Festivals in Morocco

Knowing when to be in Morocco is part of the fun of booking your trip. There are a number of Muslim and national festivals held throughout the year, and when you travel to Morocco, you may want to consider booking your vacation in conjunction with one of these events. In fact, almost every month of the year features at least one festival you can attend. The festivals are based on the lunar calendar rather than the western calendar so you will need to check with the Morocco tourism board before you book your flight if there is a specific festival you want to see.

In January, there are two festivals: New Years Day and Independence Celebration. New Years Day is a western celebration not unlike many held around the world. Independence Celebration is secular and is only one of five held throughout the year.

February is the celebration of Tafraoute and Aid Al Adha. Tafraoute celebrates the end of the winter rains found in the lower elevations of Morocco. The rains are helpful to the crops, but Moroccans also feel a celebration for the upcoming season is necessary. Aid Al Adha or A'd el-Khebir is a commemoration festival of Abraham's sacrifice. This festival is fun to watch, but you will not be able to participate in much of it.

March and April have four celebrations: Beni Mellal, Fatih Mouharam, Ashura, and Aid el Arch. Beni Mellal celebrates the cotton harvest. Fatih Mouharam is the Islamic new year celebration. Ashura is a day of tithing celebrated by certain local groups only. Aid el Arch is a celebration to honor the coronation of King Mohammed VI.

If you visit Morocco in May, expect to find Moulay Bousselham, Berkane, El Kelia des Mgouna, Labor Day, Id el Mouloud, and Ben Aissa Moussem festivals. El Kelia des Mgouna is also known as the Rose Festival and is held to celebrate the new crops. It is one of the most popular celebrations that Westerners enjoy attending.

June is the month of the Music Festival, Independence Day, Goulimine, Tan Tan and Gnaoua Festival. The Music Festival is held in Fez, and hundreds of musicians from around the world come to celebrate music and different musical traditions. It is a sharing of cultures and traditions, and visitors leave with a new understanding of what music is in other parts of the world.

July festivals include Marrakesh Popular Arts Festival, Tetouan, Sefrou Cherry Harvest, Al Hoceima Sea Harvest, and Celebration of the Throne. Marrakesh Popular Arts Festival depicts traditional Moroccan folklore through performances, theater, music and other art forms.

The Asilah Arts Festival, Celebration of the Young, Setti Fatma, Sefrou Moussem, El Jadida, Tiznit, Immouzeer du Kandar, and Immouzer des Ida Outanane festivals are held in August. Many of these festivals are popular celebrations of Moussem.

Chechaouen and Moulay Idriss Zerhoun host their Mouseem Festivals in September. September is also when Imichil is held; this marriage festival is held in the Atlas Mountains. It offers traditional marriage customs and costumes for visitors to enjoy.

September has only one festival called the Date Festival, which is held in Erfoud. November marks Ramadan, Independence Day, Eid al Fitr, and the Harvest Festival of Erfoud. December holds Rafsae and Hajj Day. Not all of these festivals are popular among Western visitors; however, if you are there when one of these festivals is occurring, you will likely encounter music, fireworks, costumes and other traditions. Any religious festivals should not be interrupted, but observed quietly.

Sam Mitchell is a freelance writer for Journey Beyond Travel, an eco-friendly, sustainable tour operator setting up a variety of Morocco tours. JBT specializes in High Atlas trekking excursions as well as other cultural itineraries. For more information on planning your Morocco holiday, visit Journey Beyond Travel's Morocco travel guide.

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Marokkaanse nationale VVV lancering de derde editie van voldoen aan Marokko 2014

De Marokkaanse nationale VVV is verheugd aan te kondigen de lancering van de 2014 editie van voldoen aan Marokko. Deze publicatie 92-pagina, kwalitatief hoogwaardige hoogtepunten Marokko's geschiktheid als een bestemming voor vergaderingen, incentives, conferenties en tentoonstellingen, met functies op het Koninkrijk voornaamste regio's, de belangrijkste bezoeker activiteiten, nieuwe infrastructuur en gastvrijheid ontwikkelingen, vergaderingen faciliteiten en een uitgebreide lijst van hotels.

De 2014 editie van voldoen aan Marokko is nu beschikbaar om te lezen online!

Voldoen aan Marokko, die zal worden officieel gelanceerd op EIBTM in Barcelona op 20 November, is een waardevol instrument voor vergaderingen en event planners, biedt uitgebreide informatie over meetings, conferenties en incentives-faciliteiten in het land.

Functies in MEET Marokko 2014 omvatten: Marokko en Vision 2020 - nieuwe ontwikkelingen - vergaderingen overzicht - Agadir - Casablanca - El-Jadida - Essaouira - Fez & Meknes - Marrakech - Rabat - Tanger - Golf - Atlas gebergte - Eco toerisme - Spa en wellness - Hotel overzicht en factsheets - alternatieve vergaderingen locaties - Shopping - Dining & nachtleven - krijgen rond.

Ontmoet Marokko is de derde samenwerking tussen Nicholas Publishing International en de Marokkaanse nationale VVV-kantoor, deze eerdere voldoen aan Marokko titels gepubliceerd in 2002 tot 2009.

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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

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