8 Moroccan women among 25 most influential in Africa

the 25 women who matter most in the business world in Africa. Whether ministers or wives of business men, heirs or self-made women, they have one common link: a strong presence and influence in the business world in Africa.

The list includes Saloua Akhannouch CEO of Aksal Group; Saida Karim Lamrani, vice president of Safari; Nezha Hayat, board member of Societe Generale Morocco; Nadia Kettani, of Kettani Law Firm; Souad Benbachir, manager of CFG Group; Meriem Bensalah Chaqroun, President of the CGEM; Ghita Lahlou, CEO of Saham; and Amina Benkhadra CEO of Onhym.

Salwa Akhannouch

Head of Akwa Group, a distributor of petroleum products, Salwa Akhannouch is a prominent Moroccan businesswoman who heads the franchise group Aksal, founded in 2004. Her ambitious project, Morocco Mall, is the largest shopping center of Africa and the Middle East and in the world top five. Her father, the famous Berber businessman Ahmed Haj Belfiqih, made his fortune in the tea trade. She is married to Aziz Akhannouch, Minister of Agriculture.

Saida Karim Lamrani

Current Associate Vice President of Holdings Group Safari-Sofipar Cofimar, Saida Karim Lamrani is managing and expanding the empire built by her father, Mohammed Karim Lamrani, who was the Prime Minister of the sixth government of Morocco since independence, under the reign of Hassan II.

Nezha Hayat

Nezha Hayat is one of Morocco’s leading company directors and an avowed campaigner for women in business. Founder and deputy chair of the Association des Femmes Chefs d’Entreprises du Maroc, (Association of Women Business Managers in Morocco) Nezha is very attached to the presence of women on boards of directors, and the first woman member of the Executive Board in 2007 to Societe Generale Morocco.

Nadia Kettani

Since1992, Nadia Kettani has been a Partner, Co-Manager and the Head of the International Consulting Department at Kettani Law Firm in Casablanca, one of Morocco’s oldest and most prestigious law firms. Kettani Law Firm’s project and corporate finance experts have been involved in advising the $1.6 billion financing of projects at the port of Jorf Lasfar.

Souad Benbachir

After graduating from ESSEC Business School in Paris, Souad Benbachir joined CFG Group in 1995 as a Senior Associate and has been heading the Corporate Finance/M&A Department since 1999. She is Board Member of Risma, the Moroccan subsidiary of Accor, and head of the tourist T Capital Fund, and serves on the International Advisory Board of the French business school ESSEC.

Meriem Bensalah Chaqroun

An MBA graduate in International Managment and Finance from University of Dallas, Texas, USA, Meriem Bensalah Chaqroun was elected Wednesday, May 16, 2012 as President of the CGE M. She also directed for 23 years the mineral water companies Sidi Ali, Oulmes, and Bahia. She is the daughter of Abdelkader Bensalah, founder of the conglomerate Holmarcom.

Ghita Lahlou

A graduate of the Loréate Central School of Paris, Ghita Lahlou is the Executive Director of the group Omni-servicistes Saham. She is an alumna of the Royal holding ONA.

Amina Benkhadra

Amina Benkhadra is a Moroccan engineer and politician of the National Rally of Independents party. She was Minister of Energy, Mines, Water and Environment of Morocco in El Fassi’s government between 2007 and 2012. Currently, she is General Director of the National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines.

Many of these brilliant women are heirs of great capitalists and daughters of powerful political families. The list published by the magazine, based on criteria of economic and financial influence and the decision-making role in large companies showed that the high success of most businesswomen in Africa still often rhyme with parentage or marriage.

Culture and etiquette in Morocco

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Culture and etiquette

Moroccans are extremely hospitable and very tolerant. Though most people are religious, they are generally easy-going, and most young Moroccan women don’t wear a veil, though they may well wear a headscarf. Nonetheless, you should try not to affront people’s religious beliefs, especially those of older, more conservative people, by, for example, wearing skimpy clothes, kissing and cuddling in public, or eating or smoking in the street during Ramadan.

Clothes are particularly important: many Moroccans, especially in rural areas, may be offended by clothes that do not fully cover parts of the body considered “private”, including both legs and shoulders, especially for women. It is true that in cities Moroccan women wear short-sleeved tops and knee-length skirts (and may suffer more harassment as a result), and men may wear sleeveless T-shirts and above-the-knee shorts. However, the Muslim idea of “modest dress” (such as would be acceptable in a mosque, for example) requires women to be covered from wrist to ankle, and men from over the shoulder to below the knee. In rural areas at least, it is a good idea to follow these codes, and definitely a bad idea for women to wear shorts or skirts above the knee, or for members of either sex to wear sleeveless T-shirts or very short shorts. Even ordinary T-shirts may be regarded as underwear, particularly in rural mountain areas. The best guide is to note how Moroccans dress locally.

When invited to a home, you normally take your shoes off before entering the reception rooms – follow your host’s lead. It is customary to take a gift: sweet pastries or tea and sugar are always acceptable, and you might even take meat (by arrangement – a chicken from the countryside for example, still alive of course) to a poorer home.

TIPPING
You’re expected to tip – among others – waiters in cafés (1dh per person) and restaurants (5dh or so in moderate places, 10–15 percent in upmarket places); museum and monument curators (3–5dh); gardiens de voitures (5dh); filling station attendants (3–5dh); and porters who load your baggage onto buses (5dh). Taxi drivers do not expect a tip, but always appreciate one.

MOSQUES
Without a doubt, one of the major disappointments of travelling in Morocco if you are not Muslim is not being allowed into its mosques. The only exceptions are the partially restored Almohad structure of Tin Mal in the High Atlas, the similarly disused Great Mosque at Smara in the Western Sahara, the courtyard of the sanctuary-mosque of Moulay Ismail in Meknes and the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca. Elsewhere, if you are not a believer, you’ll have to be content with an occasional glimpse through open doors, and even in this you should be sensitive: people don’t seem to mind tourists peering into the Kairaouine Mosque in Fez (the country’s most important religious building), but in the country you should never approach a shrine too closely.

This rule applies equally to the numerous whitewashed koubbas – the tombs of marabouts, or local saints (usually domed: koubba actually means “dome”) – and the “monastic” zaouias of the various Sufi brotherhoods. It is a good idea, too, to avoid walking through graveyards, as these also are regarded as sacred places.

WOMEN IN MOROCCO
There is no doubt that, for women especially, travelling in Morocco is a very different experience from travelling in a Western country. One of the reasons for this is that the separate roles of the sexes are much more defined than they are in the West, and sexual mores much stricter. In villages and small towns, and even in the Medinas of large cities, many women still wear the veil and the street is strictly the man’s domain. Most Moroccan men still expect to marry a virgin, and most women would never smoke a cigarette or drink in a bar, the general presumption being that only prostitutes do such things.

It should be said, however, that such ideas are gradually disappearing among the urban youth, and you will nowadays find some Moroccan women drinking in the more sophisticated bars, and even more often in cafés, which were, until quite recently, an all-male preserve. In the Villes Nouvelles of large cities, and especially in the Casa–Rabat–El Jadida area, and in Marrakesh, you’ll see most women without a veil or even a headscarf. You’ll also see young people of both sexes hanging out together, though you can be sure that opportunities for premarital sex are kept to a minimum. Even in traditional Moroccan societies, mountain Berber women, who do most of the hard work, play a much more open role in society, and rarely use a veil.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT
Different women seem to have vastly different experiences of sexual harassment in Morocco. Some travellers find it persistent and bothersome, while others have little or no trouble with it at all. Many women compare Morocco favourably with Spain and other parts of southern Europe, but there is no doubt that, in general, harassment of tourists here is more persistent than it is in northern Europe or the English-speaking world.

Harassment will usually consist of men trying to chat you up or even asking directly for sex, and it can be constant and sometimes intimidating. In part this is to do with Moroccan men’s misunderstanding of Western culture and sexual attitudes, and the fact that some think they can get away with taking liberties with tourists that no Moroccan woman would tolerate.

The obvious strategies for getting rid of unwanted attention are the same ones that you would use at home: appear confident and assured and you will avoid a lot of trouble. Making it clear that you have the same standards as your Moroccan counterparts will usually deter all but the most insistent of men. No Moroccan woman would tolerate being groped in the street for example, though they may often have to put up with catcalls and unwanted comments. Traditionally, Moroccan women are coy and aloof, and uninhibited friendliness – especially any kind of physical contact between sexes – may be seen as a come-on, so being polite but formal when talking to men will diminish the chances of misinterpretation. The negative side to this approach is that it can also make it harder for you to get to know people, but after you’ve been in the country for a while, you will probably develop a feel for the sort of men with whom this tactic is necessary. It is also wise not to smoke in public, as some men still seem to think this indicates that you are available for sex.

How you dress is another thing that may reduce harassment. Wearing “modest” clothes (long sleeves, long skirts, baggy rather than tight clothes) will give an impression of respectability. Wearing a headscarf to cover your hair and ears will give this impression even more. One reader told us she felt a headscarf was “the single most important item of dress”, adding that you can pull it over your face as a veil if unwanted male attention makes you feel uncomfortable. Indeed, Western liberals often forget that the purpose of wearing a veil is to protect women rather than to oppress them. However, you will notice that many Moroccan women totally ignore the traditional dress code, and do not suffer excessive harassment as a result. As for immodestly dressed women being taken for prostitutes, the fact is that actual sex workers in Morocco are often veiled from head to foot, as much to disguise their identities as anything else.

Other strategies to steer clear of trouble include avoiding eye contact, mentioning a husband who is nearby, and, if travelling with a boyfriend or just with a male friend, giving the impression that he is your husband. You should also avoid physical contact with Moroccan men, even in a manner that would not be considered sexual at home, since it could easily be misunderstood. If a Moroccan man touches you, on the other hand, he has definitely crossed the line, and you should not be afraid to make a scene. Shouting “Shooma!” (“Shame on you!”) is likely to result in bystanders intervening on your behalf, and a very uncomfortable situation for your assailant.

It is often said that women are second-class citizens in Islamic countries, though educated Muslim women are usually keen to point out that this is a misinterpretation of Islam. While sex equality has a long way to go in Morocco, in some ways, at least in theory, the sexes are not as unequal as they seem. Men traditionally rule in the street, which is their domain, the woman’s being the home. One result is that Moroccan women will receive their friends at home rather than meet them in, say, a café (although this is slowly changing) and this can make it difficult for you to get to know Moroccan women. One place where you can meet up with them is the hammam. It may also be that if you are travelling with a man, Moroccan men will address him rather than you – but this is in fact out of respect for you, not disrespect, and you will not be ignored if you join in the conversation. In any case, however interpreted, Islam most certainly does not condone sexual harassment, and nor do any respectable Moroccans. Being aware of that fact will make it seem a lot less threatening.




Read more: http://www.roughguides.com/destinations/africa/morocco/culture-etiquette/#ixzz4GY7Ov54L

7 PLACES OUR FAMILY LOVED IN BARCELONA

The city is vibrant. The food is cutting edge. And the people are so passionate. It’s a manageable city to see on your own. Two to three full days allow you to sample the most popular sites, neighborhoods, and flavors of the City of Gaudí.

First, a brief introduction to Antoni Gaudí. Gaudí lived in Barcelona from 1852-1926. His works are iconic and represent the passion and creativity of Spaniards. Seven of them are designated as UNESCO World Heritage sites. The three major works most people see are the Sagrada Família (church), Casa Batlló (redsigned house), and Park Güell.

Here are seven places and things our family liked the most in Barcelona and tips to see them.

#1 LA SAGRADA FAMÍLIA
Every person’s first visit to Barcelona will include a tour of the yet to be finished church. Pope Benedict XVI recently designated this UNESCO World Heritage site as a “minor basilica” in 2010. In 1883, Gaudí was asked to take over the project only a year after it began. Its target for completion is 2026, which will be the centennial of his death. If you like views from above, pay a few extra dollars and take the elevator to the top. Walk down some 400 steps and stop at balconies for beautiful views of the city.

Tip: This may be Barcelona’s most popular tourist spot. Avoid the long lines by buying your ticket online in advance. After your visit, take a break from the crowds at the park across the street. There is a play structure and swings for younger children.

Official website: Sagrada Família
Cost: Entrance + Visit to the Tower 19.50€, children under 11 are free
Map location: Carrer de Mallorca, 401
Seafood restaurant nearby: La Paradeta at Passatge Simo, 18

Top things to do in Barcelona Spain - Sagrada Familia
La Sagrada Familia is Gaudi’s yet to be completed masterpiece. Take the steps for views of the city!

#2 PARK GÜELL AND GAUDÍ HOUSE MUSEUM
About one mile and a half northwest of Sagrada Família is Park Güell. It was named after Count Eusebi Güell who commissioned Gaudí to design a park and commercial project. Güell dreamed of building and selling houses around this now UNESCO recognized World Heritage site, but the community never bought into it. We can thank them for this because Gaudí’s park has lots of open space and trails for locals and tourists alike. The park has free admission but a paid ticket is required for the most popular section with its views overlooking Barcelona and its iconic, mosaic works.

While visiting Park Güell, I recommend a stop at the Gaudí House Museum. We really enjoyed learning about Gaudí and seeing the house where he lived for nearly 20 years. Here was a man who lived a simple life. He owned few things and decorated this house accordingly. Yet, his artistic projects displayed at Park Güell, Sagrada Família, Casa Batlló and Casa Mila show a man with great ambition and creative energies. I left Barcelona inspired by Gaudí to try new things.

Tip: From Sagrada Familia, it’s an uphill walk to Park Güell. Save energy and take a taxi. From elsewhere, you can take the Metro to Lesseps stop. The last mile is still a bit of a steep walk.

Official websites: Park Güell and Gaudí House Museum
Cost: Park Güell – 7.00€ for adults, 4.90€ ages 7-12, children 6 and under are free; Gaudí House Museum – 5.50€ for adults, 4.50€ ages 11-17, children 10 and under are free
Map location: Carrer d’Olot

Top things to do in Barcelona Spain - Park Guell
“Nothing is invented, for it’s written in nature first.” – Antoni Gaudi

#3 CASA BATLLÓ
This is a house Antoni Gaudí has remodeled. The multi-story residence was redesigned for a wealthy industrialist family in 1906. On display is Gaudí’s ability to mix art and design ingenuity. When visiting, you will receive an audio device for a self-guided tour. Plan about an hour or more at this inspiring house tour. This was our family’s favorite Gaudí visit in Barcelona.

Official website: Casa Batlló
Cost: Adults 21.5€, Children 7-18 (18.5€), Under 7 Free
Map location: Passeig de Gràcia, 43
Tapas nearby: Cerveceria Catalana (our favorite tapas) at Carrer de Mallorca, 236

Top things to do in Barcelona Spain - Casa Batllo
“There are no straight lines or sharp corners in nature.” – Antoni Gaudi

#4 OLD TOWN
One of the fun things we did in Barcelona was to explore the labyrinthine streets of the old city. The Gothic Quarter (Barri Gotic) was the center of the old city, and it stretches from La Rambla to Via Laietana. Gothic architecture and some Roman buildings dating to the medieval times still stand. Remnants of the Jewish Quarter can also be found where one of the largest Jewish populations in the world once lived and represented up to 15% of the city. While old, there are many new restaurants and shops that are flourishing in this neighborhood. We enjoyed walking through the narrow streets exploring and eating our way around.

Map location: Gothic Quarter
Good Eats: You will find a plethora of family owned restaurants and cafés where you can eat their specialties. It’s easy on the budget and a family favorite.

Top things to do in Barcelona Spain - Plaça Reial
Enjoy the new in the old city where medieval architecture can still be found – Plaça Reial.

#5 MERCADO DE LA BOQUERIA AT LA RAMBLA
Everyone who visits Barcelona comes to this fantastic market. It is a fun place for the family to walk around. While the bar-type restaurants may not work for families with younger children, there are plenty of food vendors and stalls to please everyone. You can find all kinds of different goodies like fruits, vegetables, seafood, spices and candy.

Tip: You may want to just pick up snacks and small bites. There is no seating at the market except when dining at a bar-style restaurant.

Market on La Rambla: Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria
Map location: La Rambla, 91

Top things to do in Barcelona Spain - La Boqueria
Visit La Boqueria, Barcelona’s most famous market where locals and tourist shop.

#6 LA BARCELONETA
Another old neighborhood we enjoyed exploring was La Barceloneta. This small, triangular area was built in the 18th century. Many of the buildings are so close to one another that you can have conversations with people across your balcony. On a different visit, my wife and I rented an apartment. It was all of 400 square feet, and we could hear neighbors in five different directions. Trash trucks could be heard at 2 am. It reminded me of living on-campus in college minus the couple above us yelling at each other in Catalan in the middle of the night. Have a meal there. Get some gelato. Walk along the beach. For families traveling with children, though, keep in mind that some Europeans don’t always keep their tops on.

Map location: La Barceloneta

Top things to do in Barcelona Spain -  La Barceloneta
Explore the narrow streets of La Barceloneta.

 #7 SEAFOOD, TAPAS, BAKERIES, CAFES
Barcelona offers fresh seafood, traditional Catalan dishes, bakeries, and tapas! Tapas are small plates. They are appetizers and snacks, which can be ordered in larger portions at many places. Traditionally, you go to a tapas restaurant/bar to drink and eat from small plates and socialize before dinner. When we visited, we enjoyed an entire lunch or dinner at the same place. My son’s most memorable and favorite food in Barcelona was the Paella Negra (squid ink rice). It’s fun for the kids and definitely one for your social media post.

Our favorite restaurant for tapas was Cerveceria Catalana (Carrer de Mallorca, 236) about seven minutes walk from Casa Batlló. It is centrally located off Passeig de Gracia. I highly recommend it.

Tip: There’s something you need to know when visiting Spain for the first time. Meal times are later than you would like. Lunch is between 1-4 pm, and Dinner between 8-11 pm. I spent a fortune at bakeries during “dinner time” to tide us over for the real dinner around 8 pm. Adjust accordingly.

Top things to do in Barcelona Spain - Bakery
Adjust your meal times in Barcelona or visit these delicious bakeries to tide you over.

TIPS FOR TRAVELING TO BARCELONA WITH KIDS
Airport Transportation
El Prat (BCN) is the international airport in Barcelona. It’s about 14 km from city center. There are two affordable options. The blue colored AeroBus comes every 10 minutes. The 45-minute ride stops at five central locations in the city. You can buy tickets at the ticket machine found outside the terminal for about $6 each way per person. Save money and buy a round trip ticket. For a family of four, you might consider taking a taxi, which is what we did both ways. It’s about $25 each way.

Where to Stay
Hilton Barcelona is well-located on Barcelona’s main avenue, Avenida Diagonal, and is within about 3 miles/5 km of most of the attractions listed here. Hilton Barcelona Diagonal Mar is only a 10-minute walk to the beach and still within about 5 miles of most major things to do in Barcelona.

Safety
Some of my friends have asked me if Barcelona is safe. It’s a reasonable concern. Pick pocketing and bag snatching are common in popular tourist areas like La Rambla. This is true of many destinations around the world. I have been to Barcelona twice without incident, but I do notice even the local women clutching their purses near the front of their bodies. Like visiting other major cities, be aware of your surroundings and use common sense. Having said this, I have no reservations taking my children again, and I highly recommend Barcelona to you.

DAY TRIP TO EXOTIC, ADVENTUROUS, MYSTICAL TANGIER, MOROCCO

The very mention of Tangier evokes images of exotic mystery, fascinating history, dream-like vistas and unspoiled beaches. This Gateway to Africa offers a dazzling mix of cultures from North Africa, Spain, Portugal and France.

And for the kids…where else but Tangier can they “rock the Kasbah,” ride a camel, wrap a snake around their necks, feast like little princes and princesses…all in one adventure-packed day? Excited about the intrigue and temptations, the six of us (my husband, our two girls then ages 8 and 11, my parents and I) hopped the modern ferry from Tarifa, Spain to Tangier, Morocco, and our unforgettable day trip began!

BEFORE YOU GO
Big recommendation: Before you arrive in Tangier, I strongly recommend contacting a reputable tour guide. We found one of the best, Said’s Private Tours. We were sold once we learned that Said: (1) Spent time in New Jersey, and (2) Has provided tours of Tangier to David Bowie and Bruce Springsteen! If he’s good enough for “the Boss,” he’s good enough for us! A tour guide will help you efficiently and safely navigate the city and enhance the local experience.

Tip: I also recommend telling your guide if you plan to shop or prefer to skip it. Said respected our wishes and at no point were we asked to consider buying anything.

OUR FAMILY’S TOP 5 THINGS TO DO ON A DAY TRIP TO TANGIER, MOROCCO
#1 NOW THAT’S CHARMING – WATCH A REAL SNAKE CHARMER DO HIS THING!
We felt like actors in a scene from Raiders of the Lost Ark, standing in amazement just feet from the mystical snake charmer! The girls watched with eyes and mouths wide open as the charmer (and his two tambourine-tapping assistants) worked his magic, and sure enough, his skills and the hypnotic rhythms magically coaxed the snake up and out of its basket!

We knew we would never forget this snake-perience, but to be sure, we each actually posed for pictures with a snake wrapped around our necks! (Shh! – don’t tell anyone – but the snake in our photos was not really alive.) Your guide will find you a charmer of your own just outside the walls of the Kasbah.

Top things to do in Morocco, Day Trip to Tangier - Snake Charmer
Get charmed by a day trip to Tangier, Morocco.

#2 EXPLORE THE CAVES OF HERCULES!
Kids and caves are a natural match. But this cave in Tangier is not just any cave, the Grottes d’Hercule, according to legend, is where the mythical figure, Hercules, used to rest after finishing his 12 labors!

The cave is set among a picturesque beachfront and with a stunningly dramatic opening unlike any we have ever seen. The girls loved this place almost as much as my dad/photographer did. We all learned a fascinating fact: the shape of the cave’s opening is uncannily similar to the map of Africa (if you were looking at the cave from the ocean).

We all delighted in seeing and hearing the crashing waves and being covered in the surf’s mist. It was a true multi-sensory experience. Another surprising treat for the kids was being able to casually shop inside the cave where local artists sell their wares and souvenirs.

Top things to do in Morocco, Day Trip to Tangier - Caves of Hercules
Explore the beautiful beaches near the Caves of Hercules.

#3 HUMP DAY – RIDE CAMELS ALONG THE BEACH!
Imagine in your mind an African scene, and you’ll probably conjure up romantic images of locals riding camels along the sand. Well, when in Tangier, you can put yourself as star of that scene. We did!

After mounting our camels (perhaps the scariest part of the experience), we formed our own caravan along the sandy beach, with the sparkling Atlantic Ocean as the picturesque backdrop. While it may not have been a true camel trek, using a little imagination, my girls thrilled in the exotic feeling of their journey and so did I!

Tip: Keep in mind that the there are no safety harnesses. Be sure your child is able to hold on tightly during the bumpy and jerky ride. My younger daughter was 8 and she was fine, smiling the entire time.

Top things to do in Morocco, Day Trip to Tangier - Camel ride
Taking an exotic camel ride is one of the top things to do in Morocco on a day trip to Tangier.

#4 ROCK THE KASBAH – VISIT THE EXOTIC WALLED CITY!
Probably the most exotic experience of our entire two-week, adventure-filled trip to Spain, Portugal and Morocco was immersing ourselves in the medina, the old walled city. Upon entering the 15th century fortress walls, we were immediately transported into a world so very different than our own!

My girls were fascinated and delighted as they wandered the narrow alleys of the medina, discovering thrills and surprises at every turn. We were able to truly see and feel how the locals work, shop and live in the medina. We peeked into the spectacularly colorful thread stores. We watched the bakers preparing the daily bread. We admired the sparkling silver designs in the jewelry stores. We saw seamstresses hard at work, creating intricate garments right before our eyes. All of this activity was going on amidst the sights, sounds and smells of a world we never knew.

To top it all off, we visited the medieval Kasbah, the walled fortress of the Sultan, which is surrounded by absolutely stunning views of the Strait of Gibraltar. The entire visit was a priceless, eye-opening educational experience for our children.

#5 NOT YOUR LOCAL GROCERY – EXPERIENCE THE MARVELOUS MARKETS OF MOROCCO!
Food shopping on vacation? Really? Oh yeah! In Tangier it’s an experience not to be missed! The Moroccan markets are called souks, and they are jam-packed with local shoppers and sellers in colorful costumes with exotic offerings beyond the imagination. Spices, seafood, meats, cheeses, native handicrafts and anything, and everything, else you can imagine are all available for sale.

Our family market adventure started in the bustling fish market where the noisy bargaining, the sights of unusual sea life, and especially the odors of the seafood literally stunned my girls into silence. Then the kids’ eyes widened as they ventured through the narrow stalls of the meat market with entire slabs and sides of beef, whole chickens hanging from stalls, baskets of mysterious animal organs and, the most precious of Moroccan delicacies, cows’ heads!

Finally, our senses were rewarded as we strolled through the fragrant exotic spice and vegetable market, stopping to examine the goat cheese being sold by the indigenous Berber women in traditional garb. Our girls couldn’t believe this is how Tangier families do their daily grocery shopping, a far cry from a trip to our local grocery store!

Tips: For the ultimate Moroccan shopping experience, start with a coffee in the bustling Grand Socco (Big Square), the gorgeous iconic entrance to the medina. Channel your inner Jason Bourne or conjure up visitors of the past such as Tennessee Williams, Henri Matisse and Jack Kerouac. Soak in the palm trees and beautiful fountain. Then explore the bustling square filled with vendors selling second-hand goods, fruits and spices. For a stunning view, hang out on La Terasse, a balcony across from the police station.

And remember to wear sneakers as the ground in the markets may be wet and dirty.

Top things do to in Morocco, Day trip to Tangier - Market
Wander the aisles of the many different tempting markets in Tangier.

THE ROYAL TREATMENT AT LUNCH – FEAST LIKE MOROCCAN ROYALTY!
After our trip to the fascinating, but unusual souk market, I must admit I was fearful of eating in Tangier and told our tour guide, Said, that I was packing peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to play it safe.

Said laughed and assured me that the Restaurant Hamadi would be more than safe; it would be a delicious and luxurious experience. Boy, was he right! Hamadi is an other-worldly oasis in the middle of the wild hubbub of the city. As we were ushered into a palace-like atmosphere, our senses were immediately absorbed in the inviting smells of spices and the hypnotic melodies of a quartet playing traditional Moroccan music. We were shown to a sumptuous red booth, where we royally reclined on plush pillows and soaked in the ultra-rich atmosphere.

And then the feast began, course after course after course of delectable Moroccan cuisine. Seems my girls were totally into Moroccan food! They dove into every dish and even begged for seconds of the harira soup. My girls discovered tremendous flavorful dishes of couscous with vegetables, tagine meats, piles of olives and tapenades. We ended it all with a cup of mint tea and honey soaked pastries. Mmm…Mmm…Morocco! Lunch was more than a meal; it was truly a royal experience which turned out to be one of my girls’ favorite meals anywhere they have traveled!

WHERE TO STAY
With flights around one hour, Tangier is a manageable day trip from Madrid, Spain. The Tangier airport is just 20 minutes from the center of the city. Consider staying at the conveniently located and delightful Hilton Madrid Airport. Tangier can also be reached via a short high-speed ferry from Tarifa, Spain.

What a day! What an experience! Let Tangier tempt you — you won’t regret it!

Top 5 Day Trips From Marrakech

Choosing Marrakech for your Moroccan holiday destination is the right choice for sure. We have already written about many possibilities which this magnificent city has to offer. One of them is a proximity to so many beautiful places in Morocco, the places which will take you breath away. Mountains, countryside, desert, seaside – the choice is yours. If you can’t decide where to go, read our guide to some of the most wonderful places and trips aroundMarrakech.

1. Ourika Valley: It is a valley where not only tourists come to find some refreshment, but also many locals. Starting less than 45 minutes drive from the city and situated at around 1,200-1,500 metres it offers a pretty escape from the summer heat of Marrakech and it’s the most suitable area for gentle hiking and trekking. It is famous for the 7 waterfalls atSetti Fatma village and the ski station of Oukaimeden at its head, and is a lush valley with green terraced fields beside the river that contrast strongly with the rocky valley sides of the foothills of the mountains.
2. AïtBenhaddou Kasbah: This historic Kasbah is one of the nine UNESCO world heritage sites of Morocco and was used as a backdrop for shooting more than 20 films. Enough reasons to see it, right? However, there is much more in AïtBenhaddou– you will learn about life that was lived many centuries ago, you will see Berber beds, rugs and dishes, and not to mention a wonderful nature on the way.
3. Ouzoud Cascades: At 150 kilometres northwest from Marrakech, shaded path of olive trees leads to the bottom of beautiful waterfalls which are often topped by a rainbow thanks to the spray of water falling on the rocks.This is not just a beautiful place for romantic trek or relaxing rest near the water, but also a perfect way to see the Moroccan countryside along the way.
4. Essaouira: You will fall in love with this amazing “Wind City of Africa”. It is a perfect place to escape from hot Marrakech. Refreshing breeze from the Atlantic Ocean and a laid-back atmosphere will give you some rest from hustle and bustle of Marrakech. DiscoverMedina, Jewish cemetery, Skala du Port, wooden handicrafts, kitesurfing, windsurfing and many more places and activities in Essaouira!
5. Horse riding in the Atlas Mountains: Exploring wonderful nature, breathing in the wild air and enjoying the company of gentle and elegant animals – it is something a little bit different, right? This kind of tour is joyful and fulfilling, just what you need after some time spent in the big city.

Moroccan Culture and Society

As it is a Field study experience in Morocco, students are required to produce three main different activities under the guidance of their instructor:  1. A journal (40%) that records summaries of the students’ cultural experiences in Morocco. A cultural journal is not a record of personal activities, attitudes or relationships, its primary purpose is to record the details of multiple aspects of culture on a daily basis, at the moment when lectures, people, performances, places and their perceived cultural themes and implications are clear to the writer. The Journal should include the following:
• Topics discussed by the guest speakers during their lectures
• Interesting facts about the city of Fes; • Family life as perceived in the home stay experience;

• Details about every site visited during the trips in addition to all cultural geography and other cultural and social issues discussed with instructors during the excursion. • Religious and national holidays and any cultural/social performances such as weddings etc… to which students are invited while in Morocco.  • Their experience of the linguistic diversity of Moroccan culture. 2. Final Exam (30%) students will have to choose to write an essay on one of the topics given within two hours.  3. Creation of a blog (30%)  “Minnesota in Fes” in which each student, who is going to become also an expert on one walk from Bab to Bab, will contribute with one entry to the blog every week either by guiding his/her friends in the alleys of Fes or talking about a facet of his/her experience in Morocco.  

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taxi to the caves of hercules

Cap Spartel and the Cave of Hercules

Cap Spartel and the Cave of Hercules, are located just outside of town on the Atlantic coast. The best way to travel there is by taking a Grand Taxi. Grand Taxis to the Cave of Hercules leave from the park next to the Grand Mosque Mohammed 5th. (see the map).
Cave of Hercules, Tangier, Morocco
View from the cave of Hercules
The Cave of Hercules
The Cave of Hercules is said to be the place where the Legendary Hero Hercules rested after one of his twelve epic labors. Today, it offers an amazing view of the Atlantic ocean, including it’s famous cavern which faces the sea. The sunset seen from the cave is one of the iconic images of the city of Tangiers.
Above ground you’ll find a wide assortment of restaurants that provide seafood and tradional moroccan meals, although they are on the pricey side, and don’t offer the best food. Camel rides are also available for around 50 Dh.
A trip to the cave might be best paired with a day at the nearby beach of Achakar, or with an extended stay at Le Mirage hotel resort, located just next door.
Cap Spartel
In ancient times, this location was considered the end of the world. Today it’s a great view and an interesting lighthouse. There is a place to park and several clean looking restaurants nearby to enjoy, but it probably won’t hold your attention for more than a few hours. The well paved hillside above Cap Spartel is a popular ascent for cyclists, and is said to be quite a challenge.


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