Morocco has always been on my Top 5 list of places to visit and photograph, and when I was informed in August this year that I would be spending a month there for work, I was nothing short of delighted. (Watch this amazing timelapse video of Morocco to see why.)
Moroccan food is outstanding (think mutton tagine, lamb with prunes and apricots on a bed of couscous, fresh pastries filled with almond paste, coconut fudge cakes, mint tea…); and the people, fiercely proud of their national heritage, usually speak three to four languages. This is a result of the country’s history that, over the centuries, has been subject to a fascinating blend of Arab-Islamic, European and African influences.
Locals can appear unwelcoming towards outsiders if you don’t understand the dynamic of tourism here, and some places can be given a miss (Rabat and, to a large extent, Casablanca, too) while others simply must be seen (Marrakech, Tangier and the south, to name just a few). The shopping is among the best in the world and you will almost certainly leave wishing you had left more space in your luggage.
Most importantly, though, I was reminded of how diverse our continent is. While this place is still Africa, it felt worlds away from home. Highly recommendable if you’re looking for something completely different without leaving the continent.
These were some of my highlights:
Sleeping store owner, Grand Socco market, Tanger
Chicken stall, Grand Socco market, Tanger
Dates galore at Socco market, Tanger
Beach in Tanger
Rooftop terrace view in Tanger
Ceramics Stall, Marrakech
Snake Charming, Marrakech
Back streets, Marrakech
Spice market, Marrakech
Marrakech Night LIfe (Marrakech is dry, save for two or three bars)
Fruit stall, Marrakech
Corniche, Casablanca
Fisherman on the beach, Casablanca
Musos jam on the island near the corniche in Casablanca (Legend has it that single ladies come here to find spouses.)
Kids huddle around a board game in Chefchauoen, Morocco's Blue City
Read: a guide to Chefchaouen, Morocco’s blue jewel
Some pretty tempting window shopping in Chefchaouen
Women watch their children play at a nearby waterfall, Chefchaouen
Everything slows down between 1pm and 4pm in Chefchaouen, when it's too hot to be outside.
Blue doors, Chefchaouen
Man rests in the shade, Chefchaouen
Swinging child, Chefchaouen
Jewellery stall, Chefchaouen
Men greet each other, Chefchaouen
View over Chefchaouen from the Atlas Hotel
Ed’s note
‘Beyond, exotic, far-flung,’ call it what you will, the exciting news is that you’re no longer limited to the Getaway Blog to get your fix of international travel ideas. In conjunction with its new look and style, Getaway magazine has broadened its pages to include top international destinations. This month we feature Bali and Morocco, two destinations high up on my list of places to see. Get your copy of the October issue (you can subscribe to print or digital) to check it out.
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