There are so many amazing places to visit in the world, but just about everyone who travels to the ancient Kingdom of Morocco raves about their experience.
Morocco is a mix; it’s full of Roman ruins and World Heritage sites. It’s got thousands of miles of coastline along the Atlantic and Mediterranean. The High Atlas Mountains are a wild swath of rugged adventure land; the Berbers who are the indigenous people of North Africa have lived in those mountains for 10,000 years. And of course, there’s the mystical Sahara Desert… no-mans realm of nomads and spice traders.
It’s also completely modern with five star hotels, world famous restaurants, nightclubs, universities and endless shopping for magnificent, colorful, artful decorations.
15 years ago, the airports had squat toilets and the Berbers in the mountains had no running water or electricity, but all that has changed. Unless you travel far off-grid, you will experience the comfort of the Western world in regards to accommodations, food, entertainment and the necessities of life.
That being said, you have myriad options to choose from; you will be welcomed to sleep and eat with a Berber family if you so desire, or you may opt to enjoy the comforts of countless gated golf resorts along the ocean.
There are activities for every personality. Golfing on exquisite courses… shopping in an ancient souk… trekking the Sahara on a camel… windsurfing… cooking classes… off-roading… mountain climbing… and so much more. Morocco has in fact become a sort of “playground of the wealthy” because it is relatively affordable and convenient to Europe, the Middle East and New York.
One of the reasons to visit Morocco is the incredible diversity of humanity that you encounter. As a flight hub for both Europe and Africa, there are sub-populations of West African, Chinese, Indian, French, middle Eastern, Jewish and increasingly American people. Casablanca and Marrakesh have become melting pots where it’s now just as convenient to get burgers, pizza and sushi as it is a chicken tagine or lamb couscous.
(Sometimes, while traveling, one gets tired of local food and craves a taste of home!)
The geography of Morocco is somewhat similar to California. The High Atlas Mountains, a natural barrier to European invaders, also acts as a barrier to the Sahara Desert. West of the mountains is pure agriculture, all the way to the ocean. Oranges, olives, almonds, grapes… it has literally become a food basket for Europe and more often the US (as the population rejects California radiation contaminated food).
Moroccan wine is of the highest quality and there’s plenty of it! However it’s difficult to find Moroccan wine in other parts of the world; it’s said that this is because Moroccans drink it all!
