Visit the Intriguing Remains of the City of Volubilis in Morocco

The Kingdom of Morocco is situated in the westernmost part of North Africa and is one of the famous places to visit for a holiday trip in this continent. This country was under the rule of the Umayadd Muslims of Damascus, Berber dynasties of Almoravid and Almohad, and European kingdoms of Rome and Germany in the past. Owing to this, this country has undergone many changes in its culture, which is a beautiful fusion of the Arabic, Berber and European influences. Some of the cities that are a hallmark of the Moroccon history are Meknes, Chefchaouen and Fes el Bali. Another place of historical interest is the city of Volubilis, which is one of the most visited sites of this nation. Check the airfare of various international airlines bound to Morocco, before you make plans to visit this spectacular place during your holidays.

Volubilis - Location and History

Volubilis, located in modern day Morocco, is now a partly excavated site of the then Roman town of 40 AD. This site was once the administrative centre and capital of the Roman province of Mauretania Tingitana and was home to more than 20,000 inhabitants. This place is situated to the west of the town of Moulay Idriss Zerhoun in the Jebel Zerhoun Plain and lies close to the cities of Meknes and Fez. According to archaeological evidences, this site was inhabited by people of the neolithic era in the 3rd century and was conquered by the Romans in about 40 AD.

Famous Things to See

This place has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site list and boasts of a number of famous attractions. The best preserved structures of this place are a Roman forum, a 2nd century basilica and the Arch of Caracalla, which dates back to 217 AD. Columns of this forum still stand intact and the basilica can be seen with remains of its impressive walls, which are more than 30 feet tall. The most renowned remains of this site are its mosaic floors, which include Diana Bath, Works of Hercules, Orpheus Mosaics and Nereides.

Volubilis literally means Oualili (oleander flowers) in Berber language as the land of this site supports growth of a large number of oleander plants and olive trees. This place is also known by the name of Oualila and Ksar Pharoun (Pharaoh Palace) in Arabic language.

Excavation and Restoration

The site underwent massive destruction following an earthquake in the 4th century. Excavations of this site were initiated by the French from 1912 to 1956. Further restoration was carried out between 1930 and 1967. In 1997, this place was listed as the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Travel to Morocco for Exciting Holidays Abroad

Morocco is a wonderful Country with some majestic mountain ranges, great coastline and some

of the most intriguing Cities on the Continent. Many travellers end up in the Country to

sample life in the famous Cities of Casablanca, Marrakech and Rabat and most are not

disappointed by what they find. The people are very friendly as well and the infrastructure

is very good for the region and it is getting better with the current Government aiming to

increase tourist numbers to the Country.

The best time to visit Morocco is during the spring and autumn when it is cooler and more

comfortable. The summer can be a good time to visit the coastal areas, but the interior of

the country will be uncomfortably hot. The winter can get quite cold in the north though the

further south you go, the days will get warmer, however, night time will still be chilly.

Health wise - There is a small risk from Malaria in the extreme south of the Country, but

many do not believe it is worth the effort of taking anti-malarial medication. Consult your

doctor before coming to this conclusion, it is better to be safe than sorry! Altitude

sickness can occur in the mountains and you should be prepared for this. The medical

services in Morocco are average and serious injuries and illness may lead to evacuation by

air to Spain.

Visas and Documents - Most visitors to Morocco will be able to visit the Country without a

visa and be able to stay for up to three months on arrival. Israeli citizens will have to

apply for a month long visa before departure. If you are coming from a country or region

that is affected by yellow fever or cholera you will need to prove that you have been

vaccinated, most clinics or doctors issue certificates with the vaccination.

Cost - Morocco is relatively inexpensive to travel around, though the popular tourist

destinations like Casablanca and Marrakech will be slightly more expensive. A budget of $25

a day should suffice, if you are not bothered about eating in restaurants and don't mind

staying in guesthouses. Travel around the country is good value, but you should be careful

when dealing with taxi drivers, especially in tourist hotspots.

The Sights - There are so many things to see and experience in this wonderful Country and the

fact is that you will not have the time to visit them all and all though this is a shame,

remember it is important to enjoy this visit and that you can visit again in the future.

Obviously, some of the most well known attractions of the Country are some of the best with

the Imperial Cities of Fez, Meknes, Marrakech and Casablanca, all amazing destinations with

plenty to do and see. Walking through the bazaars and backstreets has got to be one of the

highlights of visiting Morocco - Morocco also has some splendid hiking opportunities, with the most popular being the High Atlas with the impressive Jebel Toubkal. What should be remembered is that there are alternatives to this popular destination, with the Anti Atlas to the south and the rarely

visited and wilder Rif Mountains near Tangiers and Chefchaouen.

The mighty ruins of Volubulis are the largest Roman remains in Morocco and it is now a World

Heritage listed site. It is one of many ruins across the north of the Country, but none are

in the magnitude of this site which lies close to Meknes.

While some may not consider it a highlight, travelling down the Western Sahara to Mauritania

is an adventure and a must for many overland travellers making their way to West Africa. It

may be an uncomfortable ride, but think of all the fabulous anecdotes you can tell your

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Surf's Up Morocco - Making Waves in Africa

The legendary surf spots of Tahiti, Hawaii and Fiji are known for firing up the imagination of salty surf dogs around the world, but few amateur surfers will ever get to sample their waves. These places really only belong in surf magazine and videos and are the territory of pro surfers on big sponsor budgets, and not the sort of place the average weekend surfer from the UK could afford.

However, there is a land that offers inexpensive living, uncrowned beaches and breaks, consistent surf not to mention great food and friendly locals, and all only a short flight from the UK. It's name? Morocco.

Sat on the very north of the mighty African continent, yet just a short boat ride from the British Territory of Gibraltar, Morocco has some 3500km of coastline with offer surfers a huge choice of breaks. American and Australian surfers were responsible for bringing the sport to Moroccan shores in the 1970s, but it is now largely Europeans looking to escape the cold winter climates and the growing leagues of local Moroccans, who dominate the waves.

There are hundreds of secret spots all down the coast, but some of the better known areas include Banana beach - ideal for beginners; Panaromas - a right hand point break, but with a strong rip current; Hash Point - another right hand point with easy entry from a small sandy beach, Anchor point - a favourite with the locals meaning it can get crowded, and is therefore best suited to intermediate or expert surfers only and Killer Point - named after the fact that occasionally killer whales can be seen there, and is renowned for being one of the best waves in the area. It requires a 20 minute paddle out to reach the break, so you'll need to be fit to make it, but once you do, you'll be able to enjoy a very long right hander, with waves up to 12 feet in height.

Accommodation in Morocco is available in the form of small hotels, holiday villas or dorm-style hostels, which can be found all long the coastline. Many are specially geared towards surfers, offering secure board storage, wet suit hire and chill out zones.

Western surfers should keep an eye on their bags, as some of the locals will be only too happy to offer their 'baggage carrying' services, in return for a few dollars, especially in busy places like airports and train stations. However, the locals are generally warm, friendly and welcoming.

With little in the way of localism to worry about, more and more European surfers are heading

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.