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Near Zagora, only about 10 miles (18 km), is the town of Tamegroute. If you are driving, then follow the signs, and if you are taking a grand taxi, you’ll have no trouble getting there. The name itself means “border town” and it was, once, when Algeria’s borders stretched all the way up to the foot of Zagora. The area is famous because it was once the home, and is now the sanctuary of, Sidi Mohammed Ben Naceur.
On the way through Ouarzazate, the 100-mile (170 km) road to Zagora is primarily a straight and flat divide giving way to pre-Sahara scenery and sensations. The land, although sparse, sparks the imagination of what once took place here: camel caravans, traders, religious leaders, and some of the earliest explorers who came through the hub of Zagora on their way to Timbuktu. A popular sign that attracts no less than a hundred photos per day marks the distance from Zagora to Timbuktu by camel – 51 days.
Spending a day or two in Meknes is sufficient to see all the sites. You can either travel by taxi, car, or simply on foot. If you need any help sorting out directions, the people are friendly and more than willing to help point you or lead you in the right direction. You’ll notice that the atmosphere is less commerce oriented and hassle is nonexistent when compared with some places in the Fez medina.
After exploring the hills of the Middle Atlas around Ifrane and Azrou, and before being lured into the impressive Fez medina, don’t overlook Meknes. The city has its own impressive monuments and sights for a variety of travelers to Morocco. Known as the Moroccan Versailles, it is not outwardly apparent what makes this city so special. But, because Moulay Ismail fortified it as Morocco’s capital, some of its magic has stood the test of time.
Rabat, the capital city of Morocco, is a popular destination for tourists who want to see some of the country’s main sights. Rabat replaced Fez as the official capital of Morocco, and is now the official home to King Mohammed VI’s Royal Palace. This attraction is a major draw, and you can view parts of the palace’s courtyards from an outside vantage point, but get too close and the guard’s will shun any attempts.
On the same road from Meknes to Chefchaouen in Morocco, a historically significant destination often overlooked is Ouezzane. A sprawling town positioned just at the southern border of the Rif Mountains, it was once a place for Andalusian Jewish refugees and criminals to escape to in the mid to late 1400s. The religious overseer for Muslims of note was named Moulay Abdullah ben Brahim, who actually attempted becoming Sultan over Morocco in the 1700s.
With a rising population of near 60,000 inhabitants, Beni Mellal en route to Marrakech is a newfound hotspot for travelers and tourists to Morocco. If you are able to make it on a Tuesday, then you might hit a decent souk. Here, you can buy handcrafted woolen Berber blankets, olives that grow plentiful on the opposite valley, and throughout the summer enjoy the oranges that supply the orange juice vendors their supplies in Djema El Fna square each night.
Morocco has always been a place of acceptance. And, even though the majority of inhabitants are Muslim, Morocco’s rich religious history and modern heritage have close ties with the Christian and Jewish faiths. If you want to truly experience the vast history and culture of Morocco, then plan some routes on your voyage that will take you off of the beaten path. Venture to see different, multi-cultural Morocco often overshadowed by the main tourist venues.
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