Escape to Essaouira

As you walk across the Place Moulay Hassan to grab a scoop of ice cream or croissant from the Patisserie Driss, you’d never know this town center, or any part of Essaouira experienced a rich influx of culture and history. Travelers have scuttled their feet in the sands of this timeless coastal city well before the seventh century when the Phoenicians constructed their farthest outpost here. Even the Portuguese built sarcophagus walls around the harbor and Mogador Island. And as recent as 1765, Sultan Sidi Abdellah captured a French architect from a French vessel to redesign the city to make it open to foreign traders. In the 1900s, Jewish settlers and families were welcomed. However, In the 1950s, as the French built Casablanca into its commercial center, Essaouira slipped into stagnation until the hippie and tourist boom of present.

The Intriguing Literary Works of Leila Abouzeid

The acclaimed author, Leila Abouzeid, is considered to be a pioneer among her Moroccan contemporaries, mainly due to her choice to write in Arabic rather than in French. Her works have been translated into a number of languages, including English, Dutch, German and Urdu. She currently lives in Rabat, Morocco where she is in demand as a speaker on television and radio.

International Film Festival of Marrakech 2007

The exotic city of Marrakech in Morocco will welcome film directors, producers, actors, distributors and journalists from all over the world this November. They will be in Marrakech to showcase their films at The International Film Festival of Marrakech which is set to take place from November 30 to December 8, 2007.

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The Green March – A Campaign for Reunification

Moroccans will enjoy a public holiday on 6th November 2007 as they take time to commemorate an event known as “The Green March”. What is 'The Green March' and what prompted this historical event?

Moroccan Cuisine At Its Best

Moroccan cuisine is a delight to nearly all the senses. Couscous or skso, as it is called in Arabic, is Morocco’s national dish. Served with piping-hot vegetables and with mutton, chicken, or beef, it is any family’s special Friday meal. Eating with your hands is optional, although a common plate is shared. When it comes to dining in Morocco, one truth remains: You’ll never walk away hungry.

The Art of Choosing a Riad in Marrakech

Everyone who ventures across the big pond known as the Atlantic wants to stay in a Riad in Morocco. More than a hotel, a riad is an old-style Moroccan home that has been converted into a type of bed & breakfast. While families do not run most modern riads, they do cater to tourists looking for a higher-quality, cultural, and even traditional experience. Two of the most popular places to stay in a traditional riad in Morocco are Fez and Marrakech. For our purposes, we are going to focus on Marrakech.

The Ouzoud Waterfalls

Though chiefly associated with rolling sand dunes and desert vistas, Morocco also features some spectacular sights that one wouldn't expect to see in a North African country. Case in point: the Ouzoud Waterfalls. Located in Morocco's Azilal province 95 miles north-east of Marrakech, the Ouzoud Waterfalls (or "Cascades d'Ouzoud" in French) present a striking picture of beauty that is all the more unexpected compared to the ruggedness of the surrounding country.

Alternative Travel in Marrakech

Just when you thought that historical sites and gardens were all that Marrakech in Morocco had to offer, rest assured that plenty of alternative activities are available. We aren’t talking about taking the new tour bus or a classic carriage ride through town. What we are talking about is an alternative Marrakesh experience that will make your hotel stay and travels in Morocco all the more enjoyable and interesting – especially for those listening to your wayfarer tales back home.