Morocco holidays

We were advised before we went to Morocco that we absolutely had to go on a tour into the Sahara whilst we were there. This actually messed up our plans a fair amount and meant missing out several cities, but it was absolutely worth it. There seems to be a wide range of tours available, at a range of prices. Ours (from Moroccan Views) was at the cheapest end (120Eur per person) but was not missing anything we could wish for. Some tours pick up from nearer from the desert, and are cheaper due to that, but unless you are in the area anyway, I'd recommend being picked up from Fes or Marrakech for the convenience. Additionally, the trip to the desert provided much more than I was expecting.

We were picked up from our riad in Marrakech at 7.30, a little later than expected, and left Marrakech at approximately 8am. The tour consisted of a driver (Said), a guide (Mohammed) and 3 other couples, all also in their early twenties, in a mini bus with plenty of room.

Berber village in the Atlas mountains

Leaving Marrakech, we crossed the Atlas mountains, stopping for breakfast an hour or so in. We made plenty of stops for pictures of the mountains, of Berber villages and explanations of irrigation systems and how the locals lived. Along the roads wherever cars could stop, brightly coloured rocks and pottery was being sold. The views from the top were stunning, but in the bright sun not particularly photogenic.
 In the Atlas we made a stop at a collective that made and sold argan oil, which displayed the various uses of argan, and the importance of the nut to the local people. I bought a small bottle of oil and some soap. Unfortunately I decided against buying the delicious peanut butter like argan paste that can be eaten with bread. As far as I have seen, argan oil is only known in the UK for its cosmetic uses, but the culinary oil was very tasty.

Grinding Argan nuts

Just before lunch, we reach Ait Benhaddou Kasbah, a Unesco World Heritage Site chosen as an example of the style of architecture in the region. It is familiar to many as the background to movies such as Lawrence of Arabia and Gladiator. Parts of the Kasbah are actually parts of the set, rather than original.

Ait Benhaddou Kasbah

 Inside the Kasbah you are guided around a traditional Berber house, and have a glass of tea which was very welcome after the heat, and before our walk up to the top. We had lunch in Ait Benhaddou, then set off again for Ouarzazate, the home of the Moroccan film industry.
After Ouarzazate is a fairly long drive before reaching the Dades Gorges which has stunning rock formations, in addition to a large number of Kasbahs. Ait Oudinar, our hotel for the night was fairly plain but comfortable, and our evening meal was included in the price of the trip (although not the bottles of water!).  

The roads in the Dades Gorges are terrifying, as are those crossing the atlas mountains. That car soon overtakes the lorry

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We arrived in Marrakech after an 8 hour long train ride from Fes. Due to shelling out for a first class compartment, the ride was very comfortable. Later we would return to Fes in second class, and I would recommend spending the extra money if you can, in the heat the air conditioning makes the ride much more comfortable, and the train can get very crowded.

Djemaa el Fna - Marrakech

We decided to attempt to walk to our Riad from the station to stretch our legs after the journey. The walk was easy although not particularly scenic until we entered the Medina within the ramparts. Marrakech was easier to navigate within the Medina, with wider streets and better signposting. 

The Riad Dar Balthazar is decorated in a more modern style than Dar el Menia in Fes, and didn't have the same charm, but many may prefer it due to its more professional hotel like style and management. As soon as we arrived we were served tea in the courtyard, before being shown to our room. The courtyard was where we were served breakfast each morning too. The staff were very accommodating, looking after some of our bags when we went on our Sahara trip to save us lugging them with us.

Our room in Dar Balthazar - Marrakech

We were pointed to Cafe Arabe for our first meal, which was a more upscale resturant than those we had been to previously. The food was delicious, and it was the only place in Morocco we ate in that served alcohol. I will write more about Cafe Arabe when i write about our experiences with food in Morocco.

morocco culture,moroccan food,morocco food,moroccan cuisine,morocco beaches,moroccan meal,beaches in morocco,moroccan culture,hercules cave,hercules cave morocco

We arrived in Marrakech after an 8 hour long train ride from Fes. Due to shelling out for a first class compartment, the ride was very comfortable. Later we would return to Fes in second class, and I would recommend spending the extra money if you can, in the heat the air conditioning makes the ride much more comfortable, and the train can get very crowded.

Djemaa el Fna - Marrakech

We decided to attempt to walk to our Riad from the station to stretch our legs after the journey. The walk was easy although not particularly scenic until we entered the Medina within the ramparts. Marrakech was easier to navigate within the Medina, with wider streets and better signposting. 

The Riad Dar Balthazar is decorated in a more modern style than Dar el Menia in Fes, and didn't have the same charm, but many may prefer it due to its more professional hotel like style and management. As soon as we arrived we were served tea in the courtyard, before being shown to our room. The courtyard was where we were served breakfast each morning too. The staff were very accommodating, looking after some of our bags when we went on our Sahara trip to save us lugging them with us.

Our room in Dar Balthazar - Marrakech

We were pointed to Cafe Arabe for our first meal, which was a more upscale resturant than those we had been to previously. The food was delicious, and it was the only place in Morocco we ate in that served alcohol. I will write more about Cafe Arabe when i write about our experiences with food in Morocco.

morocco culture,moroccan food,morocco food,moroccan cuisine,morocco beaches,moroccan meal,beaches in morocco,moroccan culture,hercules cave,hercules cave morocco