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

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

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 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

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

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

A star shaped fountain in the courtyard. Actually, there are 41 fountains in this courtyard!

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

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

The wall is covered with Islamic patterns

The walls of the courtyard are covered with elaborate patterns and mosaics. Very sophisticated and well-organised.

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.

Looking down the courtyard from upstairs

If you go upstairs, you can look down the courtyard. Afternoon sunlight makes a beautiful contrast.

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.

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

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

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

Todra Gorge, Don't Forget to Look Up!

Todra Gorge is a beautiful oasis between Ouarzazate and Merzoga, along the road with thousand kasbahs.
Huge steep cliffs and quiet rivers are something you should not miss, and also, don't forget to look up the cliffs, you can see something you've never seen in your life!


When you just get into the gorge, the valley, you will feel like you are a part of picture!


Around the gorge is a peaceful quiet oasis, you can enjoy hiking!


If you look up the cliff, you'll see people climbing up the almost 90 degrees slope! They look so small, you need to be careful to find it out.


They have a hotel and restaurant at the food ot the cliff.


When you are in the shade, it's so cool and refreshing.


Enjoy your tajine or couscous lunch in the shade. Cool breeze in the oasis would be a great spice for you.


Visit Todra Gorge with us!
Todra Gorge / Dades Gorge from Erfoud or Merzouga

by Morocco Desert Palm Tours

Dar Anebar in Fez, Dreams Come True Riad!

Here we're showing you one of our favorite riads in Fez, Dar Anebar.
It locates just behind the Hotel Palais Jamai, rather easy to find, and close to the center of the medina.
Let's find it out together!


The first thing you'd say is just "Wow!" The courtyard of Dar Anebar is very traditional and beautiful.
You can feel that now you're right in the middle of medina.


This is the entrance of Hotel Palais Jamai, near Bab Jamai. You can get here by taxi and go through the courtyard of Jamai to get to the small streets in the medina.


The streets to Dar Anebar are very narrow, quite typical in the Fez medina.


Just like other riads, rooms are kind of small. This is also a tradition of old Islamic architecture.


Entrance hall of the annex. Very sophisticated. And Wifi is well provided everywhere!


Dar Anebar is also famous with its meals, a professional cook prepare authentic Moroccan cuisine. This is Pastila, a pie with pigeon meat, local specialty of Fez. Interesting part of this meat pie is, it's very sweet!


Breakfast is also quite beautiful ...


Dar Anebar
15 , derb Miter - Zenjafour 30200 FES MEDINA A 5 minutes du Palais Jamai
Tél. +212 666 20 26 14
Fax. +212 535 63 74 73
http://daranebar.com/

Visit Fez with us!
Fez Day Trip

by Morocco Desert Palm Tours

Chefchaouen, Blue Town in the Rif Mountains!

Chefchaouen is just a small town in the Rif Mountains in the north Morocco, but so many people want to visit here just one time during their trip.
This town is very famous with its "blue" houses. Once you get into the medina, you'd feel like you are in a fantasy world!


Walls and the doors of the buildings are painted in blue. The medina, old town, looks even more mysterious!


It's a small town on the hill side of the Rif Mountains. People are attracted by its atomosphere.


Somehow it looks beautiful even at night and also, very safe.


The kasbah, the fortress of the sultan is in the center of the town. This place has a long history, based on this kasbah, the Islams fought against Europe.


Outside of the medina, the streets are also very complicated and something like a maze.


Medina's gate. Out of this place, just quiet mountains and small rivers. So peaceful!

Visit Chefchaouen with us!
Chefchaouen Day Trip

by Morocco Desert Palm Tours