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