A to Z of Morocco
A Ten Day Tour of Morocco
Guest post by Sue Vine – After travelling Morocco with So Morocco, I was inspired to write an A-Z of all that we saw. It was the trip of a life time and I can’t believe how much we did over our 2000km journey.
A – Asilah – Our final destination, artistic and oh so so pretty.
B – Bahia Palace – Lavish and tranquil 19th century palace in Marrakech.
C – Calligraphy – Decorative Arabic / Islamic handwriting. We watched a kind artist producing this in exquisite detail in the medina in Asilah.
D – Dades Gorge – Morocco’s Grand Canyon and the site of the best lunch we ate on tour.
E – Erfoud – A desert town, famous for its date festival.
F – Fondouk –Foudouks offered accommodation for travelling merchants and their animals. A building with a square walled exterior, central open courtyard and large doorway for camels to enter. We found one in Chefchaouen being used by local artisans.
G – Gnaoua – A desert dwelling people, famous for their spiritual, trance like music.
H – Hassan – Our professional and caring driver.
I – Imlil – Breath-taking, mountain village where we heard the call to prayer echoing around the mountains
J – Jarjeer Donkey sanctuary – heart-warming and inspiring home for unwanted and mistreated donkeys and mules.
K – Kasbahs – for castle lovers everywhere, there are literally hundreds in Morocco.
L – Le Lion d’Or Atlas -Auberge serving the best tagine at Telouet.
M – Medinas – old walled towns. We loved Tetouan medina, authentic and untouched by the outside world.
N – Nomads – an ancient and harsh gypsy lifestyle still seen in Morocco but in need of support to continue.
O – Oasis – huge palm groves stretching across the south of the country. Great for walking or cycling in.
P – Portuguese – influence in a number of coastal towns in Morocco.
Q – Quad biking – exhilarating fun in the Saharan sand dunes.
R – Riads – Mini palace hotels hidden behind humble doorways.
S – Sahara Desert – Glamping in style and peace under the stars, bucket list stuff.
T – Tetouan – means “The Eyes” Authentic and un-spoilt Rif mountain town.
U – Unesco – Morocco has 9 cultural areas inscribed on the World Heritage List.
V – Valley of the Roses –known as El Kelaa M’Gouna where a teaspoon of pure rose oil costs £70.
W – Weaving – carpets everywhere you look, all with a different meaning woven into the design to be read like a book.
X – “xpansive” skies – How I love those huge African skies!
Y – Yallah, yallah – Means “Let’s go!” one of the sounds of Morocco we heard over and over
Z – Zaida – The only word I could think of beginning with Z was a small village we passed through in Midelt.