The Perfectly Preserved Medieval City of Fez

There are few cities that exist today as they did 1,200 years ago. Fez (or Fes) Morocco is one of them.

Because of its outstanding ancient architecture, which was built to allow for horse and foot traffic, the cobbled streets are too narrow for cars. Fez El-Bali, the medina of Fez, is the largest car-free zone in any city in the world. This ancient walled city is one of Morocco's many UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It is a rare pleasure to walk around the city, not having to breathe car fumes, and compete only with horses, donkeys and hand-pulled carts!

Fez boasts the world's oldest existing and active university, al-Qarawiyyin, which first opened its doors as a religious school in the year 859 AD. Fes has been, and continues to be a major center of learning in the Arab world. It became the capital of the Moroccan empire in the 13th century, and during this time of prominence, people traveled from all over the world to study with famous philosophers, imams and political leaders.

It is a dual city, with two city centers. The original medina (Fez El-Bali, c. 800) is more the commerce center, and the newer town (Fez Jedid, 1276) is more the center of government.

Fez is the center of culture in Morocco, and is famous for its mutli-ethnic art, sacred music, epicurean delights and traditional crafts. As you walk around the souk and the medina, you can poke your head in any number of artisan cooperatives where they make leather, or wool, or cactus silk, or copper pots, or pottery. Many of these cooperatives are hundreds of years old and operate in the same tradition as their forebears.

As one of the major cities in northern Morocco, it has historically been a major point of entry into Morocco from Europe. During the Muslim and Jewish exodus from Europe (Spain in particular) Fez became a place of tolerance and Jews were instrumental in building the commercial and cultural life. For quite a long time, it was an important center of religious Jewish learning and philosophy. In addition, people came from all over Africa and the Muslim world to attend the University and to this day there is a very international, and tolerant feel, to Fez.

The accommodations in Fez - specifically the Riads - are outstanding.  A Riad is a traditional family dwelling (repurposed into a B&B) which, from the outside, is nothing but a door.... but once you enter through it is a lush oasis of peace and beauty, with fountains and tilework and plants and birds. Fez is famous for its colored glasswork, tile art, silk and copper, which you will find everywhere you go. Fez riads give the traveler a sense of opulent peace and meditation, and are the perfect choice for a full-immersion experience in this wondrous, ancient city.

Whether you're an adventurous eater or not, you will enjoy the incredible variety of food in Fez. There is an amazing mixture of Mediterranean, African, Jewish and Asian flavors, made with great care and pride. Fez is considered the epicurean capital of Morocco for good reason, and it sits in the midst of Morocco's outstanding wine region. (Most of the wine made in Morocco doesn't get exported because it's so good, they want to keep it for themselves.) If you like, schedule a cooking class while you're in Fez and learn to cook some of the delicious, traditional dishes.

A few nights in Fez are included in many of our Morocco Excursions. Marrakesh Voyage specializes in customized, private tours. With over 25 years experience as a tour agent in Morocco, we have a core team of excellent, experienced guides who become your Moroccan family while you're in our magical Kingdom. You give us your travel dates, we'll give you an unforgettable Moroccan journey of a lifetime!

We hope to see you there, Inshallah!

10 Reasons to Make Morocco a Travel Priority

Morocco is the gateway between Africa and Europe, ancient history and modern luxury. Journeying through it's geography, history and culture with the right tour company can be an experience of continual delights, creating a fantastic memory that will stay with you for the rest of your life. 

Here are ten fabulous reasons to put Morocco at the top of your trip list: 

1. Ancient History

Morocco is home to the Berbers, a civilization that is said to have inhabited Morocco (and North Africa) for at least 7,000 years. That ancient history is visible everywhere you travel, mixed with Arab influences from the past 1,000 years in the architecture, the hospitality, and the very simplicity of life. When you travel through the Atlas mountains, the Sahara Desert, and the ancient cities, you become a part of that incredible history.

2. Vibrant Culture
The arts are flourishing in Morocco! There are art, music, film, and writing festivals all over the country as well as traditional celebrations honoring harvests, marriages and historical events. Make sure to include a festival in your trip!

3. World Class Cuisine
Food is a very important part of life in Morocco; even the poorest Moroccans eat well. Although there are some corporate farms, most food is grown very traditionally, and organically, and great care is given to the presentation of meals. Fez is considered an epicurian capital of the world. In addition to the delectable traditional dishes of Tagine, Couscous, Bastilla and the like, there are also excellent fusions with French and Asian food.

If cooking is your thing, make sure to spend a night or two at Kasbah Omar in the High Atlas Mountains where cooking classes are offered to all guests.

4. Elegant Accommodations

Whether you're backpacking through Morocco or traveling 5star+, you will be enchanted with the beauty of Morocco's hotels, riads and B&Bs. Few people realize that the hacienda-style family dwelling comes from Arab culture, in which it was developed to keep out the heat of the desert in the summer, and stay warm in the winters. These dwellings are blank/nondescript from the outside, but sumptuous and peaceful inside. A riad is one of these buildings that has been beautifully converted into a B&B with a limited number of guest rooms. It is highly recommended that you stay at least one night in a riad to experience the beauty.

5. Gracious, Educated Hosts
When you travel with a well-respected tour company in Morocco you will have a highly educated guide at your side who speaks your language well. This guide will make sure you are comfortable, safe, will be able to give you context for every part of your journey.

6. Excellent Nightlife
Morocco has some of the largest and most famous nightclubs in all of Africa, especially in Marrakesh which has become a playground for Europe's elite. There are also excellent cultural fetes, such as the Fantasia in Marrakesh where you can dine like a Pasha while traditional musicians, dancers and Jannisaries perform all around you. Whatever your desire, it can be found in Marrakesh!

7. World Heritage Sites
Morocco boasts TWELVE world heritage sites, including the cities of Fez, Rabat and Marrakesh. You must include a visit to the Jemma El Fna square in Marrakesh, an ancient trading post and the largest most active square in all of Africa. Full of snake charmers, acrobats, tricksters and healers by day, it turns into an open air mall of restaurants at night where you can dine on sheep brains, escargot, or tripe soup if you're an adventurous eater, or sandwiches, couscous and tagines if not. Also, load up on delicious figs, dates and nuts at the merchant stalls around the square all day and night long, and the fresh orange juice is a fantastic pick-me-up after a day of exploration!

8. The Sahara Desert

There might not be anything in the world as wonderful as traveling by camel train into the desert evening to be met by a family of Berber nomads who cook you a fabulous dinner (including bread baked in the sand) and play drums, deep into the vast starry night. The endless sky wraps itself around the tall, undulating dunes, and as you sleep the silence fills you with vivid dreams.

9. 1,100+ Miles of Diverse Coastline
Bordering both the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, Morocco offers tremendous variety for aquatic fun. World class boating, swimming, fishing, and surfing are available from Tan-Tan to Tetouan. And of course, the seafood is extraordinary.

10. World Class Shopping
The Jemma El Fna is the entrance to the famous Souk of Marrakesh, an endless maze of shops where you can purchase anything your heart desires. The artisans of the souk are in a forever-battle of creating the most intricate, delightful, colorful items for you to purchase and take home.... whether it's shoes, scarves, pocketbooks, tea sets, jewelry, clothing, lamps, carpets etc etc etc. Shopping in the souk is a singular experience and can be very fun, especially if you love to haggle, but there are also fabulous shopping experiences all over Morocco. Don't be shy to stop at any roadside vendor to see what wonders they may have for you, whether its walnuts or crystals or tagines.

Marrakesh Voyage LLC offers private, chauffeured journeys for our clients. With over 25 years of experience, your excellent journey is our pleasure and our pride. We'll work with whatever dates you have available to build a trip to Morocco that you'll remember for the rest of your days! We can arrange everything you need for groups, corporate trips, and special events.

When is the Best Time to Visit Morocco?

An important part of planning your vacation is making sure you know what to expect, weather wise, in your destination. 

Morocco is very similar in size and geography to California, and yet there are times of the year that, depending on your purpose for traveling, you'll get a higher "Ahhhh!" factor.

If your goal is to visit the desert, then July and August are not ideal times to plan your trip. The daytime temperatures are in the hundreds, and you'll probably see a host of creepy crawly creatures that you might not want to encounter. July and August are also very hot in Marrakesh, which is a landlocked city that gets dusty and very dry.

However, this time of year is quite nice on the coast, in Essaouiera and Agadir, so if your interest is surfing, windsurfing or parasailing, this is a great time to go!

Many of the cultural festivals happen in May and June, so if you want to include some excellent music or theater events in your tour, check out the Morocco National Tourist Site and plan your trip around the festival of your choice. The weather at this time of year is hot - but not unbearably hot - and dry during the day, and cool at night.

March and April are a nice to to visit because people are happy that the rainy season is ending and they can put away their layers. The blossoms are on the trees, the air is fresh and the orange juice is fresh and bursting with flavor. It's similar in October/November... when the days lose the intensity of the summer heat, and the nights cool down.

During winter - December/January/February - it's rainy season in Morocco. It's more grey and cloudy than other times of the year, and there's a definite chill in the air. The higher end hotels and riads have heating, but if you're going on the cheap, don't expect heat in your room.

The beauty of traveling in the winter is that there are fewer tourists, and if you're a skiier, Toubkal in the Ourika Valley (40 minutes out of Marrakesh) is an excellent destination. There is also golfing in Marrakesh during the winter, in fact it's become the winter practice- and playground for many world-class golfers.

Whatever your reason for traveling, Marrakesh-Voyage.com would be honored to help you design an unforgettable, customized, private guided journey.

Bislaama! 

A Trekking Journey in the Sahara Desert with Overnight Camping Under the Stars

It sounds like a dream.... riding a camel into the sunset over the ochre dunes, led by a Saharoui guide, until you reach an oasis where food is cooked in the sand and rhythm of African drums beat late into the night. 

Whether you arrive on a full moon, when the dunes are as bright as day, or on a new moon, when the stars light up the sky like diamonds, your arrival at the nomad encampment will be a moment that you remember for the rest of your life. Your camel train departs from the edge of the sand and travels into the labyrinth of dunes, on a well-trodden pathway that only your guide can decipher. The rhythmic sway of the camel will lull you into a trance as you breathe in the astounding beauty of the desert around you, with its ever-shifting curves and valleys.

The expansive sky around you is like a balm for the soul. The smile on your face and glee in your heart as you trod through the sand in the darkening sky settles in; you will continue to find amazement and absolute joy as you journey to your encampment. Upon arrival, you are greeted with the customary cup of mint tea, and shown to your tent, with its surprisingly comfortable beds! After a quick rest, explore the dunes while your dinner is being cooked. If you plan ahead, you can spend the next day in a dune buggy, or surfing the tallest dunes.

A delicious desert dinner will be served - tagine, with Berber bread, baked in the sand. Musicians will enchant you with ancient songs of desert life. Before you lie down, make sure to stargaze, as you will never see the sky as brilliant as it is in the desert.... with no light pollution, no sound pollution, just the wind and the sand and the neverending sky. The silence of the desert will lull you to sleep and your dreams will be enchanted.

In the morning, share breakfast and meet some of the other travelers who have intersected with your desert journey, before reconnecting with your camel and trekking back to the edge of the desert - refreshed, uplifted, enchanted and inspired.

Marrakesh Voyage LLC offers private, customized tours of Morocco. Visit our website to learn how you can create your dream journey in the exotic Kingdom of Morocco, including a camel trek in the Sahara. 

Is it Safe to Travel in Morocco?

Tourism is the Primary Industry in Morocco. 

When tourism rates drop, the whole country suffers. To this end, Moroccans appreciate and welcome tourists who come and spend money in their country.... whether you're a backpacker or traveling on a five-star golf retreat. In Morocco, you will find a country of gracious, hospitable people.

Tourists are absolutely vital to the Moroccan economy. 

In the past decade, Islamic extremists have tried to create a foothold in Morocco, but they have only found loose sand, as most Moroccans are in fact very moderate and do not mix politics and religion. Morocco is a highly international country, being a part of Africa and a close cousin to Europe. Most Moroccan families have relations living abroad, and therefore have a perspective that transcends borders. They are a peace-loving people who want to share their rich heritage and landscape with all who come to visit. 

Morocco is becoming a popular destination for retirees, as the cost of living is very low and the quality of life is very high. All cities in Morocco have conveniences of the Western World, and it's possible to live quite simply and elegantly. Marrakesh is becoming known as the winter playground of Jetsetters as it's dotted with gorgeous golf courses, fantastic restaurants and world-class nightclubs.

It's not a well-known fact, but Morocco was the very first country to recognize the United States and offer friendship, back in the 1700's. The relationship between the US and Morocco is highly stable. The current King of Morocco has been influenced by the time he spent living in the US. He has instituted many progressive policies to create a more democratic Moroccan society, and has relationships with all living presidents.

When you travel in Morocco, you will find that many Moroccans speak at least a little English, and will welcome any opportunity to practice and learn more.

Marrakesh Voyage LLC offers private, customized tours of Morocco with a private car and driver/tour guide whose job it is to make sure your travels are perfectly enjoyable and safe. Come visit our website and let us help you build a dream trip to the Exotic Kingdom of Morocco! 

Can I Take a Culinary Tour of Morocco?

If you've ever wanted to take a "vacation with a purpose" then perhaps a culinary tour of Morocco is in your future!

Instead of just enjoying the varied epicurian delights available to you, come and learn how to cook some delectable Moroccan dishes while you enjoy touring around the country with our gracious, polite and educated team of tour leaders.

While visiting Fez, Rabat, Marrakesh, the High Atlas Mountains and Essaouira, you'll be taken on shopping and sightseeing excursions, during which you'll have a chance to shop for the most fresh ingredients - highly prized saffron, and cumin, and local meats and seafood. Later in the day, while enjoying some delicious Moroccan wine, our chefs will walk you through the process of making vegetable couscous, beef tagine, lamb kebabs, and chicken or seafood bastilla (a sweet/savory pie enjoyed as a main course).

Then of course you will enjoy your creations for dinner that night! You can be as involved as you like in the process; if you feel that you just want to watch, that's perfectly fine. Or, if you want to stand side-by-side with the chef, that's fine too. We encourage our clients to videotape the process for future reference.

If you're interested in a private culinary tour for yourself and friends or family or even a corporate tour to Morocco, we would be honored to help you build the trip of your dreams. As inspiration, come take a look at our prepared Morocco Culinary Tour, then imagine how you can change it to suit your own desires!

At Marrakesh-Voyage LLC, our specialty is customized, private tours. We've been in business since 1998 and have helped thousands of people enjoy their discovery of the Kingdom of Morocco.

The Mystical, Ancient City of Essaouira

If ever there existed a mystical city, it would be Essaouira, Morocco. 

A coastal city south of Casablanca, Essaouira (a UNESCO site) has been inhabited for thousands of years by a revolving door of occupiers, including the Phonecians, Berbers, Carthinians, Romans, Arabs, Portuguese and French. It has a sheltered deep-water port which has made it a valuable entrance point into North Africa from Europe and the Mediterranean. It became the major port in Morocco beginning in the 1700s, and was the meeting point for caravans traveling from sub-Saharan Africa with ships from Europe, West Africa and the Americas.

During the Portuguese occupation, Essaouira was dubbed Mogador due to a Muslim saint (Sidi Mogdoul) who is buried there, and is sometimes referred to as Mogador today. 

It continues to be a major fishing port, and boasts an iconic fortress. Fame came to Essouira when it was visited by Jimi Hendrix, Cat Stevens, and Paul Bowles, and it was used by Orson Welles for the filming of Othello. The arts - especially music - are very much in evidence, as it is home to the hugely popular Festival of Gnawa Music that takes place every June, as well as many other cultural festivals.

Essaouira was home to most of Morocco's Jewish population before Israel become a nation, and there still exists a Jewish "Mellah" or neighborhood. There is an ancient Souk where you can purchase just about anything your heart desires, as well as a wide variety of restaurants, cafes and bars. Essaouira, a highly international city, elicits the wisdom of the ages with a modern heart and a uniquely Moroccan soul. 

Marrakesh Voyage LLC includes a stay in Essaouira in most of its pre-planned itineraries. Enjoy a cooking class, where you are guided to the local market to hand-pick your own seafood for preparation. The hotels are stunning, the people are gracious and the food is divine! There are wind-surfing lessons, and camel rides on the beach. It is also one of the few places on Earth where you can purchase Argon oil, a highly-prized nut oil used in cooking as well as beauty products, direct from the factory.

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Our team of experienced travel professionals at Marrakesh Voyage would be delighted to help you design a private, guided journey in the Kingdom of Morocco.