My trip to Morocco was so much more than a holiday, it was an experience! In fact, it was a series of jaw dropping experiences that I will cherish forever. We’re not talking about the usual lovely but forgettable holiday vistas, seen in the usual resort type places, with the usual familiar sounds and scents . An action packed week in a joyously diverse culture, where we were privileged to experience the out-of-the-ordinary on a daily basis
Marrakesh Market
One of the first things you will notice about Morocco is the welcome; and that welcome started in an unusual place, at the passport check area. There was a sincerity about the “Welcome to Morocco” and “Enjoy your visit ” from the officials that resonated. Our group of twenty adventurers also felt that same warmth of welcome when we met our TD active Holiday guides Saida, Ibrahim and Ismail. In the sweltering heat, we gladly boarded the two mini buses that were to take us some 1800 kilometres over the next week.
Entering Marrakech is a culture shock; it’s a dynamic, chaotic city; traffic zooms left and right, three people to a moped, with a sound backdrop of lightly beeped horns and the streets alive with traders. Everything in motion and yet, it all works. When we reached our Riad style hotel,which was close to Jemaa el-Fnaa, (the main square), we were welcomed (again !) with the delicious drink of Morocco – sweetened peppermint tea and admired the architecture and decoration of this traditional style house which had been converted into a hotel.
Our guides talked us through the plan for that evening. They expressed their welcome with such care and kindness that we all felt secure in the knowledge that we were going to be well looked after. We headed out for dinner, zig zagging through narrow streets before reaching Jemaa el-Fnaa. It was a jaw dropping moment. The square itself is huge, it looked about the size of Croke Park and was packed with life. There was entertainment of every kind; snake charmers, crowds gathered around storytellers, monkey trainers, musicians with percussion instruments beating a pacy rhythm, the aroma of spices and herbs and traders pitching their products to the meandering families. The restaurant with its second floor open air terrace overlooked the square and offered us another perspective on the life buzzing below us. Our food arrived and I experienced a culinary first .. tagine. This delicious mainstay dish is a slow cooked casserole of meat, vegetables, spices and dried nuts and very, very tasty. Our table was noisy with chatter which stopped almost instantly for Adhan, the call to prayer. The timbre and resonance of the voice of the Muadhdhin was haunting; it seemed to cut through the chaos and touch our souls. A calmness and stillness seemed to descend. Life had taken a pause.
Main Square of Marrakesh
The next day we explored Marrakech. With its rich history, this is a city with many cultural attractions. We craned our necks to take in the height and magnificence of the Koutoubia Mosque, the highest building in Marrakech. From there, we walked through a maze of streets to reach Bahia Palace. Craftsmen from all over the country came to work on this mansion and so it is a feast for the eyes with exquisite artistry, vibrant colours and the striking patterns of mosaic tiles. The Dar Si Said, the oldest museum in the city, offered elegant patios, vivid stained glass and tranquil gardens.
Heading for Casablanca, one of the real pleasures of a trip like this is getting to know your fellow travellers. TD active Holidays are the perfect option for those who like to explore and make the most of their time off.It’s all the pleasure and none of the pain. All the pleasure of discovering new places and new vistas. None of the pain of organizing any of it! Our group was a varied one; all ages and all backgrounds and yet with one common thread, a love of travel and a love of adventure.
Casablanca is the commercial and industrial hub of Morocco, a port city on the Atlantic. Less of a tourist destination than Marrakech or Fez, it’s home to the magnificent Hassan II Mosque. This is the second largest Mosque in the world with the world’s highest Minaret. It houses 25,000 worshippers and can accommodate another 80,000 in the courtyard outside. Our well informed guide talked us through the construction, the exquisite artistry that decorates every centimetre of surface and the daily rituals of this holy place. An invaluable insight into a very different culture. Dinner that night was full of stimulating conversations about what we had seen and of course, very tasty food!
It was then time to get going as we were headed for the capital, Rabat, some 300 kilometres away. Morocco is a huge country, about six times the size of Ireland. The landscape is vast and diverse; there’s lush, verdant green areas and boundless, barren scrubland. We passed through bustling villages and more structured towns. With a few stops along the way, we arrived at the modern and historic city of Rabat. Perched on the south bank of the Bu Regreg river and overlooking the city, the 12th century Hassan Tower is a minaret of what was to be the largest mosque in the western world. Although the mosque was not completed, it remains an imposing and impressive landmark. From there we went to The Kasbah of the Oudayas. Entry to this residential area is via enormous Almohad gate, called Bab Oudaia.
Heading for Casablanca, one of the real pleasures of a trip like this is getting to know your fellow travellers. TD active Holidays are the perfect option for those who like to explore and make the most of their time off.It’s all the pleasure and none of the pain. All the pleasure of discovering new places and new vistas. None of the pain of organizing any of it! Our group was a varied one; all ages and all backgrounds and yet with one common thread, a love of travel and a love of adventure.
Casablanca is the commercial and industrial hub of Morocco, a port city on the Atlantic. Less of a tourist destination than Marrakech or Fez, it’s home to the magnificent Hassan II Mosque. This is the second largest Mosque in the world with the world’s highest Minaret. It houses 25,000 worshippers and can accommodate another 80,000 in the courtyard outside. Our well informed guide talked us through the construction, the exquisite artistry that decorates every centimetre of surface and the daily rituals of this holy place. An invaluable insight into a very different culture. Dinner that night was full of stimulating conversations about what we had seen and of course, very tasty food!
The next day we set off for the former capital of Morocco, Meknes (also known as The Imperial City) . Founded in the 11th century as a military settlement on a hilltop, it’s home to an enormous imperial complex, with a town wall spanning 120 kilometres. The intricate decoration is outstanding, created by an army of artisans, culminating in the monumental gate, Bab Mansur, a masterpiece of Hispano-Moorish art. Thanks to our guide Ibrahim, each of these historic sites unfolded another chapter in Morocco’s complex and fascinating history. Some 65km outside of Meknes lies the captivating UNESCO site of Volubilis, an important outpost of the Roman empire dating back to the third century BC.
The following day we explored Fes, known as the cultural capital of Morocco and deservedly so. Our local guide brought us to Morocco’s largest and oldest Medina. It’s a maze of almost 10,000 very narrow streets; atmospheric, bustling and wonderfully chaotic. Traders offer everything from iphones, spices, trainers, meat, wedding dresses, fresh fruit juice, rugs ; it’s all there, all happening, all of the time! Our guides knew exactly where to take us, so we could relax and enjoy the experience. We didn’t have to worry about how to get here and there, we had the freedom to just amble along and see this intimate slice of Moroccan life.
Amidst the hubbub, they are spectacular sights. The oldest university in the world and UNESCO world heritage site, the Karaouiyne University is viewable from the outside to non Muslims. We visited a tannery and were fascinated to see the arduous process of treating leather, all done by hand (and feet) in the scorching sun. In our high tech world, it was a rare opportunity to appreciate the demand and craft of traditional crafts. As we weaved through those topsy turvy streets, there was any amount of good humoured banter from the street traders. They have the mastery of engagement down to a fine art, with a keen ability to read potential customers that was very entertaining.
After such a busy , exciting morning, we welcomed the retreat of lunch at a nearby restaurant. Everywhere we ate, the food was just delicious, with its blend of Mediterranean, Andalusian and Berber influences. Sweet, savoury and sour flavours are often seasoned with lemon, dried fruits and spices. That afternoon we spent lazing around the pool, feeling very lucky to be there.
Our destination the next day was the Sahara Desert, some 500km away. We travelled through extraordinary landscapes; weaving our way into the vast Middle Atlas Mountains and then into the contrasting abundance of the cedar forests at Azrou. After many enjoyable stops along the way, we reached the village of Merzouga . It was quite a sight to see our transport into the desert .. a herd of camels! Much laughter was had as we tried to mount these docile creatures, all of us looking like some strange extras for another adaptation of Lawrence of Arabia. Our camels moved at a slow and easy rhythm, although it took us some getting used to going up and down the soft dunes. The sun was setting as we arrived in our rather luxurious glamping tents in the isolated desert.
Being there was an experience I’ll never forget. There was calming stillness and silence that engendered a feeling of tranquility, as if time itself had stopped. Dinner was a lively affair as we were entertained by the nomadic musicians. Sleeping under the stars was a magical treat. Even though I was somewhat weary from travelling, I rose to see the sunrise. There was something divine about welcoming that day; the landscape slowly changing colour as the bright sunlight emerged.
Having left the desert , our first stop was at the Todgha Gorge. The setting could not have been more dramatic as the gorge is enclosed by steep and sheer cliffs. Families were dotted everywhere around the river savouring the coolness of the water. Makeshift picnics were enjoyed, music was playing, children were squealing with delight as they splashed about. That sense of enjoyment was to be alive and kicking at our hotel in the spectacular Dades Valley. Our night was made particularly special by the manager of the hotel, Mohamed. A group of very talented local musicians played for us into the wee hours.
It was time to return to Marrakech with plenty of worthwhile stops along the way. Ait Benhhadou is a UNESCO listed heritage site. Formerly the caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakech, it is renowned for its earthen clay architecture. Many films have valued the magic of this fortified village and surrounding areas; Game of Thrones, The Gladiator and Lawrence of Arabia, to mention but a few.
After the expanse of the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara Desert, it was quite an adjustment to encounter the traffic and vibrant life of Marrakech! As it was our last evening, we all went out for a special dinner. Friendships were made, numbers were exchanged with much cheering and laughter around the table. Our lovely TD active Holiday guides gave each of us a small gift which was a testimony to their kindness and welcome.
TD active Holidays Explore Morocco trip is priced from €1199pp and everything is included from flights, accommodations, transfers to an expert local guide. Departures take place in May and September so to book visit www.tdactivceholidays.com or call (01) 6371615 to speak to a member of their expert team.
