7 Things You Need to Know About Morocco Before You Go
Get link
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Other Apps
Dear Traveler,
Are you fascinated by old history and eager to experience Morocco's rich cultural heritage? Are you in a process of planning a trip to this North African country but don't know what to expect (cultural norms, shopping, tipping) when you get there? Then, this quick read is for you.
Tipping is a major part of the Moroccan culture
Every local who provides you with service, no matter how insignificant, is hoping, if not expecting to be tipped (bell-boys, restaurant staff, tour guides &, drivers, even when taking pictures on the street). Always keep small bills handy. On a 7-Night Tour, budget between $80-$100 per traveler for tips.
Drink and brush your teeth only with bottled water
The tap water is generally harmless and consumed by locals, however, it has a chlorine taste. If you will be in the country for a short period of time, it's better to be on the safer side and purchase bottled water easily accessible at street stalls and supermarkets. Deluxe & luxury hotels and riads typically offer a complimentary bottle of water as well.
For quality, hand-made souvenirs shop only at cooperatives & workshops
You can buy souvenirs from any street bazaar, however, if you are looking for quality, hand-made goods, the best place to buy them is at cooperatives located in the countryside. The cooperatives in Morocco are government-supported and often provide employment for the entire village. First, start at the workshop and see the laborious crafting process unfold in front of you, then move to the display showroom. Frequently, travelers make the mistake of waiting until the end of the tour in Marrakesh for last-minute shopping and will go to the bustling Jemaa el Fnaa (the main square), which is an exhilarating and inviting bazaar. However, despite its large size, the stalls lack variety and the souvenirs are overpriced and often poor quality.
Always haggle, the asking price is rarely the final price.
Moroccan people are traders and negotiating is part of their culture. When haggling, be tactical and do it with respect. Some cooperatives have fix prices and will tell you that ahead of time but will still give you a discount if traveling with a group.
Select a tour that includes visiting Fez & Sahara
Visiting Fez is a cultural feast. The oldest among Morocco's imperial cities, it dates back to the 9th Century and feels like you are stepping back in Medieval times. Fez's exhilarating ancient medina is a winding labyrinth of more than 9,000 streets and home to artisans and craftsmen practicing ancient techniques passed down from one generation to another over the centuries. The oldest continuously operated university in the world is tucked in the heart of the bustling medina and today this area is designated a UNESCO heritage site.
Driving almost 300 miles south, you will reach the town of Merzouga, set right on the border with Sahara. Seeing the sunset on the top of the dunes is a life-changing experience!
Sahara Desert
Prepare for unpredictable weather
Don't rely on AccuWeather -- bring an extra layer. The driving distances between the main towns are easy 4-5 hours and there are multiple climate pockets that often cause a rapid change in the weather. The nights in the Sahara desert are cold and in the High Atlas Mountains peaks during the spring months are still capped with snow.
Crossing High Atlas Mountains
Reserve a tour ending in Marrakesh and extend your stay there for 1-2 days to explore on your own
This former imperial city offers a vibrant blend of Western & Arabian influenced culture and architecture. Instead of a hotel, consider staying at a Riad (renovated traditional home/palace). The central hotel zone is safe, pedestrian-friendly, and has plenty of al-fresco European-style dining and traditional Morrocan options to choose from. At the end of your journey, what a better way to relax your body and soul than a traditional hammam (Moroccan bath)?
To the casual observer, if docked side by side both Star Clipper and Windstar Ships look similar. Both cruise lines belong to the niche market of small ship cruising, and both have sails (more on this below). There are no lines, no time wasted with transfers, most of the time the vessels dock right near the heart of the town. The service and the hardware gives you the feel of cruising on your own private yacht. The vessels are equipped with a watersports marina and they take you to less explored, exotic parts of the world inaccessible via large ship. With that said, there are still few recognizable differences to consider: Star Clipper in Monemvasia, Greece Star Clippers The Star Clippers fleet is comprised of 3 sailing ships with wind-operated sails: Star Clipper , Star Flyer (sister ships), and Royal Clipper . All launched between 1991-2000. A new ship, the Flying Clipper is to be delivered by the end of 2017 The first two mentioned are true clipper ...
Dear Traveler, After a night of unusually strong winds, our Star Clipper ship gracefully sailed into the port of Skala at the island of Patmos. Not typically frequented by major cruise lines, the main draw to the tiny rocky island, located right off the west coast of Turkey, is its close association with the Bible. One can see the main town, in greek Chora, perched on the highest point of the Patmos from the sea level with the fortified Monastery of St. John -- the Theologian. To reach the Chora, a narrow windy road passes the Cave of the Apocalypse and its sacred grotto, believed to mark the spot where St. John, during his exile in Patmos, received visions from Christ and wrote the Book of Revelation at the end of 1st Century A.D. Over the following centuries, Patmos became a significant Christian pilgrimage site, and the holy area is now on the UNESCO list. Key Historical Note #1 : The New Testament Gospel According to John is generally thought to include the Book of Rev...
One of my favorite things about small ship cruising is that you visit less "touristy" ports where the big ships cannot go. After relaxing day at sea, our Windstar Yacht docked in the harbor of Alghero, a charming medieval town in the island of Sardinia, Italy. And Yes, we were the only ship in the harbor! Alghero, Sardinia A highlight of the island was a trip to the "Neptune's Grotto" which was a spectacular stalactite sea cave complex located at the Northwest part of Sardinia. You can access the Cappo Caccia (Vertical Cliffs) and the Grotto via boat or land (drive, local bus, or organized tour - it takes about 45 min). The road winds around Cappo Cacchia and ends up short of the climb. Be prepared, there are 656 steps down carved into the sheer cliff wall, which lead to the Grotto. My husband and I decided to take a a local boat tour from a company called "Navisarda", located right in Alghero's harbor. In the summer months, there are tr...
Comments
Post a Comment