing feeling to your body and soul. So, what are you waiting for? Grab your favorite CD, press play, and turn up the volume. Just make sure you do not disturb the Fez hotel occupants next door!


8 redenen To Fall In Love met Marrakech reizen






Just beneath the high mountain range of the African Atlas is the red city of Morocco known as Marrakech. With a culture that has grown to be so vibrant, free, and pure, who would have known that this imperial city only started as another pit stop for medieval caravans? However, regardless of its humble beginnings, you’ll still be bound by its magic spell with the warmth of its people, inspiring history, and colorful tradition. Standing in the middle of the red city walls, you’ll know for sure that you’re in for a timeless escape with Marrakech travel. But to make the most out of your journey to this spellbinding exotic destination, here are the top eight things you shouldn’t dare miss on your Marrakech travel:





1. Relive the memories of the old city.





The 13th century walls that surround the medina is reminiscent of ancient struggles and battles that took place in Morocco. A tour around the age-old fortresses, gates, and tanneries in your Marrakech travel is a good photo opportunity for tourists. Not only that, you’ll also enjoy the inviting spirit of the modern city amidst the well-preserved relics, natural wonders, and architectural pieces of the past. With friendly people and bustling activities around the corner, you’ll enjoy every minute of this experience.





2. Get lost with the crowd at Djemaa el Fna.





This large square that lies at heart of the old city is teeming with too many spectacles and surprises. From bargain shopping to snake charming, you’ll never have a dull moment in your Marrakech travel. Open your eyes to a lot of things, which include juggling acts, musical performances, as well as belly dancing. You don’t even have to worry about losing your way back to your hotel. As overwhelmingly large as it can be, the square offers a winding escape to interesting sites around the city.





3. Take a spiritual retreat.





They say that paying a visit to popular trails of mosques, churches, and other places of worship is a wonderful Marrakech travel experience that can be life-altering. However, for those who only wish to satisfy their curiosities, time is well-spent in admiring some of the most exquisite architectural designs in the world. You’ll be stunned how Marrakech was able to preserve the intricate details and premedieval style of these structures but much more, how it preserved its solemnity. The famous pilgrimage for the “seven saints” is also found in this city, while the Saadian tombs is highly recommended by most tourist guides.





4. Shop and explore its very best.





Popular market stands also known as “souks” offer the best treat for bargain shopping. The bazaar is usually filled with exotic finds such as metal works, wood pieces, baskets, and leather sets– some of which, you’ll only find in Morocco. You’ll also be advised not to end your Marrakech travel without a belt, jewelry, carpet, or any form of clothing that are found in the souk.





5. Take a journey to the past.





Marrakech is one of the best places to find age-old ceramics, paintings, mosaic, jewelries, and fabrics. Its museums house prestigious artifacts that date back to more than a thousand years. Manuscripts, contemporary arts, and traditional clothing are among the well-preserved collection. You may also take note in your Marrakech travel experience that museums here are not just brick-and-mortar structures but are also adorned with verdant gardens.





6. Stay in luxurious Riads in Marrakech.





Your Marrakech travel experience will not be complete without staying in the city’s famous Riads. These are residential facilities that top any 5-star hotel in modern cities. With luxurious rooms, overlooking views of the fountain, roof top terraces, and exquisite decorations, Riads are one of the best reasons to stay in Marrakech.





7. Experience the colorful tradition of Morocco.





Embrace the Moroccan culture through entertainment activities and festivals in Marrakech. The Popular Arts Festival is a good way to add more life to your Marrakech travel adventures. Have a great time with fortune-tellers, fire swallowers, and acting troupes in the culmination of this festivity. Apart from carnival spectacles, you’ll also witness the horse-riding parade known as Fantasia.





8. Treat yourself to fun-filled activities.





Popular streams of casinos, discos, and bars are found in the city. But remember, alcoholic drinks are not allowed. Chances are, you’ll have to stay sober all night. Apart from enjoying Western hits and Moroccan pop music, your Marrakech travel adventure can never be complete without experiencing a taste of its gourmet paradise. Most cafes and restaurants in Marrakech offer a fusion of flavors from home grown recipes to international dishes.


Places Of Interest In Morocco




A pleasant culture shock awaits you as you arrive in Morocco. It is as culturally rich as it is geographically diverse and cannot fail to impress. Visiting some of its towns and villages and experiencing the generosity of its people will leave you hooked, as I was, by the Arabic experience.





Fez





Fez is the bustling cultural and spiritual centre of Morocco.









The main attraction is the Medieval Medina in the colourful old city, which has been continuously inhabited since the 10th century. It is busy with traditionally dressed Moroccans, and rich with the noise of buying and selling, veiled women going about their work and bell-ringing water sellers.





A guided tour is the easiest way to tackle the buzzing hive that is traditional Fez, but if you are brave, you can negotiate the tiny alleyways, too narrow for cars whilst risking getting lost and then haggling with a local to be guided back out!





The Tanneries: A visit to the souks will lead to a visit to Fez’s famous tanneries, where one of the oldest arts in the world is practiced to produce the soft leather do characteristic of Morocco.





You’ll need a strong stomach for the smells given off during curing, while you look down on the fascinating tanners’ yard and its impressive vats of different coloured dyes and piles of skins. Open 9-6, admission free.





View Point: The best vantage point over the ancient walled city is from the ruined Merenid Tombs on a hilltop to the east of the city. From here you can see the skyline with its profusion of satellite dishes, and a general mass of palaces, green-roofed holy places, the tanneries, as well as the adjacent Karaouine Mosque.





Moulay Idriss ll: In the depths of the old city sits the shrine that houses the remains of the founder of the city of Fez, Moulay Idriss II. It is one of the holiest buildings in the city. Non-Muslims may not enter, but you can glimpse inside to see the saint’s tomb, which is receives constant devotional visits from groups of women who burn candles and incense.





Marrakech





Walking through the alleyways and souks of Marrakech, particularly in the Medina of the old city, it is easy to believe you have been transported back in time to the “Arabian Nights”.





It is this enchanting mood that brings thousands of sightseers to the most visited of Moroccan cities.





The Medina is characterized by much noise, hustle and bustle with tradesmen and craftsmen going about their daily tasks of cloth dying, copper beating or leather working, as well as herbalists, perfumers and slipper makers.





Snow-covered peaks of the High Atlas Mountains form a beautiful backdrop for the city, although they are often hidden by the heat haze.





Djemaa el-Fna: In the heart of the Medina. It is an irregular ‘square’ and a hub of action where tourists flock to soak up the busy atmosphere. Tourism, though, has not spoilt, but rather added to the complete picture.





Marrakesh has a modern side with its luxury hotels, banks and streets bursting with motor scooters, while it blends effortlessly with the past of the old city.





Marrakech was founded in 1062 by Youssef bin Tachfine of the Almoravide dynasty, and his son perfected the city by bringing in architects and Andalucian craftsmen from C


Reizen naar Marokko Mavens van de Maghreb






Morocco is the essence of North African charm and the land of commingling horizons. Glittering Saharan deserts of the south and east quickly become snow-capped mountains of the Atlas range, followed by the rolling green heartland, which drops down to the sparkling Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines. Travel to Morocco and wrap yourself in the warmth of the enduring Berber, Arab and African people and 10,000 years of their most fascinating history; a history that could only occur where the spheres of Africa and Europe meet intimately and unavoidably upon the Strait of Gibraltar.





Charmed as a Snake





One distinctive layer of Morocco is its great imperial Islamic cities. The central medina (old town) of each city is typically still walled in and houses the most ancient part of these treasured towns, including a minaret-tipped mosque. Open-air markets, snake-charmers, music performers and caf


Major Tourist Resorts In Morocco






For now, Morocco remains relatively untouched by mass tourism, however there are some spots on the tourist map that are particularly well served for visitors.





Agadir: Morocco’s Number 1 Tourist Resort





Situated towards the south of Morocco on the Atlantic coast, Agadir boasts 9 Km of superb white sandy beach and all the amenities of a modern seaside resort.





Agadir boasts 300 days of hot sunshine, which is also especially prominent in winter months. Here you can find many five star hotels and a huge supply of hotel beds, reputedly a quarter of the total in Morocco.





Initially, there seems little sign of the rich history and tradition to be found in other Moroccan cities, although if you search it out, you will find it within the depths of the town. This is largely due to an unprecedented earthquake that shook Agadir in 1961. It has now been re-modelled as a popular package holiday destination, as well as a major fishing port.





Once dubbed the Miami of Morocco, Agadir offers a wide range of activities – along the beach, camel rides, parascending, scooters and speed boats, as well as horse riding, tennis and an 18-hole golf course.





Nightlife in Agadir is typically European in style, being the number one tourist resort in Morocco. Moroccans see this as fantastic, compared to the lack of night clubs in most Moroccan towns. Most dicos and clubs form part of hotels, but normally welcome outside guests. Unfortunately, Moroccan girls do not usually frequent night clubs unless they are out working.





Agadir offers the latest laser light show technology in many of its clubs. Casinos at Club Valtur and the Sheraton Starwoods Hotel are very popular. Caf


Morocco Vacations




Morocco is a place where sand embraces the sea and snow. The charismatic beauty of the place is such that it lures visitors from around the world. The southern coast of Morocco converges in the Western Sahara whereas its northern sides are enveloped by the bedazzling snow capped Atlas Mountains. The Atlas Mountains not just add to the scenic splendor of the place but also safeguard it against its hostile neighbor, Algeria. The area between the mountains and Morocco’s Atlantic coast is covered with fertile plains. Beautiful gorges venturing into the sand and stony wastes of Sahara desert can be witnessed at the edge of the Anti Atlas.





Morocco cities are places worth visiting. Perhaps the oldest city of this place is Fes. Fes is also known as the heart of morocco. The medina of Fes el-Bali or Old Fes is one of the largest living medieval cities in the world today. The magnificent gates and walls here add to the grandeur of the place. The Moroccan city of Marrakesh is known for its rich culture and heritage. Marrakesh is the former capital of morocco. Today the city is famous for its vibrant markets and festivals. To keep its visitors especially children busy the city presents a plethora of activities by magicians, snake charmers, acrobats etc. Spring and autumn seasons are ideal to explore this wonderful city. The city of Rabat displays a perfect confluence of historical events and contemporary developments. The ambience of this city is Islamic as well as European in nature.





Other pulls of morocco include Ait Benhaddou, the most exotic and best-preserved kasbahs in the entire Atlas area. It is one amongst the coveted place for film shootings. The beautiful Central Medina is a huge square in the medina that is the backdrop for one of the world’s greatest spectacles. From open-air food stalls to storytellers, snake charmers and musicians here you will find every source of entertainment. Be it any time of the year the Hasan II Mosque, the world’s third biggest religious monument is seldom left unvisited. The exterior of the mosque bears a French design while its interior is dedicated to the Moroccan style. If you want to see the largest and the well-kept Roman ruins in morocco then Volubilis is the place you need to hit. The origins of Volubilis can be traced back to 2nd and 3rd centuries AD though excavations reveal that Carthaginian traders discovered the site.





The month of May is swarming with Muslims because of the Mousseum of sid Mohammed Ma al-Ainin festival. This is an occasion to see the ‘blue people’ i.e Tuareg nomads of Sahara. Also popularly known is the National folklore Festival of Marrakesh. It is a ten-day event that is attended by dancers, musician and other entertainers from all the corners of the city. November is the month of celebration of Independence Day in Morocco.


Rustgevende aromatherapie op uw favoriete Marrakech-Riad




While it is true that the real adventurers never lose enthusiasm towards going places, we can not deny the fact that traveling is a strenuous activity that can rob us out of energy. An exotic destination such as the city of Marrakech in Morocco requires every traveler to be fueled not only with mere passion for travel, but also with a well-nourished mind and body. A simple rest and sleep in a Marrakech Riad are not enough to comfort a traveler’s body drained out of energy and vigor. So, how do you fully restore power for your mind and body while inside a Marrakech Riad? The answer is only a sniff away.





Aromatherapy, according to Encyclopedia Britannica, is a “therapy using essential oils extracted from plant materials to promote physical, emotional, and spiritual health and balance”. The extracted oils, which mostly came from fragrant flowers, are capable of bringing a calming and relaxing feeling that can relieve your body, mind, and soul from the stress and fatigue that any travel activity can bring. Do you know that some Marrakech Riad hammams are home to three rare kinds of essential oils that have many beneficial properties? If not, read on so you will know which essential oil your body needs at the moment:





1. Atlas Cedarwood Essential Oil





The plant that gives out this essential oil can only be found in Morocco, particularly near the Atlas Mountain area, which explains the name. Atlas Cedarwood oil is clear so it mixes well with rose and cypress oils. It has a rich, woody, and long-lasting aroma that makes it a favorite ingredient in high quality perfumes. It is proven to improve the circulation of the blood and can help prevent urinary diseases. People with oily skins can benefit from this essential oil because once applied, it regulates the production of sebum or the oily substance of our skin. Many satisfied Atlas Cedarwood essential oil consumers in Marrakech Riad hammams claim that the oil reduces anxiety and calms the mind.





2. Bay Essential Oil





Spain and Morocco are the top producers of this essential oil extracted from a plant which belongs to the family of Evergreen trees. It is also referred to as Sweet Bay and Laurel. This herb, which used to be a symbol of courage and wisdom during the Roman period, undergoes steam distillation for the extraction of the oil. Bay oil relieves muscle pain, rheumatism and other general body aches. People with thinning hair should take advantage of the special property of Bay oils that promote hair growth. If you are in a Marrakech Riad hammam, ask for the masseurs to give you a massage with this essential oil that comes with the sweet scent of Ylang-Ylang or Juniper extracts. A pleasurable massage using the Bay oil will definitely prepare you for more exciting Marrakech travel adventures.





3. Argan Essential Oil





Southwest Morocco is the only place where you can find Argan, the tree which produces the fruit that gives out the precious Argan oil. If you are a skincare conscious traveler, it is recommended that you request the masseurs in your Marrakech Riad hammam to apply Argan essential oil on your skin because of its regenerative property; meaning it has the ability to reactivate cells that can make your skin look younger and healthy. Erase those unwanted wrinkles by applying a small amount of this vitamin E-rich essential oil on your face. The refreshing smell of Argan oil is also a proven stress-reliever.





You see, a Riad in Marrakech is not only a simple Moroccan accommodation. It can also be a place where you can get a soothing aromatherapy experience.