Thursday 21 November 2013

Morocco in Autumn, Desert, Marrakech, and Chefchaouen!

We've got a good feedback from our customers again!
Here's what they say:

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It was our first visit to a country in Africa, and we really enjoyed it.
We had the same driver all through our tour and he was very helpful.

When we wanted to go to a supermarket, he just came with us.
During the driving, he always stopped where we wanted to take photos.
He also explained what the places are, where we are going.
Thanks to him, we enjoyed all the places we visited. Sightseeing, shopping, everything was wonderful.

In Marrakech, we got lost often but it was an exciting experience.
At the shops in souk, we negotiated the prices and we could buy more than we expected.
Also we enjoyed food stalls in Jemaa el Fna.

Desert Dune in Merzouga
In Merzouga, we enjoyed our first camel trekking!
At the camping site, we climbed up high on the dune and the camel boy helped us get to the top. From there, we had a great view of the sunrise.

In Chefchaouen, we walked around with a local guide and he actually took us all the places we needed to see. We had a chance to talk with some locals and now we are Facebook friends!

Thank you for making our tour great and something special.

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If you need your original tour, just let us know what you'd like.
We'll create an original tour for you!

Morocco Desert Palm Tours: Tailor-Made

Sunday 10 November 2013

Ait Ben Haddou Day Trip, Enjoy the Tour with Us!

We've had a great feedback from customers who have been to Ait Ben Haddou and Ouarzazate with us.
I'd like to share it with you here!

Ait Ben Haddou, a "ksar" which consists of many houses. Once it was a fortress.
Ait Ben Haddou, ksar, an old house complex

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We have just returned from our day trip and I would like to compliment you on the driver you gave us, Mbarak.

He was very punctual, polite very kind to my brother as he cannot walk very fast and totally made our day extremely pleasant with his conversation and extensive knowledge of the history of his country.

He could not have done more for us and is definitely an asset to your staff.  We gave our trip 100% . While the scenery was very beautiful we all agreed we were very lucky that we got such a nice person as a driver. Thank you very much .
Excellent day!

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You can get to Ait Ben Haddou and Ouarzazate in a day from Marrakech, driving over the High Atlas Mountains will be one of the highlights of your tour in Morocco!

Ait Ben Haddou Day Trip
http://www.moroccodesertpalmtours.com/excursions/303_aitbenhaddou_1.html

by Morocco Desert Palm Tours

Saturday 26 October 2013

Meknes, Town of History, Architecture, and Great Food!


Lately, more and more people understand the beauty of Meknes, Historical and architectural heritages Bab Mansour and the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail are the symbol of the town. Less people, less touristique and less expensive. And foods are amazing since this is the center of the agriculture in Morocco!

Bab Mansour is an old city gate, just in front of the medina in Meknes. Built by Moulay Ismail, the 17th century Sultan. "Mansour" is a name of the architect, who converted from a Christian Muslim. Zellige mosaic here is amazing!

If you get closer to the gate, you'll understand it is a piece of great artworks!

Right in the next to Bab Mansour, there's a beautiful fountain. If you walk in the Meknes city, you can find many beautiful fountains like this.

Now we're getting into the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail. So far the only mausoleum open to non Muslims in Morocco.

Here you can find so many interesting examples of zellige mosaic. The mausoleum itself is already like  a museum!

This is another "Madrasa Bou Inania," the other one is in Fez, built by the same sultan, Abu Ian Faris. As beautiful as the one in Fez, and not like in Fez, much less tourists, you can feel like you are the only one in this historical treasure!

Don't forget to visit the covered market, right next to El Hidim Square. Vegetables, fruits, meat, all the best things in Morocco are here in this souk. Meknes is also famous with its wine products!

A shop in the medina, selling sawing threads. Moroccans know how to make things look beautiful!

Visit Meknes with us!
Meknes & Volubilis Day Trip



by Morocco Desert Palm Tours

Tuesday 15 October 2013

Fez Medina is a Traditional Wonderland in Morocco!


Comparing to the importance of Marrakech, I think Fez is underestimated by tourists.
Fez is more traditional, conservative and the buildings are more beautiful!
Let's check out the beauty of the medina in Fez together.

Bab Bou Jeloud
To explore the medina of Fez,  always start from this Bab Bou Jeloud. Many of the important streets begin here and if you understand the direction of this gate, you'll never get lost!

Bou Inania Madrasa
The first stop in the medina of Fez will be this Bou Inania Madrasa. An Islamic school built by a 14th sultan. Fez was once the center of Islamic study and sometimes called "Mecca in the West", or "Athens in Africa".

Nejarine Square
Everyone stops at Nejarine Square to admire this beautiful fountain. It suddenly appears after the maze-like narrow streets.

Caravansaray
Caravans used to stop here to rest their camels and themselves. Now this is a museum to show the history of Moroccan's local daily life.

Attarine souk
Attarine souk is one of the oldest souks in Fez. This is not a typical touristic shopping street. You can see local people go and come in this busy street.

Attarine Madrasa
This is another Istamic school in Fez, at the end of the Attarine souk. And you should never miss this place. Look at these amazing tile works and plaster decorations!

Karaouine Mosque
One of the oldest university in the world, and it still works as a university and mosque. An interesting thing is, this university / mosque was established by women, daughters of a wealthy merchant moved from Tunisia.

Incense shop owner
Shops around the Karaouine mosquye sell incenses, herb oils, perfumes, something spiritual for our life.

Tanneries
Tanneries in Fez is huge and the most famous in Morocco. Workers are making leather from animal skins. If you want to get the whole picture, step up one of the buildings and look down from a window.

To see all around the medina in Fes, just a half day is not enough. A whole day or maybe more if you want!

Let's visit Fez with us!
Fez Day Trip


by Morocco Desert Palm Tours

Friday 4 October 2013

Rabat, Mausoleum of Mohammed V and Tour Hassan, the Legacy of the Kings!


Rabat is the capital of Morocco but not so many tourists stop by.
I certainly recommend you spend some time here.
Traditional buildings, modern and quiet atmosphere, you'll love this place!

Mausoleum of Mohammed V

Mausoleum of the former Moroccan King, Mohammed V. Much bigger than any other mausoleums of the country. You will be able to learn what the king means for modern Moroccan people by visiting this place.

The entrance

The guards of the mausoleum wear traditional uniforms. It's just like a part of the scenery. 

The coffin of the king

The coffin chamber can be seen from the upstairs. Locals visit here to admire the former king. You'll be impressed just by standing here.

Tour Hassan

Next to the mausoleum is a huge tour, "Tour Hassan." The construction started in the 12th century to build the biggest mosque in the world. It stopped when the sultan died and this has never been completed. Still, the tower is 44 meters high.

The river runs through the city

The river in the town is an ideal place to walk in the evening. And so romantic at night. Very different from busy medina streets in Marrakech or Fez.

Hotel Rabat

This is the lobby of Hotel Rabat, located right in the center of the city. This oval shape lounge is very popular among professional photographers.

Let's visit Rabat with us!

by Morocco Desert Palm Tours

Sunday 22 September 2013

Visit Hassan II Mosque in Casablance, the Biggest Mosque in Morocco


Casablanca is not a destination for tourists but if you have a time to stop by there, try to visit Hassan II Mosque along the Atlantic Ocean. It has the highest minaret (tower of mosque) in the world and actually, 25,000 people can pray in this mosque at the same time.

Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca
Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca
This is a rare opportunity to see such a huge mosque. Built in 1999, by the former king Hassan II. To get inside, join a guided tour provided by the mosque.

Mohammad V Square in Casablanca
Mohammad V Square

To get to the Hassan II Mosque, you need to get through a heavy traffic jam in Casablanca. This is the Mohammed V Square, the center of the city. Tramways are being built, but it doesn't seem like helping the traffic problems :-)

Monument at the entrance of Casablanca medina
Monument at the entrance of the medina
At the entrance of the medina in Casablanca. It's not well known like the medinas in Marrakech or Fez, but you can see local people's daily life there.

Fountain in Hassan II Mosque
Fountain in Hassan II Mosque
The fountain of the Hassan II Mosque. The mosque is designed by a French architect, green is the symbol color of Islam.

Granite pillars of Hassan II Mosque
Pillars of Hassan II Mosque
These granite pillars are so beautiful. Marble floors, zellige tiles, there's a lot to see in this huge building.

Fountain in the courtyard of Hassan II Mosque
Fountain in the courtyard
A star shaped fountain in the courtyard. Actually, there are 41 fountains in this courtyard!

tajine
Tajine for lunch!
And after visiting the mosque, enjoy tajine, Morocco's specialty! This is in a local restaurant during Casablanca and Rabat.

Let's visit Hassan II Mosque with us!
Casablanca Day Trip


by Morocco Desert Palm Tours

Saturday 21 September 2013

Ben Youssef Madrasa in Marrakech, One of Must-Sees


If you have a chance to walk in the media of Marrakech, try to check out Ben Youssef Madrasa, which is in the north of the old medina.
Usually, shopping in the souk is the highlight of the tour, but if you just spare a short time to visit here, your day in Marrakech could be much more unforgettable.

Ben Youssef Madrasa in Marrakech
Beautiful courtyard
Ben Youssef Madrasa, an Islamic school for young studens, was established by the 14th century Sultan, and it had been actually used until the middle of the 20th century. Right next to this school is a mosque, and students came and went between the school and the mosque.


Street in medina in Marrakech
On the way to Ben Youssef
To get to the madrasa, you'll walk through the narrow streets in the medina in Marrakech. Shops along the streets are fun to see.

Marrakech Museum
Marrakech Museum is in the next
Marrakech Museum is right next to the madrasa. This used to a 19th century palace of a noble person in Marrakech.

Ben Youssef Madrasa
The entrace
After getting through a small gate, suddenly a bright big courtyard appears in front of you. It's a nice surprise for visitors.

Ben Youssef Madrasa
The wall is covered with Islamic patterns
The walls of the courtyard are covered with elaborate patterns and mosaics. Very sophisticated and well-organised.

Zellige mosaic of Ben Youssef Madrasa
Fine example of zellige mosaic
Tiles here are one of the most beautiful examples of zellige mosaic. You can identify the Ben Youssef Madrasa only by seeing its wall mosaic.

Courtyard of Ben Youssef Madrasa
Looking down the courtyard from upstairs
If you go upstairs, you can look down the courtyard. Afternoon sunlight makes a beautiful contrast.

Bedrooms of Ben Youssef Madrasa
Bedrooms for students
Contrary to the big courtyard, bedrooms for students upstairs are like small cells. Just a place for a bed and maybe for pray.

Looking down the hallway of Ben Youssef Madrasa
Beautiful decorations inside
Hallway is also beautifully decorated. How lucky students are, who actually had a chance to live here. And I believe we can find someone who had a school life here if we try hard!


Let's visit Ben Youssef Madrasa with us!
Marrakech Day Trip

by Morocco Desert Palm Tours

Tuesday 20 August 2013

Ait Ben Haddou, See the Life of Berber World!


Ait Ben Haddou is one of the "must-see" places in Morocco.
This is a fortified town of old Berber people.
Not so many are living here now.

People remember this place because popular Hollywood movies such as Gladiator were shot here and now it's protected as one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites.



Looking down from the top of the hill. Small houses are like toys,




To get to AIt Ben Haddou from Marrakech, we drive over high Atlas mountains. You can enjoy the great view!
And take a lunch break with those panoramic views.



Berber villages in High Atlases are famous with its stones and potteries.



Inside the Ait Ben Haddou. It is like a maze, sometimes streets are the roof of someone's house.



From here, you can see the huge field where the film "Gladiator" was shot. Everyone wants to stop here to take photos!



Some people are still living inside the village, and they have been keeping their traditional life. You would feel like you are just back in 100 or 200 years ago.

Let's visit Ait Ben Haddou with us!
Ait Ben Haddou Day Trip

by Morocco Desert Palm Tours

Wednesday 14 August 2013

Riad Altair in Marrakech, Evertyhing is Just Beautiful!

Here I'm letting you know one of MY favorite riads in Marrakech.
There are so many riads in the town and I've visited many of them.
This place somehow makes me feel like "Yes, this is the riad in Marrakech!!"

 
This place is not far from the parking place near Bab Doukkara, but as always :-) hard to find the entrance. Better ask a local to find the way.
Once you get there, it'll be easy for the second time.



The courtyard with a lot of green is something typical with this riad.
Fountain, rose petals, and of course, candles at night.



Room is not so big just like other riads. But it is well organized and looks authentic including traditional Moroccan carpets.



Some people say they like this quiet neighborhood. Just go straight to get to Jemaa el Fna.


This is the most beautiful breakfast I've ever seen in my life.
This could change your life. Really :-)

Riad Altair
21, derb Zaouia, Mosque of Bab Doukkala, Medina, Marrakesh, Morocco
Tel: +212 5 24 38 52 24
GSM: +212 6 61 36 19 99
Fax: +33 1 79 73 67 14
http://www.riadaltair.com/en/

Visit Marrakech with us!
Marrakech Day Trip


by Morocco Desert Palm Tours