The Erg Chebbi desert, near Merzouga, is the stretch of the Moroccan Sahara characterized by majestic sand dunes with incredible colors: from red to orange, from beige to gold. It is one of the most fascinating shows of Nature, a completely different dimension, a magical, silent, spiritual place.
The soul of each city is the Medina, the ancient historic center generally enclosed by walls: an area pulsating with energy, animation, traffic, commerce, colours, smells, where the confusion and the heat, especially in summer, can be ovrwhelming. The best way to fully enjoy the atmosphere of the fascinating imperial cities is diving into the frenzy of their medinas and then regenerate with a stay in a Riad. The Riad, which in Arabic means “garden”, is the typical noble residence built around a central courtyard where usually, but not always today, there are trees and plants and a source of water to cool off. Entering the riad, after walking through the teeming city streets, one has the impression of entering another dimension made of peace, tranquillity, silence. Riads are usually embellished with ceramic and stucco decorations and have a panoramic terrace. There are thousands of riads now renovated and used as hotels, for all tastes and budgets, from the simplest to the super-luxury.
In the cities and in particular in Fes, an experience not to be missed is to relax and regenerate in the traditional hammams. You can choose between the public ones, used mostly by the local population and in which women and men are separated, or the more luxurious ones in hotels or wellness centres.
Many of our itineraries start from Marrakech, the chaotic, cosmopolitan, colorful city with red walls: the “summa” of this country with a thousand faces. The central point in the medina is the extraordinary Djema el Fna square, which at any time of the day or night offers a show of incredible activity: its stalls with the most improbable goods – from dentures to love potions-, its tightrope walkers and storytellers, its contagious joy that has the flavor of an ancient crowded medieval square. Not to be missed: a mint tea at sunset on one of the terraces overlooking the square.
The imperial cities, Marrakech, Rabat, Fes, Meknes.
Fes, holy city, cultural and religious capital of Morocco, with its pale walls that light up in golden tones at sunset, is full of monuments and buildings of great interest. But the most extraordinary attraction is undoubtedly its Medina. With thousands of tangled alleyways and narrow streets pulsating with life, it is the most lively and traditional in the country: a true labyrinth of wonders. Not to be missed: a visit to the suggestive tanneries and a tea on a terrace when the muezzin intones the evening prayer at sunset which echoes from a thousand minarets.
Meknes, an elegant and refined city, is rich in monuments: the gates, the palaces, the water basins, the ancient granaries, the royal stables. In Meknes you can breathe a relaxed and at the same time modern and lively atmosphere that induces you to wander around and savor its beauties with tranquility, between one mint tea and another: from the picturesque souk to the large main square, from the monumental Bab Mansour Gate , to the numerous historical monuments.
Rabat. Capital of the country, it is the most modern of the imperial cities, rich in sites of historical interest (the Chellah, the Hassan Tower, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, the beautiful gardens). Do not miss the Oudayas casbah, a fortified city within the city, with the characteristic white and blue walls, pretty alleys and small cafes overlooking the sea, with breathtaking views of the surrounding ocean. Those who want to get to know a different face of Morocco can enjoy exploring the modern and international Ville Nouvelle (the new city).