MOROCCO
August 2017
12 DAYS
1600 km
I visited Morocco during august, not exactly the best period considering the temperatures (around 40 degrees Celsius most of the time), but I can reassure you that the heat isn’t that unbearable. Of course in certain places, the desert first of all, it will be needed to take some precautions not to end up fried at the end of the day. Another main suggestion is to organize the trip properly beforehand, because it isn’t always safe to take last minute choices on site. Of course respecting the local rules regarding religion and social behavior is also fundamental and something every tourist should do; during my stay I have often seen locals disrespected by loud or inappropriately dressed visitors and it was quite upsetting. If you visit a new country you should be ready to accept it’s traditions, mainly to respect who’s hosting you.
In a city always visit the Medina (the old fortress) and experience the local markets, in which you have to be careful though (especially in the bigger ones, like Marrakesh and Rabat): don’t bring too many valuables and most of all be ready to discuss with a lot of the locals who are often very insisting when trying to sell you something. Don’t be scared to bargain products, as it’s normal and every vendor will say a higher price at first knowing he’ll end up selling it for way less. Some guides even defined bargaining as some kind of national sport, and sometimes it can be really fun! Of course, again, don’t exaggerate by offering ridiculous prices because it can be disrespectful.
Make sure to visit the city of Chefchaouen, it’s unfortunately a bit out of range when doing normal tours of the country, but the multiple hours of drive are totally worth it. The little town is famous for being completely blue, and because of this you’ll find it to be a bit more touristy than most other places.
Another special place is Fes, a city known for it’s leather tanneries. The smell might be really strong because of some natural products used in the process, but the place is really incredible and a must-see. On the way to Meknes or Fes you should stop by Azrou, who’s region is habited by a population of monkeys, which are really friendly and approachable.
The most common way to reach the desert is through the Tafilalet Valley, which takes you to Erfoud, a city famous for its fossils, and then Merzouga, an actual village overlooking the Sahara. Unless you’re looking for something more extreme, standard attraction for tourists like the camel or Jeep rides are more than enough to enjoy the amazing landscapes. It’s always suggested to move around those areas with a guide or a local, considering the sand dunes are homes to snakes and scorpions, and Morocco is high up on the rank of yearly deaths caused by those animals.
The gorges of Todra and Boulmane-Dades, on the way to Ouarzazate, aren’t any less impressive. On top that the whole region of Boulmane has some incredible natural scenarios mixed with old ruins, earning these locations another spot in the must-see list of the country.
If you stop by Marrakesh, which is very likely, consider to take one day for a trip to Essaouira, a lovely little port of fishermen, where you must try the fresh fish they catch everyday. Last but not least, a tip for the photographers: like in most other places, you need to ask locals before taking a picture of them. Very often you will be asked for a tip, and make sure to respect the request. I hope this was helpful! Make sure to check out all the pictures from the trip in the galleries!
PHOTOS
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