Starry North African nights, belly dancers, fire eaters, sword swallowers and couscous are just some of the fare on offer in Marrakech, Morocco.
Just across the Strait of Gibraltar, a mere stone's throw from Europe, lies a country where camels plough fields and goats climb trees - a land that Mark Twain described as "a foreign place if ever there was one". He was talking about Morocco and more than a century later it remains a strange, often unpredictable place. You can't take anything for granted here.
Start exploring at the very heart of Morocco - in the ancient trading town of Marrakech. Dusky red city walls encase the town, whilst inside soaring minarets of palaces cast their shadows upon the main square - Djemma el-Fna. The square is where the town's main trading takes place. Here you can mix with fire-eaters, belly dancers and the occasional snake-charmer if you're brave enough.
The square is an example of Morocco's unpredictably. Tourism is vital to the country's economy and in most countries a vast space like this would be chock-full of everything to please western taste and to attract its money. Not here - apart from the snake charmers and water sellers who make their living from the few coppers they get from posing for photographs, there is little sign of any compromise to Western taste.
An evening of entertainment As the sun goes down, story-tellers, sword swallowers and henna tattooists take to the square. Small groups of musicians strike up a tune whilst belly dancers twist their hips to the beat.
As the evening turns into a starry North African night the food vendors move in, setting up their stalls lined with wooden benches lit by lanterns. They busy themselves preparing great vats of couscous, kebabs, fried fish and display dishes of snails, tripe soup and pigs' trotters. For 2 we you can enjoy a feast of spicy delicacies with not a hamburgers in sight.
Haggle for a bargain in the souk Of course a trip to Morocco wouldn't be complete without a visit to the souk. Beware though; the souk experience is not for the faint-hearted. Along the long narrow lanes you'll find it impossible to avoid the eyes of traders who shout for your attention. Haggle your way to a bargain if you dare. Best buys include Berber jewellery, kaftans, leather goods and even traditional Moroccan herbal remedies.
Make a point of heading out of Marrakech to explore further afield. The beautiful Atlas Mountains and Sahara desert are within easy reach of a day's excursion. For a peaceful escape from the bustle of Marrakech then head to the coastal resort of Agadir with its fabulous golden beaches or Essaouira with its charming fishing port.
Just across the Strait of Gibraltar, a mere stone's throw from Europe, lies a country where camels plough fields and goats climb trees - a land that Mark Twain described as "a foreign place if ever there was one". He was talking about Morocco and more than a century later it remains a strange, often unpredictable place. You can't take anything for granted here.
Start exploring at the very heart of Morocco - in the ancient trading town of Marrakech. Dusky red city walls encase the town, whilst inside soaring minarets of palaces cast their shadows upon the main square - Djemma el-Fna. The square is where the town's main trading takes place. Here you can mix with fire-eaters, belly dancers and the occasional snake-charmer if you're brave enough.
The square is an example of Morocco's unpredictably. Tourism is vital to the country's economy and in most countries a vast space like this would be chock-full of everything to please western taste and to attract its money. Not here - apart from the snake charmers and water sellers who make their living from the few coppers they get from posing for photographs, there is little sign of any compromise to Western taste.
An evening of entertainment As the sun goes down, story-tellers, sword swallowers and henna tattooists take to the square. Small groups of musicians strike up a tune whilst belly dancers twist their hips to the beat.
As the evening turns into a starry North African night the food vendors move in, setting up their stalls lined with wooden benches lit by lanterns. They busy themselves preparing great vats of couscous, kebabs, fried fish and display dishes of snails, tripe soup and pigs' trotters. For 2 we you can enjoy a feast of spicy delicacies with not a hamburgers in sight.
Haggle for a bargain in the souk Of course a trip to Morocco wouldn't be complete without a visit to the souk. Beware though; the souk experience is not for the faint-hearted. Along the long narrow lanes you'll find it impossible to avoid the eyes of traders who shout for your attention. Haggle your way to a bargain if you dare. Best buys include Berber jewellery, kaftans, leather goods and even traditional Moroccan herbal remedies.
Make a point of heading out of Marrakech to explore further afield. The beautiful Atlas Mountains and Sahara desert are within easy reach of a day's excursion. For a peaceful escape from the bustle of Marrakech then head to the coastal resort of Agadir with its fabulous golden beaches or Essaouira with its charming fishing port.
About the Author:
Written by Ava Mason. Read more about holidays to Morocco and other travel trips at Holiday Top Ten. Get a totally unique version of this article from our article submission service
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