Job Discussion Forums

saren · Joined: 19 Nov 2007 Posts: 70

The best of Morocco

I've spent a lot of time researching potentially great travel ideas for Morocco. You can find my list of things to do, foods to try, and places to see below. If you've traveled, or lived in Morocco for an extended period please feel free to add, or edit items to the list. I'm sure we can create a great Morocco resource here.

PLEASE only reply to this thread if you're interested to edit or contribute items to the list. Thanks.

CRITERIA FOR LIST:
-memorable/dramatic scenery & landscape photography. Where to find the best (viewpoints, city views, panoramas, skylines, sunsets, etc..)?
-the unique outdoors, hikes/hilltops/lookouts, and amazing views.
-the best desert oasis, dunes, and landscapes (without the tourists).
-lovely/charming streets, cute villages, and magnificent/attractive architecture
-specialty/unique regional cuisine, and gastronomy (or the BEST places to eat (food made with love, local's favourites, and not too many tourists eating there)),
-and any other authentic/ unforgettable local travel experiences (non-typical, interesting/special experiences (full of original character), and unique only to the regional area)).

Thanks again...(my list is located below)

TANGIER
Dar el-Makhzen palace
Hammadi restaurant
Cap Spartel

TETOUAN
from Tetouan down to Oued Laou and you continue on from there to el Jebha
Rif mountains, Jabal Tidiquin

CHEFCHAOUEN
hike the hill,
eat at Granada (2 blocks up from the main square). Great fish tajine, great couscous (~25dh)
or Chez Chouen
Pension Castellana 50/night, 50 or less for bus to Fez
eat goat cheese
Talassemtane park

FES
medina
mellah quarter
madressas
hammam
bhalil village

MEKNES
moulay-idriss pilgramige

MARRAKESH
Orange juice at Djemaa el-Fna Square (and food at night)
Dar Najat
Bab Doukkala hammam
Koutobia mosque
Madressas
free WIFI at Cyber Parc. This park just south of Avenue Mohammed V, on Arset Moulay Abdessalam
Le Diamant noir bar

ATLAS MOUNTAINS
OUARZAZATE
Ait Benhaddou site (at dusk)
AZROU
Moyen Atlas
KHENIFRA -Sunday market
Mt. Toubkal - Hike/trekking from Marrakash-Asni-Imlil-Aremd
Stargaze while mountain camping at night (away from lights)
Oukaimeden valley
kelat mgouna village
sidi rahal retreat

TINGHIR/TENERHIR
Gorges du Todra
boumalne village
red mountain vally

DESERT
ZAGORA
dates, and Tuareg local people
then to MHAMID
to Erg Chagaga (at sunset/sunrise), walk with camel, jeep back, sleep in Berber tents along the way
MERZOUGA
Erg Chebbi

SOUTH MOROCCO
south of agadir, sous mass national park
GUELIM
(Legzira or Sidi Rbat/Sidi Ifni beach)
Ait Bekkou
tafraoute village in February for the Almond tree blossom festival
taroudant town

CASABLANCA
Hassan mosque
Place Mohammad V
el jadida coastal town

RABAT
sale suburb
kenitra coastal town

SAFI coastal town

FOOD
Harira
Bessara (dip bread in sea salt, and then in this soup)
mlawi (flat, crispy pancakes fried in oil for Bfast) w/ AICHA brand's Sweet Potato jam!
Goat Tajin
Pastilla (pigeon)
Almond milk
Avacodo juice, (with milk/sugar)
Zazaa
Merguez sausages

Zajko · Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 6:24 am Post subject:

I'd add the Cascades D'Ouzoud - the huge series of waterfalls 168km East of Marrakech in the northern foothills of the Atlas near Demnate: great plunge-pool for diving/swimmng under the falls, camping sites in the forest at the base (10 dh / USD 1 per night), monkeys everywhere, locally cooked food and spectacular walks down the river / gorge with opportunities to go caving as well (get a guide who knows what he's doing for this!).

Figuig in the far SE on the Algerian border is interesting too - huge oasis of 120,000 palm tress, old wells and irrigation systems and spectacular views across the Algerian desert. La'ayoune in 'occupied' Western Sahara also has a certain masochistic charm.

Before this post (or the whole thread) gets deleted for being non-EFL related, I should add re teaching opportunities in the above-mentioned places:

Ouzoud: none, except maybe to the monkeys.

Figuig: no schools right now, but once the border with Algeria reopens business might pick up, you never know.

La'ayoune: one or two fly-by-night local schools but a booming local economy and population, together with the area's tax-free status, might mean there are opportunities there for an enterprising individual wanting to start one up.

asgerd · Joined: 30 Nov 2007 Posts: 33

Nice list. Two additions:

Meknes: Volubilis/Oualili, the Roman town (walkable from M Idriss)

South of Agadir: the village of Mirleft. Crashing green sea, empty beach, sleepy pink village, fish tagine. Bliss.

You've covered my other highlights (Essaouira, Todra).

squindia · Joined: 13 Jun 2007 Posts: 38 Location: Bangalore, India

I have to add to your Rabat recommendations.

Casbah Oudaya is gorgeous for a stroll and the cafe on the edge of the river is a great place to relax.

The medina in Rabat is a nice reprieve from other medinas in Morocco as it is easy to navigate and not as hectic as others.

The cemetery between the coastline and the medina is a very peaceful place to explore, overgrown with weeds and grass as well as tiled tombstones and interesting characters.

I'll add a little TEFL news here as well: I taught at both the American Langauge Center and AMIDEAST in Rabat. If anyone is interested in learning a bit more about either feel free to pm me.

Oasisdweller · Joined: 17 Jul 2007 Posts: 30

Cork forest outside Sale
Beach at Mehdia (outside Kenitra)
Sidi Ifni

Rabat Hash House Harriers

Seafood bstilla
Boulfaf kebabs at the Meknes weekly souk
Rhaif bi khlii
Sardines grilled with herbs sandwich style
Poulet roti, frites & moutard
Grilled lamb chops & aytay nana at the roadside cafes in the middle of no where
Algerian wine from the Mascara region

Zajko · Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2008 3:57 am Post subject:

Missing Morocco just reading these posts. Especially as it's -35c here. The little town of Tiznit in the Anti-Atlas sound of Agadir is beautiful too, and the nearby silver-mines are worth a visit. Plus the far southern coastline from Tan-Tan down to Tarfaya is spectacular - huge sand-cliffs, small fishing villages, old shipwrecks dotted all along the mist-shrouded coast.

No teaching opportunities in these places either as far as I know - but all could be explored at weekends if you're based in Agadir (where there are a number of schools).

asgerd · Joined: 30 Nov 2007 Posts: 33

Bringing it all back in techno-aroma to me too.... god what I wouldn't give to be there RIGHT NOW.

SparkleFish · Joined: 24 Jan 2008 Posts: 1 Location: USA

Mirleft is a pretty cool place to go if you feel like going south. There is an great surf camp down there...

TwinCentre · Joined: 22 Mar 2007 Posts: 273 Location: Mokotow

I'd like to add Spain.

After 4 years posted in M'hamd, South of the Atlas, with twice monthly debriefing trips to Casablanca....Spain was my top location.

Hod · Joined: 28 Apr 2003 Posts: 1613 Location: Home