Skoura of Ouarzazate Review

Skoura is a town in Ouarzazate Province, Drâa-Tafilalet, Morocco. As of the 2004 census it had a population of 2,808. Skoura is a fertile oasis lined with immense palm groves. The Kasbah Amerhidil is part of Skoura palm grove.

koura is one of Morocco’s beautiful oases and it offers weary travellers a chance to rest their weary feet and enjoy the abundance of nature. At first glance from the road, it resembles a sort of thin, long, oasis. However once you get off the road you discover that Skoura in Morocco is very large and that what appeared to be a line of trees is actually a flourishing oasis.

The source of Skoura’s natural wealth is two seasonal rivers which feed the vegetation in the area. Yet this is not the only reason why people come here. Visitors travel from far away to come and view the rather impressive 17th century Amerhidl Kasbah.

This particular Kasbah has been immortalized on the back of the country’s 50 dirham note. As such, it is Skoura’s main attraction and its grand size and interesting design always make it a rewarding find. However, the Amerhidl Kasbah is not the only attraction of this nature in Skoura.

 Visitors will find that the Dar Ait Sidi el-Mati Kasbah is also a treat. In fact, if you are travelling the area you would probably also do well to visit the Ben Amar and Ait Ben Abou Kasbahs. These masterful creations resemble eastern castles which are only enhanced by the beautiful palm trees that abound in this oasis.





Once you have explored this world of palm groves and castles, you might consider learning more of the religious affiliations of the area through a visit to the pre-islamic Muslim shrine called the Marabout Sidi M’Barek. Then it is best to head off to your accommodation for the evening. There are a number of hotels in Skoura, some of which cater to the poor and others which cater to the rich. It seems there is no middle ground.


 Visitors may try the Auberge la Palmeraie, the Ait Ben Moro or the fabulous Dar Ahlam which is not only beautiful but extremely expensive too. For light snacks you’ll find a number of simple café-restaurants in Skoura, while Chez Slimani serves very good meals.


Be warned, however, that there are no money-changing services in Skoura, so you should make sure to change enough money in Quarzazate before leaving for the oasis. Should you wish to explore this delightful oasis for yourself, you can do so by catching a bus in Quarzazate or waiting for a grand taxi to fill up and take down. Hiring your own car is another alternative which will provide you with ready transport once you have arrived in the oasis. No matter what you choose, you will find your stay here to be delightfully refreshing.


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Essaouira

The medina of Essaouira (formerly "Mogador") is a UNESCO World Heritage listed city, as an example of a late-18th century fortified town. 

Essaouira was founded in 1765. The oldest tombs date from 1776. Contrary to Jewish tradition and Mosaic Law, the tombs are sculptured with very marked human forms. The marble, granite, and sandstone memorial markers are rough stones or boulders, flat, shaped stones, finely smoothed and inscribed stones, and mausoleums. Some have traces of painting on their surfaces. Inscriptions are in Hebrew and French. The local Jewish community owns the site. The sea is adjacent to the cemetery.
Tour Essaouira's Jewish Mellah:



Essaouira's mellah covers over 10 percent of the town, but Jews constituted almost 40 percent of the population in the late 1880's. Jewish stars on the doors to the mellah show the degree to which Jews were accepted in Essaouira, to the point that some of the richer Jews did not even live in the mellah. Commemorative plaques indicate the buildings in which synagogues were located. 


Essaouria is a fun-filled and relaxing day trip from Marrakech. After breakfast at your hotel, depart for Essaouira. The journey to this former Portuguese fishing village offers up only a few roadside towns and the occasional Berber village. In the ’60s and ’70s, Essaouira was a pitstop on the hippie trek from Marrakesh. Jimi Hendrix made the pilgrimage, as did Bob Marley and Cat Stevens. Essaouira was the inspiration for Hendrix’s song “Castles Made of Sand”.

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Souks of Morocco Tour

This fun-filled Shop the Souks of Morocco Private Tour is for the Moroccan traveler (Book a Tour or call (800) 787-8806) who wants to learn how local crafts are made with opportunities to explore and buy. Let us be your guide to Morocco Travel.



Shopping in Morocco is a unique and exciting experience. No visit to Morocco would be complete without exploring the medinas (walled cities with maze-like streets) of Marrakech, Fès and Ouarzazate.

 Unlike shopping in the West, where people tend to visit local retailers, in Morocco a shopping trip involves visiting the old medina, and various souks (markets) within them that sell specific goods ranging from clothing, to fabrics, shoes, food and carpets. Since most foreign currencies are strong in comparison to the Moroccan dirham, you can go on an extensive shopping spree and purchase various local Moroccan handicrafts such as Moroccan leather work, carpets, jewelry of silver, gold and copper along with ancient embroideries and basketwork.



Souks and markets are a major featurein Moroccan life, and among the country’s greatest attractions. Each major city and town in Morocco has a special souk quarter. Villages in the country side also have local souks which are usually held one day each week in an open field or outside the towns kasbah walls. Large cities like Marrakesh and Fès have labyrinths of individual souks (each filling a street or square that is devoted tone particular craft). The city of Marrakesh, Fès and Ouarzazate are famous for their beautiful souks- which are Morocco’s posh and huge shopping centers. Some of the best buys in Morocco are dates, leather ware, handicrafts, carpets, pottery, wood carvings, traditional dress (djellabas) and various food products.


Souks and markets are also a daily destination where locals shop for fresh meat, vegetables, household goods and other items that Americans for example, purchase at Wal-Mart or Target. In the country side, you can find large numbers of weekly souks (markets). A new alternative to souks in Morocco is Marjane, a Moroccan hypermarket chain, found in large cities like Marrakech, Casablanca, Agadir, Fès, Tétouan and Tangier. Marjane is the “Moroccan Target” and sells a wide variety of items such as food, clothing, liquor, electronics and other household goods.
Whether or not you are a big shopper, visiting a souk is a cultural experience that should not be missed on a trip to Morocco.



Fès is separated into three parts, Fès el Bali (the old, walled city), Fes-Jdid (new Fes, home of the Mellah), and the Ville Nouvelle (the French-created, newest section of Fes). The Medina of Fès el Bali is believed to be the largest contiguous car-free urban area in the world. To enter the medina, you will pass through the Bab Boujeloud gateYou will explore the medina’s narrow streets lined with local shops and stalls of fresh fruit, mounds of spices, intricately woven Berber carpets and many other Moroccan handicrafts and home goods.

 Fès has two main streets, “Rue Talaa Kebira “ and the “Rue Talaa Seghira “ which are utilized as the main throughways when exploring the medina- and the mysterious maze-like streets in between. The Fès medina is a labyrinth of sloping, winding alleyways are crammed full of stalls and workshops.

This area is known as the famed Kissaria -the commercial centerFès Medina produces its own specialty goods: cobalt blue enameled pottery, carpets, wrought iron ... one looks on as the dyer stirs his yarns, steeped in their multitude of colors, as the tanner tramples his skins under an open sky -skins that the leather-worker will eventually adorn with fine gilt for book-binding.

.A multitude of locally produced goods are on sale including cotton fabric, silk, brocade work, slippers, and many more. Each district in the , with its decoration of blue and green faiences.



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The Best Time To Visit Morocco on a Private Tour

Morocco is often referred to as a cold country with a hot sun. The Best Time to visit on a Morocco Private Tour is spring and fall. Morocco's summers are exceptionally hot and winters can be chill to the bone. Morocco’sranges of climates greatly fluctuate due to the country’s geographic location between Europe, Asia, and Africa. Morocco’s unique weather patterns make it possible to find an ideal area to take a Morocco Tour year round, however, recommended months to experience Morocco fall between October and May. Traveling through Morocco during Ramadan can a little tricky because many shops and tourist sites close early or permanently to observe the month long holiday.

Spring (April and May) and Fall (September and October) are perhaps the best overall time to take a Moroccco Tour. With a summer climate in the south and in the mountains, as well as on the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts. Winter can be perfect by day in the south, though desert nights can get very cold. If you’re planning to hike in the mountains, it’s best to keep to the months from April to October unless you have some experience in snow conditions.

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