DESTINATIONS

                                                                  The great South 

MERZOUGA

It is a small Berber town in the southeast of Morocco, with a population of 1500 inhabitants, a unos 35 kilometers southeast of Rissani , a some5 kilometers from Erfoud, and a few 50 kilometers from the border with Algeria.

It is the most famous village of Erg Chebbi, the only and true sub-Saharan erg in Morocco (250 meters high), and it is for this reason a part of the itineraries of many tourists visiting Morocco. Merzouga also has the biggest spring water .

Around the dunes of Erg Chebbi, There are other less known villages: Hassi Labied to 4 km de distancia, Tanamoust to 3 km de distancia, Takoujt to 1,km awayia, Khamlia to 7 miles and a 15 km, Tisserdmine.

Traveling through the desert you will have the opportunity to discover many villages around the dunes, Hamadas, Lost OASIS, Lakes and the desert nomads under their tents.

OUZINA

Approximately 55 Km. merzouga, access to the village of Ouzina is, located in the same desert, surrounded by a string of black mountains due to its mineral and beautiful dunes ochre. It is a village of ancient nomads where the main word is the ” hospitality “. Ouzina is like a jewel set in the varied landscape of the Moroccan desert, that is of special interest to visitors.

ERFOUD

It is a city located in an Oasis in the Sahara desert, in the Meknes-Tafilalet of the Maghreb, region in the East of Morocco. It was founded in 1917 and used as a military post. Today is the best destination for excursions to the desert. Every October is celebrated the Festival’s dates.

OUARZAZATE

Its name comes from a Berber phrase meaning “without noise” o “without confusion”. It is known for its proximity to the Atlas mountains and the Valley of the Draa River. As for Taourit, that is the name of his Kashba or Alcazaba, It makes reference in the regional Berber who rises above a mound.

In the past, Ouarzazate was a small crossing point for African traders who were trying to reach northern cities in Morocco and Europe. During the French period, grew considerably as city, being an administrative center.

It was founded by the French in 1928. Today the Moroccans have worked hard to promote it as an important point of destination. Today it is the most developed in the South of Morocco city and has a good strategic position, for this reason it has the presence of the film industry and movie studios.

TO 30 kilometers from Ouarzazate on the top of a hill is the Kasbah of Ait-Benhaddou, UNESCO World Heritage, with its construction in mud, the Kasbah is considered better consevada in the Atlas region. It is an attractive place for film-makers and where many movies have been filmed as ” Lawrence of Arabia “, ” Babel “, ” Tea in the Sahara ” and ” Gladiator.

                                                                            IMPERIAL CITIES DESTINATIONS

MARRAKESH

Marrakesh (original name in Berber tamurt n Akkuc, God’s land), It is one of the most important cities of Morocco, account with 1.545.541 inhabitants and is to the South of the country, at the foot of the Atlas mountains, to 466 meters high. It has numerous monuments world heritage site, What makes the main tourist attraction of the country.

ES, near Meknès, Fez and Rabat, one of the four imperial cities of Morocco. It was founded in 1062 by the Almoravids and was the capital of the Islamic Empire. The city has the country’s largest traditional market and one of the Africa’s busiest squares and the world, Djemaa el Fna. Acrobats are listed in square, storytelling, water vendors, dancers and musicians. At night, the square is filled with food stalls, becoming a great restaurant in the open air.

Marrakech or ” Alhmraa” It was founded in 1062 by Sultan Youssef Ben Tashafine. One of the cities most artistic and cultural in the Islamic world. Marrakech offers much to its visitors and at least 2 full days are recommended in this fabulous city.

RABAT

It is the capital of the Kingdom of Morocco and the Rabat-Salé-Zemmour-Zaer region. The city is located on the Atlantic coast, on the South Bank and at the mouth of the River Bouregreg, It separates it from the neighboring city of Salé. It has a population of 1.622.860 inhabitants, making it the second most populous city in the country after Casablanca. These two cities with Témara make a population of 2 million inhabitants.

With the arrival of the Almohads in the 12th century, Rabat began to grow in size and importance. Rabat is very interesting within all the imperial cities. The large walls enclose a large modern city, but there are still places that recall the past rich in Rabat.

FES

It is the third city of Morocco, After Casablanca and Rabat, with a population of 946.815 inhabitants.

FES is the oldest of the imperial cities of Morocco , is the symbolic heart of the country with its narrow streets, Medieval Islamic schools, Workshops, Markets … and ancient palaces to the with pouring in a very special city and that is worth a visit.

It is regarded as the religious centre and Cultural of the country. Your University, famous for the study of Arabic and Muslim Religion, make it point of passage of a large number of Moroccan students.

The city was founded by Idris I, founder of the Idrisid dynasty in 789 in the Western margin of the Fez River. Later, in the 810, Idris II took up residence in Fez and turned it into the capital of your State. It was a residential and commercial city with the arrival of 8000 families of Andalusians who quickly mixed with some Arab families who came of Qayrawan, Tunisia. As other destinations, FES has much to offer, see their Royal palaces, its narrow streets and lose the richness of the old Medina.

CASABLANCA

It is the largest city in Morocco. The country’s economic capital, is located on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean to 80 miles south of the capital Rabat. Is the Moroccan city more populated with 6.434.422 of inhabitants. This port city was in decline until the French decided to remodel it with wide boulevards, public parks and the imposition of the Morisco (Arabic) civic buildings. La Casa de la Medina, the old town and the largest mosque in the world, that of Hassan II, they are the main attractions that the city offers.

VOLUBILIS

An hour of road to the West of FES is located another city called Meknes Morocco Imperial. The first inhabitants here were the Berbers in the 10th century, but around Meknes 17TH century began to gain respect as Imperial City when the Alawite dynasty established it as the capital of the country during the period of Moulay Ismail. In 1755 a great earthquake shook Meknes and many of its monuments were lost forever.

Volubilis is an ancient Roman city located on the territory of the current Morocco, some 20 miles north of Meknes, at the foot of Mount Zerhun, and a 4 of Moulay Idriss, the Holy City of Morocco. The archaeological site of Volubilis is possibly the best preserved Roman site of this area of North Africa. It was included in the Unesco World Heritage list in 1997 Volubilis was colonized by traders in the 3rd century. Quickly the Roman Empire got his well-deserved fame with 20.000 Commercial inhabitants. Its population of Greeks, Berbères and Syrians continued speaking latin even after the arrival of Islam. Volubilis was inhabited until the end of the 18th century, When the catastrophic earthquake of Lisbon (Portugal) It destroyed the city and its marble was used to build the palaces of Meknes.

                                                                     Atlantic Ocean

AGADIR

It is a tourist destination known internationally.
One of the main resources of the area as a tourist attraction is the National Park of Souss-Massa, where are remarkable landscapes and the last viable population of the Northern bald Ibis, critical endangered species. Various ecotourism initiatives have been made in particular at the mouth of the Oued Massa where possible routes accompanied by local guides with the observation of birds and rides on the back of ass as attractions added to the cultural richness of the area.
Agadir in Berber means “Fortified granary” also called Miami of Morocco. Agadir is a modern and dynamic city which offers a great night life.

ESSAOUIRA

It is the capital of the homonymous province, in the region of Marrakech-Tensift – el Haouz. With nearly 70.000 Inhabitants, its medina or historic centre is listed by UNESCO as World Heritage since 2001. The economy of the place revolves around fishing, the timber industry, textile and food, and on trade in handicraft products, marquetry and jewelry in particular. It has gas pipeline and an aerodrome. Fantastic hosts annually the Gnawa Festival which attracts thousands of visitors. It is the most popular city of the coast of Morocco. It has a magnificent and long beach, miles South. Its atmosphere is in contrast to the souks of Marrakech and Fez cities . If you had to choose between the coastal cities of Morocco it would be Essaouira. A view to the sea and its castle, and enjoy its magnificent fish grilled in a restaurant right next to the sea is a pleasure.

EL JADIDA

TO 96 kilometers to the South of Casablacanca is another city UNESCO World Heritage in Morocco, El Jadida. From the sea El Jadida has a halve appearance, It has massive Portuguese walls of carved stone, corresponding to the old square of sovereignty of Mazagan.
Mazagan was taken in 1502 by the Portuguese, which possessed the city up to 1769, When they decided to leave it. Its inhabitants were evacuated to the Brazil, where they founded new settlement Nova Mazagão (Amapá). Mazagan was then taken over by sultan Mohammed III of Morocco, and was renamed as Al-Jadida.
Its old Medina along the Atlantic coast make it one of the most beautiful cities on the Moroccan coast.

ASILAH

Asilah was occupied by the Portuguese, who built the fortress of the city in 1471. Asilah is located in the North of Morocco, It is one of the Atlantic coastal cities more beautiful Morocco especially in summer, with its excellent beaches, Friendly people and very clean streets. If you are looking for peace of mind then this is the best place.