Holidays in Morocco in 2017

Morocco is a country in North Africa, which combines a multitude of different cultural influences into one unique blend. On a holiday to Morocco you will have the chance to explore a multitude of different experiences, from bustling markets to idyllic beaches.

MARRAKECH

Exotic yet accessible, Marrakech is bursting at the seams with culture and is a real assault on the senses. In the heart of Morocco, nestled between mountain and desert, it’s unsurprising to find that this is a city of contrasts. The bustling atmosphere of the Djemaa el-Fna is far removed from the tranquillity of the various gardens; and the medina’s labyrinthine souk-lined streets wonderfully contradict the wide, treelined boulevards of the New Town. Marrakech offers excellent resort style accommodation as well as charming riads – traditional Moroccan style residences with inward-facing rooms and serene central courtyards. Providing a beautiful backdrop to the city are the snowcapped Atlas Mountains – the perfect territory for embarking on treks to hidden waterfalls, visiting Berber villages and soaking up the stunning views.

ATLAS MOUNTAINS

Perfect for an enthralling day trip from Marrakech, a twincentre escape or a holiday in its own right, this stunning region is home to traditional Berber villagers perched on the mountainside, as well as herb and spice farms. But it’s the natural environment that’s the real highlight, with snowcapped peaks, dramatic gorges, cascading waterfalls and far-reaching views. Trekking is one of the most popular ways to discover the mountains, ranging from gentle strolls to more challenging climbs.

The High Atlas is the most easily reached section of the mountains, at a distance of one-to-two hours away from Marrakech. The serene Asni Valley lies at the foot of some of the highest peaks in Marrakech, while the charming Berber town of Imlil is an excellent starting point for trekking.

One of the most popular attractions in the mountains is the Ouzoud Falls; a four-tired waterfall with waters cascading from a height of over 100 metres. Relax by the flowing waters, or wander along the surrounding walkways that meander through the trees. The drive to Ouarzazate offers mesmerising views. This beautiful city is nicknamed ‘the door of the desert’ as it lies in the centre of a bare plateau, with the desert to the south. Take a tour of the ancient Kasbah complex of Ait Benhaddou and Kasbah Taourirt. The Ouarzazate area also has claims to fame, with a number of Hollywood film scenes having been shot at the Atlas Studios here, including Lawrence of Arabia, The Mummy, Gladiator and Salmon Fishing in the Yemen. See p16-17 for a selection of our Atlas Mountains experiences.

AGADIR

Basking in over 300 days of sunshine a year, Morocco’s largest beach resort is set on a sprawling protected beach. Once a traditional Moroccan town, Agadir was completely rebuilt after a devastating earthquake in 1960 as is now a modern resort, its beach is home to a variety of watersports as well as horse and camel riding. Agadir can be a lively resort with many bars and restaurants and a great deal of entertainment, however it also offers a quieter district for those in search of relaxation.

Just south of Agadir, where the Souss River flows to the Atlantic, estuarine mud flats are home to a staggering 414 species of birds including greater flamingo, cormorants, little egret, bald ibis (in winter months) and black winged stilts. Best sightings are Feb-April and Sep-Nov. For something a little special, Imouzzer is a paradise like valley lined with towering palms and just 35 miles north east of Agadir whilst the nearby Berber village is renowned for its honey production and is celebrated.

ESSAOUIRA

One of the most beautiful Atlantic coastal towns, Essaouira is famous for its laidback atmosphere and long, sandy beach. Intimate and romantic, this seaside resort is a great choice for a relaxing break. The town has enjoyed a great love affair with the film industry having been the setting of Orson Welles’ Othello and Ridley Scott’s Kingdom of Heaven and after being frequented by the likes of Hendrix and Jefferson Airplane, Essaouira has become a ‘hip’ place to stay.

Today, going through a great revival Essaouira is now home to a number of chic boutique hotels, maison d’hotes and riads and is quickly becoming Morocco’s sought after beach destination, where you’ll find photographers, artists and the rich and famous making the most of the cooling winds of the Atlantic, its proximity to Marrakech, and the great atmosphere.



Morocco boasts a large number of international airports, most notably those at Rabat, Marrakech, Casablanca and Tangier. Flights from the UK to Morocco will take somewhere in the region of 3 hours.




Some of the more popular destinations on a holiday in Morocco include the cities of Agadir, Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakech, Tangier and Fez. Each has its own distinct flavour however, meaning that no two holidays to Morocco are going to be the same experience. Many of the coastal cities also boast fantastic beaches, and water sports are a regular attraction on holidays to Morocco.

Lovers of culture will be delighted by the wide array of museums, galleries and striking architecture that are on offer across this unique country; and with a history that has featured occupation by civilizations as diverse as the Romans, Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Jews and Arabs, you will have the chance to admire a broad range of complimentary styles and influences.




This same unique blend is apparent in Moroccan cuisine, which uses a diverse range of ingredients, including rich spices, Mediterranean fruits and fresh red meats. Should you travel to Marrakech during your holiday in Morocco, be sure to visit the breathtaking market at Djemaa El Fna to experience Moroccan cuisine at its finest. During the day this bustling market place is filled with a heady blend of fakirs, snake charmers and market stalls, but at night, it really comes to life as the food stalls open for business; you’ll have the chance to try hot stewed tagines, crisp salads, sweet pastries and curious delicacies, such as deep fried eel.




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Casablanca Beach

Immortalized in the film of the same name, Casablanca has, for many, a romantic and mystical attraction. In reality, however, modern Casablanca is a city with little time for romance; It is a contemporary urban sprawl of vibrant boulevards and noisy mists. Its port, which gradually progressed under French colonialism in the first half of the 20th century, is still one of the busiest in the region; Its financial center welcomes banks and international companies; And its global atmosphere is business-driven and forward-looking. For visitors, this is a good place to enjoy North Africa.



The best of the many beaches within easy reach of the city center is Ain Diab, on the edge of the chic suburb of Anfa, which has a completely urban atmosphere: cafes and beach clubs bordering the Boulevard de la Corniche Sea are the den of Young trend creators and local celebrities. While some people swim in the ocean here, it is often noisy and rough; The pools of beach clubs and beachfront hotels are a better and smarter bet. The clubs offer a membership for the day for visitors and some of the hotels will allow entry to non-residents for a fee.

The boulevards and apartment blocks with palm trees of Casablanca could have been transplanted from Marseille, but under the European veneer, a city is proud of its Maghreb culture. The main landmark is the huge Hassan II Mosque (Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdallah Boulevard), the largest outside Mecca, with a 200m (656 foot) minaret and a room for 25,000 faithful; Exceptionally for a Moroccan mosque, it is open to non-Muslim visitors. The artistic decoration buildings of the area around the place Mohammed V, meticulously arranged by colonial French in the 1930s, were added by the Moroccan modernists in the 1950s.

While Casablanca has few dedicated facilities for family visits, large hotels can offer beds, babysittings and children-friendly menus on request. Some hotels also have swimming pools, which can be a big hit for big and small children.

The capital of Morocco, Rabat, where you can admire some of the most impressive Arab monuments in Morocco, dating from the Almohad and Merenid dynasties. Highlights are the astonishing minaret of the Almohad mosque and the pretty ruins of Chellah, with Islamic tombs dating from the 13th century alongside the remains of a Roman forum and temple founded in 200 BC.

For a lunch to remember, treat yourself to a table in one of the best restaurants of the city, A Ma Bretagne (boulevard Ocà © e, Atlantique, Sidi Abderrahmane), which serves superb French-Moroccan dishes in a beautiful property. Seafront surrounded by well-kept private gardens. The ever-changing menu makes full use of local ingredients such as argan oil (with a delicate, slightly hazelnut flavor) and freshly caught fish, lobster, shrimp and squid

Casablanca beaches

Casablanca beaches 

Immortalisé dans le film du même nom, Casablanca a, pour beaucoup, un attrait romantique et mystique. En réalité, cependant, Casablanca moderne est une ville avec peu de temps pour la romance; C'est une étalement urbain contemporain et dynamique de boulevards animés et de brouillards bruyants. Son port, qui a progressivement progressé sous le colonialisme français dans la première moitié du 20ème siècle, est toujours l'un des plus occupés de la région; Son centre financier accueille des banques et des sociétés internationales; Et son atmosphère globale est axée sur les entreprises et tournée vers l'avenir. Pour les visiteurs, c'est un bon endroit pour profiter de l'Afrique du Nord.

Casablanca beaches 

La meilleure des nombreuses plages à portée de main du centre-ville est Ain Diab, au bord de la banlieue chic d'Anfa, qui a une ambiance complètement urbaine: les cafés et les clubs de plage bordant le boulevard de la Corniche en bord de mer sont le repaire de Les jeunes créateurs de tendances et les célébrités locales. Alors que certains habitants nagent dans l'océan ici, il est souvent bruyant et rugueux; Les piscines des clubs de plage et les hôtels en bord de mer sont un pari meilleur et plus intelligent. Les clubs offrent une adhésion à la journée pour les visiteurs et certains des hôtels permettront l'entrée à des non-résidents moyennant des frais.

Casablanca beaches 

Les boulevards et les blocs d'appartements doués de palmiers de Casablanca auraient pu être transplantés de Marseille, mais sous le placage européen, une ville est fière de sa culture maghrébine. Le point de repère principal est l'immense mosquée Hassan II (boulevard Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdallah), le plus grand à l'extérieur de la Mecque, avec un minaret de 200m (656 pieds) et une salle pour 25 000 fidèles; Exceptionnellement pour une mosquée marocaine, elle est ouverte aux visiteurs non-musulmans. Les bâtiments artistiques de déco de la région autour de l'endroit Mohammed V, méticuleusement aménagés par le français colonial dans les années 1930, ont été ajoutés par les modernistes marocains dans les années 1950.

Alors que Casablanca a peu d'installations dédiées pour visiter les familles, les grands hôtels peuvent proposer des lits, des babysittings et des menus adaptés aux enfants sur demande. Certains hôtels disposent également de piscines, ce qui peut être un grand succès pour les grands et les petits enfants.

La capitale du Maroc, Rabat, où vous pourrez admirer certains des monuments arabes les plus impressionnants au Maroc, datant des dynasties almohade et merenid. Les points forts sont le minaret étonnant de la mosquée Almohad et les jolies ruines de Chellah, avec des tombes islamiques datant du 13ème siècle aux côtés des restes d'un forum et d'un temple romains fondés en 200 CB.

Casablanca beaches 

Pour un déjeuner à retenir, livrez-vous une table dans l'un des meilleurs restaurants de la ville, A Ma Bretagne (boulevard Oc & eacute, Atlantique, Sidi Abderrahmane), qui sert de superbes plats franco-marocains dans une belle propriété en bord de mer entourée de Jardins privés bien entretenus. Le menu en constante évolution utilise pleinement les ingrédients locaux tels que l'huile d'argan (avec une saveur délicate et légèrement noisette) et des poissons fraîchement pêchés, du homard, des crevettes et des calmars

International Festival of Raj of Oujda: The exquisite and venerable Latifa Raafat opens the ball

International Festival of Raj of Oujda: The exquisite and venerable Latifa Raafat opens the ball

Oujda- Exquisite and venerable, the diva of the Moroccan song Latifa Raafat opened Saturday evening at the Theater Mohammed VI the ball of the 10th edition of the International Festival of the Raï of Oujda (FIRO), offering to its music lovers a pleasant A musical moment, punctuated by the warmth of its timbre, the diversity of its repertory and the sympathy of its presence.
The singer, refined in style, has managed to create a contagious energy that gives an immediate impression of delicacy. It has thus sublimated the audience orjdi who has moved en masse to attend its concert, with a view to express with fervor the feelings of admiration and affection that they dedicate to their favorite star.

Subjugated and conquered, the festival-goers who already learned his songs by heart, were in complete osmosis with the diva who did not fail to interpret brilliantly an anthology of his tubes drawn from his rich classical Moroccan repertoire, notably his famous titles, "Walou", "Maghyara", "Kouna W Kentou", "Twahachtek Bezaf" and "Awah Awah".
In keeping with the spirit of the FIRO and its vocation to promote cultural diversity, Latifa Raafat's concert was preceded, in the first part, by a performance by Aïn Beni Mathar's troupe under the Al Houria association. Dressed in white Takchitas (traditional Moroccan costumes) and equipped with bendirs, the women adorned with their most beautiful jewels, made their entrance with jerks accompanied by dances.
The troupe swung back and forth to the sound of an improvised chant. A musical theme that embroiders, a rhythm that takes hold of it immediately, giving it a form and a rigid contexture that the dance makes more flexible.
At a press conference held shortly before her concert, Latifa Raafat expressed her joy at being able to perform for the third time in Oujda in a festival that has managed to stand out, highlighting the place of the Moroccan song that has succeeded To preserve its identity.
Considered to be one of the greatest icons of music in the Arab world, the singer expressed her pride in remaining faithful to the style of the authentic Moroccan song that has established her notoriety on the Arab scene. She has always favored the choice of sincere words and refined melodies, ensuring its authenticity.
Throughout her artistic career, she has worked with great Moroccan musicians such as Abdelati Ammana, Jamal Al Amjad, Mohmoud El Idrissi and Ahmed Alaoui. She has also managed to raise the flag of Moroccan music as well as that of beauty and refinement in all countries of the Maghreb and the Middle East.
Named the new muse of a Swedish cosmetic brand and ambassador beauty, the icon of the Moroccan song offered a performance of magic and finesse, captivating the audience, who long praised, expressing his admiration for the quality of the show.
Native of Kenitra, Latifa has one of the finest discographies of the Moroccan song with titles such as "Donia", "Al Hamdo Li Llah", "Ya Hali Ya Aachrani" or "Ana fi Arek Ya Yama".
The opening ceremony of this festival, held under the patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI and organized by the Oujda Arts Association, was attended by the president of the Oriental Regional Council, the wali And the Ambassador of India, Dinesh Kuamar Patnaik, and was marked by a special tribute to the President of the EU-Morocco Friendship Group , Gilles Pargneaux.
For eight days, this 10th edition will bring together a wide range of artists of all genres, including big names from the Moroccan and Pan-Arab stage, in addition to internationally renowned stars, offering festival-goers an original, rich and eclectic programming that offers A striking overview of the musical creation Raï, spread on the stage of honor and stage scene Ziri Ibn Atia.
Models of caftans and takchita for brides 2016

Models of kaftans and takchita for brides 2017

Here are photos of a selection of 30 new models of caftans, collections 2017.

Patterns of caftans for the tessdira of brides presented at the Grand Salon of the Oriental Marriage, which took place in Paris, in November, and of which we spoke in a previous article here.

Models of caftans and takchita for brides 2017

Models of caftans and takchita for brides 2017
While for a few years, models of kaftans inspired by the outfits carried in the series hareem Al sultan, were particularly prized. We note in 2016, two strong trends emerging:

The fashion is to the caftans very worked, very (or too) loaded
The influence hareem Al sultan on our traditional outfits and tessdira of brides tends to be less marked or even less present, replaced by a return in force of Bollywood fashion
Models of caftans and takchita for brides 2017
When are the tessdira outfits Algerian, influenced by the Algerian tradition ...?

Models of caftan 2017 for brides.
Very (too) loaded caftans

Some models of caftans are really too busy, many overlays of fabrics and embroideries with imposing metallic gold or silver belts. This type of models can only be worn by the bride for her tessdira

Models of caftans and takchita for brides 2017 models of caftans and takchita for brides 2017
Models of caftans and takchita for brides 2017
Swarovski stones, embroideries and gallons in abundance


Models of caftans 2016-2017, inspired by the Indian sari

Models of caftans and takchita for brides 2017

A clear Indian influence for some models of caftans. Bollywood is back in fashion.


Models of caftans and takchita for brides 2017


Some models are more traditional and revive with what we usually see during Algerian or Moroccan weddings.


Models of caftans and takchita for brides 2017

Silk or fluid materials, ornamented with some embroidery. Some models of the caftans and takchita of these 2016 collections escape the fashion of the over-loaded!

Models of caftans and takchita for brides 2017

Models of caftans and takchita for brides 2017
Models of caftans and takchita for brides 2017
Some of these caftan models are both tailored enough to be worn by the bride on the day of her tessdira without being overloaded with embroidery and the like, so they can also be worn on other occasions.

Models of caftans and takchita for brides 2017

Models of caftans and takchita for brides 2017

modèles de caftans et takchita pour mariées 2016

Voici en photos une sélection de 30 nouveaux modèles de caftans, des collections 2016.

Des modèles de caftans pour les tessdira de mariées présentés lors du Grand Salon du Mariage Oriental, qui s’est déroulé à Paris, au mois de novembre, et dont nous avions parlé dans un précédent article ici.

Alors que depuis quelques années, les modèles de caftans inspirés des tenues portées dans la série hareem Al sultan, étaient particulièrement prisés. l’on remarque en 2016, deux fortes tendances qui se dégagent :

• La mode est aux caftans très travaillés, très (ou trop ) chargés

• l’influence hareem Al sultan sur nos tenues traditionnelles et tessdira de mariées tend à être moins marquée, voire moins présente, remplacée par un retour en force de la mode Bollywood

À quand les tenues de tessdira algériennes, influencées par la tradition algérienne … ?

Modèles de caftan 2016 pour mariées.
Des caftans très (trop) chargés

Certains modèles de caftans sont vraiment trop chargés, beaucoup de superpositions de tissus et de broderies avec d’imposantes ceintures métalliques Or ou argentées. Ce type de modèles ne peuvent être portés que par la mariée pour sa tessdira

Des pierres Swarovsky, des broderies et gallons à profusion

 

Des modèles de caftans 2015-2016, inspirés des sari indiens

Une nette influence indienne pour certains modèles de caftans. Bollywood est de nouveau à la mode.

 

 

 

Certains modèles sont plus traditionnels et renouent avec ce que l’on a l’habitude de voir durant les mariages algériens ou marocains.

 

 

De la soie ou des matières fluides, ornementées de quelques broderies. Certains modèles des caftans et takchita de ces collections 2016 échappent à la mode du trop-chargé !

Certains de ces modèles de caftans sont à la fois assez travaillés pour être portés par la mariée le jour de sa tessdira sans être surchargés en broderies et autres, de sorte qu’ils peuvent aussi être portés en d’autres occasions.

 

 

 

 

Quant aux caftans blancs qui sont souvent réservés à la mariée, en voici deux modèles

Moroccan recipes: Desserts & other recipes

Greetings, all, and welcome to today's chat! Hope you're enjoying all our recent coverage, including Tim Carman's gorgeous profile of the inimitable Joan Nathan; Julia Turshen's outstanding selection of recipes using our favorite spring ingredients; Paula Shoyer's take on pies for Passover; and more.

We have a real treat today: The wonderful Joan Nathan herself is joining our chat! Now's your chance to hit her with any question you might have related to Jewish -- or any other -- cooking! And the fantastic Julia Turshen will be joining us, too, and she can handle anything. 

And we regulars are no slouches, either, but you knew that. ;-) 

We'll have giveaway books for our favorite chatters: a SIGNED copy of Joan's new book, "King Solomon's Table," and "Everyday Seafood" by Nathan Outlaw, source of this week's Dinner in Minutes.

For you PostPoints members, here is this week's code: FR6226 . Remember, you'll record and enter it into the PostPoints site under Claim My Points to earn points. The code expires at midnight, so be sure to enter the code by 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday to get credit for participating.

OK, let's do this!

Hi! I bought a bag of shredded red cabbage to put on fish tacos last night. Made the tacos, but totally forgot about the cabbage until after dinner. Now I have a bag of unopened, nicely shredded red cabbage in the fridge and I have no idea what to do with it. Thoughts?? Thanks!

Sounds to me like a good excuse to make more fish tacos! You can also make a lovely, easy slaw or try substituting it for the radicchio in this 'All Red Salad'.  I also love tossing shredded cabbage with olive oil and salt and then roasting it at 425 until it's wilted and charred and then serving it as a side dish or folding it into an easy rice pilaf (there's a recipe for this in Small Victories).

When I saw the article on spring vegetables and then saw asparagus, I immediately thought of risotto. Unfortunately I seem to be risotto challenged. I've tried multiple recipes - stir constantly, almost no stir,etc., and I've spent the money for real risotto rice but none seem to end up with the kind of creamy delight I can find in restaurants. Do you have any suggestions for my next batch? What are your favorite methods for making it?

Oh an asparagus risotto would be wonderful! I learned to make risotto from the great chef Jody Williams when I worked with her on Buvette cookbook.  Here's her recipe which describes her technique.  I would follow those instructions and then fold in thinly sliced asparagus at the end with the components of the Italian version of my Shaved Asparagus Salad (so, pine nuts and Parmesan cheese).  I bet it'll be delicious.  You can also stir in a big spoonful of creme fraiche or marscarpone at the end to make it extra creamy and really stir it in aggressively to get all the starch in the rice to make itself known.

Many, many thanks to Post staff and readers who answered my question last week about which models of kitchen aid mixer to purchase. I'm still pondering the possibilities and aspects I had not considered (such as whether a mixer will fit between my countertop and cabinets,) and your advice is more helpful than I can express. Free Range is more than an online discussion - it is a community for which I am both grateful and proud to be a part. Thank you.